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M., 


CIa.1 

Book^/^/^  ^  Vol. 

Library 

Historical 

Department 

of 

Iowa 

LANDMARKS 


STEUBEN    COUNTY 


NEW  YORK 


EDITED   BY 


HON.    HARLO   HAKES 


ASSISTED    BY 

L.  C.  ALDRICH  AND  OTHERS 


SYRACUSE,    N.  Y. 

D.  MASON  &  COMPANY,  PUBLISHERS 

i8q6 


^^19^ 


Js^ 


PREFACE. 


In  the  preparation  of  this  historical  and  biographical  record  earlier 
works  bearing-  on  the  histor}^  of  this  section  of  the  State  have  been 
consulted,  and  also  many  original  sources  of  information.  A  careful 
review  of  the  work,  from  beginning  to  end,  discloses  the  fact  that 
more  than  two  thousand  persons  have  been  interviewed  in  the  quest  of 
authentic  data,  hence  it  cannot  be  assumed  that  the  present  volume  is 
a  mere  compilation  from  previous  publications.  The  work  is  now 
placed  before  the  people  of  the  county,  and  the  editor,  writers  and  pub- 
lishers have  no  apology  to  make,  believing  none  is  needed.  At  the 
same  time  they  have  not  the  temerity  to  claim  this  to  be  a  faultless 
volume,  but  assert  for  it  reasonable  and  substantial  accuracy.  The 
arrangement  of  the  subject  of  the  county's  history  will  be  found 
novel,  yet  convenient  and  interesting. 

The  editor  and  the  writers  take  this  opportunity  to  express  thanks 
for  generous  assistance  on  the  part  of  the  best  informed  men  of  the 
region,  and  the  publishers  also  acknowledge  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  the 
public  spirited  citizens  of  the  county  at  large  for  the  hearty  support 
that  has  made  the  work  possible. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 


County  Organizations— Albany  — Tryon  —  Montgomery  —  Ontario— Steuben— 
Claims  to  Pre-historic  Occupation — Early  Discoveries  and  Explorations — 
The  French— The  Dutch— The  English '..       1 

CHAPTER  II. 

French  and  English  Rivalry — The  Indian  Occupation — Iroquois  Confederacy — 
The  Senecas — The  Jesuit  Fathers  among  the  Indians —  Events  Precedingand 
During  the  French  and  English  Wars — Overthrow  of  French  Power  in  Amer- 
ica— The  Delaware  Village  near  Canisteo 6 

CHAPTER  III. 

Events  Preceding  the  Revolution — Pontiac's  League— Action  of  the  Senecas — 
The  Revolutionary  War — Sullivan's  Campaign — Brief  Reference  to  the  Indian 
History  and  Antiquities  of  Steuben  County 14 

CHAPTER  IV. 

After  the  Revolution — An  Era  of  Peace — Controversy  between  Massachusetts 
and  New  York — The  Hartford  Convention — The  Phelps  and  Gorham  Pur- 
chase— The  Lessee  Companies — Settlement  of  Difficulties — The  Surveys — 
Sale  to  Robert  Morris — The  Pulteney  Association — Charles  Williamson — 
Foundation  of  Land  Titles  in  Steuben  County — The  Anti-Rent  Conflict 20 

CHAPTER  V. 

Division  of  Montgomery  County— Creation  of  Ontario  and  Steuben  Counties — 
Brief  Allusion  to  Baron  Steuben — His  Life  and  Services — The  Original  Terri- 
tory of  Steuben  County  Divided  into  Towns — First  County  Ofificers — County 
Buildings — Second  Jury  District — Steuben  County  Civil  List 30 


vi  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

The  Civil   Divisions  of  the  Count}' -• 39 

CHAPTER  VII. 

The  Civil   Divisions  of  the  County -  - - 82 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

The  Civil   Divisions  of  the  County 104 

CHAPTER  IX. 

The  Civil  Divisions  of  the  County 130 

CHAPTER  X. 
'i'he  Civil  Divisions  of  the  County 150 

CHAPTER  XI. 
The  Civil  Divisions  of  the  County 164 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Invents  Preceding  and  During  the  War  of  1812-15— Companies  Organized  in 
Steuben  County— Results  of  the  War— The  Conflict  with  Mexico— The  Steu- 
ben Company — Population  of  the  Coimty  by  Decades 185 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Steuben  County  in  the  War  of  1861-65 190 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

The  Bench  and  Bar..    205 

CHAPTER  XV. 
The  Press. 226 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
The  Medical   Profession 337 


CONTENTS.  vii 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
Cities,  Villages  and  Hamlets 348 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Cities,  N'illages  and  Hamlets 308 

CHAPTER  XIX. 
Cities,  Villages  and  Hamlets 323 

CHAPTER  XX. 
Cities,  Villages  and  Hamlets ...    337 

CHAPTER  XXI. 
.,^  Churches 354 

PART  II, 

BIOGRAPHICAL . 1_79 

PART    III. 
FAMILV  SKETCHES l_.50(j 


INDEXES. 

Historical 507 

Biographies 514 

Family  Sketches 515 

Portraits . 529 


LANDMARKS 


STEUBEN   COUNTY 


CHAPTER  I. 

County  Organizations— Albany— Tyron — Montgomery— Ontario — Steuben — Claims 
to  Pre-historic  Occupation — Early  Discoveries  and  Explorations — The  French — The 
Dutch— The  English. 

The  State  of  New  York,  for  the  purpose  of  more  conveniently  admin- 
istrating the  affairs  of  local  government,  is  divided  by  law  into  counties, 
and  the  latter  are  further  subdivided  into  towns.  Municipal  govern- 
ments, likewise,  are  provided  for  cities  and  villages,  securing  to  them 
separate  officers  and  tribunals  for  the  management  of  their  peculiar 
affairs,  and  other  privileges,  varying  with  their  respective  charters. 
Under  the  Dutch  dominion  the  only  divisions  were  the  city  and  towns. 
Counties  were  erected,  for  the  first  time,  by  the  act  of  1683,  and  were 
twelve  in  number,  Albany  being  farthest  west  in  the  colony  of  New 
York  and  in  its  jurisdiction  extending  over  the  region  now  of  Steuben 
county,  although  no  civilized  occupancy  was  then  known  in  this  part  of 
the  province, 

Tryon  county  was  erected  in  1772,  from  Albany,  and  comprised  the 
country  west  of  a  north  and  south  line  extending  from  St.  Regis  to  the 
west  bounds  of  the  town  of  Schenectady;  thence  running  irregularly 
southwest  to  the  head  of  the  Mohawk  branch  of  the  Delaware,  and 
along  the  same  to  the  southwest  bounds  of  the  present  county  of 
Broome;  thence  in  a  northwesterly  direction  to  Fort  Bull,  on  Wood 
Creek,  near  the  present  village  of  Rome.  All  the  region  west  of  the 
1 


2  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

line   Inst   mentioned    was    Indian   territory,  unoccupied    by  the    whites, 
except  incidentally,  and  not  subject  to  county  jurisdiction. 

On  tlie  27th  day  of  January,  1789  (after  the  close  of  the  Revolution, 
and  after  the  settlement  of  the  controversy  between  the  States  of  Massa- 
chusetts and  New  York,  growing  out  of  conflicting  grants  and  charters 
by  the  crown),  the  county  of  Tyron,  then  known,  however,  as  Mont- 
gomery, was  divided,  and  that  part  of  the  State  which  had  been  ceded 
to  Massachusetts,  so  far  as  the  pre-emption  right  was  concerned,  was 
erected  into  a  separate  county  by  the  name  of  Ontario;  and  from  the 
latter,  on  March  8,  1796,  the  county  of  Steuben  was  formed  and  there- 
after duly  organized. 

The  history  of  Steuben  county  properly  begins  with  the  time  of  its 
creation,  and  a  narrative  of  the  events  of  the  territory  within  its  bound- 
aries, previous  to  such  erection,  must  be  associated  with  the  history  of 
the  older  counties  of  which  it  once  formed  a  part.  In  fact  the  aboriginal 
occupation  of  this  region  is  inseparably  connected  with  that  of  the  whole 
Phelps  and  Gorham  purchase,  and  is  auxiliary  to  though  not  co-ex- 
tensive with  it. 

The  claim  has  been  made  on  the  part  of  many  well-informed  persons 
that  there  have  been  found  in  various  localities  in  Steuben  county 
evidences  of  a  pre  historic  occupation  ;  that  there  have  been  discovered 
certain  relics  and  implements  of  peculiar  construction  the  like  of  which 
are  now  unknown,  and  that  they  must  have  been  left  by  a  race  of  peo- 
ple different  from  the  red  sons  of  the  forest,  the  period  of  whose  occu- 
pancy long  antedated  the  coming  of  the  ancestors  of  the  famed  Iroquois. 
This  claim,  in  the  writer's  view,  is  a  mistaken  one.  True,  there  have 
been  unearthed  tools  and  utensils  which  were  never  in  common  use 
among  the  Indians,  but  we  must  remember  that  the  Jesuits  and  their 
followers  traversed  this  region  more  than  a  century  and  a  half  before 
any  civilized  white  settlement  was  made  ;  and  we  must  also  remember 
that  the  crude  and  to  us  unaccountable  implements  were  then  in  the 
hands  of  comparative  ancients,  and  were  {he  product  of  a  period  in 
which  was  known  but  little  of  the  mechanical  arts  as  we  see  and  under- 
stand and  use  them  at  the  present  time.  None  of  the  Indian  tribes  had 
a  tradition  that  run  to  the  time  of  the  Mound  builders,  and  while  there 
may  be  ill-defined  outline  possibilities  of  such  a  presence  from  which 
the  student  of  archaeology  may  theorize  on  this  subject,  we  see  nothing 


EARLY  DISCOVERIES.  3 

in  the  claim  referred  to  which  is  inconsistent  with  the  modern  theory 
of  continuous   Indian  occupation. 

Four  hundred  years  ago  tlie  first  Spanish  adventurers  landed  on  the 
shores  of  the  American  continent.  Saih'ng  under  the  patronage  of 
Spain,  Christopher  Columbus,  the  Genoese,  in  1492  made  his  wonderful 
discoveries,  an  event  generally  designated  as  the  discovery  of  America, 
altjiough  the  first  Europeans  to  visit  the  western  hemisphere  were 
Scandinavians,  who  colonized  Iceland  in  A.  D.  875,  Greenland  in  983, 
and  about  the  year  1000  had  cruised  southward  as  far  as  the  Massachu- 
setts coast. 

During  the  ages  that  preceded  these  events,  no  grander  country  in 
every  point  of  view  ever  waited  the  approach  of  civilization.  With 
climate  and  soil  diversified  between  the  most  remote  extremes;  with 
thousands  of  miles  of  ocean  shores  indented  by  magnificent  harbors  to 
welcome  the  world's  commerce  ;  with  many  of  the  largest  rivers  of  the 
globe  draining  its  territory  and  forming  natural  highways  for  commerce  ; 
with  a  system  of  lakes  so  immense  in  area  as  to  entitle  them  to  the  name 
of  inland  seas  ;  with  mountains,  hills  and  valleys  laden  with  the  richest 
minerals  and  almost  exhaustless  fuel  ;  and  with  scenery  unsurpassed  for 
grandeur,  it  needed  only  the  Caucasian  to  transform  a  wilderness  in- 
habited only  by  savages  into  the  free,  enlightened  republic,  which  is 
to  day  the  wonder  and  glory  of  the  civilized  world. 

Following  close  upon  the  discoveries  of  Columbus  and  other  early 
explorers,  various  foreign  powers  fitted  out  fleets  and  commissioned 
navigators  to  establish  colonies  in  the  vast  but  unknown  continent. 
These  events,  however,  will  be  briefly  treated  in  this  work,  and  only 
those  will  be  mentioned  which  had  at  least  an  indirect  bearing  upon  our 
subject. 

In  1508,  Aubert  discovered  the  St.  Lawrence  River,  and  1524,  Francis 
I,  king  of  France,  sent  Jean  Verrazzani  on  a  voyage  of  exploration  to 
the  new  world.  He  entered  a  harbor,  supposed  to  have  been  that  of 
New  York,  where  he  remained  fifteen  days  ;  and  it  is  believed  that  his 
crew  were  the  first  Europeans  to  land  on  the  soil  of  what:  is  now  the 
State  of  New  York.  The  Gallic  explorer  cruised  along  the  coast  about 
2,100  miles,  sailing  as  far  north  as  Labrador,  and  giving  to  the  whole 
region  the  name  of  "New  France" — a  name  by  which  the  P^rench 
possessions  in  America  were  ever  known  during   the   dominion   of  that 


4  ^  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

power.  In  1534  the  same  king  sent  Jacques  Cartier  to  the  country,  and 
he  made  two  voyages,  on  the  second  being  accompanied  with  a  number 
of  French  nobihty,  all  of  whom  were  filled  with  high  hopes  and  bearing 
the  blessings  of  the  church.  This  party  was  determined  upon  the  col- 
onization of  the  country,  but,  after  passing  a  severe  winter  at  the  Isle 
of  Orleans,  abandoned  their  scheme  and  returned  to  France.  As  a  be- 
ginning of  tlie  long  list  of  needless  and  shameful  betrayals,  treacherjes 
and  other  abuses  to  which  the  too  confiding  natives  were  subjected, 
Cartier  inveigled  into  his  vessel  an  Indian  chief  who  had  been  his  gen- 
erous host,  and  bore  him  with  several  others  into  hopeless  captivity 
and  final  death. 

Cartier  again  visited  New  France  in  1540,  but  no  further  attempts 
in  the  same  direction  were  made  until  about  1589,  when  the  re- 
gion, particularly  its  Canadian  portion,  was  made  a  place  of  banish- 
ment for  French  convicts;  but  even  this  scheme  failed,  and  it  remained 
for  private  enterprise  to  make  the  first  successful  effort  toward  the 
permanent  occupation  of  the  country.  The  real  discoverer  and  founder 
of  a  permanent  colony  in  New  France  was  Samuel  de  Champlain,  a 
man  born  with  that  uncontrollable  instinct  of  investigation  and  desire 
for  knowledge  of  distant  regions  which  has  always  so  strongly  charac- 
terized all  great  explorers.  His  earlier  adventures  in  this  country  have 
no  connection  with  this  work,  and  it  is  therefore  sufficient  to  merely 
mention  that  in  1608  he  was  sent  to  the  country  and  founded   Quebec. 

To  satisfy  his  love  for  exploration,  Champlain  united  with  the  Cana- 
dian Indians  and  marched  into  the  unknown  country  to  the  southward, 
and  the  result  was  the  discovery  of  the  lake  that  bears  his  name.  The 
party  also  invaded  the  land  of  the  Mohawks,  in  the  country  of  the  Iroquois, 
and  a  conflict  followed  between  the  Algonquins,  aided  by  Champlain, 
and  a  portion  of  the  Iroquois,  in  which  the  latter  were  defeated  with 
the  loss  of  two  of  their  chiefs,  who  fell  by  the  hands  of  Champlain  him- 
self. 

Thus  was  signalized  the  first  hostile  meeting  between  the  white  man 
and  the  Indian.  Low  as  the  latter  was  found  in  the  scale  of  intelligence 
and  humanity,  and  terrible  as  were  many  of  the  subsequent  deeds  of 
the  Iroquois,  it  cannot  be  denied  that  their  early  treatment  could  foster 
in  the  savage  breast  any  other  feeling  than  that  of  bitterest  hostility. 
It  seems  like  a  pathetic  page  of  romance  to  read  Champlain's  statement 


CONFLICTING  GRANTS.  5 

that  "The  Iroquois  are  greatly  astonished,  seeing  two  men  killed  so 
instantaneously,"  one  of  whom  was  their  chief;  while  the  ingenuous 
acknowledgment  of  the  Frenchman,  "  I  had  put  four  balls  into  my 
arquebus,"  is  a  vivid  testimony  of  how  little  mercy  the  Iroquois  nation 
were  to  expect  from  their  northern  enemies  and  the  pale-faced  race 
which  was  eventually  to  drive  them  from  their  domain.  It  was  an  age, 
however,  in  which  might  was  appealed  to  as  right  more  frequently 
than  in  later  years,  and  the  planting  of  the  lowly  banner  of  the  Cross 
was  frequently  preceded  by  bloody  conquests.  It  is  in  the  light  of  the 
prevailing  custom  of  the  old  world  in  Champlain's  time  that  we  must 
view  his  ready  hostility  to  the  Indian. 

Let  us  also  turn  briefly  to  other  events  which  have  had  an  indirect 
bearing  on  the  settlement  of  this  part  of  the  country.  A  few  weeks 
after  the  battle  between  Champlain  and  the  Indians,  Henry  Hudson,  a 
navigator  in  the  service  of  the  Dutch  East  India  Company,  anchored 
his  ship  (The  Half-moon)  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  which  now  bears  his 
name.  This  took  place  September  5,  1609.  He  met  the  savages  and 
was  hospitably  received  by  them  ;  but  before  his  departure  he  sub- 
jected them  to  an  experimental  knowledge  of  the  effects  of  intoxicating 
liquor — an  experiment  perhaps  more  baneful  in  its  results  than  that  in- 
flicted by  Champlain  with  his  new  and  murderous  weapon.  Hudson  as- 
cended the  river  to  a  point  within  less  than  a  hundred  miles  of  that 
reached  by  Champlain,  then  returned  to  Europe,  and,  through  the 
information  he  had  gained,  soon  afterward  established  a  Dutch  colony, 
for  which  a  charter  was  granted  in  1614,  naming  the  region  "New 
Netherlands." 

The  Dutch  dominion,  however,  was  of  brief  duration.  Indian  hos- 
tilities were  provoked  through  the  ill-advised  action  of  Governor 
Kieft,  whose  official  career  continued  for  about  ten  years,  being  super- 
seded by  Peter  Stuyvesant  in  May,  1647.  The  latter  was  the  last  of 
the  Dutch  governors,  and  his  firm  and  equitable  policy  had  the  effect  of 
harmonizing  the  discontent  existing  among  the  Indians.  On  the  12th 
of  March,  1664.  however,  Charles  II  of  England  granted  by  letters 
patent  to  his  brother  James,  the  Duke  of  York,  all  the  country  from 
the  River  St.  Croix  to  the  Kennebec  in  Maine,  together  with  all  the 
land  from  the  west  bank  of  the  Connecticut  River  to  the  east  side  of 
Delaware   Bay.     The   duke   sent  an    English  squadron    to  secure   the 


6  LANDMARKS  OB'  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

gift, and  on  the  8th  of  September  following,  Governor  Stuyvesant  capit- 
ulated, being  constrained  to  that  course  by  the  Dutch  colonists,  who 
preferred  peace,  with  the  same  privileges  and  liberties  accorded  to  the 
English  colonists,  rather  than  a  prolonged  and  perhaps  uncertain  con- 
test. The  English  changed  the  name  of  New  Amsterdam  to  New 
York,  and  thus  ended  the  Dutch  dominion  in  America. 

Meanwhile,  in  1607,  the  English  had  made  their  first  permanent 
settlement  at  Jamestown,  Va.,  and  in  1620  planted  their  historic  colony 
at  Plymouth  Rock.  These  two  colonies  became  the  successful  rivals 
of  all  others  in  that  strife  which  finally  left  them  masters  of  the  country. 

On  the  discoveries  and  colonizations  thus  briefly  noted,  three  great 
European  powers  based  claims  to  a  part  of  the  territory  embraced  in 
the  State  of  New  York;  first,  England,  by  the  reason  of  the  discovery 
of  John  Cabot,  who  sailed  under  commission  from  Henry  VII,  and  on 
the  24th  of  June,  1497,  reached  the  coast  of  Labrador,  also  that  made 
in  the  following  year  by  his  son  Sebastian,  who  explored  the  same 
coast  from  New  Foundland  to  'Florida,  claiming  a  territory  eleven 
degrees  in  width  and  indefinitely  extending  westward;  second,  F'rance, 
from  the  discoveries  of  Verrazzani,  claiming  a  portion  of  the  Atlantic 
coast,  and  also  (under  the  title  of  New  France)  an  almost  boundless 
region  west\vard  ;  third,  Holland,  which  based  on  Hudson's  discoveries 
a  claim  to  the  entire  country  from  Cape  Cod  to  the  southern  shore  of 
Delaware  Bay. 


CHAPTER  II. 

French  and  English  Rivah-y— The  Indian  Occupation — Iroquois  Confederacy — The 
Senecas-  The  Jesuit  Fathers  Among  the  Indians— Events  Preceding  and  During 
the  French  and  English  Wars — Overthrow  of  French  Power  in  America — The  Dela- 
ware Village  near  Canisteo. 

After  the  final  overthrow  of  the  Dutch  in  the  New  Netherlands,  the 
region  now  included  within  the  State  of  New  York  was  still  held  and 
claimed  by  three  powers — one  native  and  two  foreign.  The  main 
colonies  of  the  French  (one  of  the  powers  referred  to)  were  in  the 
Canadas,  but   through  the  zeal  of  the    Jesuit    missionaries  their  line  of 


INDIAN  OCCUPATION.  7 

possessions  had  been  extended  south  and  west  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  and 
some  attempts  at  colonization  had  been  made,  but  as  yet  with  only 
partial  success.  Indeed,  as  early  as  1620,  the  Jesuit  fathers  labored 
among  the  Senecas  in  this  region,  and  evidences  are  not  wanting  to 
show  that  missionaries  carried  the  banner  of  the  Cross  into  what  is  now 
Steuben  county.  In  the  southern  and  eastern  portion  of  the  province 
granted  to  the  Duke  of  York  were  the  English,  who  with  steady  yet 
sure  advances  were  pressing  settlement  and  civilization  westward, 
gradually  nearing  the  French  possessions. 

The  French  and  English  were  at  this  time,  and  also  for  many  years 
afterwards,  conflicting  powers,  each  studying  for  the  mastery  on  both 
sides  of  the  Atlantic  ;  and  with  each  succeeding  outbreak  of  war  in  the 
mother  countries,  so  there  were  renewed  hostilities  between  their 
American  colonies.  Directly  between  the  possessions  of  the  French 
and  the  territory  of  the  English  lay  the  lands  of  the  famous  Iroquois 
Confederacy,  then  more  commonly  known  as  the  Five  Nations.  By 
the  French  they  were  called  "  Iroquois,"  but  by  the  Dutch  they  were 
known  as  "  Maquas,"  while  the  English  called  them  "Mingoes;"  but 
however  variously  they  may  have  been  designated,  they  were  a  race  of* 
savages  whose  peculiar  organization,  prowess  on  the  field  of  battle, 
loyalty  to  friends,  as  well  as  barbarous  revenge  upon  enemies,  together 
with  eloquent  speech  and  stoical  endurance  of  torture,  have  surprised 
all  who  are  conversant  with  their  history. 

When,  during  the  latter  part  of  the  fifteenth  and  early  part  of  the 
sixteenth  centur)-,  the  foreign  navigators  visited  the  American  con- 
tinent, they  found  it  in  possession  of  two  formidable  races  of  savages, 
between  whom  there  was  no  unity  ;  and  yet  while  open  hostility  was 
suppressed,  they  were  nevertheless  in  a  constant  state  of  disquiet,  each  • 
being  jealous  of  the  other  and  at  the  same  time  doubtful  of  its  own 
strength  and  fearful  of  the  results  of  a  general  war.  One  of  the  nations 
occupied  the  region  of  the  larger  rivers  of  Pennsylvania,  and  also  that 
on  the  south  and  west  To  the  Europeans  they  were  known  as  the 
"  Delawares,"  but  styled  themselves  "  Lenni  Lenapes,"  meaning 
"  Original  People."  The  other  nation  occupied,  principally,  the  terri- 
tory which  afterwards  formed  the  State  of  New  York,  and  is  known  in 
history  as  the  "  Iroquois  Confederacy,"  or  the  Five  (and  subsequently) 
the  Six  Nations. 


8  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

The  confederacy  originally  comprised  five  nations,  which  were  located 
from  east  to  west  across  the  territory  which  now  forms  our  State,  be- 
ginning with  the  Mohawks  on  the  extreme  east,  the  Oneidas  next,  and 
the  Onondagas,  Cayugas,  and  Senecas  following  in  the  order  named. 
Each  of  the  nations  was  divided  into  five  tribes,  and  all  were  united  in 
common  league.  The  Senecas  occupied  the  territory  west  of  the  lake 
named  from  them,  and  were  the  guardians  of  the  western  door  of  the 
"Long  House,"  from  which  we  correctly  infer  that  they  were  the  most 
numerous  and  likewise  most  formidable  in  battle  of  any  of  the  con- 
federates. 

The  government  of  this  remarkable  confederacy  was  exercised  through 
councils,  and  in  the  peculiar  blending  of  their  individual,  tribal  and 
national  interests  lay  the  secret  of  the  immense  power  which  for  more 
than  a  century  resisted  the  hostile  efforts  of  the  French,  which  caused 
them  for  nearly  a  century  to  be  alike  courted  and  feared  by  the  con- 
tending French  and  English  colonies,  and  which  enabled  them  to  sub- 
due the  neighboring  Indian  tribes,  until  they  became  really  the  dictators 
of  the  continent,  gaining  indeed  the  title  of  "The  Romans  of  the  New 
World."  There  is,  however,  a  difference  in  the  opinions  of  writers  as 
to  the  true  military  status  of  the  Iroquois.  In  the  forest  they  were  a 
terrible  foe,  while  in  the  open  country  they  could  not  successfully  con- 
tend with  disciplined  soldiery  ;  but  they  made  up  for  this  deficiency,  in 
a  large  degree,  by  their  self-confidence,  vindictiveness  and  insaitable 
desire  for  ascendency  and  triumph. 

While  the  Iroquois  were  undoubtedly  superior  in  mental  capacity  and 
more  provident  than  their  Canadian  enemies,  and  other  tribes,  there  is 
little  indication  that  they  were  inclined  to  improve  the  condition  in 
which  they  were  found  by  the  Europeans.  They,  and  especially  the 
Senecas,  were  closely  attached  to  their  warrior  and  hunter  life,  and 
devoted  their  energies  to  the  lower,  if  not  the  lowest  forms  of  enjoyment 
and  gratification.  Their  dwellings,  even  among  the  more  stationary 
tribes,  were  rude,  their  food  coarse  and  poor,  and  their  domestic  habits 
and  surroundings  unclean  and  barbarous.  Their  women  were  degraded 
into  mere  beasts  of  burden,  and  while  they  believed  in  a  Supreme  Being, 
they  were  powerfully  swayed  by  superstition,  by  incantations,  by  medi- 
cine men,  dreams  and  visions,  and  their  feasts  were  exhibitions  of 
debauchery  and  gluttony. 


THE  JESUITS.  ■  9 

Such,  according  to  the  writer's  sincere  beHef,  were  some  of  the  more 
prominent  characteristics  of  the  race  encountered  by  Champlain  when 
he  came  into  the  Iroquois  country  nearly  three  centuries  ago,  and  wel- 
comed them  with  the  first  volley  of  bullets,  a  policy  that  was  pursued 
by  all  his  civilized  successors.  It  is  not  denied  that  the  Indians  possessed 
a  few  redeeming  traits,  but  they  were  so  strongly  dominated  by  their 
barbarous  manner  of  life,  that  years  of  faithful  missionary  labor  by  the 
Jesuits  and  others  were  productive  of  but  very  little  real  benefit.  It 
may  be  added  that  whatever  is  true  of  any  one  of  the  Five  Nations,  or 
(as  they  became  in  171 2)  the  Six  Nations,  is  equally  true  of  all  others. 
The  Senecas  occupied  the  region  of  Western  New  York,  and  it  is  with 
them  that  we  have  particularly  to  deal  in  this  narrative.  They  were, 
perhaps,  as  peaceful  and  domestic  as  some  others  of  the  confederacy, 
yet  all  the  early  efforts  for  their  civilization  and  conversion  to  Christian- 
ity were  unsatisfactory  and  discouraging.  No  strong,  controlling  influ- 
ence for  good  was  ever  obtained  among  them  previous  to  the  time  of 
Sir  William  Johnson,  and  even  then  it  is  doubtful  whether  they  were 
not  moved  more  by  the  power  of  purchase  than  by  love  of  right. 

When  Champlain  opened  the  way  for  French  dominion  in  America 
the  task  of  planting  Christianity  among  the  Indians  was  assigned  to  the 
Jesuits,  a  name  derived  from  the  Society  of  Jesus,  founded  by  Ignatius 
Loyola  in  1539;  but  while  their  primary  object  was  to  spread  the 
gospel,  their  secondary  and  scarcely  less  important  purpose  was  to  ex- 
tend the  French  dominion.  In  1736  Canada  was  restored  to  France, 
and  within  three  years  from  that  date  there  were  fifteen  Jesuits  in  the 
province.  They  increased  rapidly  and  extended  their  influence  to  a 
large  number  of  Indian  nations  in  the  far  west,  but  more  particularly  to 
the  Mohawks  and  Senecas.  they  being  the  more  powerful  tribes  of  the 
Iroquois,  and  holding  positions  of  influence  in  the  confederacy.  Still, 
energetic  as  they  were,  the  French  carefully  avoided  for  a  long  time  any 
close  contact  with  the  Senecas,  and  while  the  Jesuits  came  to  the  region 
about  1620,  it  was  not  until  1640  that  Fathers  Breboeuf  and  Chaumo- 
not  succeeded  in  establishing  a  foothold  among  them.  In  1667  Went- 
worth  Greenhalgh,  an  Englishman,  visited  the  Indians,  counted  their 
villages  and  inhabitants.  He  reported  the  Senecas  as  having  one 
thousand   warriors,    and    the    confederacy    about   twenty-  six    hundred. 


10  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

However,  in  1669,  under  the  influence  of  La  Salle,  the  Seneca  country- 
was  thoroughly  explored,  and  in  1678  the  same  adventurous  Frenchman 
was  commissioned  by  Louis  XIV  to  discover  and  occupy  the  western 
part  of  New  France,  to  build  forts  and  defenses,  though  at  his  own 
expense,  being  granted  in  return  the  right  to  trade  in  furs  and  skins. 
Under  La  Salle's  authority,  Father  Hennepin,  the  famous  priest  and 
historian,  visited  the  Seneca  country,  and  from  his  record  has  come  the 
greater  portion  of  all  that  has  been  written  by  later  authorities  on  the 
subject  of  Seneca  history  and  tradition. 

For  a  period  of  nearly  half  a  century  after  the  discoveries  of  La  Salle 
the  French  maintained  a  nominal  though  not  substantial  ascendency  in 
this  region  of  country.  They  gained  favor  with  a  few  of  the  Scnecas, 
but  the  great  body  of  the  tribe,  true  to  their  league,  were  little  inclined 
to  forget,  much  less  to  forgive,  the  wrongs  done  by  Champlain,  and  every 
movement  of  the  French  was  watched  with  suspicious  interest.  During 
this  period  the  Iroquois  invaded  Canada  and  plundered  Montreal,  and 
in  retaliation  Denonville  visited  vengeance  upon  the  Seneca  country  in 
1687,  burned  the  villages  and  destroyed  much  property.  This  victory 
was  a  great  achievement  for  the  French,  for  it  gave  them  a  strong  foo^- 
hold  in  the  lake  region  and  made  them  for  the  time  masters  of  the 
country,  and  the  Indians  concentrated  their  population  in  the  eastern 
part  of  their  domain.  This  advantage,  however,  was  only  temporary, 
and  upon  the  withdrawal  of  the  French  troops  the  Senecas  repossessed 
their  former  territory. 

Repeated  invasions  by  the  French  and  Canadian  Indians  at  last 
awakened  the  English  colonists  to  the  conviction  that  they  must  unite 
in  an  effort  against  the  enemy,  and  accordingly  a  convention  was  held 
in  New  York  in  1690,  at  which  it  was  resolved  to  combine  their  strength 
for  the  subjugation  of  Canada;  but  through  lack  of  efficient  organiza- 
tion the  expedition  for  the  first  year  was  a  failure.  During  this  period, 
known  as  the  English  revolution,  the  Iroquois  continued  their  incur- 
sions against  the  French  and  were  perhaps  more  dreaded  than  the  Eng- 
lish. The  Jesuits  were  driven  from  the  Seneca  country  and  for  many 
years  abandoned  the  field  through  fear  of  the  thoroughly  maddened 
Indians. 

The  war  was  terminated  by  the  treaty  of  Ryswick,  in  1697,  and  while 
it  established  a  peace  between  the  French  and  English,  it  practically 


GROWTH  OF  FRENCH  INFLUENCE.  11 

left  unsettled  the  status  of  the  Iroquois,  and  there  were  no  certain  pro- 
visions concerning  the  land  of  the  Senecas,  which  were  directly  in  dis- 
pute between  the  contending  nations.  Both  claimed  sovereignty  over 
the  whole  Iroquois  country,  and  treaty  indentures  were  offered  in  sup- 
port of  the  claims  of  each  ;  but  the  Iroquois  themselves  repudiated 
alike  the  claims  of  Yonondio  and  Corlear,  as  they  denominated  the 
respective  governors  of  Canada  and  New  York.  When  France  disputed 
the  claims  of  England  and  appealed  to  the  council  at  Onondaga,  a  stern, 
savage  orator  exclaimed:  "We  have  ceded  our  lands  to  no  one  ;  we 
hold  them  of  heaven  alone."  Thus  the  powers  wrangled  over  the 
country  which  was  but  a  little  time  before  the  undisputed  domain  of 
the  Iroquois. 

Whether  much  importance  should  attach  to  the  treaties  in  which 
these  untutored  savages  were  pitted  against  the  intelligent  Europeans, 
either  French  or  English,  is  questionable,  and  especially  so  when  we 
consider  the  methods  often  adopted  in  later  years  to  induce  the  Indians 
to  sign  away  their  domain.  Be  this  as  it  may,  it  is  now  generally  be- 
lieved that  in  the  intrusion  of  France  upon  the  possessions  of  the  Iro- 
quois, "  at  the  sacrifice  of  so  much  blood  and  treasure,  justice  and  the 
restraints  and  faith  of  the  treaties  were  subordinate  to  the  lust  of  power 
and  expediency."      (Watson.) 

On  the  accession  of  Anne  to  the  British  throne  as  successor  to  King 
William,  in  March,  1702,  what  was  known  as  Queen  Anne's  War  was 
soon  begun.  It  continued  until  the  treaty  of  Utrecht,  April  ii,  1713, 
but  though  felt  in  the  colonies,  the  province  of  New  York  fortunately 
escaped  its  bloody  consequences.  During  this  conflict,  the  Iroquois 
maintained  a  strict  neutrality,  thus  gaining  the  respect  of  the  contend- 
ing governments.  The  French,  however,  profited  by  this  neutrality, 
and  were  given  an  opportunity  to  strengthen  their  line  of  positions  and 
fortifications.  Moreover,  being  at  peace  with  the  Iroquois,  their  mis- 
sionaries and  political  leaders  visited  the  Indians  in  safety,  and  the 
result  was  a  friendly  relation  between  them  and  the  Senecas  and  a  por- 
tion of  the  Cayugas.  So  firmly  indeed  did  the  wily  French  emissaries 
ingratiate  themselves  into  the  Seneca  confidence  that  the  latter  were 
nearly  persuaded  to  take  up  arms  against  the  English,  and  only  the 
wonderful  power  of  the  bond  of  union  existing  in  the  confederacy  re- 
strained them. 


l2  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

The  encroachments  by  the  French  upon  the  territory  of  the  Enghsh 
and  their  allies  (the  Iroquois),  was  one  of  the  chief  causes  of  the  so- 
called  French  and  Indian  War.  As  early  as  the  year  1 73 1 ,  the  surveyor- 
general  of  the  Canadas  made  extensive  surveys  of  the  region  claimed 
to  be  New  France,  and  on  the  early  French  maps  were  shown  some  of 
the  important  streams  and  localities  now  within  the  county  of  Steuben. 
The  territory  was  divided  into  vast  tracts,  and  granted  as  "seigniories'" 
to  various  proprietors,  as  rewards  for  service  to  the  crown,  or  for  other 
consideration. 

While  the  French  were  in  possession  of  New  France  their  influence 
over  all  the  Indians  within  its  limits  became  paramount,  and  they  at 
last  disputed  with  the  English  the  alliance  of  the  latter  with  the  Iro- 
quois. Whether  due  to  the  influence  of  Joncaire,  or  to  some  other 
cause,  is  not  fully  known,  but  the  French  succeeded  in  lodging  them- 
selves firmly  in  the  affections  of  the  Senecas,  and  while  they  were  poor 
colonizers  their  missionaries  possessed  the  peculiar  faculty  of  ready 
assimilation  with  the  savage  and  half-civilized  races,  thus  gaining  an 
influence  over  them.  The  efforts  of  Joncaire  were  materially  aided  by 
his  half-breed  sons,  Chabert  and  Clauzonne. 

Among  the  earlier  Jesuits  and  French  emissaries  among  the  Iroquois, 
some  of  whom  visited  the  Seneca  country,  were  Fathers  Breboeuf, 
Chaumonot,  who  have  been  mentioned,  and  also  Fathers  Bablon,  Isaac 
Jogues,  Simon  Le  Moyne,  Francis  Joseph  Bressani,  Julien  Garnier, 
Jacques  Fremin,  Jean  Perron,  Francis  Boniface,  Father  Hennepin  and 
Francis  Vaillant  de  Gueslis.  These  were  followed  in  later  years  by  such 
noble  and  wholly  unselfish  workers  as  Talbot,  Henry  Barclay,  John 
Oglivie,  Spencer,  Timothy  Woodbridge,  Gideon  Hawley,  Eleazer 
Wheelock,  Samuel  Kirkland,  Bishop  Hobart,  Eleazer  Williams,  Dan 
Barnes  (Methodist),  and  others  of  less  distinction,  all  of  whom  labored 
faithfully  for  the  conversion  of  the  Indians.  All,  however,  were  forced 
to  admit  that  their  efforts  as  a  whole  were  unsatisfactory  and  discourag- 
ing ;  and  even  subsequent  efforts  to  establish  education  and  Christianity 
among  the  Indians,  while  yielding  perhaps  sufificient  results  to  justify 
their  prosecution,  have  constantly  met  with  discouraging  obstacles. 

In  March,  1744,  war  was  again  declared  between  Great  Britain  and 
France,  and  the  former  power  at  once  prosecuted  measures  for  the 
conquest  of  the  French  possessions.     The  Mohawks  took  up  arms  with 


EXTINCTION  OF  FRENCH  POWER.  13 

the  English,  while  the  Senecas.  notwithstanding  their  affection  for  the 
French,  were  unwilling  to  make  war  against  their  friends  at  the  eastern 
extremity  of  the  Long  House. 

The  contest  from  1744  to  1748  had  an  important  object  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  which  the  English  claimed  as  an  ex- 
tension of  their  coast  discoveries,  and  the  French  by  right  of  occupancy, 
their  forts  already  extending  from  Canada  to  Louisiana,  and  forming 
"a  bow,  of  which  the  English  colonies  were  the  string."  At  this  time 
the  English  colonies  contained  more  than  a  million  inhabitants,  while 
the  French  had  only  about  sixty  thousand.  The  Iroquois  would  not 
engage  in  the  war  until  1746,  and  were  disappointed  at  its  termination, 
as  they  had  compromised  themselves  with  the  allies  of  the  French  (the 
Canadian  Indians),  and  therefore  the  question  of  Iroquois  supremacy 
was  renewed  and   intensified. 

In  April,  1748,  was  concluded  the  ineffective,  if  not  actually  shameful 
treaty  of  Aix-la-Chapelle,  and  while  it  was  a  virtual  renewal  of  the 
treaties  of  Ryswick  and  Utrecht,  it  left  unsettled  the  disputed  questions 
regarding  the  Iroquois  territory.  After  two  years  of  nominal  peace  the 
nations  again  had  recourse  to  arms,  and  while  the  French  were  at  first 
everywhere  victorious,  the  tide  of  contest  turned  in  favor  of  the  English 
with  Sir  William  Johnson's  invasion  of  western  New  York,  the  result  of 
which  was  the  fall  of  Niagara  and  the  evacuation  of  the  entire  region  by 
the  now  humiliated  French. 

The  domination  of  France  was  ended  by  the  fair  of  Quebec,  Septem- 
ber 18,  1759,  thus  leaving  the  English  masters  of  all  Canada,  for  the 
surrender  of  Vaudreuil  on  the  8th  of  the  next  September  was  an  inev- 
itable result.  However,  a  formal  peace  was  not  established  until  1763, 
when,  on  the  lOth  day  of  February,  the  treaty  of  Paris  was  signed,  by 
which  France  ceded  to  Great  Britain  all  her  possessions  in  America. 

Applied  locally,  this  war  had  but  little  importance  except  as  the  ter- 
ritory of  Steuben  county  formed  a  part  of  the  French  possessions.  The 
chief  seat  of  operations  was  farther  west  and  north  and  any  pilgrimages 
to  this 'locality  were  merely  incidental. 

Records  and  tradition  both  inform  us  that  during  the  period  of  the 
French  and  English  wars,  there  came  to  dwell  in  the  vicinity  of  Canisteo 
a  fragment  of  one  of  the  tribes  of  the  Delawares,  and  that  to  their  num- 
ber  were   added    several   deserters   from   the    British   army   and   other 


14  LANDMARKS  OP  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

renegades  from  the  eastern  colonies.  They  were  the  source  of  much 
annoyance  to  the  colonists  and  especially  to  the  Indian  traders,  for 
they  maintained  themselves  chiefly  by  a  system  of  outlawry  and 
plunder,  and  did  not  hestitate  at  committing  murder  in  accomplishing 
their  nefarious  work.  In  1762  these  brigands  were  charged  with  the 
murder  of  two  traders,  British  subjects,  which  ofifense.  with  other  an- 
noyances, so  aroused  the  colonists  that  Sir  William  Johnson  dispatched 
a  force  of  one  hundred  and  forty  of  his  faithful  Iroquois,  and  a  few  sol- 
diers, to  punish  the  offenders,  destroy  their  habitations  and  drive  them 
from  the  region. 

In  this  connection  the  statement  may  be  made  that  the  Delawares 
were  permitted  to  come  among  the  Iroquois  after  they  had  been  con- 
quered and  completely  subjugated.  The  conquest  of  the  Delawares 
was  made  between  1640  and  1655,  ^"^  from  the  latter  year  the  Iroquois 
were  masters  and  recognized  as  the  owners  of  all  the  territory  formerly 
held  and  occupied  by  the  Delawares  and  their  ancestors,  the  Lenni 
Lenapes. 


CHAPTER  III. 


Events  Preceding  the. Revolution— Pontiac's  League— Action  of  the  Senecas— The 
Revolutionary  War— Sullivan's  Campaign — Brief  Reference  to  the  Indian  History 
and  Antiquities  of  Steuben  County. 

Notwithstanding  the  results  of  the  war  between  the  French  and  the 
English,  and  the  disappearance  of  the  former  from  the  region,  the  west- 
ern Indians  were  still  disposed  to  remember  them  with  affection  and 
were  yet  inclined  to  wage  war  upon  the  English.  The  celebrated 
Pontiac  united  nearly  all  these  tribes  in  a  league  against  the  redcoats, 
immediately  after  the  advent  of  the  latter  ;  and  as  no  such  confederation 
had  been  formed  against  the  French  during  their  years  of  possession, 
the  action  of  Pontiac  must  be  attributed  to  some  other  cause  than  mere 
hatred  of  all  civilized  intruders.  In  May,  1763,  the  league  surprised 
nine  out  of  twelve  English  posts  and  massacred  their  garrisons,  and 
there  is  no  doubt  that  the  Senecas  were  involved  in  the  slaughter,  and 


THE  JOHNSONS.  15 

were  also  active  in  the  fruitless  attack  upon  Fort  Niagara.  They  were 
unwilling  to  fight  against  their  brothers  of  the  Iroquois,  but  they  had 
no  hesitation  in  killing  English  soldiers  when  left  unprotected,  as  was 
soon  made  manifest  in  the  awful  butchery  at  Devil's  Hole  in  Septem- 
ber, 1763. 

Becoming  at  length  convinced  that  the  French  had  really  yielded 
their  possessions  in  this  country,  and  that  Pontiac's  scheme  was  a 
failure,  the  Senecas  agreed  to  abandon  their  Gallic  friends  and  be  at 
peace  with  the  English,  and  in  April,  1764,  Sir  William  Johnson  had 
little  difficulty  in  concluding  a  peace  treaty  with  eight  of  the  refractory 
chiefs;  and  at  the  same  time  Sir  William  succeeded  in  winning  the 
affections  of  all  the  Six  Nations  and  enlisting  them  under  the  banner  of 
the  king.  But  the  Senecas,  true  to  their  instincts,  sullenly  held  aloof 
and  only  ratified  the  treaty  under  compulsion  of  threatened  annihila- 
tion. However,  the  baronet  proved  the  firm  friend  of  the  Senecas  and 
did  his  utmost  to  redress  their  grievances,  and  besought  them  to  remove 
their  isolated  villages  to  their  chief  seats  in  the  province,  that  they 
might  be  more  completely  under  his  protection.  Ere  this  could  be 
done,  however,  public  attention  was  attracted  by  unmistakable  disturb- 
ances in  the  political  sky,  low  at  first,  but  growing  rapidly  louder  and 
more  angry  until  at  length  there  burst  upon  the  country  that  long  and 
desolating  storm  known  as  the  Revolutionary  war.  This  contest  had 
an  important  bearing  on  the  early  history  and  settlement  of  Steuben 
county,  yet  the  events  of  that  memorable  period  may  be  briefly  nar- 
rated in  this  chapter 

The  war  in  fact  began  with  the  battle  of  Lexington,  in  April,  1775, 
but  before  the  actual  outbreak,  as  the  danger  of  hostilities  increased, 
the  Johnson  influence  showed  itself  clearly  on  the  side  of  the  king. 
Sir  William  loved  America  and  was  himself  an  important  factor  in  its 
early  and  best  history.  Had  he  lived  his  interests  and  affiliations  might 
have  impelled  him  to  espouse  the  American  cause,  but  his  sudden  death 
ended  an  important  career,  and  his  position  and  influence  descended  to 
his  son  and  nephew.  Sir  John  Johnson,  and  his  brothers-in-law,  Guy 
Johnson  and  Daniel  Glaus,  were  creatures  of  the  king,  having  no  senti- 
ment in  common  with  the  people,  being  evidently  imbued  with  aristo- 
cratic notions  Sir  John  succeeded  to  his  father's  military  title  and 
position  among  the  Iroquois,  though  never  to  his  popularity  and   infiu- 


16  LANDMARKSS  OF  TEUBEN  COUNTY. 

ence,  and  in  his  efforts  was  seconded  by  Colonel  Guy  and  Claus,  all  of 
wliom  sought  to  completely  alienate  the  Indians  from  the  whig  colon- 
ists, and  also  to  bring  into  submission  all  of  the  settlers  who  might  yield 
to  their  influence.  Prominent  among  the  latter  were  John  and  Walter 
Butler,  and  also  Joseph  Brant  (the  Mohawk  chief),  all  of  whom  became 
infamous  from  their  bloody  deeds  during  the  Revolution,  and  yet  their 
pillage  and  slaughter  were  generally  ascribed  to  the  instigations  of  the 
Johnsons. 

The  "  Continental  Congress,"  as  it  has  ever  been  termed,  was  held  at 
Philadelphia  in  September,  1774,  and  having  adopted  a  declaration  of 
rights,  it  added  a  petition  to  the  king  and  an  appeal  to  the  people  of 
Great  Britain  and  Canada.  The  New  York  Assembly  alone  did  not 
sanction  these  proceedings,  and  instead  addressed  a  remonstrance  to 
parliament,  which  was  treated  with  disdain. 

In  1776  the  war  had  become  national  instead  of  colonial,  and  on  the 
4th  of  July  American  independence  was  formally  declared.  The  policy 
of  the  Americans  had  been  simply  to  secure  the  neutrality  of  the 
Indians,  but  their  success  was  limited  to  the  Oneidas,  while  the  British 
made  undisguised  efforts  to  unite  them  in  close  alliance  with  the  royal 
cause.  One  of  their  officers  exclaimed,  "  We  must  let  loose  the  savages 
upon  the  frontier  of  these  scroundrels  to  inspire  terror  and  make  them 
submit."  The  Senecas  held  off  for  a  while,  but  the  prospect  of  both 
blood  and  British  gold  was  too  much  for  them  to  withstand,  and  in  1777 
they,  with  the  Cayugas,  Onondagas  and  Mohawks,  made  a  treaty  with 
the  British  at  Oswego,  agreeing  to  serve  the  king  through  the  war, 
John  Butler  established  himself  at  Fort  Niagara  and  organized  a  regi- 
ment of  tories  known  as  Butler's  Rangers,  at  the  same  time  inciting  the 
Indians  to  deeds  of  violence  on  the  American  frontier. 

The  most  prominent  chief  of  the  Iroquois  during  the  war  was  Brant, 
or  Thayendenaga,  a  Mohawk,  who  had  received  a  moderate  PLnglish 
education  under  the  patronage  of  Sir  William  Johnson.  Tiie  conspicu- 
ous Seneca  chiefs  during  the  same  period  were  Farmer's  Brother,  Corn- 
planter  and  Governor  Blacksnake.  At  the  massacre  at  Wyoming  the 
author  of  the  "  Life  of  Brant  "  says  the  chief  in  command  of  the  Senecas 
was  Guiengwahtoh,  supposed  to  mean  the  same  as  Guiyahgwahdoh, 
"  the  smoke-bearer."  This  was  the  title  of  the  Seneca  afterward  known 
as  "  Young  King,"  but  the  latter  was  then   too  young  to  have  been  at 


SULLIVAN'S  EXPEDITION.  17 

Wyoming,  yet  his  predecessor  (maternal  uncle)  might  have  been  there. 
Brant  was  certainly  not  there.  At  Cherry  Valley  the  Senecas  were 
present  in  force,  together  with  a  body  of  Mohawks  under  Brant,  and 
also  a  parties  of  tories  under  Walter  Butler. 

These  sudden  and  unexpected  attacks  upon  the  frontier  settlements 
and  the  merciless  slaughter  of  their  inhabitants,  determined  Congress 
and  General  Washington  to  set  on  foot  an  expedition,  having  for  its  ob- 
ject a  retaliation  upon  the  Indians,  and  especially  the  Senecas.  The 
campaign  of  August  and  September,  1779,  devolved  upon  General 
John  Sullivan,  who  at  that  time  was  an  officer  in  the  American  army. 
The  full  force  organized  for  the  expedition  amounted  to  5,000  men,  who 
were  formed  in  three  divisions.  Sullivan  commanded  in  person  the 
division  that  marched  through  and  laid  waste  the  Indian  villages  in  the 
Seneca  region,  and  in  the  execution  of  his  plans,  sent  a  detachment  of 
troops  within  the  limits  of  the  present  county  of  Steuben  and  destroyed 
a  small  settlement  supposed  to  have  been  located  near  the  site  of  the 
present  village  of  Painted  Post.  According  to  established  authorities, 
other  points  within  the  county  were  visited,  buildings  burned  and  grow- 
ing crops  and  orchards  destroyed. 

However,  the  invaders  were  determined  to  lay  waste  the  larger  and 
more  populous  Seneca  villages,  and  soon  passed  on  up  Seneca  Lake  to 
Kanadesaga  and  thence  westward  into  the  heart  of  the  Genesee  country. 
No  opposition  was  encountered  except  at  Newtown,  and  as  a  result  of 
the  expedition  forty  villages  were  reduced  to  ashes,  160,000  bushels  of 
corn  destroyed,  besides  large  quantities  of  vegetables  of  various  kinds. 
Another  and  more  beneficial  result  of  the  campaign  was  the  temporary 
though  entire  evacuation  by  the  Senecas  of  the  eastern  part  of  their 
domain,  and  they  were  compelled  to  seek  protection  from  the  British 
at  Fort  Niagara  ;  nor  could  they  be  persuaded  to  return  to  their  former 
habitations  during  the  remaining  years  of  the  war.  The  warriors,  how- 
ever, were  kept  active  by  Butler  and  frequently  marauded  frontier 
settlements,  though  without  the  serious  results  of  former  years. 

The  other  events  of  the  war  had  no  important  relation  to  this  imme- 
diate vicinity,  other  than  to  acquaint  the  eastern  people  with  the  value 
and  general  fertility  of  the  whole  Genesee  country,  and  this  materially 
hastened  settlement  and  development  in  later  years.      The  surrender   of 


18  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

Lord  Cornwallis  in  October,  1781,  was  followed  by  a  virtual  cessation 
of  hostilities,  but  not  until  the  fall  of  1783  was  peace  formally  agreed 
upon  between  Great  Britain  and  the  revolted  colonies,  the  latter  hence- 
forth to  be  universally  acknowledged  as  the  United  States  of  America. 
By  the  terms  of  the  treaty  the  boundary  line  between  the  British  pos- 
sessions and  the  territory  of  the  United  States  was  established  along  the 
center  of  Lake  Erie  and  the  Niagara  River,  Lake  Ontario  and  the  St. 
Lawrence,  and  thence  northeastward  to  the  Atlantic  coast.  For  several 
years  afterward,  however,  the  British  maintained  armed  posts  on  the 
United  States  side  of  the  line  and  their  officers  continued  to  exercise  an 
influence  over  the  Indians  which  was  both  prejudicial  and  annoying  to 
the  State  and  general  government. 

Thus  far  in  our  narrative  little  has  been  said  of  the  Indian  occupants 
of  the  immediate  territory  now  forming  Steuben  county.  In  truth  this 
locality  was  an  unimportant  portion  of  a  vast  countrj',  located  between 
the  possessions  of  the  Delawares  and  the  Iroquois,  and  prior  to  the  con- 
quest of  about  1 650  was  debatable  ground.  Mr.  Minier,  in  his  historical 
address,  says  the  valley  of  the  Cohocton,  prior  to  the  invasion  of  Sullivan, 
was  little  known,  but  informs  us  that  the  Moravian  missionaries  prose- 
cuted their  labors  in  the  vicinity  as  early  as  1750 ;  also  that  in  the 
locality  of  the  present  village  of  Painted  Post  was  the  Indian  village  of 
Assinisink,  where  dwelt  Jacobus,  the  Muncy  chief,  which  fact  confirms 
our  previous  statement  that  the  Delawares  were  suffered  to  live  in  the 
valley  after  their  subjugation.  In  the  valley  Zeisberger  found  the 
"  pyramids  of  stone  which  appeared  to  have  been  made  with  human 
hands,"  the  largest  of  which  was  about  "  three  stories  "  in  height.  These 
pyramids  were  at  what  is  known  as  the  Chimney  Narrows,  and  are  still 
preserved. 

The  county  possesses  few  antiquities  and  has  never  been  specially 
rich  in  aboriginal  history.  The  valleys  of  the  Chemung,  Tioga,  Conhoc- 
ton  and  Canisteo  Rivers,  and  also  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Keuka,  were 
favorite  resorts  of  the  Indians  for  fishing  and  hunting,  and  along  the 
banks  of  each,  and  elsewhere  in  the  region,  were  well  defined  Indian 
trails.  In  a  preceding  paragraph  we  have  noted  the  destruction  of  one 
of  the  villages  of  the  region  by  Sir  William  Johnson's  Mohawk  warriors, 
and  reference  has  also  been  made  to  Sullivan's   campaign  in    1779,  the 


THE  "PAINTED  POST."  19 

result  of  which  was  the  devastation  of  all  that  was  valuable  to  the  Indian 
occupants  at  that  time. 

In  this  connection  mention  may  also  be  made  to  the  historic  landmark 
which  has  been  preserved  in  name  and  fact  to  the  present  day,  the 
famous  post  from  which  the  village  of  Painted  Post  received  its  name. 
The  "  post  by  the  river"  was  in  the  Indian  tongue  called  Te-can-nes-to, 
and  concerning  it  Stone  says:  "The  Painted  Post  was  a  noted  landmark 
in  the  early  settlement  of  Western  New  York,  and  in  the  history  of 
Indian  affairs  long  before.  It  was  literally  a  post  of  oak  timber  planted 
in  the  ground  upon  the  bank  of  Cohocton  Creek,  within  the  boundary 
of  New  Vork,  but  near  the  Pennsylvania  line.  It  was  painted  in  the 
Indian  manner,  and  tradition  avers  that  it  was  a  monument  of  great 
antiquity,  erected  to  commemorate  the  death  of  some  celebrated  war 
chief  whose  name  has  been  lost  in  the  lapse  of  years."  A  second  ac- 
count has  it  that  the  post  was  erected  by  the  Indians  to  designate  a  spot 
where  councils  were  held,  and  was  painted  a  bright  red  that  it  might 
be  more  easily  discovered.  This  account,  however,  is  regarded  as 
purely  mythical,  as  no  councils  of  any  importance  were  known  to  be 
held  in  this  locality. 

The  investigations  of  Judge  McMaster  undoubtedly  brought  to  light 
the  true  story  of  this  historic  landmark,  but  according  to  his  narrative, 
the  post  was  erected  to  mark  the  burial  place  of  Captain  Montour,  the 
son  of  Queen  Catharine,  who  was  wounded  during  the  summer  of  1779, 
and  who  died  at  this  point  while  his  party  were  returning  from  an  ex- 
pedition to  the  settlements  on  the  Susquehanna.  The  original  post 
was  standing  in  1792,  though  much  decayed.  The  white  settlers 
erected  a  new  post  in  1803,  and  at  various  times  during  later  years  the 
people  of  the  town  have  done  some  act  of  public  spiritedness  in  pre- 
serving this  interesting  relic  and  its  memories. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Avoca  the  early  settlers  found  abundant  evidences 
of  the  former  occupation,  among  them  fragments  of  weapons,  utensils, 
implements  and  other  indications  of  the  Indian  period.  It  is  also  claimed 
that  a  village  was  within  the  limits  of  the  town,  which  is  undeniably 
true  although  it  must  have  been  small  and  of  little  importance. 
When  this  town  was  first  settled  by  the  whites  the  Indians  were  quite 
numerous,  and  the  same  may  also  be  said  of  many  other  localities  in  the 
county  ;  but  wherever  found    they   were   of  little   or  no  benefit  to  the 


20  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

pioneers  and  are  remembered  as  a  generally  shiftless,  begging  aad  an- 
noying class.  The  town  of  Canisteo  abounds  in  Indian  recollections, 
and  the  reminiscences  of  the  Stephens  family  are  well  known  by  nearly 
all  the  older  residents.  The  valley  of  the  Canisteo  was  a  resorting  place 
of  some  note  among  the  Indians  as  fish  and  game  are  said  to  have  been 
abundant  in  the  locality.  The  vicinity  of  Hornellsville  also  has  its  In- 
dian traditions  and  reminiscences  though  they  were  unimportant  in  his- 
tory. Here  dwelt  the  noted  chief  Shongo,  who  took  part  in  the 
massacre  at  Wyoming,  and  who  was  regarded  with  some  fear  about  the 
time  of  the  second  war  with  Great  Britain.  In  Greenwood  was  a  salt 
spring  of  great  value  to  the  early  settlers,  while  the  Indians  made  use 
of  its  water  many  years  before,  and  even  after  the  advent  of  the  whites. 
In  the  Indian  language  the  Conhocton  River  was  known  as  Ga-ha-to, 
meaning  "log  in  the  water,"  The  valley  of  this  stream  was  called 
"  Do-na-ta-gwen-da,"  and  meaning  "  an  opening  within  an  opening." 
Lake  Keuka  in  the  Seneca,  was  "  Ogoyago,"  "  a  lake  with  an  elbow." 


CHAPTER   IV 


After  the  Revolution — An  Era  of  Peace — Controversy  between  Massachusetts  and 
New  York — The  Hartford  Convention — The  Phelps  and  Gorham  Purchase — The 
Lessee  Companies— Settlement  of  Diificulties — The  Surveys — ^ale  to  Robert  Morris 
— The  Pulteney  Association — Charles  Williamson — Foundation  of  Land  Titles  in 
Steuben  County— The  Anti-Rent  Conflict. 

The  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war  and  the  return  of  peace  marked 
the  beginning  of  a  new  era  in  the  history  of  the  vast  Genesee  country, 
for  the  Indian  occupation  soon  afterward  terminated,  and  the  pioneers 
from  New  England,  Pennsylvania,  with  many  others  from  the  eastern 
part  of  this  State,  and  a  few  foreigners,  became  the  possessors  of  the 
territory.  They  were  a  hardy  and  patriotic  class,  and  under  their 
energetic  efforts  lands  were  cleared  and  the  forests  gave  place  to  farms 
of  rare  fertility,  thus  developing  the  agricultural  resources  at  least  to 
the  extent  which  supplied  domestic  requirements. 

However,  soon  after  the  war  was  ended  it  was  found  that  the  treaty 
agreement  had  made  no  provision  for  the  Indian  allies  of  Great  Britain. 


CLAIMS  OF  MASSACHUSETTS  AND  NEW  .YORK.  21 

The  English  authorities  offered  them  lands  in  Canada,  but  all  the  tribes 
except  the  Mohawks  preferred  to  remain  in  New  York.  The  United 
States  treated  them  with  great  moderation.  Although  they  had  twice 
violated  their  pledges  and  without  provocation  had  plunged  into  a  war 
against  the  colonies,  they  were  readily  admitted  to  the  benefits  of 
peace,  and  were  even  recognized  as  the  owners  of  all  the  lands  in  New 
York  over  which  they  had  previously  ranged.  The  property  line,  as  it 
was  called,  previously  drawn  between  the  whites  and  the  Indians,  ran 
along  the  eastern  border  of  Broome  and  Chenango  counties,  and  thence 
to  a  point  seven  miles  west  of  Rome. 

In  October,  1784,  after  two  other  ineffectual  attempts,  a  treaty  was 
made  at  Fort  Stanwi.x  (Rome)  between  three  commissioners  of  the 
United  States  and  the  sachems  of  the  Six  Nations.  The  Marquis  de 
La  Fayette  was  present  and  made  an  address,  though  not  one  of  the 
commissioners.  Red  Jacket,  the  noted  Seneca,  was  present,  but  did 
not  really  take  part  in  the  council.  Brant  was  not  present,  though  he 
had  been  active  in  a  council  with  Governor  Clinton  a  short  time  before. 
Cornplanter  spoke  for  the  Senecas,  but  Sayengeraghta  or  "  Old  King  " 
was  the  recognized  Seneca  sachem.  This  treaty  fixed  the  western 
boundary  of  the  Iroquois  territory,  beginning  at  Lake  Ontario,  four 
miles  east  of  the  Niagara  River,  and  running  thence  southerly  across 
the  lands  of  the  State  to  the  Pennsylvania  line.  The  several  councils 
held  with  the  Indians  resulted  in  the  purchase  of  vast  tracts  of  their 
land,  but  in  each  case  the  authorities  made  them  just  compensation. 

In  this  manner  matters  progressed  favorably  for  a  time,  but  rather 
unexpectedly  there  arose  a  controversy  involving  questions  of  title  and 
right  to  purchase  from  the  Indians,  all  of  which  vi^as  due  to  the  imper- 
fect understanding  on  the  part  of  the  crown  regarding  the  situation  or 
extent  of  the  territory  of  America.  The  colonies  of  Massachusetts  and 
New  York  had  charters  under  which  each  could  claim  not  only  all  cen- 
tral and  western  New  York,  but  also  a  strip  of  land  running  from  the 
Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  Ocean.  The  charter  to  the  Plymouth  colony  of 
Massachusetts  was  made  in  1627,  while  that  to  the  Duke  of  York  was 
made  in  1664,  and  after  the  overthrow  of  the  English  dominion  in  the 
United  States  and  the  organization  of  the  States  themselves,  the  au- 
thorities of  each  naturally  began  an  inquiry  into  the  extent  of  their 
possessions,  that  definite  and  permanent  boundaries    might   be  estab- 


22  .      LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

lished.  The  conflicting  character  of  these  grants  was  known  even 
before  the  Revokition,  but  not  until  after  the  formation  of  the  States  did 
the  matters  in  dispute  become  at  all  complicated.  However,  that  a 
settlement  might  be  reached  both  States  ceded  to  the  United  States  all 
claim  to  the  territory  west  of  a  line  drawn  south  from  the  western  ex- 
tremity of  Lake  Ontario,  being  the  present  western  boundary  of  Chau 
tauqua  county. 

After  divers  negotiations  regarding  the  remaining  part  of  the  dis- 
puted territory,  commissioners  from  the  two  States  interested,  and  from 
the  general  government,  met  at  Hartford  in  December,  1786,  to  en- 
deavor to  harmonize  their  claims.  It  was  then  and  there  agreed  that 
Massachusetts  should  yield  all  claim  to  the  land  east  of  the  present  east 
line  of  Ontario  and  Steuben  counties,  while  west  of  that  line  New  York 
should  have  the  political  jurisdiction  and  sovereignty,  while  Massachu- 
setts should  have  the  title,  or  fee  simple,  of  the  land,  subject  only  to  the 
Indian  right  of  occupancy.  That  is  to  say,  the  Indians  could  hold  the 
lands  as  long  as  they  pleased,  but  were  only  allowed  to  sell  to  the  State 
of  Massachusetts  or  her  assigns.  This  title,  thus  encumbered,  was  called 
the  pre-emption  right,  literally,  the  right  of  first  purchase. 

While  these  events  were  taking  place  a  combination  (a  "  ring,"  it 
would  now  be  called,  or  perhaps  "a  syndicate")  was  formed  by 
capitalists  in  New  York  and  Canada,  to  obtain  control  of  the  Indian 
lands  in  this  State.  Two  companies  were  organized,  the  one  known  as 
the  New  York  and  Genesee  Land  Company,  of  which  John  Livingston 
was  the  manager,  and  the  other  the  Niagara  Genesee  Land  Company, 
composed  largely  of  Canadians,  with  Col.  John  Butler  at  the  head,  and 
associated  with  him  were  Samuel  Street,  Captain  Powell,  William  John- 
son and  Benjamin  Barton. 

As  the  State  forbade  the  sale  of  Indian  lands  to  individuals,  these 
companies,  working  together,  sought  to  evade  the  law  by  a  lease,  and 
so  great  was  the  influence  of  Butler  and  his  associates  that  in  1787,  the 
Six  Nations,  or  some  chiefs  and  sachems  claiming  to  act  for  them,  gave 
the  New  York  and  Genesee  Company  a  lease  of  all  their  lands,  except 
some  small  reservations,  for  a  term  of  nine  hundred  and  ninety  nine 
years.  The  consideration  was  to  be  $20,000,  and  an  annual  rental  of 
$2,000.      At  the  next  session  of  the  Legislature  the  lessees  applied  for 


PHELPS  AND  GORHAM  PURCHASE.  23 

a  confirmation  of  their  lease,  but  the  intent  to  evade  the  law  was  too 
plain  ;  the  petition  was  promptly  rejected  and  the  lease  declared  void. 

The  lease  having  been  annulled,  the  promoters  of  the  scheme  next 
proposed  to  procure  a  conveyance  by  the  Indians  of  all  their  lands  in 
the  State,  provided  the  latter  would  reimburse  Livingston  and  his  asso- 
ciates for  all  their  expenses,  and  to  convey  to  them  half  the  land  ; 
which  specimen  of  effrontery  can  seldom  be  surpassed  in  these  pro- 
gressive days,  considering  that  Livingston,  Butler  and  company  would 
have  secured  several  million  acres  of  the  finest  lands  in  America  as  a 
free  gift.      However,  this  proposition  was  also  rejected. 

In  1788  Massachusetts  sold  all  her  land  in  New  York,  about  six  and 
one-half  million  acres,  to  Oliver  Phelps  and  Nathaniel  Gorham,  acting 
on  behalf  of  themselves  and  others,  for  $1,000,000,  to  be  paid  in  three 
equal  annual  payments,  the  purchasers  having  the  privilege  of  paying 
in  Massachusetts  currency,  then  worth  about  twenty  cents  on  the  dol- 
lar. The  purchase  was  of  course  subject  to  the  Indian  right  of  occu- 
pancy. 

Oliver  Phelps,  the  active  manager  of  the  "  Phelps  and  Gorham  Pur- 
chase "  enterprise,  made  an  arrangement  with  Livingston,  who  agreed, 
doubtless  for  consideration,  to  assist  in  negotiating  a  treaty  with  the 
Indians.  But  meanwhile  there  arose  a  disagreement  between  Living- 
ston's and  Butler's  companies,  and  when  Phelps  reached  Geneva,  or 
Kanadesaga,  where  the  council  was  to  have  been  held,  he  learned  that 
Butler  and  his  associates  had  assembled  the  Indians  at  Buffalo  Creek, 
and  had  persuaded  them  not  to  meet  with  either  Livingston  or  Phelps ; 
and  learning  that  Butler  had  greater  influence  with  the  savages  than 
Livingston  or  himself,  Phelps  proceeded  to  Niagara,  came  to  a  satis- 
factory arrangement  with  them,  and  then  procured  a  council  at  Buffalo 
Creek. 

Although  in  no  manner  pertinent  to  this  narrative,  the  statement  may 
be  made  incidentally  that  this  council  was  in  many  respects  a  notable 
assemblage,  and  a  meeting  in  which  that  shrewd  Yankee,  Oliver  Phelps, 
found  himself  pitted  against  not  only  a  number  of  the  most  cunning 
land  sharpers  of  the  whole  country,  but  as  well  against  the  most  crafty 
representatives  of  the  Indian  race.-  Among  the  notables  present,  whose 
names  can  be  recalled,  were  Joseph  Brant,  the  Mohawk  chief,  famed 
both  for  his  cunning  and  inhuman  ferocity;  John  Butler,  the  once  active 


24  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

man  of  the  lesser  land  company,  and  formerly  colonel  of  Butler's  Rang- 
ers ;  Rev.  Samuel  Kirkland,  the  agent  of  Massachusetts,  a  man  of 
noble  character  and  varied  experience.  At  this  meeting  he  also  acted 
as  one  of  the  interpreters.  William  Johnston  was  another  of  the  inter- 
preters present. 

Oliver  Phelps  was  a  Connecticut  Yankee  by  birth,  a  son  of  the  Bay 
State  by  adoption,  and  a  New  Yorker  by  subsequent  residence.  He 
was  an  active  participant  in  the  Revolution,  and  was  now,  as  the  agent 
of  an  association  of  Massachusetts  speculators,  negotiating  for  the  pur- 
chase of  a  principality.  He  was  a  shrewd,  persistent,  enterprising, 
politic,  typical  business  man  of  the  day,  and  to  the  time  of  his  death  was 
regarded  with  profound  respect  by  the  residents  of  the  Phelps  and  Gor- 
ham  Purchase.  In  his  representative  capacity,  and  associated  with  Na- 
thaniel Gorham,  Mr.  Phelps  once  owned  all  the  territory  now  compris- 
ing Steuben  county,  and  the  titles  established  by  him  have  been  the 
foundation  for  all  subsequent  real  estate  transactions  in  the  shire.  Still, 
Steuben  county  was  but  a  small  part  of  the  vast  purchase  negotiated  by 
this  remarkable  proprietary. 

Among  the  Indian  owners  of  the  land  were  present  Honayewus,  the 
Seneca  chief,  who  had  then  lately  received  the  name  of  "  Farmer's 
Brother."  There,  too,  was  also  Sagoyewatha,  "The  Keeper  Awake"  (a 
tribute  to  his  oratorical  powers),  the  far-famed  Red  Jacket.  Another 
was  Capt.  John  O'Bail,  or  Abeel,  more  widely  known  as  Cornplanter, 
half  white  by  blood,  yet  thoroughly  Indian  by  nature.  Sayengeraghta, 
"Old  King,"  or  "Old  Smoke,"  was  also  present  but  not  active  in  the 
council. 

As  is  well  known,  the  eastern  boundary  of  the  purchase  began  at  the 
eighty-second  milestone  on  the  Pennsylvania  line,  thence  ran  due  north 
to  Lake  Ontario.  The  west  line  ran  from  the  lake  up  the  Genesee  to 
the  mouth  of  the  Canaseraga,  thence  due  south  to  the  Pennsylvania  line. 
This  was  the  "  Phelps  and  Gorham  Purchase,"  and  included  about 
2,600,000  acres.  The  price  was  left  by  the  complaisant  aborigines  to 
Colonel  Butler,  Joseph  Brant  and  Elisha  Lee  (the  latter  Mr.  Kirkland's 
assistant),  and  was  fixed  at  $5,000  in  hand,  and  $500  annually,  forever. 
This  was  about  equal  to  $12,000  in  cash,  or  half  a  cent  an  acre.  Within 
two  weeks  after  the  council  Colonel  Butler  called  on  Mr.  Phelps  by 
letter  for  a  conveyance  of  20,000  acres  of  land,  in  accordance  with  a 


">^^^'  ^^Jl^^ 


<^^^>^^^^ 


PHELPS  AND  GORHAM'S  SURVEY.  25 

previous  arrangement,  to  be  deeded  to  persons  designated  by  Butler; 
from  which  it  is  fair  to  infer  that  as  the  colonel  had  been  one  of  the  com- 
missioners to  fix  the  price  of  the  main  purchase,  this  transfer  looks  as  if 
some  of  the  Indian  operations  of  that  era  would  not  bear  more  close 
investigation  than  those  of  later  years. 

While  Oliver  Phelps  was  busily  employed  in  his  negotiations  with 
the  Indians,  and  in  compromising  with  the  annoying  claimants  in  the 
lessee  companies,  Mr.  Gorham  was  engaged  in  preparing  for  the  sur- 
vey of  the  east  and  west  boundary  lines  of  the  purchase  as  preliminary 
to  the  survey  of  the  general  tract.  For  this  work  the  services  of  Col. 
Hugh  Maxwell,  an  engineer  of  good  repute,  were  engaged,  and  the 
work  was  done  during  the  year  1788;  not,  however,  by  Colonel  Max- 
well, or  even  under  his  immediate  direction,  for  he  was  taken  ill  about 
the  time  the  work  was  begun,  and  the  line  was  in  fact  run  by  his  assist- 
ants and  subordinates.  The  survey  into  townships  was  also  begun  in 
1788,  and  completed  in  1789,  and  was  made  from  the  eastern  boundary. 
So  far  as  the  character  of  the  surface  would  permit,  the  townships  were 
supposed  to  contain  the  contents  of  six  miles  square.  Running  from 
south  to  north,  and  six  miles  apart,  were  first  surveyed  the  range  lines, 
and  throughout  each  of  these,  at  the  end  of  every  six  miles,  monuments 
were  placed,  and  by  running  lines  at  right  angles  with  the  range  lines, 
at  the  designated  points,  there  would  be  included  six  miles  square, 
(thirty-six  square  miles)  or  a  township. 

The  statement  may  be  made  in  this  connection  that  the  survey  into 
townships  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  Phelps  and  Gorham  purchase  was 
made  by  Augustus  Porter,  Frederick  Saxton  and  their  assistants.  In 
explanation  of  the  system  of  surveys  adopted  for  the  Phelps  and  Gor- 
ham purchase,  which,  by  the  way,  was  afterward  employed  generally  in 
the  Western  States  and  Territories,  it  may  be  stated  that  the  present 
town  of  Caton  comprises,  substantially,  township  i,  range  i  ;  Lindley, 
township  I,  range  2;  Tuscarora,  township  i,  range  3  The  town  of 
Corning  comprises  township  2,  range  i  ;    Erwin,  township  2,  range  2. 

In  1789  the  Phelps  and  Gorham  proprietary  found  themselves  in  a 
financially  embarrassed  condition.  The  Massachusetts  currency,  which, 
at  the  time  the  purchase  was  made  was  worth  only  about  twenty  cents 
on  the  dollar,  had,  through  the  organization  of  the  affairs  of  the  State 
and   the   assistance  afforded  by  the  general  government,  advanced    in 


26  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

value  to  nearly  par,  and  the  proprietors  themselves  had  made  enormous 
outlays  and  expenditures  in  surveying  and  developing  their  lands.  In 
addition  was  the  unlooked  for  expense  of  the  contingent  of  persons  who 
claimed  to  have  assisted  in  bringing  about  a  peaceful  settlement  of  diffi- 
culties, and  who  were  persistent  in  their  demands  for  money  and  lands. 
The  result  was  that  the  proprietors  were  unable  to  meet  their  obliga- 
tions, although  at  this  time  they  had  disposed  of  nearly  one- half  of  their 
vast  estate.  Many  of  the  townships,  however,  had  been  conveyed  to 
stockholders  in  the  association  in  exchange  for  their  interests  in  the 
company. 

In  this  emergency  Phelps  and  Gorham  petitioned  the  Massachusetts 
Legislature,  asking  that  they  be  released  from  payment  of  the  entire 
principal  sum,  and  expressed  a  wilHngness  to  pay  for  that  part  of  the 
land  to  which  the  Indian  title  had  been  extinguished,  and  surrender  the 
tract  west  of  the  Genesee  and  the  mill  seat  tract.  This  proposition  was 
acceded  to.  Again,  in  the  early  part  of  1790  our  proprietors  effected 
a  sale  to  Robert  Morris,  the  financier  of  the  Revolution  and  a  man  of 
large  means  and  influence,  of  all  the  unsold  portion  of  their  purchase 
within  the  lines  we  have  previously  described.  At  this  time  Phelps  and 
Gorham  had  disposed  of  about  fifty  townships,  among  those  in  what  is 
now  this  county  being  Campbell,  Canisteo,  Corning,  Erwin.  Hornells- 
ville  and  Lindley.  The  lands  transferred  to  Mr.  Morris  embraced  about 
one  million  two  hundred  and  sixty- four  thousand  acres,  for  which  he 
paid  iJ"30,000,  New  York  money. 

After  becoming  fully  possessed  Mr.  Morris  proceeded  to  investigate 
tlie  character  and  condition  of  his  purchase,  and  soon  discovered  that  a 
fraud  had  been  practiced  in  running  the  eastern  boundary  line.  For 
the  purpose  of  accurate  information,  he  engaged  Adam  Hoopes  to  ex- 
plore the  country,  and  particularly  to  re- survey  the  east  boundary  and 
determine  upon  the  accuracy  of  the  disputed  line.  However,  before 
this  could  be  done,  Mr.  Morris's  agent  in  England  negotiated  a  sale  of 
the  tract  to  a  company  of  English  capitalists,  comprised  of  Sir  William 
Pulteney,  John  Hornby,  and  Patrick  Colquhoun.  Charles  Williamson 
acted  in  the  capacity  of  agent  for  the  purchasers  and  received  the  deeds 
in  his  own  name,  which  the  actual  vendees,  being  aliens,  could  not 
hold.  (This  prohibition,  however,  was  soon  afterward  removed.)  The 
deed   to  Williamson  was  executed  April  11,  1792,  and  in  March,  1801, 


CHARLES  WILLIAMSON.  27 

the  then  unsold  lands  were  conveyed  to  the  Pulteney  Association.    The 
titles  to  land  in  this  county,  other  than  in  the  towns  specially  mentioned 
in  the  preceding  paragraph,   have  generally  descended  from  the  Pulte 
ney   Association,    Pulteney  estate,   the    Pulteney  heirs  or   the    Hornby 
estate,  as  variously  termed. 

Under  the  new  proprietorship  the  eastern  boundary  line  was  resur- 
veyed,  though  at  the  expense  of  Mr.  Morris.  A  material  deflection 
from  the  correct  course  was  discovered,  more  serious  north  than  in  this 
county,  which,  as  is  well  known,  is  bounded  by  the  line  on  the  east. 
In  the  association  the  Pulteney  interest  was  nine-twelfths  of  the  whole, 
the  Hornby  two-twelfths,  and  the  Colquhoun  one  twelfth. 

Captain  Williamson  was  a  Scotchman  by  birth,  and  in  1792  became 
a  citizen  of  the  United  States.  He  had  served  in  the  British  army  and 
during  the  war  then  recently  ended  had  gained  a  fair  knowledge  of 
America  and  the  natural  resources  of  the  country.  In  connection  with 
the  trust  reposed  in  him  by  the  English  capitalists.  Captain  Williamson 
came  to  the  United  States  in  December,  1791,  remaining  for  some  time 
in  Pennsylvania,  and  locating  for  his  business  operations  at  Bath  in  the 
early  part  of  1793.  We  have  no  place  in  this  chapter  for  the  thousand 
and  one  enterprises  set  on  foot  and  carried  to  a  successful  completion 
by  Captain  Williamson,  but  it  may  be  said  in  this  connection  that  the 
early  settlement  and  development  of  what  is  now  Steuben  county  was 
largely  due  to  his  efforts  To  be  sure  he  had  at  his  command  almost 
unlimited  resources  and  means,  and  he  made  generous  use  of  both.  In 
fact  his  principals  soon  complained  of  the  seemingly  prodigal  expendi- 
tures made  by  their  agent  and  were  disposed  to  call  him  to  account,  but 
whatever  was  done  in  the  way  of  improvement  was  of  great  benefit  to 
the  inhabitants  of  the  region  in  general,  and  of  the  townships  owned 
by  the  association  in  particular.  The  town  and  village  of  Bath  owed 
all  their  early  prosperity  to  the  generosity  of  Captain  Williamson, 
However,  this  subject  will  be  further  mentioned  in  connection  with  our 
allusion  to  the  several  towns  of  the  county,  hence  may  be  only  casually 
treated  in  this  chapter. 

An  interesting  and  quite  important  element  of  local  history  was  the 
outgrowth  of  the  Pulteney  and  Hornby  titles,  although  the  period  of  its 
occurrence  was  more  recent  than  that  referred  to  in  the  preceding  narra- 
tive.     We  refer  to  the  event  which  has  ever  been  known  as  the  "Anti- 


28  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

rent  Conflict,"  which  was  occasioned  by  the  inabihty  of  the  settlers  to 
pay  for  their  lands  under  the  contracts  of  purchase  made  with  the 
agents  of  the  proprietors.  And  we  may  also  add  that  the  sentiment 
prevailing  at  the  time  was  not  confined  wholly  to  Steuben  and  Allegany 
counties,  but  existed  in  the  region  known  as  the  Holland  Purchase,  and 
also  in  other  localities  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State. 

The  causes  which  led  to  this  unfortunate  situation  were  numerous, 
and  chief  among  them  was  the  construction  of  the  Erie  Canal,  thus 
affording  to  the  settlers  north  of  us  superior  facilities  for  the  transporta- 
tion of  agricultural  products  to  market  in  which  the  inhabitants  of  this 
region  could  reap  no  benefit.  The  lands  here  were  generally  poorer  in 
quality  than  those  to  the  northward,  and  were  cleared  and  fitted  for 
cultivation  only  after  much  labor  and  expense.  The  price  of  all  pro- 
ducts of  the  soil  was  much  depreciated  and  the  yield  not  abundant. 
The  proprietary  contributed  to  the  distress  of  the  struggling  purchasers 
by  the  practice  of  adding  to  the  principal  sum  to  be  paid  all  arrearages 
of  interest  and  charging  interest  on  the  whole.  In  fact  the  inhabitants 
became  discontented  with  their  condition,  and  the  sentiment  became 
rampant  throughout  the  region  ;  and  being  utterly  disheartened,  showed 
little  disposition  to  effectually  relieve  themselves,  but  rather  were  given 
to  the  habit  of  commiserating  one  with  the  other  until  the  situation  be- 
came really  serious.  In  their  distress  they  assembled  a  convention,  to 
meet  at  the  court-house  in  Bath  on  the  19th  of  January,  1830,  "  to  take 
into  consideration  the  condition  of  the  settlers  on  the  Pulteney  and 
Hornby  estates  "  in  the  counties  of  Steuben  and  Allegany.  In  the 
convention  were  delegates  from  many  of  the  towns  of  this  county,  as 
follows : 

Addison. — William  Wombough,  Lemuel  B.  Searls,  David  Shumway, 
Eber  Scofield  and  Daniel  Burdick. 

Alfred. — Edward  Green,  Daniel  Babcock,  Spencer  Sweet,  Richard 
Hall  and  Clark  Crandall. 

Bath. — William  Woods,  James  Warden,  John  Corbitt,  Peter  Hunter, 
Melvin  Schenck,  Caleb  P.  Fulton  and  Elisha  Hawks. 

Cameron. — Jacob  Thayer,  Joseph  Loughry,  Isaac  Santee,  Sheldon 
Porter  and  Hiram  Averill. 

Cohocton. — Paul  C.  Cook,  David  Weed,  Elnathan  Wing,  Peter  Haight 
and  Alfred  Shattuck. 


THE  ANTI-RENT  CONVENTION.  29 

Canisteo — Henry  D.  Millard,  William  Stephens,  Jeremiah  Baker, 
George  Santee  and  Moses  Hallett. 

Dansville. — Thomas  M  Bourn,  Peter  Covert,  Annis  Newcomb,  Leeds 
Allen  and  Martin  Smith. 

Erwin. — John  E.  Evans,  Samuel  Erwin  and  John  Cooper,  jr. 

Greenzvood. — Levi  Davis,  Thomas  Johnson,  Anson  Cook,  William  J. 
Strong  and  Randall  Pease. 

Hornby. — Isaac  Goodsell,  Samuel  Oldfield,  Josiah  Wheat,  Francis 
Northway  and  Levi  Nash. 

Hornellsville. — Oliver  Coon,  Othniel  Call,  Oliver  Pettibone,  Jabez 
Lamphere  and  John  J    Sharp. 

Howard. — Daniel  U.  Bennett,  Byram  L.  Harlow,  William  Goff,  John 
D.  Collier  and  Jacob  G.  Winne. 

Jasper. — William  Hunter,  Benjamin  Heliker,  Ira  Smith,  Uzal  M. 
Mynderse  and  Hinckley  Spencer. 

Painted  Post. — Robert  H.  Hoyt,  Joseph  Gillett,  Charles  Wolcott,  jr., 
William  Webster  and  Henry  D.  Smith. 

Prattsburg. — Stephen  Prentiss,  Gameliel  Loomis,  Josiah  Allis,  Ira 
C.  Clark  and  Joseph  Potter. 

Piilteney. — David  Hobart,  William  Sagar,  Barnet  Retan,  Daniel  Ben- 
nett and  Seth  Weed. 

Troupsbiirg.  —  Samuel  Cady,  Samuel  Griggs,  Joshua  Slater,  Jesse 
Wilden  and  Nathan  S.  Hayes. 

Urbana. — Henry  A.  Townsend,  John  Sanford,  jr.,  John  Powers,  Elias 
Ketchum  and  Dyer  Cranmer. 

Wheeler. — Jonathan  Barney,  Nathan  Rose  2d,  Abram  J.  Quacken- 
bush,  David  Barney  and  John  C.  Overhiser. 

Wayne. — Latham  Fitch,  John  H.  Sherwood  and  Thornton  F.  Curry. 

Woodhull. — Caleb  Smith,  Samuel  Stroud,  Asher  Johnson,  Jeffrey 
Smith  and  Martin  Harder. 

Representatives  were  also  present  from  several  towns  in  adjoining 
counties,  and  in  many  respects  the  assemblage  was  one  of  the  largest 
and  most  noteworthy  of  any  held  in  the  county  during  its  early  history. 
The  court-house  was  not  large  enough  to  hold  the  delegates  and  inter- 
ested spectators,  hence  the  meeting  was  held  in  the  Presbyterian  church. 
An  organization  was  effected  by  the  selection  of  Henry  A.  Townsend, 
chairman,    and    Edward    Howell    and   George  C.   Edwards,  secretaries. 


30  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

After  much  deliberation  and  discussion  and  the  adoption  of  a  series  of 
resolutions  setting  forth  the  unhappy  condition  of  affairs,  the  convention 
caused  to  be  sent  to  Col.  Robert  Troup,  agent  of  the  Pulteney  estate, 
and  to  John  Greig,  agent  of  the  Hornby  estate,  a  memorial  or  petition 
asking  that  the  proprietary  take  some  action  for  their  immediate  and 
effectual  relief 

The  memorial  was  dated  January  20,  1830,  and  on  the  14th  of  March 
following  Colonel  Troup  replied  at  length  and  suggested  a  plan  of  re- 
lief;  and  while  the  latter  tended  to  lessen  the  burdens  of  the  settlers,  it 
did  not  in  fact  satisfy  their  desires.  Further  meetings  were  held,  some 
of  them  general  and  others  local,  and  the  ultimate  result  was  generally 
beneficial  to  the  suffering  inhabitants,  although  the  hoped  for  blessing 
was  so  long  delayed  by  the  detail  of  proceedings  and  formalities  as  to 
have  lost  much  of  its  savor.  The  settlers  succeeded  in  obtaining  a 
moderate  reduction  in  the  price  of  their  lands,  and  the  product  of 
their  farms  was  accepted  as  payment  of  principal  or  interest  at  fair  cash 
values.  Still,  there  has  ever  been  expressed  a  doubt  as  to  the  propriety 
of  the  proceeding  or  whether  any  substantial  and  lasting  benefit  was 
derived  therefrom. 


CHAPTER  V. 


Division  of  Montgomery  County- — Creation  of  Ontario  and  Steuben  Counties — Brief 
Allusion  to  Baron  Steuben — His  Life  and  Services — The  Original  Territory  of  Steuben 
County  divided  into  Towns — First  County  Officers — County  Buildings — Second  Jury 
District — Steuben  County  Civil  List. 

On  the  27th  day  of  January,  1789,  the  Legislature  passed  an  act 
dividing  the  mother  county  Montgomery,  and  out  of  its  territory  the 
region  of  country  in  this  State  west  of  Seneca  Lake  was  erected  into 
a  separate  county  by  the  name  of  Ontario.  This  vast  tract  of  rich  and 
fertile  land  became  known  to  the  American  colonists  during  the  closing 
years  of  the  French  war,  and  the  constant  passage  of  troops  along  the 
frontiers  during  the  Revolution  likewise  afforded  an  excellent  opportu- 
nity for  the  observing  New  Englander  to  determine  upon  the  general 
desirability  of  the  whole  region  as  a  place  of  permanent  residence  and 


ERECTION  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY.  31 

profitable  agricultural  employment.  Indeed,  so  well  known  was  the 
character  of  the  Genesee  country,  that  within  two  years  from  the  time 
Phelps  and  Gorham  concluded  their  historic  purchase,  we  find  the  hardy 
pioneer  clearing  the  forests,  developing  the  lands,  and  paving  the  way 
for  future  prosperity.  So  rapidly  were  the  towns  taken  and  settled, 
that  the  proper  management  of  affairs  made  necessary  the  creation  of  a 
new  county  west  of  the  lake,  and  the  act  mentioned  was  the  result. 

After  the  lapse  of  seven  short  years  the  same  necessity  led  to  the 
erection  of  another  county,  and,  therefore,  through  the  energetic  efforts 
of  Charles  Williamson,  agent  of  the  Pulteney  association  and  others, 
Steuben  county  was  formed  from  Ontario,  the  act  therefor  being  passed 
and  approved  on  the  8th  day  of  March,  1796.  At  the  census  taken  in 
1790  the  districts  comprising  the  new  jurisdiction  contained  only  two 
hundred  inhabitants;  in  1795  about  one  thousand,  and  in  1800  a  total 
of  two  thousand.  Within  its  present  boundaries  Steuben  county  con- 
tains about  one  thousand  three  hundred  square  miles  of  land,  and  is 
among  the  largest  civil  divisions  of  the  State. 

The  county  was  named  in  honor  of  Frederick  William  Augustus, 
Baron  Steuben,  who  with  several  other  titled  and  honored  foreigners 
gave  substantial  aid  to  the  American  cause  during  the  first  war  with 
Great  Britain.  The  life  and  services  of  this  distinguished  and  patriotic 
"  Knight  of  the  Order  of  Fidelity  "  are  worthily  recorded  in  the  pages 
of  history  and  need  no  reproduction  here,  yet,  as  a  brief  tribute  to  his 
memory,  we  may  state  that  Baron  Steuben,  previous  to  his  departure 
for  America,  was  aid  de  camp  to  Frederick  the  Great,  King  of  Prussia. 
Under  Congress  and  General  Washington  he  was  major-general  and 
inspector-general  in  the  American  army,  serving  during  the  Revolu- 
tionary war.  "  Esteemed,  respected  and  supported  by  Washington,  he 
gave  military  skill  and  discipline  to  the  citizen  soldiers,  who  (fulfilling 
the  decrees  of  Heaven)  achieved  the  independence  of  the  United 
States." 

Baron  Steuben  was  born  in  one  of  the  German  provinces  about  the 
year  1730.  He  came  to  the  United  States  on  the  ist  of  December, 
1777,  where  he  ever  afterward  lived.  He  died  on  the  25th  of  Novem- 
ber, 1795. 

Steuben  county,  as  originally  constituted,  was  materially  larger  in 
area  than  at  the  present  time,  having  surrendered  portions  of  its  territory 


32  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

to  other  jurisdictions,  which  we  may  briefly  note.  On  March  ii,  1808, 
the  seventh  range  of  townships  was  set  off  to  Allegany  county,  which 
was  created  April  7,  1 806.  The  part  in  the  fork  of  Lake  Keuka  was 
annexed  to  Ontario  county,  F'ebruary  25,  1 8 14.  A  part  of  Dansville 
was  attached  to  Livingston  county,  February  15,  1822,  and  a  part  of 
Reading  to  Yates  county  in  1 824.  Another  part  of  Reading  was  set  off 
to  Schuyler  county  on  the  creation  of  the  latter,  April  17,  1854.  When 
Steuben  was  erected  its  territory  was  divided  into  six  towns  or  provi- 
sional districts,  and  known  respectively  as  Bath,  Canisteo,  Dansville, 
Frederickstown,  Middletown  and  Painted  Post.  Of  these  original  divi- 
sions the  names  of  only  two  are  now  preserved  as  towns  of  the  county. 
Bath  originally  comprised  the  entire  northern  portion  of  the  county, 
including  the  towns  now  known  as  Bath,  Urbana,  Wheeler,  Prattsburg, 
Pulteney,  Avoca,  Howard,  and  a  portion  of  Cohocton  Dansville  com- 
prised all  that  is  now  Dansville,  Fremont,  Wayland,  and  part  of  Howard 
and  Cohocton.  Frederickstown  included  Wayne  and  Bradford  in  this 
county,  and  also  Barrington  and  Starkey  in  Yates  county,  and  Tyrone, 
Reading  and  Orange  in  Schuyler  county.  Middletown  comprised  all 
that  is  now  Addison,  Rathbone,  Thurston,  Tuscarora,  Woodhull,  and 
parts  of  Troupsburg  and  Jasper.  Canisteo  comprised  the  present  town 
so  named,  also  Greenwood,  West  Union,  Huntsville,  Hornellsville,  and 
parts  of  Jasper  and  Troupsburg. 

After  the  erection  of  the  county  a  complete  organization  was  effected 
with  little  difficulty.  The  first  officers  were  William  Kersey,  first  judge  ; 
Abraham  Bradley  and  Eleazur  Lindley,  associate  judges  ;  George  D. 
Cooper,  county  clerk ;  William  Dunn,  sheriff;  Stephen  Ross,  surrogate. 
In  accordance  with  the  determination  of  the  most  influential  element  of 
the  county,  the  village  of  Bath  was  designated  as  the  seat  of  justice, 
and  the  agents  of  the  proprietary  made  generous  provision  for  the 
county  buildings  and  other  public  purposes. 

The  first  court-house  was  completed  and  occupied  for  court  purposes 
on  the  I  St  of  June,  1796.  The  building  was  of  frame,  one  and  one- 
half  stories  high,  with  two  wings,  and  served  the  necessities  of  the 
county  until  1828,  then  being  superseded  by  a  more  substantial  brick 
structure,  the  latter,  however,  being  destroyed  by  fire  in  October,  1859. 
Following  the  disaster,  in  i860,  the  present  attractive  court-house  was 
erected.      In  1796,  also,  the  first  county  jail,  a  log  building,  was  erected 


PUBLIC  BUILDINGS  AND  INSTITUTIONS.  33 

and  stood  in  the  rear  of  the  subsequent  stone  jail,  the  latter  standing  at 
the  northwest  corner  of  the  square.  The  next  jail  was  built  in  1845, 
and,  in  turn,  was  replaced  with  the  present  brick  building,  erected 
in  1882,  at  a  total  cost  of  nearly  $30,000.  The  new  clerk's  office 
was  built  in  1872,  at  a  cost  of  about  $1 1,000,  and  the  surrogate's  office 
in  1886,  at  an  expense  of  %2,,'jo'/.'/'j. 

As  the  county  increased  in  population  and  commercial  importance, 
the  convenience  of  the  inhabitants  demanded  a  division  into  jury  dis- 
tricts for  court  purposes.  Consequently,  on  the  19th  of  July,  1853,  an 
act  was  passed  making  the  desired  division,  and  designating  the  now 
city  of  Corning  as  the  seat  of  justice  of  the  second  jury  district  of  the 
county.  From  that  time  courts  have  been  held  alternately  at  Bath  and 
Corning.  However,  during  the  legislative  session  of  1888-89  s"  at- 
tempt was  made  to  secure  the  passage  of  an  act  establishing  a  western 
jury  district  in  the  county,  the  proposed  seat  to  be  at  Hornellsville,  and 
although  the  act  was  passed  by  both  houses  of  the  Legislature,  the  bill 
failed  to  become  a  law  through  lack  of  the  executive  approval.  The 
court-house  at  Corning,  a  substantial  and  attractive  brick  building,  was 
built  during  the  years  1853  and  '54,  and  cost  $14,000. 

Having  referred  to  the  general  buildings  and  properties,  in  this  con- 
nection we  may  also  properly  make  some  brief  allusion  to  another  im- 
portant institution  of  the  county,  that  in  which  are  kept  and  supported 
the  unfortunate  poor.  At  the  annual  session  of  the  Board  of  Super- 
visors held  in  November,  1833,  it  was  "Resolved,  that  a  poor-house 
shall  be  established  in  the  county  of  Steuben  for  the  reception  of  the 
poor  of  said  county,  and  that  all  distinction  between  the  county  poor 
and  town  poor  be  abolished,  etc.;"  also  "  that  Messrs.  Knox,  Reynolds 
and  Towsley  be  a  committee  to  ascertain  where  a  farm  can  be  had  for 
the  use  of  the  poor,  etc"  In  December  following  the  supervisors 
directed  the  superintendents  of  the  poor  to  purchase  the  farm  offered 
by  Ephraim  Barney,  and  also  appropriated  the  sum  of  $4,000  for  the 
purpose  of  paying  for  the  farm  and  the  erection  of  a  poor  house  build- 
ing. The  county  farm  is  located  in  the  town  of  Bath,  about  two  miles 
north  of  the  village.  From  the  humble  beginning  noted  above  the 
present  excellent  institution  for  the  care  of  the  county  poor  has  grown. 
The  property  consists  of  a  large  and  well  tilled  farm,  while  the  build- 


34  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

ings,  of  brick,  stone  and  frame,  are  ample  and  comfortable.  This  de- 
partment of  the  county  government  receives  the  same  careful  attention 
as  do  all  others. 

Now,  having  referred  to  the  various  properties  and  interests  of  Steu- 
ben county,  it  is  proper  that  a  record  be  made  of  the  names  of  persons 
who  have  been  identified  with  the  county  in  its  civil  and  political  his- 
tory. In  other  words,  it  is  fitting  that  we  publish  a  complete  list  of 
officers  who  have  represented  this  county  in  Federal,  State  or  local 
government ; 

Presidential  Electors — John  Lloyd,  1828;  Grattan  H.  Wheeler, 
1840;  John  D.  Higgins,  1844;  Ferral  C.  Dininny,  1852;  James  Alley, 
1864;  Horace  Bemis,  1868;  John  McDougall,  1876;  Amory  Hough- 
ton, jr.,  1880;   Anthony  L.  Underhill.  1884;   James  B.  Day,  1892. 

Representatives  in  Congress. — Daniel  Cruger,  18 17-19;  William 
Woods,  1823-25;  John  Magee,  1827-29,  and  1829-31;  Grattan  H. 
Wheeler,  1831-33;  Edward  Howell,  1833-35;  John  T.  Andrews, 
1837-39;  William  S.  Hubbell,  1843-45  ;  David  Rumsey,  jr  ,  1847-49, 
and  1849-51;  Robert  V.  Van  Valkenburgh,  1861-63,  and  1863-65; 
C.  C.  B.Walker,  1873-75;  John  N.  Hungerford,  1875-77;  David  P. 
Richardson,  1878-80,  and  1880-82;  John  Arnot,  1882-84;  Ira  Daven- 
port, 1884-86,  and  1886-88;  John  Raines,  1888-1890,  and  1800-92; 
Charles  W.  Gillett,  1892-96. 

Liettte?ia7it- Governor — Robert  Campbell,  of  Bath,  elected  November 
2,  1858.  Mr.  Campbell  was  also  regent  of  the  university,  appointed 
February  2,  1846,  vice  John  A.  Dix,  resigned. 

Canal  Commissioner. — Stephen  T.  Hayt,  of  Corning,  elected  No- 
vember 6,  1866. 

Canal  Appraiser. — Henry  H.Hull,  of  Bath,  appointed  April  5,  1855. 

Superiiitendcnt  of  Banks. — Daniel  C.  Howell,  of  Bath,  appointed 
February  3,   1870. 

State  Senators — Vincent  Matthews,  i  798-1 804;  Henry  A.  Towns- 
end,  1811-15;  Grattan  H.  Wheeler,  1829-32;  George  Huntington, 
1836-40;  William  M.  Hawley,  1848-49;  William  J.  Gilbert,  1851; 
Andrew  B.  Dickinson,  1854-55  ;  John  K.  Hale,  1856-57;  Samuel  H. 
Hammond,  i860  61  ;  Stephen  T.  Hayt,  1 864-66  ;G.  T.  Harrower,  1872- 
y-i,  ;  George  B.  Bradley,  1874-76,  and  1876-78  ;  Ira  Davenport,  1878- 
80;   Charles  E.  Walker,   1892-93. 


CIVIL  LIST.  35 

Members    of    Assembly — Charles    Williamson,    1798-1800;     James 
Faulkner,  1804;  John  Wilson,  1805-07;  George  Hornell,   1808;  Henry 

A.  Townsend,  1809;  John  Knox,  1810-11;  Jacob  Teeple,  1812-13; 
Daniel  Cruger,  1814-16;  William  B.  Rochester,  1817-18;  John  Dow, 
i8[9-2i  ;  Grattan  H.  Wheeler,  1822;  George  McClure  and  William 
Woods,  1823  ;  George  McClure  and  Grattan  H.  Wheeler,  1824;  John 
Kennedy  and  James  McBurney,  1825  ;  D.  Cruger  and  G.  H.  Wheeler, 
1826;  Paul  C.  Cook  and  George  McClure,  1827  ;  Dugald  Cameron  and 
William  Woods,  1828;  Randall  Graves  and  Henry  Phoenix,  1829; 
Andrew  B.  Dickinson  and  Josiah  Dunlap,  1830;  Paul  C.  Cook  and 
Josiah  Dunlap,  1831;  P2dward  Howell  and  John  McBurney,  1832; 
William  Hunter  and  William  Kernan,  1833  ;  Joshua  Healey  and  Will- 
iam Kernan,  1834;   Jeremiah  Baker  and  Joshua  Healey,  1835  ;  Lemuel 

B.  Searles  and  Henry  Switzer,  1836;  Henry  G.  Cotton,  John  I.  Pop- 
pins  and  Benjamin  Smead,  1837  ;  Samuel  Griggs,  David  Hall  and 
Manning  Kelly,  1838;  Andrew  G.  Chatfield,  Abram  M.  Lybolt  and 
Johnson  N  Reynolds,  1839;  Richard  Brower,  Andrew  G.  Chatfield  and 
Abram  M.  Lybolt,  1840;  A.  G.  Chatfield,  William  S.  Hubbell  and 
Samuel  A.  Johnson,  1841  ;  Aaron  W.  Beach,  PVancis  E.  Erwin  and 
Ziba  A  Leland,  1842  ;  Morris  Brown,  Francis  E.  Erwin  and  Ziba  A. 
A.  Leland,  1843  \  John  Jamison,  Asa  McConnell  and  Jeffrey  Smith, 
1844;  William  C.  Rogers,  Ansel  C.  Smith  and  Jacob  Van  Valken- 
burgh,  1845  ;  A.  G.  Chatfield,  Otto  F.  Marshall  and  William  C.  Rogers, 
1846;  Hiram  Chapman,  William  Diven  and  William  Hunter,  1847; 
Abel  Kendall,  John  G  Mercereau  and  Alex.  H.  Stephens,  1848  ; 
Abram  J.  Ouackenboss,  John  G.  Mercereau  and  John  K.  Hale,  1849; 
Edwin  F.  Church,  Ferral  C.  Dininny  and  James  Alley,  1850;  Charles 
G.  High}',  James  M.  Miles  and  Joel  Carrington,  1851  ;  R.  B.  Van 
Valkenburgh,  Benajah  P.  Bailey  and  Nathaniel  M.  Perry,  1852  ;  Dryden 
Henderson,  John  McBurney  and  Henry  H.  Bouton,  1853  ;  John  F, 
Williams,  B  P.  Bailey  and  Obediah  Stephens,  1854;  Seth  B.  Cole, 
Sylvester  Smith  and  Peter  C.  Ward,  1855  ;  Goldsmith  Denniston, 
Albert  C.  Morgan  and  Harlo  Hakes,  1856;  R.  B.  Van  Valkenburgh, 
George  T.  Spencer  and  Solon  O.  Thacher,  1857;  R.  B.  Van  Valken- 
burgh, Washington  Barnes  and  William  B.  Jones,  1858  ;  Abel  Eveland, 
Wickham  R.  Crocker  and  John  T.  Plato,  1859;  David  B.  Bryan, 
Henry  Sherwood  and  Samuel  M.  Alley,  1862  ;  John  W.  Taggart,  Henry 


36  LANDxMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Sherwood  and  Horace  Bemis,  1863;  William  E.  Bonham,  Alexander 
Olcott  and  J.  Harvey  Stephens,  1864;  William  E.  Bonham,  Alexander 
Olcott  and  Horace  Bemis,  1865  ;  William  B.  Boyd,  Amaziah  S.  McKay 
and  Frederick  M.  Kreidler,  1866;  William  B.  Boyd  and  Christian 
Minier,  1867;  John  F.  Little  and  Lyman  Balcom,  1868;  Monroe 
Brundage  and  Samuel  Mitchell,  1869;  James  G.  Bennett  and  John 
Davis,  1870;  Thomas  M.  Fowler  and  James  B.  Murdock,  1871  ; 
Thomas  M.  Fowler  and  Stephen  F.  Gilbert,  1872  ;  Stephen  D.  Shattuck 
and  Charles  F,  Houghton,  1873;  Stephen  D.  Shattuck  and  Lucius  C. 
Pierson,  1874;  William  B.  Ruggles  and  Jerry  E.  B.  Santee,  1875; 
William  B.  Ruggles  and  Jerry  E.  B.  Santee,  1876;  Azariah  C.  Brundage 
and  George  R.  Sutherland,  1877-79;  John  W.  Davis  and  Russell  M. 
Tuttle,  1880;  Charles  S.  Longwell  and  Russell  M.  Tuttle,  1881; 
Orange  S  Searle  and  Allen  A.  Van  Arsdale,  1 882  ;  Orange  S.  Searle  and 
Andrew  B.  Craig,  1883;  George  E.  Whitman  and  Andrew  B.  Craig, 
1884;  George  E.  Whiteman  and  Charles  D.  Baker,  1885;  Franz  S. 
Wolt'  and  Charles  D.  Baker,  1886;  Azariah  C.  Brundage  and  Charles 
D.  Baker,  1887;  Azariah  C.  Brundage  and  Milo  M.  Acker,  1888; 
Charles  H.  McMaster  and  Milo  M.  Acker,  1889;  Peter  B.  Pealer  and 
M.  M.  Acker,  1890  ;  Grattan  H.  Brundage  and  M.  M.  Acker,  1891  ;  Gor- 
don M.  Patchin  and  Herman  E.  Buck,  1892-93;  Willoughby  W.  Bab- 
cock  and  Merritt  F.  Smith,  1894-95. 

Justices  of  the  Stipreme  Coitrt. — Thomas  A.  Johnson,  April  7,  1847, 
to  November  7,  1865  ;  David  Rumsey,  appointed  January  7,  1873,  vice 
Johnson,  deceased;  elected  for  full  term  in  November,  1873;  William 
Rumsey,  elected  November  2,  1880;  re-elected;  George  B.  Bradley, 
elected  November  6,  1883  ;  appointed  judge  Second  Division,  Court  of 
Appeals,  January  21,  1889;   now  on  General  Term  bench. 

County  Judges. — William  Kersey,  appointed  March  31,  1796  ;  James 
Faulkner,  P'ebruary  16,  1804;  Samuel  Baker,  January  18,  1813  ;  Thos. 
McBurney,  April  15,  1816;  James  Norton,  February  7,  1823  ;  George 
C.  Edwards,  January  13,  1826;  Ziba  A.  Leland,  January  9,  1838; 
Jacob  Larrowe,  April  17,  1843  ;  William  M.  Hawley,  January  30,  1846; 
David  McMaster,  elected  June,  1847  '■>  Jacob  Larrowe,  November,  1851  ; 
David  McMaster,  1855  ;  Washington  Barnes,  1859;  Guy  H.  McMaster, 
1867;  George  T.  Spencer,  1871  ;  Guy  H.  McMaster,  1877;  Harlo 
Hakes,  1883  and  1889;   Frank  H.  Robinson,  1892. 


CIVIL  LIST.  37 

Surrogates. — Stephen  Ross,  appointed  March  31,  1796;  Henry  A. 
Tovvnsend,  March  24,  1800;  George  McClure,  March  25,  1805  ;  John 
Metcalf,  April  6,  1813;  James  Read,  April  8,  1815  ;  Samuel  Baker, 
April  10,  18 17;  Wni.  Read,  March  20,  1821  ;  James  Brundage,  March 
28,  1823;  Wm  Woods,  January  8,  1827;  Robert  Campbell,  January 
31,  1835:  David  Rumsey,  jr.,  January  24,  1840;  Ansel  J.  McCall, 
February  3,  1844,  county  judge  from  June,  1847,  to  January,  1884; 
Guy  H.  McMaster,  elected  November,  1885;  John  F.  Little,  appointed 
to  fill  vacancy,  September  19,  1887;  M.  Rumsey  Miller,  elected  No- 
vember, 1888,  and  November,  1894. 

County  Clerks. — George  D.  Cooper,  appointed  March  31,  1796; 
Henry  A.  Tovvnsend,  February  1 1,  1799  ;  John  Wilson,  March  21,  1807; 
Henry  A.  Tovvnsend,  February  8,  1808;  Dugald  Cameron,  February 
16,  1810  ;  Henry  A.  Townsnd,  February  11,  181  i  ;  John  Wilson,  Feb- 
ruary 13,  1815;  Edward  Howell,  March  19,  1818;  John  Metcalf,  Feb- 
urary  19,  1821  ;  and  elected  in  November,  1822;  David  Rumsey,  1829; 
Wm.  H.  Bull,  1832;  Wm.  Hamilton,  1838;  Paul  C.  Cook,  1844 ;  Philo 
R  Hubbell,  1850;  Chas.  W.  Campbell.  1853  ;  Samuel  M.  Alley,  1856; 
Orson  Moshier,  1859;  Oscar  J.  Averell,  1862;  Allen  Van  Orsdale, 
1865  ;  Nirom  M.  Crane,  1868;  Henry  C.  Faucett,  1871  ;  Archie  E. 
Baxter,  1874;  Lucius  A.  Waldo,  1877;  Wm.  W.  Wilson,  1880;  Jacob 
H.  Lansing,  1883;  James  A.  Drake,  appointed  to  fill  vacancy,  Novem- 
ber 12,  1885;  Robert  K.  Faulkner,  1886;  Edward  P.  Graves,  1889; 
James  H.  Giffin,  1892. 

Sheriffs. — William  Dunn,  appointed  March  31,  1796;  John  Wilson, 
March  3,  1800;  Dugald  Cameron.  February  22,  1 804 ;  Jacob  Teeple, 
February  16,  1808;  Howard  Bull,  March  22.  1810;  Cornelius  Young- 
love,  March  25,  181 1  ;  Thomas  McBurn^^y,  March  7,  1812  ;  Benjamin 
Wells,  February  23,  1813;  Lazarus  Hammond,  March  2,  1814;  Geo. 
McClure,  February  28,  iSk;  Henry  Shriver,  March  2,  1819  ;  John 
Magee,  February  19,  1821.  and  elected  November,  1822;  John  Ken- 
nedy, 1825  ;  Alva  Ellas,  1828;  Geo.  Huntington,  1831;  Jno.  T. 
Andrews,  1834;  Henry  Brother,  1837;  Hiram  Potter,  1840;  Hugh 
Magee,  1843;  Henry  Brother,  1846;  Oliver  Allen,  1849;  Gabriel  T. 
Harrower,  1852;  Lewis  D  Fay,  1855;  Orange  Seymour,  1858;  Ed- 
win R.  Kasson,  1861  ;  Wm.  N.  Smith,  1864;  Willis  E.  Craig,  1867; 
Wm.  B.  Boyd,  1870;   Holland  B.  Williams,  1873;   Frank  D.  Sherwood, 


38  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

1876;  Erastus  P.  Higgins,  1879;  P2sek  Page,  1882;  Henry  Baldwin, 
J885;  Oscar  B.  Stratton,  1888;  George  Hollands,  1891;  Leslie  D. 
Whiting,  1894. 

District  Attorneys. — This  office  was  created  April  4,  i8oi,andthe 
State  comprised  seven  districts  (Steuben  county  being  in  No.  7).  Each 
county  was  constituted  a  separate  district  in  April,  18  1 8.  Previous  to 
this  year  the  seventh  district  was  represented  as  follows  :  Wm.  Stewart, 
appointed  March  2,  1802;  Daniel  W.  Lewis,  March  9,  1810:  Wm. 
Stewart,  February  12,  181 1  ;  Vincent  Matthews,  March  12,  1813  ; 
Daniel  Cruger,  April  17,  1815;  Daniel  Cruger,  June  11,  1818;  John 
Cook,  February  19,  1821  ;  Henry  Welles,  October  22,  1824;  Edward 
Howell,  February  7,  1829;  B.  W.  Franklin,  1834;  Edward  Howell, 
June  21,  1836;  Lazarus  H.  Read,  March  4,  1840;  Andrew  G.  Chat- 
field,  December  2,  1845;  Morris  Brown,  June  20,  1846;  Alfred  P. 
Ferris,  elected  June,  1847;  Robert  L.  Brundage.  November,  1850; 
Jos.  Herron,  1853  ;  John  Maynard,  1856  •  Ciiris.  John  McDowell,  1859  ; 
Harlo  Hakes,  1862;  John  H.  Butler,  appointed  1865,  elected  Novem- 
ber, 1865  and  1868;  Alphonso  H.  Burrell,  1871  ;  Ellsworth  D.  Mills, 
1874  and  1877;  Daniel  L.  Benton,  1880;  Irving  W.  Near,  1883; 
Frank  H.  Robinson,  1886  and  1889;   William  W.  Clark,  1892. 

County  Treasurers — An  act  of  the  Legislature,  passed  December  16, 
1847.  authorized  the  election  of  a  county  treasurer  in  each  county  of 
the  State  ;  previous  to  that  time  the  office  was  appointive  by  the  super- 
visors. James  R.  Dudley,  elected  November,  1848  ;  Perry  S.  Donahoe, 
1851;  Alex.  Hess,  1857;  Peter  Halsey,  1858;  John  T.  Allen,  1861;  Peter 
Halsey,  1864;  Theodore  A.  Silsbee,  1873;  Sebastian  G.  Lewis,  1876; 
Frederick  L.  French,  1882;  S.  Smith  Fairchild,  1885;  Zenas  L.  Parker, 
1888;   Gameliel  T.  Conine,  1894. 

School  Commissioners. — By  an  act  passed  April  17,  1843,  supervisors 
were  directed  to  appoint  county  superintendents  of  common  schools, 
but  the  office  was  abolished  in  1847.  During  its  operation,  Ralph  K. 
Finch  and  Alanson  S.  Phillips  filled  the  office  in  Steuben  county. 
Previous  to  1 857, school  commissioners  (an  office  which  succeeded  county 
superintendent)  were  appointed  by  the  supervisors,  but  since  that  year 
have  been  elected.  The  incumbents  of  the  office  in  the  several  districts 
of  this  county  have  been  as  follows: 

First  District. — Geo.  McLean,   Stephen  Vorhis,  Eli  H.  Brown,  R.  R. 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  39 

Calkins,  Jos.  B.  Westcott,  Geo.  P.  Avery,  Jno.  C.  Higbee  2d,  Zenas  L. 
Parker,  Geo.  H.  Guinnip,  Edgar  A.  Higgins,  Loring  H.  Barnum,  Albert 
W  Fenton,  Clark  W.  Halliday  and  Edwin  C.  Smith. 

Second  Distiict. — P.  J.  Farrington,  Noble  H.  Rising,  Edmund  A. 
Peckham,  Wm.  M.  Sherwood,  Jacob  H.  Wolcott,  Reuben  H.  Williams, 
Abner  Morrill,  Wesley  W.  Smith  and  Howard  B.  Harrison. 

Third  District. — (Created  in  1859,  abolished  in  1874,  and  restored  in 
1890)  Wm.  S  Hall,  Horatio  Pettingill,  Rodney  Dennis,  Albert  T.  Park- 
hill,  Edwin  Whiting,  William  P.  Todd,  Charles  Moore,  1890;  Charles 
Marlatt,  1893. 

Having  furnished  a  brief  civil  and  political  history  of  Steuben  county, 
and  having  referred  to  each  of  its  public  buildings,  properties  and  depart- 
ments of  government,  and  also  to  its  representatives  in  public  offices,  it  is 
deemed  appropriate  that  succeeding  pages  be  devoted  to  the  several 
civil  divisions  of  the  county,  that  the  reader  may  acquire  some  tangible 
idea  of  the  settlement,  organization,  growth  and  development  of  each. 
However,  in  treating  of  the  towns  only  incidental  reference  will  be  made 
to  the  villages  and  harnlets,  and  in  another  department  of  this  work  will 
be  found  more  extended  histories  of  each.  Churches,  also,  are  made 
the  subject  of  a  separate  chapter  in  this  volume,  classification  being 
considered  desirable  for  purposes  of  reference. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

Addison. — Addison  is  not  only  one  of  the  most  progressive  and 
prosperous  interior  towns  of  Steuben  county,  but  it  is  one  of  the  oldest 
of  its  civil  divisions.  It  was  formed  under  the  name  of  "  Middle- 
town  "  in  March,  1796,  and  was  one  of  the  original  provisional  dis- 
tricts created  at  that  time,  that  some  form  of  authority  might  be 
exercised  over  the  sparsely  settled  region.  The  old  name  was 
preserved  until  1808,  and  then  changed  to  Addison;  and  so  called,  we 
are  told,  in  respectful  allusion  to  Joseph  Addison,  the  English  author  of 
note  in  his  time. 


40  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

The  old  town  of  Middletown  embraced  a  large  area  of  territory,  in- 
cluding all  that  is  now  Addison,  Rathbone,  Thurston,  Tuscarora,  Wood- 
hull,  and  a  part  of  Troupsburg  and  Jasper.  In  fact,  the  district  included 
the  entire  southern  portion  of  the  county,  chiefly  hill  lands,  yet  so  inter- 
spersed with  valleys  and  elevated  flats  as  to  invite  early  settlement  and 
consequent  subdivision.  As  now  constituted,  under  the  present  name, 
the  town  contains  16,500  acres  of  land,  small  indeed,  comparatively,  but 
rich  in  resources  and  enterprise,  hence  one  of  the  best  divisions  of  old 
Steuben. 

Samuel  Rice  was  the  pioneer  of  what  is  now  Addison.  He  was  a 
Connecticut  Yankee  by  birth,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  a  hero  and  sur- 
vivor of  the  Revolution  by  patriotic  instinct  and  love  of  country,  and 
a  worthy  pioneer  in  the  Genesee  countr}'.  Mr.  Rice  made  his  settle- 
ment on  Tuscarora  Creek,  near  the  so-called  Wombaugh  mills,  in  1791, 
and  built  the  first  house  in  the  town.  Other  pioneers  soon  followed 
Rice,  and  among  them  we  may  mention  Reuben  and  Lemuel  Searles, 
George  Goodhue,  Oliver  Miller,  John  Martin,  Jonathan  Tracy,  Isaac  and 
James  Martin,  Abel  White,  James  Benham,  Silas  Morey,  Asahel  Stiles, 
Lemuel  Stiles,  Elisha  Gilbert,  William  Wombaugh  and  Martin  Young. 
These  pioneers  were  farmers  and  lumbermen,  kindred  pursuits  in  the 
then  wilderness  region.  They  came  prepared  to  fell  the  forests,  manu- 
facture lumber  for  domestic  use,  and  also  to  ship  to  market,  but  the 
ultimate  purpose  of  the  majority  of  them  was  to  build  up  comfortable 
farms  and  homes  in  the  new  country.  That  they  were  successful  is 
fully  attested  in  the  fine  farms  and  beautiful  homes  that  line  the  streams 
in  this  town  of  hills  and  valleys.  Later  generations,  perhaps,  have  im- 
proved upon  the  condition  of  things  left  by  the  pioneers,  yet  the  founda- 
tion for  this  after  prosperity  was  laid  by  the  first  comers  during  the  last 
years  of  the  eighteenth  century. 

The  beautiful  Tuscarora  vallev  extends  south  from  Addison  village  ; 
the  equally  charming  valley  of  the  Canisteo  stretches  away  to  the  west, 
while  to  the  northward  is  the  lesser  valley  of  Goodhue  Creek.  The 
little  body  of  water  called  Goodhue  Lake  lies  in  the  extreme  northwest 
of  the  town.  At  the  village  the  Tuscarora  unites  with  the  Canisteo, 
while  to  the  eastward  the  creek  from  the  north  adds  its  volume  to  the 
general  flow,  and  the  Chemung  River  eventually  receives  the  combined 
waters  of  the  three.     These  "  boatable  "  streams  were  large  enough  to 


NELSON   COWAN. 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  41 

permit  running  large  rafts  during  the  early  history  of  the  region 
and  as  lumbering  and  rafting  were  important  and  profitable  industries 
of  the  time,  this  was  a  central  locality,  and  one  widely  known  to  lumber- 
men and  speculators.  Therefore  we  are  not  surprised  at  the  very  early 
settlement  of  the  town,  nor  at  loss  to  account  for  early  evidences  of 
thrift  and  comfort  which  distinguished  this  from  some  other  localities  less 
favored  by  nature. 

The  inference  that  Addison,  or  Middletown,  was  comparatively  well 
settled  at  a  very  early  day  seems  to  be  borne  out  by  fact,  for  the  census 
reports  show  that  the  population  of  the  district  in  1800  was  174,  and  in 
18 1 3  had  increased  to  369,  and  that  despite  the  fact  that  a  large  part  of 
Troupsburg  was  taken  off  in  1808.  Although  the  records  throw  no 
light  on  the  point,  it  is  confidently  believed  that  when  this  district  was 
formed  in  1796,  there  were  one  hundred  inhabitants  on  the  territory. 
At  all  events  there  was  population  sufficient  to  perfect  the  town  organi- 
zation. 

The  first  town  meeting  was  held  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  February, 
1797,  at  which  time  officers  were  elected  as  follows:  Reuben  Stiles, 
supervisor;  Oliver  Miller,  town  clerk;  Lemuel  Searle,  constable; 
Jonathan  Tracy  and  Asahel  Stiles,  poormasters ;  John  Martin,  George 
Goodhue  and  Stephen  Dolson,  highway  commissioners;  Lemuel  Searle, 
collector;  Abel  White,  Oliver  Miller  and  Jonathan  Tracy,  school  com- 
missioners ;  Elisha  Gilbert  and  Silas  Morey,  fence  viewers,  and  Reuben 
Searles,  poundmaster. 

From  this  it  will  be  seen  that  the  governmental  affairs  of  the  town 
were  placed  in  proper  condition  in  the  year  next  following  the  creation 
of  the  county,  but  it  would  appear  that  the  first  meeting  of  electors  was 
rather  poorly  attended,  for  there  were  not  enough  incumbents  for  the 
several  offices  without  "  thrusting  double  honors  "  upon  some  of  the 
freemen  present. 

Pioneer  Reuben  Searle  held  the  office  of  supervisor  until  1804,  and 
Clerk  Miller  had  charge  of  the  town  records  until  1800.  However,  as 
is  done  in  each  of  the  town  chapters  of  this  work,  we  may  also  in  Addison 
furnish  the  succession  of  supervisors  from  the  organization  meeting  to 
the  present  time,  viz.:  Lemuel  Searle,  1 797-1 803;  George  Martin,  1804; 
Semuel  Searle,  1805;  George  Martin,  1806-09;  David  Dickinson, 
18 10;  Timothy   Searle,    1811-13;    Wm.   B.   Jones,   18 14-16;    Samuel 


42  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Colgrove,  1817-20;  Wm.  B.  Jones,  1821-22;  Samuel  Colgrove,  1823 
-27;  Edward  Nichols,  1828;  Wm.  Wombaugh,  1829-30;  John  Loop, 
1831-32;  Jas.  Baldwin,  1833-35;  Jno.  H.  Thompson,  1836-37;  Wm 
Hamilton,  1838;  Jno.  H.  Thompson,  1839-42;  L.A.Jones,  1843-44; 
Frederick  R.  Wagner,  i  845  ;  Wm.  Wombaugh,  1846;  Rufus  Baldwin, 
1847;  W.W.Smith,  1848;  Jas.  H.  Miles,  1849-50;  H.  Ross  Jones, 
1851-52;  E.  D.  Root,  1853;  Geo.  W.  Carr.  1854;  Abram  Dudley, 
1855;  Edwin  J.Horn,  1856;  O.  Seymour,  1857-58;  Thos.  Paxton, 
1859;  Henry  Baldwin,  i860;  E.  J.  Horn,  1861-63;  F.  C.  Dininny, 
1864-71  ;  Henry  Baldwin,  1872-73  ;  S.  V.  Lattimer,  1874-77  ;  Albert 
G.  Crane,  1878-80;  Henry  Baldwin,  1881-85;  D.  C.  Hagar,  1886;  E. 
D.  Root,  1887-93;  James  S.  Harrison,  1894-95. 

The  town  officers  for  the  year  1895  are:  James  S  Harrison,  super- 
visor ;  Frank  B.  Orser,  town  clerk  ;  Philander  C.  Daniels,  Eugene  Wade, 
Charles  Turnbull,  W.  A.  Bartlett,  justices  ;  J.  J.  Martin,  F.  H.  Wheaton 
and  C.  O'Connor,  assessors  ;  R.  B.  Orr,  collector  ;  Oliver  D.  Stewart, 
overseer  of  the  poor  ;  Jos.  Thompson,  highway  commis'^i'^ner  ;  Frank 
Bliss,  C.  Conno'.s  and  A.  Allison,  excise  commissioners. 

The  town  of  Addison,  inclusive  of  the  village,  had  a  population  in 
1890  of  2,908.  In  the  history  of  the  town  there  has  ever  been  shown 
a  gradual  increase  both  in  population  and  business  interests,  though  the 
frequent  reductions  in  areas,  taken  for  other  towns,  makes  it  difficult  to 
present  any  comparative  tables  showing  actual  progress  in  all  directions. 
As  we  have  mentioned,  the  inhabitants  in  1800  numbered  174,  and  369 
in  1 8 10.  In  1820  the  number  was  652,  and  in  1830  was  944.  It  was 
1,920  in  1840,  and  the  greatest  number,  3,721,  was  reached  in  1850. 
1856  Rathbone  was  taken  off,  and  the  census  of  i860  gave  Addison  a 
population  of  1,715.  From  this  time  no  further  reductions  in  territory 
were  made,  and  subsequent  years  have  witnessed  a  constant  increase  as 
follows:    2,218  in  1870;  2,534  in  1 880,  and  2,908  in  1 890. 

In  the  early  history  of  the  town  it  appears  that  Addison  had  in  its 
population  a  number  of  enterprising  men,  who  were  firm  believers  in 
improvement  of  the  region  as  well  as  personal  gain,  and  from  well 
preserved  records  we  learn  that  George  Goodhue  built  the  first  saw  mill 
in  1793,  while  William  Wombaugh's  saw  mill  was  built  in  1805,  and  his 
grist  mill  one  year  later.  Samuel  Smith  was  the  first  storekeeper. 
Stephen  Rice,  son  of  Samuel,  was  the  first  white  child  born  in  the  town, 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTy.  43 

while  the  first  marriage  was  that  of  Brown  Gillespie  and  the  daughter  of 
Elisha  Gilbert.  A  post-ofifice  was  established  in  1804.  Slavery  was 
not  an  unknown  institution  of  the  town,  although  the  number  of  slaves 
owned  here  was  far  less  than  noticeable  in  some  other  localities.  The 
records  show  occasional  entries  of  ownership  and  birth  of  slaves,  yet 
this  custom  of  the  past  was  found  not  to  be  congenial  to  the  interests  of 
proprietors,  and  the  bondmen  were  soon  set  free. 

The  first  settlers  also  found  a  few  straggling  Indian  occupants  still  in 
the  region,  and  the  latter  reluctantly  withdrew  before  the  steady  ad- 
vance of  civilization.  Little  trouble  was  occasioned  by  their  presence 
and  few  indeed  are  the  Indian  traditions  and  stories  of  a  century  ago. 
A  little  later,  during  the  war  of  1 812-15,  much  excitement  prevailed  in 
the  region,  growing  out  of  the  discussions  of  the  events  of  the  time,  and 
there  seemed  to  be  a  small  though  determined  element  of  Federalism 
pervading  this  community.  However,  public  feeling  seldom  went  be- 
yond animated  controversy  and  the  patriotic  pioneers  enrolled  them- 
selves on  the  side  of  "  home  and  country,"  joined  the  militia  and  made 
ready  for  war  and  the  threatened  possibilities  of  an  invasion. 

About  the  }ear  1825,  and  from  that  time  on  to  1855,  Addison  was 
the  very  center  of  a  vast  lumber  region.  Indeed,  this  was  one  of  the 
most  famous  pine  lumber  localities  in  the  State,  and  also  a  place  of 
resort  for  all  the  lumbermen  on  the  northern  border  of  Pennsylvania 
and  Southern  New  York.  "  In  the  spring  of  the  year,"  says  a  cotem - 
porary  writer,  "  the  surface  of  the  Canisteo  was  a  complete  sheet  of 
rafts  from  Hornellsville  to  the  '  Deadwater,'  as  Addison  was  then  called; 
and  the  story  has  often  been  told  that  during  the  rafting  season  that 
one  could  almost  walk  from  Hornellsville  to  Addison  on  rafts,  except 
where  there  were  dams  across  the  river." 

A  few  years  before  lumbering  was  at  its  height  in  this  region,  the 
settlers  passed  through  the  period  remembered  as  the  anti-rent  conflict, 
and  all  local  interests  were  more  or  less  affected  by  it ;  and  at  one  time, 
it  is  said,  business  was  practically  at  a  standstill.  Many  of  the  foremost 
men  of  the  town  were  active  participants  in  the  events  of  the  period, 
and  in  the  Bath  convention,  in  January,  1830,  the  local  delegates  were 
William  Wombaugh,  Lemuel  B.  Searles,  David  Shumway,  Eber  Scofield 
and  Daniel  Burdick. 

Another  interesting  subject  for  perusal  and  reference  in  the  history 


44  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

of  this  town  is  found  in  the  record  made  by  her  contingent  of  volun- 
teers enUsted  and  sent  into  the  service  during  the  war  of  1 86 1-5,  by 
which  it  is  known  that  the  early  martial  spirit  of  the  ancestor  was  in- 
herited by  the  later  generation  of  descendants.  By  the  acts  of  the  lat- 
ter the  patriotic  reputation  for  which  this  town  has  long  been  noted 
was  upheld  and  elevated.  A  brief  reference  to  the  roster  of  volunteers 
from  Addison  discloses  the  fact  that  during  the  period  of  the  war  the 
town  furnished  two  hundred  men  for  the  service,  who  were  scattered 
through  the  several  regiments  recruited  in  the  county  and  in  this  part 
of  the  State.  In  another  chapter  the  reader  will  find  a  complete  list  of 
the  several  commands,  and  also  a  record  of  their  service  at  the  front, 
wherefore  the  subject  may  be  briefly  mentioned  in  this  place. 

In  matters  pertaining  to  the  spiritual  and  educational  welfare  of  the 
youth  of  the  town,  the  first  settlers  gave  full  heed,  and  their  example 
has  been  accepted  as  a  rule  of  action  for  the  authorities  during  later 
years.  The  church  and  religious  societies  will  be  found  mentioned  in 
another  department  of  this  work,  hence  repetition  here  is  unnecessary. 
Unfortunately,  the  early  records  afford  but  little  reliable  information 
concerning  the  first  schools  of  the  town,  or  the  division  of  the  territory 
into  districts,  yet  well  verified  tradition  informs  us  that  the  schools  have 
kept  even  pace  with  progress  in  other  directions.  As  at  present  con- 
stituted the  town  is  divided  into  five  districts,  each  of  which  is  provided 
with  a  good  school.  In  the  town,  including  the  village,  sixteen  teachers 
were  employed  during  the  last  current  year,  and  the  whole  number  of 
children  attending  school  was  646.  The  value  of  all  school  property  is 
estimated  at  $33,715,  and  the  assessed  valuation  of  the  districts  is 
$879,870.  There  was  apportioned  to  the  town  public  moneys  to  the 
extent  of  $2,313.34,  and  the  town  raised  by  tax  the  sum  of  $8,387.38, 
all  used  for  maintenance  and  support  of  schools. 

AVOCA. — On  the  12th  of  April,  1843,  the  towns  of  Bath,  Cohocton, 
Howard  and  Wheeler  surrendered  portions  of  their  territory  to  a  new 
formation  by  the  name  of  Avoca  ;  and  so  called,  it  is  said,  in  allusion 
either  to  Moore's  poem  "  Sweet  Vale  of  Avoca,"  or  "  Meeting  of  the 
Waters."  However,  to  the  pioneers  this  locality  was  known  as  Bu- 
chanan, from  the  fact  that  William  Buchanan  was  the  first  settler  in  the 
region.  The  locality  also  bore  the  designation  of  "  Eight  Mile  Tree," 
being  eight  miles  distant  west  from  the  county  seat,  from  which  point 
all  early  reckonings  were  made. 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  45 

Speaking  briefly  of  the  natural  features  of  the  town,  the  statement 
may  be  made  that  Avoca  is  to  be  numbered  among  the  hilly  divisions 
of  the  county,  a  few  of  the  summits  reaching  a  height  of  nearly  500  feet. 
Nearly  north  and  south  across  the  town  runs  the  Conhocton,  which,  with 
its  principal  tributaries,  Twelve-Mile,  Ten-Mile  and  Niel's  Creeks,  form 
beautiful  valleys  and  scenery  unsurpassed  in  the  county.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  rough  and  hilly  character  of  the  land  surface,  Avoca  is  regarded  as 
one  of  the  first  towns  in  the  entire  Conhocton  valley  in  point  of  general 
fertility  and  productiveness  ;  and  during  comparatively  recent  years  an 
additional  importance  attaches  to  the  town,  for  its  villages  and  hamlets 
on  the  lines  of  railroad  are  shipping  points  of  much  note.  Although 
very  irregular  in  surface  and  boundary,  the  21,300  acres  of  land  which 
comprise  the  town  are  in  favorable  comparison  with  any  similarly 
situated  division  of  historic  Steuben. 

Going  back  a  hundred  years  and  more  the  sole  occupants  of  this  part 
of  the  Conhocton  valley  were  Indians,  scattered  fragments  of  the  once 
powerful  Iroquois  tribes  who  were  loth  to  leave  their  favorite  resorts 
and  fishing  grounds,  although  the  voice  of  the  savage  nation  had  spoken 
in  favor  of  a  sale  of  the  land.  Pioneers  William  and  Michael  Buchanan 
found  a  considerable  Indian  settlement  in  the  valley  in  1794,  while  as 
late  as  1808,  Abram  Towner  came  and  described  from  50  to  100  lodges 
on  the  flat  lands  below  his  house.  All  settlers,  early  and  late,  referred 
to  these  occupants  as  a  lazy,  shiftless  set,  and  occasionally  inclined  to 
create  trouble,  but  about  1 81 8  they  had  departed  for  the  reservations 
generously  provided  for  them  by  the  State. 

As  we  have  stated,  William  Buchanan  and  his  son  Michael  were  the 
pioneers  in  this  town,  having  been  sent  into  this  part  of  the  then  town 
of  Bath  in  1794  to  open  and  maintain  a  public  house  for  the  entertain- 
ment of  prospective  settlers.  These  pioneers  made  various  improve- 
ments, among  them  putting  up  a  log  inn  and  planting  an  orchard. 
From  his  settlement  the  locality  became  known  as  Buchanan's,  although 
the  name  "  Eight  Mile  Tree  "  was  more  suggestive  of  the  distance  from 
the  settlement  to  the  village  at  Bath.  Following  soon  after  the  Buchan- 
ans, came  James  and  Hugh  McWhorter,  James  and  George  Moore, 
Gershom  Townley  and  Finley  McClure,  all  of  whom  were  here  previous 
to  1800,  and  who  were  active  in  clearing  and  improving  the  region  in 
one  direction  and  another.      McClure  was  a  farmer  and    opened  a  road 


46  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

from  Kanona  to  his  cabin  home.  Towner  was  an  inn  keeper  and  kept 
a  resort  of  much  fame  in  early  days,  and  was  noted  for  his  generosit^v 
and  hospitality. 

The  other  early  settlers  who  came  to  this  region  between  the  years 
i8oi  and  1815,  and  were  scattered  over  the  entire  district,  were  Abram 
Towner,  Asa  Phillips,  James  Babcock,  Richard  and  John  Van  Buskirk, 
James  Davis.  Henry  Smith,  Daniel  McKenzie,  William  Moody,  Jon- 
athan Tilton,  John  Donahue,  Allen  Smith,  Samuel  Burnham,  Oliver 
Rice  and  Eleazbr  Tucker,  all  of  whom  settled  in  that  part  of  the  town 
which  was  set  off  from  Bath 

The  Howard  contribution  comprised  Isaac  Baldwin,  William  Allen, 
Timothy  Parkhill,  Charles  Robords,  Henry  Kennedy  and  William  Gofif. 
Still  later  comers,  yet  worthy  to  be  mentioned  among  the  pioneers,  were 
Gershom  Salmon,  John  B.  Calkins,  Joseph  Matthewson,  John  Putnam, 
James  Silsbee,  Hugh  Briggs,  Van  Heusen  Hopkins  and  others.  Being 
taken  from  older  and  prominent  towns,  Avoca  has  little  to  present  in 
the  way  of  important  early  events,  yet  it  is  said  that  William  McWhor- 
ter  and  Michael  Buchanan  2d,  were  the  first  children  born  ;  that  Michael 
Buchanan  died  in  181 1;  that  James  McWhorter  and  the  widow 
Buchanan  were  married  in  1812  ;  that  in  1809  Henry  Kennedy  built 
the  saw  mill  at  the  place  called  Goff' s  Mills,  while  Eleazur  Tucker  is 
credited  with  having  built  the  first  saw  mill  in  the  town,  though  at  a 
now  unknown  date.  William  Gofif  built  the  first  grist  mill  in  1812. 
Alonzo  Simmons  kept  the  first  store.  Tucker,  above  mentioned,  built 
a  saw  mill  on  the  river  in  1825.  Previous  to  18  12  there  were  but  two 
teams  of  horses  in  the  town.  The  first  framed  dwelling  in  Avoca  was 
built  by  James  McWhorter.  Elders  Buzzell  and  Elisha  Brownson  were 
the  first  preachers. 

Such  were  the  early  events  of  town  history  in  Avoca,  but  they  took 
place  long  years  before  the  town  itself  was  formed  or  even  contem- 
plated. Settlement  here  was  of  much  the  same  character  as  in  other 
parts  of  Bath  and  Howard  ;  there  were  the  same  hardships  and  the 
same  pleasures  as  attended  pioneership  elsewhere  in  the  county.  Dur- 
ing the  war  of  1812-15,  the  same  excitement  existed  here  as  lower 
down  the  valley,  and  the  immediate  presence  of  the  Indians  occasioned 
a  feeling  of  fear  and  uncertainty  not  experienced  in  some  other  locali- 
ties.     But  the  period  passed  without  serious  disturbance  and  tiie  return 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  47 

of  peace  witnessed  great  strides  in  settlement  and  prosperity.  A  little 
later  came  the  anti-rent  conflict,  but  this  was  the  cause  of  not  more 
than  temporary  embarrassment  to  local  interests. 

Settlement,  growth  and  development  in  this  part  ofConhocton  valley 
was  so  rapid  that  as  years  passed  a  new  town  was  considered  desirable, 
yet  not  until  about  1840  was  the  subject  seriously  discussed;  and  still 
three  years  more  passed  before  the  older  towns  were  called  upon  to 
yield  portions  of  their  territory  to  the  new  formation.  Thus,  when  the 
organization  was  in  fact  effected  the  affairs  of  the  locality  were  all  in 
order,  the  hamlets  had  been  built  up  and  established,  and  the  simple 
act  of  election  of  town  officers  was  the  only  necessary  thing  to  be 
accomplished 

The  records  show  that  the  first  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  house 
of  James  G.  Barto,  on  May  12,  1843,  ^t  which  time  these  officers  were 
elected :  Henry  A.  Louck.  supervisor ;  Jesse  Louck,  town  clerk ; 
Oliver  Rice,  Simeon  Holmes,  Luther  Tilton,  justices;  John  Donahe, 
John  L.  Robords,  Marcus  Peck,  assessors;  James  Gorton,  John  Collier, 
John  T.  Allen,  highway  commissioners  ;  Jonathan  Silsbee  and  Abram 
Turner,  overseers  of  the  poor  ;    Perry  S.  Donahe,  collector. 

In  this  connection  it  is  also  interesting  to  note  the  succession  of 
supervisors  from  the  time  of  organization  to  the  present,  viz.:  Henry 
A.  Loufks,  1843  ;  George  W.  Burnham,  1844-48;  Henry  H.  Bouton, 
1849-52;  Jos.  I.  Burnham,  1853;  H.  H.  Bouton,  1854;  Henry  Goff, 
1855  ;  Salmon  Waterbury,  1856-57;  Joel  Carrington,  1858-59;  Henry 
A.  Loucks,  i860;  A.  M.  Waterbury,  1861  ;  J.  H.  Nicholson,  1862-63  ; 
Salmon  H.  Palmer,  1864-66;  Joel  Carrington,  1867-68;  I.  J.  Haskin, 
1869;  S.  E.  Haskin,  1870;  I.  J.  Haskin,  1871;  F.  N.  Barney,  1872; 
I  J.  Haskin,  1873;  D.  E.  Hoadley,  1874;  Thomas  Cotton,  1875-76; 
N.  B.  Chase,  1877-80;  Thomas  Cotton,  1881-82;  C.Patterson,  1883; 
Lawrence  Saltsman,  1884;  C  Patterson,  1885;  Jerry  Hall,  1886;  A. 
J.  Arnold,  1887-88;  Lemuel  Matthewson,  1889-90;  A.J.  Arnold, 
1891-92;   A.  L.  Zielley,  1893-95. 

The  town  officers  for  the  year  1895  are  Alex.  L.  Zielley,  supervisor; 
J.  L  Hunn,  town  clerk;  George  C.  Silsbee,  Thomas  J.  Redhead, 
George  A.  Fox  and  Ripley  C.  Oxx,  justices  ;  A.  C.  Wagner,  Martin 
Brown  and  James  Robinson,  assessors;  Joseph  Ells,  collector;  Lyman 
Arnold,  overseer  of   the   poor;    John  E.    Olmsted,   highway    commis- 


48  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

sioner  ;  Orton  Dye,  Frank  Shultz  and  Fred  L.  Peck  (did  not  qualify) 
commissioners  of  excise. 

When  set  off  and  organized  in  1843,  the  inhabitants  of  Avoca  num- 
bered about  1,660,  and,  according  to  the  enumeration  of  1845,  the 
number  was  1,668.  In  1850  it  had  fallen  to  1,574,  but  during  the  suc- 
ceeding ten  years  increased  to  1,885,  the  greatest  population  in  the 
history  of  the  town  to  that  time.  In  1870  the  number  was  1,740,  and 
in  1880  was  1,843  I"  1 890  Avoca  contained  2,242  inhabitants,  show- 
ing a  somewhat  surprising  growth  in  the  pretty  little  village  of  Avoca, 
a  historical  sketch  of  which  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

From  what  has  been  stated  in  this  brief  chapter  it  will  be  seen  that 
the  early  and  perhaps  the  most  interesting  history  in  this  town  was 
made  while  its  territory  formed  a  part  of  the  older  divisions  from  which 
it  was  created.  Yet,  notwithstanding  this,  it  may  truthfully  be  said 
that  the  greatest  strides  in  advancement  and  prosperity  have  been 
made  during  the  last  half  century,  and  many  of  them  may  be  placed 
to  the  credit  of  the  last  twenty  five  years.  The  construction  of  the 
railroad  (now  the  Erie)  through  Conhocton  valley  was  the  one  event 
which  above  all  others  contributed  to  local  welfare,  and  the  more  recent 
building  of  the  D.  L.  &  W.  road  only  added  to  the  progress  then  being 
made,  and  also  stimulated  the  inhabitants  to  greater  exertions.  The 
result  of  local  energy  and  thrift  are  apparent,  for  Avoca  enjoys  the 
pleasant  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  best  and  most  productive  towns 
in  all  Steuben.  It  lies  well  within  the  "potato  belt"  and  produces 
remarkably  in  that  and  also  in  general  farm  crops  under  careful  atten- 
tion. This  condition  of  things  has  built  up  and  made  Avoca  village 
what  it  is,  and  the  hamlets  of  the  town  have  shared  in  the  general  pros- 
perity. 

The  only  event  of  general  importance  in  the  history  of  the  town, 
outside  of  ordinary  affairs,  was  the  period  of  the  war  of  1861-65,  dur- 
ing the  terms  of  office  of  supervisors  Waterbury,  Nicholson  and  Palmer, 
all  of  whom  were  prominently  identified  with  the  "war  measures" 
adopted  and  the  hearty  support  accorded  to  all  efforts  of  raising  troops 
and  creating  bounty  funds.  During  the  war,  Avoca  sent  into  the 
service  a  total  of  one  hundred  and  twentj'  three  men,  and  exceeded  her 
quota  by  a  fair  number.  Of  a  truth  it  may  be  said  that  no  town  in  the 
region   displayed   more   patriotism   or   public-spiritedness   during    that 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  49 

terrible  four  years  than  did  Avoca,  and  none  made  more  free  and  gen- 
erous provision  for  the  payment  of  bounties  to  recruits. 

The  early  history  of  the  schools  of  Avoca  was  a  part  of  the  record  of 
the  older  towns  and  furnishes  little  of  interest  to  this  chapter.  At  the 
organization  meeting,  John  B.  Stevenson  and  John  Conner  were  elected 
commissioners,  and  Charles  W.  C.  Howard  and  Addison  Niles  inspec- 
tors of  common  schools.  After  the  erection  of  the  town  its  territory 
was  regularly  divided  into  new  districts,  formed  to  suit  the  convenience 
of  the  inhabitants,  and  these  have  been  changed  in  later  years  as  neces- 
sity required.  As  now  constituted  the  town  contains  eleven  school 
districts,  and  fifteen  teachers  are  annually  employed.  During  1894, 
four  hundred  and  sixty- nine  children  attended  school.  The  value  of 
school  property  is  estimated  at  $9,445.  The  town  received  of  public 
moneys,  $1,852.14,  and  raised  by  local  tax  $3,582.09.  Four  trees 
were  planted  during  the  year. 

Bath. — On  the  15th  of  April,  1793,  Charles  Cameron  and  a  party 
of  pioneer  woodsmen  landed  from  their  flat  boats  and  made  a  camp 
near  where  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  and  Western  station  now  stands 
in  the  village  of  Bath.  This  was  the  advance  guard  of  civilization  in  an 
uninhabited  and  comparatively  unknown  region,  and  the  adventurers 
themselves  were  sent  hither  at  the  direction  of  Charles  Williamson,  the 
latter  the  owner  of  almost  a  principality,  though  in  fact  he  was  only  the 
representative  of  a  syndicate  of  capitalists  whose  only  aim  was  personal 
gain.  Yet  Charles  Williamson  was  vested  with  almost  extraordinary 
authority  and  power  and  lavishly  did  he  expend  his  principals'  money 
in  improving  and  developing  the  country  in  which  he  afterward  lived 
for  several  years. 

Captain  Williamson  reached  Bath  very  soon  after  the  arrival  of 
Cameron  and  companions.  They  came  from  Northumberland,  Penn- 
sylvania, by  water  and  brought  supplies  and  provisions  for  both  sub- 
sistence and  the  founding  of  a  settlement.  At  that  time  we  are  told 
this  region  was  a  vast,  dense  forest,  inhabited  only  by  wild  animals  and 
a  few  scattered  fragments  of  the  once  powerful  Seneca  Indians.  The 
latter  had  signed  away  their  domain  to  the  Phelps  and  Gorham  proprie- 
tary, and  through  a  series  of  transfers  the  lands  had  come  into  the 
ownership  of  the  Pulteney  associates,  whose  agent  Williamson  was  and 


50  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

under  whose  direction  was  now  to  be  undertaken  the  development  and 
sale  of  this  vast  estate. 

If  we  correctly  interpret  his  character  there  was  nothing  of  the  nig- 
gard in  Captain  Williamson,  nor  did  he  enter  half-heartedly  into  any  of 
his  many  enterprises;  and  while  he  was  ever  mindful  of  the  rights  and 
interests  of  his  principals,  he  also  kept  faith  with  his  promises  to  settlers, 
thus  gaining  their  respect  and  admiration.  True,  he  was  charged  with 
prodigality  and  unnecessary  expenditures  in  the  use  of  the  revenues  of 
his  principals, yet  no  person  who  knew  the  genial  captain  ever  believed  he 
acted  or  dealt  solely  for  personal  purposes  or  gain.  The  Pulteney  as- 
sociates, being  foreigners  and  non-residents,  were  never  in  a  position  to 
fully  appreciate  the  situation  of  affairs  on  their  territory  in  New  York, 
nor  the  fact  that  their  agent  was  engaged  in  an  effort  to  settle  quite  un- 
desirable land  in  competition  with  some  of  the  most  fertile  and  beautiful 
tracts  for  which  Western  New  York  is  and  ever  has  been  noted  To 
accomplish  this  it  became  necessary  for  the  agent  to  make  outlays  in 
building  a  principal  thoroughfare  of  travel  from  far  across  the  Pennsyl- 
vania border  into  the  very  center  of  the  region  sought  to  be  disposed 
of  at  best  advantage.  And  it  became  necessary,  too,  to  found  a  new 
village  in  the  region,  and  to  this  end  the  pioneers  were  sent  up  the 
Conhocton  and  pitched  their  camps  on  the  site  of  the  village  of  Bath. 
Captain  Williamson  had  previously  made  headquarters  at  Northumber- 
land, from  which  point  he  did  effective  work,  but  the  necessities  of  the 
occasion  and  the  situation  of  the  lands  in  New  York  demanded  a  change, 
hence  his  action  in  founding  the  settlement  which  soon  afterward  be- 
came the  shire  town  of  one  of  the  largest  and  most  important  inland 
counties  of  this  great  State. 

"The  first  comers,"  says  Mr.  McCall's  address.^  "were  not  roman- 
cers, but  stern  workers  who  braced  themselves  for  the  toils  and  priva- 
tions before  them.  Thomas  Rees,  jr.,  the  surveyor,  with  his  corps  of 
assistants,  began  at  once  to  plot  the  village,  locate  the  streets  and 
squares,  and  number  the  lots,  while  Cameron  and  his  helpers,  after 
clearing  the  ground  and  making  rustic  cabins  in  which  to  shelter  them- 
selves, proceeded  to  erect  a  log  building  on  the  south   side   of  Pulteney 

'  Ansel  J.  McCall  is  conceded  authority  on  all  matters  of  local  history,  and  the  writer  has 
made  free  use  of  his  valuable  manuscripts  and  excellent  memory  in  the  preparation  of  this 
chapter. 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  51 

Square,  of  sufficient  capacity  for  the  accommodation  of  Captain  William- 
son's family  and  the  transaction  of  his  official  business.  On  the  north 
side  of  Morris  street,  about  twenty  rods  west  of  the  square,  they  erected 
a  log  structure  for  John  Metcalf's  hostelry.  James  Henderson,  the 
mill-wright,  sought  a  mill  site  on  the  Conhocton  (now  owned  by  John 
Baker  and  occupied  by  his  flour  mill)  and  with  his  crew  began  building 
a  saw  mill  to  furnish  boards  for  floors,  doors  and  roof  for  the  new  land 
office,  hotel  and  other  structures  being  put  up.  It  was  the  first  saw 
mill  in  the  town,  and  was  completed  on  the  25th  of  August. 
Captain  Williamson  in  a  few  days  was  on  the  ground  in  person,  super- 
intending operations  and  cheering  the  faint  hearted  by  his  presence  and 
stirring  words  " 

In  the  Cameron  party  of  pioneers  and  builders  of  a  county  town  were 
these  persons:  Andrew  Smith,  familiarly  called  "  Muckle "  Andrew, 
in  allusion  to  his  remarkable  size  and  strength,  and  grandfather  to  John 
L.  Smith  ;  William  McCartney,  the  pioneer  of  Dansville  ;  Hector  Mc- 
Kenzie,  who  died  in  the  West  Indies  and  Henry  Tower,  an  afterward 
prominent  business  man,  all  of  whom  came  from  the  vicinity  of  Cap- 
tain Williamson's  home  near  Balgray,  Scotland.  There  were  also 
Thomas  Corbett,  pioneer  at  Mud  Creek  ;  Thomas  Rees,  jr.,  the  sur- 
veyor who  plotted  the  village  and  likewise  made  many  surveys  in  the 
vicinity,  all  of  which  have  ever  been  regarded  as  a  standard  ;  Alexander 
Ewing,  who  afterward  settled  at  Mt.  Morris  ;  William  Ewing,  also  a 
surveyor,  who  moved  to  Ohio  ;  John  Metcalf,  the  pioneer  tavern-keeper, 
and  one  of  the  village  worthies  ;  James  Henderson,  the  millwright  • 
Samuel  Doyle,  an  old  patriot  of  the  Revolution,  and  whose  descendants 
still  live  in  the  vicinity,  and  Joseph  Arbour,  Richard  Armour,  John 
Scott,  Charles  McClure,  Peter  Loop,  Mr.  Upton,  Benjamin  Patterson, 
the  hunter,  and  Joseph  Bivens,  who  kept  the  first  tavern  at  Bloods, 
now  Atlanta.  Most  of  these  were  Scotch  Irishmen  from  the  West 
Branch,  and  came  to  the  new  settlement  chiefly  as  laborers  and  me- 
chanics, yet  many  of  them  became  permanent  residents,  developed  into 
useful  and  capable  men,  and  were  in  all  respects  worthy  citizens  and 
upright  men. 

But  these  were  not  all,  as  well  verified  records,  the  results  of  untiring 
research,  have  preserved  the  name  of  still  other  pioneer  town  builders 
under  the  direction  of  the  active  agent  of  the  Pulteney  associates.      In 


52  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

this  connection  may  be  named  Hector  McKay,  William  Lemon,  Samuel 
Ewing,  John  and  Samuel  Ewart,  George  Moore,  George  Baittie,  Francis 
Conway,  William  Carroll  and  Robert  Biggars,  the  latter  the  tanner  who 
in  1793  purchased  thirteen  acres  on  the  south  side  of  Morris  street, 
west  of  the  cemetery,  whereon  he  built  a  tannery.  Others  of  the  same 
period  were  Obediah  Osborn,  the  mill  builder;  George  McCullough, 
the  blacksmith  ;  Robert  Hunter,  the  schoolmaster  ;  Jacob  Glendenning, 
Andrew  Shearer,  Dr.  Schott,  Gottleib  Dougherty  and  one  Paul. 

Henry  McElwee,  "  a  stalwart  young  Scotch-Irishman,"  as  described 
by  Mr.  McCall,  "  (always  called  Harry)  made  his  entry  into  the  new 
town  on  New  Year's  day,  1794,"  and  thus  describes  the  condition  of 
municipal  settlement  as  he  found  it:  "I  only  found  a  few  shanties  in 
the  wood.  Williamson  had  his  house  near  the  site  of  the  present  land 
office,  and  the  Metcalfs  kept  a  log  tavern  on  Morris  street  nearly  oppo- 
site the  (present)  Mansion  House.  I  went  to  the  tavern  and  asked  for 
supper  and  lodging;  they  said  they  would  give  me  neither,  for  their 
house  was  full.  I  could  get  nothing  to  eat.  An  old  Dutchman  was 
sitting  there,  and  he  said  to  me:  'Young  man,  if  you  will  go  with  me, 
you  shall  have  some  mush  and  milk  and  a  deer-skin  to  lie  on,  with  your 
feet  to  the  fire,  and  another  to  cover  yourself  with.'  We  went  up 
through  the  woods  to  where  St.  Patrick  Square  now  is.  There  the 
Dutchman  had  a  little  log  house."  In  the  following  spring  this  same 
McElwee  made  the  first  substantial  clearing,  being  the  Pulteney  Square, 
also  four  acres  in  rear  of  the  agent's  house  for  a  garden.  (For  the  culti- 
vation of  this  garden  Williamson  imported  a  gardener  from  England, 
named  Dominic  Ouinn.)  McElwee  left  a  single  pine  tree  in  front  of 
the  agent's  house  for  a  "  Liberty  Tree."  It  was  trimmed  so  as  to  leave 
a  tuft  at  the  top,  and  it  "bid  defiance  to  the  elements  until  after  1820," 
and  was  soon  afterward  blown  down. 

The  pioneers  who  came  to  the  settlement  during  1794  may  be  men- 
tioned about  as  follows :  George  McClure  and  James  Moore,  from 
Northumberland;  Isaac  Mullender,  with  his  wife,  three  sons  and  three 
daughters,  direct  from  Scotland  ;  Richard  Cuyler,  John  Shearer,  Rich- 
ard Carpenter,  Dr.  William  Petrie  (the  surgeon  of  the  settlement),  John 
Wyman,  William  McElwee,  Frank  Scott,  Gustavus  and  Brown  Gilles- 
pie, Joseph  and  Robert  Dunn,  Robert  Sterret,  James  McFarland,  Sam- 
uel  and  John   Mettler,    Samuel  Baker,  Amos   Stone   William    Barney, 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  53 

William  and  Eli  Read,  and  Samuel  McKenzie.  These  settlers  were 
both  mechanics  and  farmers,  the  former  seeking  work  in  the  little  ham- 
let, and  the  latter  selecting  lands  in  the  region  on  which  they  might 
establish  houses  and  farms.  All,  however,  before  acquiring  title,  were 
of  necessity  compelled  to  repair  to  the  land  office  and  make  their  con- 
tracts. Williamson  treated  them  with  the  greatest  generosity,  offering  the 
land  at  reasonable  prices  and  extending  help  to  those  not  able  to  build 
for  themselves.  By  his  uniforn)  kindness  Williamson  won  the  esteem 
of  all  who  came  to  his  settlement. 

When  Charles  Williamson  began  his  work  of  improvement  and  settle- 
ment there  was  little  civil  organization  or  jurisdiction  attempted  in  this 
remote  part  of  Ontario  county.  In  1 79 1  the  provisional  district  of 
Painted  Post  was  foimed,  yet,  being  practically  uninhabited,  there  was 
no  need  of  the  exercise  of  civil  authority  over  the  region.  The  district 
mentioned  included  all  that  is  now  Steuben  county,  and  in  1793,  Jede- 
diah  Stephens,  of  Canisteo,  was  elected  supervisor.  However,  in  1794, 
at  the  January  sessions,  through  Williamson's  influence,  a  new  district 
was  created  embracing  all  the  territory  west  of  the  second  range  of 
townships,  and  was  named  Williamson.  Bath  was  included  in  the  new 
formation,  but  where  or  when  the  district  meetings  were  held  is  not  now 
known. 

The  now  growing  settlement  was  much  in  need  of  post  and  stage  ac- 
commodations, for  down  to  this  time  Captain  Williamson  had  employed 
his  own  post- riders  to  and  from  Northumberland,  140  miles  distant; 
and  the  trips  were  made  once  in  two  weeks.  A  permanent  post-office, 
with  all  necessary  facihties  for  transmission  of  mails,  was  established  at 
Bath  in  1800.  This  year,  1794,  was  eventful  in  still  another  direction, 
for  the  new  yet  now  flourishing  settlement  was  threatened  with  British 
invasion  and  subjection ;  but  through  the  energetic  and  determined 
action  of  Captain  Williamson,  suggested  by  the  governor  of  the  State, 
the  proposed  invasion  was  stayed  until  the  federal  government  took 
charge  of  the  affair  and  effected  a  speedy  settlement  of  the  dispute. 
However,  in  protecting  his  rights  and  interests.  Captain  Williamson 
caused  a  block  house  to  be  built  in  Bath,  while  young  McClure  raised  a 
company  of  militia  for  defensive  purposes. 

The  succeeding  year,  1795,  "opened  brightly,"  using  Mr.  McCall's 
words,    for    the     Genesee    country,     the    doughty     agent    vigorously 


54  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

pushed  improvements,  and  settlers  came  pouring  in  from  all  quarters. 
Among  them  were  Robert  Campbell,  Alexander  McDonald,  John  Mor- 
rison, Dugald  Cameron,  Daniel  Cruger,  Dr.  D.  B.  Stockton  and  William 
Kersey,  all  of  whom  were  prominently  identified  with  subsequent  events 
of  local  history,  and  some  of  whom,  as  well  as  their  descendants,  occu- 
pied positions  of  trust  and  importance. 

In  March,  1 796,  the  county  of  Steuben  was  erected  from  the  south 
part  of  Ontario,  and  was  named  in  honor  of  Frederick  William  Au- 
gustus, Baron  Steuben,  through  the  influence  of  Col.  Benjamin  Walker, 
a  close  friend  of  Charles  Williamson.  The  colonel  had  been  the  aide  of 
Baron  Steuben,  who  had  just  died,  and  Walker  was  residuary  legatee 
under  his  will. 

Through  the  undisputed  influence  of  Captain  Williamson,  Bath  was 
designated  as  the  shire-town  of  the  new  county,  and  forthwith  provis- 
ion was  made  for  the  erection  of  county  buildings.  Fully  mentioned 
elsewhere,  no  extended  reference  to  them  is  necessary  at  this  time. 
However,  in  accordance  with  the  authority  of  the  erecting  act,  the  Court 
of  Sessions  divided  the  territory  of  the  county  into  six  towns,  one  of 
which  was  the  town  of  Bath,  the  subject  of  this  chapter.  As  constituted 
at  that  time,  it  was  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  county  line;  east  by 
Lake  Keuka  and  Fredericktown  ;  south  by  Painted  Post  and  Middle- 
town,  and  west  by  Dansville. 

Bath  was  now  the  capital  town  of  Steuben  county,  and  was  so  named 
in  token  of  respect  for  Lady  Henrietta,  Countess  of  Bath,  the  daughter 
of  Sir  William  Pulteney,  the  chief  owner  in  the  land  association,  whose 
representative  and  agent  was  Capt.  Charles  Williamson.  The  first 
move  of  the  land  agent  was  to  establish  a  newspaper,  not  only  for  the 
dissemination  of  news,  but  for  the  main  purpose  of  properly  advertising 
the  new  county  and  setting  forth  the  desirable  qualities  of  land  and 
climate,  in  the  hope  of  inducing  settlement  and  increasing  the  revenues 
of  his  principals.  (Even  at  this  early  day  the  owners  were  annoying 
their  agent  with  demands  for  returns,  and  were  indirectly  charging  him 
with  unnecessary  expenditures).  William  Kersey,  the  newly  appointed 
judge,  an  attache  of  the  land  office,  was  sent  to  Pennsylvania  to  pur- 
chase the  necessary  equipment  for  a  printing-office,  and  the  result  was 
the  issue  October  19,  1796,  of  the  first  number  of  the  Bath  Gazette  and 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  55 

Genesee  Advertiser,  the  first  newspaper  printed  in  this  State  west  of 
Oneida  county. 

In  the  same  year,  also,  the  colonel  erected  a  frame  building  on  the 
noi  thwest  corner  of  Pulteney  Square  for  use  as  a  public  school,  and  so 
completed  the  race  track  that  widely  advertised  fairs  and  races  were 
held  on  the  20th  of  September.  A  public  hall  or  theater  was  likewise 
built  in  due  season  and  Bath  was  brought  into  prominence  as  a  desira- 
ble place  for  all  kinds  of  entertainments;  and  to  the  present  day  the 
county  town  of  Steuben  is  noted  for  the  excellence  of  its  annual  fairs. 
Tlie  chief  object  of  these  improvements  was,  as  Mr.  McCall  says,  "to 
attract  attention  to  the  purchase  and  its  new  metropolis."  He  was  anx- 
ious to  make  rapid  sales  of  the  land  in  his  charge,  and  he  knew  that  it 
was  necessary  to  create  some  excitement  which  would  draw  strangers 
to  look  at  them.  Weld,  an  English  traveler,  visited  the  town  in  1796, 
and  described  Bath  as  the  "principal  town  in  the  western  part  of  the 
State,  containing  about  thirty  houses,  and  increasing  very  fast." 

Among  the  settlers  in  the  town  in  1796  were  Dr.  B.  F.  Young,  Dr. 
Shults,  Philip  Oilman,  George  D.  Cooper,  William  Cook,  Daniel  Curtis, 
James  Edie,  James  Miller,  Fisher  Whitney.  John  Woodward,  Josiah 
Wright,  David  Jones,  James  Love,  Leonard  Beaty,  George  Dixon  and 
F'inla  McClure. 

Organization  and  Officers. — The  first  town  meeting  in  Bath  was  held 
at  the  house  of  John  Metcalf,  on  the  4th  day  of  April,  1797,  at  which 
time  these  persons  were  elected  to  office:  Charles  Cameron,  supervisor; 
James  Edie,  town  clerk  ;  William  Aulls.  Patrick  McKell,  Hector  Mc- 
Kenzie,  commissioners  of  highways;  Gustavus  Gillispic,  collector; 
Amos  Stone,  George  Dixon  and  Abijah  Peters,  constables ;  Daniel 
Cruger,  and  Patrick  McKell,  overseers  of  the  poor;  Amos  Eggleston, 
Joseph  Inslie,  William  Read,  John  Woodward,  Henry  Bush,  Henry 
McElwee  and  Jacob  Phillips,  overseers  of  highways  ;  Eli  Read,  Andrew 
Smith,  James  McKell  and  Thomas  Streeter,  fence  viewers ;  Robert 
Bigger,  Samuel  Miller  and  Samuel  Baker,  assessors  ;  Samuel  Baker  and 
Silas  Beers,  poundmasters ;  George  D.  Cooper,  John  Sheather,  Charles 
Williamson  and  Benjamin  F.  Young,  commissioners  of  schools. 

However  interesting  for  purposes  of  reference  might  be  a  complete 
succession'of  all  town  officers,  such  is  deemed  inadvisable  in  this  work, 
and   the    reader   will   therefore   be  content  with  the  list  of  supervisors 


56  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

clerks  and  justices  of  the  peace,  these  being  recognized  as  the  chief 
offices  in  the  town  government. 

Supervisors. — Charles  Cameron,  1797-98;  George  McClure,  1799- 
1801  ;  Henry  A.  Townsend,  1802  ;  Samuel  Baker,  1803-5  ;  George 
McClure,  1806-7  ;  Howell  Bull,  1808;  Henry  Kennedy,  1809;  James 
Faulkner,  18 10;  Cornelius  Younglove,  181 1;  Thomas  Aulls,  18 12-14; 
Howell  Bull,  1815;  Elisha  Hanks,  1816-17;  William  Woods,  1818  ; 
Samuel  Baker,  1819-20;  Elisha  Hanks,  1821-23  ;  Henry  Wells,  1824; 
John  W.  Fowler,  1825-26;  James  G.  Higgins,  1827-28;  George  C. 
Edwards,  1829-30;  Reuben  Robie,  1831-32;  William  J.  Neally,  1833- 
34;  Henry  W.  Rogers,  1835;  William  Hamilton,  1836-38;  D.  Mc- 
Mastcr,  1839  ;  Robert  Campbell,  jr.,  1840-44  ;  Chester  Whitaker,  1845  J 
John  W.  Fowler,  1846-49;  John  Ostrander,  1850-51;  Paul  C.  Cook, 
1852-54;  David  McMaster,  1855  ;  William  Howell,  1856-57;  Alva  E. 
Brown,  1858-60;  H.  H.  Hull,  1861  ;  William  Howell,  1862;  John  L. 
Smith,  1863-64;  Uavid  Rumsey,  1865-71;  Samuel  Balcom,  1872; 
William  Rumsey,  1873;  G.  H.  Brundage,  1874-75;  Henry  Faucett, 
1876;  James  Faucett,  1877;  Orange  Seymour,  1878-82;  John  F. 
Little.  1883-85;  James  Faucett,  1886;  John  F.  Little.  1887;  W.  H. 
Nichols,  1888-90;  J.  F.  Little,  1891  ;   W.  H.  Nichols,  1892-95. 

Town  Clerks. — James  Edie,  1797-98;  Charles  McClure,  1799;  Henry 
A.  Townsend,  1800-1  ;  Charles  McClure,  1 802-3  ;  Henry  A.  Town- 
send,  1804;  Howell  Bull,  1805  ;  Henry  A.  Townsend,  1806;  Howell 
Bull,  1807  ;  Thomas  Metcalf,  1808  ;  Howell  Bull,  1809-14;  John  Met- 
calf,  1815-18;  William  H.  Bull,  1819-21  ;  John  W.  Fowler,  1822-24; 
Reuben  Robie,  1825-28;  Lewis  Biles,  1829;  Reuben  Robie,  1830; 
William  S.  Hubbell,  1831  ;  William  H.  Bull,  1832;  Franklin  Metcalf, 
1833;  William  Hamilton,  1834;  Alex.  Hess,  1835;  N.  W.  Gardner, 
1836-37;  George  Edwards,  1838-42;  Alex.  Hess,  1843;  Peter 
Swart,  1844;  Perry  S.  Donahe,  1845-51;  James  R  Dudley,  1852. 
John  Palmer,  1853;  Charles  H.  Howell,  1854;  Peter  Halsey,  1855  | 
James  Lindsay,  1856-57;  James  R.  Dudley,  1858;  James  Lindsay, 
1859-1884;   William  W.  Lindsay,  1885-95. 

Justices  of  the  Peace. — Henry  W.  Rogers.  1830;  Oliver  Rice,  1831  ; 
William  Hamilton  and  George  Wheeler,  1832  ;  George  Wheeler,  1833  i 
John  D,  Higgins,  1834;  Oliver  Rice,  1835;  William  Hamilton,  1836; 
George  Wheeler  and   Henry  Pier,  1838  ;   Oliver  Rice  and  A.  D.  Read, 


'^      4    A^. 


^-^  C^/^C 


THE  CI\^IL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  57 

1839;  Ziba  A.  Leland,  1840;  Chester  Whitaker,  1841  ;  George  Hunt- 
ington and  William  S.  Muihollen,  1842  ;  Nathan  Barney,  1843  ;  Will- 
iam S.  Muihollen,  1844;  Chester  Whitaker,  1845;  James  Shannon, 
1846;  Arnold  D.  Read,  1847;  William  S.  Muihollen.  1848;  Chester 
Whitaker  and  Luther  R.  Hopkins,  1849;  Nathan  Sawyer,  1850  ; 
Arnold  D.  Read,  1851  ;  Henry  Pier,  1852;  Chester  Whitaker,  1853; 
James  Lindsay,  1854;  Arnold  D.  Read,  1855;  Henry  Pier,  1856. 
Chester  Whitaker,  1857;  James  Lindsay,  1858;  Arnold  D.  Read^ 
1859;  Henry  Pier,  i860;  E.  W.  Buck,  1861  ;  James  Lindsay,  1862; 
Joseph  B.  Westcott,  1863  ;  Abram  C.  Bryan,  1864;  Charles  L.  Bailey, 
1865;  Dwight  Ostrander  and  James  Lindsay,  1866;  Augustus  F. 
Barnes,  1867  ;  Frank  Hardcnbrook  and  Abram  C.  Bryan,  1868;  Frank 
Hardenbrook  and  Henry  J.  Norris,  1869  ;  James  Lindsay,  1870  ;  Hiram 
R.  Hess,  1871  ;  Hamilton  Lane,  1872  ;  Frank  Hardenbrook  and  Henry 
J.  Norris,  1873;  James  Lindsay,  1874;  Hiram  R.  Hess,  1875;  Horace 
L.  Lewis,  1876  ;  Frank  Hardenbrook  and  Henry  J.  Norris,  1877  ;  James 
Lindsay,  1878;  Hiram  R.  Hess,  1879;  Frank  Orcutt,  1880;  Frank 
Hardenbrook,  Frank  Wayland  and  Frank  Orcutt,  1881  ;  James  Lindsay, 
1882;  Edwin  R.  Kasson,  1883  ;  Otis  H.  Smith,  Valentine  Brother  and 
Edgar  Knight,  1884;  Frank  Hardenbrook,  Edwin  R.  Fuller,  William 
W.  Lindsay  and  Daniel  Brian,  1885  ;  John  S.  Bosenbark,  1886;  Otis  H. 
Smith,  1887;  William  W.  Lindsay,  1888  ;  John  K.  Bancroft,  Edwin  R. 
Fuller  and  Frank  Hardenbrook,  1889;  John  K,  Bancroft,  1890;  Clar- 
ence Willis,  Frank  Hardenbrook  and  Edwin  R.  Fuller,  1891  ;  William 
W.  Lindsay,  1892  ;  Frank  Hardenbrook  and  William  H.  Kearney,  1893  ; 
John  K.  Bancroft,  1894;  John  A.  Adams,  1895. 

Town  Officers,  1895. — I^^  the  present  connection  may  also  properly 
be  given  the  names  of  the  town  ofificers  as  the  list  stands  at  this  time, 
viz.:  William  H.  Nichols,  supervisor ;  William  W.  Lindsay,  town 
clerk  ;  Frank  Plardenbrook,  of  Savona,  William  W,  Lindsay,  of  Bath, 
John  Bancroft,  of  Sonora,  William  H.  Kearney,  of  Kanona,  and  John 
A.  Adams,  of  Bath,  justices  of  the  peace  ;  John  Hedges,  Thomas  Rob- 
inson, jr.,  and  George  K.  Bowlby,  assessors;  Stephen  Read,  collector  ; 
James  M.  Thomas,  highway  commissioner;  James  Faulkner  and  Joseph 
Kleckler,  overseers  of  the  poor ;  William  H.  Davison,  Jacob  E.  Bedell 
and  Washington  Sutherland,  excise  commissioners. 


58  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

Returning  again  to  the  events  of  early  history,  all  authorities  con- 
cede that  the  greatest  growth  and  benefit  accrued  to  the  town  through 
the  designation  of  Bath  as  the  seat  of  justice  of  the  county,  while  the 
organization  of  the  town  itself  was  an  important  though  auxiliary  factor 
in  promoting  its  early  welfare.  The  name  "  County  Seat  "  alone  was 
a  sufficient  inducement  to  attract  settlement,  and  professional  men, 
merchants,  mechanics  and  agriculturists  alike  hastened  to  the  village^ 
hoping  to  be  first  in  their  class  and  thus  became  early  established  in 
general  favor  and  popularity. 

The  court-house  was  completed  in  1797,  and  during  the  same  year 
Captain  Williamson  organized  a  splendid  regiment  of  militia,  he  being 
appointed  its  lieutenant- colonel,  from  which  fact  he  was  ever  afterward 
styled  "Colonel"  Williamson.  In  1798  the  first  bridge  across  the 
Conhocton  was  built  at  Bath,  and  in  the  same  year  a  raft  of  lumber  was 
safely  sent  down  the  river  to  Baltimore  market.  Among  the  settlers  in 
this  year  were  Henry  A.  Townsend,  Joseph  Grant,  William  Howe 
Cuyler,  John  Wilson,  James  Woodruff  and  Daniel  Bennett.  In  March^ 
1800,  Swing  &  Patterson  built  an  ark  eighty  feet  long  by  twenty  wide, 
loaded  it  with  wheat  and  lumber  and  shipped  it  to  market  at  Baltimore. 
Other  similar  ventures  followed,  with  equal  success,  to  the  great  satis- 
faction of  Colonel  Williamson  and  the  entire  towns  people,  and  the  re- 
sult was  the  construction  of  several  storehouses  at  convenient  points 
along  the  river. 

In  1 801  the  Legislature  having  passed  an  act  authorizing  aliens  for 
three  years  to  take  title  to  land  in  this  State,  Colonel  Williamson  con- 
veyed the  unsold  portions  of  the  townships,  previously  held  by  him  in 
trust,  to  his  principals,  and  then  resigned  his  agency  position.  In  1799 
he  had  begun  the  erection  of  a  grand  country  seat  on  his  so-called 
Springfield  Farm,  a  mile  and  one  half  below  the  village,  near  Lake 
Salubria  (now  Lake  Williamson).  It  was  the  largest  private  dwelling 
in  Western  New  York,  and  when  completed  was  placed  in  charge  of 
Major  Presley  Thornton,  a  kinsman  of  General  Washington  and  a  former 
officer  in  the  Revolution,  who  had  just  come  from  Virginia  with  a  young 
wife  of  rare  beauty  and  attainments.  She  was  long  known  as  "  The 
Madam,"  from  her  graceful  and  commanding  ways.  The  colonel  made 
his  home  with   them   after   he    retired   from  the  agency,  and  dispensed 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  59 

hospitality  with  a  generous  hand,  and  the  place  became  famous  for  its 
brilliant  assemblies.  Major  Thornton  died  in  1806,  and  Colonel  Will- 
iamson soon  afterward  left  for  Europe  and  never  returned.  He  died  in 
1808. 

As  we  have  stated,  Major  Thornton  came  to  Bath  in  1801,  and  was 
placed  in  charge  of  Colonel  Williamson's  mansion.  He  brought  with 
him  Virginia  customs  and  many  of  the  adjuncts  of  southern  life  and 
manners.  Among  the  family  belongings  were  several  house  slaves, 
servants  rather  than  laborers,  yet  bondmen  and  women.  This  is  be- 
lieved to  have  been  the  first  formal  introduction  of  slavery  into  Bath, 
although  other  and  perhaps  earlier  settlers  may  have  numbered  a  slave 
man  or  woman  among  their  servants.  And  in  this  statement  there  is 
nothing  surprising,  not  even  unusual,  for  slaves  were  then  the  property 
of  owners,  the  subjects  of  sale  and  traffic  in  the  South  and  some  other 
States,  yet  is  understood  as  contrary  to  the  statute  laws  of  New  Yotk. 
However,  in  the  town  of  Bath  slaves  were  treated  as  chattel  property, 
and  were  bought  and  sold,  occasionally  under  process  of  law  and  the 
apparent  sanction  ol  the  courts.  '1  his  practice,  too,  was  continued  for 
several  }'ears. 

Capt.  William  Helm  came  to  the  town  in  1801,  from  Prince  William 
county,  Va.,  with  his  family  and  a  retinue  of  about  forty  slaves.  He 
purchased  a  number  of  farms,  and  set  his  slaves  cultivating  them.  He 
built  a  fine  mansion  on  the  site  of  the  present  First  National  Bank,  and 
also  rebuilt  the  old  grist  mill  near  the  bridge.  Captain  Helm  was  un- 
fortunate in  business,  his  property  was  seized  by  the  sheriff  and  several 
of  his  slaves  were  sold  to  satisfy  executions.  One  was  purchased  by 
Dugald  Cameron  for  $30,  and  was  set  free  in  18 19.  This  slave  was 
Daniel  Cooper. 

This  is  only  one  of  the  many  instances  of  slavery  existing  in  this 
town  during  the  early  years  of  the  century,  and  the  fact  reflects  no  dis- 
credit or  stain  upon  any  person  or  family.  It  was  the  recognized  cus- 
tom of  the  period,  and  that  there  were  more  slaves  owned  in  Bath 
than  in  many  other  localities  only  shows  that  a  large  number  of  the 
aristocratic  and  wealthy  early  residents  of  the  town  came  from  slave 
States,  as  commonly  called.  In  the  year  i  800  there  were  twenty-two 
blacks   in    the   county,  and    all    were  slaves.      In    18 10   the  colored  in- 


60  LANDxMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

habitants  numbered  1 16,  of  whom  87  were  slaves.  The  early  town 
records,  noticeably  from  1800  to  1820,  contain  frequent  reference  to 
slave  ownership,  as  births,  sales  and  acts  of  manumission  were  required 
to  be  recorded. 

Among  the  other  slave  owners  in  Bath,  there  may  be  mentioned 
John  Fitz  Hugh,  Samuel  Hanson  Baker,  Howell  Bull,  Dugald  Cam- 
eron, Henry  McElwee,  Capt.  Samuel  Erwin  (of  Painted  Post),  Ira  Pratt, 
Daniel  Cruger,  Thomas  McBurney  and  others. 

From  all  that  is  stated  on  preceding  pages  the  reader  will  discover 
that  the  town  of  Bath  was  early  and  rapidly  settled,  and  with  a  class  of 
pioneers  who  were  in  all  respects  desirable  to  a  new  community. 
Under  theinspiring  influences  of  Williamson  the  result  was  to  be  expected, 
and  in  the  brief  space  of  less  than  ten  years  he  succeeded  in  building 
up  a  fine  and  substantial  village,  a  county  seat,  while  within  its  boun- 
daries, and  those  of  the  town  surrounding  it,  were  accumulated  nearly 
five  hundred  inhabitants.  As  shown  by  census  statistics,  the  town  of 
Bath,  in  1800,  had  a  population  of  452,  the  result  of  only  seven  years 
colonization.  In  1810  the  number  had  increased  to  1,036,  and  in  1820 
to  2,578.  The  inhabitants  in  1830  numbered  3,387,  and  4,915  in  1840. 
Ten  years  later  there  were  6,185  persons  living  in  the  town,  and  5,129 
in  i860.  In  1870  the  number  was  6,236,  and  in  1880  was  7,396.  The 
census  of  1890  showed  the  town  to  contain  7,881  inhabitants,  though 
the  count  of  1892  gave  but  7,057  population. 

As  now  constituted  Bath  is  by  far  the  largest  in  area  of  the  civil 
divisions  of  Steuben  county,  containing  by  actual  survey  57,100  acres 
of  land.  The  original  town  was  even  larger,  but,  like  many  others, 
has  surrendered  portions  of  her  territory  to  later  creations.  Pulteney 
was  taken  off  in  1808,  and  parts  of  Howard  and  Cohocton  in  1812.  A 
portion  was  set  off  to  form  Wheeler  in  1820,  and  another  part  to  Urbana 
in  1822.  Still  another  reduction  helped  to  form  Avoca  in  1843,  and 
and  in  1852  Cohocton  received  an  annexation  from  the  mother  town. 
Savona  was  organized  as  a  town,  December  30,  1859,  ^"^  was  con- 
solidated with  Bath,  April  8,  1862. 

The  early  history  of  Bath  was  uneventful  except  as  the  usual  mo- 
notony of  pioneership  was  varied  by  the  rapid  strides  which  marked  the 
settlement  of  the  region.      The  settlers  were  peaceable  and  law-abiding, 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  61 

yet  fond  of  entertainment  and  pleasure.  Public  houses  and  places  of  resort 
were  numerous,  and  in  the  year  1824  no  less  than  twelve  persons  were 
licensed  to  keep  tavern  and  sell  "  strong  and  spirituous  liquors  ;"  the 
number  of  licensed  places  in  the  town  in  1825  was  fourteen. 

The  war  of  18 12-15  was  an  event  of  much  importance  in  local 
annals,  and  the  occasion  of  some  excitement  and  alarm.  Bath  was  the 
rendezvous  for  the  newly  organized  companies  and  regiments  raised  in 
the  county,  and  several  of  her  citizens  played  prominent  parts  on  the 
frontier.  General  McClure,  Majors  Cruger  and  Gaylord,  Captain  Read 
and  Lieutenant  Kennedy  rendered  efficient  service.  Two  companies 
were  drafted  on  Pulteney  Square  in  1813. 

The  town  and  village  of  Bath  were  also  the  chief  seat  of  operations 
and  discussion  during  that  period  in  which  took  place  the  anti-rent  con- 
troversy, and  although  the  people  of  this  immediate  vicinity  were  but 
little  affected  by  the  tumult  and  excitement  of  the  occasion,  this  was  the 
central  point  and  the  place  of  meeting  of  the  disaffected  element.  The 
town  was  represented  in  the  convention  of  January,  1830,  by  William 
Woods,  James  Warden,  John  Corbitt,  Peter  Hunter,  Melvin  Schenck, 
Caleb  P.  Fulton  and  Elisha  Hawkes.  However,  this  embryo  strife  was 
soon  passed  into  history  and  peace  and  general  prosperity  prevailed. 
Nothing  further  of  importance  occurred  to  disturb  the  serenity  of  domes- 
tic life  until  the  outbreak  of  the  war  of  1 861-5,  ^"d  during  that  long 
and  disastrous  struggle  the  town  of  Bath  made  a  record  which  stands 
through  all  time  as  one  of  the  brightest  pages  in  her  history.  Still  we 
cannot  in  this  place  refer  at  length  to  the  military  records  of  the  town, 
the  subject  being  fully  covered  in  another  chapter  of  this  work.  Yet, 
the  statement  may  be  made  that  during  the  war  the  town  furnished  for 
the  service  a  total  of  500  men. 

Before  closing  this  chapter  it  is  appropriate  that  at  least  passing  men- 
tion be  made  of  the  schools  of  the  town  at  large,  although  much  that 
might  be  said  in  a  general  way  will  be  found  in  the  history  of  the  vil- 
lage of  Bath  in  another  part  of  this  volume.  However,  on  this  im- 
portant subject  the  old  records  afford  little  reliable  information,  and  of 
the  character  and  condition  of  the  districts  previous  to  1847  nothing  is 
known.  At  the  first  town  meeting  in  1797  George  D.  Cooper,  John 
Sheather,    Charles   Williamson    and   Benjamin    F.  Young   were  elected 


62  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

commissioners  of  common  schools,  yet,  in  1793,  the  year  in  which  the 
town  was  founded,  a  school  was  opened  in  Bath  and  Robert  Hunter 
was  the  master.  The  first  school  house  stood  on  the  northwest  corner 
of  Pulteney  Square,  and  was  built  previous  to  1800.  The  first  convey- 
ance of  land  for  school  purposes  was  that  of  October  4,  1 803,  by  Sir 
William  Pulteney  to  Samuel  Baker,  William  Read  and  Eli  Read,  being 
fifty  acres  in  Pleasant  Valley.  That  region  then  formed  a  part  of  Bath. 
On  February  i,  181 5,  the  Duke  of  Cumberland  and  others  conveyed 
to  the  trustees  of  District  No.  5  two  acres  of  land  in  lot  33,  now  in  the 
town  of  Wheeler.  On  December  29,  181 2,  Henry  A,  Townsend  con- 
veyed to  the  trustees  of  Bath  school  a  lot  on  the  north  side  of  Steuben 
street,  and  here  a  school  house  was  built  in  18 13. 

The  territory  of  Bath  was  divided  by  the  first  board  of  commissioners 
into  five  school  districts,  and  each  district  had  three  trustees.  Later 
records  are  imperfect  and  defective,  but  from  the  results  of  Mr.  Kings - 
ley's  research  we  learn  that  a  school  was  early  established  at  Kanona, 
and  that  in  the  "  White  School  house  "  in  old  district  No.  2,  William 
Howell  taught  in  1826.  The  first  school  house  in  the  southeast  part  of 
the  town  was  built  of  logs,  near  the  four  corners,  where  the  Marshall 
Stewart  house  stands  John  Wicks  was  one  of  the  earliest  teachers  in 
that  section.  In  1847  the  number  of  school  districts  in  the  town  was 
twenty- seven,  of  which  sixteen  were  entire  and  eleven  joint  with  districts 
of  other  towns.  As  at  present  constituted  the  districts  number  twenty- 
five,  located  and  known,  respectively,  as  follows  :  No.  i,  Savona, 
organized  1891  ;  No.  2,  Harrisburgh  Hollow;  No.  3,  Irish  Hill;  No.  4, 
Unionville  ;  No.  5,  Bath;  No,  6,  East  Union;  No.  7,  Chamberlain's; 
No.  8,  Kanona;  No.  9,  Mt.  Washington;  No.  10,  Wolf  Run;  No.  ii, 
Babcock  Hollow;  No.  12,  Eagle  Valley;  No.  13,  Spaulding's  Bridge; 
No.  14,  Sonora  ;  No.  15,  Freeman  Hollow;  No.  16,  Veley  District; 
No.  17,  no  distinguishing  name;  No.  18,  Oak  Hill;  No.  19,  Cossville  ; 
No.  20,  Campbell  Creek;  No.  21,  West  Union  ;  No.  22,  Knight's  Settle- 
ment; No.  23,  Buck's  Settlement;  No.  24,  Moore  Settlement;  No.  25, 
Bowlby  District. 

The  total  value  of  school  property  in  the  several  districts  is  estimated 
at  $56,745.  During  the  last  current  year  the  town  received  public 
moneys  to  the  amount  of  $5,660.51,  and  raised  by  local  tax  for  school 
purposes  $6,547.13.      Sixty  trees  were  planted  by  pupils  in  1894. 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  63 

The  villages  and 'hamlets  of  the  town  are  subjects  of  special  mention 
in  another  department  of  this  work.  However,  we  may  state  in  this 
connection  that  the  town  has  two  incorporated  villages,  Bath  and 
Savona,  both  conveniently  situated  on  the  line  of  the  Erie  and  Delaware 
and  Lackawanna  Railroads,  and  well  known  among  the  municipalities 
of  the  county.  Kanona  is  in  the  northwest  part  of  the  town,  also  on 
the  railroads  and  a  place  of  importance  in  the  region.  Unionville  is  a 
small  hamlet  situated  about  three  miles  southwest  of  Bath. 

In  the  department  of  this  work  devoted  specially  to  ecclesiastical 
history,  will  be  found  a  record  of  each  of  the  church  organizations  of 
the  town. 

Bradford. —  On  the  eastern  border  of  Steuben  county,  lying  north 
of  Campbell,  south  of  Wayne,  and  east  of  Bath  and  Urbana,  is  a  district 
known  as  Bradford,  having  an  area  of  14.500  acres  of  land.  This  town 
was  created  as  a  separate  division  of  the  county  on  the  20th  of  April, 
1836,  and  was  formed  from  the  old  town  of  Jersey,  now  known  as 
Orange  in  Schuyler  county.  The  surface  is  a  hilly  upland,  broken  by 
the  valley  of  Mud  Creek.  Mud  Lake  is  a  small  though  pretty  little  body 
of  water  situated  in  Schuyler  county,  near  the  Steuben  line,  and  it  was 
on  the  outlet  of  this  lake  that  Philip  Bartles  and  John  Harvey  made  a 
settlement  in  1793,  and  two  years  later,  at  the  suggestion  of  Charles 
Williamson,  built  both  saw  and  grist  mills.  These  industries  had 
much  to  do  with  the  development  of  the  region.  During  the  early 
period  of  the  history  of  the  region  the  outlet  was  a  navigable  stream, 
and  in  1798  Mr.  Bartles  rafted  one  hundred  thousand  feet  of  lumber  to 
Baltimore.  Benjamin  Patterson  and  one  Brocher  were  noted  hunters  in 
this  locality  and  supplied  many  of  the  settlements  with  both  bear  and 
deer  meat.  They  were  said  to  have  killed  during  a  single  season  as 
many  as  two  hundred  deer  and  a  dozen  bears. 

Among  the  other  pioneers  and  early  settlers  in  this  then  wild  and  un- 
inviting region  were  John  Hemiup,  Samuel  S.  Camp,  Abram  Rosen- 
berg, Capt.  John  N.  Hight,  Henry  Swifzer,  John  Schrinner,  Thomas 
Rolls,  Michael  Schott,  Daniel  Bartholmew,  Henry  Axtelle,  Ezekiel 
Sackett,  George  Schnell,  Stephen  Edwards  and  a  Mr.  Smith,  the 
christian  name  of  the  latter  having  been  forgotten.  These  pioneers 
were   chiefly   lumbermen,   though   their   ultimate  purpose  was  the  de- 


64  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

velopment  of  the  land  for  farming  purposes.  Several  of  them  built 
mills  and  became  proprietors.  Nearly  all  were  from  the  lumber  regions 
of  Pennsylvania  and  came  to  the  new  region  hoping  to  better  their 
condition.  They  were  chiefly  Germans  by  birth  or  extraction,  and 
were,  withal,  a  hardy,  persevering  and  industrious  class  of  men  and 
women.  The  descendants  of  many  of  them  still  live  in  the  county,  but 
the  pioneers  are  all  gone. 

Another  element  of  the  early  settlers  were  New  Englanders,  while 
still  others  were  from  New  Jersey.  Lacy  Hurd,  John  Moore  and  Jesse 
Munson  were  Vermont  Yankees;  Capt.  John  Phelps  came  from  Con- 
necticut ;  James  Longwell  was  from  New  Jersey,  though  an  Irishman 
by  birth.  Still  other  settlers  were  John  Zimmerman,  David  Woodward, 
Caleb  Wolcott,  John  Inscho,  Abel  Eveland,  Elias  Thomas,  James  D. 
Morris,  Rumsey  Miller,  David  Dennis,  Evan  F.  Thomas,  John  Kish- 
paugh,  Charles  and  Benjamin  Whithead,  Daniel  Taylor,  John  Stilts, 
Caleb  Roch,  Philip  Morse,  and  others  perhaps  equally  worthy  of  men- 
tion but  whose  names  are  lost  with  the  lapse  of  years. 

The  land  being  at  length  cleared  of  its  valuable  timber  growth,  good 
farms  were  developed,  and  this  part  of  the  old  town  of  Jersey  became 
an  agricultural  region,  and  while  it  produces  well  in  return  to  the  proper 
efforts  of  the  husbandman,  it  has  never  been  noted  for  superior  excellence 
in  this  respect.  However,  the  farmers  are  generally  prosperous  and 
many  fine  farms  are  found  in  the  town. 

During  the  early  history  of  the  town,  and  while  its  lands  formed  a 
part  of  the  older  town  of  Jersey,  the  inhabitants  felt  the  serious  effects 
of  the  so-called  anti-rent  war.  In  the  Bath  convention  Jersey  was  rep- 
resented by  her  strongest  men,  a  portion  of  whom  lived  in  the  district 
afterward  forming  Bradford.  They  were  Abraham  M.  Lybolt,  Gilbert 
Reed,  Caleb  Wolcott,  Peter  Houck  and  Henry  Switzer. 

Six  years  after  this  event,  or  in  1836,  the  town  was  set  off  and  made 
a  separate  division  of  Steuben  county,  and  was  named  in  allusion  to  and 
in  honor  of  General  Robert  Bradford.  A  portion  of  its  territory  was  an- 
nexed to  Orange,  April  17,  1854.  The  first  town  meeting  was  held  at 
the  dwelling  of  John  Zimmerman  on  the  fourth  Tuesday  in  Ma>,  1836, 
at  which  time  these  officers  were  chosen  :  Supervisor,  S.  Snell  ;  town 
clerk,  Charles  McFane ;  collector,  Thomas  Rowles ;  justices,  James 
Wolverton  and  James  Bradley. 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  65 

The  supervisors  of  Bradford,  from  the  time  of  its  organization  to  the 
present,  have  been  as  follows:  S.  Snell,  1836-37;  William  H.  Seybolt, 
1838-39;  J.  C.  Cameron,  1840;  Joseph  S.  Fenton,  1841  ;  James 
Barkley,  1842-43,  and  1849;  Hosea  Longwell,  1844;  William  Bovier, 
1845-46.  and  1848;  John  Phelps,  1847;  Charles  Hubban,  1850;  Will- 
iam Phelps,  1851-52;  John  D.  Seybolt,  1853-54,  and  1860-61  ;  John 
F.  Havens,  1855-56;  Lewis  Bennett,  1857,  '6y,  and  '71  ;  Jesse  Mun- 
son,  1858-59,  and  1863-66;  Edgar  Munson,  1862;  B.  B.  Switser, 
1868;  Frank  Aulls,  1869-70;  Theron  Cole,  1872;  Alonzo  Eveland, 
1873-74,  and  1881-86;  J.  M.  Gilmore,  1875-76;  Isaac  Esterbrook^ 
1877;  Ephraim  Bennett,  1878-80;  Frank  Aulls,  1887  ;  Philip  Yawger, 
1888  and  1891  ;   Frank  Hedges,  1889-90;   S.  A  Zimmerman,  1892-95. 

The  ofificers  of  the  town  for  the  year  1895  are  S.  A.  Zimmerman, 
supervisor;  David  Whitehead,  Albert  W.  Dodge,  W.  C.  Stetler  and  L. 
E.  Bartholmew,  justices;  John  C.  Switzer,  Arthur  Gilmore  and  John 
O.    Dennis,  assessors. 

Bradford  is  one  of  the  few  towns  of  Steuben  county  in  which  there 
has  been  a  noticeable  decline  in  population,  indicating  clearly  that  the 
agriculturists  of  the  region  have  suffered  in  common  with  those  of  the 
whole  country.  When  first  set  ofif  from  Jersey  in  1836  the  inhabitants 
numbered  about  1,500,  and  increased  to  1,885  in  i860.  From  that 
time  until  the  present  there  has  been  a  general  decHne  in  population, 
hence  in  productiveness  and  value  of  property,  and  the  population  of 
the  town  in  1890  was  only  765  ;  a  less  number  than  any  town  in  the 
county,  save  Hartsville.  Notwithstanding  all  this,  Bradford  possesses 
natural  resources  equal  to  many  other  outlying  towns,  and  her  people 
are  energetic,  thrifty  and  persevering.  The  institutions  of  the  town  are 
as  firmly  rooted  and  as  substantial  as  in  other  similar  districts.  During 
the  period  of  its  history  there  have  been  built  up  two  small  villages, 
Bradford,  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  town,  and  South  Bradford  in  the 
southeast,  both  of  which  are  elsewhere  mentioned  in  this  volume. 

The  early  settlers  were  fully  mindful  of  the  educational  and  spiritual 
welfare  of  their  families,  and  made  generous  provision  for  schools  and 
the  support  of  the  public  worship.  A  flourishing  school  was  main- 
tained as  early  as  18 14,  and  after  the  separation  of  the  town  from  Jersey 
the  new  territory  was  arranged  in  convenient  districts  and  schools  pro- 


66  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

vided  for  in  each.  From  this  beginning  has  grown  the  present  system 
of  the  town,  more  complete  in  arrangement  than  ever  before,  yet  possi- 
bly not  as  strong  in  point  of  number  of  pupils  attending  school.  There 
are  now  five  districts  having  school  houses,  and  during  the  last  current 
year  six  teachers  were  employed.  Of  public  moneys  the  town  received 
$720.70,  and  raised  by  local  tax  $1,00690. 

Cameron. — Within  its  present  boundaries  this  town  contains  27,700 
acres  of  land;  as  originally  formed  on  April  16,  1822,  it  included  all 
its  present  area,  and  also  the  22,000  acres  set  off  to  Thurston,  as  well 
as  a  portion  of  Rathbone.  The  former  was  created  in  1844,  and  the 
latter  in  1856.  Geograpically,  Cameron  is  located  a  little  south  of  the 
center  of  the  county,  and  its  surface  is  high  rolling  upland,  broken  by 
the  deep  and  quite  narrow  valley  of  the  Canisteo,  which  stream  crosses 
southeast  through  and  near  the  center  of  the  town.  The  soil  is  a  clayey 
and  gravelly  loam,  fertile  and  reasonably  productive  in  many  localities, 
but  quite  barren  in  others  by  reason  of  the  stony  and  rocky  character 
of  the  slopes. 

When  created,  Cameron  was  named  in  allusion  to  and  honor  of 
Dugald  Cameron,  an  early  settler  of  Bath,  at  one  time  agent  of  the 
Pulteney  estate,  and  withal  one  of  the  foremost  men  of  the  county  dur- 
ing the  period  of  his  active  life. 

Directly,  this  town  was  formed  from  the  original  town  of  Addison, 
and  its  early  settlement  was  made  while  the  territory  was  a  part  of  that 
jurisdiction.  The  pioneers  of  this  locality  were  Richard  Hadley,  who 
afterward  became  known  by  the  odd  title  of  "  The  Second  James,"  and 
Phones  Green.  Hadley  first  settled  on  the  village  site,  near  the  rail- 
road crossing,  and  is  said  to  have  been  ousted  from  his  domicile  by  a 
landslide.  He  built  the  first  saw  mill,  while  the  honor  of  building  the 
first  grist  mill  fell  to  Capt.  Samuel  Baker,  who  came  to  the  town  in 
1 8 16.  Phones  Green  made  his  improvement  about  a  mile  below  Baker's 
mill.  Both  these  pioneers  made  their  settlement  in  1800,  and  it  seems 
they  must  have  been  alone  in  this  wild  region  for  some  time,  for  the 
next  settlers,  Joseph  Butler,  John  Sauter  and  John  Hollet  did  not  reach 
here  till  several  years  later.  Hollet  kept  the  first  tavern,  while  the 
first  storekeeper  was  Andrew  G.  Erwin  of  still  later  settlement.  James 
B.  Wheeler  was  the  grandchild  of  Mr.  Baker,  and  was  but  seven  years 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  67 

old  when  he  came  to  the  valley.  He  lived  to  witness  wonderful 
changes  in  the  town,  and  was  himself  afterward  owner  of  the  mill,  which 
he  rebuilt  several  times.  About  1816  Amos  Caldwell  built  a  carding 
mill  which  was  later  on  operated  by  John  Place.  John  Dean  soon  came 
in  and  also  located  near  the  mills,  the  latter  being  a  center  of  trade  and 
settlement. 

Still  later  settlers  were  Isaac  Santee,  in  1820,  followed  by  the  Hal- 
letts  from  the  North  of  Ireland,  originally,  but  hardy  and  enterprising 
men,  whose  descendants  are  still  numerous  in  the  valley.  Silas  Wheeler, 
a  Scotchman,  was  here  early,  as  also  were  Joel  Clark,  Amasa  Downs, 
Isaac  Jones,  James  Lawrence,  Capt  John  White,  William  Moore,  Skel- 
ton  and  Joseph  Robinson,  Nathaniel  Bundy,  and  others. 

On  South  Hill  Elisha  Leach  settled  in  1825,  and  Reuben  Drake  in 
the  Swale  about  the  same  lime.  James  and  Henry  Knickerbocker  set- 
tled on  the  north  ridge  in  1826  and  Elias  Mason  came  about  the  same 
time.  Thomas  Allen  came  in  1827,  Richard  Smith  in  183 1,  John  W. 
Barrows  in  1832,  and  so  on  until  even  early  settlement  ceased.  Still,* 
in  the  same  connection,  justice  demands  mention  of  Andrew  Bates, 
John  Shaw,  Timothy  Carpenter,  Joseph  Plaisted,  N.  Rouse  (the  fiddler 
and  an  important  functionary  on  all  public  occasions),  Samuel  Pugsley, 
John  Barber,  Harley  Sears,  Hiram  Averill,  John  French,  David  Ames 
and  Amos  White  as  early  and  worthy  residents,  all  willing  to  brave  the 
dangers  and  privations  of  pioneership  in  a  new  and  then  certainly  un- 
inviting region.  Some  of  these  men  were  farmers  while  many  others 
were  lumbermen,  and  in  fact  the  latter  pursuit  prevailed  for  many  years. 
Indeed,  this  whole  valley  was  primarily  covered  with  a  splendid  forest 
growth  and  the  lumber  shipped  down  the  Canisteo  from  Cameron  and 
vicinity  amounted  to  millions  of  feet  annually.  But  as  the  lands  were 
cleared  the  town  became  an  agricultural  region,  while  the  water  power 
of  the  river  turned  the  wheels  of  many  mills  of  various  kinds. 

The  advocates  of  a  new  town  project  became  earnest  in  their  discus- 
sion as  early  as  1820  although  it  was  not  until  two  years  afterward  that 
the  matter  took  definite  form.  The  act  was  passed  April  16,  1822, 
and  the  first  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Samuel  Pierson,  a 
mile  and  a  half  north  of  Cameron  village,  in  February,  1823,  Unfortu- 
nately, the  early  town  records  have  been  lost  or  destroyed.      However 


68  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

it  is  known  that  Elias  Mason  was  the  first  supervisor ;  Moses  L.  Pierson 
town  clerk  and  collector,  and  James  Brownell,  constable.  At  this  time 
the  local  population  could  not  have  exceeded  400,  as  in  1825  the  num- 
ber of  inhabitants  was  but  553.  As  evidence  of  later  rapid  growth  we 
may  state  that  in  1830  the  population  had  increased  to  924,  and  in  1840 
to  1,359-  Ten  years  later  the  greatest  population  in  the  town's  history 
was  reached,  being  1,701  in  1850.  In  i860  it  had  fallen  to  1,569,  and 
in  1870  to  1,334.  The  next  ten  years,  however,  showed  an  increase  to 
1,611,  but  in  1890  had  decreased  to  1,564.  In  1892  the  population  of 
the  town  was  1,455. 

The  anti-rent  conflict,  as  it  has  been  commonly  called,  was  not  with- 
out its  disastrous  effects  upon  the  people  of  this  town,  though  local 
interests  suffered  no  more  seriously  than  did  those  of  other  localities 
whose  settlers  held  their  land  under  the  Pulteney  and  Hornby  titles. 
The  delegates  to  the  Bath  convention  from  Cameron  were  Jacob  Thayer, 
Joseph  Loughry,  Isaac  Santee,  Sheldon  Porter  and  Hiram  Averill,  the 
latter  serving  on  the  committee  which  prepared  the  memorial  presented 
to  the  agents  of  the  proprietary.  However,  after  the  period  of  disturb- 
ance had  passed,  and  after  the  settlers  had  become  quieted  in  the  posses- 
sion of  their  lands,  all  affairs  resumed  their  natural  channels,  and  thence- 
forth the  history  of  the  town  was  uneventful. 

During  the  period  of  the  Rebellion  the  town  of  Cameron  furnished 
eighty-three  men  for  the  service,  who  were  scattered  through  the  vari- 
ous companies  and  regiments  recruited  in  the  county,  notably  the  86th, 
23d,  the  107th  and  the  189th  regiments  of  infantry. 

The  supervisors  of  Cameron,  in  succession,  have  been  as  follows  : 
Elias  Mason,  1823-27;  Joseph  Loughry,  1828-30;  Moses  L.  Pierson, 
1831  ;  Andrew  G.  Pierson,  1832;  Isaac  Santee,  1833-36;  C.  P.  Hub- 
bard, 1837;  James  H.  Miles,  1838;  Joseph  Loughry,  1839-40;  Moses 
De  Pue,  1 841  ;  James  Lawrence,  1842-44;  H.  L.  Swift,  1845  !  Luther 
White,  1846-47;  H.  J.  Hyatt,  1848;  John  Miles,  1849-50;  H.  J. 
Hyatt,  185  I  ;  William  N.  Smith,  1852-53  and  1856-59;  Peter  Chase, 
1854;  John  Mitchell,  1855  ;  Samuel  D.  Sellick,  1860-61  ;  Orange  W. 
Hinds,  1862-64;  Luther  White,  1865;  Heman  S.  Swift,  1866-67; 
Jesse  Santee,  1868  and  1881  ;  A.  J.  Lawrence,  1869-70;  Charles  A. 
Bateman,  1871  and  1877-78;   Lucius  C.  Pierson,  1872-73  and  1882-85  ; 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  69 

Grattan  H.  Wheeler,  1874-75  ;  S.  A.  Gardner,  1876;  John  E.  Dicky, 
1879-80;  Royal  S.  White,  1886-88;  Joel  Clark,  1889-90;  Almon 
Waters,  1891  ;  Joel  Clark,  1892-95. 

Half  a  century  ago  Cameron  had  more  and  greater  industries  than  dur- 
ing recent  years,  for  the  lumbering  operations  were  of  great  magnitude 
in  this  valley  and  brought  to  the  town  a  class  of  people  who  possessed 
means  and  circulated  it  freel3^  Taverns  and  public  houses  were  num- 
erous and  each  arriving  stage  coach  brought  its  contingent  of  new- 
comers and  buyers.  In  1850  the  New  York  and  Erie  railroad  was 
built  through  the  town,  but  even  this  great  thoroughfare  of  travel  had 
not  the  effect  of  keeping  alive  the  interest  of  former  years.  Cameron 
village,  West  Cameron  and  North  Cameron  were  places  of  note  and 
importance  at  that  time,  yet  only  one  has  maintained  its  standing  to 
the  present  day.  West  Cameron  is  now  a  hamlet  of  half  a  dozen  dwell- 
ings, a  church  and  a  school,  and  its  post-ofifice  was  discontinued  in  1874. 
Here  was  once  the  home  of  Isaac  Santee,  David  Ames  and  Luther 
White.  North  Cameron  now  consists  of  a  few  dwellings,  and  other 
evidences  of  the  days  of  stage  travel,  especially  the  old  buildings  once 
used  as  hotels,  for  there  were  four  of  them  on  the  old  Bath  road.  The 
post-ofifice,  however,  has  been  maintained  here,  the  present  postmaster 
being  Galen  A.  Clark.  Cameron  Mills  is  also  a  post  station  on  the 
railroad,  in  the  east  part  of  the  town.  The  postmaster  is  James  Craw- 
ford. 

The  town  of  Cameron  has  several  organized  church  societies,  being 
four  Methodist  Episcopal  and  located  at  Cameron,  West  Cameron,  South 
Hill  and  North  Hill;  also  a  Baptist  church  at  Boyd's  Corners,  and  a 
Christian  church  located  in  the  Gardner  district,  so  called. 

Cameron  has  thirteen  school  districts,  with  355  children  attending 
school.  For  their  instruction  fourteen  teachers  are  employed  annually. 
The  public  moneys  apportioned  to  the  town  in  1893-4  was  $1,628,53, 
and  there  was  raised  by  town  tax  $3,533.88. 

The  town  officers  of  Cameron  for  the  year  1895  ^^^  ^s  follows  :  Joel 
Clark,  supervisor;  J.  D.  Wheeler,  town  clerk;  James  A.  Smith,  W.  E. 
Ferguson,  Mowry  Stuart  and  G.  M.  Reese,  justices  of  the  peace  ;  P.  P. 
Mason,  M.  G.  Dickey  and  J.  Halliman,  assessors  ;  George  Gunderman, 
highway  commissioner;  R.  K.  Wilson,  overseer  of  the  poor;  F.  E. 
McKenzic,  C.  E,  Stuart  and  Z.  D.  Stuart,  excise  commissioners. 


70  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Campbell. — Adjoining  the  town  of  Bath  on  the  southeast  is  a  dis- 
trict of  land  containing  25,500  acres,  known  by  the  name  of  Campbell, 
though  previous  to  white  settlement  and  civil  organization  the  same 
district  was  called  township  3,  range  2,  Phelps  and  Gorham  purchase. 
The  proprietary  just  mentioned  sold  this  township  to  Prince  Bryant,  a 
Pennsylvanian,  and  conveyed  it  by  deed  dated  September  3.  1789,  in 
consideration  of  ^1,000,  New  York  currency.  On  October  2d,  fi^llow- 
ing,  Bryant  sold  the  township  to  Elijah  Babcock,  and  the  latter  in  turn 
sold  in  parcels,  and  at  divers  times,  to  Roger  Clark  {7,680  acres), 
Samuel  Tooker,  David  Holmes  and  William  Babcock.  However,  by 
some  process  of  law  the  title  to  a  large  portion  the  township  reverted  to 
Oliver  Phelps,  who  afterward  sold  Joshua  Hathaway,  Zalmon  Tousey, 
Robert  Campbell  and  Gideon  Granger.  Campbell  purchased  half  the 
entire  tract,  his  deed  bearing  date  November  21,  1801.  Tousey  had 
1,132  acres,  under  deed  dated  December  2,  1801.  Hathaway  became 
possessed  of  2,037  acres,  paying  therefor  $5,092.52,  his  deed  bearing 
date  October  2,  1801.  Under  these  land  operators  the  first  settlements 
were  made. 

The  pioneers  of  this  town  were  Joseph  Wolcott,  Elias  Williams, 
Samuel  Calkins  and  David  McNutt,  who  came  in  1801  or  '82,  Pre- 
vious to  this,  however,  Abram  and  Isaac  Thomas  had  built  a  cabin 
in  the  town,  but  they  were  hunters  and  trappers  rather  than  pioneer 
settlers.  James  Pearsall  and  one  Sailor  are  also  said  to  have  been 
among  the  earliest  settlers.  In  addition  to  these,  many  of  the  pur- 
chasers mentioned  in  the  preceding  paragraph  also  became  settlers  in 
the  town,  and  were  among  its  most  inflential  and  useful  men. 

Conspicuous  among  the  pioneers  were  the  Campbell  family,  of  whom 
Rev.  Robert  Campbell  was  the  recognized  head,  and  while  the  town 
was  named  after  the  family  in  general,  he  was  regarded  as  the  leader  of 
them  all  and  was  in  the  minds  of  the  organizers  of  the  town  when  that 
event  took  place.  Robert  Campbell  and  his  nephew,  Samuel  Campbell, 
the  latter  having  served  with  credit  during  the  Revolution,  came  to  the 
Conhocton  valley  from  Saratoga  county  in  1803.  Robert  brought  with 
him  four  sons,  Robert,  jr..  Miner,  Bradford  and  Philo.  Bradford  died 
in  1804,  and  was -the  first  person  buried  in  the  Campbell  cemetery. 
Joseph  Stevens  settled  in  the  town  in  1805,  and  his  sons,  Joseph  and 
John,  were  also  early  settlers. 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OP  THE  COUNTY.  71 

The  Mead  Creek  colony,  as  it  has  been  called,  was  brought  to  the 
town  in  i8i6,  through  the  influence  of  David  and  William  Holmes, 
who  traded  lands  here  for  Vermont  farms,  thus  inducing  settlement 
by  several  sturdy  sons  of  the  Green  Mountain  State.  They  were  Jonas 
and  Jacob  Woodward,  Hinsdale  Hammond  and  Stephen  Corbin,  all  from 
Windham  county.  They  were  followed  by  Sampson  and  Amasa  Bixby, 
and  still  later  by  others  now  forgotten.  These  Vermonters  were  chiefly 
Baptists,  and  as  early  as  1823  organized  the  "  First  Baptist  Church  of 
Painted  Post,"  Rev.  Jonathan  Stone,  pastor.  Later  on  they  were 
also  instrumental  in  organizing  the  Baptist  church  at  Cooper's  Plains. 

Recalling  britfly  the  names  of  some  others  of  the  early  settlers  in 
Campbell,  we  may  mention  Selah  Hammond,  who  built  an  early  saw 
mill  on  Mead's  Creek  ;  also  Samuel  Besly,  Reuben  W.  Millard,  Capt. 
John  P.  Knox,  an  extensive  lumberman  ;  John  D.  Hamilton,  who  with 
others  built  a  tannery  in  1854,  and  the  Campbell  tannery  in  1857,  and 
was  also  an  early  storekeeper  ;  Daniel  B.  Curtis,  also  a  tanner ;  and 
Joel  Orlando  Comstock,  Clark  Bassett  and  others.  The  first  birth  in 
the  town  was  that  of  Bradford  Campbell  ;  the  first  marriage  that  of 
Asa  Milliken  and  Rachel  Campbell,  and  the  first  death  that  of  Fred- 
erick Stewart,  in  1806.  Campbell  &  Stephens  built  the  first  saw  mill, 
and  Campbell  &  Knox  the  first  grist  mill.  Robert  Campbell  kept  the 
first  tavern,  and  Frederick  Stewart  the  first  store. 

In  local  history  in  the  county  Campbell  has  always  been  regarded  as 
one  of  the  rough,  mountainous  towns,  but  notwithstanding  this  it  was 
as  early  settled,  and  by  a  class  of  inhabitants  as  thrifty  and  determined 
as  found  in  any  town  in  the  entire  region.  The  first  settlers  here 
found  the  timber  as  good  and  as  abundant  as  they  could  desire,  hence 
gave  their  first  attention  to  lumbering.  The  more  important  tribu- 
taries of  the  Conhocton,  such  as  Wolf  and  McNutt  Runs,  Mead's  Creek, 
Dry  Run,  and  Stephens's  and  Michigan  Creeks,  together  with  the  main 
stream,  furnished  abundant  water  power  and  rafting  facilities,  and  dur- 
ing the  first  quarter  of  a  century  of  the  town's  history  the  business  in- 
terests were  equal  to  those  even  of  the  present  day.  As  the  forests 
were  cleared  away  fine  farms  were  developed,  for  the  bottom  lands  are 
a  rich  alluvium,  while  the  elevations  have  a  strong  clay  and  gravelly 
soil. 


72  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

In  1830  this  township,  then  and  previously  a  part  of  Hornby,  con- 
tained about  500  inhabitants,  and  measures  were  soon  taken  for  the 
erection  of  a  new  town.  The  desired  act  was  passed  April  15,  1831, 
and  Caiupbell  was  brought  into  existence.  At  the  first  town  meeting 
held  in  the  spring  of  1832,  these  ofificers  were  elected:  Daniel  Clark, 
supervisor;  Milo  Hurd,  town  clerk;  William  Stewart,  Samuel  Cook, 
Daniel  Horton,  assessors  ;  Adin  J.  Pratt,  collector.  The  first  justices 
were  Parley  Seamans  and  Alvin  Corbin. 

The  supervisors  of  Campbell  have  been  as  follows  :  Daniel  Clark, 
1832  ;  William  D.  Knox,  1833-34;  Benjamin  Farwell,  1835-37  ;  Will- 
iam Stewart,  1838-39;  S.  A.  Campbell,  1840-42  ;  William  Stewart, 
1843-44;  Willis  McNeil,  1845-46;  J.  P.  Knox,  1847-48;  S  A. 
Campbell,  1849;  W.  P.  Knox,  1850;  Willis  McNeil,  1851-52;  Joseph 
Hammond,  1853;  S.  J.  Teeple,  1854;  Alson  Pierce,  1855;  Daniel 
Curtis,  1856;  Samuel  Balcom,  1857-60;  George  W.  Campbell,  1861- 
65  ;  Charles  Cass,  1866-69;  Charles  H.  Bemis,  1870-72  ;  E.  J.  Arm- 
strong, 1873-74;  G.  R.  Sutherland,  1875-77;  Elias  A.  Overhiser, 
1878;  John  D.  Hamilton,  1879-84;  George  R.  Sutherland,  1885-87; 
N.  H.  Piatt,  1888;  E.  B.  Ross,  1889-91;  H.  B.  Willard,  1892-93; 
John  S.  Curtis,  1894-95. 

The  town  officers  for  1895  are  John  S.  Curtis,  supervisor;  Ira  M. 
Piatt,  town  clerk;  Daniel  A.  Stark,  Harmon  Stevens,  John  Wilcox  and 
and  Obed  Nute,  justices  of  the  peace  ;  Myron  A.  Beard,  Miles  J.  Wood- 
ward and  Benjamin  Balcom,  assessors ;  W.  Bradley  McNeil,  collector  ; 
James  Greek,  overseer  of  the  poor  ;  John  King,  highway  commissioner  ; 
Thomas  A.  Sawyer,  Josiah  T.  Burrows,  Floyd  Fuller,  excise  commis- 
sioners. 

The  population  of  Campbell,  by  decades,  has  been  as  follows  :  1840, 
852;  1850,  1. 175;  i860,  1,622;  1870,  1,989;  1880,  1,881,  and  in 
1890,  1,533.     The  population  in  1892  was  1,539. 

In  1852  the  Buffalo,  Corning  and  New  York  Railroad  was  built 
through  the  Conhocton  valley,  and  a  station  was  established  in  this 
town,  but  it  is  doubtful  if  even  this  great  thoroughfare  of  travel  and 
transportation  brought  to  the  vicinity  a  more  prosperous  period  than 
existed  during  the  days  of  stage  travel  and  river  traffic.  During  the 
war  of  1861-65,  the  town  of  Campbell  sent  into  the  service  a  total  of 
175  men,  twenty-three  of  whom  were  enlisted  in  other  towns. 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  73 

Well  verified  tradition  informs  us  that  the  first  school  in  this  town 
was  opened  by  Rhoda  Simmons  in  1817,  in  what  was  known  as  the 
"  hunter's  cabin,"  also  that  the  second  school  was  kept  in  a  barn,  and 
that  Betsey  Woodward  and  Mrs.  Davis  were  the  earliest  teachers  there. 
The  first  school  house  was  a  log  building.  After  being  set  off  from 
Hornby,  in  1831,  the  territory  of  Campbell  was  divided  into  school 
districts  and  provision  made  for  the  support  of  a  school  house  in  each. 
As  now  constituted,  the  town  contains  nine  districts,  each  provided  with 
a  school  house.  During  the  current  year,  1893-4.  twelve  teachers  were 
employed.  The  number  of  children  of  school  age  was  309.  The 
amount  of  public  moneys  received  was  $1,374.43,  and  the  town  raised 
by  tax,  $2,355.82. 

Canisteo. — The  originial  town  of  Canisteo,  erected  cotemporane- 
ously  with  Steuben  county,  contained  the  territory  of  the  present  town 
of  that  name,  and  also  Greenwood,  West  Union,  Hartsville,  Hornells- 
ville,  and  portions  of  Troupsburg  and  Jasper.  A  part  of  Troupsburg 
was  taken  off  in  i8o8,  and  a  second  portion  in  18 18.  Hornellsville  was 
set  off  in  1820,  and  portions  of  Jasper  and  Greenwood  in  1827.  Re- 
duced to  its  present  area,  Canisteo  contains  32,200  acres  of  land,  being 
sixth  in  size  among  the  existing  towns  of  the  county.  In  the  survey 
and  subdivision  of  the  vast  Phelps  and  Gorham  purchase,  Canisteo  was 
township  3,  range  5,  and  was  purchased  conjointly  with  township  4  of 
range  6  (now  Hornellsville),  the  early  history  of  each  being  common  in 
many  respects,  and  also  rich  and  interesting. 

Previous  to  the  advent  of  the  white  man  this  town,  and  in  fact  the 
whole  valley  of  the  Canisteo,  was  the  abiding  place  and  favorite  hunt- 
ing and  fishing  grounds  of  the  American  Indians.  The  region  was 
originally  the  land  of  the  Senecas,  but  by  sufferance  the  Delawares 
were  permitted  to  occupy  portions  of  it.  We  are  told  that  within  the 
limits  of  this  town  was  once  the  Indian  village  of  "  Kanestio,"  where 
also  lived  a  number  of  deserters  from  the  British  army  and  other  rene- 
gades from  the  white  settlements.  The  murder  of  two  Dutch  traders 
by  these  outlaws  brought  upon  them  the  vengeance  of  Sir  William 
Johnson,  and  the  result  was  the  destruction  of  their  settlement. 

According  to  the  oft- repeated  story,  the  valley  of  the  Canisteo  was 
discovered  by  the  whites  early  in   the  year  1788,  by  Solomon  Bennett, 


74  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Capt.  John  Jamison,  Uriah  Stephens,  Richard  Crosby,  and  we  may  add 
possibly  Ehsha  Brown,  all  of  whom  left  their  Pennsylvania  homes  on 
an  exploring  expedition  into  the  southeastern  part  of  the  Phelps  and 
Gorham  purchase.  After  examining  several  localities  in  the  Conhocton 
valley  the  party  crossed  the  hills  to  the  south  and  entered  the  Canisteo 
valley.  Here  they  found  land  suited  to  their  desires,  and  the  result 
was  the  formation  of  a  company  and  the  purchase  of  township  3  of 
range  5,  and  township  4  of  range  6,  now  known  respectively  as  Canisteo 
and  Hornellsville.  Each  of  these  townships  was  surveyed  and  divided 
into  great  lots,  twelve  in  number,  and  were  drawn  for  by  lot.  In 
Canisteo  the  lots  were  drawn  in  this  order:  Arthur  Irwin,  No.  i  ; 
Christian  Kress,  No.  2  ;  Solomon  Bennett,  Nos.  3  and  4;  Joel  Thomas, 
No.  5  ;  John  Stephens.  No.  6  ;  John  Jamison,  No.  7  ;  Uriah  Stephens, 
No.  8;  Uriah  Stephens,  jr.,  No.  9;  William  Wynkoop,  No.  10;  James 
Hadley,  No.  11  ;   Elisha  Brown,  No.   12. 

This  disposition  of  the  lands  having  been  made  the  company  sent  a 
party  of  men  to  cut  and  stack  the  hay  found  growing  on  the  extensive 
Canisteo  flats.  This  was  in  1789,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  Uriah 
Stephens,  sen.,  and  Benjamin  Crosby,  with  portions  of  their  families., 
came  from  Newtown  (Elmira)  and  made  the  first  permanent  settlement. 
Their  personal  effects  were  brought  up  the  river  on  flatboats,  while 
Elias,  Elijah,  Benjamin  and  William  Stephens  drove  the  cattle  along  the 
shore  to  the  new  settlement.  These  pioneers  passed  the  following 
winter  in  the  town,  and  in  the  spring  of  1790  were  joined  by  Solomon 
Bennett,  Uriah  Stephens,  jr.,  Col.  John  Stephens  and  their  families. 
Soon  afterward  there  came  Jedediah  Stephens,  John  Redford  and 
Andrew  Bennett. 

Thus  was  made  the  pioneer  settlement  in  the  town  of  Canisteo.  One 
of  the  most  active  and  wealthy  of  the  settlers  was  Solomon  Bennett, 
who  in  1793  built  the  first  grist  mill  in  the  town,  it  being  located  on 
Bennett's  Creek  about  half  a  mile  above  its  mouth.  The  building  was 
soon  burned,  after  which  the  settlers  were  obliged  to  go  to  Hornell's 
Mills  for  their  "  grist."  Mr.  Bennett  also  opened  the  first  store,  while 
Jedediah  Stephens  kept  the  first  tavern.  The  first  birth  was  that  of 
Olive  Stephens,  November  18,  1 790 ;  the  first  marriage  that  ol  Richard 
Crosby  and  Hannah  Baker,  and  the  first  death  was  that  of  Henry 
Stephens, 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTr.  75 

Referring  still  further  to  the  subject  of  early  settlement  in  this  town, 
the  statement  maybe  made  that  Solomon  Bennett  came  from  Wyoming, 
and  that  his  wife  was  a  sister  of  Col.  John  Stephens.  Daniel  Jamison 
was  a  native  of  Scotland.  His  wife  was  Mary  M.  Baxter,  and  in  their 
family  were  eight  children,  a  number  of  whom  were  intimately  associ- 
ated with  the  early  history  of  this  locality.  Col.  John  Stephens  married 
Olive  Franklin,  and  was  for  many  years  an  important  man  in  the  new 
settlement.  He  and  Rev.  Jedediah  Stephens  were  natives  of  Connecti- 
cut. Recalling  the  names  of  other  prominent  men  and  families  in  the 
town,  we  may  mention  Capt  Nathan  Stephens,  Joshua  C.  Stephens, 
Jeremiah  Baker,  sen.,  the  Moore  families,  nicknamed  respectively  "  Big 
John"  and  "Little  Johnny,"  William  S.Thomas,  James  McBurney, 
Uriah  Upson,  James  Moore,  John  Stearns,  Nathan  Hallett  and  others, 
all  worthy  of  mention  among  the  substantial  men  of  the  town  at  an 
early  day. 

Once  fairly  begun,  settlement  in  this  part  of  the  valley  increased 
rapidly,  and  in  i8oo  the  town  had  a  population  of  510.  Ten  years 
later,  Troupsburg  having  in  the  meantime  been  set  off,  the  population 
of  Canisteo  was  656.  In  1820,  its  territory  being  reduced  to  substan- 
tially its  present  limits,  the  town  contained  891  inhabitants.  In  1830 
the  number  was  619,  and  941  in  1840.  During  the  next  decade  the 
population  was  more  than  doubled,  being  in  1850,  2.030.  In  i860  it 
increased  to  2,337,  '"  iSyo  to  2,435,  ^"cl  in  1880,  principally  on  account 
of  the  growth  of  Canisteo  village,  to  3,694.  In  1890  the  population  of 
the  town  was  3,629,  and  in  1892  was  3,593.  The  population  of  the  vil- 
lage of  Canisteo  in  1 890  was  2,071. 

In  1 81 2  Judge  Hurlburt,  of  Arkport,  wrote  a  descriptive  history  of 
Canisteo  in  which  he  said  the  town  then  contained  266  square  miles, 
and  was  nineteen  miles  long,  north  and  south,  by  fourteen  miles  wide. 
Speaking  of  the  streams,  he  said  that  the  Canisteo  was  "  boatable"  as  far 
up  as  Arkport.  He  also  described  Canisteo  village  as  having  twenty 
houses  and  stores,  a  post  office  and  considerable  trade. 

As  we  have  already  stated  the  early  settlement  of  the  town  was  ac- 
complished rapidly,  and  indeed  the  organization  was  effected  at  the 
time  of  the  creation  of  the  county.  But,  unfortunately,  the  first  records 
of  this  pioneer  town  are  not  to  be  found,  nor  any  other  reliable  data 


re  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

from  which  we  may  learn  the  names  of  its  first  officers.  This,  however, 
cannot  be  regarded  as  important,  for  at  that  time  the  town  was  so  large 
that  the  present  Canisteo  comprises  comparatively  little  of  its  original 
territory.  At  the  town  meeting  held  in  the  spring  of  1801,  at  the  house 
of  Benjamin  Crosby,  (Hornellsville),  these  officers  were  elected  :  Uriah 
Stephens,  supervisor ;  Joseph  A.  Rathbone,  town  clerk ;  Obediah 
Ayres,  Richard  Crosby  and  Nathan  Hallett,  assessors  ;  Samuel  Hallett, 
jr.,  collector  ;  James  Hadley  and  Nathan  Hallett,  overseers  of  the  poor. 

In  this  connection  also  it  is  interesting  to  note  the  succession  of  super- 
visors from  the  year  1801  to  the  present  time,  viz.:  Uriah  Stephens, 
1801-10;  William  Hyde,  iSii;  William  Stephens,  1812;  Christopher 
Hurlbut,  1 8 13-15  ;  Uriah  Stephens,  1815-19;  Thomas  Bennett,  1820- 
22;  William  Stephens,  1823-26;  Joshua  Chapman,  1827;  William 
Stephens,  1828-29;  William  Bennett,  1830-32;  William  Stephens, 
1833-34;  Elias  Stephens,  1835-37;  Finley  McClure,  1838;  Daniel 
Jamison,  1839-40;  H.  C.  Whitwood,  1841-42;  Finley  McClure,  1843- 
44;  William  H.  Mead,  1845-46;  Obediah  Stephens,  1847-50;  Hart 
Eason,  1851-52;  W.B.Jones,  1853-54;  Hart  Eason,  1855-56;  Joshua 
C.  Stephens,  1857-58;  Lucius  C.  Waldo,  1859-60;  Nelson  Hallett, 
1861-62;  William  H.  Mead,  1863-64;  N.  C.Taylor,  1865-66;  George 
Riddell,  1867-68;  Thomas  Hallett,  1869;  John  H.  Brown,  1870-72; 
George  Riddell,  1873-74  ;  Miner  Sammons,  1875-76  ;  Albert  J.  Carter, 
1877  ;  Smith  Eason,  1878;  Leroy  Riddell,  1879-82  ;  W.  E.  Stephens, 
1883-84;  Nathan  J.  Stephens,  1885-86;  U.  E.  Buck,  1887;  M.  D. 
Ellison,  1888;  Harrison  Crane,  1889-91;  James  Roblee,  1892-93; 
Julius  M.  Hitchcock,    1894-95. 

The  town  officers  of  Canisteo  for  the  year  1895  are  as  follows: 
Julius  M.  Hitchcock,  supervisor;  Jay  Patchen,  town  clerk;  Almon  W, 
Burrell,  Emmet  Stephens,  Adelbert  Rosa,  James  Eben  Wilson  and 
Albert  Sunmer,  justices  of  the  peace;  D.  W.  Comfort,  D.  C.  Thomas 
and  Ney  Wilson,  assessors;  Stearns  Jamison,  collector;  Daniel  Ordway, 
overseer  of  the  poor ;  J.  M.  Peterson,  highway  commissioner  ;  Elijah 
Hallett,  Jacob  Vickers  and  W.  P.  Goff,  commissioners  of  excise. 

The  civil  history  of  the  town  of  Canisteo,  although  uneventful,  has 
nevertheless  been  a  continuous  record  of  growth,  development  and  pros- 
perity.     Naturally,    settlement   began    in   the    region    of  the   Canisteo 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  77 

River,  thence  extended  up  the  valleys  of  the  lesser  streams,  Bennett's  and 
Col.  Bill's  Creeks,  and  finally  spread  throughout  the  entire  town.  All, 
however,  was  practically  accomplished  during  the  first  thirty-five  years 
of  the  town's  history,  while  pioneership  ceased  with  the  last  century. 
The  "Swale"  region  was  settled  before  1825,  and  most  of  the  town 
lands  were  fully  settled  within  the  next  half  score  of  years.  The  war  of 
18 1 2  had  little  effect  on  the  people  here,  though  the  attitude  and 
disposition  of  the  Indians  was  carefully  watched,  for  the  inhabitants 
feared  an  outbreak  from  them.  However,  the  whites  had  by  this  time 
thoroughly  impressed  the  natives  with  their  superiority,  and  although 
an  occasional  demonstration  was  made  by  the  savages,  they  were  at  all 
times  under  reasonable  control. 

The  greater  portion  of  the  settlers  were  farmers,  whose  time  and 
energies  were  devoted  to  clearing  and  tilling  the  land,  paving  the  way 
for  future  successes  by  their  descendants,  and  as  a  result  of  this  early 
industry  Canisteo  is  now  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  agricultural  towns 
of  the  valley.  The  soil  generally  is  a  clayey  and  gravelly  loam,  and  not 
all  the  fertile  lands  are  found  in  the  valleys,  but  even  on  the  hills  are 
some  of  the  most  productive  farms  in  the  town.  General  agriculture  has 
been  the  chief  pursuit  of  the  farming  element  of  population,  and  the 
most  profitable  crops  of  the  present  day  are  hay,  oats  and  potatoes. 

For  their  personal  convenience  the  settlers  at  an  early  day  built  up 
several  small  villages,  the  principal  one  of  which,  Canisteo,  has  grown 
to  importance  in  commercial  and  business  circles,  and  has  become  an 
incorporated  municipality.  However,  this  village  is  made  the  subject 
of  special  mention  in  another  part  of  this  work.  The  others  we  may 
briefly  mention  here. 

Bennett's  Creek  is  a  post-office  (established  1845)  ^'id  hamlet  situate 
in  the  southeast  part  of  the  town,  on  the  stream  of  the  same  name.  A 
store  has  generally  been  maintained  here,  and  the  place  now  and  for 
some  years  past  has  had  an  additional  industry  in  the  possession  of  a 
good  cheese  factory,  the  latter  known  as  the  Bassett  cheese  factory. 
The  postmaster  and  merchant  here  is  Elihu  D.  Conklin. 

Swale  is  located  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  town,  and  has  a  post- 
office  (established  i860)  and  one  or  two  business  enterprises.  This 
region  is  somewhat  extensive  and  was  settled  between    1820  and  1825. 


78  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

The  office  was  established  here  for  the  convenience  of  the  people  of  this 
part  of  the  town.  The  postmaster  is  Orren  I.  Jones,  and  E.  O.  Downs 
is  local  tinsmith.  In  this  locality  is  a  Union  Methodist  and  Universalist 
church,  built  by  the  people  of  the  vicinity. 

South  Canisteo  is  also  a  post  office  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  town, 
for  local  accommodation.  The  postmaster  and  storekeeper  is  Elmer  D. 
Van  Ormen. 

Spring  Brook  is  the  name  of  a  locality  in  the  vicinity  of  Col  Bill's 
Creek.  This  is  an  agricultural  portion  of  the  town  and  has  no  village 
settlement.  However,  here  are  two  Methodist  Protestant  churches, 
each  of  which  has  a  good  membership  and  a  comfortable  church  home. 
Both  of  these  societies,  as  well  as  that  at  Swale,  are  under  the  pastoral 
care  of  Rev,  S.  E.  Matthews. 

Adrian  and  Crosbyville  are  the  different  names  of  a  little  hamlet  on 
the  Erie  road,  less  than  two  miles  east  of  Canisteo.  The  former  is  the 
post-office  and  railway  designation,  while  the  latter  suggests  the  name 
of  one  of  the  old  families  of  the  town.  Here  are  two  stores,  a  black- 
smith shop  and  a  wagon  shop.  The  postmaster  is  Hiram  Crosby,  and 
the  merchants  are  Messrs.  Crosby  and  Delaney. 

Canisteo  Center  is  between  Canisteo  and  Adrian.  Its  only  industry 
is  the  grist  mill  of  J.  V.  Carman. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  town  and  village  of  Canisteo,  ever  mindful  of 
tlie  spiritual  and  educational  welfare  of  their  families  and  children,  have 
made  generous  provision  for  the  erection  and  maintenance  of  churches 
and  schools  throughout  the  town.  Those  of  the  former  in  the  outlying 
districts  we  have  already  mentioned  in  this  chapter,  while  those  of  the 
village  will  be  found  referred  to  in  the  church  history  in  this  work.  Of 
the  earJy  schools  little  is  known  except  in  a  general  way,  and  even 
unreliable  tradition  furnishes  us  no  data  from  which  can  be  deter- 
mined the  location  of  the  first  schools.  Still,  the  fact  is  well  known 
that  about  1800  a  primitive  school  was  opened  in  the  village,  and  as 
settlement  advanced  into  the  more  remote  localities,  the  town  was 
divided  into  districts  and  good  schools  provided  for  each.  According 
to  the  present  disposition  of  school  interests,  there  are  thirteen 
districts,  each  of  which  is  provided  with  a  good  school.  The  whole 
number  of   children  attending    during    the   school    year    1893-94  was 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  79 

yS^,  for  whose  instruction  nineteen  teachers  were  employed.  There 
was  received  of  public  moneys  from  the  State,  $2,506.08,  and  the 
amount  raised  by  local  tax  was  $3,609.21.  The  value  of  school  build- 
ings and  sites  in  the  town  is  estimated  at  $8,770. 

Caton. — On  the  28th  of  March,  1839,  the  Legislature  passed  an  act, 
by  which  "  all  that  part  of  the  town  of  Painted  Post,  in  the  county  of 
Steuben,  being  township  No.  i,  in  the  first  range,"  etc.,  "shall  con- 
stitute a  new  town  of  the  name  of  Wormley."  However,  on  the  3d  of 
April,  1840,  the  erecting  act  was  amended  and  the  name  of  the  town 
was  changed  to  "  Caton,"  in  memory  of  Richard  Caton,  one  of  the  orig- 
inal land  proprietors  in  the  region.  The  first  name — Wormley — was 
given  to  the  town  in  allusion  to  Samuel  Wormley,  the  first  postmaster 
at  the  office  having  his  name. 

This  town  is  situated  in  the  extreme  southeast  corner  of  the  county, 
and  contains  22,700  acres  of  land.  The  surface  is  a  rolling  upland,  yet 
more  nearly  level  than  most  lands  in  the  county.  Its  soil  is  a  clayey 
and  shaly  loam,  and  the  streams  are  small  brooks  flowing  northward. 
At  an  early  day  lumbering  was  extensively  carried  on  in  the  town,  and 
the  forests  were  not  generally  cleared  away  until  a  comparatively  recent 
date.  From  that  time  the  chief  pursuit  of  the  inhabitants  has  been 
farming  and  sugar  making,  and  as  an  agricultural  town  Caton  ranks 
well  among  the  divisions  of  the  county.  The  farms  as  a  rule  are  well 
cultivated,  the  buildings  neat  and  attractive,  and  the  general  appear- 
ance of  things  throughout  the  town  indicates  thrift,  energy  and  prosperity 
on  the  part  of  its  people. 

The  pioneer  of  townslTip  i  is  said  to  have  been  one  Ford,  who  built  a 
log  cabin  and  made  a  clearing  a  little  east  of  the  Center  in  1 8 1  o,  although 
during  the  same  year  other  woodsmen  made  a  clearing  in  the  town,  but 
no  settlement.  However,  Ford  left  the  vicinity  after  two  years  of  hard- 
ships, and  was  succeeded  by  the  first  permanent  settler,  Isaac  Rowley, 
a  native  and  former  resident  of  Bradford  county.  Pa.,  though  previous 
to  locating  in  Caton  he  had  lived  in  Lindley.  In  18 19  this  doughty 
pioneer  cut  a  road  from  over  the  Pennsylvania  line  into  the  southwest 
part  of  Caton,  to  the  point  where  he  made  his  location  The  next 
settlers  were  Stephen  and  Simeon  Hurd,  Uriah  Wilmot,  John  Rowe  and 
Erastus  Kidder,  all  of  whom  came  to   the   town   in   the  spring  of  1821. 


80  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Salmon  Tarbox  came  in  1822,  and  about  the  same  time  Elias  P.  Bab  ■ 
cock,  E.  Robbins  and  Abner  Gilbert  purchased  4,000  acres  of  land  near 
the  Center.  Mr.  Gilbert  built  a  saw  mill  near  where  the  Baptist  church 
was  afterward  erected.  The  settlers  in  1824  were  Ephraim  Hill,  Levi, 
Willys  and  Eli  Gridley  and  their  families.  In  1025  Dr.  Gregory  located 
southeast  of  the  Center.  Isaac  Thompson  settled  in  1827.  In  1832 
Frederick  and  Gershom  Bernard  built  a  saw  mill  near  the  Corning  line, 
and  in  the  same  year  Bennett  Breeze  built  the  first  grist  mill  in  the 
town,  and  located  on  Barnard's  Creek,  about  two  miles  north  of  the 
Center.  The  first  steam  mill  was  put  in  operation  in  1842  by  Dexter 
and  Daniel  Davis,  and  was  located  in  the  heavy  pine  woods  above 
Barnard's  Mills.  James  Davison  was  another  of  the  early  settlers  of 
Caton,  while  among  the  many  others  may  be  mentioned  Jonathan  S. 
Hurd,  Simeon  Hurd,  Joshua  Russell,  Titus  Smith,  Samuel  F.  Berry, 
Henry  D.  Smith,  Benoni  Johnson,  John  Gillette,  Salmon  Tarbox, 
Orlando  Gregory,  Ephraim  Robbins,  Rufus  Howe,  Horatio  Gorton, 
George  Bucher,  Amos  Lewis,  and  others  of  later  date,  but  all  of  whom 
were  devoted  to  the  best  interests  of  the  town  by  building  up  substantial 
homes  and  farms  for  themselves  and  their  families. 

In  1840,  when  first  set  off  from  Painted  Post,  Caton  had  only  797 
inhabitants,  but  during  the  next  ten  years,  the  population  increased  to 
1,214.  In  i860  the  inhabitants  numbered  1,550,  and  1,554  in  1870. 
In  1880  the  number  increased  to  1,642,  but  during  the  next  ten  years 
fell  off  to  1,445.  The  population  of  Caton  in  1892  was  1,388,  or  less 
than  at  any  census  enumeration  since  1850 

The  act  creating  the  town  provided  that  the  first  meeting  for  the 
election  of  officers  should  be  held  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  F'ebruary, 
1840.  In  fact,  the  new  town  itself  did  not  have  an  organized  existence 
previous  to  the  first  Monday  in  February  of  the  year  mentioned.  The 
first  officers  were  Amos  Lewis,  supervisor ;  Orlando  Gregory,  town 
clerk  ;  John  Gillett,  Russell  Stanton  and  Zimri  B.  Robbins,  asses- 
sors ;  Israel  Woodworth,  Jacob  Robbins,  George  Westcott  and  N.  C. 
Babcock,  justices  of  the  peace. 

The  town  officers  in  1895  are  Alonzo  Deyo,  supervisor  ;  P.  F.  Grid- 
ley,  clerk;  Alonzo  Deyo,  F.  W.  Speer,  John  Wellman  and  Edgar 
Matteson,  justices  of  the  peace;  J.  S.  Holmes,  E.    W.    Barnard    and    E. 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  81 

A.  Hill,  assessors  ;  B.  S.  Niver,  collector;  Jonas  Johnson,  overseer  of 
the  poor;  H.  D.  Davis,  highway  commissioner;  H.  J.  Farran  and 
Henry  Russell,  excise  commissioners. 

The  supervisors  of  Caton,  in  succession,  have  been  as  follows:  Amos 
Lewis,  1840;  John  Gillett,  1841  and  '43;  Naboth  C.  Babcock,  1842; 
James  L.  Whitney,  1844-45  J  Amzi  English,  1846;  Orlando  Gregory, 
1847-48;  Henry  D.  Smith,  1849 '53  ;■  Christian  Minier,  1850,  '54, 
1860-62,  '66;  James  Lawry,  1851-52;  D.  Clinton  Westcott,  1855-56; 
P.  H.  Brown.  1857,  and  1864-65  ;  William  D.  Gilbert,  1858-59,  '63 
and  '6y  ;  J.  B.  Rathbun,  1869-71  ;  Levi  Force,  1872;  Edwin  C.  Eng- 
lish, 1873-74;  Alonzo  Deyo,  1875-77  and  1893-95;  Abram  J.  Whit- 
ney, 1878;   W.  O.  Matteson,  1879-92. 

During  the  period  of  its  history,  there  have  been  built  up  within  the 
limits  of  the  town  two  small  hamlets  or  trading  centres,  each  established 
for  the  convenience  of  the  inhabitants.  They  are  named,  respectively, 
Caton  and  West  Caton,  the  former  located  near  the  center  of  the  town, 
and  the  latter  near  the  northwest  corner.  However,  both  these  ham- 
lets are  specially  mentioned  in  the  department  of  the  work  devoted  to 
municipal  history.  The  same  may  also  be  said  of  the  churches  of  the 
town,  which  are  referred  to  in  the  chapter  on  ecclesiastical  history. 

The  town  of  Caton  has  a  military  record  equal  if  not  superior  to  any 
other  civil  division  of  the  county,  for  if  statistics  be  accurate  there  were 
sent  into  the  service  during  the  war  of  1861-65  ^  total  of  196  men, 
as  reference  to  the  official  roster  will  disclose.  In  i860,  a  single  year 
before  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  the  town's  population  was  only  1,550. 
Few  towns  in  the  county  can  equal  this  record.  Also  in  this  little  town 
are  twelve  school  districts,  with  twelve  teachers  employed  annually. 
The  value  of  school  property  is  $6,415.  During  the  school  year  1893-4, 
the  town  received  of  public  moneys  $1,379.09,  and  raised  by  town  tax 
the  further  sum  of  $1,613.05. 
n 


82  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

COHOCTON. — About  the  year  1794,  that  enterprising  pioneer  and 
colonizer,  Charles  Williamson,  sent  Joseph  Biven  to  build  a  tavern  and 
found  a  settlement  at  the  "Twenty-two  Mile  Tree,"  on  the  Conhocton 
River.  The  result  of  this  early  effort  was  the  establishment  of  a  ham- 
let known  to  the  early  settlers  as  "  Biven's  Corners,"  and  so  designated 
until  the  settlement  was  made  a  post  station  under  the  name  of  North 
Cohocton.  This  was  done  in  1825.  Richard  Hooker  is  also  credited 
with  having  been  a  pioneer  of  the  same  locality,  but  recollections  of 
him  are  meagre.  James  and  Aruna  Woodward,  Vermont  Yankees, 
came  to  this  part  of  the  valley  in  1802,  the  former  settling  on  the  after- 
ward called  Waldron  place,  where  he  built  a  cabin.  Obediah  Wood- 
ward was  a  son  (as  also  Wcis  Aruna)  of  James,  and  was  a  stalwart  young 
man  when  the  settlement  was  made. 

Another  of  the  pioneers,  and  one  whose  surname  has  been  preserved 
by  substantial  landmarks  until  quite  recently,  was  Frederick  Blood,  a 
native  of  Germany  but  who  came  here  from  the  older  settlement  at 
Saratoga.  Blood's  Station  was  named  from  this  family,  for  Frederick 
had  several  sons,  all  earnest  and  industrious  men  and  of  great  assistance 
in  developing  the  resources  of  the  new  country.  Jonas  and  James 
Cleland,  father  and  son,  came  into  the  region  from  old,  historic  Pom- 
pey,  in  Onondaga  county,  in  1805,  and  the  Cleland  cabin  was  the  first 
dwelling  between  Cohocton  and  Avoca  This  pioneer  built  the  first 
saw  and  grist  mills  in  Cohocton,  the  former  on  the  site  of  the  Warner 
mill  of  later  years,  and  the  latter  opposite  the  Cleland  dwelling.  The 
saw  mill  was  built  about  1808,  and  the  grist  mill  at  a  later  date. 

Alvin  Talbot  and  Ezra  Parker  were  early  settlers,  as  also  was  Job 
Briggs,  the  cooper  and  otherwise  useful  man  at  that  time.  Other  early 
settlers  were  Stephen  Burrows  and  Ebenezer  Keeler,  the  latter  a  man  of 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  83 

means  and  influence.  In  the  Loon  Lake  locality  Joseph  Jackson,  Eleazer 
Tucker,  John,  George  and  Paul  Wilson,  and  also  Salmon  Brownson  and 
his  sons,  were  the  first  comers.  Joseph  Chamberlin  came  from  Herkimer 
county  in  1805,  and  settled  near  Liberty  (now  Cohocton),  and  in  the 
year  following  Levi  Chamberlin,  Joseph  Shattuck  and  Deacon  Horace 
Wheeler  were  added  to  the  now  rapidly  increasing  roll  of  pioneers.  Still 
others  worthy  of  mention  were  Timothy  Sherman,  James  Bernard, 
Samuel  Rhodes,  Jesse  Atwood,  Isaac  Morehouse,  Charles  Burlingham 
and  Richard  Hooper,  all  of  whom  were  in  some  manner  identified  with 
the  early  and  interesting  history  of  the  valley.  Mr.  Hooper's  death  is 
said  to  have  been  the  first  event  of  its  kind  in  the  town. 

Among  the  other  principal  first  events  may  be  noted  the  marriage  of 
Joseph  Biven  and  Sarah  Hooker  in  1798,  and  their  child,  Bethiah 
Hooker  Biven,  was  the  first  born  in  town,  in  the  year  1800.  Sophia 
Trumbull  taught  the  first  school,  about  18 10,  in  the  house  built  by 
James  Cleland.  William  Walker  built  the  first  tannery,  about  1816, 
and  Rudolphus  Howe  put  in  operation  the  first  distillery.  The  latter 
was  an  industry  of  much  note,  if  not  of  importance,  in  the  region  and 
many  are  the  anecdotes  connected  with  it.  In  1823,  Gabriel  Dusenbury 
and  his  sons,  Seth  and  John,  built  a  saw  mill  on  the  site  of  the  later 
Hoag  mill,  and  run  it  nearly  twenty  years,  when  Stoning  &  Brown  con- 
verted the  building  into  a  paper  mill.  During  the  period  of  its  history, 
Cohocton  has  been  the  home  of  many  transient  industries,  several  of 
them  useful  in  the  time  of  their  erection,  but  afterward  passing  away 
and  giving  place  to  more  profitable  and  enduring  interests. 

In  the  North  Cohocton  locality  were  a  number  of  substantial  and 
prominent  settlers,  among  whom  was  Richard  Hooker,  from  Baltimore, 
Md.,  former  owner  of  a  plantation  and  imbued  somewhat  with  southern 
ideas  and  notions.  He  brought  several  slaves  to  the  town,  but  when  he 
united  with  the  Society  of  Friends  he  manumitted  his  blacks  and  made 
suitable  provision  for  their  welfare.  Henry  and  Richard  Crouch  were 
also  early  settlers,  and  in  the  same  connection  may  be  mentioned  the 
Moultons  and  Tylers,  Daniel  Raymond  and  sons,  John  and  Duty  Waite, 
John  Bush,  Chauncey  Atwell,  Elijah  Wing,  David  and  Abijah  Fowler, 
John  Nicholson,  Samuel  Salisbury,  Dr.  F.  H.  Blakeley,  Solomon  Hub- 
bard, an  early  storekeeper,  Benoni  Danks,  Jerry  W.  Pierce,  "  Uncle  " 
Reuben  Clason,  Caleb  Boss,  and  others  whose  names  are  now  lost. 


^i  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

As  will  be  seen  from  this  narrative,  the  settlement  of  this  part  of 
Bath  and  Dansville  was  accomplished  rapidly.  Indeed,  as  early  as  the 
year  1814  the  newly  formed  town  contained  746  inhabitants,  hence  it  is 
little  wonder  that  they  sought  the  formation  of  a  separate  district,  for 
public  convenience  demanded  that  they  have  the  same  town  facilities  as 
were  possessed  elsewhere  in  the  county.  The  act  erecting  the  town 
was  passed  June  18,  18 12,  and  the  first  town  meeting  was  appointed  to 
be  held  at  the  house  of  Joseph  Shattuck,  jr. 

The  electors  met  at  the  designated  place  on  the  13th  of  April,  1813, 
and  chose  these  officers  :  Samuel  Wells,  supervisor  ;  Charles  Bennett, 
town  clerk  ;  Stephen  Crawford,  John  Slack  and  William  Bennett,  asses- 
sors;  Jared  Barr,  John  Woodward  and  Isaac  Hill,  highway  commis- 
sioners ;  John  Slack  and  Samuel  D.  Wills,  poormasters  ;  James  Barnard, 
collector  and  constable. 

The  town  records  in  which  were  kept  the  proceedings  of  town  meet- 
ings, between  the  years  18 13  and  1839,  have  been  lost,  thus  making  it 
impossible  to  furnish  a  complete  succession  of  supervisors.  However, 
having  recourse  to  other  records  extant,  a  reasonably  accurate  list  can 
be  furnished  from  1823,  viz.:  Paul  C.  Cook,  1823-26;  David  Weld, 
1827-28;  Paul  C.  Cook,  1829-30;  David  Weld,  1831;  John  Nichol- 
son, 1832;  Paul  C.Cook,  1833-35  ;  EHas  Stephens,  1836;  Paul  C.Cook, 
1837-38;  Calvin  Blood,  1839;  John  Hess,  1840-41;  Paul  C.  Cook, 
1842;  John  Hess,  1843-44;  Calvin  Blood,  1845  J  Zephman  Flint,  1846  ; 
John  Hess,  1847;  Calvin  Blood,  1848;  Zephman  Flint,  1849;  C.  J. 
McDowell,  1850-52;  David  H.  Wilcox,  1853;  C.  J.  McDowell,  1854; 
A.  Larrowe,  1855-57;  James  Draper.  1858;  Stephen  D.  Shattuck, 
1859  ;  David  Wilcox,  1860-62  ;  F.  N.  Drake,  1863-64;  D.  H.  Wilcox, 
1865  ;  John  H.  Butler,  1866-67;  C.  E.  Thorp,  1868  ;  S.  D.  Shattuck, 
1869-70;  J.  M.  Tripp.  1871  ;  S.  D.  Shattuck,  1872;  Thomas  Warner, 
1873-74;  James  P.  Clark,  1875  ;  O.  S.  Searle,  1876;  Myron  W.  Har- 
ris, 1877;  Byron  A.  Tyler,  1878;  Myron  W.  Harris,  1879-80;  C.  E. 
Thorp,  1 881;  D wight  Weld,  1882-83;  James  M.  Reynolds,  1884; 
Asa  McDowell.  1885  ;  W.  T.  Slattery,  1886;  C.  E.  Thorp,  1887;  H. 
W.  Hatch,  1888;  Charles  Oliver,  1889;  Dwight  Weld,  1890;  A.  H. 
Wilcox,  1891-92;   H.  C.   Hatch,  1893-95. 

The  officers  of  the  town  for  the  year  1895  are  as  follows:    Hyde  C. 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  85 

Hatch,  supervisor  ;  W.  K.  Fowler,  J.  L.  Waugh,  J.  J.  Crouch,  and  E. 
A.  Draper,  justices  of  the  peace ;  William  Craig,  William  Hammond 
and  Henry  Schwingel,  assessors ;  Eugene  Slayton,  collector ;  Martin 
M.  Wilcox,  highway  commissioner;  MelchoirZeh,  overseer  of  the  poor  ; 
Murray  Tripp,  Philip  Folts  and  George  I.  Shoultice,  commissioners  of 
excise. 

As  we  have  before  stated,  Cohocton  was  formed  from  the  still  older 
towns  of  Bath  and  Dansville,  and  was,  originally,  much  larger  in  area 
than  as  now  constituted.  A  part  was  taken  off  in  1843  to  form  Avoca, 
and  a  considerable  area  was  taken  for  Wayland  in  1848.  In  1874  a 
portion  of  Prattsburg  was  annexed  to  Cohocton.  The  town  was  named 
in  allusion  to  the  principal  stream  which  crosses  its  territory  in  a  rather 
tortuous  course,  but  the  framers  of  the  town  project,  either  for  brevity 
or  euphony,  dropped  the  "  n  "  in  the  first  syllable,  from  which  we  have 
the  name  "  Cohocton  "  instead  of  Conhocton. 

As  at  present  constituted,  this  town  has  an  area  of  34,600  acres  of 
land,  as  good,  fertile  and  generally  productive  as  can  be  found  in  Steu- 
ben county.  In  fact  Cohocton  has  long  been  classsd  among  the  best 
towns  of  the  entire  valley,  and  the  volume  of  business,  in  all  branches, 
exceeds  that  of  some  of  the  larger  towns.  Cohocton,  Atlanta  and  North 
Cohocton  are  villages  of  some  note  and  shipping  points  of  more  than 
ordinary  importance.  These  villages,  however,  are  made  the  subject 
of  special-  mention  in  another  department  of  this  volume,  to  which  the 
attention  of  the  reader  is  directed. 

When  this  town  was  formed  in  18 12,  the  public  mind  was  consider- 
ably agitated  by  the  events  of  the  war  then  in  progress  ;  and  the  inhab- 
itants of  this  particular  region  had  an  additional  element  of  disturbance 
in  their  very  midst,  for  the  Indians  were  still  in  the  valley  and  some 
attempts  were  made  to  incite  them  to  deeds  of  violence  against  the  set- 
tlers. A  number  of  the  men  of  the  town  joined  the  army  and  saw 
service  on  the  frontier,  and  nearly  all  the  able-bodied  men  were  among 
the  enrolled  militia  and  prepared  for  military  duty  on  call.  However, 
the  storm  of  war  passed  without  disaster  to  local  interests,  and  the  In- 
dians were  restrained  by  the  determined  attitude  of  the  settlers.  Soon 
after  181 5  the  last  remnant  of  them  withdrew  from  the  valley  and  went 
to  the  State  reservations. 


86  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

In  1 8 14,  two  years  after  the  creation  of  the  town,  the  inhabitants 
numbered  746,  and  in  1820  the  number  had  increased  to  1,560.  Ten 
years  later,  (1830)  the  population  was  2,544,  the  town  then  being  the 
most  populous  in  the  county,  with  the  single  exception  of  Bath.  In 
1840  the  number  had  increased  to  2,965,  but  the  formation  of  Avoca 
and  Wayland  during  the  succeeding  decade,  reduced  the  number  to 
1,993,  as  shown  by  the  census  of  1850.  The  next  ten  years  witnessed  a 
continued  increase  and  the  population  in  i860  was  2,535,  and  in  1870 
was  2,710  In  1880  the  number  was  3,346,  and  in  1890  was  3,444. 
Thus  we  note  a  constant  increase  in  population  from  the  formation  of 
the  town,  a  fact  not  noticeable  in  the  majority  of  interior  and  agricul- 
tural towns  in  the  State.  Yet  the  statement  must  be  made  that  much 
of  this  enlargement  is  found  in  the  villages,  with  their  ever-increasing 
interests,  rather  than  in  the  town  at  large. 

An  interesting  and  at  the  same  time  quite  exciting  period  in  local 
history  was  that  known  as  the  anti-rent  conflict,  mentioned  at  greater 
length  in  another  chapter;  and  while  of  much  importance  to  the  settlers 
in  this  valley,  those  of  Cohocton  felt  but  little  of  the  unfortunate  effects 
of  the  event.  We  refer  to  this  period  as  one  of  the  incidents  of  local 
history,  although  the  controversy  with  the  land  proprietors  was  rampant 
throughout  the  Genesee  country.  The  active  representatives  of  Cohoc- 
ton in  the  Bath  convention  of  January,  1830,  were  Paul  C.  Cook,  David 
Weld,  Nathan  Wing,  Peter  Haight  and  Alfred  Shattuck,  all  "  good  men 
and  true,"  and  well  qualified  to  represent  the  interests  of  our  town. 

After  the  settlement  of  this  controversy  the  inhabitants  turned  again 
to  the  work  of  clearing  and  developing  their  farm  lands.  At  that  time 
no  railroads  had  been  built  and  theConhocton  was  the  principal  thorough- 
fare of  shipment  to  market  of  both  lumber  and  farm  produce.  Lumber- 
ing, as  a  distinct  feature  of  local  history,  began  almost  as  early  as 
settlement  itself,  but  between  the  years  1830  and  1855  was  carried  on 
to  a  large  extent.  The  older  residents  well  remember  the  operations  of 
the  firm  of  H.  D.  Graves  &  Co.,  whose  first  mill  was  between  Liberty 
and  Loon  Lake.  The  later  firm  of  F.  N.  Drake  &  Co.  were  large  lum- 
bermen, as  also  was  Thomas  Warner.  However,  soon  after  1850  the 
railroad  was  constructed  and  with  the  increased  facilities  for  shipping 
thus  afforded,  so,  also,  were   lumbering   interests  enlarged  until  the  de- 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  87 

sirable  forest  growths  were  practically  exhausted.  These  operations 
led  to  the  founding  of  settlements,  with  stores,  public  houses,  shops  and 
other  adjuncts  of  villages,  and  while  lumber  making  is  virtually  a  thing 
of  the  past  the  settlements  have  remained,  and  grown,  fostered  and  sup- 
ported by  a  rich  producing  agricultural  region,  and  the  latter  cultivated 
by  a  thrifty  and  forehanded  class  of  inhabitants. 

From  somewhat  incomplete  records  the  fact  appears  that  during  the 
period  of  the  war  of  1861-65,  the  town  of  Cohocton  sent  into  the  ser- 
vice a  total  of  two  hundred  men,  who  were  scattered  through  the  several 
commands  recruited  in  the  county.  At  that  time  the  town  population 
was  about  2,500,  from  which  it  is  clear  that  about  ten  per  cent,  of  the 
inhabitants  were  in  the  service.  In  another  chapter  will  be  found  a 
record  of  the  services  of  the  companies  represented  by  Cohocton  vol- 
unteers, hence  a  brief  mention  is  all  that  is  required  in  this  connection. 

Of  the  early  schools  of  Cohocton  little  is  known  except  the  fact  that 
Sophia  Trumbull  opened  the  first  in  the  cabin  built  by  pioneer  Jonas 
Cleland,  also  the  further  fact  that  the  first  school  house  stood  on  the 
Dusenbury  farm,  near  the  river,  and  was  built  about  18 10.  The  loss  of 
town  records  prevents  us  from  furnishing  the  action  of  the  early  school 
authorities  or  referring  accurately  to  the  first  apportionment  of  the  ter- 
ritory into  districts.  However,  speaking  of  the  town  at  large,  the  state- 
ment may  be  made  that  in  the  matter  of  schools,  those  of  Cohocton 
have  kept  even  pace  with  others  of  the  county,  and  to-day  there  are  at 
least  two  organized  union  free  schools  within  its  boundaries.  As  now 
disposed  the  town  contains  twelve  districts,  each  having  a  good  school. 
During  the  last  year,  twenty  teachers  were  employed  in  instructing 
the  731  pupils  attending  school.  The  value  of  school  property  is 
estimated  at  $21,095,  a"<^  the  total  assessed  valuation  of  the  district  is 
$994,943.  During  the  same  year  (1894-5)  the  town  received  $2,592  59 
of  public  school  moneys,  and  raised  by  local  tax  the  additional  sum  of 
$5,436.43. 

Corning. — In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1789  Frederick  Calkins  and 
Ephraim  and  Ichabod  Patterson  made  the  first  settlement  in  the  town 
of  Corning.  Frederick  Calkins,  a  Vermonter,  had,  in  the  summer  be- 
fore, made  an  improvement  in  what  is  now  Erwin,  but  soon  learned  that 
he  was  on  Colonel  Erwin's  lands,  consequently  he  left  that  locality  and 


88  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

built  a  new  cabin  opposite  the  Chimney  Narrows,  on  the  south  side  of 
the  Chemung.  Thus  was  made  the  pioneer  settlement  in  the  present 
town  of  Corning,  although  many  years  elapsed  before  this  name  was 
applied  to  the  region. 

The  town  was  originally  a  part  of  one  of  the  provisional  districts  of 
Ontario  county,  and  was  organized  in  1793  under  the  name  of  Painted 
Post.  Three  years  later  Steuben  county  was  created,  the  old  district 
name  was  retained,  and  its  territory  included  all  that  is  now  Hornby, 
Campbell,  Erwin,  Corning,  Caton  and  Lindley.  By  reason  of  important 
early  events  the  present  central  portion  of  the  township  of  Corning  was 
a  locality  of  much  note,  although  no  hamlet  worthy  the  name  was  built 
up  until  nearly  half  a  century  afterward.  The  important  events  alluded 
to  were  in  the  nature  of  land  operations  and  had  a  direct  bearing  on  the 
early  history  of  the  town. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  1790  an  association  was  formed  for  the  pur- 
pose of  purchasing  from  the  Phelps  and  Gorham  proprietary  a  large 
tract  of  land  in  this  part  of  Ontario  county.  The  members  comprised 
Frederick  Calkins,  Caleb  Gardner,  Ephraim  Patterson,  Justus  Wolcott, 
Peleg  Gorton  and  Silas  Wood,  and  their  purchase,  substantially,  was 
the  present  town  of  Corning,  or  township  2,  of  range  i.  All  of  these 
purchasers,  except  Mr.  Wood,  settled  on  the  land  and  began  improve- 
ments as  early  as  the  year  1792.  However,  there  appears  to  have  been 
some  dissatisfaction  in  the  company,  growing  out  of  what  was  said  to 
be  an  unequal  division  of  the  land,  and  on  the  15th  of  March,  1792,  a 
number  of  the  members,  with  others  who  purchased  from  the  company, 
reconveyed  to  Mr.  Phelps  10,040  acres  of  land  ;  and  on  April  4,  fol- 
lowing Peleg  Gorton  likewise  deeded  to  Mr.  Phelps  2,000  acres  of  land 
in  the  town. 

During  their  brief  ownership,  the  proprietors  caused  a  survey  of  the 
town  to  be  made,  after  which  the  apportionment  was  effected,  and  when 
the  feeling  of  disaffection  arose  the  matter  was  referred  for  settlement 
to  William  Jenkins,  Eleazer  Lindley  and  John  Hendy.  The  adjustment 
made  by  these  arbiters  proved  satisfactory  to  the  interested  owners,  and 
thereafter  the  question  of  land  titles  in  Corning  was  permanently  settled. 
Then  improvements  began,  one  of  the  first  and  most  needed  of  which 
was  the  erection  of  a  grist  mill  on  Post  Creek,  near  Ephraim  Patterson's 


DWIGHT  A.  FULLER. 


THE  CIVTL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  89 

house,  by  Colonel  Henderson  and  Mr.  Payne.  Two  years  later,  1795, 
Benjamin  Eaton  opened  a  store  on  the  highway  between  Corning  and 
Knoxville.  Tlie  next  year  Charles  Williamson,  ever  alert  in  the  inter- 
est of  his  estates,  purchased  a  tract  of  land  on  the  north  side  of  the 
Chemung  and  began  the  erection  of  a  large  and  well-appointed  public 
house,  one  which  in  appearance  and  size  far  outstripped  any  then  in  the 
Genesee  country  ;  and  one  which  has  withstood  the  ravages  of  time  for 
almost  a  century.  This  hostelry  was  long  known  as  the  "Jennings 
Tavern,"  John  Jennings  having  been  its  owner  and  proprietor  from  18 13 
to  1834,  but  the  original  landlord  was  Benjamin  Patterson,  the  famous 
hunter  and  guide  of  the  region  in  after  years.  Patterson  came  to  the 
house  in  June,  1797,  and  on  his  arrival  found  these  residents  in  the 
vicinity:  David  Fuller,  Stephen  Ross,  Eli  and  Eldad  Mead,  George 
McCuUough,  Howell  Bull,  afterward  prominent  in  Bath  history;  Benjamin 
Eaton,  Mrs.  Nehemiah  Hubbell,  widow  of  Ichabod  Patterson  ;  Jared 
Irwin,  Jonathan  and  Jeduthan  Rowley,  Abraham  and  Dr.  Phineas  Brad- 
ley, Eliakim  Jones,  Enos  Calkins,  Frederick  Calkins,  and  the  Grotons, 
Wolcotts,  Rowleys,  the  latter  three  living  farther  east.  Besides  these 
settlers  there  were  in  the  valley  and  elsewhere  James  Turner,  William 
Knox,  Hezekiah  Thurber,  Samuel  Shannon,  David  Hayden,  Joseph 
Grant,  Jonathan    Cook  and  David  Trowbridge. 

Knoxville  (now  part  of  the  city),  says  a  cotemporary  writer,  "  was 
founded  and  named  after  Hon.  John  Knox,  who  came  to  the  place 
about  1795.  He  led  a  distinguished  and  active  life,  reflecting  the  high- 
est honor  upon  the  community  in  which  he  lived.  His  residence,  in 
which  he  kept  public  house,  was  located  on  the  second  lot  below  the 
Methodist  church  (1876)  in  Knoxville.  It  was  in  this  house  that  the 
original  Painted  Post  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  occupied 
rooms,  and  where  it  flourished  till  1827." 

Ansel  McCall  moved  into  the  town  in  1804,  and  in  the  next  year 
erected  both  saw  and  grist  mills,  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  near  and 
below  the  canal  dam. 

Centerville,  according  to  the  same  authority  as  noted  above,  formed 
part  of  the  large  farm  of  Judge  Thomas  McBurney,  who,  in  1824  or  '25, 
laid  out  village  lots,  and  also  set  up  a  high  post  which  he  claimed  to  be 
on  the  site  of  the  original  Painted  Post,      Hon.  Philo  P.  Hubbell  kept  a 


90  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

large  hotel,  while  other  early  business  men  were  Fidelis  Ferenbaugh, 
saddler  and  harnessmaker ;  Z.  F.  Wilder,  blacksmith  ;  John  Arnot  and 
H.  H.  Matthews,  storekeepers  ;  Charles  L.  Mills  and  Charles  E.  Osborne 
were  also  prominent  business  men  of  the  place.  At  Centerville  Judge 
Thomas  A.  Johnson  began  his  legal  career,  and  Ansel  J.  McCall,  now 
of  Bath,  taught  the  first  school.  The  old  "  Mallory  House"  was  built 
about  1824.  and  in  one  of  its  wings  the  "Bank  of  Corning"  began 
business  in  1839.  The  act  authorizing  the  construction  of  the  Chemung 
Canal  was  passed  April  15,  1829,  and  the  work  of  building  was  finished 
in  1833.  ^^  State  dam  was  built  across  the  river  at  the  lower  end  of 
the  village,  and  a  "  feeder  "  was  constructed  to  Horseheads,  a  distance 
of  fifteen  miles. 

Thus  have  we  briefly  narrated  the  events  by  which  this  town  was 
brought  into  existence  and  subsequently  developed  and  built  up,  until 
it  became  in  all  respects  the  most  progressive  and  firmly  established 
town  in  Steuben  county  ;  not,  perhaps,  the  most  populous,  but  one 
which  from  every  point  of  view  may  justly  lay  claim  to  the  title  of 
metropolis  of  the  shire.  In  general  fertility  of  soil,  natural  advantages, 
thrift,  enterprise  and  general  progressiveness,  the  town  of  Corning,  in- 
cluding of  course  the  chartered  city  within  its  limits,  is  one  of  the  best 
civil  divisions  in  this  part  of  the  State. 

However,  retrospecting  briefly,  let  us  note  some  of  the  changes  in 
the  original  territory  of  the  town  called  Painted  Post.  The  first  reduc- 
tion in  area  was  made  in  1826,  when  Erwin  and  Hornby  (including 
Campbell  and  Lindly)  were  set  off,  after  which  the  town  contained  but 
two  townships,  numbers  i  and  2,  range  i,  or,  as  now  constituted,  Corn- 
ing and  Caton.  The  latter  was  separated  from  the  mother  town  in  1839, 
leaving  to  Painted  Post  a  single  township,  number  2,  range  i.  The  old 
name  was  continued  until  March  31,  1852,  and  then  changed  to  Corn- 
ing, in  honorable  allusion  to  the  enterprise  of  the  "  Corning  Company," 
the  acknowledged  leader  in  which  was  Erastus  Corning,  of  Albany,  N. 
Y.  This  subject,  however,  will  be  more  fully  treated  in  the  history  of 
the  city  of  Corning. 

Reduced  to  its  present  area,  Corning  contains  (inclusive  of  the  city) 
24,200  acres  of  land  ;  and  land  which  agriculturists  regard  as  rich  and 
fertile  as  can  be  found  in  all  Steuben  county.      Noting  its  physical  char- 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  TEE  COUNTY.  91 

acteristics,  the  wide  valley  of  the  Chemung,  extending  northwest  and 
southeast  through  the  center  of  the  town,  together  with  several  lateral 
valleys,  divide  the  uplands  into  rounded  hills  and  narrow  ridges.  Its 
principal  stream  is  the  Chemung  River,  tributaries  of  which  are  Borden, 
Post,  Narrows,  Clump  Foot  and  Winfield  Creeks,  as  known  a  quarter 
of  a  century  and  more  ago.  The  soil  on  the  hills  is  a  heavy,  slaty 
loam,  and  in  the  valleys  a  fine  quality  of  sandy  and  gravelly  loam,  occa- 
sionally intermixed  with  clay.  These  elements  are  desirable  for  suc- 
cessful agricultural  pursuits,  and  in  response  to  the  proper  efforts  of  the 
husbandman  yield  abundantly  in  general  crops,  and  as  well  in  vegeta- 
bles and  tobacco.  The  assessed  valuation  of  the  town,  in  real  and  per- 
sonal property,  is  $761,760;   in  real,  $719,260,  and    personal,    $42,500. 

One  of  the  most  noticeable  incidents  of  local  history  in  Corning  has 
been  the  constant  and  healthful  increase  in  number  of  inhabitants  in  the 
town.  In  proof  of  this  we  may  have  recourse  to  the  census  tables,  by 
which  we  learn  that  in  1800  the  sparsely  settled  town  of  Painted  Post 
had  a  population  of  262,  and  during  the  next  ten  years  the  number  had 
increased  to  950.  The  census  of  1820  gave  Corning  2,088  inhabitants, 
but  the  reductions  in  territory  which  were  made  in  1826  also  took 
many  inhabitants,  and  the  consequence  was  that  in  1830  the  town  had 
974  population.  However,  during  the  succeeding  ten  years  the  num- 
ber was  increased  to  1,674,  while  the  census  of  1850  showed  the  popu- 
lation to  be  4,372.  In  i860  it  was  6,003,  in  1870  was  6,502,  in  1880 
was  7,402,  and  in  1890,  was  10,188.  The  city  of  Corning  was  created 
by  act  of  the  Legislature  in  1890,  and,  according  to  the  count  of  1892, 
had  a  population  of  10,025.  In  the  same  year  the  town  had  1,838  in- 
habitants. 

As  we  have  noted,  the  town  was  organized  under  the  name  of  Painted 
Post,  in  the  year  1793,  then  comprising  one  of  the  districts  or  towns  of 
Ontario  county.  When  Steuben  county  was  erected,  in  1796,  and  its 
towns  formed.  Painted  Post  was  continued  though  somewhat  reduced 
in  area.  In  1826  still  other  and  greater  portions  of  territory  were 
taken  in  forming  other  towns.  Previous  to  this  time  officers  had  been 
regularly  elected  and  were  chosen  from  the  township  at  large.  A  com- 
plete succession  of  these  early  officers,  or  at  least  the  supervisors,  would 
be  desirable,  but  it  is  impossible  owing  to  the  absence  of  reliable  records. 


92  "LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

However,  having  recourse  to  published  documents,  and  relying  some- 
what upon  verified  recollections,  we  are  able  to  furnish  a  reasonably- 
accurate  list  of  supervisors  from  the  year  1823,  as  follows  ; 

Thomas  McBurney,  1823-24;  John  Knox,  1825;  Thomas  McBur- 
ney,  1826-27;  John  Knox,  1828-29;  Henry  H.  Matthews,  1830-32; 
Daniel  Gorton,  1833-34;  William  Bonham  ;  1835;  Samuel  K.  Wol- 
cott,  1836;  John  McBurney,  1837-38;  Henry  H.  Matthews,  1839; 
Thomas  A.  Johnson,  1840-41  ;  John  McBurney,  1842-43  ;  John  Sly, 
jr.,  1844;  Thomas  A.  Johnson,  1845-46;  H.  B.  Noyes,  1847;  Jona- 
than Brown,  1848;  Benjamin  P.  Bailey,  1849-50;  Daniel  B.  Cump- 
ston,  1851;  William  Irvin,  1852;  Simeon  Hammond,  1853  ;  John  May- 
nard,  1854;  Charles  Packer,  1855  ;  Benjamin  P.  Bailey,  1856;  Stephen 
T.  Hayt,  1857;  Charles  C.  B.  Walker,  1858;  Stephen  T.  Hayt,  1859- 
63;  Nelson  Cowan,  1864-66;  Henry  Gofif,  1867-68;  John  Vischer, 
1869;  Austin  Lathrop.jr.,  1870-77;  Nelson  Cowan,  1878;  S.  C.  Robert- 
son, 1879-80;  L.  C.  Kingsbury,  1881-83;  Stephen  T.  Hayt,  1884;  L. 
C.  Kingsbury,  1885  ;  H.  C.  Heermans,  1886-87  ;  L.  C.  Kingsbury,  1888  ; 
B.  W.  WeUington,  1889;  James  L.  Packer,  1890-92  ;  R.  F.  Clark,  1893  ; 
Myron  W.  Robbins,  1894-95. 

The  town  offiers  for  the  years  1895  ^^^  ^s  follows  :  Myron  W.  Robbins, 
supervisor  ;  Frank  H.  Johnson,  town  clerk  ;  Egbert  Shoemaker,  W.  H. 
Sweetland,  H.  W.  Van  Etten,  and  Wm.  Gofif,  justices  of  the  peace; 
Henry  Teak,  commissioner  of  highways;  P.  A.  Rouse,  Peter  Coven- 
hoven,  and  G.  W.  Barnard,  assessors  ;  J.  W.  Calkins,  overseer  of  the 
poor. 

About  the  time  the  town  of  Painted  Post  was  divided  (in  1826)  the  in- 
habitants of  the  county  were  much  disturbed  on  account  of  the  feeling  of 
unrest  and  dissatisfaction  occasioned  by  the  attitude  of  the  Pulteney  As- 
sociation in  the  land  controversy  just  beginning.  However,  in  this  par- 
ticular locality  little  of  the  prevailing  distress  was  felt,  for  the  lands  of 
Painted  Post  generally  were  very  desirable  and  much  sought.  Still,  act- 
ing in  common  with  the  entire  region,  this  town  assembled  in  meeting 
and  selected  representatives  to  the  historic  Bath  convention,  as  follows : 
Robert  H.  Hoyt,  Joseph  Gillett,  Charles  Wolcott,  jr.,  William  Webster 
and  Henry  D.  Smith. 

From   this  time  (about  1830)  forth  no   disturbing    event    occurred   to 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  93 

mar  the  harmony  of  local  growth  and  progress.  Soon  after  the  settle- 
ment of  the  controversy  the  Corning  Company  was  organized  and  laid 
the  foundation  for  what  is  now  a  flourishing  city,  and  on  every  hand 
were  evidences  of  prosperity.  All  interests  were  enlarged,  railroads, 
one  following  another,  were  constructed  through  the  town  and  Corning 
became  indeed  an  important  community  in  the  southern  part  of  New 
York. 

The  next  period  of  importance  in  local  and  general  history  was  that 
commonly  mentioned  as  the  war  of  1861-65,  during  which  the  martial 
spirit  of  this  town  was  put  to  the  test  and  not  found  wanting.  A  reference 
to  the  military  roster  of  the  town  discloses  the  fact  that  Corning,  town  and 
village,  furnished  for  the  service  a  total  of  324  men,  who  were  scattered 
through  the  several  regiments  raised  in  southern  New  York.  During 
the  war  the  village  was  an  important  seat  of  operations  and  its  close 
proximity  to  Elmira  gave  an  additional  interest  to  rapidly  occurring 
events.  In  another  chapter  particular  reference  is  made  to  the  several 
companies  recruited  in  the  town  and  to  their  service  at  the  front. 

Record  and  tradition  alike  are  almost  silent  regarding  the  early 
schools  in  this  important  town,  and  the  unfortunate  loss  of  town  books 
leaves  us  quite  in  the  dark  as  to  the  time  when  the  town  was  first  ap- 
portioned into  school  districts.  Yet  we  know  that  the  pioneers  were 
not  neglectful  of  the  educational  welfare  of  their  youth,  for  as  early  as 
the  year  1793  Samuel  Colgrove  opened  a  school  in  the  town.  In  later 
years,  as  the  town  was  divided  and  other  jurisdictions  created,  it  became 
necessary  to  as  frequently  redistrict  the  remaining  portions  of  Painted 
Post,  or  Corning,  and  when  the  village  assumed  proportions  of  impor- 
tance excellent  academic  institutions  were  established.  These  naturally 
drew  attendance  from  the  town  at  large,  a  condition  of  things  which  ex- 
ists even  to  the  present  time,  for  the  superior  excellence  of  Coming's 
schools  is  known  throughout  the  southern  tier. 

As  at  present  disposed,  the  town  is  divided  into  sixteen  districts,  and 
during  the  last  school  year  2,428  pupils  attended  school  in  both  town 
and  city.  The  value  of  school  buildings  and  property  is  estimated  at 
$108,230,  and  the  assessed  valuation  of  the  town  and  city  is  $4,200,445. 
Forty-eight  teachers  are  employed  annually.  The  joint  town  and  city 
received    public    moneys  to  the    amount  of  $7,981.06,  while  there  was 


94  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

raised  by  local  tax  the  additional  sum  of  $24,143.24  Eleven  trees 
were  planted  in  1894. 

Dansville — Originally,  this  town  composed  all  the  territory  that 
is  now  Dansville,  Fremont,  Wayland  and  portions  of  Howard  and  Co- 
hocton.  It  was  one  of  the  original  towns  of  the  county,  formed  in  March, 
1796,  and  was  named  from  Daniel  P.  Faulkner,  an  early  and  spirited 
citizen  familiarly  known  as  Captain  Dan.  Parts  of  Cohocton  and  How- 
ard were  taken  off  in  18 12,  a  part  of  Wayland  in  1848,  and  of  Fremont 
in  1854.  A  portion  was  also  annexed  to  Sparta  in  1822,  and  a  part  of 
Cohocton  was  re-annexed  April  26,  1834.  Reduced  to  its  present 
limits,  Dansville  contains  30,000  acres  of  land.  The  surface  is  chiefly 
upland  divided  into  ridges  by  the  narrow  valleys  of  small  streams. 
The  declivities  of  the  hills  are  steep  and  their  summits  are  300  to  400 
feet  above  the  valleys.  The  streams  are  the  head  branches  of  Canas- 
eraga  Creek,  flowing  north,  and  of  Canisteo  River,  flowing  south.  The 
soil  is  a  sandy  and  gravelly  loam  in  the  east  and  north,  and  gravel 
underlaid  by  hardpan  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town. 

Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  early  settlement  of  this  town  was 
much  delayed  by  reason  of  the  uninviting  character  of  the  land,  it  ap- 
pears that  when  once  begun  the  population  increased  rapidly,  and  in 
1810  there  were  666  inhabitants  in  the  district.  There  seems  also  to 
have  been  made  a  mistake  regarding  the  fertility  of  the  land  in  this 
region  as  later  years  and  persistent  effort  developed  the  fact  that  Dans- 
ville possessed  natural  resources  almost  equal  to  any  portion  of  the 
county.  To-day,  as  a  potato  producing  section  it  leads  all  others  in 
this  part  of  the  State ;  and  William  C.  Healey  is  one  of  the  most  ex- 
tensive farmers  and  growers. 

In  proof  of  this  statement  we  may  quote  from  the  words  of  a  writer 
of  local  history  in  1812,  as  follows:  "This  is  an  excellent  tract  of  land, 
well  and  variously  timbered,  and  the  soil  is  various  though  commonly 
good  for  a  rich  farming  country.  There  is  a  large  marsh  in  the  west 
part,  and  Loon  Pond,  near  the  center,  is  about  one  mile  broad.  There 
are  three  grain  mills,  four  or  five  saw  mills,  an  oil  mill,  paper  mill,  full- 
ing mill,  and  a  carding  machine."  Speaking  of  the  locality  of  Dans- 
ville village,  the  same  writer  says:  "The  valley  embracing  this  settle- 
ment contains  3,000  acres  of  choice  lands  and  the  soil  is  warm  and  pro- 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  95 

ductive.  There  is  a  road  from  Bath  to  Dansville  that  leads  diagonally 
across  the  center  of  this  town,  and  another  between  Dansville  and  On- 
tario county  leads  across  the  northern  part."  At  about  this  time  there 
were  lOO  taxable  inhabitants  in  the  town. 

The  pioneers  of  Dansville  were  Isaac  Sterling  and  Samuel  Gilson 
(some  authorities  say  Gibson)  who  made  a  settlement  about  a  half  mile 
east  of  Burn's  Station  in  the  year  1804.  These  settlers  were  followed 
very  soon  afterward  by  James,  John  and  Major  Jones,  Frederick  Fry, 
William  Young,  Thomas  and  Nathaniel  Brayton,  Tisdale  Haskin, 
Thomas  and  John  Root,  Joshua  Healey,  Charles  Oliver,  Joseph  Phelps, 
Elisha  Robinson,  William  C.  Rogers,  Jesse  Bridge,  Josiah  Pond,  Joseph 
Cobb,  Martin  Smith,  Newman  Bell,  Putnam  RJch,  better  known  as  Put. 
Rich,  Judge  David  Demeree,  Jehial,  Gross  and  James  Gates,  Arad ' 
Sheldon,  Silas  Brookins,  Isaiah  Goodno  and  Venare  Cook.  The  settlers 
were  principally  Vermonters  from  Addison  and  Rutland  counties,  from 
the  old  towns  of  Pittsford,  Benson,  Orwell,  Shoreham,  and  Salisbury. 
They  were  descendants  of  Green  Mountain  stock  and  left  their  homes 
in  that  rich  locality  for  an  uncertain  future  in  an  undeveloped  country. 
However,  as  Vermonters,  they  were  men  of  great  determination  and  by 
their  efforts  early  succeeded  in  placing  Dansville  among  the  first  towns 
in  Steuben  county. 

As  early  as  1806  pioneer  Isaac  Sterling  opened  a  public  house  on 
the  old  Arkport  and  Dansville  road,  and  as  this  was  a  much  traveled 
highway  it  is  said  that  within  a  very  few  years  there  was  a  tavern  at 
every  mile  on  the  road,  and  the  woods  were  alive  with  noisy  oxteamsters 
who  hauled  staves  to  Arkport,  from  which  point  they  were  boated  down 
the  Canisteo  to  market.  Indeed  settlement  must  have  been  rapid  for 
in  181 1  James  Jones  opened  a  school  not  far  from  Doty's  Corners. 
Rufus  Fuller  built  a  saw  mill  in  18 16,  and  four  years  later  built  a  grist- 
mill and  another  saw  mill,  taking  the  stones  from  Oak  Hill.  The  grist 
mill  was  carried  away  by  high  water  about  1823.  The  settlement  by 
the  Vermont  colony  was  begun  in  18 15  and  continued  for  the  next 
five  years  at  which  latter  time  pioneership  ceased,  as  the  population  in 
1820  was  1,565. 

However,  among  the  other  pioneers  and  early  settlers  we  may  men- 
tion  the   names  of  Osgood   Carleton,    18 15,  Jesse   Churchill,   tavern- 


96  LANDMARKS  OP  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

keeper  in  i8i6,  Timothy  Atwood,  surveyor  and  school  teacher,  William 
S.  Lemen,  whose  son  James  P.,  born  March,  i8i6,  was  the  first  white 
child  born  in  the  town.  Chauncey  Day  settled  in  1816.  The  locality 
known  as  Sandy  Hill  was  settled  principally  by  Germans,  among  whom 
Alexander  Leib,  John  Hayt,  Alexander  Green  and  Jacob  Kurtz,  sen. 
and  jr.,  were  the  first  comers.  The  patriarch  of  this  locality  was  John 
Brail,  whom  every  one  knew  as  "  Grandpap  Brail."  He  came  to  Dans- 
ville  in  18 17.  Among  the  early  German  families  in  this  locality  were 
the  surnames  of  Bolinger,  Rider,  Kersh  and  Schu.  On  Oak  Hill  a  set- 
tlement was  made  in  1816-17  by  Moses  Hulbert,  Joshua  Williams, 
Daniel,  George  and  Hubbard  Griswold,  William  C.  Rogers,  Thomas 
Buck,  George  Butler  and  Joshua  Woodward.  One  of  the  first  mar- 
riages in  the  town,  June  16,  1818,  was  that  of  Cyril  Buck  and  Philena 
Hall.  Dr.  Thomas  M.  Bowen  settled  east  of  Beachville  in  18 19  and 
was  an  early  postmaster  at  South  Dansville.  Eli  Carrington,  Timothy, 
Nathaniel  and  Meyer  Wallace,  Vermonters,  joined  the  settlement  in 
1820.  Here  Arad  Sheldon  opened  a  tavern,  and  the  place  soon  became 
a  business  center.  It  was  named  Beachville,  after  Aaron,  Robert  and 
John  Beach,  brothers,  who  were  prominent  tavern  and  store  keepers. 

With  settlement  thus  rapidly  accomplished,  Dansville  early  became 
an  important  division  of  the  county.  Its  greatest  population  was  at- 
tained in  1840,  the  inhabitants  then  numbering  2,725.  However,  by 
subsequent  reductions  in  its  territory,  and  the  natural  decline  in  popu- 
lation and  interest  noticeable  in  nearly  all  purely  agricultural  towns, 
Dansville  has  a  population,  according  to  the  enumeration  of  1892,  of 
only  1,544- 

The  organization  of  Dansville  was  effected  on  April  4,  1797,  at  which 
time  the  town  contained  its  original  area,  and  before  any  reductions  to 
its  territory  had  been  made.  At  that  time  the  population  could  not 
have  numbered  more  than  200  inhabitants.  The  meeting  was  held  in 
the  village  of  Dansville  at  the  house  of  Samuel  Faulkner,  at  which  time 
James  Faulkner  and  Isaac  Van  Deventerwere  elected  overseers  of  high- 
ways, and  David  Fuller,  collector.  The  first  records  of  the  town  are 
somewhat  obscure  and  imperfect,  yet  we  know  that  in  1799  Daniel  P. 
Faulkner  was  elected  supervisor,  James  Hooker,  town  clerk,  and  Alex- 
ander Fullerton,  William  Porter  and  John  Phoenix,  assessors.      The  first 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  97 

justices,  who  of  course  at  the  time  were  appointed,  were  Isaac  Van  De- 
venter,  1807,  Jonas  Cleland,  1809,  Stephen  Haight,  18 10,  and  John 
Metcalfe,  181 1. 

The  town  officers  for  the  year  1895  are  as  follows:  Lorenzo  Hul- 
bert,  supervisor ;  C.  C.  Wood,  town  clerk ;  L.  K.  Robinson,  D.  G. 
Haynes,  Philip  Webb  and  C.  Byron  Wallace,  justices  of  the  peace  ;  D. 
H.  Griswold,  Alexander  Smart  and  Wendell  Gessner,  assessors  ;  Valen- 
tine Weber,  collector;  Daniel  Eveland,  highway  commissioner  ;  John  C. 
Grobe,  overseer  of  the  poor;  John  Haight,  Peter  Schubmehl  and  Charles 
O    Currey,  excise  commissioners. 

The  supervisors  of  Dansville,  in  succession,  have  been  as  follows: 
Daniel  P.  Faulkner,  1799;  Alexander  Fullerton,  1799,  to  fill  vacancy; 
Jacob  Van  Deventer,  1800;  Amariah  Hammond,  1800,  to  fill  vacancy  ; 
Samuel  Faulkner,  1801  ;  Amariah  Hammond,  1802-06  ;  Richard  W. 
Porter,  1807-08  ;  Jared  Irwin,  1808,  to  fill  vacancy;  Samuel  Cuthbert- 
son,  1809;  Jared  Irwin,  1810;  Jonathan  Rowley,  181 1-12  ;  Wm.  B. 
Rochester,  1813;  Thomas  McWh?rton,  1813-15;  James  Faulkner, 
1816-18  ;  Joshua  Healey,  1819  and  182  1-26 ;  James  Faulkner,  1820; 
Charles  Oliver,  1827-32;  Nathaniel  Brayton,  1833;  Aaron  W.  Beach, 
1834-36;  Joel  Carrington,  1837-39  ;  Timothy  WaMace,  1840-42;  Joshua 
Healey,  1843  i  Charles  Oliver,  1844  and  1847-48  ;  Leeds  Allen,  1845- 
46;  Joel  Carrington,  1849-50,  and  1854;  Luther  White,  1851-53; 
Wm.  W.  Healey,  1855,  '58  and  '60  ;  EH  Carrington,  1856-57  ;  Wm.  A. 
Woodard,  1859;  Chas.  S.  Ackley,  1861-62;  Wm.  W.  Healey,  1863; 
Dyer  L.  Kingsley,  1864-68  ;  Benj  F.  Kershner,  1869  ;  Warren  Wallace, 
1870-71;  Fred.  M.  Kreidler,  1872;  Morgan  H.Carney,  1873-74; 
Lewellyn  S.  Healey,  1875-76  ;  Chas  Oliver,  1877-80  ;  D.  Campbell, 
1881  ;  J.  McWoolever,  1882-83;  Morgan  L.  Miller,  1884;  Peter  S. 
Pealer,  1885-86;  C.  M.  Ackley,  1887-89;  C.  S.  Kreidler.  1890-91; 
Lorenzo  Hurlburt,  1892  ;  Ira  G.  Day,  1893  ;  Lorenzo  Hurlburt,  1894-95. 

From  first  to  last,  the  social  and  industrial  history  of  Dansville  has 
been  rich  and  interesting,  although  during  the  last  thirty  years  there 
has  been  witnessed  a  gradual  decline  in  population  in  the  town.  The 
first  important  event  in  local  annals  was  the  anti-rent  conflict,  in  which 
the  people  felt  a  deep  anxiety,  for  their  interests  were  greatly  affected 
by  the  distress  prevailing  at  th;it  time   throughout   the   region.      In  the 


98  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

measures  for  relief  the  leading  men  were  actively  engaged,  and  in  the 
Bath  convention  of  January,  1830,  the  town  was  represented  by  Thomas 
M.  Brown,  Peter  Covert,  Annis  Newcomb,  Leeds  Allen  and  Martin 
Smith.  However,  this  disturbing  period  had  hardly  passed  before  there 
was  visited  upon  the  people  here  the  dreadful  cholera  scourge  of  1834, 
as  a  result  of  which  many  persons  in  the  town  met  premature  death. 
Nothing  further  of  a  serious  nature  took  place  to  disturb  the  serenity  of 
town  affairs  and  progress  until  the  outbreak  of  the  war  of  1 861-5,  dur- 
ing which  period  the  patriotism  and  loyalty  of  Dansville  were  tested 
and  found  true.  Many  of  the  brave  sons  of  the  town  were  enlisted 
among  the  volunteer  regiments  of  the  county,  and  several  still  sleep  in 
southern  graves. 

Due  care  and  attention  have  also  been  given  to  the  spiritual  and  edu- 
cational welfare  of  the  youth  of  the  town,  and  during  the  period  of  its 
history  no  less  than  five  church  societies  have  been  organized  and  edi- 
fices provided  for  religious  worship.  In  181 1  James  Jones  opened  a 
primitive  school  in  the  town,  although  several  years  passed  before  dis- 
tricts were  formed  and  schools  provided  for  each.  However,  at  a  much 
later  period,  two  academic  institutions  were  founded  at  Rogersville,  the 
principal  village  of  the  town,  and  from  that  time  Dansville  occupied  a 
front  rank  among  the  educational  localities  of  the  entire  region.  As  at 
present  disposed,  the  town  is  divided  into  fourteen  districts,  each  of 
which  is  provided  with  a  comfortable  school  house.  During  the  school 
year  1893-4,  fourteen  teachers  were  employed,  and  357  children  were 
in  attendance.  The  value  of  school  property  in  the  town  is  estimated 
at  $6,000.  The  town  received  of  public  moneys,  $1,610.83,  and  raised 
by  tax,  $1,701.94.      Fourteen  trees  were  planted  in  1893. 

Among  the  religious  societies  of  this  town  which  have  passed  out  of 
active  existence,  we  may  mention  the  Evangelical  church,  organized  in 
the  German  settlement  on  Oak  Hill  in  1863,  and  also  the  Catholic 
mission,  established  in  the  same  locality  as  early  as  1834.  A  Baptist 
society  was  also  formed  in  Dansville  about  1820,  but  this,  too,  is  among 
the  things  of  the  past. 

ErwiN. — On  the  27th  day  of  January,  1826,  the  town  of  Painted  Post 
(formed  March  18,  1796,)  was  divided  and  a  portion  of  the  territory  set 
off  was  erected  into  a  new  town  by  the  name  of  Erwin ;  and  so  called  in 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTV.  99 

allusion  to  Col.  Arthur  Erwin,  formerly  of  Bucks  county,  Penn.,  who 
had  been  an  officer  in  the  Revolutionary  army,  and  by  whom  the  town 
was  purchased  from  the  Phelps  and  Gorham  proprietary.  However, 
from  the  original  town  of  Erwin,  Lindley  was  taken  ofifin  1837,  ^"^  ^ 
part  of  Corning  was  re  annexed  in  1856.  As  then  constituted  and  now 
existing,  this  town  contains  23,300  acres  of  land,  of  as  good  quality  for 
general  agricultural  purposes  as  can  be  found  in  Steuben  county. 

The  physical  features  and  natural  characteristics  are  remarkable  and 
quite  different  from  those  of  the  county  at  large.  The  land  surface  is 
nearly  equally  divided  between  high  rolling  uplands  and  the  low  valleys 
of  streams.  The  more  elevated  lands  are  from  400  to  650  feet  above 
the  valleys.  In  the  southern  part  of  the  town  the  waters  of  the  Canisteo 
unite  with  the  Tioga,  and  in  the  northeast  part  the  latter  stream  unites 
with  the  Cohocton  and  forms  the  Chemung  River.  In  all  respects  Er- 
win may  justly  be  regarded  the  best  watered  division  of  this  large 
county.  The  valleys  of  the  streams  vary  in  width  from  one  to  two  miles, 
and  the  soil  is  a  fine  quality  of  alluvium. 

However,  notwithstanding  all  the  various  advantages  of  location,  and 
the  general  fertility  of  soil,  both  on  hills  and  in  the  valleys,  it  is  only 
within  the  last  score  of  years  that  the  forest  growths  have  been  removed, 
and  there  are  still  in  the  town  a  few  desirable  timbered  tracts. 

This  town  contains,  according  to  accredited  authority,  one  of  the  most 
historic  landmarks  of  Steuben  county — the  famous  "  Painted  Post,"  the 
subject  of  rhyme  and  story  ;  and  concerning  which  all  students  of  arche- 
ology and  the  Indianologists  as  well,  were  at  loss  in  satisfactorily  basing 
and  proving  their  theories.  However,  this  subject  is  so  fully  treated  in 
one  of  the  early  chapters  of  the  present  work  that  nothing  more  than  a 
brief  allusion  to  it  is  necessary  at  this  time.  The  town  abounds  in  In- 
dian history  and  traditions,  well  authenticated  in  many  cases,  and  purely 
mythical  in  others,  and  all  have  been  treated  and  frequently  enlarged 
upon  by  past  writers,  wherefore  in  this  narrative  we  propose  to  deal 
only  with  the  civilized  white  settlement,  tracing  briefly  the  interesting 
record  of  growth  and  development  to  the  present  time. 

In  the  summer  of  1789,  Col.  Arthur  Erwin  set  out  from  his  home  in 
Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  accompanied  with  a  good  number  of  help- 
ers,  bound  for  Canandaigua,  the  seat  of  operations  of  the  Phelps  and 


too  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Gorham  proprietary.  This  adventurous  pioneer  came  with  a  determi- 
nation to  locate  in  the  Genesee  country,  and  brought  with  him  a  fair 
drove  of  cattle  to  be  turned  into  cash  or  used  as  stock  on  his  proposed 
purchase.  At  that  time  the  fact  was  well  known  that  Samuel  Harris, 
trapper  and  Indian  trader,  had  a  cabin  within  the  limits  of  the  pres- 
ent village  of  Painted  Post,  and  here  Colonel  Erwin  stopped  to  rest 
his  cattle.  The  location  and  general  outlook  pleased  the  colonel,  and 
he  immediately  resumed  his  journey  to  Canandaigua,  reaching  which 
he  at  once  enquired  if  township  number  two,  range  two,  was  in  the 
market,  and,  if  so,  at  what  price.  Phelps  charged  and  Erwin  paid  the 
gross  sum  of  iJ"  1,400  New  York  money,  for  the  township,  turning  his 
cattle  in  part  payment  and  cash  for  the  balance  and  thus  became  the 
owner  of  the  town  afterwards  named  for  him,  the  subject  of  this 
chapter. 

Three  years  previous  to  this  event,  or  in  1786,  Samuel  Harris  built  a 
cabin  on  the  village  site,  and  employed  himself  in  trapping,  curing  and 
dealing  in  furs,  and  trading  among  the  Indian  occupants  of  the  region. 
He  was  not  in  any  sense  a  pioneer  and  made  no  attempt  at  clearing  or 
improving  the  land.  According  to  Judge  MclMaster,  the  Harris  cabin 
was  subsequently  burned.  In  1789  this  pioneer  adventurer  moved  to 
a  point  near  the  foot  of  Cayuga  Lake.  Augustus  Porter,  surveyor  for 
Phelps  and  Gorham,  made  the  Harris  cabin  his  headquarters  while  lay- 
ing out  the  townships  in  this  part  of  Ontario  county. 

The  settlement  in  fact  of  the  town  began  in  1788,  for  account  of 
which  we  have  recour>^,e  to  a  previously  published  narrative,  as  follows  : 
In  1788  came  Eli  Mead  and  George  Goodhue  and  their  families.  In 
1789  came  David  Fuller  and  family  ;  in  1790,  Bradford  Edgeton,  Will- 
iam Hincher.  James  Shaw,  with  their  families,  and  David  Cook,  whose 
family  came  in  1792.  Col.  Arthur  Erwin,  the  owner  of  the  township, 
came  in  the  very  early  spring  of  1791  with  the  intention  of  making  it 
his  permanent  home.  On  his  return  to  Bucks  county  for  his  family,  he 
had  reached  his  possessions  then  in  Luzerne  county,  and  while  sitting 
in  the  house  of  his  tenant,  Daniel  McDuffe,  he  was  assassinated  by  a 
squatter,  who  immediately  made  his  escape  on  a  stolen  horse.  In  1791 
came  John  Wyman  and  family,  Capt.  Samuel  Erwin,  then  unmarried, 
and  Major  Arthur  Erwin,  both  sons  of  Colonel  Erwin.     In  1793  Eldad 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  101 

Mead  became  a  settler,  and  in  the  following  year  John  Mulhollen  and 
several  others  were  added  to  the  settlement  along  the  rivers.  The  year 
1796  witnessed  the  arrival  of  Hugh  Erwin,  another  son  of  Colonel 
Erwin,  while  among  the  settlers  of  1797  were  Joseph  Grant,  Jacob 
Turner,  Homer  and  Asher  Lane  and  John  Kemp,  nearly  all  of  whom 
brought  families. 

Among  the  other  early  settlers  in  our  town  were  Benjamin  Patterson, 
famed  throughout  the  region  for  his  hunting  proclivities,  and  as  well  for 
his  generous  hospitality  as  a  tavern-keeper ;  and  as  a  story  teller  and 
general  entertainer  he  was  without  a  peer  in  the  town.  Prominent  also 
among  the  pioneers  were  John  E.  Evans,  who  taught  the  first  school  in 
the  town,  and  was  at  one  time  postmaster,  also  George  Young  and 
Edward  Cooper,  all  of  whom  were  identified  with  the  town  in  its  early 
history. 

Referring  briefly  to  some  of  the  first  events  of  local  history,  it  may 
be  stated  that  Samuel  Erwin  built  the  first  saw  mill,  in  1820,  and  the 
the  first  grist  mill  in  1823,  while  David  Fuller  opened  the  first  public 
house  in  1792.  John  E.  Evans  began  teaching  school  in  18 12,  and 
among  his  pupils  were  Robert  and  John  Patterson,  Gen.  F.  E.  Erwin, 
Gen.  William  D.  Knox,  John  Erwin,  Col.  F.  E.  Young,  Thomas  Wheat, 
Arthur  H.  Erwin,  John  McBurney,  Samuel  Shannon,  Philander  Knox 
and  others,  each  of  whom  occupied  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility 
in  after  years. 

The  war  of  1812-15  was  an  important  period  in  local  history,  and  one 
not  without  interest  to  the  people  of  the  town.  Among  those  drafted 
for  service  were  Abner  Trowbridge,  Edmund  C.  Cooper,  James  Gillen 
and  Thomas  Wheat.  Joseph  Gillett  held  a  lieutenant's  commission,  and 
was  wounded  in  battle.  Judge  Thomas  McBurney  was  another  com- 
missioned officer.  Edmund  C.  Cooper  sent  a  substitute  in  his  place. 
Daniel  MullhoUen  enlisted  twice,  and  finally  lost  an  arm   in  the  service. 

The  town  of  Erwin,  having  within  its  boundaries  parts  of  four  con- 
siderable rivers,  has  several  times  been  subjected  to  serious  inundation, 
and  some  of  these  occasions  have  passed  into  history  as  notable  events, 
hence  worthy  of  at  least  passing  mention.  In  the  fall  of  the  year  18 17 
there  came  what  has  ever  been  known  as  the  "pumpkin"  flood,  by 
which  crops,  cattle  and  many  buildings  were  swept  away.      In  1833  the 


102  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

waters  of  both  Conhocton  and  Tioga  were  swollen  to  an  unusual  de- 
gree, and  some  damage  and  still  more  excitement  was  the  result.  Next 
came  the  great  flood  of  1857,  which  also  proved  disastrous,  and  finally 
that  of  St.  Patrick's  day,  1865. 

The  interest  of  Colonel  Erwin  in  this  town  was  an  entire  one,  and 
had  that  worthy  pioneer  lived  to  witness  the  execution  of  his  plans  here 
indeed  would  undoubtedly  have  been  a  municipality  of  considerable 
commercial  importance;  but  his  unfortunate  and  untimely  taking  off" 
unsettled  all  plans  for  the  future  of  the  town,  although  his  sons  showed 
commendable  ability  and  zeal  in  settling  the  affairs  of  the  estate  and 
holding  intact  its  value.  After  Colonel  Erwin's  death  the  property  was 
divided  among  his  ten  children,  of  whom  Samuel,  Francis,  Arthur, 
Rebecca  and  Mrs.  MulhoUen  became  residents  of  the  town.  The  estate 
was  divided  by  a  commission  comprising  John  Konkle,  Eleazer  Lud- 
ley  and  Henry  McCormick. 

In  this  narrative  thus  far  progressed  we  have  generally  alluded  to  the 
town  under  its  present  name — Erwin — although  as  a  matter  of  fact  the 
territory  remained  a  part  of  Painted  Post  until  1826.  After  being  set 
off",  the  first  town  meeting  was  held  March  7,  of  the  year  mentioned, 
at  the  dwelling  of  Daniel  Rooks,  jr.  Ethan  Pier  presided  on  this  occa- 
sion and  Capt.  Samuel  Erwin  was  elected  supervisor,  and  John  E.  Evans, 
town  clerk.  From  that  time  it  is  interesting  to  note  the  succession  of 
supervisors,  the  principal  town  office,  viz.: 

Samuel  Erwin,  1826-29;  Abner  Thurber,  1830-32;  John  Cooper, 
jr.,  1833  ;  Chauncey  Hoff"man,  1834-35  J  A.  C.  Morgan,  1836;  Francis 
E.  Erwin,  1837-38;  Arthur  Erwin,  jr.,  1839-42;  William  J.  Gillett, 
1843-48;  Arthur  H.  Erwin,  1849-50;  Ira  P.  Bennett,  1851;  Uri 
Balcom,  1852-53;  Samuel  Erwin,  1854;  Arthur  H.  Erwin,  1855-62; 
William  J.  Gilbert,  1863  ;  Wm.  C.  Bronson,  1864-67  ;  Alanson  J.  Fox, 
1868;  W.  C.  Bronson,  1869;  Lyman  Balcom,  1870;  Ira  P.  Bennett, 
1 871;  Charles  J.  Fox,  1872-74;  Francis  Erwin,  1875;  W.  S.  Hodg- 
man,  1876;  Francis  Erwin,  1877-80;  Charles  Iredell,  1881-33;  Thomas 
R.  Peck,  1884;  W.  S.  Hodgman,  1885-88;  F.  E.  Bronson,  1889-90; 
George  W.  Campbell,   1891-95. 

In  this  connection  we  may  also  properly  furnish  the  list  of  town  of- 
ficers for  the  present  year,    1895  :   George  W.  Campbell,  supervisor;  J. 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  103 

D.  Orcutt,  town  clerk  ;  J.  S.  Tobias,  S  B.  Howell,  W.  C.  Morse  and 
George  Dunklee,  justices;  Hiram  P.  Badger,  L.  Kinsella  and  C.  D. 
Rouse,  assessors  ;  Frank  Berry,  collector  and  overseer  of  the  poor  ;  F. 
C.  Wilcox,  highway  commissioner;   E.  D.  Bonham.  W.    A,    Allen  and 

E.  E.  Erwin,  excise  commissioners. 

Soon  after  the  separate  organization  of  Erwin,  the  inhabitants  of  the 
entire  region  were  much  disturbed  on  account  of  the  land  controversy 
of  about  1830,  but  as  this  town  was  entirely  outside  the  interests  of  the 
Pultney  Association,  the  serious  effects  of  the  conflict  were  not  felt  here. 
However, the  event  was  the  subject  of  much  discussion  in  the  accustomed 
resorts,  and  the  town  was  represented  by  delegates  in  the  famous  Bath 
convention.  This  duty  was  delegated  to  John  E.  Evans,  Samuel  Erwin 
and  John  Cooper,  jr. 

In  i860  Erwin  contained  1,859  inhabitants,  yet,  during  the  war  of 
1861-65,  the  town  is  credited  with  having  furnishing  a  total  of  two 
hundred  and  ten  men  for  the  service,  or  about  ten  and  one-fourth  per 
cent  of  the  population.  A  history  of  the  several  companies  in  which 
were  Erwin  volunteers  will  be  found  in  another  chapter  of  this  work. 

During  the  period  of  its  history,  there  have  been  built  up  and  estab- 
lished within  the  limits  of  this  town  several  villages  or  hamlets,  known, 
respectively,  as  Painted  Post,  an  incorporated  village  and  as  well  one  of 
the  most  interesting  and  historic  localities  in  the  county  ;  Gang  Mills, 
a  hamlet  southwest  of  the  principal  village  and  brought  into  existence 
about  1832  ;  Cooper's  Plains,  a  hamlet  and  post-office  in  the  north 
part  of  the  town  ;  and  Erwin,  a  station  on  the  Erie  road  and  established 
about  1873.  The  village  of  Painted  Post  and  also  each  of  these  ham- 
lets will  be  found  mentioned  in  the  chapter  devoted  to  municipal  history. 

In  concluding  this  chapter  we  may  with  propriety  refer  briefly  to  the 
census  reports  and  from  that  source  glean  some  facts  relative  to  the 
population  of  Erwin  at  different  periods.  In  1830  the  inhabitants  in 
the  town  were  795  in  number,  while  in  1840  it  had  decreased  to  785. 
During  the  next  ten  years  the  increase  was  remarkable,  the  census 
showing  the  population  to  be  1,435.  I"  i860  the  number  increased 
to  1,859,  and  in  1870  to  1,977.  The  greatest  number  of  inhabitants 
was  reached  in  1880,  being  2,095,  but  a  decrease  followed,  the  number 
in  1890  being  1,884.  According  to  the  count  of  1892,  Erwin's  popula- 
tion was  1,843. 


104  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

Fremont. — In  the  year  1854,  about  the  time  of  the  organization  of 
the  Republican  party,  the  creating  powers  were  petitioned  to  form  a 
new  town  in  Steuben  county,  and  in  accordance  with  the  request  there 
was  erected  the  present  town  of  Fremont,  so  named  in  allusion  to  John 
C.  Fremont,  who  at  that  particular  time  was  a  conspicuous  figure  in 
national  politics.  The  town  was  erected  on  November  17,  and  the 
older  divisions  Hornellsville,  Dansville,  Wayland,  and  Howard  surren- 
dered portions  of  their  territory  to  the  new  formation.  The  new  town 
contains  19,600  acres  of  land,  and  is  located  in  the  northwest  part  of 
the  county.  Its  surface  is  a  hilly  upland  and  forms  a  part  of  the  divid- 
ing ridge  between  the  Canisteo  and  Conhocton  Rivers.  The  soil  is 
chiefly  a  shaly  loam,  derived  from  the  disintegration  of  the  surface 
rocks. 

The  pioneer  of  this  town  was  Job  B  Rathbun,  a  native  of  Connecticut, 
but  a  former  resident  of  Dansville  in  this  county.  Mr.  Rathbun  moved 
into  what  is  now  Fremont  in  18 12  and  built  the  first  dwelling  house  in 
the  town,  and  from  his  settlement  the  locality  soon  became  known  as 
"  Job's  Corners."  About  the  same  time  Abel  H.  Baldwin  moved  in 
from  Otsego  county,  exchanging  one  hilly  region  for  another.  Next 
came  Thomas  Buck  and  family  from  Washington  county.  John  A. 
Buck  married  Rebecca  Baldwin,  and  their  son,  Charles  E  ,  born  Novem- 
ber 12,  1816,  was  the  first  birth  in  the  town.  The  first  death  was  that 
of  the  wife  of  Amos  Baldwin,  December  12,  181 5. 

Among  the  other  early  settlers  may  be  recalled  the  names  of  Ira 
Travis,  in  the  valley  of  Big  Creek;  Solomon  and  Jacob  Conderman, 
from  whom  has  descended  several  prominent  men  in  the  county;  John 
Bartholomew,  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  town;  Lemuel  Harding,  in 
1816  ;  Oliver  Harding,  a  patriot  of  the  Revolution  ;  Samuel  Sharp,  who 


V 


THE  CIV^IL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  105 

located  west  of  Harding's.  Harding's  Hill  was  so  named  from  the  fam- 
ilies just  referred  to  Elisha  Strait  was  the  first  settler  in  the  north  part 
of  the  town,  coming  here  in  1815,  and  was  followed  in  18 16  by  Edward 
Markham  and  Francis  Drake,  who  located  south  of  him.  In  18 19 
Jerry  Kinney,  George  Nutting,  Barnet  Brayton,  Henry  Cotton,  and 
Leonard  Briggs  made  a  colony  settlement  at  the  head  ot  the  west  branch 
of  Neil's  Creek.  Here  they  found  a  camp  of  about  twenty  Indians,  who 
were  engaged  in  hunting  and  fishing.  Alexander  Kelly  made  the  first 
clearing  where  Haskinville  is  located. 

Other  and  later  settlers,  yet  worthy  to  be  mentioned  in  these  annals, 
were  James  Rider  and  William  Haskins,  from  Saratoga  county,  also 
William  Holden,  Gideon  Maynard,  Silas  Benjamin,  Stephen  Holden 
(18 16),  Lewis  Canfield,  Daniel  Upson,  Michael  G.  Helmer,  Edward  Pat- 
terson, Elisha  G.  Stephens,  founder  of  the  village  called  Stephen's 
Mills,  Richard  Timmerman,  and  others  who  were  in  some  manner  iden- 
tified with  the  history  of  the  town  while  its  territory  formed  a  part  of 
the  older  divisions. 

As  we  have  noted  the  town  was  organized  as  a  separate  jurisdiction 
in  1854,  then  having  a  population  of  about  I,  lOO  inhabitants.  The  first 
town  meeting  was  held  in  Mr.  Stephen's  hotel  at  the  Center,  on  Febru- 
ary 13,  1855,  at  which  time  these  officers  were  elected:  Elisha  G. 
Stephens,  supervisor;  Franklin  Dart,  town  clerk;  Jason  Ranger,  Solo- 
mon Gates,  Ebenezer  H.  Mason,  justices  of  the  peace;  Randall  F. 
Beecher,  Isaac  P.  Haskins,  Morrison  Harding,  assessors  ;  Hiram  Culver, 
Norman  Eldridge  and  William  Haskin,  highway  commissioners ;  James 
R.  Babcock,  collector;    Cornelius  Conderman,  overseer  of  the  poor. 

The  town  officers  for  the  year  1895  are  M.  J.  Harding,  supervisor; 
E.  R.  Kilbury,  town  clerk ;  J.  M.  Kelly,  Seymour  Jones,  D.  D.  Wild  and 
Melvin  Nipher,  justices  of  the  peace;  A.  D.  Huvener,  assessor;  E.  H. 
Helmer,  collector;  R.  C.  White,  overseer  of  the  poor;  Clark  Haight, 
highway  commissioner  ;  Smith  E.  Harding,  A.  D.  Osborn  and  Levi  B. 
Evans,  excise  commissioners. 

The  supervisors  of  Fremont  have  been  as  follows :  Elisha  G.  Stephens, 
1855-156;  Lorenzo  N.  Rider,  1857-59;  Jason  Ranger,  1860-61  ;  0th- 
niel  Preston,  1862-63  ;  Samuel  E.  Haskin,  1864;  William  B.  Stephens, 
1865-66;   W.  B.   Rathbun,    1867;    William  B.   Stephens,    1868;  Esek 

14 


108  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Page,  1869-72;  Ira  Carrington,  1873-74;  De  Merville  Page,  1875; 
Calvin  Bullock,  1876;  L.  H.  Benjamin,  1877-78;  W.  H.  Bowen,  1879- 
80;  S.  S.  Cotton,  1881-82;  C.  K.  Mason,  1883;  S.  S.  Cotton,  1884; 
M.  J.  Harding,  1885-86  ;  Joel  Killbury,  1887  ;  G.  S.  Van  Keuren,  1888- 
89;  Harrison  Russell,  1890-91;  S.  S.  Cotton.  1892;  M.J.  Harding, 
1893-95. 

In  1855  Fremont  had  a  population  of  1,1 19,  and  in  i860  had  1,1 17. 
In  1870  the  number  of  inhabitants  was  again  1,119,  and  in  1880  had 
increased  to  1,274,  but  in  1890  had  fallen  to  1,047.  I"  1^92  the  popu- 
lation was  1,088. 

This  is  peculiarly  an  agricultural  town,  and  as  such  compares  favor- 
ably with  other  adjoining  divisions;  and  while  there  has  been  made 
some  attempt  at  manufacture  this  pursuit  has  never  added  materially  to 
local  prosperity.  In  the  growth  of  hay,  grain,  potatoes,  apples,  and 
dairy  products  lies  the  success  of  the  people  of  Fremont. 

Unlike  many  towns  of  the  county,  Fremont  has  not  suffered  seriously 
from  disturbing  causes.  To  be  sure  the  anti  rent  conflict  had  an  effeet 
somewhat  prejudicial  to  local  interests,  yet  at  that  time  settlement  was 
not  far  advanced  and  the  territory  of  the  town  belonged  to  the  older 
divisions  of  the  county.  The  sturdy  agriculturists  steadfastly  ad- 
hered to  their  legitimate  occupation  in  life  and  gave  small  heed  to 
the  annoyances  of  the  period.  However,  during  the  war  of  1861-65, 
a  truly  martial  spirit  pervaded  the  entire  community,  and  Fremont  sent 
into  the  service  no  less  than  one  hundred  and  three  men,  who  were 
scattered  through  the  different  companies  organized  in  the  county. 
This  was  certainly  a  remarkable  record,  especially  when  we  consider  the 
fact  that  in  i860  the  population  of  the  town  was  but  1,117. 

Previous  to  1855  the  school  interests  of  Fremont  were  a  part  of  the 
history  of  older  towns,  but  in  the  year  mentioned,  under  the  local  com- 
missionership  of  George  Collins,  jr.,  the  town  was  divided  into  districts, 
nine  in  number,  while  the  children  of  school  age  numbered  457.  From 
this  beginning  the  present  school  system  of  F'remont  has  developed. 
The  districts  now  number  ten,  and  the  children  about  300.  Ten  teach- 
ers were  employed  during  the  last  current  year.  The  value  of  school 
property  is  $4,395.  The  town  received  of  public  moneys,  $1,183.78, 
and  raised  by  tax  $1,431.61. 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  107 

Among  the  several  named  hamlets  or  settled  localities  of  Fremont, 
that  known  as  Stephen's  Mills  or  Fremont  Center,  is  the  largest.  It  is 
located  near  the  center  of  the  town.  Haskinville  is  in  the  northeast 
part,  Niel's  Creek  is  in  the  southeast  part,  Big  Creek  in  the  south  part, 
and  Job's  Corners  in  the  east  part  of  the  town.  Big  Creek  is  a  post- 
office  station,  D.  D.  Weld,  postmaster.  Neil's  Creek  is  also  a  post- 
office,  Matthew  N.  Silsbee,  postmaster.  Here  also  is  the  feed  and  cider 
mill  of  P.  Pettis.  Job's  Creek  has  a  grocery  kept  by  B.  R.  Chubbuck. 
Haskinville  and  Stephen's  Mills  and  also  the  churches  of  this  town  are 
elsewhere  mentioned  in  this  volume. 

Greenwood. — This  town  was  formed  from  Troupsburg  and  Canis- 
teo,  January  24,  1827,  and  included  all  that  is  now  West  Union  as  well 
as  Greenwood.  The  former  was  taken  off  in  1845,  ^"^  a  part  of  Jas- 
per was  annexed  in  1848.  As  at  present  constituted  Greenwood  con- 
tains 24,700  acres  of  land,  the  greater  part  of  which  is  rolling  upland. 
Bennett's  Creek  flows  northerly  through  the  east  part  of  the  town,  in 
a  valley  from  two  to  six  hundred  feet  below  some  of  the  hilltops.  The 
soil  is  a  clayey  and  gravelly  loam. 

When  the  land  proprietors  began  to  develop  this  region,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  inducing  settlement  in  what  was  then  supposed  to  be  an  unin- 
viting wilderness  of  forests,  they  cut  a  road  up  the  creek  through  this 
town  to  the  Pennsylvania  line.  However,  no  settlement  was  made  im- 
mediately after  the  completion  of  the  work,  nor  until  after  the  construc- 
tion of  the  highway  leading  from  the  Thomas  neighborhood  to  the 
then  famous  salt  spring  in  the  town  we  now  call  Greenwood.  The  In- 
dians made  salt  at  this  spring  long  before  the  advent  of  the  whites  and 
the  locality  was  a  favored  spot  in  the  aboriginal  period  ;  and  the  spring 
was  no  less  prized  by  the  white-faced  pioneers,  and  at  an  early  day  an 
attempt  was  made  to  manufacture  salt  here  by  Ezekiel  Burger  and  a 
Mr.  Matthews. 

The  second  road  was  cut  through  in  1820,  and  in  the  spring  of  the 
next  year  we  find  Alexander  H.  Stephens  and  Anson  Robinson  clear- 
ing land  and  building  a  saw  mill  within  the  limits  of  the  town.  This 
was  the  pioneer  settlement,  though  the  family  of  our  chief  adventurer, 
Mr.  Stephens,  did  not  come  till  the  mill  was  completed.  Ezra  and 
John    H.  Stephens   next  came  up   the  valley   to  the   town,  after  which 


108  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

settlement  progressed  rapidly,  for  the  lands  were  cheap  and  well  tim- 
bered, and  the  soil  fertile.  In  1823  the  family  of  Deacon  Daniel  Man- 
ning came,  and  in  the  same  year  Eleazer  Woodward  became  a  settler, 
and  built  a  small  tannery  near  the  Stephens  mill.  Both  of  them  came 
from  New  Hampshire. 

The  next  settlers  were  Dennis  Sanford,  Seth  Norton,  Stephen  Powell, 
all  along  the  ridge,  and  Hiram  Putnam,  John  H.  Hayt,  Joseph  and 
Jpsephus  Batchelder  and  Jacob  Manning,  along  and  near  the  creek. 
Guy  Wardwell  settled  on  the  strip  annexed  from  Jasper.  Collating  and 
noting  briefly  some  of  the  other  early  families  we  may  recall  the  names 
of  Levi  Davis,  Ira  and  Randall  Pease,  Christian  Cobey,  John  Holt, 
James  Henshaw,  Daniel  Ward,  Benjamin  Chamberlain,  Hugh  Carr 
(whose  wife  taught  the  first  school),  Phineas  Stephens,  Uriah  F. 
Stephens,  Col.  John  Stephens,  Enoch  Ordway,  Ezra  Lovejoy,  Amos 
Lewis,  Josiah  Richardson,  Stephen,  Lyman,  Amos  and  Jesse  Wilmot. 
Lyman  Wilmot  built  a  grist  mill  at  the  place  called  Rough  and  Ready. 
Still  later  comers  were  George  Updike,  Benjamin  Edwards,  William 
Atkins,  John  Rogers,  John  J.  Ducher,  Enos  Smith,  John  Balsby,  Rich- 
ard Krusen  (  a  pioneer  tavern-keeper  and  also  land  agent,  and  withal 
a  man  who  did  much  to  bring  settlement  into  the  town),  Ezekiel  and 
Hiram  Burger,  William  Burrows,  Joshua  Goldsmith  and  others,  all  of 
whom  were  located  in  the  town  as  early  as  1830. 

So  rapid  indeed  was  early  settlement  in  this  extreme  portion  of  the 
county  that  the  convenience  of  the  inhabitants  demanded  a  separate 
organization  and  a  new  town,  and  the  result  was  the  division  of  Canis- 
teo  and  Troupsburg  and  the  creation  of  Greenwood,  comprising  orig- 
inally the  territory  we  have  previously  described.  The  population  of 
the  new  formation  at  that  time  did  not  exceed  700,  notwithstanding  the 
extent  of  territory,  about  55,000  acres. 

The  first  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Levi  Davis,  on 
March  6,  1827,  and  the  following  officers  were  elected  :  Levi  Davis, 
supervisor;  Anson  Cook,  town  clerk;  David  Murray,  Randall  Pease, 
and  Uriah  F.  Stephens,  assessors  ;  Richard  Kruzen,  Uriah  Ingley  and 
Aden  Lewis,  commissioners  of  highways  ;  Jacob  Manning  and  Jacob 
Bess,  overseers  of  the  poor  ;  Abram  V.  Olmsted,  Joseph  Batchelder, 
Thomas  Johnson,   commissioners  of  schools  ;    Francis   Strong,    Josiah 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  109 

Haywood  and  Moses  Clausen,  inspectors  of  schools  ;  John  H.  Stephens, 
collector.  The  town  was  named  by  Alexander  H.  Stephens,  one  of  its 
most  influential  early  citizens,  and  through  his  efforts  the  strip  from 
Jasper  was  annexed  to  Greenwood. 

Referring  briefly  to  some  of  the  important  early  events  of  town  his- 
tory, may  be  mentioned  the  first  mill,  built  by  Alexander  Stephens  in 
1821-23  ;  Levi  Davis  built  a  log  house  in  1824,  and  opened  tavern  in 
1825.  He  also  kept  a  small  stock  of  goods,  and  dispensed  good  whis- 
key at  twenty  cents  per  gallon.  The  first  post-office  was  in  Mr.  Davis's 
store,  and  mail  was  brought  from  Hornellsville  on  horseback.  This 
was  about  1828  or  '29.  Mr.  Davis  was  for  a  time  partner  with  Ira 
Davenport.  In  1830  David  Foote  and  Redmond  Ferguson  began  the 
manufacture  of  furniture  and  coffins,  and  in  the  same  year  B.  F, 
Brundage  built  a  carding  and  fulling  mill.  This  was  burned  in  1846, 
and  was  replaced  with  the  flouring  mill.  In  1835  James  ("  High 
Jimmy  ")  McCormick  shipped  to  market  the  first  butter  from  Green- 
wood. Alvin  Mead  is  said  to  have  brought  the  first  wagon  into  the 
western  part  of  the  town,  in  1827.  Daniel  McCormick  built  a  grist 
mill  at  Rough  and  Ready  about  1832.  The  first  birth  was  that  of 
Charles  C.  Stephens ;  the  first  marriage  that  of  Hiram  Putnam  and 
Lucinda  Stephens;   the  first  death  that  of  Ezra  Cobey. 

The  supervisors  of  Greenwood  have  been  as  follows  :  Levi  Davis, 
1827-29  and  1831-32;  Thomas  Johnson,  1830;  Randall  Pease,  1833; 
Anson  Cook,  1834-36  ;  Jos.  Davenport,  1837-38  ;  John  J.  Holt,  1839- 
40;  Alex.  H.  Stephens,  1841-47;  Elijah  Guyon,  1848-51;  John 
Davis,  1852-54,  1856-59,  1864,  1869,  1872-73;  Augustus  Mallory, 
1855;  Israel  M.  Brundage,  i860,  1862-63,  1870;  Daniel  Manning, 
1861  ;  H.  H.  Mallory,  1865-66,  1875-81  ;  R.  H.  Shefi^eld,  1867-68; 
John  S.  Hartrum,  1871  ;  Merrit  F.  Smith,  1874;  P.  A.  Mead,  1882; 
Valentine  Reiman,  1883-85;  G.  D.  Woodward,  1886-87;  N.  E. 
Coston,  1888,  1890;  M.  F.  Smith,  1889;  John  S.  Young,  1890-91  ; 
L.  G.  Burton,    1893-95. 

Town  officers,  1895:  Lynn  G.  Burton,  supervisor ;  Eugene  Brun- 
dage, town  clerk ;  John  S.  Young,  George  M.  Woodward,  John  K. 
Miller  and  Edward  H.  Ferris,  justices  ;  H.  W.  Young,  J.  D.  Northrup 
and    W.    H.    Taylor,    assessors;    Willis    Scribner,    collector;  John    N. 


.110  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Hovey,  overseer  of  the  poor ;  Dudley  B.  Ersley,  highway  commis- 
sioner;  Ira  Clark,  Reuben  Stephens  and  Freeman  Rogers,  excise  com- 
misioners. 

There  has  been  little  change  in  the  population  of  Greenwood  during 
the  last  half  century,  and  the  number  of  inhabitants  has  not  increased 
or  diminished  to  the  extent  of  two  hundred  in  the  last  thirty- five 
years.  In  1830  the  town  had  899  inhabitants,  and  1,138  in  1840.  Ten 
years  later  the  population  was  1,185,  ^^^  in  i860  was  1,306.  In  1870 
the  number  was  1,394,  and  1,386  in  1880.  It  was  1,312  in  1 890,  and 
1,241  in  1892. 

Three  years  after  the  separate  organization  of  Greenwood,  the  people 
of  the  region  were  much  disturbed  and  directly  affected  by  the  anti- 
rent  conflict  and  the  discussions  of  its  period.  In  the  convention  at 
Bath  in  January,  1830,  we  find  as  delegates  from  Greenwood  a  num- 
ber of  her  leading  men,  among  them  Levi  Davis,  Thomas  Johnson, 
Anson  Cook,  William  J.  Strong  and  Randall  Pease.  Mr.  Davis  was 
one  of  the  committee  appointed  to  prepare  and  present  to  the  agents 
of  the  proprietary  the  memorial  for  the  relief  of  the  distressed  settlers. 

During  the  war  of  1861-65,  Greenwood  furnished  a  total  of  seventy- 
five  men  for  the  service.  A  history  of  the  various  companies  to  which 
belonged  volunteers  from  the  town  will  be  found  in  another  department 
of  this  work. 

In  the  course  of  its  history  there  has  been  built  up  and  established 
one  thriving  and  pretty  little  village,  and  also  two  hamlets  of  less  note, 
known,  respectively  as  West  Greenwood  and  Rough  and  Ready.  The 
first  mentioned  village,  and  its  institutions,  will  be  treated  especially  in 
the  municipal  history,  in  this  volume. 

Hartsville. — On  the  7th  of  February,  1844,  the  town  of  Hornells- 
ville  was  divided,  and  township  No.  3,  of  range  6,  Phelps  and  Gorham 
purchase,  was  erected  into  a  separate  town  by  the  name  of  Hartsville. 
Either  by  design  or  mistake  this  township  was  originally  sold  by  Oliver 
Phelps  to  the  company  of  proprietors  who  purchased  Canisteo  and 
Hornellsville.  These  purchasers  sought  to  secure  Nos.  3  in  the  fifth 
and  4  in  the  sixth  range,  but  through  some  cause  the  deed  of  convey- 
ance described  townships  three  in  the  fifth  and  sixth  ranges.  However, 
before  many  improvements  were  made  in  this  town  the  error  was  dis- 
covered and  corrected. 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  Ill 

Geographically,  Hartsville  is  located  on  the  western  border  of  Steuben 
county  and  south  of  the  center.  It  contains  23,200  acres  of  land  and  is 
regarded  as  one  of  the  best  dairy  towns  of  the  county.  The  land  sur- 
face is  generally  hilly  and  somewhat  broken,  though  there  is  compara- 
tively little  waste  or  useless  land  in  the  town.  Bennett's  Creek  flows 
northerly  through  the  east  part  and  Purdy  Creek  has  its  course  from 
west  to  east  across  the  north  part  and  discharges  into  Bennett's  Creek 
in  the  town  of  Canisteo. 

The  first  settler  in  this  locality  was  Benjamin  Brookins,  who  made  an 
improvement  in  the  year  1809,  but,  becoming  discouraged,  left  for  other 
parts  before  the  pioneer  in  fact  of  the  town  made  his  beginning.  Joseph 
Purdy,  an  earnest  and  hard  working  Irishman,  located  in  the  north 
part  in  1 810,  and  for  a  time  occupied  the  cabin  abandoned  by  his 
predecessor ;  and  records  inform  us  that  Purdy  was  the  only  settler 
in  this  then  remote  region  until  the  year  1819.  Still,  during  this  period 
the  pioneer  made  a  good  beginning  and  cleared  a  good  farm.  His 
name  is  worthily  preserved  in  the  town,  by  the  name  of  the  principal 
stream  and  also  the  name  of  the  post  office  at- the  Center.  In  18 19 
Jesse  Palmater,  Perry  and  Andrew  Potter  and  William  D.  Burdick  came 
to  the  town,  settling  in  the  northwest  part.  Daniel  P.  Carpenter  came 
in  1822,  driving  with  an  ox  team,  and  located  half  a  mile  south  of  the 
Center.  Frank  Powell  came  the  same  year  and  settled  near  the  site  of 
the  cemetery  as  afterward  established.  The  settlers  in  1823,  as  near  as 
can  be  determined,  were  William  Hudson,  John  Granger  and  Ebenezer 
and  Robert  G.  Martin,  while  in  the  next  year  came  Joseph  and  James 
Thompson.  John  Hood  came  in  1826,  and  is  remembered  as  having 
been  and  old  "war  of  1812"  survivor.  He  organized  the  town  militia 
company  and  was  its  captain  ;  Nathaniel  Williams  was  its  lieutenant, 
and  Oliver  Coon  ensign  ;  Ferris  Clawson,  sergeant.  General  training 
day  was  a  notable  occasion,  and  Carpenter's  lot  was  the  scene  of  many 
a  hard  fought  battle  against  the  common  foe — Yankee  ginger-bread 
and  hard  cider. 

In  1825  William  Allison,  the  head  of  a  numerous  and  prominent 
family  in  the  county  during  later  years,  settled  near  the  Carpenter  place. 
James  Howell  and  John  Martin  joined  the  settlement  in  1828.  Othniel 
Call  came  during   the  same  year  and  located  on   what  was  named   for 


112  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

him  "  Call  Hill."  He  was  followed  later  on  by  Joseph,  David  and 
Orlando  Call,  thus  creating  the  Call  settlement.  Francis  and  Micah 
Kennedy  came  in  1829,  and  James  Classen,  John  Henry,  and  David 
Whiting  in  1830.  Among  the  later  settlers  were  Henry  Acker,  Reu- 
ben and  Charles  N.  Hart,  Simeon  Baker  and  h's  sons  James,  Ephraim 
and  Simeon,  jr.,  Thomas  Stout,  Ralph  Amidon,  George  L.  Puffer,  David 
Phelps  and  others,  all  coming  in  gradually  and  adding  to  the  settlement 
until  the  lands  were  quite  well  taken  up.  Many  of  these  settlers  gave 
their  first  attention  to  clearing  the  lands,  hence  were  engaged  more  or 
less  extensively  in  lumbering  ;  and  it  has  been  claimed  that  between 
1825  and  1840  there  were  no  less  than  fourteen  saw  and  shingle  mills 
in  operation  in  the  town.  The  forests  were  reasonably  well  cleared 
about  1850,  after  which  Hartsville  became  an  agricultural  district.  To 
this  end  nature  has  favored  the  people  here,  for  the  soil,  a  shale  and 
clay  loam,  is  good  and  yields  well  in  return  to  proper  cultivation.  The 
lands  are  especially  adapted  to  grazing  and  the  growth  of  hay,  hence 
here  we  have  an  important  dairy  town  in  this  part  of  the  county  ;  and 
the  village  of  Canisteo  and  the  city  of  Hornellsville  are  always  good 
markets. 

According  to  conceded  authority,  the  first  events  of  town  history  in 
Hartsville  were  these:  the  first  birth,  that  of  Sarah  A.  Carpenter;  the 
first  marriage,  that  of  Robert  G.  Martin  and  Mary  A.  Gleason  ;  the  first 
death,  that  of  an  infant  child  of  Ebenezer  Martin,  all  in  1823.  The  first 
school  was  taught  by  the  daughter  of  Joseph  Purdy.  Daniel  P.  Car- 
penter opened  a  store  in  1825,  and  built  the  first  saw  mill  in  1827. 
Robert  G.  Martin  built  a  mill,  where  the  recent  Allison  mill  stood,  in 
1832,  and  soon  afterward  William  Allison  built  another.  R.  F.  Allison 
put  in  the  first  steam  power  in  the  town.  The  first  tavern  keeper  was 
Henry  Frisbee,  1849;  the  second,  Joseph  Henry,  in  185  i.  The  town 
was  organized  in  1844,  and  in  1845  ^^^^  ^  population  759,  or  just 
twenty-three  less  than  the  population  as  shown  by  the  census  of  1892. 
The  greatest  number  of  inhabitants  was  in  i860,  being  1 154. 

Hartsville  was  so  named  in  honor  of  Charles  N.  Hart,  for  many  years 
one  of  its  foremost  men  and  identified  with  its  best  history.  The  first 
town  meeting  was  held  in  F'ebruary,  1844,  and  the  officers  elected  were 
Charles   N.    Hart,    supervisor;   Erastus    S.    Beard,    town   clerk;    James 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  113 

Beard,  Jonathan  Pettibone  and  EHzur  Sage,  assessors;  Silas  Palmater, 
Jonathan  B.  Ptirdy,  Reuben  W.  Willard  and  Henry  Acker,  justices  of 
the  peace  ;  Israel  Adams,  Edmund  Cook  and  Levi  C.  Henry,  highway 
commissioners. 

The  supervisors  of  Hartsville,  in  succession,  have  been  as  follows  : 
Charles  N.  Hart,  1844-45;  James  Beard,  1846-47;  Edmund  Cook, 
1848-49;  Erastus  Beard,  1850;  Francis  Kennedy,  1850-51;  James 
Beard,  1852-53;  E.  Cook,  1854;  Jas  Beard,  1855;  C.  C.  Purdy, 
1856;  Jas.  M.  Cook,  1857-58;  Shepard  Amidon,  1859-60;  Richard 
F.  Allison,  1861-66;  Silas  Palmer,  1867  ;  R.  F.  Allison,  1868  ;  Lyman 
A.  Cook,  1869-70;  R.  F.  Allison,  1871-72;  James  A  Almy,  1873; 
Joseph  Vickers,  1874-75;  James  B.  Hendee,  1876-77;  Langford 
Whitford,  1878;  Milo  M.  Acker,  1879-80;  James  A.  Almy,  1881-82; 
Charles  Amidon,  1883  ;  Jacob  Vickers,  1884-85;  S.  B.  Van  Buskirk, 
1886;  Wm.  Clark,  1887-88;  Wm.  C.  Acker,  1889-90;  N.  P.  Flint, 
1891-92  ;  Wm.  C.  Acker,  1893-95. 

The  officers  for  the  year  1895  are  as  follows:  William  C.  Acker, 
supervisor  ;  Floyd  E.  Carney,  town  clerk  ;  Aaron  Kennedy,  R.  Clark, 
Scott  Van  Buskirk  and  M.  S.  Amidon,  justices  of  the  peace;  James  A. 
Almy,  PVemont  Hendy  and  W,  A.  Vickers,  assessors  ;  J.  W.  Norton, 
highway  commissioner;  M.  D.  Westcott,  collector;  Leroy  Johnson, 
overseer  of  the  poor ;  Alexander  Todd,  Eli  Woodworth  and  Charles 
Comstock,  commissioners  of  excise. 

The  martial  spirit  with  which  Captain  John  Hood  inspired  his  citizen 
soldiers  during  the  good  old  days  of  general  training  seems  to  have 
been  enduring  and  to  have  awakened  a  spirit  of  patriotism  truly  com- 
mendable, for  we  find  that  during  the  war  of  1861-65  the  town  of  Harts- 
ville contributed  a  liberal  quota  of  men.  They  were  attached  to  several 
regiments  formed  in  the  county,  and  a  more  complete  record  of  their 
services  will  be  found  in  another  chapter. 

When  first  formed  from  Hornellsville  the  schools  of  this  town  were  a 
part  of  the  system  then  in  operation,  but  after  the  separation  was  re- 
arranged in  districts  to  suit  the  convenience  of  the  inhabitants.  The 
districts  were  nine  in  number,  each  provided  with  a  school.  As  at 
present  arranged  Hartsville  has  eight  districts,  and  the  total  number  of 
children   in  the  town  of  school   age  is  about  225.      Eight  teachers  are 


114  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

employed  during  the  school  year.  The  value  of  school  property  is 
$3,190,  and  the  assessed  valuation  of  the  districts  is  $251,535.  In 
1893-94  the  town  received  from  the  public  school  funds  the  sum  of 
$907.26,  and  raised  by  local  tax  $1,027.67. 

Hornby. — About  the  closing  years  of  the  war  of  1812-15,  a  few 
families  of  limited  means,  yet  filled  with  determination  and  energy, 
sought  to  make  a  settlement  in  the  extreme  eastern  part  of  the  town  of 
Painted  Post.  Asa  and  Uriah  Nash,  former  residents  of  Otsego  county, 
came  to  this  region  in  the  year  18 14,  and  located  in  township  number 
3,  of  the  first  range,  thus  founding  what  became  known  in  later  years 
as  the  "  Nash  settlement."  This  part  of  the  town  was  then  supposed  to 
contain  much  undesirable  land,  for  which  reason  sales  were  slow  and 
few  indeed  were  the  pioneers  who  cared  to  undertake  its  settlement  and 
improvement.  However,  the  Nash  families  began  their  improvement 
in  the  north  part  of  the  township,  and  after  testing  the  quality  of  the 
land  it  was  found  wholly  desirable,  although  hilly  and  rolling.  Other 
settlers  soon  came  in,  among  those  of  the  year  1815  being  Edward 
Stubbs,  Samuel  Adams,  Ezra  Shaw  and  Jesse  Underwood.  In  the 
same  year  the  "'  Piatt  settlement  "  was  founded  in  the  southwest  part  of 
the  town,  the  settlers  in  which  locality  being  Jesse  Piatt,  John  Robbins 
and  Amasa  Stanton.  In  1816  the  "Palmer  settlement"  was  likewise 
established,  its  pioneers  being  Aden  Palmer,  James  Gardner  and  Ches- 
ter Knowlton. 

In  this  manner  these  pioneers,  and  their  followers  soon  afterward, 
made  not  only  a  complete  settlement  of  what  is  now  Hornby,  but  also 
succeeded  in  developing  the  natural  resources  of  a  comparatively  unde- 
sirable region,  making  many  good  farms  and  comfortable  homes. 
This  beginning  had  the  effect  to  attract  others  to  the  vicinity,  and  dur- 
ing the  next  few  years  there  came  Benjamin  and  Hiram  Gardner,  Isaac 
Goodell,  John  St.  John,  Aaron  Harwood,  John  Sayer  and  Jacob  Good- 
sell  with  his  two  stalwart  sons  Daniel  and  Henry.  Still,  these  determ- 
ined pioneers  had  to  contend  against  many  difficulties.  Theirs  was  a 
wild  region,  the  habitation  of  wild  animals  of  many  kinds,  some  of 
which  were  particularly  destructive  to  growing  crops  and  yard  fowls 
and  occasionally  to  cattle.  To  exterminate  them  the  settlers  devoted 
niuch  tinie  to  hunting  and  from  this  region  has  been  handed  down  many 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTV.  115 

famous  stories  of  wonderful  achievements  on  the  part  of  local  nimrods. 
However,  after  the  forests  were  cleared  and  farms  opened  the  more  an- 
noying animals  disappeared  and  only  the  ordinary  obstacles  of  pioneer 
life  were  to  be  overcome. 

Referring  still  further  to  the  subject  of  early  settlement,  let  us  recall 
the  name  of  pioneer  Hodge  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town,  and  also  in  the 
same  locality  the  later  comers,  Samuel  Lilly,  Wm.  W.  Cole,  Martin  Lane 
Benjamin  Lewis,  jr.  Other  early  comers,  equally  worthy  of  mention, 
were  Theodore  Hendrick,  John  Harrison,  Wendall  Rhoda,  Seneca 
Burnap,  Thomas  Jewett,  Parnach  Haradon,  Marcus  Gaylord,  John 
Bixby,  Josiah  Wheat,  Caleb  Gardner,  William  Easterbrook,  Jonas  Ward, 
Andrew  B.  Dickinson,  Henry  Gardner,  all  of  whom  were  settled 
previous  to  the  division  of  Painted  Post  and  theformation  of  Hornby. 
This  was  done  in  1826,  the  original  town  comprising  all  that  is  now 
Hornby  and  Campbell,  the  latter  being  set  off  from  the  former  in  1831, 
taking  half  its  territory.  As  then  and  since  constituted,  Hornby  con- 
taining 25,200  acres  of  land,  an  excess  over  the  thirt}'-six  square  miles 
supposed  to  be  included  in  township  3,  range  i. 

In  1830,  four  years  after  the  organization  of  Hornby,  the  inhabitants 
of  the  district  numbered  1,365,  and  in  1840,  Campbell  having  been 
formed  in  the  meantime,  the  population  was  1,048.  In  1850  the  num- 
ber was  1,314;  in  i860  was  1,291;  in  1870  was  1,202;  in  1880  was 
1,209,  ^"d  in  1890  was  1,011.  Thus  we  discover  that  in  more  recent 
years  this  town,  in  common  with  other  similarly  situated  localities,  has 
suffered  a  material  reduction  in  population,  owing  to  the  same  causes 
prevailing  elsewhere — the  decline  in  interest  and  profit  in  agricultural 
pursuits  and  the  tendency  of  the  young  people  of  both  sexes  to  seek 
employment  in  cities  and  large  villages. 

The  first  election  of  town  officers  in  Hornby  was  held  at  the  tavern 
kept  by  Mr.  Shaw,  also  at  Knowlton's  and  Dickinson's  stores,  and  is 
remembered  as  covering  a  period  of  about  three  days.  This  was  in 
1826.  The  officers  elected  were  Andrew  B.  Dickinson,  supervisor; 
Josiah  Wheat,  town  clerk;  Hiram  Gardner,  collector  ;  Alonzo  Gaylord, 
Milo  Hurd  and  Jonathan  Fellows,  justices  of  the  peace;  Amasa  Stan- 
ton, commissioner  of  highways  ;  Hiram  Gardner,  constable.  A  more 
complete  list  of  first  town  officers  is  impossible  owing  to  the  imperfect 
condition  of  records. 


116  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

The  supervisors  of  Hornby,  in  succession,  have  been  as  follows  :  An- 
drew B.  Dickinson,  1826;  Rice  Nash,  1827;  A.  B.  Dickinson,  1828- 
29;  Daniel  Clark,  1830-31;  A.  B.  Dickinson,  1832-37;  W.  H.  Gay- 
lord,  1838;  Amasa  Stanton,  1839-41  ;  David  Smith,  1842-44;  Flavel 
W.  Morrow,  1845;  Peter  Rhoda,  1846-47;  Willis  H.  Gaylord,  1848; 
F.  W.  Morrow,  1849;  John  T.  Stanton,  1850;  Peter  Covenhoven, 
1851-52;  John  T.  Stanton,  1853;  F.  W.  Morrow,  1854;  Wm.  A. 
Armstrong,  1855  ;  F.  W.  Morrow,  1856-58;  George  Adams,  1859-60; 
N.  B.  Stanton,  1861-64;  J.  H  Ferenbaugh,  1865  ;  Asem  Eddy,  1866- 
^J  \  James  B.  Humphrey.  1868;  Samuel  Easterbrook,  1869-70;  J.  H. 
Ferenbaugh,  1871-73;  Samuel  Easterbrook,  1874-75;  Samuel  C 
Erwin,  1876-77;  Alfred  Roloson,  1878-81;  Thomas  Oldfield,  1882- 
83  ;  Daniel  Rogers,  1884-85  ;  Albert  Duvall,  1886-87  \  Thomas  Old- 
field,  1888;  J.  H.  Ferenbaugh,  1889;  J.  A.  Stanton,  1890-92;  E.  J. 
Easterbrook,   1893-95. 

The  officers  for  the  year  1895  are  as  follows:  E.  J.  Easterbrooks, 
supervisor  ;  C.  C.  Roloson,  town  clerk  ;  W.  J.  Underwood,  H.  D.  L. 
Adams,  F.  L.  Rogers  and  W.  S.  Lilly,  justices  of  the  peace  ;  Oren 
Roloson,  W.  J.  Wasson  and  P.  B.  Humphrey,  assessors ;  James  E. 
Armstrong,  highway  commissioner  ;  John  D.  Scott,  overseer  of  the 
poor  ;  James  McCarty,  collector. 

During  the  first  fifteen  years  of  civilized  white  settlement  and  life  in 
Hornby,  the  inhabitants  had  little  else  to  distract  attention  than  their 
constant  efforts  to  exterminate  the  wild  animals  then  infesting  the 
region.  This  people  were  not  subject  to  the  embarrassing  incidents  of 
the  war  of  18 12-15,  nor  were  there  troublesome  Indian  neighbors  to 
add  to  the  difficulties  attending  pioneer  life.  However,  only  four  short 
years  after  the  organization  was  effected  there  came  the  anti-rent  or  land 
controversy,  the  first  serious  period  in  local  history ;  yet  even  this  had 
not  the  distressing  effect  felt  in  many  localities  as  the  lands  here  were 
purchased  at  moderate  prices,  and  only  the  difficulties  of  realizing  ready 
cash  on  sales  of  crops  confronted  or  annoyed  the  settlers.  In  all  the 
events  of  the  time  local  residents  took  a  deep  interest  and  some  of  them 
an  active  part.  Meetings  were  held  and  the  subject  thoroughly  dis- 
cussed, and  its  result  was  a  delegation  to  the  Bath  convention  in  Janu- 
ary, 1830,  attended  by  Isaac  Goodsell,  Samuel   Oldfield,  Josiah  Wheat, 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  117 

Francis  Northway  and  Levi  Nash.  Delegate  Goodsell  served  on  the 
committee  appointed  to  petition  the  agents  of  the  Pulteney  and  Hornby 
estates,  and  in  all  respects  was  a  worthy  and  competent  representative. 
This  town  was  named  in  respectful  allusion  to  John  Hornby,  who  was 
an  extensive  land  owner  in  the  Genesee  country  ;  in  fact  was  the  holder 
of  a  two  twelfths  interest  in  the  noted  Pulteney  association. 

After  this  period  had  passed  nothing  noteworthy  occurred  to  disturb 
the  serenity  of  domestic  life  until  the  outbreak  of  the  war  of  the  Rebel- 
lion, during  which  period  the  town  is  credited  with  having  furnished 
for  the  service  a  total  of  fifty  one  men.  These  were  scattered  through 
the  several  commands  recruited  in  the  county,  and  a  more  full  narration 
of  their  services  will  be  found  in  another  chapter  of  this  work. 

The  one  event  which  more  than  all  others  has  contributed  to  the 
welfare  of  Hornby  was  the  construction  and  operation  of  the  Syracuse, 
Geneva  and  Corning  railroad,  the  line  of  which  passes  across  the  south- 
east part  of  the  town.  The  company  was  chartered  August  27,  1875, 
and  was  opened  for  traffic  December  10,  1877.  The  entire  town  is 
benefited  by  this  thoroughfare  of  trade,  and  to  it  the  little  hamlet  called 
Ferenbaugh  almost  owes  its  existence. 

The  mention  of  this  post-office  and  station  leads  to  the  observation 
that  Hornby  has  three  settled  hamlets,  established  for  the  convenience  of 
the  inhabitants  of  the  town  They  are  designated  by  the  names  of 
Hornby,  or  Hornb)'  Forks,  Dyke,  and  Ferenbaugh.  Of  these  Hornby 
Forks  is  perhaps  the  largest.  Each  has  a  post-office.  The  hamlet  first 
mentioned  has  a  good  school  and  the  Baptist  and  Presbyterian  churches. 
Dyke  has  a  school  and  a  Wesleyan  Methodist  church. 

Speaking  of  schools  recalls  the  fact  that  the  first  school  in  this  town 
was  taught  by  Jane  C.  Leach  in  the  days  of  early  history,  while  another 
early  teacher  was  Alonzo  Gaylord.  Soon  after  the  formation  of  the 
town  in  1826,  the  territory  was  divided  into  districts,  but  five  years 
later,  after  Campbell  was  set  off,  redistricting  became  necessary.  Since 
that  time  only  such  changes  have  been  made  as  the  public  convenience 
demanded.  The  districts  are  now  twelve  in  number,  and  the  school 
property  is  estimated  to  be  worth  $5,300.  The  school  population  is 
about  235.  In  1894  the  public  moneys  apportioned  to  Hornby  amounted 
to  $1,354.40,  and  there  was  raised  by  local  tax  the  additional  sum  of 
$1,429.14. 


118  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

HORNELLSVILLE. — In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1789  Solomon 
Bennett,  Capt.  John  Jamison,  Benjamin  Crosby,  Uriah  Stephens,  and 
possibly  Elisha  Brown,  left  the  Wyoming  valley  in  Pennsylvania  and 
proceeded  by  way  of  the  Susquehanna  and  Chemung  Rivers  to  visit  the 
Phelps  and  Gorham  purchase,  for  the  purpose  of  investigating  the 
character  of  the  region,  with  the  ultimate  intention  of  making  for  them- 
selves and  their  families  permanent  homes  in  the  new  country.  On 
reaching  the  historic  locality  known  as  Painted  Post,  the  party  journeyed 
up  the  Conhocton  several  miles,  but  not  finding  the  lands  suited  to  their 
desires,  returned,  and  next  proceeded  up  the  valley  of  the  Canisteo  to 
the  present  town  of  Hornellsville.  In  this  vicinity  a  careful  examination 
of  the  lands  was  made,  and  here  the  party  decided  to  purchase  and  es- 
tablish a  settlement. 

Accordingly,  a  company  was  organized,  comprising  Solomon  Bennett, 
Elisha  Brown,  James  Hadley,  John  Jamison,  Arthur  Erwin,  Uriah 
Stephens,  jr.,  Joel  Thomas,  Christian  Kress,  John  Stephens,  William 
Bennett,  Uriah  Stephens,  sr.,  and  William  Wynkoop.  Solomon  Bennett 
and  Elisha  Brown  were  delegated  to  visit  Oliver  Phelps  at  Canandaigua 
and  purchase  from  the  proprietary  two  townships — No.  3  in  the  5th 
range  and  No.  4  in  the  6th  range,  but  through  an  error  they  in  fact  pur- 
chased townships  numbers  3  in  the  5th  and  6th  ranges,  and  the  mistake 
was  not  discovered  until  after  some  improvements  had  been  made  in  the 
township  first  mentioned;  and  when  the  company  applied  to  Mr.  Phelps 
for  a  correction  of  the  error  that  shrewd  proprietor  made  a  new  con- 
veyance only  after  taking  from  the  north  side  of  number  4,  range  6, 
a  strip  of  land  one  mile  in  width.  The  corrected  deed  was  executed  on 
the  17th  day  of  September,  1790.  We  may  further  state  by  way  of  ex- 
planation that  township  3  of  the  5th  range  comprises  substantially  the 
present  town  of  Canisteo,  while  number  4  of  the  6th  range  in  the  same 
manner  constitutes  the  division  of  the  county  now  known  as  Hornells- 
ville, although  now  within  its  boundaries  are  included  portions  of  other 
townships. 

As  constituted  by  this  conveyance  the  town  last  mentioned  was  six 
miles  from  east  to  west,  and  five  miles  north  and  south.  However, 
since  its  organization  as  a  separate  town  (April  i,  1820),  Hornellsville 
has  surrendered  portions  of  her  territory  to   other  formations ;    Harts- 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  119 

ville  was  taken  off  in  1844,  and  a  part  of  Fremont  in  1854.  Hornells- 
ville,  within  its  present  boundaries,  contains  26,200  acres  of  land. 

The  new  proprietors,  immediately  after  their  purchase,  proceeded  to 
draw  lots  for  lands  in  the  township,  which  for  this  purpose  was  divided 
into  twelve  parts.  This  disposition  of  the  lands  (which  now  would 
be  quite  novel,  but  was  then  common)  resulted  in  James  Hadley  secur- 
ing Lot  No.  I  ;  John  Jamison  (or  Jemingsen),  No.  2  ;  Arthur  Er- 
win,  No.  3;  Christian  Kress,  No.  4;  Joel  Thomas,  No.  5;  Uriah 
Stephens,  jr.,  No.  6;  John  Stephens,  No.  7;  William  Wynkoop,  No. 
8  ;  Uriah  Stephens,  sr..  No.  9;  Thomas  Bennett,  No.  10;  Elisha  Brown, 
No.   II  ;  Solomon  Bennett,  No.  12. 

The  pioneer  and  early  settlement  of  this  town  was  accomplished  while 
the  territory  formed  a  part  of  the  still  older  town  of  Canisteo,  and  for 
the  purpose  of  designation,  the  region  of  which  we  write  was  known  as 
"Upper  Canisteo;"  a  name  which  was  in  fact  continued  until  the 
separate  organization  of  the  town  of  Hornellsville. 

There  has  long  existed  a  difference  of  opinion  among  writers  of  early 
local  history  as  to  the  year  in  which  the  first  permanent  settlement  was 
made  in  this  town,  and  according  to  the  reminiscences  of  Deacon 
Mowry  Thatcher,  of  honored  memory,  the  date  may  be  recorded  as 
1790  instead  of  1793  ;  and  drawing  information  from  all  reliable  sources, 
the  present  writer  feels  bound  to  accord  the  honor  of  pioneership  to 
Benjamin  Crosby,  who,  in  the  year  1790,  located  on  the  site  of  the 
present  city  of  Hornellsville.  His  lands  comprised  1,600  acres,  and  his 
dwelling  is  believed  to  have  stood  where  now  is  built  the  Hotel  Osborne. 
Richard  Crosby,  son  of  the  pioneer,  came  at  the  same  time,  and  his 
house  was  located  near  the  creek,  just  north  of  the  Mr.  Hough's,  on 
Maple  avenue. 

Oliver  Harding  is  believed  to  have  been  the  second  settler,  following 
soon  after  pioneer  Crosby,  and  located  between  Main  and  Genesee 
streets,  near  Hakes  avenue.  He  was  the  nearest  neighbor  to  Mr. 
Crosby.  Later  on  he  moved  to  Harding  Hill,  in  Fremont.  The 
Stephens  family  was  also  prominent  among  the  pioneers,  Uriah,  sr., 
being  the  head,  although  Uriah,  jr.,  attained  greater  prominence  in  local 
history.      His  name  is  still  well  preserved  in  the  county. 

"On  July  9th,  1793,"  says    Mr.  Near,    "John   Stephens,    who  drew 


120  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

great  lot  No.  7,  conveyed  this  lot,  containing  1,600  acres,  to  George 
Hornell,  for  a  consideration  of  ;^i  1 1."  From  the  same  authority  we 
also  learn  that  judge  Hornell  built  the  first  mill  on  the  site  afterward 
occupied  by  the  Thacher  mill,  being  the  first  grist  mill  west  of  Elmira, 
except  the  Bennett  mill  at  Canisteo.  According  to  the  researches  of 
Miles  W.  Hawley,  Mr.  Hornell  had  previously  visited  this  region  in  the 
capacity  of  trader  among  the  Indians,  and  thus  became  acquainted  with 
the  locality  in  which  he  permanently  settled  in  1792,  although  he  did 
not  purchase  the  Stephens  lot  until  the  next  year.  Judge  Hornell,  as 
afterward  known,  made  a  small  clearing  at  the  upper  end  of  Main 
street,  near  the  intersection  with  Washington  street.  In  1800  he  built 
the  first  tavern  in  either  town  or  village,  and  by  his  enterprise  and 
public  spiritedness  almost  at  once  became  the  leading  man  of  the  upper 
Canisteo  region.  He  was  identified  with  many  measures  which  bene- 
fited the  public  rather  than  himself,  hence  the  honors  that  were  after- 
ward bestowed  upon  him  were  worthily  deserved.  The  town,  the 
village,  and  the  present  city  of  Hornellsville  have  been  successively 
named  in  his  honor.  He  was  one  of  the  early  associate  judges  of  the 
county,  also  one  of  the  first  postmasters,  and  was  in  the  Legislature  in 
1808.  Judge  Hornell  died  during  the  fever  epidemic  of  181 3,  which 
swept  so  disastrously  throughout  this  region. 

These  were  the  earliest  settlers  in  the  town,  and  in  fact  the  Crosbys, 
Hardings,  Stephens  and  Hornells  were  about  the  only  settlers  previous 
to  1 8 10  on  what  is  now  the  city  site.  However,  in  the  upper  part  of 
the  valley  the  lands  were  taken  quite  early,  and  from  Mr.  Hawley's 
papers  we  learn  that  Judge  Hurlbut  and  his  son  John  located  at  Ark- 
port  as  early  as  1797,  and  made  improvements.  Among  the  other 
settlers  in  the  same  locality  were  Nathan  Corey,  Stephen  Webb,  Joel 
Atherton,  Joseph  Corey,  while  later  comers  were  William  Hyde,  Elias 
Van  Scoter,  Julius  Cleveland,  Captain  Abbott,  John  P.  Ryers,  John 
Pitts,  Silas  Stephens,  Willis  Hyde,  William  Sharp,  Capt.  Andrew  Morris 
and  others. 

Arkport  became  a  place  of  some  note  at  an  early  day,  due  largely  to 
the  efforts  of  Judge  Hurlbut,  who  built  a  public  house  in  1798,  a  saw- 
mill and  storehouse  in  1800,  and  in  the  same  year  launched  the  famous 
"  ark  "  on  the  waters  of  the  Canisteo,  and   transported    the   first   cargo 


J.   H.  KEELER. 


THE  CI\^IL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  121 

of  grain  from  this  region  to  Baltimore.  Referring  to  the  other  early- 
settlers  in  the  town,  we  may  mention  Nathaniel  Thacher,  father  of 
Deacon  Mowry  Thacher,  who  came  from  Troupsburg  in  1810  and  set- 
tled a  mile  below  the  village  site,  near  the  Arnot  grist  mill.  He  was 
also  a  strong  man  in  the  new  region,  and  was  frequently  elected  to 
positions  of  trust  and  honor.  Deacon  Thacher  was  only  a  boy  when 
his  father  moved  into  the  valley,  and  possessed  the  fortunate  faculty  of 
retaining  early  memories  of  the  town,  and  from  his  reminiscences  have 
come  many  of  the  most  interesting  facts  of  local  history.  Still  other 
and  perhaps  later  settlers,  worthy,  however,  of  mention  were  Dugald 
Cameron,  John  R.  Stephens,  Medad  Bostwick,  Andy  L.  Smith,  James 
Dildine,  Martin  Adsit  William  O'Connor,  Jonathan  Nicholson,  Orson 
Sheldon,  Abram  Cadogan,  Jesse  Eddy,  John  Peak,  Nathaniel  Finch, 
Rufus  Tuttle  and  Peter  Labour,  all  of  whom  were  in  some  manner 
identified  with  the  development  and  growth  of  the  town  more  than  half 
a  century  ago. 

Settlement  on  the  hills  which  abound  in  the  town  was  naturally  de- 
layed to  a  time  later  than  the  occupation  of  the  valleys  In  the  locality 
known  as  Wellever  Hill,  near  the  Hartsville  line,  the  first  settler  was 
Mr.  Cahran,  followed  later  on  by  David  Wellever,  Andrew  Hender- 
shott,  Samuel  Hathaway,  Peter  Best,  John  Meeks  and  James  Spencer. 
Alanson  Stephens  made  a  clearing  on  the  hill  overlooking  the  city.  In 
the  Crosby  Creek  neighborhood  the  first  settlers  were  Leonard  Drake, 
Jerry  Davis,  William  D.  Burdick,  Richard  Peterson,  Samuel  and  Thomas 
Burnett,  Asa  Whitford,  Isaiah  Bartlett  and  Elisha  Potter.  Among  the 
first  occupants  of  the  region  of  Pennsylvania  Hill  were  James  Dildine, 
James  McMichael,  William  Emery,  A.  Sutton,  Daniel  Sutton,  Ira  Hyde 
and  Gilbert  Wright.  The  well  known  Webb  district  was  settled  by 
Col.  John  R.  Stephens,  Stephen  Webb  and  Bazey  Baker.  Matthias 
Reed  was  the  first  settler  in  the  Winfield  neighborhood,  where  the  Win- 
fields,  Clevelands,  Burches,  Belts,  Keefers  and  Newsons  afterwards 
located.  On  the  turnpike  road  between  this  town  and  Bath,  Major 
Burnett  made  a  settlement  in  1808,  and  later  on  there  came  here  John 
Beattie,  Jonathan  Nicholson,  Dudley  Robinson,  William  R,  Stephens, 
Samuel  Jones,  Henry  Chapman,  Nathaniel  Finch,  Nathan  Osborne  and 
others. 

16 


122  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

The  first  birth  in  the  town  is  said  to  have  been  that  of  WilHam 
Stephens,  in  December,  1792  ;  the  first  marriage,  that  of  Reuben  Crosby 
and  Jenny  McQueen,  in  1799;  and  the  first  death,  that  of  a  child  of 
Judge  Hornell.  The  judge  built  the  first  saw  and  grist  mill,  kept  the 
first  public  house,  and  also  the  first  store.  The  first  school  was  taught 
by  Abigail  Hurlbut  in  1796. 

Early  settlement  in  this  part  of  the  Canisteo  valley  was  somewhat 
slow,  as  the  census  reports  inform  us  that  in  1800  the  entire  town  had 
only  510  inhabitants,  in  18 10  but  656,  and  in  1820  the  number  was 
891.  However,  the  inhabitants  of  the  Upper  Canisteo  country  felt  the 
necessity  of  a  separate  jurisdiction,  and  accordingly  had  recourse  to  the 
Legislature,  and  the  result  was  the  creation  of  a  new  town  named  Hor- 
nellsville,  a  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  one  of  the  foremost  men 
of  the  region.  The  erecting  act  was  passed  April  i,  1820,  and  within 
the  limits  of  the  new  formation  was  all  the  territory  of  the  present  town 
of  Hornellsville,  together  with  Hartsville  and  a  portion  of  Fremont. 
The  former  was  separated  from  this  town  in  1844,  and  the  latter  ten 
years  later. 

The  full  organization  was  completed  at  a  meeting  of  the  freemen  held 
at  the  house  of  Martha  Hornell,  widow  of  the  pioneer,  on  the  first  Tues- 
day in  March,  1 821,  at  which  time  these  officers  were  elected:  Ira 
Davenport,  supervisor  ;  John  R.  Stephens,  town  clerk  ;  John  Hurlbut, 
George  Hornell  and  James  Harding,  assessors;  William  B.  Bostwick, 
collector ;  Elijah  Stephens  and  Stephen  Webb,  overseers  of  the  poor  ; 
Stephen  Coon,  Asa  Upton  and  Samuel  Harding,  highway  commis- 
sioners ;  Christopher  Hurlbut,  Arvin  Kennedy  and  George  Hornell,  in- 
spectors of  schools  ;  James  Taggart,  William  Stephens  and  Amos  Graves, 
commissioners  of  common  schools;  William  B.  Bostwick,  David  Whit- 
ney and  William  Webb,  constables  ;  Amasa  Thacher,  Justus  Harding 
and  William  Stephens,  jr.,  fence  viewers. 

Having  become  fully  organized,  the  authorities  of  the  town,  acting  in 
harmony  with  the  leading  inhabitants,  at  once  set  about  the  develop- 
ment of  all  local  interests,  establishing  a  prosperous  condition  of  affairs 
on  every  hand  as  the  best  and  strongest  inducement  to  attract  other 
settlers.  The  result  was  an  immediate  and  thenceforth  constant  growth 
in  population  and  business  interests,  and  whereas  the  entire  jurisdiction 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  123 

of  Canisteo  had  a  population  of  891  in  1820,  the  town  of  Hornellsville 
contained  834  inhabitants  in  1825.  In  1 830  the  number  had  increased 
to  1,572,  and  ten  years  later  to  2,121.  In  1850  the  population  was 
2,637,  ^^^  4^230  in  i860,  despite  the  fact  that  during  the  last  two  dec- 
ades one  full  town  and  a  portion  of  another  had  been  formed  from 
the  territory  of  this  town.  Again,  in  1870  the  census  gave  Hornells- 
ville a  population  of  5,837,  and  in  1880  of  9,852.  During  the  next 
decade,  in  1888,  the  city  was  entirely  separated  from  the  mother  town, 
taking  therefrom  nearly  10,000  of  her  inhabitants;  still,  in  1890,  the 
town  had  a  population  of  1,939.  Including  the  population  of  the  city, 
which  lies  wholly  within  the  geographical  limits  of  the  town,  the  num- 
ber of  inhabitants  now  living  in  the  joint  districts  is  conservatively 
estimated  at  14,000. 

The  history  of  the  city,  from  the  time  when  pioneers  Crosby,  Hard- 
ing, Hornell  and  their  early  associates  made  the  first  improvement, 
forms  an  interesting  element  of  the  history  of  the  town  at  large;  yet, 
according  to  the  plan  of  this  work,  they  are  separated  and  each  is  made 
the  subject  of  a  distinct  chapter.  The  busy  little  hamlet  of  Arkport 
will  also  be  found  mentioned  in  another  part  of  this  volume. 

In  this  connection  it  is  interesting  to  note  the  succession  of  leading 
officers  of  the  town  ;  that  is,  the  supervisors,  town  clerks  and  justices  of 
the  peace. 

Supervisors. — Ira  Davenport,  1821-22;  John  R.  Stephens,  1823-25  ; 
Thomas  Bennett,  1826-27  ;  James  McBurney,  1828-3  i  ;  James  Dyke, 
1832-33;  James  McBurney,  1834-35;  ^^^  Davenport,  1836-39;  Hugh 
Magee,  1840-41  ;  John  R.  Morris,  1842-44;  Thomas  Major,  1845-47; 
Martin  Adsit,  1848;  Aaron  Morris,  1849-50;  Elisha  G.  Stevens,  185  i- 
52  ;  Wm.  Bennett,  1853-54  ;  Lewis  D.  Benton,  1855  ;  Marcus  E.  Brown, 
1856-57;  Alanson  Stephens,  1858-59;  Philip  Van  Scoter,  1860-61  ;  J. 
H.  Stephens,  jr.,  1862-64;  John  A.  Major,  1865-66;  Chas.  F.  Smith, 
1867  ;  J.  W.  Robinson,  1868;  Arza  P.  Breeze,  1869  ;  John  McDougall, 
1870-72;  Walter  G.  Rose,  1873-74;  Miles  W.  Hawley,  1875-77;  S. 
E.  Shattuck,  1878;  Samuel  Mitchell,  1879;  Esek  Page,  1880-82;  J. 
William  Nicholson,  1883;  M.  W.  Hawley,  1884;  Walter  G.  Rose,  1885  ; 
George  Holland,  1886;  Avery  McDougall,  1887;  Miles  W.  Hawley, 
1888;  Henry  Colgrove,  1889;  L.  C.  Healy,  1890;  Henry  Colgrove, 
1891  ;  L.  C.  Healy,  1892;  William   S.  Hurlbut,  1893-95. 


124  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

TowTi  Clerks. — John  R.  Stephens,  1821-22  ;  George  Hornell,  1823  ; 
Samuel  Thacher,  1824;  WiUiam  Stephens,  jr.,.  1825;  Otis  Thacher, 
1826-28;  Augustus  Newell,  1829;  Thomas  Bennett,  1830;  John 
Morris,  1831;  Jno.  R.  Morris,  1832;  Thomas  J.  Reynolds,  1833; 
Martin  Adsit,  1834-39;  Charles  Lefiferts,  1840;  Andy  L.  Smith,  jr., 
1841  ;  Hiram  Bennett,  1842-44;  Rufus  Tuttle,  1845  ;  Andy  L.  Smith, 
jr.,  1846;  Rufus  Tuttle,  1847;  Daniel  Bullard,  1848;  William  H.  Doty, 
1849;  Nath.  Blakesley,  1850-52;  Marcus  E.  Brown,  1853-55;  Chas. 
E.Baldwin,  1856;  Nathan  Nichols,  1857;  Miles  W.  Hawley,  1858; 
Theo.  Badger,  1859;  Nathan  Nichols,  i860;  Joseph  Lanphear,  1861  ; 
C.  C.  Reynolds,  1862;  Elmon  D.  Smith,  1863;  Peter  P.  Houck,  1864; 
M.  W.  Hawley,  1865-72;  Wm.  H.  Greenhow,  1873-77;  Joseph  Cam- 
eron, 1880;  Niles  L.  Harrison,  1881  ;  Wm.  H.  Reynolds,  1882-83; 
Jos.  Cameron,  1884-86;  Harris  C.  Sawyer,  1887-88;  Julius  Weber, 
1889-90;   Wm.  Ford,  1891-92  ;  James  F.  Deeter,  1893-95. 

Justices  of  the  Peace,  (elected). — John  Pitts,  Jabez  Lanphear,  1830; 
Jno.  R.  Stephens,  1831  ;  Ephraim  Wood,  1832  ;  Chas.  N.  Hart,  1833  and 
37;  Jno.  Baldwin,  1834  and  38;  Stephen  Abbott,  1835  ;  Dexter  Strait, 
1836;  Jno.  Pitts,  1838-39,1844;  David  Crandall,  1839  and  40;  Chas. 
Lefiferts,  1841  ;  Elisha  G.  Stephens,  1842;  Israel  Adams,  1842;  Sid- 
ney Frisbie,  1843;  Nathaniel  Finch,  1844,  1848  and  1849;  Hiram 
Bennett,  1845,  1850,  '54,  '61  and  '65;  Benj.  T.  Hoyes,  1846;  Ethan 
Coats,  1847;  Andrew  Morris,  1847-51  ;  John  Hurlbut,  1848,  '56,  '60: 
Wm.  E.  Haight,  1852;  James  Atley,  1853;  Jno.  M.  Wisewell,  1857; 
Homer  Holliday,  1855,  '59,  '6^,  '68  and  '^l  ;  Richard  C.  Major,  1858  ; 
Wm.  W.  Osgoodby,  1862;  James  McWoolever,  1864;  F.  Colgrove, 
1865;  S.  M.  Thacher,  1866;  S.  D.  Pitts,  1866;  Stephen  F.  Gilbert, 
1867;  Rodney  Dennis  and  Henry  Howard,  1869;  Chas.  E.  Beard, 
1870,  '74;  H.  F.  Howard,  187 1,  '75.  '79'  '^3  ;  Martin  V.  Doty,  1872; 
Orson  Mosher,  1876;  Edwin  J.  Cox,  1877;  Henry  L  Walker,  1878- 
79;  Fay  P.  Rathbun,  1870;  John  Griffin,  1880;  Wm.  E.  Haight, 
1882  ;  Irving  Paine,  1884  ;  James  H.  Clancy,  1885  ;  Lot  Reznor,  1886; 
Warren  W.  Oxx,  1887;  Frank  Kelley,  1888;  Chas.  P.  Emery,  1889; 
M.  A.  Emery  and  D.  C.  Hopkins,  1890;  W.  E.  Ellis  and  D.  L. 
Dungan,  1891  ;  J.  L,  Kellison,  1892;  Norman  Bennett,  1893;  Chester 
Halbert  and  A.  A.  Sewell,  1894;   W.  E.  Ellis,  1895. 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  125 

Present  Tozvn  Officers  (1895). — William  S.  Hurlbut,  supervisor; 
James  F.  Deeter,  town  clerk  ;  Wells  E.  Ellis,  Chester  Halbert,  J.  L. 
Kellison  and  Adelbert  A.  Sevvell,  justices;  Nelson  Ayres,  Thomas 
Burris  and  Henry  Colegrove,  assessors  ;  Austin  C.  Hill,  overseer  of  the 
poor;  John  W.  Wood,  collector;  Lot  Reznor,  highway  commissioner; 
Henry  Lovee,  Hiram  Ellis  and  Frank  Waddington,  excise  commission- 
ers. 

The  civil  history  of  the  town  of  Hornellsville,  from  first  to  last,  forms 
an  interesting  and  instructive  chapter  in  the  annals  of  Steuben  county. 
The  pioneers  of  this  special  region  had  to  contend  with  the  same  ob- 
stacles and  the  same  discouragements  as  did  those  of  other  localities, 
and  the  lands  here  were  not  more  inviting  than  in  other  parts  of  the 
Canisteo  valley.  The  first  comers  found  a  few  patches  of  cleared  land 
and  the  Indians  were  still  occupants  of  the  soil.  W^ithin  the  present 
boundaries  of  the  town  were  several  places  where  stood  the  rude  hab- 
itations of  the  red  man,  and  while  the  latter  were  not  hostile,  they  were 
never  particularly  friendly,  and  yielded  to  the  advances  of  civilization 
with  ill-disguised  feelings  of  reluctance.  During  the  war  of  1812,  the 
remaining  Indians  were  regarded  with  distrust  and  apprehension  by  the 
settlers,  as  it  was  feared  they  might  again  return  to  their  old  alliance 
with  the  British.  However,  after  the  danger  of  an  outbreak  had  passed, 
the  arts  of  peace  engaged  the  undivided  attention  of  the  inhabitants, 
farms  were  cleared,  new  lands  were  developed,  and  an  era  of  pros- 
perity prevailed  on  every  hand. 

Preceding  and  during  the  period  of  the  so-called  Anti-rent  Con- 
flict, the  public  mind  was  much  interested,  but  as  the  Pulteney  and 
Hornby  associations  had  no  interests  in  this  town  the  people  here  for- 
tunately escaped  the  embarrassments  caused  by  it.  In  fact  the  dis- 
turbed condition  of  affairs  elsewhere  had  the  effect  of  attracting  settle- 
ment to  this  town,  and  during  the  five  years  between  1825  and  1830,  the 
population  of  Hornellsville  was  nearly  doubled. 

The  one  great  event  which  above  all  others  contributed  to  the  pro- 
motion of  local  interests,  was  the  construction  of  the  New  York  and 
Erie  railroad.  The  preliminaiy  surveys  were  made  by  De  Witt  Clin- 
ton in  1832,  and  the  company  was  organized  in  1833.  The  first  work 
of  construction  in  this  town  was  done  in  1841,  though  nearly  ten    years 


126  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

elapsed  before  the  road  was  in  operation.  On  Sunday,  September  i, 
1850,  the  first  train  of  cars  was  run  into  Hornellsville.  The  road  was 
completed  to  Dunkirk,  May  14,  185  i.  With  this  great  consummation 
the  prosperity  of  the  town  was  assured,  and  later  railway  interests  only 
added  to  the  general  welfare.  With  soil  that  }'ields  profitably  in  return 
to  proper  cultivation,  it  is  only  in  the  natural  course  of  events  that 
Hornellsville  ranks  well  among  the  agricultural  towns  of  the  county  ; 
and  in  the  production  of  potatoes,  as  a  special  interest,  the  locality  is 
unsurpassed. 

The  military  record  of  the  town  is  one  in  which  the  whole  people  feel 
just  and  pardonable  pride.  With  a  population  of  4,230  in  i860,  we 
find  credited  to  the  town  during  the  period  of  the  war  a  total  of  almost 
425  men  in  all  branches  of  the  service.  In  a  preceding  chapter  of  this 
volume  special  reference  is  made  to  the  various  companies  and  regi- 
ments to  which  this  town  contributed,  and  the  memory  of  the  volun- 
teers is  kept  alive  in  the  hearts  of  every  patriotic  citizen  of  the  town  by 
the  monuments  erected  in  their  honor. 

Howard. — On  the  i8th  of  June,  in  the  year  18 12,  the  towns  of 
Bath  and  Dansville  surrendered  portions  of  their  territory  to  a  new 
formation  called  Howard.  However,  it  was  not  long  before  the  new 
creation  was  itself  called  upon  to  yield  a  part  of  its  area  to  still  later 
subdivisions,  as  it  contributed  to  Avoca  in  1843,  ^"d  to  Fremont  in 
1854.  Thus  remaining,  and  as  at  present  constituted,  Howard  contains 
34,900  acres  of  land,  all  devoted  to  the  peaceful  arts  of  agriculture  and 
kindred  pursuits.  It  is  an  interior  town,  lying  west  of  the  shire  town, 
and  its  surface  is  chiefly  a  rolling  upland,  forming  a  part  of  the  ridge 
which  divides  the  Conhocton  and  Canisteo  rivers.  The  streams  are 
small,  and  in  the  northeast  part  are  two  small  ponds. 

The  claim  has  been  made  by  recent  and  reliable  authorities  that  the 
first  settler  in  this  town  was  one  Hovey,  who  made  a  clearing  of  a  few 
acres  and  then  abandoned  the  field.  His  improvement,  it  is  also  said, 
was  taken  in  1805  by  Mr.  Travis  and  his  family,  and  the  latter  were  in 
fact  the  pioneers  of  the  town.  However,  other  authorities  assert  that 
the  pioneer  was  Abraham  Johnson,  who  located  in  the  vicinity  of 
Towlesville  in  1806.  Charles  Mc(^onnell  was  about  the  next  settler, 
and  located  on  what  afterwards  became  known  as  the  Alkali  Bennett 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  127 

farm.  At  that  time  Asa  McConnell,  son  of  Charles,  was  only  seven 
years  old,  and  he  grew  up  in  the  town  and  afterward  rose  by  his  own 
efforts  to  a  position  of  importance  in  Hornellsville  and  the  county  ;  and 
his  sons  are  among  the  foremost  business  men  of  that  enterprising  city. 

From  this  time  on  settlement  increased  rapidly,  and  within  the  next 
few  years  there  came  and  located  in  various  parts  of  the  town  Samuel 
Baker,  Reuben  and  Abram  Smith,  Joel  and  Abel  BuUard,  Daniel  N. 
and  Jacob  Bennett.  Job  Rathbun,  and  his  three  brothers,  all,  it  is  be- 
lieved, during  the  year  1809.  In  18 10  William  Allen,  John  Hoagland, 
and  Daniel  Smith  joined  the  settlement,  and  Israel  Baldwin  came  in 
181 1.  Russell  Burlison  came  in  1812.  In  this  year  the  town  was  set 
off  and  given  a  separate  organization,  at  which  time  pioneership  had 
virtually  ceased.  Still,  among  the  prominent  later  comers  were  Jonas 
and  Seth  Rice,  Benjamin,  Thomas  and  Isaac  Bennett,  Jonathan  Ketchum 
Hamilton  Parkhill,  John  Stephenson,  David  Walker,  Andrew  Baker, 
George  and  James  Stewart,  Richard  Towle,  Reuben  Hammond, 
Isaac  Brasted,  Joseph  Lam,  Oliver  Parkhill,  R.  F.  P'erris,  Simeon  Baker, 
David  Rathbun,  Jabes  Beebe,  and  others  perhaps  equally  worthy  of 
mention,  but  whose  names  are  lost  with  the  lapse  of  years. 

Jonathan  Ketchum  built  the  first  framed  hotel  in  the  town,  and  soon 
afterward  put  up  a  small  tannery.  The  first  tavern  was  built  of  logs, 
by  Isaac  Bennett,  and  the  second  by  Benjamin  Bennett.  Randall  and 
Calvin  Graves  built  the  first  store,  and  this  was  the  only  industry  of  its 
kind  in  Howard  until  Calvin  Whitwood  settled  there,  in  1831.  He  was 
succeeded  by  James  and  George  Alley,  and  the  latter  became  success- 
ful merchants  and  were  also  owners  of  a  grist  mill  east  of  the  village. 
They  soon  left  the  town  and  were  succeeded  by  Aaron  McConnell, 
also  a  successful  merchant. 

P^rom  what  has  been  noted  it  will  be  seen  that  the  lands  of  Howard 
were  settled  at  a  comparatively  early  day,  and  by  a  class  of  men  who 
were  in  every  sense  thrifty  and  progressive.  In  this  respect  we  make 
no  new  disclosure,  for  this  town  has  always  been  noted  for  the  substan- 
tial character  of  its  men  as  well  as  its  institutions.  Occupying  a  some- 
what remote  locality  from  the  established  trading  centers,  and  possess- 
ing no  suitable  facilities  for  manufacturing  enterprises,  the  inhabitants 
of  Howard  have  necessarily  been  farmers,  and  to  this  pursuit  have  bent 


128  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

their  untiring  energies  ;  and  to-day  the  result  of  early  thrift  and  indus- 
try is  apparent,  for  here  are  found  some  of  the  best  farmers  in  Steuben 
county. 

When  set  off  in  1812  the  population  of  the  new  district  was  hardly 
more  than  300,  and  in  1814  the  exact  number  of  inhabitants  was  366. 
In  1820  it  was  1,140,  and  in  1830  was  2,464.  Ten  years  later  the 
maximum  population  was  reached,  being  3,247  in  1840,  and  3,244  in 
1850.  In  i860  the  number  was  2,746,  and  2,122  in  1870.  The  num- 
ber in  1880  was  2,131.  and  in  1890  was  1,938.  According  to  the  count 
of  1892,  Howard  had  1,885  inhabitants. 

The  first  town  meeting  in  Howard  was  held  in  April,  18 13,  at  the 
house  of  Simeon  Bacon,  at  which  time  a  complete  board  of  officers  was 
elected.  However,  the  records  of  this  town,  previous  to  1823,  have 
been  lost  or  destroyed,  in  consequence  of  which  the  list  of  first  town 
officers  cannot  be  furnished.  The  present  officers  (1895)  are  as  follows  : 
D.  Ray  Bennett,  supervisor;  Frank  H.  Sharp,  town  clerk;  Joseph 
Miller,  A.  L.  Cole  and  A  H  Baldwin,  justices  of  the  peace;  L.J. 
Franklin,  Thomas  Coots  and  James  Crozier,  assessors ;  A.  W.  Barton, 
collector;  Calvin  Bullock,  highway  commissioner;  John  A.  Drake, 
overseer  of  the  poor  ;  Alexander  McChesney,  Martin  Higgins  and  J. 
W.  Carr,  excise  commissioners. 

The  supervisors  of  Howard  .since  1823,  have  been  as  follows:  Israel 
Baldwin,  1823;  Daniel  N.  Bennett,  1824-25;  Wm.  Goff,  1826-27; 
Green  Hern,  1828-29;  Daniel  N.  Bennett,  1830-31;  H.  N.  Rathbun, 
1832;  John  VV.  Whiting,  1833-34;  William  Gofif,  1835-36;  Issachar 
Goodrich,  1837;  C.  E.  Belden,  1838-39;  James  Alley,  1840-42;  Asa 
McConnell,  1843  i  John  Hamilton,  1844-45  ;  D.  N.  Bennett,  1846-47; 
Joseph  I.  Burnham,  1848;  Ira  Lane,  1849-50;  Ansel  House,  1851; 
Alkali  Bennett,  1852-53;  Ansel  House,  1854;  Moses  S.  Bennett, 
1855-56;  Alonzo  Graves,  1857-58;  Ansel  House,  1859;  Alkali  Ben- 
nett, 1860-61  ;  A.  T.  Parkhill,  1862-63  ;  John  F.  Shaver,  1864;  Alkali 
Bennett,  1865-66;  A.  M.Cole,  1867;  Alkali  Bennett,  1868;  Aaron 
McConnell,  1869-71  ;  John  G.  Shaip,  1872-73  ;  Josiah  House,  1874-75; 
J  C.  Hoagland,  1876-77;  George  Bennett,  1878;  William  H.Willis, 
1879-80;  Andrew  Sharp,  1881-82;  O.  F.  Bennett,  1883-84;  Alonzo 
Van  Wie,  1885-87;  A.  U.  Brown,  1888;  R.  F.  Parkhill,  1889-91  ;  E. 
L.  Stewart,  1892-93;  D.  Ray  Bennett,  1894-95. 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  129 

Among  the  early  residents  in  the  east  and  southeast  part  of  this  town 
was  a  considerable  colony  of  Irish  Presbyterians;  good,  strong,  earnest 
and  active  men  and  women,  who  have  devoted  themselves  to  agricul- 
tural pursuits,  and  many  of  whom  have  built  up  fine  farms.  Tiiis  town 
and  its  people  was  peculiarly  affected  by  the  disturbances  of  the  anti- 
rent  period,  and,  lying  next  west  of  the  shire- town  of  the  county,  there 
was  perhaps  a  more  active  participation  in  public  events  than  was  shown 
in  localities  more  remote.  The  delegates  from  Howard  in  the  Bath 
convention  were  Daniel  N.  Bennett,  who  at  the  time  was  supervisor, 
Byram  L.  Harlow,  William   Goff,  John  D.  Collier  and  Jacob  G.  Winne. 

During  the  period  of  the  war  of  1861-65,  this  town  raised  for  bounties, 
and  forthepurposeof  recruitingtroops  fortheservice,a  total  of  $3,021.72; 
and  in  addition  to  this  the  county  raised,  upon  the  credit  of  the  town, 
the  sum  of  $42,450.  So  near  as  can  be  ascertained  the  town  furnished 
about  160  men  for  service  during  the  war. 

According  to  local  tradition  the  first  school  in  the  town  was  opened 
about  the  year  181 5  in  the  little  log  school  house  standing  near  the 
residence  of  Aaron  McConnell.  About  the  same  time  another  school 
was  started  at  Howard  Flats,  and  still  a  third  in  Towlesville.  About 
1820  the  town  was  first  divided  into  districts  and  provision  made  for  a 
school  in  each.  In  the  principal  village  an  academy  was  founded  and 
built  in  1835.  It  was  an  excellent  institution,  well  equipped  and  sup- 
plied with  an  efficient  corps  of  instructors.  However  worthy  may  have 
been  this  enterprise  it  finally  met  the  fate  that  fell  upon  many  similar 
schools  and  it  was  therefore  discontinued. 

As  at  present  constituted  Howard  has  seventeen  school  districts,  each 
provided  with  a  comfortable  school  house.  The  total  value  of  school 
property  in  the  town  is  estimated  at  $9,420.  During  the  school  year 
1893-4,  the  town  received  of  public  moneys  $2,081,  and  raised  by 
local  tax  $1,929.58.      Forty-two  tree?  were  planted  by  pupils  in  1894. 


130  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 


CHAPTER  IX. 
THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

Jasper. — On  the  24th  of  January,  1827,  all  that  part  of  the  towns  of 
Canisteo  and  Troupsburg  which  were  included  in  township  2,  range  5, 
of  the  Phelps  and  Gorham  purcliase,  were  erected  into  a  separate  town, 
and  named  Jasper,  in  honorable  allusion  to  Sergeant  Jasper,  whose 
courageous  conduct  at  the  battle  of  Fort  Moultrie,  S.  C,  June  28,  1776, 
received  public  commendation.  However,  in  1848  a  strip  of  land  half 
a  mile  in  width  was  taken  from  this  town  and  annexed  to  Greenwood. 

Geographically,  Jasper  is  located  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  county, 
and  contains  31,300  acres  of  land.  The  surface  is  a  hilly  and  broken 
upland,  some  of  the  elevations  reaching  more  than  2,000  feet  above 
tide  water.  The  streams  are  small  brooks,  and  the  soil  is  slaty,  gravelly 
and  clayey  loam.  From  the  hills  of  Jasper,  in  years  past,  there  has 
been  taken  a  quality  of  stone  specially  adapted  to  the  manufacture  of 
grindstones,  but  remote  from  the  railroads  of  the  county,  and  from 
commercial  centers,  the  natural  resources  of  this  town  have  never  been 
fully  developed.  Its  inhabitants  are,  and  for  all  time  during  the  period 
of  its  history  have  been  farmers  ;  earnest, honest,  steady  and  hardworking 
husbandmen,  who,  notwithstanding  the  disadvantages  of  location  and 
the  difificulty  attending  successful  cultivation  of  the  land,  have  succeeded 
in  establishing  for  themselves  a  satisfactory  and  even  comfortable  con- 
dition of  affairs,  and  the  town  to-day  ranks  well  among  the  best  farm- 
ing sections  of  the  county. 

The  settlement  of  Jasper  was  begun  in  1807,  while  the  territory 
formed  a  part  of  the  original  town  of  Canisteo.  The  pioneer  seems  to 
have  been  Nicholas  Brotzman,  sr.,  or  Prutzman,  as  once  known,  who 
came  from  Tioga  county,  Pa.,  and  penetrated  the  dense  forests  that 
bordered  on  Canisteo  River  and  Tuscarora  Creek,  until  he  reached  the 
spot  where   he  afterward  lived.     This  pioneer  was  a  German,  and  was 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  131 

perhaps  was  one  of  the  most  persevering  of  the  early  settlers  in  this 
whole  region.  His  cabin  was  built  near  Marlatt's  Corners  of  later 
years.  Adam  Brotzman  settled  at  the  Five  Corners  in  1809,  where  a 
man  named  Morley  had  made  an  original  clearing.  The  surname 
Brotzman  is  still  represented  in  the  town. 

Andrew  Craig,  sr.,  was  a  settler  in  this  town  as  early  as  18 10,  coming 
from  Philadelphia.  He  was  land  agent  for  the  proprietary  and  other- 
wise influential  and  prominent  in  early  local  history.  From  him  de- 
scended a  large  family,  some  of  whom  attained  positions  of  trust  in  the 
county.  Mrs.  Craig  made  the  first  butter  which  was  marketed  from 
Jasper,  but  in  much  later  years  this  town  has  become  noted  for  the  ex- 
cellence of  its  dairy  product. 

Ebenezer  Spencer  was  another  pioneer,  coming  from  Cayuga  county, 
though  a  Connecticut  Yankee  by  birth.  He  bought  400  acres  of  tim- 
bered land  in  Jasper  at  fourteen  shillings  an  acre,  and  eighty-four  acres 
of  cleared  land  at  twenty  shillings  per  acre.  Mr.  Spencer  was  a  man  of 
means  and  also  of  prominence  in  the  new  community ;  was  a  great  hun- 
ter and  trapper,  and  with  his  memory  are  associated  many  interesting 
stories. 

Uzal  McMindes  and  John  Marlatt  came  to  the  town  in  18 10,  both 
from  New  Jersey,  and  Gideon  Marlatt  came  one  year  later.  All  were 
prominent  in  early  times,  and  their  names  are  still  preserved  in  the 
town.  Other  early  settlers  were  Andrew  Simpson,  in  1812;  Adam 
Wass  in  18 16;  Henry  Whitman  in  18 19;  Rice  Wentworth  in  1820; 
Hial  Wood  in  182 1  ;  Elisha  Peak,  about  1821,  also  Ezra  Banks,  who  is 
said  to  have  chopped  more  than  500  acres  of  woods  in  the  town,  being 
assisted  only  by  his  sons. 

In  the  same  connection  may  be  mentioned  the  family  of  A.  Fuller 
Whittemore,  also  John  Deck  and  Solomon  Deck,  John  Moore,  Israel  S. 
Osgood,  George  I.  Shawl,  Alva  June,  Moses  Dennis,  a  Revolutionary 
soldier,  Enoch  Ordway,  John  Hadley  and  his  family.  Dr.  William  Hun- 
ter, the  first  physician,  Samuel  Dennis,  Earl  Stone,  Henry  Prentice, 
Deacon  Joshua  Sargent,  Ephraim  Lyons,  carpenter,  David  Woodward, 
Charles  Lamson.  William  Purdy,  Peter  Drake,  Abraham  Freeland, 
Thomas  Waight,  Christopher  Dennis,  Harvey  Andrews,  Daniel  Purdy, 
and  some  others,  all  of  whom  were  settlers  in  the  town  previous  to  1835, 


132  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

and  are  entitled  to  be  named  among  those  who  laid  the  foundation  for 
later  successes  by  their  descendants. 

In  1830,  and  about  that  time,  the  settlers  in  Jasper  were  much  dis- 
turbed over  the  events  of  the  so-called  anti-rent  conflict,  and  as  this 
town  had  come  from  the  Pulteney  or  Hornby  association,  the  inhabit- 
ants felt  a  direct  interest  in  the  result  of  the  measures  adopted  at  the 
time.  The  people  held  meetings  and  discussed  the  subject  quite  freely, 
and  sent  delegates  to  represent  the  town  in  the  convention  at  Bath. 
These  delegates  were  William  Hunter,  Benjamin  Heliker,  Ira  Smith, 
Uzal  McMynderse  (or  McMinders),  and  Hinckley  Spencer.  However, 
the  events  of  this  period,  being  general  rather  than  local,  are  narrated 
in  an  earlier  chapter. 

Referring  briefly  to  the  first  events  of  town  history,  we  may  note  the 
fact  that  the  first  settler  was  Nicholas  Brotzman  ;  the  first  birth  that  of 
Sally  Brotzman  ;  the  first  marriage  that  of  Samuel  Gray  and  Polly  Simp- 
son ;  the  first  inn  or  tavern  was  kept  by  Nicholas  Brotzman,  and  the 
first  school  was  taught  by  Amanda  Smith. 

However  much  delayed  may  have  been  the  early  settlement  in  this 
part  of  the  county  by  the  hilly  and  uninviting  character  of  the  region, 
we  nevertheless  find  a  population  of  500  in  township  two  of  the  fifth 
range  as  early  as  the  year  182 15.  We  may  also  note  the  establishment 
of  one  small  village  and  at  least  two  minor  settlements,  for  the  people 
of  this  locality  have  ever  been  noted  for  their  independence  and  self- 
reliance.  Herein  lies  the  great  secret  of  their  success  in  life,  in  the  face 
of  obstacles  that  would  have  completely  discouraged  the  pioneers  who 
settled  on  the  rich  plain  lands  of  the  Genesee  countrj'. 

As  we  have  stated  the  town  was  set  off"  from  Canisteo  and  Troups- 
burg  in  1827,  the  local  population  then  being  nearly  600.  The  first 
town  meeting  was  held  at  the  dwelling  of  Andrew  Simpson,  on  the  first 
Tuesday  in  March,  at  which  time  these  persons  were  elected  to  fill  the 
several  town  offices,  viz.:  Andrew  Craig,  supervisor;  William  Hunter, 
town  clerk ;  Uzal  McMindes,  Oliver  Pease,  sr.,  and  Samuel  Dennis, 
assessors ;  Jonathan  Schenck,  collector  ;  John  G.  Marlatt,  Elijah  Peake, 
and  Benjamin  Helliker,  highway  commissioners;  Ira  Smith  and  Ste- 
phen Towsley,  overseers  of  the  poor;  Henry  Phenix,  Enoch  Ordway, 
and  Joseph   Button,  commissioners  of  schools;   Ira   Simpson,  Jonathan 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  133 

R.  Prentice  and  William  Hunter,  inspectors  of  schools.  At  a  general 
election  held  in  November  of  the  same  year,  Oliver  Pease,  Stephen 
Towsley  and  Ira  Smith  were  chosen  the  first  justices  of  the  peace  in  the 
town. 

The  succession  of  supervisors  in  Jasper  has  been  as  follows  :  Andrew 
Craig,  1827-32':  Stephen  Towsley,  1833-36;  William  Hunter,  1837- 
39;  J.  R.  Prentice,  1840;  John  G.  Marlatt,  1841  ;  J.  R.  Prentice,  1842; 
William  Hunter,  1843  ;  Andrew  Craig,  1844-45  ;  William  Hunter, 
1846;  Alvah  June,  1847-51  ;  Darius  Simpson,  1852;  J.  R.  Prentice, 
1853  ;  Jesse  L.  Bartow,  1854;  J.  R.  Prentice,  1855  ;  Jonathan  Schenck, 
1856-57;  Ira  D.  Hotchkiss,  1858-59;  Henry  C.  Prentice,  1860-62; 
Amos  T.  Woodbury,  1863-65  ;  Willis  E.  Craig,  1866  ;  Samuel  F.  Den- 
nis, 1867-69;  George  D.  Woodward,  1870-71;  Samuel  Dennis,  jr., 
1872;  Willis  E.  Craig,  1873;  James  S.  Outman,  1874;  W.  E.  Craig, 
1875-76;  Asa  Spencer,  1877-78;  A.  A.  Van  Arsdale,  1879-81  ;  J. 
Sumner  Sargent,  1882-87;  S.  B.  Hardy,  1888-92;  Nathaniel  P.  Hun- 
ter, 1893  ;   Ezra  Chatfield,  1894-95. 

The  present  town  officers  (1895)  are  Ezra  Chatfield,  supervisor  ;  C.  E. 
Brown,  town  clerk  ;  A.  A.  Van  Arsdale,  Byron  Crosby,  J.  M.  Simpson, 
Arthur  Lamson,  justices  ;  C.  G.  Hutchinson,  Collins  Talbot  and  John 
T.  Dunnigan,  assessors;  Dennis  Williams,  highway  commissioner ;  John 
Murphy,  overseer  of  the  poor  ;  John  E.  Schenck,  collector  ;  James  Tur- 
ner, J.  B.  Sargent  and  Adelbert  Curtiss,  excise  commissioners. 

When  first  separated  from  the  mother  town  Jasper  had  about  600 
inhabitants,  and  in  1830  the  number  was  657.  In  1840  it  increased  to 
1,187,  ^"^  '"  1850  to  1,749.  In  i860  the  maximum  number  was 
reached,  1,850,  but  in  1870  had  decreased  to  1,683.  I"  1880  the  pop- 
ulation was  1,806,  but  the  next  ten  years  showed  a  decrease,  the 
census  of  1890  giving  the  number  of  inhabitants  as  1,690. 

Notwithstanding  these  several  and  somewhat  noticeable  fluctuations 
in  population,  the  town  of  Jasper  is  as  stable  and  substantial  and  relia- 
ble in  its  productions  and  institutions  as  any  similarly  situated  civil 
division  of  the  county.  There  is  but  little  of  the  speculative  in  the 
characteristics  of  the  people ;  everything  has  been  built  "  from  the 
stump,"  and  there  are  but  few  evidences  of  premature  decay. 

During  the  years  of  early  history  the  pioneers  of  Jasper  were  not  un 


134  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

mindful  of  the  spiritual  welfare  of  their  families,  and  even  before  the 
town  itself  was  set  off  we  find  three  full  and  complete  church  societies 
in  existence.  They  were  the  Baptist,  organized  in  1817;  the  Presby- 
terian, in  18 1 8.  and  the  Methodist  Episcopal,  the  earliest  meetings  of 
which  run  to  about  the  same  time.  In  later  )  ears  other  societies  have 
been  formed  and  there  are  now  five  organizations,  the  Wesleyan  Meth- 
odist and  North  Jasper  Methodist  in  addition  to  those  already  noted. 
Also  during  these  years  there  have  been  built  up  several  hamlets  in  the 
town,  though  none  has  attained  the  corporate  character.  Jasper  village 
is  the  chief  center  of  business  in  the  town,  and  will  be  found  particularly 
mentioned  in  the  municipal  history  in  this  work.  The  other  hamlets 
are  hardly  more  than  cross-road  settlements.  Half  a  century  ago  the 
named  hamlets  were  Jasper  Four  Corners,  Jasper  Five  Corners,  West 
Jasper  and  South  Hill.  The  more  recent  names  of  post-offices  have 
been  Jasper,  North  Jasper,  West  Jasper  and  Hampshire,  the  latter  so 
called  from  the  fact  that  many  of  the  early  settlers  in  the  locality  of 
roads  17  and  18  were  from  New  Hampshire;  and  the  average  New 
Englander  naturally  delights  in  preserving  memories  of  his  native 
State. 

As  an  agricultural  town  Jasper  has  for  many  years  ranked  well  among 
the  divisions  of  the  county,  but  in  point  of  manufactures  it  has  gained 
no  special  prominence,  the  disadvantages  of  location  operating  adversely- 
Still,  we  may  recall  the  once  important  steam  flour  mill  built  away 
back  in  1848  by  Nelson  Johnson;  the  Knapp  tannery,  afterward  Au- 
gustus Van  Asrdale's ;  the  Savage  tannery,  run  by  Andrew  Savage. 
The  Craig  mill  was  built  and  run  by  A.  B.  and  W.  A.  Craig,  in  1866. 
We  may  also  mention  the  Walrath  mills,  built  in  1881. 

LiNDI.EY. — "Township  i,  range  2,  Phelps  and  Gorham  Purchase." 
This  was  a  fair  description  of  this  town  one  hundred  and  five  years  ago, 
when  Col.  Eleazer  Lindsley  came  from  New  Jersey  and  made  an  exten- 
sive purchase  of  land  in  the  Genesee  country.  Still  there  has  ever  ex- 
isted a  doubt  as  to  the  amount  of  land  actually  acquired  by  Colonel 
Lindsley  from  Oliver  Phelps  in  1790,  some  authorities  asserting  that  his 
purchase  included  the  entire  township,  while  others  claim  that  his  title 
covered  only  the  southern  half  of  number  one,  range  two,  and  that  the 
other   proprietors   took  title   directly  from    the  proprietary,  John  Ryess 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  135 

taking  the  northwest  quarter,  and  Judge  Garrettson  the  northeast. 
However,  with  all  respect  for  the  opinions  of  competent  authorities,  the 
present  writer  is  inclined  to  accept  the  theory  of  Colonel  Harrower,  that 
the  township  was  purchased  from  Oliver  Phelps  by  Colonel  Lindsley, 
John  Ryess  and  Judge  Garrettson  ;  that  a  commission  made  a  fair  and 
equitable  division  of  the  territory  according  to  the  respective  interests 
of  the  vendees;  and  that  Colonel  Lindsley  was  awarded  the  south  half 
and  the  others  the  upper  quarters  as  noted  above.  Other  authorities 
contend  that  Lindsley  bought  the  town  at  sixpence  per  acre,  and  sold 
the  north  half  to  the  persons  mentioned  at  one  shilling  per  acre. 

In  some  respects  Lindley  differs  in  physical  features  from  other  towns 
of  the  county,  and  while  these  characteristics  are  not  specially  impor- 
tant, they  are  at  least  noteworthy.  Extending  north  and  south  the  en- 
tire length  of  the  town  is  the  charming  and  fertile  valley  of  the  Tioga, 
from  any  point  in  which  the  observer  is  at  once  attracted  by  the  de- 
lightful view  about  him.  The  river  valley  averages  about  a  mile  in 
width,  while  on  either  side  the  hills  rise  to  a  height  varying  from  five 
hundred  to  six  hundred  feet.  When  the  doughty  colonel  made  his 
first  visit  to  the  region  he  found  evidence  of  cultivation  along  the  bottom 
lands,  and  the  general  fertility  of  the  soil  was  at  once  apparent.  Small 
wonder,  therefore,  that  he  preferred  the  exhilarating  atmosphere  of  the 
combined  hills  and  valley  rather  than  hazard  the  uncertanties  of  settlement 
in  the  lake  region  farther  north  in  Ontario  county.  And  if  we  may 
believe  well  verified  tradition  Colonel  Lindsley  found  a  clearly  marked 
Indian  trail  running  along  the  river  through  the  township,  indicating 
that  this  was  a  thoroughfare  of  travel  between  the  Seneca  country  on 
the  north  and  the  land  of  the  Delawares  on  the  south  ;  and  evidences 
are  not  wanting  to  show  that  the  Moravian  missionaries  frequented  the 
valley  while  traveling  from  their  Pennsylvania  homes  to  the  villages  of 
the  Senecas  and  the  subjugated  tribes  suffered  to  dwell  within  their  vast 
domain.  It  is  also  a  known  fact  that  the  Tioga  valley  was  a  favorite 
fishing  and  hunting  resort  of  the  red  men,  and  that  some  of  the  small 
tribes  had  villages  and  cultivated  fields  scattered  along  the  river.  Such 
was  the  situation  in  this  region  one  hundred  and  more  years  ago. 

Col.  Eleazer  Lindsley,  the  proprietor  of  township  one,  range  two,  was 
a  native  of  Connecticut,   born  December  7,  1737.      During  the  Revolu- 


136  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

tion,  he  was  active  in  serving  on  the  side  of  the  Americans,  and  was  an 
officer  in  the  regiment  commonly  called  the  "Jersey  Blues,"  for,  before 
the  war,  he  had  moved  to  New  Jersey.  It  is  not  known  why  Colonel 
Lindsley  left  his  comfortable  home  in  New  Jersey  to  brave  the  trials 
and  hardship  of  pioneer  life  in  the  new  country,  nor  may  we  properly 
enquire  into  the  motives  which  actuated  his  movements,  and  it  is  suffi- 
cient to  say  that  his  coming  to  the  region  was  fortunate  for  local  inter- 
ests, as  he  showed  himself  to  be  a  worthy  citizen,  kind  and  generous  in 
his  nature,  and  public  spirited  in  all  measures  for  the  welfare  of  the  val- 
ley and  its  people. 

In  the  Lindley  colony,  as  it  has  been  called,  were  about  forty  persons, 
many  of  them  relatives  of  the  proprietor.  They  left  New  Jersey  in  the 
spring  of  1790,  making  their  journey  in  wagons  and  on  horseback  to 
the  Susquehanna  River  at  Wilkesbarre,  thence  came  in  boats  to  the 
purchase,  arriving  and  landing  at  the  Tioga  Flats  on  the  7th  of  June. 
In  the  party  were  Colonel  Lindsley  and  two  sons,  Samuel  and  Eleazer, 
also  five  son-in-laws,  Dr.  Mulford,  Ebenezer  Backus,  Capt.  John  Seelye, 
Dr.  Hopkins  and  David  Payne.  Nearly  all  brought  families,  while  in  the 
party  were  several  slaves.  This  was  unquestionably  the  first  introduction 
of  slavery  into  the  south  part  of  Ontario  county,  a  novel  though  not  un- 
known institution.  It  is  said  that  Colonel  Lindsley  gave  a  slave  to 
each  of  his  children,  and  further,  that  only  a  few  years  passed  before  all 
were  set  free  and  provided  for,  for  slavery  was  soon  regarded  as  inim- 
ical to  our  State  institutions  and  also  forbidden  by  law. 

In  the  new  settlement  Colonel  Lindsley  was  an  important  personage, 
an  earnest  Christian,  and  a  worthy  leader.  In  1793  he  was  elected  to 
the  State  Legislature,  opening  the  way,  it  is  said,  to  a  career  of  useful- 
ness in  public  life,  but,  unfortunately  on  the  1st  of  June,  1794,  he  was 
stricken  ill  and  died.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Mary  Miller, 
died  November  20,  1806.  After  the  death  of  her  husband,  Mrs.  Linds- 
ley kept  public  house,  the  first  in  the  valley  between  Bath  and  Will- 
iamsport. 

In  addition  to  those  whose  names  have  been  mentioned,  we  find  the 
Lindsley  colony  to  contain  other  persons,  among  them  Joseph  Miller,  a 
substantial  farmer  of  the  valley  and  whose  descendants  still  live  in  the 
county.      David    Cook   also   formed   one  of  the   pioneer  party  of  1790, 


THE  CI\^IL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  137 

and,  like  the  colonel,  was  an  old  Revolutionary  soldier.  He  made  a 
comfortable  farm  in  the  valley  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  and,  with 
Robert  Patterson,  another  pioneer,  is  entitled  to  the  honor  of  having 
planted  the  first  apple  tree  in  the  town.  Among  the  other  early  set- 
tlers, though  possibly  not  pioneers,  may  be  mentioned  the  names  of 
Abner  Thurber,  another  Revolutionary  patriot,  Benjamin  Harrower, 
Simeon  Rorapaugh,  Thomas  Clark,  Ira  Lyon,  Elam  Watson,  James 
Sherwood,  James  Ford,  Lyman  Truman,  Jared  Butler,  William  Chilson, 
Parker  B.  Crandall,  Henry  and  Ethan  Pier,  Russell  and  Julius  Tremain, 
Joseph  Upham,  Elijah  Knapp,  Abram  Kinney,  Hezekiah  Collins  and 
others  whose  names  are  now  forgotten.  The  Piers,  theTremains,  Uphams, 
and  several  others,  settled  in  the  north  part  of  the  town,  near  Erwin  Center, 
as  it  was  for  many  years  known,  but  now  called  Presho.  Benjamin  Har- 
rower became  the  owner  of  a  2,000  acre  tract  of  timber  land  and 
built  a  "  gang  mill  "  at  the  Narrows. 

John  P.  Ryess  came  from  the  eastern  part  of  this  State  about  the 
year  1810.  He,  too,  was  an  extensive  landowner,  having  some  3,000 
acres.  Among  other  early  residents  in  the  town  were  Silas  Cook, 
Frederick  Heckert,  Jeremiah  Mulford,  Joseph  Miller,  Michael  R.  Thorp, 
surveyor,  Mr.  Waller,  and  possibly  others. 

All  these  came  into  township  number  i  previous  to  the  division  o 
Erwin,  and  many  of  them  while  the  territory  was  included  within  the 
still  older  town  of  Painted  Post.  They  were  an  industrious  and  ener- 
getic set  of  men,  and  under  their  persevering  efforts  the  lands  were 
cleared,  fine  farms  were  developed  and  comfortable  homes  were  built. 
For  many  years  the  chief  occupation  of  the  settlers  was  lumbering,  and 
in  this  industry  the  locality  long  held  a  prominent  position.  At  that 
time  the  Tioga  valley  was  subject  to  frequent  sudden  inundation  and  on 
several  occasions  the  settlers  and  lumbermen  suffered  serious  damage. 
In  the  spring,  and  often  in  the  fall,  of  each  year  came  the  rafting  sea- 
son, events  of  importance  and  activity  throughout  the  entire  valley. 

As  we  have  stated,  Lindley,  previous  to  its  separate  organization, 
formed  a  part  of  Erwin,  and  possibly  was  the  more  important  portion  of 
the  town.  The  center  of  business  was  at  the  hamlet  called  Erwin  Center 
(now  Presho),  for  here  was  about  the  geographical  center  of  the  town. 
In  1836  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  the  south  part  was  about  600,  and 


138  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

they  generally  favored  a  separation  from  the  mother  town.  The  result 
was  that  on  the  I2th  of  May,  1837,  township  i,  range  2,  was  erected 
into  a  new  town,  and  named  "  Lindsley  "  in  compliment  to  Col  Eleazer 
Lindsley,  its  acknowledged  pioneer  and  founder.  As  then  and  still 
constituted  the  town  contains  23,000  acres  of  land. 

The  original  name  of  this  town  was  "  Lindsley  "  but  through  an  error 
in  making  the  record  the  "  s  "  was  omitted,  making  the  name  "  Lindley," 
which  has  since  been  accepted  without  question.  The  first  meeting  of 
freemen  was  held  in  the  school  house  at  the  Center,  on  February  6, 
1835,  ^'""^  these  officers  were  elected:  Benjamin  Harrower,  supervisor  ; 
Chauncey  Hoffman,  town  clerk;  Silas  Cook,  William  Seelye  and  Jonah 
Davis,  justices  of  the  peace;  Ansel  C.  Smith  William  Lindsley,  Jere- 
miah Uphani,  assessors;  G.  A.  Ryerss,  Thomas  Clark  and  Benjamin 
Patterson,  commissioners  of  highways  ;   W.  A.  Lindsley,  collector. 

In  this  connection  may  also  be  furnished  the  succession  of  supervisors 
of  this   town,   viz.:   Benj.    Harrower,    1838;   Wm.    Lindsley,    1839-40 
Silas   Cook,  1841  ;   Ansel   C.   Smith,  1842-43  ;   G.  T.  Harrower,  1844 
James   G.    Mercereau,    1845-46;    Henry   A.   Miller,    1847;   Samuel  J 
Mercereau,  1S48-49;   Gabriel  T.  Harrower,  1850-51  ;   Ansel  C.  Smith 
1852;    Eber  Scofield,  1853;    Samuel    Heckart,  1854;    A.  B.  Lindsley 
1855;    G.  T.    Harrower,    1856-57;    Henry  G    Harrower,    1858;    A.  C 
Morgan.    1859-60;    Eber  Scofield,    1861-63;   Wm.    Moore,    1864-65 
Eber    Scofield,    1 866;     S.    M.    Morgan,     1867;   Eber   Scofield,    1868 
Wm.     Moore,    1869-70;      Mason     Hammond,    1871;      Wm.     Moore 
1872  ;  Jas.  C.  Orr,  jr.,  1 873  ;   G.  T.  Harrower,    1874-75  ;   Wm.  Moore 
1876;    T.    J.    Presho,    1877;    James    A.    Rogers,    1878;    W.    H.    Hill 
1879-80;    T.    J.    Presho,    1881  ;     Jas.    C.  Orr,  jr.,    1882-83;    Marcus 
Stowell,  1884;   Wm.  Moore,  1885-87  ;   Marcus  Stowell,  1888-89;   Wm. 
Moore,  1890;    Marcus  Stowell,  1891-95. 

With  the  same  propriety  we  may  also  furnish  the  names  of  the  town 
officers  for  the  present  year,  1895,  viz.:  Marcus  Stowell,  supervisor; 
Wm.  Hutchinson,  town  clerk  ;  H.  C.  Hill,  Henry  Stowell,  Ira  Knapp 
and  C.  J.  Starner,  justices  of  the  peace;  Oliver  Camp,  J.  Bnnnan  and 
J.  Starner,  assessors;  James  L.  Colder,  overseer  of  the  poor;  John 
Brinnan,  highway  commissioner,  George  Snyder,  James  Harris  and 
James  Colder,  commissioners  of  excise. 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OP  THE  COUNTT.  139 

The  population  of  Lindley  by  decades  has  been  as  follows  :  1840, 
638;  1850,686;  1860,886;  1870,1,251;  1880,1,563;  1890.1,537; 
1892,  1,455. 

As  Lindley  was  one  of  the  towns  purchased  directly  from  the  Phelps 
and  Gorham  proprietary,  its  inhabitants  were  less  affected  by  the  anti- 
rent  controversy  than  in  other  localities.  In  fact  at  that  time,  while 
Lindley,  or  Erwin,  had  a  number  of  settlers  whose  farms  were  encum- 
bered, and  while  the  whole  town  suffered  somewhat  from  the  depressions 
of  the  period,  there  was  less  of  actual  distress  here,  in  the  Tioga  valley, 
than  was  noticeable  elsewhere  in  this  part  of  the  Genesee  country. 
Erwin  was  represented  in  the  Bath  convention  of  January,  1 830,  but 
none  of  the  delegates  was  from  township  number  i,  of  range  2. 

With  a  population  of  886  in  i860  the  town  of  Lindley  is  credited 
with  having  sent  into  the  service  a  total  of  125  men,  a  record  equaled 
by  few  towns  in  this  part  of  the  State,  and  an  indisputable  evidence  of 
patriotism  and  loyalty  on  the  part  of  its  inhabitants. 

Glancing  back  into  the  early  history  of  this  township,  we  may  note 
the  fact  that  the  first  white  child  born  was  Eliza  Mulford,  August  10, 
1792  ;  the  first  marriage  was  that  of  David  Cook,  jr.,  and  Elizabeth 
Cady  ;  the  first  school  was  taught  by  Joseph  Miller,  in  1793,  near  the 
State  line  ;  the  first  tavernkeeper  was  the  widow  of  Colonel  Lindsley  ; 
the  first  saw  mill  was  built  by  Colonel  Lindsley.  The  death  of  this 
pioneer  was  about  the  first  event  of  its  kind  in  the  town.  A  writer  of 
local  history  in  i860  said:  "  Tliere  is  no  church,  no  hotel,  nor  place 
where  liquor  is  sold  in  the  town." 

Previous  to  the  separation  of  Lindley  from  Erwin,  the  local  schools 
were  a  part  of  the  system  then  in  operation  in  the  latter  town,  but,  at 
the  organization  meeting  in  1 838,  the  electors  chose  D.  P.  Harrower 
and  T.  L.  Mercereau  as  inspectors  of  common  schools.  Soon  after  this 
the  territory  of  this  town  was  divided  into  school  districts  and  provision 
made  for  a  school  in  each.  From  that  time  this  department  of  local 
government  has  received  the  same  generous  attention  as  have  all  others, 
and  the  schools  of  Lindley  now  rank  well  in  the  county.  The  districts 
now  number  ten,  and  during  the  last  current  year  thirteen  teachers 
were  employed.  The  value  of  school  property  is  estimated  at  $6,945. 
The  amount  of  public  school  moneys  received  was  $1,551.57,  and  the 
town  raised  by  tax  $1,868.83. 


140  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

That  the  reader  may  not  be  misled  by  a  preceding  statement  to  the 
effect  that  in  i860  Lindley  was  without  a  church,  we  may  here  remark 
that  several  church  organizations  have  had  an  active  and  useful  exist- 
ence in  the  town,  the  Baptist,  Methodist  Episcopal,  Free  Methodist  and 
Independent,  as  respectively  known.  At  the  present  time  there  are  at 
least  two  societies,  the  Methodist  and  Free  Methodist,  both  of  which  are 
mentioned  in  another  department  of  this  work. 

Prattsburg. — Captain  Joel  Pratt  little  thought  that  his  original  ex- 
tensive purchase  of  land  in  the  Genesee  county  would  some  time  become 
a  part  of  one  of  the  most  progressive  towns  in  the  region.  Tradition 
furnishes  us  little  information  as  to  the  reason  of  Captain  Pratt's  first 
visit  here  in  1799,  yet  we  know  that  this  doughty  pioneer  was  a  man  of 
firm  determination,  of  strong  character,  and  equally  firm  in  his  puritanic 
ideas  of  Christian  propriety  and  observance.  He  had  in  mind  the  idea 
of  establishing  a  settlement  somewhat  in  the  nature  of  a  religious  colony, 
yet  without  the  fanatical  elements  which  generally  accompany  such 
enterprises. 

Joel  Pratt,  so  all  writers  agree,  first  visited  this  region  on  horseback 
in  the  year  1799,  and  in  the  year  following  came  with  his  son  Harvey, 
and  other  assistants,  and  cleared  and  sowed  with  wheat  1 10  acres  of 
land.  In  the  course  of  time  the  grain  was  harvested,  threshed  and 
shipped  to  market,  via  the  Canisteo,  Chemung  and  Susquehanna  Rivers, 
where  it  brought  the  handsome  return  of  $8,000  cash.  Thus  encour- 
aged by  his  first  efforts,  Captain  Pratt  made  all  necessary  preparations, 
and  in  1801  brought  several  members  of  his  family  to  the  region  where 
all  became  permanent  settlers  and  useful  residents.  However,  the 
honor  of  being  the  first  settler  in  what  is  now  Prattsbuig  must  be  ac- 
corded to  Jared  Pratt,  who  came  with  his  young  wife  from  Spencer- 
town,  Columbia  county,  in  P'ebruary,  1801,  traveling  the  entire  distance 
on  an  ox  sled.  He  settled  on  the  road  leading  to  Bath.  Uriah  Chapin 
also  came  from  Columbia  county,  though  not  until  1802,  and  located  on 
the  Wheeler  part  of  the  territory.  Rev.  John  Niles  came  in  1803,  for 
the  purpose  of  opening  a  farm,  and  in  connection  therewith  to  do  such 
work  of  a  missionary  character  as  his  enfeebled  health  would  permit. 
He  conducted  the  first  religious  services  in  the  town  and  was  treated 
with  great  consideration  by  the  scattered  inhabitants,  and  was  presented 
w^ith  an  eighty  acre  tract  of  land  by  Captain  Pratt. 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  141 

In  1802,  June  16,  Joel  Pratt  and  William  Root  became  the  qualified 
owners,  or  agents,  of  a  large  tract  of  land,  and  took  upon  themselves 
the  task  of  developing  and  settling  township  No.  6,  of  the  3d  range. 
The  agreement  was  made  with  Col.  Robert  Troup,  the  agent  of  the 
Pulteney  estate  in  New  York.  Captain  Pratt  engaged  in  this  enter- 
prise with  the  worthy  intention  of  settling  and  improving  the  land, 
while  his  associate,  Mr.  Root,  only  sought  to  increase  his  wealth. 
Hence  it  was  only  natural  that  a  disagreement  should  follow,  and  the 
final  result  was  that  Mr.  Root  retired  from  the  partnership,  if  such  it 
was.  In  1806  the  Pulteney  proprietary  made  a  new  agreement  for  the 
land,  the  purchasers  being  Joel  Pratt,  Joel  Pratt,  jr.,  and  Ira  Pratt,  who 
took  the  unsold  portion  of  the  township.  However,  notwithstanding 
his  best  efforts.  Captain  Pratt  found  himself  unable  to  meet  his  obliga- 
tions to  the  Pulteney  agents,  hence  in  181 1  was  obliged  to  surrender  the 
unsold  lands  to  his  vendors. 

During  his  proprietorship.  Captain  Pratt  did  much  to  improve  and 
settle  the  town,  and  had  he  been  less  generous  his  venture  would  have 
been  more  successful  from  a  speculative  point  of  view.  Through  his  in- 
fluence the  town  was  settled  with  a  class  of  pioneers  not  found  in  every 
community,  and  whose  residence  and  society  was  very  desirable  from 
every  standpoint.  They  were  chiefly  Congregationalists,  and  were 
devoted  to  religious  observances  in  a  noticeable  degree.  They  were 
not  bigots  in  any  sense,  but  upright  Christian  men  and  women.  How- 
ever, let  us  recall  the  names  of  some  of  the  pioneers  and  learn  to  whom 
the  present  generation  is  indebted  for  the  substantial  foundation  upon 
which  this  town  and  its  institutions  have  been  built  and  maintained. 

In  1804,  so  near  as  can  be  ascertained,  the  settlers  were  William  P. 
Curtis,  Pomeroy  Hull,  Samuel  Tuthill  and  Salisbury  Burton,  while  the 
year  1806  witnessed  the  arrival  of  a  number  of  families,  among  them 
those  of  Enoch  Niles,  Rufus  Blodgett,  Jesse  Waldo,  Judge  Hopkins, 
John  Hopkins.  Ebenezer  Rice,  Robert  Porter,  Gameliel  Loomis,  Samuel 
Hayes,  Abiel  Lindsley,  Moses  Lyon,  Urial  Chapin,  Asher  Bull,  Roban 
Hillis  and  Stephen  Prentiss  Other  early  settlers  were  Warham  Parsons, 
Aaron  Cook,  Michael  Keith,  Thomas  Riker,  William  Drake,  and  others 
whose  names  have  been  lost  with  the  lapse  of  years. 

Some  of  these  settlers  were  identified    with   "  first  events  "  of  town 


142  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

history,  without  a  mention  of  which  no  record  is  deemed  complete.  In 
1804  Joel  Pratt  erected  the  first  framed  barn  in  the  town,  and  Joel 
Pratt,  jr.,  and  Tra  Pratt  were  the  first  merchants  Aaron  Bull  kept  the 
first  public  house.  The  first  white  child  born  was  Marietta,  daughter 
of  Jared  Pratt.  The  first  marriage  was  that  of  Isaac  Pardee  and  the 
daughter  of  Deacon  Waldo.  The  first  male  child  born  was  Charles 
Waldo.  A  post  route  was  established  between  Geneva  and  Batli, 
through  Prattsburg,  in  1808,  and  mails  were  carried  on  horseback  once 
each  week.  In  that  year  a  post-ofiice  was  established  at  Prattsburg, 
and  Joel  Pratt,  jr.,  was  the  first  postmaster.  Judge  Robert  Porter  built 
the  first  grist  mill  about  1807,  and  the  second  was  built  on  the  road  to 
West  Hill  by  Joel  Pratt  in  18 18.  Still  later  builders  of  mills  were 
Horatio  and  Lewis  Hopkins  (the  Cole  mill),  and  they  also  built  the 
fourth  mill.  The  fifth  mill  was  built  by  Henry  and  Ralph  Hopkins, 
sons  of  Horatio,  and  was  located  in  the  village.  It  is  a  stone  mill,  and 
was  built  in  1887.  Saw  mills,  too,  have  been  numerous  in  the  town  in 
times  past,  located  in  various  places,  but  chiefly  on  the  main  stream. 
Among  the  owners  of  such  industries  may  be  mentioned  J.  V.  Stone, 
James  Sturtevant,  Wm.  P.  Curtis,  J.  H.  Downs,  Hopkins  &  Howe, 
H  &  L.  Hopkins,  A.  and  O.  Waldo,  H.  Hodgkin,  J.  De  Golier,  J. 
Hervey  Hodgkin  and  Messrs.  Prentiss,  Blodgett  and  Fay.  As  the 
forests  were  cleared  these  mills  lost  their  usefulness  and  were  abandoned, 
and  the  once  heavily  wooded  tracts  were  turned  into  fine  farms,  and  the 
result  has  been  that  Prattsburg  became  an  agricultural  town  in  the 
fullest  sense,  and  one  which  has  ever  ranked  well  among  the  civil 
divisions  of  Steuben  county. 

As  now  constituted  Prattsburg  has  an  area  of  30,600  acres  of  land  and 
is  therefore  among  the  larger  towns  of  the  county.  As  originally 
formed  on  the  12th  of  April,  18 13,  it  was  much  larger  in  area,  as  nearly 
half  of  Wheeler  was  taken  ofif  in  1820.  Within  the  original  territory 
of  Prattsburg  in  1800  were  132  inhabitants,  and  as  evidence  of  rapid 
growth  under  the  direction  of  Captain  Pratt  the  further  statement  may 
be  made  that  in  18 14  the  population  was  615.  Therefore  it  is  not  sur- 
prising that  a  new  town  formation  was  desirable,  and  not  less  surprising 
or  desirable  that  the  name  of  the  new  creation  should  be  given  in  honor 
of  its  founder  and  promoter,  Capt.  Joel  Pratt.      The  first  town  meeting 


(    "I 


4##^ 


WILLIAM  M.  FULKLRSON, 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  143 

was  held  on  the  ist  day  of  March,  1814,  and  Joel  Pratt,  jr.,  was  elected 
supervisor.  A  full  board  of  town  officers  was  also  chosen,  but  from  the 
fact  that  an  unfortunate  fire  burned  the  early  records  the  names  of  all 
first  officers  cannot  be  ascertained.  However,  gleaning  facts  from  other 
records,  the  supervisors  from  1827  to  the  the  present  time  are  as 
follows  : 

Supervisors:  Robert  Porter,  1827;  Burrage  Rice,  1828-34;  Daniel 
Burroughs,  1835-36;  Aaron  Pinney,  1837-39;  J.  H.  Hodgkin,  jr., 
1840;  John  L.  Higby,  1841-44;  John  F.Williams,  1845;  John  C. 
Higby,  1846-48;  Aaron  Pinney,  1849-50;  Joseph  Lewis,  1851  ;  John 
Anderson,  1852;  John  F.Williams,  1853;  Joseph  Lewis,  1854;  G. 
Denniston,  1855-57;  J*^!^"  F.  Williams,  1858-63;  Wm.  B.  Pratt, 
1864-69;  H.  B.  Williams,  1870;  D.  W.  Baldwin,  1871;  Martin 
Pinney,  1872-75  ;  Henry  A.  Hopkins,  1876-77  ;  Martin  Pinney,  1878- 
80;  L  L.  Turner,  1881-82;  J.  A.  Middleton,  1883;  Martin  Pinney, 
1884;  W.  W.  Babcock,  1885;  I.  L.  Turner,  1886;  W.  W.  Babcock, 
1887;  G.  W.  Peck,  1888;  W.  M.  Fulkerson,  1889-90;  R.  N.  Van 
Tuyl,  1891-92  ;   William  M.  Fulkerson,  1893-95. 

To  this  succession  we  may  properly  add  the  present  town  officers, 
viz:  William  M.  Fulkerson,  supervisor;  R.  E.  Deighton,  town  clerk; 
Dr.  James  A.  Bennett,  Jay  K.  Smith,  Henry  E.  Allis  and  Wm.  E. 
Weld,  justices  of  the  peace;  Robert  A.  Walker,  M.  V.  Drake  and 
Henry  Horton  assessors;  Aaron  H,  Putnam,  commissioner  of  high- 
ways ;  Philip  Geiss  and  Freeman  Avery,  commissioners  of  highways  ; 
Stewart  Dillenbeck,  collector. 

Prattsburg  has  a  substantial  and  fixed  population,  yet,  in  years  past 
the  town  has  suffered  a  decrease  in  number  of  inhabitants  in  common 
with  the  interior  towns  of  the  State.  When  set  off  and  organized  the 
local  population  was  615,  and  in  1820  the  number  had  increased  to 
1,387.  In  1830  it  was  2,402,  and  2,455  in  1840,  while  the  year  1850 
witnessed  a  population  in  the  town  of  2,786.  The  maximum  was 
reached  in  i860,  the  number  then  being  2,790,  but  in  1870  the  popu- 
lation had  decreased  to  2,479.  In  1880  it  was  2,349,  ^^d  in  1890  was 
2,170. 

The  pioneers  and  early  settlers  in  Prattsburg  were  noted  for  their 
piety   and    Christian    example,   and  were   fully  mindful  of  the  spiritual 


144  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

and  educational  welfare  of  their  children.  As  early  as  the  year  1803 
they  organized  a  religious  society  which  eventually  became  the  Presby- 
terian church.  However,  a  record  of  this  and  all  other  church  organ- 
izations of  the  town  will  be  found  in  another  department  of  this  work, 
hence  needs  no  further  mention  here.  Still,  in  the  present  connection 
the  reader  will  pardon  a  brief  allusion  to  one  of  the  early  residents  of 
the  town.  Dr.  and  Preacher  Marcus  Whitman,  whose  life  and  works  are 
still  well  remembered  by  our  older  inhabitants.  Dr.  Whitman  lived 
for  a  time  in  Prattsburg  and  Wheeler.  In  1835  he  went  as  a  mission- 
ary to  what  is  now  the  State  of  Washington,  and  in  Walla  Walla  valley 
he  established  a  mission  among  the  Indians.  He  made  the  journey 
across  the  continent  on  several  occasions,  and  through  his  efforts  the 
now  State  of  Washington  was  saved  from  cession  to  Great  Britain.  Dr. 
Whitman  and  wife,  also  thirteen  other  whites,  were  massacred  by  the 
Indians  in    1847. 

One  of  the  most  troublesome  periods  in  the  early  history  of  Pratts- 
burg was  that  in  which  took  place  the  anti  rent  conflict ;  and  although 
the  inhabitants  of  this  particular  locality  suffered  less  than  many  others, 
they  were  nevertheless  much  disturbed  by  the  excitement  of  the  time. 
The  local  delegates  to  the  Bath  convention  were  men  in  whom  the 
whole  townspeople  had  every  confidence  and  who  guarded  well  all 
Prattsburg  interests.  They  were  Stephen  Prentiss,  Gameliel  Loomis, 
Josiah  Allis,  Ira  C.  Clark  and  Joseph  Potter. 

The  war  of  1861-65  was  another  disturbed  period  for  the  people  of 
our  otherwise  quiet  and  temperate  townsfolk,  but  when  the  call  for 
troops  was  made  no  town  responded  more  nobly  or  generously  than 
this.  During  the  years  of  that  great  struggle  Prattsburg  is  credited 
with  having  sent  into  the  service  a  total  of  nearly  two  hundred  men, 
170  of  whom  enlisted  directly  from  the  town,  while  the  others  joined 
commands  raised  elsewhere  than  in  this  county. 

The  educational  interests  of  Prattsburg  have  ever  received  the 
thoughtful  attention  of  local  authorities,  and  in  the  village  there  was 
established  at  an  early  day  an  academic  institution  of  more  than  ordin- 
ary importance.  In  the  village  chapter  further  allusion  will  be  made 
to  the  academy,  and  it  only  remains  for  us  to  here  mention  the  town  at 
large.     When  set  off  and  organized  as  a  town,  the  electors  made  neces 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  145 

sary  provision  for  the  maintenance  of  schools  and  regularly  divided  the 
territory  into  convenient  districts.  These  have  been  changed  from  time 
to  time  as  necessity  required,  and  a  uniformly  excellent  standard  has 
ever  been  demanded  and  upheld.  As  at  present  constituted,  the  town 
at  large  is  divided  into  fifteen  districts,  in  each  of  which  a  school  is 
maintained.  During  the  school  year  1894-5,  twenty  teachers  were 
employed  and  535  children  attended  school.  The  school  property  of 
the  town  is  valued  at  $18,500.  In  the  year  mentioned  the  town  re- 
ceived public  moneys  to  the  extent  of  $2,390.62,  while  there  was  raised 
by  local  tax  the  further  sum  of  $3,385.45.  Twenty-four  trees  were 
planted  by  pupils  during  the  year  1894. 

PULTENEY. — In  the  extreme  northeast  corner  of  Steuben  county,  on 
the  west  side  of  Lake  Keuka,  is  situated  the  town  of  Pulteney  ;  so 
named  in  honor  of  Sir  William  Pulteney,  the  principal  owner  in  the 
familiarly  known  Pulteney  Association.  The  district  of  which  this 
brief  chapter  treats  contains  19,600  acres  of  land,  and  in  some  respects 
is  one  of  the  most  interesting  towns  of  Steuben  county.  Its  people  are 
engaged  in  diversified  pursuits,  those  living  west  of  the  ridge  being 
farmers,  while  the  inhabitants  and  land  owners  on  the  east  side  of  the 
town  are  almost  exclusively  engaged  in  the  pleasant  and  profitable  em- 
ployment of  grape  and  fruit  growing  and  wine  making.  These  latter 
industries  have  given  Pulteney  an  enviable  prominence  in  this  vast  vine- 
yard region,  which,  together  with  the  importance  of  the  lake  front  and 
all  its  kindred  attractions,  have  combined  to  make  this  town  possess 
an  unusual  interest  in  the  history  of  the  county  and   its  vicinity. 

However,  Pulteney  did  not  become  a  civil  division  of  Steuben  county 
until  1808,  when  Bath  surrendered  to  the  new  creation  all  that  is  now 
this  town,  and  also  Prattsburg  and  a  part  at  least  of  Urbana.  The 
former  was  set  off  from  Pulteney  in  1813,  and  the  latter  in  1848. 
Pioneership  and  settlement  in  this  hilly  and  then  uninviting  locality 
began  with  the  present  century  and  increased  rapidly  until  the  popula- 
tion was  sufficient  to  justify  a  separate  organization.  The  story  of  early 
times  is  perhaps  best  told  in  the  woVds  of  a  reliable  and  well  known 
local  writer,  from  whom  we  quote  as  follows : 

This  portion  of  Steuben  county  was  a  part  of  the  original  Phelps  and 
Gorham    Purchase ;    was   sold    to    Robert    Morris,  and    by   him  to   the 


146  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

Pulteney  associates.  Pulteney  was  surveyed  in  1793  by  William  Bull, 
and  was  on  the  market  at  that  time  at  eighteen  and  twenty  cents  an 
acre.  About  the  first  settlers  were  Samuel  Miller,  John  Van  Camp  and 
G.  F.  Fitz  Simmons,  who  came  in  or  about  1800,  but  who  were  soon 
afterward  followed  by  James  and  George  Simms,  Henry  Hofifman, 
Abraham  Bennett  and  Shadrack  Norris,  all  during  the  year  1805.  The 
next  year  there  came  Samuel  and  Nathaniel  Wallis,  John  Ells,  William 
White,  James  Daily,  Erastus  Glass,  Harmon  Emmons  and  Seth  Pierce. 
From  this  time  on  settlement  became  more  rapid  and  pioneership  was 
virtually  at  an  end.  Still,  we  may  properly  refer  to  some  of  the  first 
events  of  town  history  as  they  stand  recorded  and  understood.  The 
first  marriage  was  that  of  Christopher  Tomer  and  Jane  Miller,  in  1809; 
the  first  death  that  of  the  child  of  James  Daily,  in  1806.  The  first  saw 
mill  was  built  in  18 10,  and  the  first  grist  mill  in  18 14,  both  by  Melchoir 
Wagener,  an  early  settler  and  a  man  of  influence  and  importance  in  the 
region.  In  1807  Shadrack  Norris  opened  the ,  first  tavern,  and  in 
1808  Augustus  Tyler  began  storekeeping,  while  Polly  Wentworth 
opened  a  school  in  the  settlement.  The  descendants  of  several  of  the 
old  families  still  live  in  the  town,  and  occasionally  some  relic  of  early 
times  is  observed,  for  only  a  few  years  ago  the  remains  of  the  old 
Wagener  mill-race  were  still  visible  ;  also  the  scattered  and  decaying 
fragments  of  the  saw  mill  itself.  But  later  generations  of  occupants  live  in  a 
different  and  perhaps  more  progressive  period,  and  have  little  reverence 
for  the  old  and  useless  structures  of  three-quarters  of  a  century  ago, 
yet  they  love  to  see  recollections  of  them  on  printed  records.  Pulteney 
of  to-day  is  far  difterent  from  the  old  town  of  18 10,  and  along  the  lake 
front  few  indeed,  if  any,  of  the  old  farm  lines  and  habitations  have  been 
preserved.  Where  once  was  a  vast  agricultural  region,  with  desirable 
eastern  slope,  we  now  have  almost  numberless  vineyards  and  fruit 
farms,  in  size  varying  from  five  to  fifty  acres. 

According  to  the  reminiscences  of  Mr.  Risenger,  grape  culture  as  a 
special  industry  was  begun  in  1854,  when  he  and  Samuel  L.  Wagener 
planted  a  vineyard  in  Pulteney,  the  ultimate  outgrowth  of  which  is  the 
splendid  grape  and  wine  producing  interest  which  ramifies  throughout 
the  lake  regions,  and  in  many  places  extends  far  back  into  the  inland 
districts.      Plowever,  at  the  time  Wagener  and   Risenger  planted  their 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTV.  147 

vines,  J.  W.  Prentiss  had  a  number  of  producing  plants,  yet  was  making 
no  special  effort  in  the  direction  of  what  might  properly  be  termed 
grape  culture. 

As  is  elsewhere  noted,  this  town  was  formed  and  organized  in  1808, 
and  at  that  time  the  territory  was  comparatively  well  populated.  In 
fact,  in  1810  the  inhabitants  numbered  1,038,  and  1,162  in  1820.  In 
18 13  Prattsburg  was  created  and  took  largely  of  both  population  and 
area,  the  inhabitants  of  the  district  set  off  numbering  615  in  1814.  In 
the  same  region  in  1800  there  were  132  persons. 

The  first  town  meeting  in  Pulteney  was  held  at  the  dwelling  of  Jesse 
Waldo  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  March,  1808,  at  which  time  Urial  Chapin 
was  elected  supervisor  ;  Aaron  Bell,  town  clerk;  Aaron  Cook,  Elias  Hop- 
kins and  Nathan  Wallis,  assessors  ;  William  Curtis,  collector,  together 
with  a  full  complement  of  minor  officers.  Urial  Chapin  held  the  office 
of  supervisor  four  years  and  was,  with  Robert  Porter,  Stephen  and  John 
Prentiss,  John  Hathaway,  Josiah  Dunlap  and  others,  a  leader  in  the 
affairs  of  the  town  at  an  early  day.  However,  in  this  connection  it  is 
interesting  to  note  the  succession  of  supervisors  in  the  old  town  of 
Pulteney,  which  has  been  as  follows: 

Urial  Chapin,  1808-09  and  1811-12;  Robert  Porter,  18 10;  Stephen 
Prentiss,  1813  ;  John  Hathaway,  18 14;  John  Prentiss,  1815-20;  Josiah 
Dunlap,  1821-29;  John  N.  Reynolds,  1830-38;  Robert  Miller,  1839- 
46;  Jared  T.  Benton,  1847  and  i^Si;  Ira  Hyatt,  1849-50,  1852  and 
1856-57;  John  A.  Prentiss,  1850;  Robert  Miller,  1853;  Josiah  Dunlap, 
1854;  John  N.  Reynolds,  1855  !  Samuel  Fitzsimmons,  1858;  Josiah  W. 
Eggleston,  1859;  Wm.  H.  Clark,  i860;  Geo.  Coward,  1861-63  i  Harry 
Godfrey,  1864;  J.  J.  Reynolds,  1865-71,  and  1873;  Odel  C.  Cross, 
1872  ;  S.  B.  Lyon,  1874  and  1876-77  ;  John  Gilson,  1875  ;  A.  H.  Den- 
niston,  1 878-80;  J.  D.  Stone,  1881  ;  S.  B.  Lyon,  1882-84;  James  H. 
Giffin,  1885-87;  Philip  Paddock,  1888-89;  Edward  D.  Cross,  1890-95. 

The  officers  of  Pulteney  for  the  year  1895  are:  Edward  D.Cross, 
supervisor;  Guy  D.  Finch,  clerk;  H.  R.  Hess,  J,  B.  Hadden,  J.  H.  Os- 
born  and  J.  T.  Bachman,  justices;  W.  H.  French,  J.  C.  Barber  and 
Darius  Tyler,  assessors;  S.  E.  Stone,  overseer  of  the  poor;  F.  H.  Ar- 
nold, collector. 

In  1892  this  town   had    1,693    inhabitants,  and   it   is   estimated   that 


148  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

about  one-half  of  this  population  are  at  least  indirectly  interested  in 
grape  growing  or  its  associated  industries.  The  people  in  the  west  part 
of  the  town  are  agriculturists,  with  no  special  product  to  attract  more 
than  ordinary  interest.  From  the  earliest  generation  of  occupants  here 
the  region  has  produced  farmers,  all  devoted  to  the  arts  of  peace,  and 
there  have  been  built  up  many  fine  farms  as  the  result  of  continued 
perseverance  and  industry.  During  the  period  of  the  war  of  1812,  the 
entire  townspeople  were  somewhat  alarmed  for  the  safety  of  their 
families  and  property,  but  fortunately  no  untoward  event  took  place  to 
mar  the  tranquillity  of  domestic  life.  However,  during  the  period  com- 
monly known  as  the  anti-rent  conflict,  at  a  time  when  the  population 
reached  1,700  and  more,  and  when  the  town  was  possessed  of  many 
strong  men,  public  excitement  ran  high,  and  we  find  Pulteney  an  active 
factor  in  the  measures  proposed  for  the  common  welfare.  In  the  nota- 
ble Bath  convention,  in  January,  1830,  the  town  was  represented  by 
David  Hobart,  William  Sagar,  Barnet  Retan,  Daniel  Bennett  and  Seth 
Weed.  This  period  also  passed  without  serious  disturbance,  other  than 
temporary  embarrassment,  and  until  the  outbreak  of  the  war  of  1861- 
65  the  history  of  the  town  was  uneventful,  other  than  was  disclosed  by 
the  general  advancement  of  local  interests.  It  was  during  the  years 
following  1850,  and  from  that  until  about  1880,  that  the  special  interest 
of  grape,  wine  and  fruit  culture  began  to  attract  attention  to  the  locality. 
This  brought  to  Pulteney  an  enviable  notoriety  ;  spread  abroad  the  re- 
markable resources  of  the  town  ;  increased  the  value  of  lands  on  the 
Jake  front,  and  was  in  all  respects  the  source  of  much  advantage  to  the 
whole  people.  One  of  the  chief  auxiliary  interests  connected  with  the 
grape  product  is  the  manufacture  of  wines  of  various  grades  and  quali- 
ties. The  chief  seat  of  these  operations  is  in  the  vicinity  of  Hammonds- 
port,  yet  the  business  established  by  J.  S.  Foster  more  than  a  quarter 
of  a  century  ago  is  worthy  of  at  least  passing  mention.  It  is  a  fact  of 
local  and  general  history  that  the  product  of  the  Pulteney  cellars  are 
"true  to  name,  pure  and  unadulterated." 

Such  is,  in  brief,  a  general  historical  view  of  the  town  at  large.  Still, 
in  this  connection  it  is  proper  to  call  attention  to  the  general  stability 
of  all  local  interests  and  institutions.  Even  in  population  there  has 
always  been  maintained  a  substantial  degree  of  uniformity  and  gradual 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  149 

growth.  The  present  population  is  estimated  at  1,700;  in  1840  the 
number  of  inhabitants  was  1,724.  In  i860  the  records  disclose  the  fact 
that  the  population  was  only  1,470,  and  but  1,393  ten  years  later.  How- 
ever, during  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  Pulteney  sent  into  the  service  a 
total  of  1 10  men,  a  patriotic  record,  and  one  not  frequently  exceeded  in 
similar  towns. 

The  history  of  the  schools  in  this  town  are  incomplete  and  somewhat 
defective.  It  is  known,  however,  that  the  first  school  was  opened  and 
taught  by  Polly  Wentworth,  in  the  year  1808.  From  this  humble  be- 
ginning the  present  system  and  condition  have  grown  and  developed, 
and  at  this  time  Pulteney  compares  favorably  with  the  towns  of  the 
county  generally.  As  now  disposed  there  are  eleven  districts,  with  a 
school  house  in  each,  in  which  fourteen  teachers  were  employed  during 
the  last  school  year.  The  value  of  school  property  is  estimated  at 
$8,325.  About  $1,680  of  public  money  is  annually  received  for  school 
maintenance,  while  the  town  raises  by  tax  for  like  purpose  about 
$2,300. 

The  ecclesiastical  history  of  Pulteney  forms  an  interesting  element  of 
local  annals,  though  the  absence  of  reliable  records  embarrasses  the 
efforts  of  the  enquirer.  It  is  said  that  the  first  religious  services  were 
held  by  Close-Communion  Baptists,  followed  soon  afterward  by  the 
Methodists  ;  and  that  there  were  also  Seventh  Day  Baptists  and  Chris- 
tians in  the  field  at  an  early  day.  The  now  called  Second  Baptist 
Church  of  Pulteney  was  organized  in  1814,  the  church  home  being 
located  at  South  Pulteney.  The  church  has  a  membership  of  105  per- 
sons. At  Pine  Grove  is  another  Baptist  society.  At  Pulteney  village 
is  a  Presbyterian  and  also  a  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  each  engaged 
in  evangelical  and  praiseworthy  work. 


150  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

Rathbone. — William  Benham  and  William  Hadley  were  indeed 
brave  pioneers  of  the  Canisteo  valley  an  hundred  years  ago  when  they 
made  the  first  settlement  in  the  wild  and  uninviting  region  now  called 
Rathbone.  If  record  and  tradition  be  true,  these  men  came  to  the 
valley  in  the  year  1793,  and  had  not  even  the  companionship  of  one 
another,  for  Benham  built  his  cabin  on  the  east  line  of  the  town,  while 
Hadley  was  on  the  west  side.  Notwithstanding  this,  each  made  a  suc- 
cessful location,  paving  the  way  for  other  settlers  and  opening  the 
land  for  cultivation.  Of  necessity  the  pioneers  were  lumbermen,  for  we 
are  told  that  when  Benham  and  Hadley  first  visited  the  locality  nothing 
was  in  view  except  woods  and  rocks  and  the  noiseless  waters  of  the 
Canisteo.  And  we  are  also  told  that  the  stillness  of  night  was  almost 
invariably  broken  by  the  noises  of  wild  animals,  while  rattlesnakes  were 
frequently  unwelcome  visitors  to  the  settler's  log  cabin. 

Such  was  the  character  of  this  region  a  century  ago,  but  with  steady 
advances  the  pioneers  cleared  the  forests,  cultivated  the  land,  and  finally 
destroyed  all  the  objectionable  elements  of  wilderness  life.  Yet  all  this 
was  not  accomplished  by  the  single  efforts  of  pioneers  Benham  and 
Hadley,  for  others  soon  came  to  the  locality  and  gave  material  assist- 
ance in  developing  the  resources  of  the  town.  As  early  as  the  year 
1804  Samuel  Benham  had  built  and  opened  a  public  house,  and  Abel 
White  furnished  the  settlers  with  game  and  fi^h.  In  1806  Solomon 
Tracy  and  Benjamin  Biggs  made  an  improvement  on  the  site  of  Rath- 
bonville,  and,  among  other  things,  built  a  large  double  log  house.  On 
the  opposite  side  of  the  Canisteo,  Isaac  and  Jonathan  Tracy  built  the 
first  saw  mill  in  the  town,  and  in  18 16  a  grist  mill  was  added  to  the 
industries  of  the  vicinity. 

Among  the  other  early   settlers   were   Peleg   Cole,    Martin   Young, 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  151 

Moses  Powers,  Jacob  Cook,  Zephaniah  Townsend,  Thomas  Maybury, 
Zeno  Sellick,  John  SelHck,  John  Helmer,  from  whom  Helmer  creek  re- 
ceived its  name,  Jonathan  Rowley,  Benjamin  Northrup,  founder  of  the 
Northrup  settlement,  Thomas  Allen,  Jacob  Cole,  Harvey  Fultz,  Seth 
Cook  and  others  whose  names  are  now  forgotten.  These  were  the  lead- 
ing men  of  this  part  of  the  valley  previous  to  1825,  and  at  least  thirty 
years  before  the  town  was  set  off  and  separately  organized. 

Recalling  briefly  some  of  the  more  important  first  events  of  town 
history,  we  may  note  that  the  first  white  child  born  here  was  Luther 
White,  that  event  taking  place  June  4,  1804.  In  the  same  year  Luther 
Benham  opened  a  tavern.  The  first  marriage  was  that  of  Peleg  Cole 
and  Polly  Tracy.  Moses  Powers  taught  the  first  school,  and  General 
Rathbone  opened  the  first  store  in  1842,  although  previous  to  that  time 
he  was  an  extensive  lumberman  and  land  owner.  Isaac  Tracy  built 
the  first  saw  mill  in  1806,  The  first  school  house  was  built  of  logs,  and 
the  second  on  the  same  site,  was  of  frame,  built  in  1852. 

Previous  to  its  separate  organization,  Rathbone  formed  a  part  of  the 
older  towns  of  Addison,  Cameron  and  Woodhull.  On  the  Phelps  and 
Gorham  purchase  it  includes  portions  of  townships  two  in  the  third  and 
fourth  ranges,  and  being  set  off  contains  20,600  acres  of  land.  Geo- 
graphically, the  town  lies  near  and  south  of  the  center  of  the  county. 
Its  principal  water  course  is  Canisteo  river,  while  the  north  branch  of 
Tuscarora  creek  flows  across  the  southwest  corner.  The  uplands  are 
from  three  hundred  to  four  hundred  feet  above  the  valleys.  The  first 
settlers  were  attracted  to  this  part  of  the  valley  by  the  magnificent 
growth  of  forest  trees,  and  naturally  lumbering  was  the  chief  occupation 
of  the  early  inhabitants.  This  brought  to  the  region  an  entirely  desir- 
able class  of  residents  and  for  many  years  peace  and  plenty  were  the 
lot  of  the  people.  So  deeply  indeed  were  the  settlers  engaged  in  clear- 
ing the  forests  and  rafting  timber  to  market  that  they  gave  little  heed 
to  the  founding  of  villages  or  establishing  trading  places  until  about 
fifty  years  ago.  At  that  time  Addison  was  the  common  trading  and 
marketing  center  for  the  whole  region,  and  there,  too,  the  lumbermen 
were  wont  to  visit  for  the  transaction  of  their  business,  and  not  until 
Ransom  Rathbone  opened  a  store  in  this  town  in  1845,  also  secured  a 
post-office,  that  a  hamlet  was  founded  in  what  is  now  Rathbone.     Still, 


152  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

for  at  least  twenty- five  years  previous  to  1845  this  was  a  very  busy 
locality,  as  mills  lined  the  Canisteo  on  both  sides. 

Through  the  efforts  of  General  Rathbone  and  a  few  other  leading  ope- 
rators in  this  part  of  the  valley  a  new  town  was  created,  on  March  28, 
1850,  and  was  named  Rathbone  in  allusion  to  the  person  just  mentioned. 
On  the  6th  of  May  following  the  electors  assembled  in  town  meeting  and 
chose  officers  as  follows:  William  R.  Rathbone,  supervisor;  George  W. 
Young,  town  clerk;  Israel  Horton  and  Stephen  Gloyd,  justices  of  the 
peace;  Edmund  L.  Peckham,  superintendent  of  common  schools; 
Lucius  Parker,  commissioner  of  highways  ;  George  Northrup,  Jonathan 
Bromley  and  William  C.  Cummins,  assessors ;  Abram  Rogers  and 
James  Northrup,  overseers  of  the  poor;   Samuel  Edmunds,  collector. 

This  first  town  town  meeting  appears  to  have  been  an  event  of  great 
importance  in  local  annals,  for  there  were  present  243  persons  who  cast 
votes.  This  would  indicate  a  total  population  of  about  1,000.  There 
was  no  federal  census  of  the  town  previous  to  i860,  at  which  time  the 
population  was  1,381.  The  subsequent  fluctations  in  number  of  inhab- 
itants is  best  shown  by  quoting  from  the  census  reports.  In  1870  the 
population  was  1,357  !  '"  1880  was  1,371  ;  in  1890  was  1,269,  ^nd  in 
1892  was  1,226. 

The  supervisors  of  Rathbone  since  1850  have  been  as  follows  :  Wm. 
H.  Rathbone,  1856;  Cormander  H.  Cole,  1857;  Wm.  R.  Rathbone, 
1858;  George  Northrup,  1859-60;  A.  H,  Kinney,  1861  ;  George  C. 
Lloyd,  1862-64;  John  Miles,  1865;  George  W,  Young,  1866-73; 
James  Northrup,  1874;  John  Kenally,  1875-77;  Moses  Northrup, 
1878;  Horace  Mather,  1879-83;  John  Toles,  1884;  Horace  Mather, 
1885  ;  N.  Northrup,  1886;  C.  S.  Whitmore,  1887;  Norman  Northrup, 
1888-91;   G.  S.  Goff,  1892-93;  John  McWilliams,  1894-95. 

The  present  town  officers  are  John  McWilliams,  supervisor  ;  Jesse  F. 
Cole,  town  clerk  ;  N.  P.  Young,  D.  W.  Gloyd,  John  Toles  and  William 
McCaig,  justices  of  the  peace  ;  George  M.  Lloyd,  F.  S.  Chapel  and 
George  E.  Meering,  assessors ;  Wm.  Bailey,  collector ;  Richard  Mc- 
Caig, overseer  of  the  poor  ;  William  Young,  collector;  Kitchell  Lyon, 
Levi  Perry  and  B.  F.  Chapel,  excise  commissioners. 

During  the  war  of  1861-65,  the  town  is  credited  with  having  furnished 
a  total  of  one  hundred  and  seventy- four  men  for  the  service.     They 


^'Ip^. 


m,^ 


WALTHR   1..  MOORE. 


THE  CI^IL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  153 

were  scattered  through  the  several  commands  recruited  in  the  county, 
noticeably  in  the  23d,  86th,  and  107th  regiments  of  infantry.  A  more 
full  record  of  the  services  and  composition  of  each  of  these  regiments 
will  be  found  in  the  military  chapter  in  this  volume. 

Previous  to  the  formation  of  Rathbone  the  schools  of  the  vicinity  were 
a  part  of  the  system  in  use  in  the  older  towns  from  which  this  was 
erected.  At  the  first  town  meeting  in  Rathbone  Edmund  L.  Peckham 
was  elected  superintendent  of  common  schools,  and  soon  after  the  or- 
ganization the  territory  was  divided  into  districts  according  to  the  re- 
quirements of  the  inhabitants.  At  present,  the  districts  are  twelve  in 
number,  each  provided  with  a  comfortable  school.  The  town  contains  a 
school  population  of  about  375.  The  value  of  school  property  is  es- 
timated at  $6,990,  Thirteen  teachers  were  employed  during  the  last 
school  year,  and  for  maintenance  the  appropriation  of  public  moneys 
amounted  to  $1417, .94,  while  the  town  raised  by  local  tax  the  additional 
sum  of  $1,654.36.      Tv\enty-six  trees  were  planted  by  pupils  in  1894. 

Rathboneville  and  Cameron  Mills  are  the  hamlets  of  this  town.  The 
former  is  located  near  and  east  of  the  center,  and  the  latter  in  the  north- 
east part,  near  the  Cameron  line.  Both  are  on  the  line  of  the  Erie  rail- 
road, to  the  construction  of  which  in  1850  they  owe  their  chief  impor- 
tance. The  road,  too,  is  benefited  by  the  villages,  for  they  are  shipping 
points  for  agricultural  products  and  lumber  of  no  mean  importance. 
However,  for  further  record  of  the  hamlets  of  Rathbone,  the  reader  is 
directed  to  the  municipal  department  of  this  work. 

Thurston. — On  the  28th  of  February,  1844,  the  Legislature  divided 
the  town  of  Cameron,  and  taking  22,000  acres  off  the  east  side  created 
a  new  town,  naming  it  Thurston,  in  honor  of  William  B.  Thurston,  an 
extensive  land  owner  in  the  region  who  did  much  to  promote  local  im- 
provement and.  development. 

Geographically,  this  town  occupies  a  central  position  in  the  county, 
and  within  its  borders  are  observed  several  of  nature's  unusual  dispen- 
sations. We  refer  particularly  to  the  deep  gulf,  which  is  almost  impass- 
able except  at  a  single  point  at  the  south  part,  and  here  is  found  about 
six  acres  of  rich  flat  land.  In  this  locality  was  built  the  Yost  saw  mill. 
The  gulf  is  400  feet  deep  in  places,  and  was  originally  filled  with  a 
dense  growth  of  hemlock  and   hard  timber.      Another  natural  curiosity 


154  '  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

of  Thurston  was  in  the  vicinity  known  as  Cranberry  or  Friend's  Pond, 
being  a  bottomless  body  of  water,  half  a  mile  wide,  and  at  one  time 
adundantly  supplied  with  fish.  In  the  boggy  lands  around  the  pond 
there  grew  cranberries,  to  which  the  settlers  helped  themselves  unstint- 
edly, and  from  this  product  the  name  Cranberry  Pond  was  applied. 
Among  the  early  settlers  in  this  part  of  the  town  were  many  who  were 
of  the  society  of  Friends,  hence  that  name. 

On  the  high  lands  in  the  northwest  part  of  the  town  Luke  Bonny  and 
William  Smith  made  the  first  settlement  in  1813,  and  from  the  pioneer 
first  mentioned  the  locality  was  ever  afterward  known  Bonny  Hill.  He 
also  cut  the  road  into  the  town  from  Bath,  and  was  in  many  respects  a 
leading  man  in  the  region.  Anderson  Carpenter  settled  on  the  hill  in 
the  same  year,  but  was  killed  by  a  falling  tree  m  18 17.  Other  early 
settlers  in  the  same  locality  were  Amos  Dickinson,  18 14,  Joseph  Fluent, 
18 17,  David  Smith,  1822,  Harvey  Halliday,  Jacob  Parker,  John  and 
Boanerges  F"luent,  John  Stocking,  Harlow  Smith,  Moses  De  Pue,  and 
others  whose  names  are  lost  with  the  lapse  of  time. 

Among  the  settlers  in  the  south  of  the  town  we  may  mention  Stephen 
Aldrich  and  his  sons  Warner,  Thomas,  Stephen  and  George,  who  came 
in  1822  and  located  near  the  pond.  Still  others  were  Stephenson 
Pugsley,  William  and  James  Jack,  Samuel  Fisk  and  also  Amos,  Ellas 
and  Borahs  Fisk.  Seth  Cook  and  Arnold  Payne  were  also  early  set- 
tlers. In  the  same  connection  and  worthy  to  be  named  among  the  older 
residents  of  what  is  now  Thurston,  were  James  Jerry,  M.  O.  Keith,  John 
Vandewarker,  Henry  Forburg,  William  Hawley,  Fenner  Eddy,  tanner 
in  the  town  in  1832,  Paris  Wneelock,  Lifus  Fish,  John  Corbett,  Edwin 
Merchant,  founder  of  the  settlement  called  Merchantville,  Josephus 
Turbell,  Alva  Carpenter,  Harley  Sears,  O.  P.  Alderman  and  others,  all 
of  whom  were  identified  with  the  giowth  of  the  town  if  they  were  not 
pioneers 

Many  of  these  old  residents  of  Thurston  were  lumbermen,  and  were 
attracted  to  the  locality  by  the  remarkably  fine  timber  that  stood  on 
the  land.  In  olden  times  Stocking  Creek  and  Michigan  Creek  enjoyed 
about  the  same  relative  importance  as  did  the  Canisteo  and  Conhocton 
River  regions.  But  as  the  lands  were  stripped  of  their  forest  growths 
good  farms   were  developed  and  Thurston  became  recognized  among 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  155 

the  agricultural  towns  of  the  county.  However,  to  the  present  day 
lumbering  has  been  recognized  as  one  of  the  industries.  These 
extensive  interests  led  to  the  founding  of  several  hamlets,  and  less 
than  forty  years  ago  the  isolated  town  of  Thurston  had  five  small 
villages,  known  as  Merchantville,  Bonny  Hill,  Risingville,  Thurston  and 
South  Thurston.  Now  the  post  offices  of  the  town  are  Thurston  and 
Risingville. 

The  first  child  born  in  the  town  was  Irma  Smith  in  1813  ;  the  first 
marriage  was  that  of  Joseph  Fluent  and  Fanny  Dickinson,  in  18 18;  the 
first  death  was  that  of  Anderson  Carpenter,  in  1817;  the  first  school 
was  that  at  Bonny  Hill,  taught  by  Caroline  Vinan  ;  the  first  store  was 
kept  by  Harlow  Sears  at  Merchantville ;  the  first  saw  mill  was  built  by 
Paris  Wheelock,  on   Otter  Creek. 

The  first  meeting  of  electors  of  the  town  was  held  on  April  2,  1844, 
and  the  following  officers  were  chosen  :  Joseph  Cross,  supervisor ; 
Noble  H.  Rising,  town  clerk  ;  John  S.  Depew,  Henry  Briggs,  Peter  D. 
Edsell  and  Arnold  Payne,  justices  of  the  peace  ;  Henry  Rising,  James 
Ostrander  and  Fenner  Eddy,  assessors  ;  William  Jack,  Amos  Fluent 
and  Jared  Goodell,  highway  commissioners;  John  S.  Eddy,  collector; 
Stephen  Waitman  and  Abijah  Youmans,  overseers  of  the  poor. 

The  supervisors  of  Thurston  have  been  as  follows:  Joseph  Cross, 
1844;  Fenner  Eddy,  1845-48;  John  S.  De  Pue,  1849-50  and  1856-65; 
Noble  H.  Rising,  1851;  Cornelius  Bouton,  1852-53;  John  Royce, 
1854-55;  Oliver  P.  Alderman,  1866;  Alva  Carpenter,  1867  and  1869- 
71;  James  Jerry,  1868  and  1875-76  and  1879-80;  Lewis  Masters, 
1872-73;  Lyman  H.  Phillips,  1874,  1881-85  and  1890;  William  Richt- 
myer,  1877-78  and  1888-89;  E.J.Jerry,  1886;  W.  H.  Rising,  1887 
and  1891  ;   G    D.  Wilson,  1892;   E.  J.Jerry,  1893-95. 

The  town  officers  for  the  year  1895  are  as  follows  :  Emeron  J.  Jerry, 
supervisor;  Lorenz  Angst,  town  clerk;  W.  H.  Guernsey,  T.  C.  Mor- 
row, A.  H.  Kennedy,  J.  F.  Eddy,  justices  of  the  peace;  J.  A.  Filkins, 
T.  C.  Morrow,  and  J.  W.  French,  assessors;  S.  W.  Jessup,  collector; 
A.  B.  Merrill,  overseer  of  the  poor ;  William  V.  Creveling,  highway 
commissioner;  J.  D.  Parker,  Joseph  Shearer,  jr.,  and  R.  B.  Rising, 
excise  commissioners. 

In  1845  the  population  of  Thurston    was    576,  and  in    1850  had  in- 


156  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

creased  to  726.  Ten  years  later  the  inhabitants  numbered  i,ioo  and 
1,215  in  1870.  In  1880  the  population  was  1,336,  but  dropped  to 
1,113  i"  1890.      In  1892  the  town  had  1,084  inhabitants. 

During  the  war  of  the  Rebellion, Thurston  sent  ninety-eight  men  into 
the  service. 

From  early  records  we  learn  that  the  first  school  in  this  part  of  the 
town  of  Cameron  was  taught  by  CaroHne  Vinan  on  Bonny  Hill  in  18 18. 
However,  previous  to  1844  the  general  school  history  of  Thurston  was 
a  part  of  the  annals  of  the  mother  town,  but  still  we  may  state  that  in 
1828  $100  was  appropriated  to  build  a  frame  school  house,  and  that  in 
December  of  that  year  the  town  voted  "  that  all  hardness  and  quarrel- 
ing in  the  district  shall  cease  from  this  date,  and  we  shall  live  in  peace 
as  neighbors  ought  to  do."  At  the  present  time  Thurston  has  eleven 
school  districts,  and  eleven  teachers  are  employed  annually.  The  num- 
ber of  children  who  attend  school  is  302.  The  value  of  school  property 
is  $5,550.  In  1893-94  the  town  received  of  public  moneys  $1,286.33, 
and  raised  by  local  tax  $1,121.66. 

Troupsburg.  —  In  the  southwestern  part  of  Steuben  county  is 
located  a  civil  division  by  the  name  of  Troupsburg,  so  named  in  honor 
of  Robert  Troup,  agent  for  the  Pulteney  Association.  It  was  perhaps 
fortunate  for  Colonel  Troup  that  this  jurisdiction  was  created  in  1808, 
for  had  that  event  been  delayed  twenty  years  it  is  doubtful  whether  the 
inhabitants  would  have  been  so  well  disposed  to  honor  the  former 
patron  of  their  region.  During  the  anti-rent  conflict  in  1830,  and  about 
that  time,  the  agent,  by  reason  of  his  trust  capacity,  was  compelled  to 
assume  and  maintain  a  somewhat  determined  attitude  regarding  the 
lands  owned  by  his  principals,  and  the  settlers  were  not  generally  satis- 
fied with  the  measures  of  relief  offered  them.  However,  all  things  con- 
sidered, the  town  was  worthily  named.  Moreover,  it  has  always  been 
regarded  as  one  of  the  important  towns  of  the  county,  notwithstanding 
its  remote  locality. 

Within  its  present  boundaries  Troupsburg  contains  35,700  acres  of 
land,  being  second  in  size  in  the  county.  As  originally  formed  from 
Middletown  and  Canisteo,  the  town  contained  a  vast  area,  eighteen 
miles  long,  east  and  west,  and  about  ten  miles  wide.  At  that  time  it 
included  half  of  township  i,  of  range  4,  also  Nos,  i  in  the   5th  and  6th 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTr.  157 

ranges,  with  the  fourth  part  of  No.  2  in  the  4th  range.  An  early- 
writer  of  Troupsburg  history  says  of  the  town  in  181 1  :  "  No.  i  in  the 
5th  range  is  an  excellent  township,  the  hills  low,  and  the  timber  maple, 
birch,  basswood,  walnut,  &c.  It  has  good  mill  sites  on  Tuscarora  and 
Troup  Creeks.  No.  2  in  the  same  range  is  also  good,  as  is  No.  i  in  the 
6th  range,  the  timber  oak,  walnut,  elm,  basswood,  birch  and  maple. 
This  town  has  been  settled  only  since  1805,  and  is  yet  very  wild.  It 
has  good  iron  ore." 

In  the  course  of  time,  however,  Troupsburg  was  called  upon  to  sur- 
render portions  of  her  territory  to  other  formations.  Parts  of  Green- 
wood and  Jasper  were  taken  ofif  in  1827;  part  of  Woodhull  in  1828, 
while  a  portion  of  Canisteo  was  annexed  to  this  town  on  April  4,  181 8. 
Therefore  the  original  town  of  Troupsburg  included  at  least  portions  of 
the  present  towns  of  Woodhull,  Troupsburg,  West  Union,  Greenwood 
and  Jasper. 

It  is  a  well  known  fact  that  in  the  town  are  some  of  the  most  elevated 
lands  in  the  county,  if  not  in  the  entire  region,  reaching  at  times  the 
extreme  height  of  2,500  above  tide.  The  settlement  called  High  Up 
is  indeed  appropriately  named.  Troup's  Creek  is  the  principal  water 
course. 

Among  the  earliest  settlers  in  Troupsburg  were  Andrew  Simpson, 
Ebenezer  Spencer  and  Andrew  Craig,  all  of  whom  raised  families  and 
were  active  and  highly  respected  men  in  the  region.  Simpson  did  the 
the  blacksmith  work  tor  his  few  neighbors,  while  pioneer  Craig  was  en- 
ergetic in  developing  the  early  resources  of  the  region.  He  made  and 
marketed  the  first  butter  sent  from  the  town,  and  it  was  his  custom  to 
take  the  season's  products  from  the  neighborhood  and  journey  to  Phila- 
delphia to  make  his  sales.  The  Marlatt  family  was  also  prominent  in 
the  locality,  some  of  its  descendants,  as  well  as  those  of  the  Craig 
family,  gaining  positions  of  importance  in  county  affairs.  Alanson 
Perry  settled  here  in  1808,  and  Judge  Mallory  came  about  the  same 
time.  This,  too,  was  a  prominent  family  in  the  new  region,  and  from 
them  the  locality  known  as  Mallory's  Settlement  was  named.  We  may 
also  recall  the  name  of  Caleb  Smith,  Rev.  Robert  Hubbard,  Nicholas 
Brutzman,  Nathaniel  Thacher,  Jesse  Lapham,  Philip  Cady,  Elijah 
Hance,  Reuben  Stiles,  Daniel  Martin,  Abner  Thomas  (the  first  school 


158  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

teacher,  in  1809),  Elihu  Cady,  Maj.  Samuel  Cady,  Squire  and  Andy 
Reynolds,  Lewis  Hayes,  Jonathan  Rogers,  Capt.  George  Martin  (who 
built  an  early  grist  mill  on  Troup's  Creek),  Zadoc  Bowen,  Elder  David 
Smith,  Alanson  Perry,  Richard  Phillips,  James  Carpenter,  John  Miller, 
and  others  now  forgotten.  All  these  were  in  some  manner  identified 
with  early  town  history,  many  of  them  having  descendants  now  living 
in  the  county,  enjoying  the  fruits  of  the  toil  and  example  of  their  pio- 
neer ancestors  A  cotemporary  writer  has  said  :  The  early  settlers  of 
this  region  were  drawn  hither  by  all  the  variety  of  motives  which  in  all 
parts  of  the  country  induce  the  pioneer  to  seek  the  frontier;  but  the 
great  prevailing  motive  was  cheap  land  and  long  payments.  The  Pulte- 
ney  and  other  estates  were  crowding  their  lands  upon  the  market,  and 
inducing  settlement  by  low  prices  and  long  credit.  Twenty  shillings 
cash  or  three  bushels  of  wheat  per  acre  was  the  standard  price  of  the 
land,  with  ten  years,  or  longer  if  desired,  for  payment.  After  1809  the 
migration  was  quite  rapid  and  the  lands  were  rapidly  put  under  con- 
tract, the  settlers  finding  it  about  all  they  could  do  to  support  their 
families  and  pay  the  taxes,  and  very  few  of  them  did  more. 

However,  the  changes  of  four  score  years  have  indeed  been  wonder- 
ful. The  old  pioneers  are  all  gone  ;  the  troublesome  times  have  passed 
away,  and  on  all  sides  is  seen  the  appearance  of  comfort  and  thrift ;  fine 
and  well  cultivated  farms,  and  tasty  dwellings,  good  out-buildings  and 
splendid  orchards,  all  unmistakably  tell  of  the  energy  and  perseverance 
of  the  sturdy  pioneer  and  the  equally  industrious  descendant. 

As  we  have  stated,  in  1808  the  few  inhabitants  of  this  then  extensive 
region  founded  a  town,  and  named  it  Troupsburg.  The  first  election 
of  ofincers  was  held  at  the  house  of  Daniel  Johnson,  in  what  is  now 
Woodhull,  in  March,  and  these  persons  were  chosen:  Daniel  Johnson, 
supervisor ;  Samuel  B.  Rice,  town  clerk ;  Stephen  Dolson,  Brown 
Gillespie  and  Elijah  Cady,  assessors ;  Uri  Martin,  Wm.  Worley  and 
Nathaniel  Mallory,  commissioner  of  highways  ;  Rezen  Searse,  collector 
and  constable;  Daniel  Johnson,  overseer  of  the  poor;  Elijah  Cady, 
second  poormaster ;   Caleb  Smith,  fence  viewer. 

The  supervisors  of  Troupsburg,  in  succession,  have  been  as  follows  : 
Daniel  Johnson,  1808-12;  Charles  Card,  1813-19;  Samuel  Cady,  1820- 
22;   Adna  B.  Reynolds,    1823-25;   Asher  Johnson,    1826-27;   Samuel 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  159 

Griggs,  1828-33  ;  Wm.  Card,  1834  ;  Joshua  Slayler,  1835  ;  Wm.  Card, 
1836;  Orange  Perry,  1837-38;  Alexander  Tucker,  1839;  Levi  Grin - 
olds,  1840-42  Samuel  Griggs,  1843  ;  Bradshaw  White,  1844  ;  Nath- 
aniel Mallory,  1845  5  Alexander  Tucker,  1846;  Levi  Grinolds,  1847-48; 
Wm.  Ten  Broeck,  1849-50  ;  Levi  Grinolds,  185  1-52  ;  Wm.  Ten  Broeck, 
1853-54;  James  B  Murdock,  1855-58;  Eleazer  Fenton,  1859-60; 
Samuel  Olmstead,  1861  ;  Wm  Carpenter,  1862;  Eleazer  Fenton,  1863 
-64;  James  B.  Murdock,  1865  ;  Eleazer  Fenton,  1866;  John  G.  Lozier, 
1867-71  ;  W.  N.  Griggs,  1872-73;  Nathaniel  M.  Perry,  1874-75; 
Willis  White,  1876-77  ;  W.  N.  Griggs,  1878;  Alfred  Williams,  1879-80; 
Wm.  H.  Perry,  1881-82;  W  N.  Griggs,  1883-84;  Thomas  R.  Park, 
1885-86;  Charles  Marlatt,  1887-88;  Hiram  Olmsted,  1888-90;  D. 
W.  Hober,  1891-92;   N.  M.Brooks,  1893-95. 

In  1810,  'two  years  after  its  organization,  this  jurisdiction  had  a  total 
population  of  only  292  inhabitants,  but  during  the  succeeding  ten  years 
the  number  increased  to  650.  In  1830,  then  being  somewhat  reduced 
in  area  by  other  town  formations,  the  inhabitants  numbered  666,  and 
1,171  in  1840.  In  1850  the  population  had  still  further  increased  to 
1,754,  and  in  i860,  to  2,096.  Ten  years  later  it  had  reached  2,281, 
and  in  1880  was  2,494,  the  greatest  number  in  its  history.  The  popu- 
lation according  to  the  census  of  1890,  was  2,174,  and  in  1892  was 
2171. 

During  the  period  of  local  history  known  as  the  anti-rent  conflict, 
the  inhabitants  of  Troupsburg  were  not  only  much  interested  in  occur- 
ring events,  but  were  directly  concerned  for  the  safety  of  their  lands,  and 
if  local  tradition  be  reliable,  here  was  a  veritable  hotbed  of  dissatisfaction 
and  discontent,  though  the  excitement  of  the  time  did  not  carry  the  peo- 
ple beyond  a  vigorous  discussion  of  the  several  measures  proposed  for 
their  relief  In  the  notable  Bath  convention  the  Troupsburg  delegates 
were  Samuel  Cady,  Samuel  Griggs,  Joshua  Slayter,  Jesse  Wilden  and 
Nathan  S.  Hayes.  Mr.  Griggs  was  one  of  the  committee  chosen  to 
present  to  the  proprietary  the  claims  of  the  sufifering  settlers. 

Another  noteworthy  fact  in  connection  with  the  history  of  this  town, 
was  the  record  made  by  its  volunteers  during  the  war  of  1861 -65.  The 
roster  discloses  the  fact  that  Troupsburg  furnished  for  all  branches  of 
service  a  total  of  222  men,  who  were  chiefly  distributed  among  the  sev- 


160  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

eral  regiments  recruited  in  this  county,  while  a  number  enHsted  in  other 
localities  and  a  few  in  Pennsylvania. 

Gleaning  from  old  records,  we  learn  that  the  first  child  born  in  this 
town  was  Polly  Young;  the  first  marriage  that  of  Zebulon  Tubbs  and 
Sarah  Rice,  and  the  first  death  that  of  Jeremiah  Martin.  Lieut.  Rey- 
nolds opened  the  first  public  house,  four  miles  from  the  Center,  and 
Ichabod  Leach  kept  the  first  store  two  miles  from  the  village.  George 
Martin  built  the  first  grist  mill  at  the  village.  Through  the  same  chan- 
nel we  also  learn  that  the  first  school  was  taught  by  Abner  Thomas, 
a  little  east  of  Troupsburg  village.  This  mention  naturally  leads  us  to 
speak  of  the  school  system  of  the  town  at  large,  although  imperfect 
records  preclude  the  possibility  of  reliable  information  on  this  subject. 
Again,  the  several  changes  and  reductions  of  territory  necessitated  fre- 
quent rearrangement  of  the  old  districts,  no  record  of  which  seems  to 
be  preserved.  As  at  present  constituted,  the  town  has  eighteen  school 
districts,  including  the  academic  school  at  Troupsburg  village,  in  which 
were  employed  during  the  last  current  year,  twenty  teachers.  The 
whole  number  of  children  attending  school  was  644.  The  value  of  all 
school  property  is  $6,910.  The  town  received  public  moneys  to  the 
amount  of  $2,276.78,  and  raised  by  local  tax  $1,595.24.  Forty  trees 
were  planted  during  the  school  year. 

Troupsburg  has  been  called  the  town  of  many  villages,  but  this  is  in 
no  sense  surprising  when  we  consider  the  topographical  features  of  the 
region.  From  the  very  earliest  settlement  the  inhabitants  established 
trading  centers  to  suit  their  (Convenience,  and  in  so  large  a  town,  and 
one  so  broken  by  valleys  and  ridges,  the  founding  of  frequent  hamlets 
was  but  an  act  of  prudence.  Troupsburg  village,  or  Center,  is  of  first 
importance  and  is  situate  near  the  center  ©f  the  town,  while  the  West, 
South  and  East  villages  occupy  the  situations  suggested  by  their  re- 
spective names.  High  Up  is  the  post-office  name  for  West  Troupsburg, 
and  Young  Hickory  is  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town. 

TUSCARORA. — In  many  respects  Tuscarora  resembles  Lindley  in 
natural  physical  features,  the  one  being  crossed  from  south  to  north  by 
Tuscarora  Creek,  while  the  Tioga  River  has  the  same  course  through 
Lindley.  Both  towns  have  the  same  character  of  hill  ranges,  the  soil 
generally  is  much   the  same,  and   each  has  the  advantages  of  a  line  of 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  161 

railroad  intersecting  its  territory.  Yet  the  early  settlement  of  these 
towns  was  quite  dissimilar,  Lindley  by  a  well  equipped  colony  and 
Tuscarora  by  a  pioneer  with  limited  means  and  no  companions,  but  an 
abundance  of  determination  and  energy  that  stood  him  in  good  stead  in 
after  years. 

According  to  conceded  authority,  the  pioneer  of  township  i,  range 
2,  was  William  VVombaugh,  a  former  resident  and  native  of  New  Jersey, 
who  came  to  the  Tuscarora  valley  in  1804  and  purchased  187  acres  of 
land.  He  engaged  in  lumbering  quite  extensively  for  the  time,  and 
also  cleared  a  tract  of  land  and  raised  grain.  The  latter  commodity 
was  much  sought  by  later  settlers,  and  the  neighborhood  of  Wom- 
baugh's  Mills  early  became  a  place  of  importance  in  local  annals.  In 
1806  pioneer  Wombaugh  built  a  grist  mill  on  his  land  in  the  valley  and 
this,  in  connection  with  his  other  enterprises,  made  him  in  all  respects 
the  leading  man  of  the  region  ;  a  prominence  well  earned  by  an  honest 
and  industrious  life,  and  all  honors  which  came  to  him  were  worthily 
bestowed.  In  truth,  the  Wombaugh  family  were  for  many  years 
millers  and  farmers,  later  generations  succeeding  the  pioneer  in  his 
chosen  pursuit. 

Among  the  early  settlers  in  the  valley  of  Tuscarora  Creek  were 
.Amos  Dolph,  who  located  at  the  place  called  Carrtown,  and  still  later 
as  Addison  Hill,  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town.  Amos  Towsley 
settled  between  Wombaugh's  and  the  Hill  in  1816.  Jesse  Rowley  came 
in  1804,  a  few  months  after  Wombaugh,  and  settled  at  the  "forks"  of 
the  creek.  In  the  Rowley  family  were  thirteen  children,  three  of  whom 
were  natives  of  this  valley.  Jemima  Rowley  was  the  first  child  born  in 
the  town,  the  date  being  February,  1806.  She  became  the  wife  of 
John    Plimley.      In    18 16  Samuel  Colgrove  settled  above  Wombaugh's. 

About  this  time,  from  1814  to  1818,  settlement  in  this  locality  was 
quite  rapid,  and  among  the  families  who  came  during  the  period  several 
may  be  mentioned.  Still,  a  few  came  at  an  earlier  date.  Daniel  Strait, 
an  old  Revolutionary  soldier,  came  in  1809.  Asabel  Thomas  came  in 
1816;  Joseph  Gile  settled  on  the  Hill  in  1824;  John  C.  Orr  located  in 
the  northeast  part  of  the  town  about  18 16.  Other  members  of  the  Orr 
family  soon  followed  and  from  them  the  name  "Orr  Settlement"  was 
given.     They  were  an    earnest  and  hard-working  family  and  deserved 


162  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

the  position  they  held  in  the  community.  In  the  Mine  Creek  neigh- 
borhood Daniel  Burdick  and  Andrew  Crowl  were  early  settlers.  Rev. 
David  Short,  remembered  for  his  zeal  and  earnest  sincerity  in  endeavor- 
ing to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  Close  Communion  Baptist  church, 
settled  in  1823  near  the  State  line,  in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  The 
Northrup  settlement  was  made  in  1825  by  Warren  and  Benedict 
Northrup.  Among  the  other  early  settlers  in  the  south  part  were  Rev. 
Aaron  Baxter  and  family,  also  Alfred  Nichols  and  Simeon  P'reeman, 
all  members  of  one  household.  About  1830,  Elder  Baxter  succeeded 
in  gathering  a  number  of  settlers  and  forming  the  so-called  Chenango 
county  colony,  and,  still  further,  in  forming  a  religious  society  with 
forty-six  members.  In  his  colony  were  James  Sprague,  Migeman  Taft, 
David  Hart,  Samuel  and  Enoch  Mack,  Eliba  Albee,  David  Hart  and 
Samuel  Smith,  all  of  whom  were  welcome  comers  to  the  sparsely  settled 
town  and  by  whose  labors  the  lands  were  cleared  and  good  farms 
opened.  The  same  statement  may  be  made  of  Justus  Wright,  John 
Webster,  Capt.  Joseph  Manley,  and  others  whose  names  are  lost  with 
the  lapse  of  years. 

These  early  inhabitants  of  the  Tuscarora  valley  were  a  hardy  and 
determined  set  of  men,  to  whom  the  ordinary  privations  of  pioneership 
were  not  a  discouraging  obstacle.  At  that  time  their  township  formed 
a  part  of  the  older  jurisdiction  of  Addison,  the  village  being  several 
miles  distant,  while  the  county  seat  was  at  least  twenty-five  miles 
away.  However,  glancing  back  into  the  early  history  of  the  mother 
town,  we  find  frequent  mention  of  residents  in  township  i,  range  3, 
some  of  whom  attained  positions  of  prominence  in  local  affairs.  A 
visit  to  the  valley  of  Tuscarora  Creek  will  at  once  convince  the  observ- 
ing traveler  of  the  fact  that  the  settlers  here  built  "  from  the  stump," 
and  "  builded  firmly."  Indeed,  it  was  no  small  loss  to  Addison  to  be 
bereft  of  these  lands  as  part  of  her  jurisdiction,  yet  necessity  and  the 
public  convenience  demanded  a  division  of  the  mother  town.  How- 
ever, before  this  was  done  Tuscarora  passed  through  many  periods  of 
civil  and  political  disturbance,  notably  the  war  of  18 12,  and  still  later 
the  anti  rent  controversy,  though  local  interests  were  little  affected  by 
either  event. 

The  proposition  for  the  new  town  came  regularly  before  the  Board  of 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  163 

Supervisors  on  the  13th  of  December,  1859,  and,  meeting  with  no 
serious  objection,  was  carried,  and  the  new  creation  was  called 
"  Orrville."  This  name,  however,  was  soon  changed  to  "Tuscarora," 
in  allusion  to  the  sixth  nation  of  the  Iroquois  confederacy,  who  were 
received  by  Indian  adoption  in  17 12.  By  designation,  the  first  meeting 
of  electors  in  the  new  town  was  held  on  the  14th  of  February,  i860,  at 
the  dwelling  house  of  Oliver  Moore,  at  which  time  officers  were  chosen 
as  follows  : 

Jesse  W.  Rowley,  supervisor ;  George  W.  Webb,  town  clerk;  Myron 
M.  Manley,  James  Lemunyan  and  Charles  W.  Robinson,  justices  of  the 
the  peace  ;  Lorenzo  Wettenhall,  Joseph  Oakden  and  Lansing  Hand, 
assessors;  Philip  W.  Perkins,  commissioner  of  highways  ;  G.  H.  Free- 
man, collector. 

In  i860,  the  year  following  that  in  which  the  town  was  formed,  the 
inhabitants  of  Tuscarora  numbered  1,566,  the  greatest  number  attained 
during  the  period  of  its  history.  In  1870  the  population  was  1,528;  in 
1880  was  1,534;  in  1890  was  1,438,  and  in  1892,  as  shown  by  the  State 
count  made  that  year,  was  1,393. 

The  succession  of  supervisors  (chief  town  officers)  in  Tuscarora  has 
been  as  follows:  Jesse  W.  Rowley,  i860;  Nehemiah  Manley,  1861  ; 
Jesse  W.  Rowley,  1862;  William  Wombaugh,  1863-74;  Mordecai 
Casson,  jr.,  1875;  Jesse  W.  Rowley,  1876;  George  Freeman,  1877-80; 
C.  H.  Rowley,  1881-82;  Edward  Young,  1883;  A.  S.  Hamilton,  1884- 
85  ;  J.  E.  Lemunyan,  1886;  G.  H.  Freeman,  1887-89;  Edward  Young, 
1890-91  ;   A.  S.  Hamilton,  1892-95. 

Tne  officers  of  the  town  for  the  year  1895  ^^^  ^-  S.  Hamilton,  super- 
visor; Atwood  Weeks,  town  clerk  ;  Cornelius  J.  Smith,  Jason  McMinds, 
John  Casson  and  Frank  Baxter,  justices  of  the  peace;  William  Murray, 
Henry  Smith  and  Charles  Bottum,  assessors;  James  Simpson,  collector  • 
Edward  Young,  overseer  of  the  poor  ;  Albert  Lemunyan,  commissioner 
of  highways ;  Austin  Benedict,  A.  Andrews  and  Hugh  McTamany, 
commissioners  of  excise. 

The  educational  system  of  Tuscarora  previous  to  the  formation  of  a 
separate  jurisdiction  of  course  was  a  part  of  the  system  then  employed 
in  Addison  from  which  this  town  was  taken  ;  but  after  the  separation 
the  new  town  was  divided  into  districts  and  a  school  maintained  in  each. 


164  LANDxMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

As  now  constituted  the  districts  are  fourteen  in  number,  and  the  whole 
number  of  children  in  the  town  is  323.  Eleven  teachers  are  annually 
employed.  The  total  value  of  all  school  property  is  $4,440,  and  the 
assessed  valuation  of  the  districts  in  1894  was  $430,585.  The  town 
contains  22,400  acres  of  land.  In  the  year  last  mentioned  Tuscarora 
received  of  public  school  moneys  $1,318,  and  raised  by  school  tax 
$1,228.      Seventeen  trees  were  planted  by  pupils  in  1894. 

During  the  period  of  the  war  of  1861-65,  Nehemiah  Manley,  Jesse 
W.  Rowley  and  William  Wombaugh  held  the  then  very  responsible  and 
difficult  position  of  supervisor,  and,  during  their  respective  terms  of 
office,  were  intimately  identified  with  the  war  measures  adopted  by  the 
town.  Tuscarora  was  known  as  one  of  the  loyal  regions  of  the  county, 
and  responded  freely  and  promptly  to  every  call  for  volunteers,  exhibit- 
ing a  truly  loyal  and  martial  spirit.  The  town  furnished  for  the  service 
a  total  of  155  men,  scattered  through  the  several  regiments  recruited  in 
the  county,  while  a  number  joined  Pennsylvania  commands. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

Urbana. — In  the  spring  of  the  year  1793.  William  and  Thomas 
Aulls  left  their  former  home  in  Lancaster,  Penn.,  determined  to  establish 
for  themselves  and  family  a  permanent  abode  in  the  new  yet  widely 
known  Genesee  country.  They  visited  Geneva  and  Bath,  both  of  which 
were  primitive  settlements,  and  finally  made  their  way  toward  the  head 
of  famed  Lake  Keuka.  This  journey  naturally  led  the  travelers  into  the 
beautiful  Pleasant  Valley  country  where  they  found  lands  suited  to  their 
wishes,  and  here  the  senior  Aulls  located  his  purchase  and  built  a  cabin 
on  what  has  been  known  as  the  Decker  farm.  This  was  the  first  civil- 
ized settlement  within  the  present  town  of  Urbana,  although  the  country 
had  been  frequently  traversed  between  Bath  and  other  southern  settle- 
ments, and  Geneva  and  Canandaigua.  Through  the  valley  was  the 
principal  Indian  trail  leading  to  the  head  of  the  lake   and   thence   down 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  165 

the  same  on  both  east  and  west  sides  After  clearing  and  planting  suf- 
ficient for  the  necessities  of  his  family  during  the  coming  winter,  the 
senior  AuUs  returned  to  Pennsylvania  and  brought  the  other  members 
of  his  household  to  their  new  home. 

In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  (1793),  Samuel  Baker  also  built  a  cabin 
and  made  an  improvement  in  the  locality,  and  in  the  spring  ofthe  fol- 
lowing year,  brought  his  family  to  the  valley,  accompanied  or  closely 
followed  by  Richard  Daniels  and  Amos  Stone  William  Read  came 
about  the  same  time  and  has  been  mentioned  as  the  third  settler  in  the 
town.  Other  pioneers  were  Abram  and  Jonas  Brundage,  John  Faulk- 
ner, Captain  Shether  and  Eli  Read.  The  Faulkner  improvement  was 
purchased  in  1807,  by  Cornelius  Younglove.  Captain  Shether  pur- 
chased and  located  on  the  site  of  the  present  progressive  village  of 
Hammondsport,  his  deed  bearing  the  date  1796,  and  his  lands  embrac- 
ing 146  acres.  The  property  was  afterward  transferred  to  William 
Root  and  by  the  latter  to  Lazarus  Hammond,  and  from  the  last  men- 
tioned we  have  the  name — Hammondsport. 

Recalling  briefly  the  names  of  other  early  settlers  and  residents  in 
this  locality,  may  be  mentioned  Daniel  Bennitt,  Robert  Harrison,  Caleb 
Chapman,  the  proprietor  of  the  first  log  tavern  at  North  Urbana, 
Stephen  Kingsley,  Abram  Depew,  John  Walters,  Obediah  Wheeler, 
Reuben  Hall,  Andrew  Layton,  Erastus  Webster,  David  Hutches, 
Samuel  Drew,  John  Daniels,  Samuel  Townsend,  Joseph  Rosencranz,  and 
others  whose  names  are  now  lost.  Many  of  these  early  settlers  were 
natives  of  New  England  and  several  of  them  had  served  during  the 
Revolutionary  war,  a  few  as  officers  in  the  service.  The  first  birth  in 
the  town  was  that  of  Samuel  Baker,  jr.;  the  first  marriage  that  of 
Jonathan  Barney  and  Polly  AuUs  in  1794;  the  first  death  that  of  John 
Phillips,  1794  ;  Eliphalet  Norris  taught  the  first  school  in  the  valley  in 
1795  ;  Caleb  Chapman  kept  the  first  tavern  at  North  Urbana;  Henry 
A.  Townsend  opened  the  first  store  at  Cold  Spring  in  18 15;  John 
Shether  built  the  first  saw  mill  in  1795,  and  Gen.  George  McClure  built 
the  first  grist  mill  in  1802. 

From  what  has  been  stated  the  reader  will  at  once  discover  that  the 
the  early  settlement  of  this  part  ofthe  county  was  accomplished  rapidly. 
In  truth,  in  all  the  vast  area  of  land   in   Steuben   no  portion  possessed 


166  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

greater  beauty  or  more  natural  advantages  than  did  this  locality  at  the 
head  of  the  lake  and  extending  thence  up  the  fertile  Pleasant  Valley. 
This  prominence  has  continued  to  the  present  day,  although  the  character 
of  the  occupancy  and  the  pursuits  of  the  inhabitants  have  materially 
changed.  Urbana  has  become  a  vineyard  and  fruit  township,  and  as 
such  enjoys  a  State-wide  and  enviable  reputation.  Everf  to  the  tops  of 
her  highest  hills,  some  of  which  have  an  altitude  of  a  thousand  feet,  the 
vineyards  extend,  and  in  all  localities  are  fine  farms  and  inviting  places 
of  abode  and  pleasure.  These  natural  advantages  have  combined  to 
make  this  town  one  of  the  most  valuable  and  also  one  of  the  most 
interesting  in  the  whole  Genesee  country. 

Indeed,  so  rapidly  were  the  lands  taken  up  by  early  settlers  that  in 
1825  there  dwelt  in  the  lown  no  less  than  966  inhabitants,  and  at  that 
time  the  hamlet  we  now  call  Hammondsport  was  only  a  scattered  setde- 
ment,  while  lake  trafific  was  so  limited  as  to  be  hardly  a  factor  in  local 
growth.  On  the  17th  of  April,  1822,  the  town  of  Urbana  was  set  off 
from  Bath  and  given  a  separate  organization.  In  1839  a  part  was  re- 
annexed  to  Bath,  while  in  the  same  year  a  portion  of  Wheeler  was  an- 
nexed to  Urbana;  also  a  small  part  from  Pulteney  on  April  12,  1848. 
As  now  constituted  this  town  contains  25,200  acres  of  land,  and  has  a 
population  (1890)  of  2,590. 

The  organization  meeting  was  held  in  the  school  house  in  Pleasant 
Valley,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  March,  1823.  at  which  time  officers  were 
elected  as  follows  :  Henry  A.  Townsend,  supervisor;  Lazarus  Hammond, 
town  clerk;  Andrew  Layton,  Henry  Griffin  and  Abram  Brundage, 
assessors;  Obediah  Wheeler,  Reuben  Hall  and  Abram  Brundage,  com- 
missioners of  highways  ;  Samuel  Baker  and  William  Read,  overseers  of 
the  poor;  Caleb  Rogers,  Stephen  Kingsley  and  William  H.  Ennis, 
constables 

In  this  connection  it  is  also  proper  to  furnish  the  succession  of  super- 
visors, as  follows  :  Henry  A.  Townsend,  1823-31  ;  John  P.  Popino,  1832 
and  1835-37;  William  Baker,  1833-34;  Amasa  Church,  1838;  Jacob 
Larrowe,  1839  ;  Obediah  Wheeler,  1840-41  and  1844;  Peter  Houck, 
1842-43;  Wm.  Baker,  1845;  Aaron  Coggswell,  1846;  J.  J.  Poppino, 
1847-48  and  1850;  John  W.  Davis,  1849;  John  Randel,  1851-52;  A. 
S.   Brundage,    1853;    M.   Brown,    1854;    Orlando  Shepard,    1855-56; 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  167 

John  Randel,  1857  ;  John  W.  Taggert,  1858  and  1860-62  ;  Joseph  A. 
Crane,  1859;  Benjamin  Myrtle,  1863-65  and  1869-71;  Absalom 
Haddeti,  1866-68  and  1872;  G.  W.  Nichols,  1873-75;  R.  Longwell, 
1876;  Charles  L.  Bailey,  1877-78;  B.  F.  Drew,  1879-80;  Adsit  Bailey, 
1881-85;  H.  J.  Moore,  1886-87;  J-  H.  Keeler,  1888;  George  H. 
Keeler,    1889-90;    H.J.  Moore,  1891-93;   H.    M.   Champlin.    1894-95. 

The  town  officers  for  the  year  1895  ^''^  Harry  M.  Champlin,  super- 
visor ;  Lemuel  J.  Benham,  town  clerk  ;  Benjamin  J.  Wright,  Frank  H. 
Hunt,  George  W.  Hubbs  and  David  Longwell,  justices  of  the  peace  ; 
Joseph  Smith,  collector;  George  Austin,  overseer  of  the  poor;  Robert 
L.  Snow,  highway  commissioners;  Theodore  Hamilton,  George  Vrooman 
and  Eugene  La  Rue,  excise  commissioners 

In  the  preceding  portion  of  this  chapter  there  has  been  narrated  a 
brief  account  of  the  civil  history  of  the  town  of  Urbana.  It  began 
that  history  with  the  organization  in  1 823,  and  from  that  to  the 
present  time  the  record  of  the  town  has  been  one  of  almost  con- 
tinuous and  uninterrupted  progress.  Noting  its  gradual  growth,  we 
may  state  that  in  1825  the  population  of  the  town  was  966,  and  in 
1830  had  increased  to  1,288.  During  the  next  ten  years  the  inhab- 
itants increased  in  number  to  1,884,  ^"d  in  1850  to  2,079.  I"  i860 
the  number  was  1,983.  and  2,082  in  1870.  Ten  years  later  the  pop- 
ulation was  2,318,  and  still  further  increased  to  2,590  in  1890  Ac- 
cording to  the  enumeration  made  in  1892,  the  town  had  a  population 
of  2,542. 

During  the  famous  anti  rent  conflict  in  1830,  and  about  that  time, 
the  inhabitants  of  this  town  were  quite  seriously  affected  by  the  dis- 
cussion of  the  period,  and  some  of  the  men  of  Urbana  were  prominently 
identified  with  the  proposed  measures  for  relief  The  delegates  to  the 
Bath  convention  were  Henry  A.  Townsend.  John  Sanford,  jr.,  John 
Powers,  Elias  Ketchum  and  Dyer  Cranmer. 

Again,  during  the  war  of  1861,  the  record  of  the  volunteers  from  the 
town  forms  a  bright  page  in  local  history,  for  no  less  than  200  men  of 
Urbana  were  enlisted  in  all  branches  of  the  service.  At  that  time  the 
population  was  1,983,  and  the  records  show  that  fully  ten  per  cent,  of 
the  whole  number  were  contributed  to  the  town's  quota. 

No  less  interesting  is  the  history  of  the  educational  system    of  the 


168  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

town  at  large,  for  the  fact  is  well  authenticated  that  the  inhabitants  of 
Urbana  have  ever  made  generous  provision  for  the  support  of  public 
schools.  As  early  as  the  year  1823  Edward  Townsend,  Franklin  Baker 
and  William  Read,  commissioners  of  common  schools,  divided  the  town 
into  school  districts,  seven  in  number,  and  a  school  was  at  once  es- 
tablished in  each.  In  1827  the  town  received  of  public  moneys  $59.76, 
and  a  like  amount  was  raised  by  local  tax.  In  this  manner  the 
system  was  established,  and  from  it  the  present  condition  of  schools  has 
grown.  As  now  constituted  the  town  has  twelve  districts,  and  each 
has  a  suitable  school  house.  During  the  last  current  year  eighteen 
teachers  were  employed.  The  value  of  school  property  in  the  town  is 
estimated  at  $19,450.  The  amount  of  public  moneys  received  was 
$2,219.75.  and  the  town  raised  by  tax  the  additional  sum  of  $5,440.83. 

Still  further  referring  to  the  subject  of  early  schools  in  Urbana,  we 
may  quote  briefly  from  Mrs.  Bennitt's  narrative:  "In  1795  the  agent 
of  the  Pulteney  estate  gave  to  William  Read,  Amos  Stone  and  Samuel 
Baker,  and  their  heirs,  fifty  acres  of  land  for  school  purposes.  After- 
ward by  an  act  of  the  Legislature,  it  was  made  over  to  the  trustees  and 
their  successors  in  office,  and  at  the  present  time  is  doing  the  work  in- 
tended by  Charles  Williamson,  The  first  school  house  was  built  in 
1795,  and  Eliphalet  Norris  was  the  first  teacher.  Mr.  Williamson's 
offer  of  land  for  school  purposes  was  made  to  other  districts  to  induce 
settlement,  but  Pleasant  Valley  people  were  the  only  ones  who  took 
legal  measures  to  secure  the  land." 

In  this  chapter  not  more  than  a  passing  allusion  has  been  made  to  the 
pleasant  and  progressive  village  of  Hammondsport,  nor  to  any  of  the 
institutions  of  the  corporation.  In  accordance  with  the  plan  of  this 
work,  such  mention  is  reserved  for  another  department,  to  which  the 
attention  of  the  reader  is  directed.  (See  Municipal  History.)  In  the 
same  manner,  also,  in  the  Ecclesiastical  history  will  be  found  men- 
tion of  the  several  church  organizations  of  the  village  and  town. 

Wayland. — This  town  is  one  of  the  younger  civil  divisions  of  the 
county,  and  was  formed  from  Cohocton  and  Dansville.  April  12,  1848. 
A  part  of  Fremont  was  taken  off  in  1854,  and  as  now  constituted  Way- 
land  contains  23,400  acres  of  land.  Its  surface  is  an  upland,  rolling  in 
the    north  and   moderately  hilly  in   the  south,  yet  possesses  natural  re- 


MARTIN    PINNEY. 


THE  CI^IL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  169 

sources  far  superior  to  many  of  the  interior  towns  of  the  county.  The 
highest  ridges  approximate  i,8oo  feet  above  tide,  and  form  a  portion  of 
the  watershed  between  Lake  Ontario  and  the  Susquehanna.  Loon  and 
Mud  Lakes  are  situated  in  the  rich  valley  in  the  south  part  of  the  town, 
but  their  waters  flow  in  opposite  directions.  Loon  Lake  has  a  sub- 
terranean outlet  for  half  a  mile  and  when  it  comes  to  the  surface  the 
volume  of  water  is  sufficient  to  form  a  valuable  mill  stream.  The  town 
was  named  not  in  honor  of  Rev,  Dr.  Francis  Wayland  of  Rhode 
Island,  as  has  been  stated,  but  in  allusion  to  the  hymn  called  "  Way- 
land,"  which  Mr,  Patchin  sang  at  a  fortunate  moment. 

Many  of  the  early  settlers  in  this  town  were  Germans,  the  pioneer 
being  Adam  Zimmerman,  who  in  1806  settled  where  the  railroad  depot 
now  stands  in  the  village.  The  other  pioneers  were  Capt,  Thomas 
Bowles,  Mr,  Bowen  and  John  Hume,  who  came  in  the  year  1808,  also 
Mr.  Hicks,  in  1810,  and  Thomas  Begole  in  1814,  all  locating  in  the 
north  part.  The  Loon  Lake  vicinity  was  settled  in  181 3  by  Salmon, 
James  and  Elisha  Brownson,  Isaac  Willie,  Osgood  Carleton  and  Solomon 
Draper.  The  central  portion  was  settled  at  the  same  time,  its  pioneers 
being  Demas  Hess,  John  Hess,  Samuel  Draper,  Benjamin  Perkins  (for 
whom  Perkinsville  is  named),  Walter  Patchin,  founder  of  the  settlement 
known  as  Patchin's  Mills  ;  and  others  whose  names  are  now  forgotten. 
Peter  Shafer  located  on  the  road  leading  to  Dansville,  and  for  many 
years  kept  tavern  and  did  blacksmithing. 

Among  the  early  settlers,  as  we  have  intimated,  was  a  strong  con- 
tingent of  Germans  ;  hardy,  determined,  and  active  men,  not  easily  dis- 
mayed or  discouraged  by  obstacles,  for  half-hearted  pioneers  could 
never  have  gained  a  substantial  foothold  in  Wayland,  as  we  are  told 
that  this  region  was  hard  to  settle  and  develop.  In  the  early  popula- 
tion was  also  a  fair  proportion  of  New  Englanders  and  a  few  Pennsyl- 
vanians,  and  all  seem  to  have  worked  earnestly  and  unitedly,  and  to-day 
the  results  of  well  expended  energy  is  apparent,  for  in  point  of  resources 
and  general  productiveness  Wayland  ranks  well  up  among  the  towns  of 
the  county.  Circumstances,  too,  have  done  much  for  our  town,  as  the 
railroads  have  afforded  facilities  for  the  shipment  of  products  which  the 
majority  of  towns  do  not  possess.  Small  wonder  is  it,  therefore,  that 
in  this  extreme  northwest  corner  of  the  county  we  find  as  early  as  1825 


170  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

a  stable  and  progressive  settlement,  with  mills  and  fine  farms  in 
active  operation  and  an  era  of  prosperity  prevailing  on  every  hand. 

Referring  briefly  to  some  of  the  early  institutions  of  Wayland,  we 
may  state  that  the  first  saw  mill  was  built  by  Benjamin  Perkins ;  the 
first  grist  mill  by  Dugald  Cameron  and  Abijah  Fowler,  in  1816. 
Samuel  Taggart  kept  one  of  the  first  taverns,  in  1827  ;  the  first  store- 
keeper was  James  L.  Monier,  in  1830;  the  first  school  was  taught  by 
Thomas  Wilbur,  in  181 1.  Erastus  Ames  was  the  noted  hunter  of  the 
region.  Dr.  Warren  Patchin  built  a  hotel  at  Patchin's  Mills  in  1824, 
and  for  him  the  hamlet  was  named.  The  grist  and  saw  mills  here  he 
also  built,  and  they  were  kept  in  operation  by  his  son  for  many  years. 
The  saw  mill  was  built  in  1820;  the  grist  mill  two  years  later.  The 
plank  road  from  Patchinville  to  Dansville  was  constructed  about  1842. 
Outside  of  these  old  industries  Patchin's  Mills,  or  Patchinville,  has  not 
attracted  any  considerable  attention  to  the  history  of  the  town.  The 
same  may  also  be  said  of  the  locality  known  as  Loon  Lake,  although  in 
connection  with  the  latter,  during  recent  years,  an  attempt  was  made  to 
establish  a  summer  resort,  but  with  indifferent  success.  Wayland  in 
the  north  part,  and  Perkinsville  near  the  center  of  the  town,  are 
thriving  villages,  and  are  the  centers  of  rich  agricultural  regions.  The 
town  at  large  yields  well  in  farm  products,  potatoes  being  the  special 
crop  grown  and  affording  excellent  returns. 

In  pursuance  of  the  act  creating  the  town  the  meeting  for  the  elec- 
tion of  officers  was  held  at  the  house  of  Cameron  Patchin,  May  2,  1848, 
and  resulted  as  follows:  John  Hess,  supervisor;  Samuel  W.  Epley,  town 
clerk;  M.  M.  Patchin,  Amos  Knowlton,  Chauncey  Moore  and  Gardner 
Pierce,  justices;  R.  M.  Patchin,  David  Poor  and  David  Brownson,  as- 
sessors. The  statement  may  be  made  that  Supervisor  Hess  and  Justices 
Patchin  and  Knowlton  were  previous  officers  of  the  mother  town,  and 
were  continued  in  the  new  creation  under  the  erecting  act. 

The  succession  of  supervisors  in  Wayland  is  as  follows :  John  Hess 
1848-50,  1852  and  1855-57;  Daniel  Poor,  1851  ;  David  Poor,  1853; 
M.  M.  Patchin,  1854;  James  G.  Bennett,  1858-63,  1866  and  1875-76; 
James  P.  Clark,  1864-65  and  1867  ;  James  Redmond,  1868  and  1870- 
71  ;  H.  A.  Avery,  1869;  Martin  Kimmel,  1872-73  and  1879-80;  Jacob 
Morsch,  1874;  F.  E.  Holliday,  1877  ;  John  M.  Folts,  1878  ;  G.  E.  Whit 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  171 

man,  1881-83;  H.  J.  Rosenkrans,  1884-85;  J.  P.  Morsch,  1886-87; 
Andrew  Granger,  1888;  W.  W.  Capron,  1889;  J.  B.  Whitman,  1890- 
92;  H.  S.  Rosenkrans,   1893;  John  P.  Morsch,  1894-95. 

The  officers  for  1895  are  John  P.  Morsch,  supervisor;  George  Nold, 
town  clerk;  Peter  H.  Zimmerman,  H.  S.  Rosencrans,  Peter  Didas,  jr., 
and  Wm.  Schuts,  justices ;  John  E.  Bennett,  F.  E.  HolHday  and  Wm. 
Wolfanger,  assessors  ;  Henry  Schumaker,  collector  ;  John  A.  Schwingle, 
overseer  of  the  poor  ;  Martin  Kimmel,  jr.,  highway  commissioner  ;  G. 
D.  Abrams,  Sylvester  Dodge  and  C.  S.  Fults,  excise  commissioners. 

Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  Wayland  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  most 
progressive  towns  of  the  county,  the  truth  remains  that  the  population 
in  1892  was  not  so  large  as  in  i860.  Then  the  inhabitants  numbered 
2,809,  ^s  against  2,375  at  the  last  enumeration.  This  somewhat  un- 
natural condition  is  accounted  for  in  the  fact  that  the  young  men  have 
left  the  farms  for  city  life,  and  that  all  agricultural  interests  during  the 
last  twenty-five  years  have  materially  declined ;  and  whatever  growth 
has  been  shown  is  confined  chiefly  to  the  villages  of  Wayland  and 
Perkinsville,  both  enterprising  municipalities  within  the  limits  of  the 
town. 

During  the  war  of  1861-65  Wayland  contributed  to  the  regiments 
of  this  State  a  total  of  239  men,  certainly  a  splendid  record,  though 
many  of  the  volunteers  enlisted  in  adjoining  counties. 

Previous  to  1848  the  schools  of  Wayland  were  a  part  of  the  history 
of  the  towns  from  which  it  was  formed,  and  when  this  town  was  organ- 
ized its  territory  was  divided  into  nine  districts,  in  each  of  which  a 
school  was  provided.  Then  the  school  population  was  about  1,000 
children.  There  are  now  eleven  districts,  with  400  children  attending 
school,  outside  Wayland  village.  There  are  also  employed  fourteen 
teachers.  In  1893-4  the  town  raised  by  tax  for  school  purposes  the 
sum  of  $3,104.83,  and  received  of  public  moneys  the  sum  of  $1,635.85. 

Wayne. — In  1793  Frederick  Bartles,  or  Bartels,  built  a  mill  on  the 
outlet  of  Mud  Lake,  and  the  grateful  agent,  Charles  Williamson,  in 
whose  employ  Bartles  was,  caused  the  original  town  of  Frederickstown 
to  be  named  in  allusion  to  the  industrious  German  pioneer.  The  town 
as  formed  March  18,  1796,  comprised  all  that  is  now  Wayne,  Bradford, 
Barrington,    Starkey,  Tyrone,    Reading   and  Orange.      On    the  6th   of 


172  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

April,  1808,  the  name  Frederickstown  was  dropped  and  Wayne  adopted 
in  its  stead  ;  and  so  called  in  honor  of  General  Wayne,  better  known, 
however,  as  "  Mad  Anthony  "  Wayne,  the  famous  Indian  fighter  whose 
deeds  of  valor  are  recorded  on  the  page  of  history. 

By  frequent  reductions  in  its  territory,  caused  by  the  formation  of 
various  towns,  Wayne  now  has  an  area  of  only  12,400  acres,  and  is  the 
smallest  in  size  of  the  civil  divisions  of  Steuben  county.  Its  location  in 
the  extreme  northeast  corner  of  the  county,  though  somewhat  remote 
from  the  county  seat,  is  nevertheless  favorable,  as  it  has  a  desirable 
water  front  on  Lake  Keuka  on  the  west  and  Lake  Waneta  on  the  east. 
The  entire  western  slope  forms  almost  one  vast  and  entire  vineyard, 
while  the  hill  tops  and  eastern  portions  have  excellent  agricultural  lands. 
The  soil  is  a  gravelly  and  slaty  loam  underlaid  with  hardpan. 

The  pioneers  of  this  locality  made  their  improvements  as  early  as  the 
year  1791,  the  first  settlers  being  Zepaniah  Hofif,  Henry  Mapes,  Widow 
Jennings  and  Solomon  Wixson,  while  Enos.  Jonas  and  James  Silsbee, 
Abraham  Hendricks,  Joshua  Smith,  John  Holdridge,  Elijah  Reynolds 
and  Ephriam  Tyler  came  at  such  an  early  day  as  to  entitle  them  to 
mention  as  pioneers.  Among  the  other  early  settlers  we  may  recall 
Ephraim  Sanford,  from  Pennsylvania,  a  former  Revolutionary  soldier, 
also  Anthony  Swarthout,  Jabez  Hopkins,  Aaron  Olmstead,  the  black- 
smith and  tool- maker,  Thomas  Bennett,  Thomas  Margeson,  Henry 
Houck,  Isaac  Northrup,  Edward  Baker,  Israel  R.  Wood,  Joseph  Bailey 
(another  old  Revolutionary  survivor),  George  Hunter,  John  Earnest, 
blacksmith,  Simeon  Hackett,  John  Teeples  and  others. 

Charles  Williamson,  agent  for  the  Pulteney  Association,  expended 
considerable  money  in  improving  farms  in  this  locality,  and  in  the 
progress  of  his  work  gave  employment  to  a  number  of  men.  He  also 
placed  tenants  on  several  of  the  farms  in  the  hope  of  ultimately  effect- 
ing a  sale  of  his  lands,  but  the  action  of  his  proprietors  in  stopping  his 
operations  was  the  cause  of  much  feeling,  and  the  abandonment  of  the 
improvements,  in  many  cases,  to  the  great  loss  of  merchants  doing  busi- 
ness in  Bath  who  had  "trusted"  these  tenants  for  goods  sold  them. 
But,  notwithstanding  the  embarrassments  and  obstacles  against  which 
the  early  settlers  of  Wayne  were  obliged  to  contend,  the  town  increased 
quite  rapidly  in  population  and  the  development  of  the  resources  of  the 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  173 

region,  and  the  year  1800  found  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  the 
district  to  be  258.  Ten  years  later  the  number  was  1,025,  and  in  1820 
was  3,607.  However,  during  years  following,  the  frequent  divisions  of 
the  original  territory  of  Wayne  reduced  the  population  very  materially, 
and  in  1830  the  number  was  only  1,172.  In  1840  it  was  1,377;  "^ 
1850  was  1,347  ;  in  i860  was  944;  in  1870  was  891  ;  in  1880  was  827, 
and  in  1890  was  889. 

As  has  been  stated  the  town  was  set  off  as  a  separate  jurisdiction, 
March  18,  1796.  although  it  appears  that  no  organization  was  effected 
until  1 801  ;  at  least  the  records  disclose  no  town  meetings  previous  to 
that  time.  The  first  supervisor  was  Benjamin  Wells,  and  the  first  clerk 
was  Joshua  Smith,  the  latter  holding  office  continuously  for  seven  years. 

The  succession  of  supervisors  has  been  as  follows :  Benjamin  Wells, 
1 801-3  ;  John  Dow,  1804;  Jacob  Teeple,  1805-7;  John  Teeple,  1808- 
16;  William  Kernan,  1817-18  ;  John  Teeple,  1819-21;  David  Hall, 
1822;  Wm.  E.  Wells,  1823-26;  Geo.  Hunter,  1827-29;  Wm.  Birdsall, 
1830-31  ;  Geo.  Hunter,  1832-33;  Matthew  McDowell,  1834-35;  Or- 
lando Comstock,  1836-37  and  1840;  Jno.  P.  Lozier,  1838;  Jacob 
Teeple,  1841  ;  Levi  Knox,  1842  ;  Daniel  W.  Sunderlin,  1843;  Harvey 
Hill,  1844;  Andrew  D.  Swarthout,  1845-47;  Jno.  B.  Mitchell,  1848- 
49;  Geo.  Schuyler,  1850-51,  1854  and  1861  ;  Joseph  Eveland,  1852; 
Joseph  Roat,  1853  and  1867-68 ;  Ansel  H.Williams,  1854;  Robert 
Biggars,  1855  ;  Amos  Wortman,  1856-57;  Jno.  B.  Birdseye,  1858-59; 
Jno.  J.  Earnest,  i860;  Bela  Bonny,  1862;  Joel  Wixson,  1863-64; 
Chas.  D.  Wells,  1865-66;  Thos.  E.  Walsh,  1869-70;  Chas.  K.  Miner, 
1871-74;  James  Wixson,  1875  and  1877;  Solomon  R.  Wixson,  1876 
and  1878;  Madison  Cameron,  1879-82;  D.  Swarthout,  1883-84;  Ly- 
man  Aulls,  1885-93;  Anson  Wright,  1894-95. 

The  officers  of  Wayne  for  the  year  1895  are  as  follows:  Anson 
Wright,  supervisor ;  James  M.  Washburn,  town  clerk  ;  D.  Hover, 
Thomas  Bailey,  George  P.  Lord  and  James  H.  Pitcher,  justices  ;  Chas. 
C.  Campbell,  Thomas  Anderson  and  W.  E.  Swarthout,  assessors  ;  Frank 
Covel,  collector  ;  Solomon  R.  Wixson,  highway  commissioner  ;  Thomas 
Best,  overseer  of  the  poor  ;•  Hiram  Rapplee,  Arthur  D.  Graw  and  Almon 
Barrett,  excise  commissioners. 

As  at  present  constituted  Wayne  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  and 


174  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

favorably  situated  towns  of  Steuben  county,  and  in  the  development  of 
its  natural  resources  it  has  become  one  of  the  best  vineyard  districts  in 
the  region.  Added  to  this  is  its  value  as  an  agricultural  town,  while 
the  building  up  of  large  hotels  and  pleasure  resorts  along  the  Keuka 
front  have  combined  to  increase  local  prosperity.  In  the  early  history 
of  the  county  the  town  was  hardly  more  than  a  passive  factor,  yet  the 
people  of  Wayne  have  ever  enjoyed  the  reputation  of  making  their 
presence  felt  in  all  measures  tending  to  the  public  good.  In  the  great 
anti-rent  conflict  of  1830,  and  about  that  time,  the  local  inhabitants 
took  a  prominent  part  in  the  passing  events,  and  they  were  worthily 
represented  in  the  Bath  convention  by  Latham  Fitch,  John  H.  Sher- 
wood and  Thornton  F.  Curry.  During  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  as 
commonly  known,  where  true  patriotism  as  well  as  loyalty  and  states- 
manship were  essential  elements  of  success,  the  town  proved  equal  to 
every  demand  made  upon  it  and  furnished  for  the  service  a  total  of 
eighty- five  men;  a  record  certainly  praiseworthy  when  we  consider  the 
fact  that  in  i860  the  inhabitants  numbered  only  944. 

During  the  period  of  its  history,  there  have  been  built  up  within  the 
town  two  small  hamlets,  known  as  Wayne  village  and  Wayne  Four 
Corners,  while  the  chief  importance  of  Keuka  is  derived  from  its  ship- 
ping advantages  during  the  warm  months.  In  winter  it  is  an  almost 
deserted  locality.  These  villages,  with  their  respective  interests,  are 
mentioned  in  another  department  of  this  work. 

West  Union. — On  the  25th  day  of  April,  1845,  the  State  Legisla- 
ture divided  the  town  of  Greenwood,  and  taking  substantially  township 
one,  of  range  six,  erected  it  into  a  separate  jurisdiction  under  the  name 
of  West  Union,  Then,  and  now,  the  new  creation  contained  23,900  acres 
of  land,  being  nearly  as  large  as  the  mother  township  from  which  it  was 
formed.  It  was  the  design  of  the  promoters  of  the  new  town  scheme  to 
adopt  the  name  Green,  in  allusion  to  the  mother  town,  but  as  Chenango 
county  had  a  town  named  Greene  the  petition  was  changed  and  the 
name  of  Union  adopted.  This  also  was  found  to  be  in  conflict  with  the 
name  of  an  existing  town  in  Broome  county,  therefore  West  Union  was 
accepted  as  the  designation  of  the  new  formation. 

The  town  occupies  a  position  in  the  extreme  southwest  corner  of  the 
county,  Pennsylvania   line  being   its  south  boundary  with  the  Allegany 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  175 

county  line  on  the  west.  Rexville,  the  only  village  of  any  note  in  the 
town,  is  distant  thirty  miles  fronn  Bath  and  nineteen  miles  from  Hornells- 
ville.  The  land  surface  is  hilly  and  broken,  the  highest  summits  being 
about  2,500  feet  above  tidewater.  Bennett's  Creek  is  the  principal 
stream.     The  soil  is  a  heavy,  slaty  loam. 

The  pioneer  settlement  of  the  town  of  West  Union,  then,  however, 
known  as  Troupsburg,  was  begun  about  the  year  1821,  when  Abraham 
V.  Olmstead  came  from  Delaware  county  and  made  a  clearing  on  the 
site  of  the  present  village  of  Rexville.  Later  on  Mr.  Olmstead  erected 
the  first  tavern  in  the  town,  and  his  son  Walter  B.  was  born  November 
4,  1823,  also  the  first  event  of  its  kind  in  the  town.  About  the  same 
time,  probably  in  182 1,  came  Jonathan  and  John  Mattison  and  David 
Davis,  and  located  in  the  east  part.  The  other  pioneers  were  William 
Burger,  also  from  Delaware  county,  Frederick  Hauber  from  Pennsyl- 
vania, Uriah  and  B.  Ingley.  Vencent  Compton  and  his  sons  William 
and  Vincent,  Adam  Young,  William  Bray,  John  Wiley,  William  Fisher, 
Benjamin  Wilkes,  William  and  Ephraim  Young,  Henry  Young,  Daniel 
Hamilton,  David  Baker,  Stephen  Boyd  and  others  whose  names  are 
now  forgotten.  Henry  Young  settled  at  West  Union  Corners.  John 
Wiley  settled  near  where  the  hamlet  of  Wileysville  was  afterward 
built  up. 

In  the  north  part  of  West  Union  there  settled  about  the  year  1840  a 
number  of  hardworking  Irishmen,  from  whose  coming  there  eventually 
grew  a  strong  settlement.  Among  the  first  of  them  were  John  Sheehan, 
Dennis  Malone,  Luke  Fox  and  others.  Some  of  the  later  settlers  in  the 
town  at  large  were  Philip  F"ailing,  Mr.  Bigelow,  Abel  Mattison,  David 
Sherman  (the  pioneer  dairyman  of  West  Union,  and  also  first  supervisor 
of  the  town)  Alvin  Chapin,  Alexander  Keenan,  Daniel  Hamilton, 
Charles  and  Daniel  Rexford  and  others  now  forgotten. 

It  is  a  well  known  fact  that  settlement  in  this  particular  locality  was 
materially  delayed,  a  large  share  of  the  land  being  owned  in  England 
and  by  heirs  who  were  under  age,  The  settlers  in  this  township  in 
1830  were  somewhat  affected  by  the  distress  prevailing  among  the  occu- 
pants of  the  Pulteney  and  Hornby  estates,  but  at  that  time  this  territory 
formed  a  part  of  Troupsburg,  and  the  settlers  in  that  town  were  the 
most  active  in  all  local  proceedings.     The  delegates  to  the  Bath  con- 


176  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

vention  were  Samuel  Cady,  Samuel  Griggs,  Joshua  Slayter,  Jesse  Wil- 
der! and  Nathan  S.  Hayes. 

Referring  briefly  to  the  first  events  of  town  history  we  may  mention 
that  Walter  B.  Olmstead  was  the  first  white  child  born  ;  Abram  01m- 
stead  kept  the  first  tavern  in  a  log  house  on  the  village  site  ;  the  first 
marriage  was  that  of  John  Hauber  and  Jane  K.  Hauber,  May  i8,  1832  • 
Uriah  Stephens  taught  the  first  school,  about  1830;  Jesse  Jones  and 
Dr.  Cyrus  Knight  were  about  the  first  storekeepers  ;  John  Wiley  built 
the  first  saw  and  grist  mill  in  1849-50. 

The  erection  and  organization  of  a  new  town  in  the  southwestern  part 
of  Steuben  county  was  an  absolute  necessity.  In  the  old  town  of 
Greenwood,  the  center  of  population  and  business  lay  in  the  northern 
part  of  that  jurisdiction,  and  nearly  all  the  principal  officers  chosen  for 
the  town  also  lived  in  the  same  locality.  The  result  was  the  inhabitants 
of  what  is  now  W^est  Union  were  denied  privileges  and  improvements 
to  which  they  were  justly  entitled.  This  being  the  case,  the  residents 
in  the  neglected  locality  petitioned  for  the  erection  of  a  new  town,  and 
West  Union  was  the  result  of  that  action.  The  first  election  of  town 
officers  was  held  at  the  house  of  John  Hauber  on  May  6,  1845.  The 
officers  elected  were  David  Sherman,  supervisor ;  Moses  Forbes,  town 
clerk  ;  Jeremiah  B.  Millard,  Cornelius  Rosa  and  William  H.  Olmstead, 
justices  of  the  peace  ;  David  Collins,  Peter  A.  McLean  and  Marcina 
Cummings,  assessors  ;  Jeremiah  B.  Millard,  Jeremiah  Ingley  and  Alvin 
Chapin,  commissioners  of  highway;  Thomas  F,  Hubbard  and  Henry 
B.  Baker,  overseers  of  the  poor;   Walter  B.  Olmstead,  collector. 

David  Sherman  held  the  office  of  supervisor  twelve  years,  and  Moses 
Forbes  was  town  clerk  for  six  years.  A  succession  of  the  several  town 
officers  would  be  interesting  in  this  connection,  but  unfortunately  in 
1 88 1,  at  the  time  the  cheese  factory  was  burned,  the  town  records  were 
also  destroyed. 

The  officers  for  the  year  1895  ^^^  ^s  follows  :  W.  P.  Gary,  supervisor  ; 
U.  E.  Vanfleet,  town  clerk ;  A.  W.  Barney,  George  Dennison  and 
Andrew  Boucher,  justices  of  the  peace ;  Palmer  Warfield,  Norman 
Haseltine  and  Josiah  Sanders,  assessors;  Hiram  Barney,  collector; 
Philip  R.  Sanders,  overseer  of  the  poor;  Archie  McAllister,  highway 
commissioner  ;  David  Smith,  John  Lewis  and  William  Anderson,  com- 
missioners of  excise. 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  177 

West  Union  had  a  population  of  1,150  in  1892.  When  organized  in 
1845  the  inhabitants  numbered  539.  Five  years  later  the  number  was 
950,  and  in  i860  had  increased  to  1,392,  the  greatest  population  in  the 
town's  history.  In  1870  the  number  was  reduced  to  1,264,  ^nd  in 
1880  was    1,271.     The  population   in    1890  was    1,167. 

Among  the  civil  divisions  of  Steuben  county,  this  town  has  not 
occupied  a  position  of  special  prominence,  nor  have  her  inhabitants  ever 
sought  to  establish  a  condition  of  things  other  than  for  their  own  gen- 
eral welfare  and  for  the  benefit  of  their  descendants.  Still,  the  region 
is  the  comfortable  abiding- place  of  a  hardy,  thrifty  and  persevering 
class  of  people,  whose  chief  pursuits  in  life  is  agriculture,  while  lumber- 
ing for  many  years  has  also  engaged  the  attention  of  a  strong  con- 
tingent of  the  local  population.  In  fact,  in  this  part  of  the  county  set- 
tlement was  much  delayed  and  not  until  within  a  comparatively  recent 
period  have  the  lands  been  generally  cleared  ;  and  even  now  there  still 
remains  considerable  areas  of  excellent  timber  lands.  In  farm  crops 
the  land  yields  well  in  return  to  proper  cultivation,  while  the  dairy  pro- 
ducts of  West  Union  are  recognized  as  standard  throughout  the  county. 
But  notwithstanding  the  disadvantages  of  location  and  the  many  other 
obstacles  which  the  inhabitants  of  West  Union  have  had  to  contend 
against,  they  have  ever  shown  themselves  to  be  a  loyal  and  patriotic 
people.  During  the  period  of  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  the  loyalty  of 
the  people  displayed  itself,  and  we  find  that  the  town  sent  to  the  service 
a  total  of  sixty  men.  Thev  were  divided  among  several  regiments, 
principally  the  86th,  the  107th  and  the  141st. 

During  the  period  of  its  history,  there  has  been  built  up  in  the  town 
one  small  yet  progressive  village,  known  as  Rexville,  and  two  other 
settlements  of  less  note,  and  known  respectively  as  West  Union  and 
Wileyville.  West  Union  is  but  a  post-office  station  in  the  northwest 
corner  of  the  town,  postmaster,  Alvin  C.  Barney.  Wileyville  is  in  the 
southwest  corner  of  the  town,  the  postmaster,  also  merchant,  being 
Frederick  Stebbins.  The  village  of  Rexville,  and  also  its  churches,  will 
be  mentioned  in  another  department  of  this  work. 

Wheeler. — In  1820  a  large  portion  of  land  was  taken  from  Bath 
and  Prattsburg  and  erected  into  a  separate  jurisdiction  by  the  name  of 
Wheeler;   and  so  named   in   honor  of  Capt    Silas  Wheeler,  the  pioneer 


178  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

of  the  locality,  and  one  of  the  most  worthy  men  of  his  time.  Captain 
Wheeler  came  from  Albany  county  in  1799,  and  brought  to  the  new 
region  a  splendid  record  of  military  service  during  the  Revolutionary 
war.  At  the  famous  battle  at  Quebec  he  stood  near  the  brave  Mont- 
gomery when  he  fell  During  the  war  Captain  Wheeler  was  four  times 
taken  prisoner  but  generally  managed  to  effect  an  escape  with  little 
difficulty.  In  this  region,  especially  during  the  pioneer  period  the 
Wheeler  family  occupied  a  position  of  importance  and  prominence,  and 
was  identified  with  many  works  of  progress.  Therefore  the  name  of 
the  new  town  was  worthily  bestowed. 

However,  other  worthy  pioneers  and  families  came  into  this  region 
soon  after  Captain  Wheeler,  and  the  names  of  many  of  them  can  be  re- 
called. Nathan  Rose  came  in  1804  and  married  Ruth  Wheeler,  and 
about  the  same  time  came  William  Holmes,  who  married  Sarah  Wheeler. 
Levi  Gray  was  another  early  settler  and  was  the  first  postmaster  in  the 
town.  Turner  Gardiner  settled  in  this  part  of  the  then  town  of  Bath  in 
1799,  soon  after  the  Wheeler  family,  while  Col.  Jonathan  Barney  and 
Thomas  Aulls  came  in  1800.  Philip  Myrtle  settled  here  in  1802,  and 
Otto  Marshall  and  others  named  Bear,  Ferval  and  Rifle  in  1803. 
Daniel  Marshall,  a  Prussian,  came  to  the  locality  in  18 10  Gen.  Otto 
F.  Marshall,  for  many  years  a  prominent  man  in  county  affairs,  was  a 
son  of  Daniel  Marshall. 

George  Reuchan  also  came  from  Albany  county  and  settled  in  the 
town.  He  died  in  the  service  during  the  second  war  with  Great 
Britain.  John  Casper  Overhiser  came  from  Otsego  county  in  181 1, 
and  settled  on  West  Creek.  He  died  in  the  town  in  18 17,  in  his  ninetieth 
year,  and  was  specially  noted  for  his  large  family,  he  having  had 
eighteen  children  by  his  two  marriages  ;  and  all  these  sons  and  daugh- 
ters grew  to  maturity.  Seth  Wheeler  settled  in  the  town  in  18 19. 
Furman  Gardner  came  with  Captain  Wheeler,  then  being  only  seven 
years  old.      Albertus  Larrowe  was  also  an  early  settler. 

Among  the  other  early  residents  of  Wheeler  may  be  recalled  the 
names  of  Herman  Lewis,  William  Rowley,  Mr.  Lakin,  George  Ray- 
mond, Jenks  Youngs,  Thomas  Gumming,  Philip  Beemer,  Uriel  Chapin, 
Andrew  Harris,  Noah  Stephens,  John  Clark,  Reuben  Montgomery  and 
others.  Among  the  early  designated  localities,  in  which  some  of  these 
settleis  lived,  were  "  Mutton  Hollow"  and  South  Hill. 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTS.  179 

From  this  we  may  learn  that  Wheeler  is  a  somewhat  hilly  town.  In 
fact  the  entire  land  surface  may  be  called  a  high  rolling  upland,  broken 
by  valleys  and  small  creeks,  and  its  soil  a  shaley  and  clayey  loam,  not 
much  sought  by  farmers  for  agricultural  purposes  generally.  This,  at  all 
events,  was  said  of  the  town  three-quarters  of  a  century  ago,  but  not- 
withstanding all  that  was  said  in  discouragement  of  the  quality  or  fer- 
tility of  the  soil,  the  successive  generations  of  inhabitants  have  devel- 
oped the  resources  of  the  town,  and  to-day  Wheeler  stands  in  the  front 
rank  of  potato  producing  regions  in  the  State  of  New  York,  while  in 
general  agricultural  products  the  town  bears  favorable  comparison  with 
any  in  Steuben  county.  The  recent  building  of  a  railroad  through  the 
town  has  been  of  inestimable  value  to  all  local  interests,  affording  ready 
access  to  good  markets  east  and  west. 

However,  referring  again  to  the  subject  of  early  history,  we  may  note 
some  of  the  more  important  first  events.  The  first  birth  was  that  of 
William,  son  of  Jonathan  Barney,  and  the  date  November  i,  1801.  The 
first  death  was  that  of  Joseph  Kinney.  John  Reals  kept  the  first 
tavern,  and  Grattie  Wheeler  taught  the  first  school.  Captain  Wheeler 
built  the  first  saw  mill,  in  1802,  and  George  W.  Taylor  the  first  grist 
mill,  in  1803-4.  The  first  store  was  opened  by  Cornelius  Younglove, 
in  1835. 

In  1820  the  district  which  afterward  formed  Wheeler  had  798  inhab- 
itants, and  it  was  but  natural  that  they  should  seek  a  separate  organiza- 
tion in  the  interest  of  public  convenience  To  this  end  the  creating 
power  was  petitioned,  and  on  the  25th  of  February  the  town  was 
erected,  territory  therefor  being  taken  from  the  older  towns  of  Bath 
and  Prattsburg.  However,  in  1839  a  part  of  Wheeler  was  set  off  to 
Urbana,  and  in  1843  another  part  was  set  off  to  Avoca.  The  voters  of 
Wheeler  first  met  soon  after  the  town  was  set  off  and  elected  Thomas 
Aulls  supervisor,  together  with  a  complete  board  of  ofificers,  but  on 
account  of  the  imperfect  condition  of  the  records,  we  cannot  furnish  the 
names  of  all  who  were  chosen  at  that  time.  It  is  understood,  however, 
that  Mr.  Aulls  was  re-elected  in  1822  and  1824,  and  probably  held  the 
office  until  succeeded  by  Mr.  Barney  in  1830.  Grattan  H.  Wheeler  was 
supervisor  in  1823  The  records  of  this  town  previous  to  1830  are  in- 
deed defective,  but  reasonably  well  preserved  during  later  years. 


180  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

The  supervisors  of  Wheeler  since  1830  hnve  been  as  follows:  Jon- 
athan Barney,  1830,  '32,  '35-38,  and  '46;  Thomas  AuUs,  1831  ;  Seth 
Wheleer,  1833-34;  S.  H.  Rose,  1839;  Hosea  Longwell,  1840-41  ;  O. 
F.  Marshall,  1842-44;  H.  N.  Rose,  1845;  H.  H.  Rose,  1847;  J-  E- 
Gunsalus,  1848-49;  Benj,  Myrtle,  1850-51;  Grattan  H  Wheeler, 
1852;  Dan  D.  Thompson,  1853-54;  Ira  P.  Barney,  1855,  and  1857- 
58;  Daniel  Gray,  1856,  '59,  '61,  and  1866-68;  James  Derrick,  i860 
and  1862-64;  S.  H.  Rose,  1865  ;  J.  H.  Lewis,  1866;  Julius  Stickney, 
1870-71;  Samuel  H.  Lewis,  1872;  L.  H.  Wheeler,  1873;  William 
Gardner,  1874-75;  Thomas  Aulls,  1876-78;  Ira  P.  Barney,  1879-80; 
R.  W.  Thompson,  1881-82;  F.  J.  Marshall,  1883-84;  Jerome  B.  Ellis, 
1885-88;  Julius  Stickney,  1889;  Jerome  B.  Ellis,  1890-91;  O.  F. 
Marshall,  1892-95. 

The  officers  of  the  town  for  the  year  1895  are  as  follows:  O.  F, 
Marshall,  supervisor ;  Marshall  Myrtle,  town  clerk ;  Julius  Stickney, 
Dennis  S.  Derrick,  Oliver  Fox  and  Cornelius  Grants,  justices  of  the 
peace  ;  O.  D.  Wheeler,  O.  D.  Fox  and  S  S.  Shant,  assessors ;  L.  E. 
Cook,  collector;  Lemuel  H.  Lewis,  overseer  of  the  poor;  Martin  Clark, 
highway  commissioner ;  E.  K.  Clark,  C.  H.  Butts  and  W.  L.  Rose, 
excise  commissioners. 

The  civil,  social  and  political  history  of  Wheeler,  from  first  to  last, 
has  been  uneventful,  yet  has  been  an  almost  continuous  record  of  pro- 
gression. The  town  has  furnished  its  full  quota  of  strong  men  for  pub- 
lic positions,  and  all  have  been  competent,  faithful  and  worthy.  During 
that  unfortunate  period  commonly  called  the  anti-rent  conflict  local  in- 
terests were  represented  by  Jonathan  Barney,  Nathan  Rose  2d,  Abram 
J.  Quackenbush,  David  Barney  and  John  C.  Overhiser.  However, 
even  this  temporary  disturbance  had  no  serious  effect  upon  the  well- 
being  of  the  town,  and  after  it  had  passed  the  people  returned  to  their 
accustomed  pursuits;  and  by  persistent  and  diligent  effort  they  suc- 
ceeded in  obtaining  the  relief  they  once  sought  at  the  hands  of  the  land 
agents.  In  1830  the  population  was  1,389,  and  in  1850  the  greatest 
number  of  inhabitants  ever  attained  in  the  town  was  reached,  being 
1,471.     The  population  in  1890  was  1,285. 

In  i860  the  population  was  1,376,  yet,  during  the  war  which  fol- 
lowed, the  patriotism  of  Wheeler  was  demonstrated  in  the  fact  that  the 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  181 

town  sent  into  the  service  a  total  of  126  men.  These  were  scattered 
through  the  several  commands  recruited  in  the  county  and  vicinity  and 
the  story  of  their  experiences  and  hardships,  successes  and  reverses,  is 
told  in  another  chapter  of  this  volume. 

Wheeler  has  an  area  of  27,900  acres  of  land,  nearly  all  of  which  is 
devoted  to  general  agriculture.  As  a  farming  town  it  ranks  well  and 
as  a  potato  producing  region  it  is  unsurpassed.  During  its  history 
there  have  been  built  up  two  small  hamlets  or  villages,  but  neither  has 
gained  sufficient  population  to  justify  incorporation.  In  another  de- 
partment of  this  work  will  be  found  a  reference  to  each  of  these  hamlets. 
In  still  another  chapter  will  be  found  a  notice  of  the  church  history  of 
the  town,  in  which  almost  the  entire  population  take  just  and  pardon- 
able pride.  Of  the  early  schools  little  is  known  which  may  be  con- 
sidered reliable,  and  the  records  bearing  on  this  subject  are  incomplete 
and  imperfect.  We  have  already  mentioned  the  first  and  early  schools, 
and  it  is  known  that  soon  after  the  organization  of  the  town  the  terri- 
tory was  divided  into  districts  to  suit  the  convenience  of  the  people, 
and  a  school  was  provided  for  each  district.  As  at  present  arranged 
Wheeler  has  thirteen  school  districts,  each  of  which  is  provided  with  a 
comfortable  school  house.  During  the  last  current  year  thirteen 
teachers  were  employed.  The  value  of  school  property  in  the  town  is 
$6,325.  The  town  receives  of  public  moneys  about  $1,500  annually, 
and  raises  by  local  tax  for  school  support  about  $1,700. 

WOODHULL. — In  the  extreme  south  part  of  Steuben  county,  border- 
ing on  the  Pennsylvania  line,  is  a  civil  division  containing  33,600 
acres  of  land,  a  good  general  agricultural  region,  known  as  Wood- 
hull.  This  town  was  created  by  act  of  the  Legislature,  February  18, 
1828,  and  was  named  in  honor  of  General  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  an 
officer  and  patriot  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  To  this  formation  the 
older  towns  of  Troupsburg  and  Addison  surrendered  portions  of  their 
territory,  and  also  their  population  to  the  number  of  about  500  hard 
working  and  determined  inhabitants. 

The  physical  characteristics  of  Woodhull  are  quite  similar  to  those  of 
adjoining  towns,  the  surface  being  generally  hilly  upland,  the  soil  clayey 
and  gravelly  loam,  fairly  fertile  even  on  the  highlands  and  rich  through- 
out the  valleys.     Tuscarora  Creek  is  the  chief  stream,  and  courses  east 


182  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

through  the  north  part  of  the  town,  having  in  times  now  gone,  furnished 
abundant  water  power  for  the  many  mills  which  were  built  along  its 
banks.  In  fact,  for  many  years  Woodhull  was  quite  noted  as  a  lumber 
region  ;  milling  was  carried  on  extensively  and  profitably,  and  farming 
did  not  become  the  leading  pursuit  of  the  inhabitants  till  within  a  com- 
paratively recent  date.  Though  now  secondary  in  importance,  lumber 
making  is  still  going  on  and  much  good  standing  timber  is  found  in  the 
town. 

The  first  permanent  settler  in  Woodhull,  or  rather  township  i  of 
range  4,  of  the  Phelps  and  Gorham  purchase,  was  Daniel  Johnson,  who 
came  in  1804  and  made  an  improvement,  although  it  is  said  that  about 
that  time  two  other  settlers  were  here,  named  Spears  and  Merlin,  but 
after  making  a  clearing  left  the  region.  Pioneer  Johnson  also  became 
an  active  factor  in  early  history,  and  was  the  first  supervisor  of  Troups- 
burg,  holding  that  office  from  1808  to  18 12.  The  settlers  in  1805  were 
Stephen  Dolson,  Bethuel  Tubbs,  Price  Kilpatrick,  Patrick  Breakhill, 
Squire  Wilkes,  Amos  Riffle,  Samuel  B.  Rice  and  William  Martin.  In 
1806  Caleb  Smith  came  in  from  Orange  county,  and  after  locating  his 
family  at  once  began  the  erection  of  both  saw  and  grist  mills,  the  latter 
being  a  log  building,  but  nevertheless  a  great  benefit  to  the  people  of 
the  whole  region.  In  the  same  year  Joshua  Green,  Asel  Stiles  and 
Henry  Martin  located  in  the  north  part  of  the  town.  Daniel  Cortright, 
Lekins  Clark,  Mr.  Mynear,  or  Manier,  and  one  Layton  settled  on  the 
south  branch  of  the  creek  about  the  same  time.  In  1807  the  Smith 
mills,  and  also  the  dam,  were  carried  away  by  high  water.  The  second 
mill  was  built  by  George  Martin  in  181 2.  Among  the  other  early 
settlers,  though  perhaps  not  pioneers,  were  Abner  Thomas,  John 
Latimer,  Seth  Pierce  (who  opened  the  road  from  Canisteo  River  to  the 
village  of  Woodhull  in  1821),  Peter  Smith,  Bethel  Gurnsey,  Micajah 
Sherwood  (whose  descendants  were  prominent  men  in  the  county),  John 
Stone,  Hugh  Boyd  (from  whose  settlement  the  locality  called  Pulteney 
Hill  was  named),  James  Williams,  Samuel  Stroud,  Mr.  Hornecker,  Seth 
Baxter,  Worcester  Perry,  Thomas  Hedges,  Samuel  Smith,  Martin  and 
Henry  Harding,  Andrew  Colgrove,  Joseph  Tubbs,  Sylvester  Tousey, 
John   Stone,  Calvin   Searle,  all  of  whom,  and  others  now  forgotten,   in 


THE  CIVIL  DIVISIONS  OF  THE  COUNTY.  183 

some  manner  contributed  to  the  early  building  up  of  a  thriving  settle- 
ment. 

Noting  briefly  some  of  the  first  events,  we  may  state  that  the  first 
birth  was  that  of  Polly  Smith  ;  the  first  marriage  that  of  Levi  Rice  and 
Cynthia  Tubbs  ;  the  first  death  that  of  Benjamin  Tubbs.  Caleb  Smith 
built  the  first  mills  ;  Ichobod  Leach  kept  the  first  tavern  ;  Josiah  Tubbs 
opened  the  first  store,  and  Abner  Thomas  taught  the  first  school. 

As  early  as  1826  and  '27  the  inhabitants  began  to  discuss  the  subject 
of  a  separate  town,  but  the  matter  did  not  culminate  until  1828,  when 
the  Legislature  passed  the  act  creating  the  town.  However,  in  1856, 
a  portion  of  Woodhull  was  set  off  to  Rathbone.  The  first  town  meet- 
ing in  Woodhull  was  held  at  the  house  of  Asher  Johnson,  and  he  was 
elected  supervisor;  Jefifry  Smith,  town  clerk,  and  Levi  Tubbs,  collector. 
The  county  records  disclose  these  facts,  but  we  may  here  state  that  in 
1866,  and  again  in  1875,  the  village  of  Woodhull  was  visited  with 
disastrous  fires,  by  which  the  records  were  entirely  destroyed  ;  also 
the  business  part  of  the  village.  However,  the  succession  of  supervis- 
ors of  the  town  is  known,  and  is  as  follows  : 

Asher  Johnson,  1828-30;  David  Edwards,  1831-37;  Stephen  Kent, 
1838-40;  David  Edwards,  1841-44;  Christopher  Marlatt,  1845-48; 
Stephen  G.  Tubbs,  1849-50;  S.  V.  Lattimer,  1852;  Jeffry  Smith, 
1853;  Asa  Arnold,  1854;  S  V.  Lattimer,  1855;  A.  J.  C.  Edwards, 
1856-57;  S.  V.  Lattimer,  1858-59;  Nelson  Perry,  1860-61;  S.  V. 
Lattimer,  1862-63  ;  Halsey  Swarts,  1864;  J.  R.  Strock,  1865  ;  D.  H. 
Williams,  1866;  James  Carpenter,  jr.,  1867;  J.  S.  Warner,  1868-70; 
H.  S.  Williams,  1871-72;  Wm.  Carpenter,  1873-75;  Silas  G.  Tubbs, 
1876-77  ;  C.  W.  Morgan  1878  ;  John  Sullivan,  1879  ;  Wm.  S.  Edwards, 
1880;  Wm.  M.  Sherwood,  1881  ;  H.  S.  Williams,  1882;  Jerome  S. 
Warner,  1883-84  ;  John  W.  McPhee,  1885  ;  Solomon  L.  Wildrick,  1886 
-87;  Delany  Colvin,  1888-89;  Leonard  Lamson,  1890-91;  Charles 
W.  Tubbs,  1892-93  ;  Jerome  C.  Husted,   1894-95. 

The  officers  of  the  town  for  the  year  1895  are  Jerome  C  Husted, 
supervisor;  Samuel  H.  Barrett,  town  clerk;  R.  C.  Park,  B.  F.  Gee,  L. 
B.  Walker  and  J.  S.  Andrews,  justices  ;  Jent  C.  Brown,  Leroy  Hoglin 
and  Eugene  Hurd,  assessors ;  Charles  S.  Castle,  collector ;  M.  P.  Wilson, 
overseer  of  the  poor  ;  Earl  Herrington,  highway  commissioner  ;  John 
M.  Park,  John  Stroud  and  Bradley  Husted,  excise  commissioners. 


184  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

WoodhuU  is  one  of  the  comparatively  few  towns  of  Steuben  county 
in  which  there  has  been  a  gradual  increase  in  population.  In  1830,  two 
years  after  the  erection  of  the  town,  the  inhabitants  numbered  501.  and 
in  1840  had  increased  to  827.  Ten  years  later  the  population  was 
1,769,  and  by  i860  had  still  further  increased  to  the  maximum  number 
of  2,207,  regardless  of  the  fact  that  in  1856  a  portion  of  the  town  was 
annexed  to  Rathbone.  In  1870,  however,  the  number  had  fallen  to 
^i997^  and  in  1880  to  1,963,  but  in  1890  increased  to  2,006,  The 
population  in  1892  was  2,084. 

As  one  of  the  townships  purchased  by  the  Pulteney  Association,  so- 
called,  from  Robert  Morris,  Woodhull  was  materially  affected  by  the 
anti  rent  disturbance  ;  and  we  find  a  number  of  the  influential  men  of 
the  town  active  participants  in  the  events  of  that  unfortunate  period.  In 
the  convention  held  at  Bath  in  1830  the  delegates  from  Woodhull  were 
Caleb  Smith,  Samuel  Stroud,  Asher  Johnson,  Jeffrey  Smith  and  Martin 
Harder.  Asher  Johnson  served  on  the  committee  appointed  to  prepare 
the  famous  memorial  presented  to  the  agents  of  the  proprietary,  and  the 
other  delegates  were  also  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  convention. 

Durino-  the  war  of  1861-65,  this  town  furnished  about  one  hundred 
and  eighty  men  for  the  service,  and  a  glance  at  the  official  roster  of  the 
several  regiments  to  which  they  belonged  will  disclose  the  fact  that  a 
number  of  these  brave  volunteers  never  returned  to  the  town,  but  lie 
buried  on  southern  battle  fields.  The  history  of  the  companies  in  which 
were  Woodhull  men  forms  an  interesting  chapter  in  local  annals,  and  the 
story  of  the  war  and  of  the  various  commands  from  this  county  is  told 
in  another  department  of  this  work. 

Within  the  geographical  limits  of  this  town  are  four  hamlets  or  unin- 
corporated villages,  each  having  a  post-office  and  mercantile  interests 
of  greater  or  less  importance.  Among  these  the  village  of  Wood- 
hull  is  largest  and  is  a  place  of  some  note.  Special  reference  to  it 
will  be  found  in  the  department  of  this  work  devoted  to  municipal 
history. 

Borden  is  the  name  of  a  hamlet  containing  a  post-office,  three  stores 
and  a  church,  situated  about  six  miles  south  of  Woodhull  village.  The 
postmaster  is  Gird  Harrison. 

Hedgesville  is  a  hamlet   situated  four  miles   north  of  the  principal 


HIRAM  PRITCHARD. 


THE  WAR  OF  1812.  185 

village  of  the  town.  It  contains  three  stores,  three  blacksmith  shops,  a 
planing  and  saw  mill,  a  barber  shop  and  the  M.  E.  church.  The  post- 
master is  Elmer  W.  Hurd. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


Events  Preceding  and  During  the  War  of  1812-15 — Companies  Organized  in  Steu- 
ben County— Results  of  the  War — The  Conflict  with  Mexico — The  Steuben  Company 
— Population  of  the  County  by  Decades. 

For  nearly  a  score  of  years  following  the  first  settlement  in  this  county 
nothing  occurred  to  interrupt  or  retard  progress  and  development  in 
the  region.  During  this  period  the  county  was  favored  in  an  unusual 
degree;  towns  were  formed  and  settled,  forests  were  cleared,  fine  farms 
were  opened,  highways  were  constructed,  and  substantial  dwellings 
lined  the  thoroughfares  of  travel.  The  pioneers  were  a  hardy  and  patri- 
otic class,  and  came  to  the  region  from  New  England,  Pennsylvania, 
New  Jersey  and  Eastern  New  York,  while  still  others  were  foreigners, 
from  Ireland,  Scotland,  Germany  and  elsewhere,  and  all  were  united  in 
a  common  hope  of  making  for  themselves  and  their  families  comfortable 
homes  and  fortunes  in  the  new  country.  Through  their  energetic  efforts 
the  forests  soon  gave  place  to  farms  of  rare  fertility,  thus  developing 
agricultural  resources  at  least  to  an  extent  which  supplied  domestic  re- 
quirements. 

During  the  period  referred  to,  this  county  acquired  its  greatest  com- 
parative growth  in  population,  and  with  this  came  power  to  sustain  the 
nation  during  peril.  Hence,  when  first  murmurings  of-  another  war 
with  Great  Britain  were  heard,  this  part  of  the  State  was  well  prepared 
to  endure  its  hardships  and  its  taxation,  and  the  part  that  it  bore  in  the 
great  conflict  must  be  made  the  subject  of  special  mention.  In  one  re- 
spect at  least  the  people  of  Steuben  county  were  favored  during  the 
course  of  the  war  of  i8 12-15,  ^^^y  while  occasional  discontent  prevailed 
among  the  few  Indian  occupants  of  the  region,  there  was  no  outbreak 
on  the  part  of  any  of  them,  and    the   settlers  had   not  to   defend  their 


186  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

homes  against  their  attacks  ;  and  in  the  war  like  preparations  which 
were  made  in  the  county  no  force  was  required  to  protect  the  rapidly 
increasing  settlements.  However,  let  us  briefly  refer  to  the  causes 
which  led  to  the  war,  after  which  mention  will  be  made  of  the  services 
performed  by  the  soldiers  of  the  county. 

During  the  few  years  immediately  preceding  the  war  of  1812,  the 
whole  country  was  in  a  state  of  nominal  peace,  but  still  there  was  gath- 
ering in  the  political  sky  a  dark  cloud  which  increased  until  it  boded 
another  foreign  war.  During  the  Revolution,  America  contended  for 
independence  and  won  that  precious  boon;  in  1812  she  fought  to 
maintain  that  independence  on  which  British  aggression  had  insolently 
trespassed. 

The  United  States  had  always  honorably  observed  the  provisions  of 
the  treaty  made  with  Great  Britain  at  the  close  of  the  Revolution. 
There  had  been  maintained,  too,  a  strict  neutrality  during  the  progress 
of  the  Napoleonic  war,  when  perhaps  every  consideration  of  gratitude 
should  have  induced  an  alliance  against  the  mother  country.  For 
several  years  the  aggressive  acts  of  the  British  had  been  a  subject  of 
anxiety  and  regret  to  all  Americans,  and  indeed  had  created  bitter  in- 
dignation. The  embargo  laid  by  Congress  upon  our  shipping  (as  a 
means  of  safety)  was  found  so  injurious  to  commercial  interests  that  it 
was  repealed,  and  the  non -intercourse  act  was  passed  in  its  stead.  In 
April,  1809,  the  British  ambassador  in  Washington  opened  negotiations 
for  the  adjustment  of  difficulties,  and  consented  to  a  withdrawal  of  the 
obnoxious  British  "  orders  in  council,"  so  far  as  they  affected  the  United 
States,  on  condition  that  the  non-intercourse  act  be  repealed.  This  was 
agreed  upon,  and  the  president  issued  a  proclamation  announcing  that 
on  the  loth  of  June  trade  with  Great  Britain  might  be  resumed.  The 
British  government,  however,  refused  to  ratify  the  proceedings  and  re- 
called their  minister,  whereupon  the  president  revoked  his  proclamation, 
and  the  non-intercourse  act  again  went  into  operation.  Then  followed 
a  succession  of  British  aggressions  to  which  no  American  could  submit, 
and  the  only  choice  left  to  the  nation  was  war  or  disgraceful  humilia- 
tion. 

On  the  1 2th  day  of  June,  18 12,  President  Madison  sent  a  confidential 
message  to  Congress,  in  which  he  recapitulated  the  long  list  of  British 


THE  WAR  OF  1812.  187 

aggressions,  and  declared  it  to  be  the  duty  of  Congress  to  consider 
whether  the  American  people  should  longer  passively  submit ;  but  at 
the  same  time  he  cautioned  the  House  to  avoid  entanglements  with 
other  powers  which  were  then  hostile  to  Great  Britain. 

The  result  of  the  message  and  the  deliberation  of  Congress  was  a 
formal  declaration  of  war  on  the  19th  of  June,  18 12,  but  the  measure 
was  not  unanimously  sustained  or  even  approved  in  all  parts  of  the 
Middle  and  New  England  States.  The  opposition  element  was  em- 
braced in  the  Federal  party,  its  chief  ground  of  objection  being  that 
the  country  was  not  prepared  for  war.  The  Federalists  constituted  a 
large  and  influential  minority  of  the  political  element  of  Congress  and 
had  a  considerable  following  in  the  several  States  not  active  in  politics. 
They  asked  for  further  negotiations  and  met  the  denunciations  of  the 
ruling  party  (the  Democratic  and  Republican,  for  it  went  by  both  names) 
upon  the  English  government  with  bitter  attacks  upon  Napoleort,  whom 
they  accused  the  majority  with  favoring. 

It  is  a  well  known  fact  that  during  the  period  of  the  war,  the  great 
majority  of  the  people  of  Steuben  county  were  heartily  interested  in  the 
American  cause,  and  expressed  themselves  freely  in  public  gatherings, 
at  the  polls,  and  in  the  measures  proposed  for  prosecuting  the  war. 
Opposed  to  them  were  the  Federalists,  who,  though  strong  in  wealth 
and  influence,  were  numerically  weak.  They  took  to  themselves  the 
dignified  name  of  "  Peace  Party,"  and  characterized  the  opposition  as 
"  Screaming  War  Hawks."  However,  having  no  newspaper  mouth- 
piece in  the  county,  they  were  not  an  important  factor  in  occurring 
events. 

Three  companies  of  Steuben  county  militia  were  ordered  into  service 
for  three  months  during  the  first  year  of  the  war.  Wayne  furnished 
one  of  these,  commanded  by  Captain  James  Sanford  The  second,  the 
Urbana  company,  mustered  fifty  men  and  was  commanded  by  Captain 
Abraham  Brundage  ;  William  White,  first  lieutenant,  and  Stephen  Gar- 
ner, ensign.  These  companies  united  with  two  others  of  Allegany 
county,  forming  a  battalion  under  command  of  Major  Asa  Gaylord,  of 
Urbana.  This  excellent  officer  died  upon  the  lines  and  was  succeeded 
by  Colonel  Dobbins.  The  drafted  company,  organized  at  Bath,  was  in 
charge  of  Capt.  Jonas  Cleland,  of  Cohocton  ;   Samuel  D.  Wells  and  John 


188  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Gillet,  lieutenants,  and  John  Kennedy,  ensign.  The  troops  reached  the 
frontier  in  time  to  take  part  against  the  British  at  Queenstown  Heights, 
but  they  were  unfortunate  in  battle  owing  to  lack  of  proper  discipline. 
In  the  second  year  of  the  war  two  militia  companies  were  drafted  from 
the  county  and  Bath  was  a  central  seat  of  operations,  although  the 
companies,  like  those  of  the  previous  year,  were  from  the  north  part  of 
the  county  generally.  The  companies  of  this  year's  campaigns  were 
commanded  by  Captains  James  Reed,  of  Urbana,  and  Jonathan  Rowley, 
of  Dansville.  The  lieutenants  were  George  Teeples,  Anthony  Swarth- 
out,  John  Short  and  John  E.  Mulhollen,  and  the  ensigns  were  O.  Cook, 
Jabez  Hopkins,  George  Knouse  and  Timothy  Goodrich. 

A  detail  of  the  events  of  the  war  is  not  needed  in  these  pages.  The 
results  of  the  struggle  are  written  in  the  conflicts  on  Lake  Erie,  the  re- 
pulse of  the  invaders  on  the  Delaware,  the  painful  and  humiliating 
scenes  of  the  Chesapeake,  the  invasion  of  New  York  and  the  attempt  to 
control  the  Hudson  River  and  Lake  Champlain.  The  story  is  further 
told  in  the  brilliant  victory  at  Plattsburg,  the  capture  of  Niagara  and 
Oswego,  the  battles  at  Black  Rock,  Lundy's  Lane,  Sackett's  Harbor, 
closing  with  the  glorious  defense  of  New  Orleans.  Above  all  were  the 
masterly  exploits  of  our  navy,  whose  victories  over  the  British  cruisers 
gave  the  enemy  the  most  serious  view  of  American  prowess.  Peace, 
however,  came  at  last  and  the  treaty  was  ratified  February  15,  1815. 

The  outbreak  of  the  war  of  1 8 1 2  awoke  a  tremendous  impulse  through- 
out this  region  of  the  country,  for  many  of  the  settlers  had  seen  service 
in  the  Revolution,  and  their  sons  were  now  in  the  enrolled  militia.  The 
same  martial  spirit  which  came  with  the  pioneers  was  manifested  in  later 
years  on  the  old  fashioned  days  of  "  general  training,"  when  the  farmer, 
the  mechanic  and  the  woodsman  abandoned  toil  and  hied  away  to  the 
"  muster"  for  a  season  of  jollification  as  well  as  for  military  discipline. 
This  early  military  organization  and  training  served  well  in  after 
times,  for  hardly  more  than  a  score  and  a  half  of  years  had  passed  be- 
fore the  county  was  again  called  upon  to  furnish  men  for  another  war. 
We  refer  to  that  period  of  national  history  in  which  occurred  the  con- 
flict at  arms  between  the  United  States  and  Mexico,  in  which  Steuben 
was  required  to  raise  one  company,  and  William  E.  Shannon  loyally 
offered  to  accomplish  the  work.  It  was  done  in  a  very  short  time,  and 
the  men  were  ready  for  service. 


POPULATION.  189 

The  officers  of  Co.  A  were :  Captain,  William  E.  Shannon ;  first 
lieutenant,  Henry  Magee  ;  second  lieutenant.  Palmer  V.  Hewlett ;  ser- 
geants, J.  C.  Van  Loon,  H.  D.  Alden,  Melvin  Boch  and  J.  E.  Crandall. 
Among  the  privates  were  Warren  S.  Hodgman,  John  C.  Emerson, 
John  Magee,  H.  S.  Biles,  Finley  M.  Pauling,  Elijah  M.  Smith,  Henry 
M.  Osgood,  James  Perrine,  Benjamin  Magee,  Calvin  Hitt,  G.  E.  Mc- 
Allister and  many  others. 

The  company  left  Bath  August  i,  1846,  and  proceeded  at  once  to 
New  York,  where  it  was  equipped  and  disciplined  for  active  service.  It 
then  sailed  a  six  months'  voyage  to  San  Francisco,  landing  on  the  site 
of  the  city  in  March,  1847,  but  was  soon  ordered  to  San  Diego,  where 
the  men  remained  until  mustered  out  of  service  in  1848. 

Between  the  events  which  we  have  narrated  was  another  of  greater 
importance  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  county  than  either  of  the  early 
wars.  We  refer  to  that  event  in  local  history  which  has  ever  been 
known  as  the  "Anti-rent  Conflict,"  which  covered  a  period  of  about 
three  years  and  finally  terminated  in  1830.  This  conflict,  however,  is 
fully  treated  in  an  earlier  chapter  of  this  work,  and  there  mentioned 
out  of  chronological  order  that  the  mind  of  the  reader  should  be  pre- 
pared for  the  events  of  town  history  which  are  contained  in  succeeding 
chapters. 

Turning  briefly  from  the  subject  of  strife  and  war,  let  us  note  the 
march  of  progress  and  development  in  Steuben  county  throughout  the 
hundred  years  of  its  history  that  are  past.  Glancing  over  the  census 
reports,  it  is  seen  that  the  greatest  comparative  growth  in  population 
was  between  the  years  1800  and  18 10,  and  again  between  18 10  and 
1820.  However,  this  growth  is  best  presented  by  extracting  from  the 
census  reports  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  the  county  at  the  beginning 
of  each  decade,  as  follows:  1800,  1,788;  1810,7,246;  1820,  21,989; 
1830,  33,975;  1840,  46,138;  1850,  66,938;  i860,  66,690;  1870, 
6^,717;  1880,77,586;  1890,81,473.  The  population  of  the  county  in 
1892  was  82,468. 


190  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

STEUBEN  COUNTY  IN  THE  WAR  OF  1861-65. 

At  half  past  four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  April  14,  1861,  a  shot 
was  fired  from  a  Confederate  battery  in  Charleston  harbor,  and  struck 
Fort  Sumter,  which  was  held  by  a  Federal  garrison.  Three  days 
after  this  outburst  of  treason  President  Lincoln  issued  a  proclamation 
calling  upon  the  Union  States  to  send  to  the  national  capital  75,000 
militia  for  its  defense.  On  the  i6th  the  State  Military  Board  of  New 
York  held  a  meeting,  and  Governor  Morgan  at  once  sent  a  message  to 
the  secretary  of  war  assuring  him  that  the  quota  required  of  this  State 
would  be  immediately  mustered  into  service.  The  governor  also  at 
once  issued  orders,  acting  in  concert  with  the  military  board,  and  called 
upon  the  militia  for  seventeen  regiments  of  780  men  each.  The  result 
was  that  in  a  very  few  days  the  State  of  New  York  sent  13,906  effective 
men  to  Washington  ;  and  it  is  an  historical  fact  that  the  opportune 
arrival  of  these  troops  saved  the  government  buildings  from  attack  and 
possible  destruction. 

Under  the  several  calls,  general,  special  and  by  draft,  both  in  army 
and  navy,  this  State  furnished  an  aggregate  of  502,765  men,  and  Steu- 
ben county  provided  its  full  quota.  It  is  to  be  regretted,  however, 
that  the  exact  number  cannot  be  given,  as  the  State  authorities  were  so 
remiss  that  no  complete  roster  has  ever  been  published. 

The  history  of  the  volunteers  of  Steuben  county  from  the  first  blaze 
of  hostile  cannon  until  secession  was  buried  at  Appomattox  by  the  sur- 
render of  Lee's  sword,  forms  one  of  the  most  brilliant  chapters  in  local 
annals.  To  picture  their  services  it  will  be  necessary  to  refer  to  the 
records  of  the  regiments  to  which  they  were  attached,  which  forms  an 
unbroken  chain  of  evidence  to  demonstrate  the  loyalty  and  patriotism 
of  the  country's  soldiery ;  and  as  other  generations  read  the  pages  re- 
cording their  services,  from  1861  to  1865,  it  will  inspire  them  to  pre- 
serve sacred  the  patriotic  sentiment  of  "  country  first,  citizen  afterward." 


THE  CI7IL  WAR.  191 

During  the  course  of  the  war,  Steuben  county  furnished  men  for 
twenty-nine  different  regiments,  although  in  several  of  them  the  repre- 
sentation was  quite  small.  They  may  be  enumerated  substantially  as 
follows:  Cavalry  regiments,  6th,  22d,  2d  Mounted  Rifles,  and  the  1st 
and  2d  Veteran  Cavalry.  Artillery,  Batteries  E  and  K,  ist,  4th,  loth, 
13th,  14th,  1 6th,  and  the  28th  Independent  Battery.  Engineers,  15th 
(new)  and  50th.  Infantry,  23d,  34th,  35th,  78th,  86th,  looth,  io2d, 
104th,  107th,  141st,  i6ist,  175th,  179th,  i88th,  and  189th. 

In  this  work  these  regiments  may  be  treated  briefly,  the  writer  being 
constrained  to  this  course  by  reason  of  the  fact  that  nearly  every  com- 
mand has  a  published  history,  exhaustive  and  in  detail,  with  complete 
roster  both  of  officers  and  men.  In  view  of  this  it  is  unnecessary  to 
cumber  the  present  chapter  with  repeated  history,  but  rather  to  furnish 
an  outline  of  the  composition  and  organization  of  the  several  regiments 
recruited  in  whole  or  part  in  the  county,  with  the  official  list  of  battles 
of  those  of  greatest  importance  or  having  the  strongest  contingent  of 
men  from  the  count}^ 

Twenty-third  Regiment  of  Infantry. — The  synonyms  of  this  com- 
mand were  "Southern  Tier  Regiment,"  and  "  Southern  Tier  Rifles."  It 
was  accepted  and  numbered  by  the  State,  May  16,  1861  ;  was  organizedat 
Elmira,  and  there  mustered  into  service  for  two  years,  July  2,  1861.  The 
three  years'  men,  and  a  few  others,  were  transferred  to  the  80th  N.Y.  Vols. 
May  29,  1863.  The  companies  were  recruited  about  as  follows:  A  at 
Bath,  B  at  Cuba,  C  at  Oswego,  D  at  Corning,  E  at  Waverly,  F  and  K 
at  Elmira,  G  at  Hornellsville,  H  at  Cortland,  I  at  Watkins.  The 
regiment  left  the  State  July  5,  1861,  and  served  at  and  near  Washing- 
ton from  July  7,  1 86 1,  and  afterward  joined  with  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  to  which  it  was  attached  until  May,  1862,  then  transferred  to 
the  department  of  the  Rappahannock.  It  next  served  with  the  Army 
of  Virginia  until  January,  1863,  and  still  later  in  Patrick's  Provost 
Guard  Brigade.  It  was  stationed  at  Aquia  Creek,  Va.,  from  April  29, 
1863,  and  was  discharged  and  mustered  out,  under  Colonel  Hoffman, 
May  22,  1863,  at  Elmira. 

The  losses  of  the  regiment  were  ten  killed  in  action  ;  seven  died  of 
wounds  ;  two  officers  and  fifty- three  enlisted  men  died  of  disease  and 
other  causes  ;   and  five  men  died  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 


192  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

The  battles  in  which  the  23d  took  part  were  as  follows :  Near  Fall's 
Church,  Va.,  August  14,  1861  ;  Ball's  Cross  Roads,  August  27  ;  Mun- 
son's  Hill,  August  31;  Ball's  Cross  Roads,  September  14;  Bowling 
Green  Road,  May  18,  1862;  Orange  Court  House,  July  26;  General 
Pope's  Campaign,  August  16;  Rappahannock  River,  August  21-Sep- 
tember  2  ;  Sulphur  Springs,  August  26  ;  Gainesville,  August  28  ;  Grove- 
town,  August  29;  Bull  Run,  August  30;  Fairfax  C.  H.,  August  31  ; 
South  Mountain,  Md.,  Septemper  14;  Antietam,  September  17  ;  Fred- 
ericksburg, December  ii— 15. 

The  town  of  Bath  furnished  Co.  A,  the  officers  of  which  were  :  Cap- 
tain, Theodore  Schlick  ;  first  lieutenant,  Cornelius  F.  Mowers  ;  second 
lieutenant,  George  E.  Biles. 

The  town  of  Corning  furnished  Co.  D,  officered  by  Capt.  Luzerne 
Todd  ;  first  lieutenant,  Newton  T.  Colby  ;  second  lieutenant,  William 
H.  Jones. 

The  officers  of  Co.  G,  the  Hornellsville  contribution-  to  the  regiment, 
were  Captain  Frank  B.  Doty  ;  first  lieutenant,  Ira  Cone  ;  second  lieu- 
tenant, John  Prentiss. 

Thirty-fourth  Regiment. — This  command  was  recruited  principally  in 
Eastern  New  York  and  was  commonly  called  the  "  Herkimer  Regi- 
ment." However,  Steuben  county  contributed  two  companies,  E  and 
I,  raised  at  Addison  and  Hammondsport,  respectively,  though  both 
Urbana  and  Pulteney  contributed  t©  its  strength.  The  officers  of  the 
Addison  company  were  Captain  Henry  Baldwin  ;  first  lieutenant,  James 
R.  Carr  ;  second  lieutenant,  Edwin  F.  Smith.  The  latter  was  promoted 
first  lieutenant  December  23,  1861,  and  Henry  W.  Sanford  followed 
him  in  both  positions.  George  W.  Wildrich,  of  Woodhull,  was  pro- 
moted second  lieutenant  December  23,  1861,  and  resigned  April  10, 
1862.  In  Co.  I  Capt.  William  H.  King  was  brevetted  lieutenant- 
colonel  of  U.  S.  Vols.,  and  Second  Lieut.  Monroe  Brundage  was  pro- 
moted captain  February  lO,  1 863.  The  other  officers  were  first  lieu- 
tenant, Alfred  T.  Atwood,  and  second   lieutenant,  Monroe  Brundage. 

The  34th  was  mustered  into  service  for  two  years,  June  15,  1861,  and 
on  June  8,  1863,  its  three  years'  men  were  transferred  to  the  82d  In- 
fantry. It  left  the  State  July  3,  1861,  and  served  in  and  about  Wash- 
ington, in    Gorman's   Brigade,    Stone's  division,  until  October  16.      Its 


THE  CIVIL  WAR.  193 

later  service  was  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  until  June  30,  1863, 
when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  at  Albany. 

During  its  service,  the  Thirty-fourth  lost  one  officer  and  sixty-five 
men,  killed  in  action  ;  two  officers  and  twenty- six  men  died  of  wounds  ; 
from  disease  and  other  causes,  one  officer  and  sixty- seven  men  ;  aggre- 
gate losses,  one  hundred  and  sixty- two.  The  regiment  took  part  in  the 
following  battles:  Seneca  Mills,  Md.,  September  i  and  16,  1861  ; 
Dranesville,  September  17;  Goose  Creek,  Va.,  October  22  ;  Siege  of 
Yorktown,  April  5,  to  May  4,  1862  ;  Tyler  House,  May  24  ;  Fair  Oaks, 
May3i-June  i;  White  House,  June  16;  Seven  Day's  Battle,  June  25- 
July  2  ;  Peach  Orchard,  June  29  ;  Savage  Sta.,  June  29;  White  Oak 
Swamp,  June  30;  Glendale  and  Malvern  Hill,  July  i  ;  Antietam,  Md., 
September  17;  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  December  1 1-15  ;  Marye's  Heights 
and  Salem  Church,  May  3,  4,  1863. 

Thirty- Fifth  Regiment. — The  towns  of  Corning  and  Urbana  furnished 
Co.  F  for  this  command,  which  in  the  service  was  known  as  the  Jeffer- 
son County  Regiment.  It  was  mustered  into  service  June  ii,  1861, 
and  was  mustered  out  at  Elmira,  June  5,  18.63,  having  lost  from  all 
causes  a  total  of  one  hundred  men.  The  early  part  of  its  service  was 
in  the  defenses  of  Washington,  and  afterward  chiefly  with  the  army  of 
the  Potomac. 

The  battles  in  which  the  regiment  participated  were  these  :  Hall's 
Hill,  Va.,  August  27,  1861  ;  Gen.  Pope's  campaign,  August  i6-Sep- 
tember  2,  1862:  Rappahannock  River,  August  21  ;  Sulphur  Springs, 
August  26 ;  Near  Gainesville,  August  28  ;  Grovetown,  August  29  ; 
Bull  Run,  August  30  ;  Fairfax  C.  H.,  August  31  ;  Near  Fairfax  C.  H., 
September  4  ;  South  Mountain,  Md.,  September  14;  Antietam,  Sep- 
tember 17;   Fredericksburgh,  Va.,  December  11- 15. 

Seventy-Eighth  Regiment. — In  the  service  this  regiment  was  variously 
known  as  the  "  Seventy-eighth  Highlanders,"  "  Cameron  Highlanders," 
and  also  "  First  Regiment,  Eagle  Brigade."  It  was  organized  in  New 
York  city  April  26,  1862,  by  the  consolidation  of  the  men  enlisted  by 
Col.  Samuel  K.  McElliott  for  the  Lochiel  Cameron  Highlanders,  the 
original  78th  regiment,  and  of  those  enlisted  by  Gen.  G.  A.  Scroggs 
for  his,  or  part  of  the,  4th  Regiment,  Eagle  Brigade,  with  the  men  en- 
listed by  Col,  Daniel  Ullman  for  the  ist  Regiment,  Eagle  Brigade,  with 

25 


194  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

the  latter  as  colonel.  It  was  mustered  into  service  for  three  years  be- 
tween October  i,  i86i,  and  April  12,  1862.  Co.  F  of  the  78th  was 
recruited  in  Bath.  Its  service  began  at  Washington  in  May,  1862,  and 
was  afterward  with  the  army  of  Virginia  and  the  army  of  the  Cumber- 
land.     The  total  losses  of  the  regiment  amounted  to  133  men. 

The  78th  took  part  in  the  following  engagements  :  Charlestown,  Va., 
May  28,  1862;  Harper's  Ferry,  May  28-30;  Cedar  Mountain,  August 
9  ;  Pope's  Campaign,  August  i6-September  2  :  Sulphur  Springs,  Au- 
gust 23-24  ;  Centerville,  September  I  ;  Antietam,  September  17  ;  Near 
Hillsboro,  October  6  ;  Near  Ripon,  November  9  ;  Hillsboro,  December 
i;  Chancellorsville,  May  1-3,  1863;  Gettysburg,  July  1-3;  Wau- 
hatchie,  October  28-29  ;  Chattanooga  and  Rossville  campaign,  Tenn., 
November  23-27  ;  Lookout  Mountain,  November  24  ;  Missionary  Ridge, 
November  25  ;  Ringgold  Gap,  November  27  ;  Atlanta  campaign.  May 
3-July  12,  1864;  Mill  Creek  Gap,  May  9  ;  Resaca,May  14-15  ;  Dallas, 
May  25-June  4;  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  9-July  2;  Pine  Mountain, 
June  14-15;  Golgotha,  June  16-17;  Gulp's  Farm,  June  22;  The  As- 
sault, June  27. 

Eighty  Sixth  Regiment.  (Steuben  Rangers). — In  many  respects  this 
was  one  of  the  most  notable  commands  raised  in  this  part  of  the  State, 
and  the  fact  that  during  its  service  at  the  front  its  losses  aggregated  325 
men  indicates  that  it  was  one  of  the  hardest  fighting  regiments  sent  out 
by  the  State.  Its  history  is  best  recalled  by  the  accompanying  list  of 
battles,  hence  needs  no  detail  in  this  place. 

The  Eighty-Sixth  infantry  (Veteran),  Col.  B.  P.  Bailey,  was  orga- 
nized at  Elmira,  November  23,  1861,  and  was  there  mustered  into  ser- 
vice for  three  years  November  20-23  On  the  2 1st  of  June,  1864,3 
portion  of  the  70th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  was  transferred  to  this  regiment.  The 
companies  comprising  the  86th  were  recruited  as  follows  :  A  at  Syra- 
cuse;  B  at  Addison  ;  C  at  Corning  ;  D  at  Hornellsville  ;  E  at  Elmira; 
F  at  Lindley ;  G  at  Canisteo  ;  H  at  Troupsburg  ;  I  in  Steuben  county 
generally,  and  K  at  Woodhull. 

The  field  and  staff  officers  were  as  follows  :  Colonel,  Benajah  P.  Bai- 
ley, Corning;  Lieutenant  Colonel,  Barna  |.  Chapin,  Dansville;  Major, 
Seymour  G.  Rhinevault, Woodhull;  Adjutant,Charles  W.Gillet,  Addison; 
Quartermaster,    Byron    Spence,  Starkey,  Yates  county  ;   Surgeon,  John 


THE  CIVIL  WAR.  195 

F".  Jamison,  Hornellsville ;  Assistant  Surgeon,  Farand  Wylie,  Bath; 
Ciiaplain,  Jonathan  Watts,  Corning;  Sergeant  Major,  Henry  W.  Fuller, 
Corning;  Quartermaster  Sergeant,  Samuel  Leavitt,  Elmira  ;  Commis- 
sary sergeant,  George  P.  Baker,  Corning;  Hospital  Steward,  WiUiam 
Sayer.  Band:  Horatio  G.  K  Anderson,  leader  ;  John  J.  Brown,  Reuben 
E.  Stetson,  George  E.  Gray,  Mortimer  W.  Rose,  Isaac  L.  Kress,  Walter 
W.  Slingerland,  John  M.  Tenny,  James  A.  Wilkey,  George  Bridgeden, 
William  G.  Wright,  Estes  T.  Sturtevant,  George  J.  Benjamin,  Rankin 
B.  Rose. 

The  company  officers  were  as  follows  :  Co.  A.  Captain,  Benjamin  L. 
Higgins;  First  Lieutenant,  William  H.  Gault ;  Second  Lieutenant, 
Prentice  Holmes,  and  eighty-three  non-commissioned  officers  and  pri- 
vates. Co.  B.  Captain,  William  B.  Angle  ;  First  Lieutenant,  Charles 
W.  Gillett,  promoted  Adjutant  by  order  of  Col.  Bailey ;  Second  Lieu- 
tenant, Hiram  J.  Blanchard,  and  ninety-five  non  commissioned  officers 
and  privates.  Co.  C,  Captain,  Jacob  H.  Lansing ;  First  Lieutenant, 
Leonard  Scott ;  Second  Lietenant,  Joseph  H.  TuU,  and  ninety-two  non- 
commissioned officers  and  privates.  Co.  D,  Captain,  Daniel  S.  Ells- 
worth ;  First  Lieutenant,  Arthur  S.  Baker  ;  Second  Lieutenant,  Lemi 
H.  Crary,  and  eighty-nine  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates.  Co, 
E,  Captain,  Thomas  F.  Shoemaker  ;  First  Lieutenant,  John  G.  Copley  ; 
Second  Lieutenant,  George  A.  Packer,  and  ninety-five  non-commissioned 
officers  and  privates.  Co.  F,  Captain,  Henry  G.  Harrower;  First  Lieu- 
tenant, Samuel  M.  Morgan  ;  Second  Lieutenant,  Michael  B.  Stafford, 
and  ninety-one  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates.  Co.  G,  Cap- 
tain, James  Bennett ;  First  Lieutenant.  Nathan  S.  Baker  ;  Second  Lieu- 
tenant, John  Fulton,  and  eighty-four  non-commissioned  officers  and 
privates.  Co.  H,  Captain,  William  Ten  Broeck  ;  First  Lieutenant,  Will- 
iam G.  Raymond  ;  Second  Lieutenant,  James  Carpenter,  jr.,  and  ninety- 
five  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates.  Co.  I,  Captain,  Amos  W. 
Sherwood  ;  First  Lieutenant,  Jackson  A.  Woodward  ;  Second  Lieuten- 
ant, Foster  P.  Wood,  and  eighty  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates. 
Co.  K,  Captain,  Seymour  G.  Rhinevault,  promoted  major,  November 
22,  i86i  ;  First  Lieutenant,  Charles  H.  Wombaugh,  promoted  captain 
November  22,  1861  ;  Second  Lieutenant,  John  N.  Warner,  and  ninety- 
six  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates. 


196  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

The  Eighty-sixth  left  Elmira  November  23,  1861,  and  proceeded  to 
Washington,  thence  was  attached  to  Casey's  division,  second  brigade, 
army  of  the  Potomac.  In  January,  1862,  the  regiment  formed  a  part 
of  Smith's  division,  third  brigade,  but  in  February  was  re-attached  to 
Casey's  command.  The  early  part  of  the  year  1862  was  uneventful, 
but  about  the  middle  of  August  the  86th  took  part  in  Gen.  Pope's  Vir- 
ginia campaign,  from  which  time  on  until  final  muster-out  on  June  27, 
1 665,  it  was  almost  constantly  engaged,  and  a  reference  to  the  appended 
list  of  engagements  will  disclose  the  fact  that  the  regiment  participated 
in  some  of  the  most  severe  battles  of  the  war,  and  at  times  suffered 
serious  losses.  During  its  service  the  86th  lost  by  death,  killed  in  action, 
six  officers  and  ninety- two  enlisted  men  ;  of  wounds  received  in  action, 
seven  officers  and  sixty- two  enlisted  men  ;  of  disease  and  other  causes, 
two  officers  and  one  hundred  and  fifty- one  enlisted  men;  total,  fifteen 
officers  and  three  hundred  and  ten  enlisted  men.  Of  these  seventeen 
died  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

The  battles  and  engagements  in  which  the  regiment  took  part  were 
as  follows  :  Gen.  Pope's  campaign,  Va.,  Aug.  i6-Sept.  2,  1862;  Bull 
Run,  Aug.  30  :  Manassas  Gap,  Oct.  18,  and  Nov.  5-6  ;  Fredericksburg, 
Dec.  11-15:  Chancellorsville,  May  1-3,  1863;  Brandy  Station,  June 
9  ;  Gettysburg,  July  1-3  ;  Wapping  Heights,  July  23  ;  Auburn,  Oct. 
13;  Kelley's  Ford,  Nov.  7  ;  Mine  Run  campaign,  Nov.  26-Dec.  2; 
Locust  Grove,  Nov.  27;  Wilderness,  May  5-7,  1864;  Spottsylvania 
C.  H.,  May  8-21  ;  Po  River,  May  9-10;  Laurel  Hill,  May  10;  Salient, 
May  12  ;  North  Anna,  May  22-26;  Tolopotomy,  May  27-31  ;  Cold 
Harbor,  June  12;  Before  Petersburg,  June  15  and  April  2,  1865  ;  As- 
sault on  Petersburg,  June  15-19,  1864  ;  Weldon  Railroad,  June  21-23  ! 
Deep  Bottom,  July  27-29;  Strawberry  Plains,  Aug.  14-18;  Poplar 
Spr.  Ch.  Oct.  2  ;  Boydton  Plank  road,  Oct.  27-28  ;  Hicksford  Raid, 
Dec  6-1 1  ;  Hatcher's  Run,  Feb.  5-7,  1865;  Petersburg  Works,  Mar. 
25  ;  Appomattox  campaign,  Mar.  28-Apr.  9  ;  White  Oak  Ridge,  Mar, 
29-31  ;  Fall  of  Petersburg,  Apr.  2  ;  Deatonsville  Road,  Apr.  6  ;  Farm- 
ville,  Apr.  7  ;   Appomattox  C.  H.,  Apr.  9. 

One  Hundredth  Regiment  (Veteran). — The  Steuben  county  contin- 
gent of  recruits  in  this  regiment  was  exceedingly  small,  comprising  a 
few  men  from  Greenwood  who  were  members  of  B  company.      Between 


THE  CIVIL  WAR.  107 

September,  i86i,  and  January,  1862,  the  regiment  was  mustered  into 
service  for  three  years,  and  at  the  front  was  known  as  "  Second  Regi- 
ment, Eagle  Brigade,"  and  also  as  "Third  Bufifalo  Regiment."  Its  ser- 
vice began  with  the  siege  at  Yorktown,  in  April  and  May,  1862,  and 
closed  with  surrender  at  Appomattox,  April  9,  1865.  During  the  ser- 
vice this  regiment  lost  397  men. 

One  Hundred  and  Second  Regiment  (Veteran). — The  town  of  Avoca 
furnished  a  "  corporal's  guard  "  for  D  company  in  this  command.  The 
regiment  was  familiarly  known  as  the  "  Van  Buren  Light  Infantry," 
under  Col.  Thomas  Van  Buren.  It  was  a  consolidated  regiment,  or- 
ganized January  27,  1862,  and  mustered  in  for  three  years.  Its  service 
was  severe  although  the  losses  were  not  heavy.  The  regiment  served 
in  Virginia,  Maryland,  Tennessee,  Georgia  and  North  and  South  Caro- 
lina.    Aggregate  losses,  156  men. 

One  Hundred  and  Fourth  Regiment  (Veteran). — Co.  E  of  this  regi- 
ment was  raised  in  Groveland,  Cohocton  and  Burns.  The  command 
was  otherwise  known  as  the  "  Wadsvvorth  Guards,"  and  also  the  "  Liv- 
ingston County  Regiment."  The  men  were  mustered  into  service  be- 
tween September,  1861,  and  March,  1862.  Service  at  the  front  began 
with  Cedar  Mountain,  August  9,  1862,  and  from  that  time  to  the  mus- 
ter out,  July  17,  1865,  was  arduous  and  at  times  severe.  The  total 
losses  to  the  regiment,  from  all  causes,  was  237  men. 

One  Hundred  and  Seventh  Regiment  (Campbell  Guards) — On  the 
1st  of  July,  1862,  President  Lincoln  issued  a  call  for  300,000  volunteers, 
and  about  the  same  time,  in  carrying  out  the  wishes  of  the  executive, 
Secretary  Stanton  requested  Congressmen  Pomeroy,  of  Cayuga,  Diven, 
of  Chemung,  and  Van  Valkenburg,  of  Steuben,  to  repair  to  their  homes 
and  recruit  a  regiment.  Mr.  Van  Valkenburg  was  authorized  as  colonel 
on  July  18,  and  on  the  13th  of  August,  following,  the  One  Hundred 
and  Seventh  w^s  mustered  into  service  for  three  years,  being  the  first 
regiment  organized  in  this  State  under  the  call  mentioned,  for  which  it 
was  honored  by  the  State  in  being  made  the  recipient  of  a  handsome 
banner.  The  regiment  was  raised  in  the  counties  of  Chemung.  Schuyler 
and  Steuben,  A,  B,  C,  D  and  E  at  Elmira  ;  F  at  Addison,  Cameron 
and  Campbell  ;  G  at  Elmira,  Bath  and  Hammondsport ;  H  at  Havana 
and  Elmira  ;   I  at  Corning,  Wayland  and  West  Union  ;   and  K  at  Hor- 


198  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

nellsville,  Howard,  Elmira  and  Canisteo.  About  two- fifths  of  the 
entire  regiment  came  from  towns  of  Steuben  county,  from  which  fact  it 
is  proper  that  we  here  furnish  the  names  of  its  commissioned  officers, 
viz.: 

Field  and  Staff. — Colonel,  Robert  B.  Van  Valkenburg  ;  lieut. -colonel, 
Alexander  S.  Diven  ;  major,  Gabriel  L.  Smith  ;  adjutant,  Hull  Fanton  ; 
quartermaster,  E.  P.  Graves;  Q.  M.  sergt.,  L.  B.  Chidsay ;  chaplain, 
Ezra  F.  Crane ;  surgeon,  Patrick  H.  Flood  ;  asst.  surgeon,  James  D. 
Hewitt;  sergt.  major,  John  R.Lindsay;  com.  sergt.,  Henry  Inscho  ; 
hospital  steward,  John  M,  Ford. 

Officers  Co.  F. — Captain,  James  H.  Miles  ;  first  lieut.,  J.  Milton  Roe  ; 
second  lieut.,  John  F.  Knox.  Co.  G  :  Captain,  John  J.  Lamon  ;  first 
lieut.,  G.  H.  Brigham  ;  second  lieut.,  Ezra  Gleason.  Co.  I  :  Captain, 
Newton  T.  Colby  ;  first  lieut.,  Benjamin  C.  Wilson  ;  second  lieut.,  Na- 
thaniel E.  Rutler.  Co.  K  :  Captain,  Allen  M.  Sill;  first  lieut.,  John  M. 
Goodrich;  second  lieut.,  Alonzo  B.  Howard. 

The  regiment  left  the  State  August  13,  1862,  and  served  in  Whipple's 
division,  defenses  of  Washington,  from  August ;  thence  in  3d  brigade, 
1st  division,  12th  corps.  Army  of  the  Potomac,  from  September  12, 
1862  ;  in  the  2d  brigade  from  August,  1863  ;  in  the  same  brigade  and 
division,  20th  corps.  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  from  April,  1864;  and 
it  was  honorably  discharged  and  mustered  out  under  Col.  Nirom  M. 
Crane,  June  5,  1865,  near  Washington,  D.  C. 

During  its  service  the  regiment  lost  by  death,  killed  in  action,  two 
officers  and  fifty  men  ;  of  wounds  received  in  action,  two  officers  and 
thirty-six  men  ;  from  disease  and  other  causes,  131  men;  an  aggregate 
of  221,  of  whom  five  enlisted  men  died  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

The  One  Hundred  and  Seventh  took  part  in  the  following  engage- 
ments, and  suffered  losses  as  indicated.  Antietam,  September  17,  1862, 
loss  63  ;  Chancellorsville,  May  1-3,  1863,  loss  83  ;  Gettysburg,  July  2- 
4,  loss  2  ;  Jones  Cross  Roads,  July  11-12;  near  Williamsport,  Md., 
July  14;  Atlanta  Campaign,  May  3-September  2,  1864;  Resaca,  May 
14-15,  loss  7  ;  near  Cassville,  May  19-20;  Dallas,  May  25-June  4,  loss 
165;  Kenesaw  Mt.,  June  9-July  2;  Golgotha,  June  16-17;  Nozes 
Creek,  June  19-20;  Gulp's  Farm,  June  22,  (loss  in  last  five  battles,  10); 
Peach  Tree  Creek,  July  20,  loss  19;   Atlanta,  July  2i-August  26,   loss 


THE  CIVIL  WAR.  199 

9;  Sherman's  Savannah  campaign.  November  15-December  21  ;  March 
to  the  Sea,  November  15-December  10;  Montieth  Swamp,  December 
9;  Savannah,  December  10-20;  Izzard's  Mill,  December  19  (loss  in 
the  campaign,  59);  Campaign  of  the  Carolinas,  January  26-April  26, 
loss  I  ;  Rockingham,  N.  C,  March  8,  loss  i  ;  Fayetteville,  March  15, 
loss  2;  Averysboro,  March  16,  loss  46;  Bentonville,  March  19-20; 
Raleigh,  April  23  ;   Bennett  House,  Va.,  April  26. 

One  Hundred  and  Forty-first  Regiment — This  was  another  of  the 
important  commands  for  which  this  county  furnished  a  considerable 
contingent  of  troops,  and  was  raised  under  the  same  urgent  necessities 
which  called  for  the  107th.  It  was  recruited  under  authority  granted  to 
Col.  Samuel  G.  Hathaway,  August  14,  1862,  in  the  then  twenty- seventh 
senatorial  district  of  the  State  It  was  organized  at  Elmira,  and  there, 
on  September  11,  1862,  was  mustered  into  service.  The  Steuben 
county  contribution  was  scattered  through  several  companies,  about  as 
follows:  A  portion  of  Co.  B  was  from  Hornby;  D  was  raised  at  Corn- 
ing ;  E  at  Bath,  Corning,  Erwin,  Thurston,  Avoca,  Campbell  and 
Wheeler  ;  F  at  Hornellsville,  Fremont  and  Dansville  ;  G  at  Rathbone, 
Addison,  Tuscarora,  Woodhull  and  Elmira  ;  H  at  Canisteo,  Howard, 
Greenwood,  West  Union  and  Bath.  Among  the  field  and  staff  officers 
were  several  from  Steuben  county,  wherefore  the  personnel  of  that  de- 
partment is  appropriate,  as  follows  :  Colonel,  Samuel  G.  Hathaway,  jr.  ; 
lieut.-col.,  James  C.  Beecher ;  major,  John  W.  Dininny  ;  adjutant, 
Robert  M.  McDowell  ;  surgeon,  Joseph  W.  Robinson  ;  asst.  surgeons, 
O.  S.  Greenman  and  M.  T.  Babcock. 

Officers  Co.  B. — Captain,  Andrew  D.  Compton  ;  first  lieut.,  Stephen 
F.  Griffith  ;  second  lieut ,  Robert  F.  Hedges.  Co.  D  :  Captain,  Charles 
A.  Fuller  ;  first  lieut.,  William  Merrill ;  second  lieut.,  Joseph  Townsend. 
Co.  E  :  Captain,  William  K.  Logie  ;  first  lieut.,  John  A.  Shultz  ;  second 
lieut.,  E.  J.  Belding.  Co.  F:  Captain,  Andrew  J.  Russell;  first  lieut., 
John  Barton  ;  second  lieut.,  William  L.  Collins.  Co.  G  :  Captain,  Dan- 
iel N.  Aldrich  ;  first  lieut.,  John  W.  Hammond;  second  lieut.,  John  H. 
Rowley.  Co.  H  :  Captain,  William  A.  Bronson  ;  first  lieut.,  Stephen  S. 
Roscoe  ;   second  lieut.,  James  W.  Smith. 

The  regiment  left  the  State  September  15,  1862,  and  served  at  Laurel 
Hill,  and   in   the   defenses  of  Washington    until  December.      Its  active 


200  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

duty  began  at  the  siege  of  Suffolk,  Va  ,  and  was  afterward  continued  in 
Tennessee,  Georgia,  and  the  Carolinas  until  final  muster  out  on  June  8, 
1865.  During  the  period  of  its  services,  the  regiment  lost  six  officers 
and  243  enlisted  men,  the  most  disastrous  battles  being  Resaca,  Dallas, 
Golgotha  and  Peach  T-'ee  Creek. 

The  official  list  of  battles  of  the  141st  were  as  follows:  Siege  of  Suf- 
folk, Va.,  April  i6-May  4,  1863;  Diascund  Bridge,  June  16;  Crump's 
Cross  Roads,  July  2  ;  Wauhatchie,  Tenn.,  October  28-29;  Chattanoo- 
ga and  Rossville  Campaign,  November  23-27;  Missionary  Ridge,  No- 
vember 25  ;  London,  December  5  ;  Atlanta  Campaign,  May  3-Septem- 
ber  2,  1864;  Resaca,  May  14-15  ;  Dallas,  May  25-June  4;  Ackworth, 
Junes;  Kenesaw  Mt..  June  9-July  2  ;  Golgotha,  June  16-17;  Nose's 
Creek,  June  19-20  ;  Gulp's  Farm,  June  22  ;  Peach  Tree  Creek,  July  20  ; 
Atlanta,  July  21-August  26;  Sherman's  Savannah  Campaign,  Novem- 
ber 15-December  21 ;  March  to  the  Sea,  November  15-December  10  ; 
Monteith  Swamp,  December  9;  Savannah,  December  10-21  ;  Cam- 
paign of  the  Carolinas,  January  27-April  26,  1865  ;  Chesterfield,  March 
3;  Averysboro,  March  16;  Bentbnville,  March  19-20,  Aiken's  Creek, 
April  10;  Smithfield,  April  lO-ii  ;  Raleigh,  April  13  ;  Bennett  House, 
April  26. 

One  Hundred  and  Sixty  first  Regiment. — Notwithstanding  the  fact 
that  previous  to  September,  1862,  the  patriotism  and  loyalty  of  Steuben 
county  had  been  fully  tested  in  raising  troops  for  the  service,  it  was 
destined  to  be  still  further  taxed  for  the  same  cause.  The  107th  and 
141st  were  only  recently  organized  and  sent  to  the  front  when,  on  Sep- 
tember 6th,  Col.  Gabriel  P.  Harrower  was  authorized  to  recruit  another 
regiment  in  the  Twenty-seventh  Senatorial  District.  So  promptly  in- 
deed did  the  recruiting  officers  apply  themselves  to  their  duty  that  on 
the  27th  of  October,  the  i6ist  was  mustered  into  service  for  three 
years,  although  the  command  did  not  leave  the  State  until  December  4, 
following. 

In  this  regiment  we  find  a  strong  contingent  from  Steuben  county. 
Co.  A  was  recruited  at  Urbana,  Pulteney,  Prattsburg  and  Wheeler  ;  D 
was  recruited  at  Bath  ;  a  small  portion  of  E  at  Hornellsville  ;  F  at 
Bath  and  Howard ;  G  in  part  at  Corning ;  H  at  Woodhull,  Jasper, 
Greenwood  and  Troupsburg  ;   I  at  Cohocton  and  Avoca.      In  organiz- 


THE  CIVIL  WAR.  201 

ing  the  regiment  a  number  of  field  and  staff  officers  were  taken  from 
this  county,  the  personnel  being  as  follows: 

Colonel,  Gabriel  T.  Harrower ;  lieutenant-colonel,  Marvin  D.  Stil- 
well ;  major,  Charles  Straun ;  adjutant,  William  B.  Kinsey ;  quarter- 
master, Marcus  E.  Brown  ;  surgeon,  Lewis  Darling  ;  assistant  surgeons, 
Joseph  iS.  Dolson  and  Charles  M.  Pierce;  chaplain,  Thomas  J.  O. 
Wooden. 

The  officers  of  the  companies  recruited  chiefly  in  this  county  were  as 
follows:  Co  A,  captain,  B.  F.  Van  Tuyl ;  first  lieutenant,  John  Gibson; 
second  lieutenant,  S.  S.  Fairchild.  Co.  D,  captain,  George  E.  Biles  ; 
first  lieutenant,  James  M.  Cadmus;  second  lieutenant,  T.  Scott  De 
Wolf.  Co.  F,  captain,  John  Slocum  ;  first  lieutenant,  John  F.  Little  ; 
second  lieutenant,  James  Faucett.  Co.  G,  captain,  Edmund  Fitz 
Patrick;  first  lieuteuant,  John  P.  Worthing.  Co.  H,  captain,  Willis  E. 
Craig  ;  first  lieutenant.  Nelson  P.  Weldrick  ;  second  lieutenant,  George 
B.  Herrick.  Co.  I,  captain,  Samuel  A.  Walling;  first  lieutenant,  Myron 
Powers  ;   second  lieutenant,  Edwin  A.  Draper. 

As  we  have  stated,  the  i6ist  left  the  State  in  December,  1862,  and 
first  served  in  Grover's  division.  Gulf  department,  being  transferred 
thence  to  Augur's  division,  19th  Corps.  In  the  extreme  South,  active 
service  began  at  Clinton  Plank  Road,  La.,  in  March,  1863,  and  from 
that  time  until  final  muster  out  at  Tallahassee,  Fla.,  November  12,  1865, 
was  one  of  the  fighting  commands  of  the  division.  The  most  severe 
losses  were  these:  Siege  of  Port  Hudson,  17;  Bayou  la  Fourche, 
53  ;  Sabine  Pass,  30;  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  87.  The  total  losses  of  the 
1 61  St  were  306  men. 

List  of  engagements:  Clinton  Plank  Road,  La.,  March  15,  1863; 
Plain  Store,  May  21  ;  Siege  of  Port  Hudson,  May  23-June  17  ;  Bayou 
la  Fourche,  July  13;  Sabine  Pass,  September  8;  Vermilion  Bayou, 
October  9  and  November  1 1  ;  Carrion  Crow  Bayou,  October  1 1  ;  Red 
River  Campaign,  March  lO-May  22,  1864;  Sabine  Cross  Roads.  April 
8  ;  Pleas:int  Hill,  April  9  ;  Cane  River  Crossing,  April  23  ;  Mansura, 
May  16;  Spanish  Fort,  Ala.,  March  27-30,  1865  ;  Fort  Blakely,  April 
3-9  ;   Mobile,  April   10. 

One  Hundred  and  Seventy  fifth  Regiment  (5th  Regiment,  Corcoran 
Brigade). — To  this  command  the  town  of  Hornby  contributed  a  few 
26 


202  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

recruits,  members  of  Cos.  D  and  E.  The  local  contingent  was  very 
small,  hardly  sufficient  to  warrant  more  than  a  mere  mention  in  this 
chapter. 

One  Hundred  and  Seventy- ninth  Regiment. — This  command  was 
organized  at  Elmira,  and  its  companies  were  mustered  into  service  be- 
tween April  and  September,  1864.  The  Steuben  county  contribution 
to  the  regiment  comprised  less  than  one  hundred  men,  recruited  in 
Hornellsville,  Cohocton,  Bradford  and  Dansville,  and  scattered  through 
Cos.  C,  F  and  H.  The  service  of  the  179th  was  confined  wholly  to 
Virginia,  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  generally  with  the  9th 
Corps.  However,  during  its  brief  service,  from  June,  1864,  to  April, 
1865,  the  regiment  lost  191  men,  twenty-five  of  whom  died  in  the 
hands  of  the  enemy. 

One  Hundred  and  Eighty  eighth  Regiment. — This  command  was 
recruited  with  headquarters  at  Rochester,  under  authority  given  to 
Colonel  Chamberlain,  succeeded  by  Col.  John  E.  McMahon,  on  Septem- 
ber 20,  1864.  So  far  as  it  related  to  this  county  the  regiment  had  no 
special  prominence,  yet  a  number  of  towns  furnished  recruits,  notably 
Corning,  Hornby  and  Tuscarora,  the  men  being  in  Co.  F.  The  i88th 
left  the  State  October  13,  1864,  and  served  in  the  2d  Brigade,  first 
division,  5th  Corps,  losing  an  aggregate  of  ninety  men. 

One  Hundred  and  Eighty-ninth  Regiment. — On  September  26, 
1864,  Col.  William  A.  Olmstead,  succeeded  by  Col.  William  W.  Hayt, 
received  authority  to  recruit  this  regiment,  and  in  its  composition  we 
find  a  fair  contingent  of  Steuben  county  volunteers.  Co.  A  was  re- 
cruited at  Bath  ;  C  at  Wheeler,  Bath,  Avoca,  Kanona  and  Urbana  ;  G 
at  Cohocton,  Avoca  and  Wayland  ;    H  at  Bath. 

Among  the  regimental  officers  were  two  from  this  county,  viz..  Col. 
William  W.  Hayt,  of  Corning,  and  Quartermaster  J.  L.  Brown,  of 
Corning.  In  the  same  manner  we  may  note  the  officers  of  local  com- 
panies:  Co.  A,  captain,  John  Stocum  ;  first  lieutenant,  B.  N.  Bennett; 
second  lieutenant,  John  W,  Brown.  Co.  C,  captain,  Burrage  Rice  ; 
first  lieutenant,  Dwight  Warner ;  second  lieutenant,  Mortimer  W.  Reed. 
Co.  G,  captain,  William  Washburn;  first  lieutenant,  Edwin  A.  Draper. 
Co.  H,  captain,  Nathan  Crosby  ;  first  lieutenant,  Hiram  F.  Schofield  ; 
second  lieutenant,  L.  G,  Rutheford, 


THE  CIVIL  WAR.  203 

Cos.  D,  E,  G  and  K  left  the  State  September  i8,  and  the  others 
October  23,  1864.  The  regiment  served  in  the  2d  Brigade,  1st  division, 
5th  Corps,  and,  commanded  by  Allen  L.  Burr,  was  honorably  dis- 
charged and  mustered  out  June  I,  1865,  near  Washington,  D.  C.  Dur- 
ing its  service  the  189th  lost  a  total  of  eighty  officers  and  men.  It  took 
part  in  the  following  engagements  :  Before  Petersburg,  Va.,  November 
I,  1864,  and  April  2,  1865;  Hicksford  Raid,  December  11,  1864; 
Hatcher's  Run,  February  5-7,  1865  ;  Appomattox  campaign,  March 
25-April9;  White  Oak  Ridge,  March  29-3 1  ;  Five  Forks,  April  i; 
Fall  of  Petersburg,  April  2  ;   Appomattox  C,  H.,  April  9. 

Sixth  Regiment  of  Cavalry  ("  Ira  Harris  Cavalry,"  "  Second  Ira 
Harris  Guards"). — This  regiment  was  organized  under  special  authority 
from  the  war  department  as  the  Ira  Harris  Guard,  at  New  York  city, 
and  was,  after  having  been  turned  over  to  the  State,  November  20, 
1 86 1,  designated  the  Sixth  Regiment  of  Cavalry,  N.  Y.  Vols.  In  Co. 
C  of  the  6th  were  men  from  Cohocton,  Hornellsville  and  Dansville  ;  in 
Co    G  men  from  Hornellsville,  an  aggregate  of  about  forty  men. 

Twenty-second  Regiment  of  Cavalry  ("Rochester  Cavalry"). — In  this 
regiment,  which  was  raised  largely  in  Monroe  and  counties  east  of  it 
along  the  Central  Railroad,  were  a  few  recruits  from  Steuben  county, 
members  of  Co.  G,  and  recruited  in  Bath,  Urbana  and  Prattsburg. 
The  local  contingent,  however,  did  not  include  more  than  about  thirty 
men 

Second  Regiment  of  Mounted  Rifles  ("Governor's  Guards"). — This 
regiment  was  originally  intended  as  an  infantry  command,  but  the 
order  for  its  organization  was  modified  and  constituted  a  cavalry  regi- 
ment. The  local  contribution  was  very  light,  comprising  a  few  men 
from  Prattsburg,  who  were  members  of  Co.  M. 

First  Veteran  Cavalry. — This  regiment  was  organized  at  Geneva 
during  the  summer  of  1863.  Co.  D  contained  a  few  recruits  from 
Prattsburg,  and  L  a  few  from  Hornellsville. 

Second  Veteran  Cavalry  ("  Empire  Light  Cavalry  "). — On  June  23, 
1863,  Colonel  Chrysler  was  authorized  to  reorganize  the  30th  Infantry, 
then  recently  discharged,  as  a  regiment  of  cavalry,  to  be  called  the 
Empire  Light  Cavalry.  On  July  20  it  was  changed  to  "  2d  Regt.,  Vet. 
Cav."     The  regiment  was   raised   almost  wholly   in  the   eastern  part  of 


204  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

the  State,  yet  the  towns  of  Addison  and  Bath   furnished  a   few  recruits 
for  Co.  G. 

First  Regiment  of  Artillery  (Light,  Veteran). — Battery  E,  captain, 
John  Stocum,  principally  recruited  at  Bath,  Avon  and  Mitchellville,  was 
mustered  in  the  U.  S.  service  September  13,  1861,  at  Elmira.  It 
served  in  the  4th,  5th  and  6th  Corps,  Army  of  the  Potomac,  until  final 
muster  out  June  17,  1865.  Battery  K,  Captain  Lorenzo  Crouse,  had  a 
few  recruits  from  Jasper,  and  also  served  chiefly  with  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.      It  was  mustered  out  June  20,  1865,  at  Elmira. 

Fourth  Regiment  of  Artillery  (Heavy;  Veteran).  Hornellsville  and 
Canisteo  furnished  men  for  Co.  C  of  this  command.  This  regiment  also 
served  with  the  army  of  the  Potomac. 

In  addition  to  the  several  regiments  already  specially  mentioned 
Steuben  county  furnished  still  other  volunteers,  though  the  representa- 
tion in  each  was  quite  small.  Among  the  commands  to  be  noted  in 
this  connection  was  the  Tenth  Heavy  Artillery,  in  which  was  a  small 
contribution  from  the  county ;  also  Thirteenth  Heavy  Artillery  for 
which  Greenwood  furnished  a  few  recruits,  also  the  Fourteenth  Heavy 
Artillery,  in  which  Bath  was  represented;  also  the  Twenty- eighth  Inde- 
pendent Battery  of  Light  Artillery,  in  which  were  men  from  Avoca, 
Campbell,  Cohocton,  Howard,  Wayland  and  Urbana.  In  the  Fifteenth 
Regiment  of  Engineers  (Veteran),  though  better  known  as  the  "  New 
York  Sappers  and  Miners,"  were  a  few  recruits  credited  to  Dansville 
and  Lindley.  In  the  Fiftieth  Regiment  of  Engineers  (Veteran),  other- 
wise variously  known  as  "  Stewart's  Engineers  ;  "  "  Independent  Engi- 
neers," and  also  "  Sappers,  Miners  and  Pontoniers,"  the  Steuben  locali- 
ties from  which  came  recruits  were  Addison,  Bath,  Painted  Post,  Savona 
and  Hornellsville. 


THE  BENCH  AND  BAR.  205 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

THE  BENCH  AND  BAR. 

In  the  early  history  of  the  colony  of  New  York  the  governor  was  in 
effect  the  maker,  interpreter  and  enforcer  of  the  laws.  He  was  the  chief 
judge  of  the  court  of  final  resort,  while  his  councillors  were  generally 
his  obedient  followers.  The  execution  of  the  English  and  colonial 
statutes  rested  with  him,  as  did  also  the  exercise  of  royal  authority  in 
the  province;  and  it  was  not  until  the  adoption  of  the  first  constitution, 
in  1777,  that  he  ceased  to  contend  for  these  prerogatives  and  to  act  as 
though  the  only  functions  of  the  court  were  to  do  his  bidding  as  servants 
and  helpers,  while  the  Legislature  should  adopt  only  such  laws  as  the 
executive  should  suggest  and  approve.  By  the  first  constitution  the 
governor  was  entirely  stripped  of  the  judicial  power  which  he  possessed 
under  the  colonial  rule,  and  that  power  was  vested  in  the  lieutenant- 
governor  and  Senate,  also  in  the  chancellor  and  justices  of  the  Supreme 
Court;  the  former  to  be  elected  by  the  people,  and  the  latter  to  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  council  This  was  the  first  radical  separation  of  the 
judicial  and  legislative  powers,  and  the  advancement  of  the  judiciary  to 
the  position  of  a  co  ordinate  department  of  government,  subject  only 
to  the  limitations  consequent  upon  the  appointment  of  its  members  by 
the  council.  The  restriction,  however,  was  soon  felt  to  be  improper, 
though  it  was  not  until  the  adoption  of  the  constitution  of  1846  that 
the  last  connection  between  the  purely  political  and  judicial  parts  of  the 
State  government  was  abolished,  and  with  it  disappeared  the  last  re- 
maining relic  of  the  colonial  period.  From  this  time  the  judiciary  be- 
came more  directly  representative  of  the  people.  The  development  of 
the  idea  of  responsibility  of  the  courts  to  the  people,  from  the  time 
when  all  its  members  were  at  the  beck  and  nod  of  an  irresponsible 
master,  to  the  time  when  all  judges  (even  of  the  court  of  last  resort) 
are  voted  for  directly  by  the  people,  has  been  indeed  remarkable. 


206  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Let  us  look  briefly  at  the  present  arrangement  and  powers  of  the 
courts  of  the  State,  and  then  at  the  elements  from  which  they  have 
grown.  The  whole  scheme  embraces  the  idea  of  first  a  determination 
of  the  facts  and  the  law  by  a  trial  court,  then  a  review  by  a  higher 
tribunal  of  the  facts  and  law,  and  ultimately  of  the  law  by  a  court 
of  last  resort.  To  accomplish  the  purposes  of  this  scheme  there  has 
been  devised  and  established,  first,  the  present  Court  of  Appeals,  the 
ultimate  tribunal  of  the  State,  perfected  in  its  present  form  by  the 
convention  of  1867  and  1 868,  and  taking  the  place  of  the  old  court  for 
the  trial  of  impeachments  and  correction  of  errors.  The  Court  of  Ap- 
peals as  first  organized  under  the  constitution  of  1846^  was  composed  of 
eight  judges,  four  of  whom  were  elected  by  the  people,  and  the  remain- 
der chosen  from  the  justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  having  the  shortest 
time  to  serve.  As  reorganized  in  1869,  and  now  existing,  the  court 
consists  of  a  chief  judge  and  six  associate  judges,  who  hold  office  for  the 
term  of  fourteen  years. 

This  court  is  continually  in  session  at  the  capitol  in  Albany,  except 
as  it  takes  a  recess  on  its  own  motion.  It  has  full  power  to  review  the 
decisions  of  the  inferior  courts  when  properly  before  it.  Five  judges 
constitute  a  quorum,  and  four  must  concur  to  render  judgment.  If  four 
do  not  agree,  the  case  must  be  reargued  ;  but  not  more  than  two  rehear- 
ings  can  be  had,  and  if  then  four  judges  do  not  agree  the  judgment  of 
the  court  below  stands  affirmed.  The  Legislature  has  provided  how 
and  when  decisions  of  inferior  tribunals  may  be  reviewed,  and  may  in 
its  discretion  alter  and  amend  the  same.  Under  the  revised  constitution 
of  1894,  the  Legislature  is  authorized  to  further  restrict  the  jurisdiction 
of  this  court,  and  the  right  of  appeal  thereto.  By  the  same  revision  it 
has  been  specially  provided  that  from  and  after  the  31st  day  of  Decem- 
ber, 1895,  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Court  of  Appeals,  except  when  the 
judgment  is  of  death,  shall  be  limited  to  questions  of  law,  and  no  unani- 
mous decision  of  the  appellate  division  of  the  Supreme  Court,  unless  in 
certain  specified  cases,  shall  be  reviewable  in  the  Court  of  Appeals. 

Upon  the  reorganization  of  this  court  in  1869,  its  work  was  far  in 
arrears,  and  the  law  commonly  known  as  the  "judiciary  act  "  provided 
for  a  Commission  of  Appeals  to  aid  the  Court  of  Appeals ;  and  still 
later  there  was  organized  a  second  division  of  the  Court  of  A.ppeals  to 


THE  BENCH  AND  BAR.  207 

assist  in  the  disposition  of  business  of  the  general  court,"  The  limita- 
tions and  restrictions  placed  upon  appeals  to  this  court  by  the  consti- 
tution of  1894  and  are  in  part  designed  to  relieve  it  from  future  similar 
embarrassments. 

Second  in  rank  and  jurisdiction  to  the  Court  of  Appeals  stands  the 
Supreme  Court,  which  is  made  up  of  many  and  widely  different  ele- 
ments. It  was  created  by  the  act  of  representative  assembly  in  1691, 
was  to  be  established  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  was  composed  of  a 
chief  justice  and  four  assistant  justices  to  be  appointed  by  the  governor, 
and  was  empowered  to  try  all  issues,  civil  and  criminal,  or  mixed,  to 
the  same  extent  as  the  English  courts  of  King's  Bench,  Common  Pleas, 
and  Exchequer  (except  in  the  exercise  of  equity  powers),  and  should 
have  power  to  establish  rules  and  ordinances  and  to  regulate  practice  of 
the  court.  It  had  jurisdiction  in  actions  involving  one  hundred  dollars 
and  over,  and  to  revise  and  correct  the  decisions  of  the  inferior  courts. 
An  appeal  lay  from  it  to  the  governor  and  council.  The  judges  made 
an  annual  circuit  of  the  State,  under  a  commission  issued  by  the  governor, 
and  giving  them  nisi  prins,  oyer  and  terminer  and  jail  delivery  powers. 
By  act  of  1691  the  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer  was  abolished,  but  in 
conformity  to  the  courts  of  Westminster,  its  name  was  retained  to  desig- 
nate the  criminal  term  of  the  Supreme  Court.  At  first  the  judges  of 
the  Supreme  Court  were  appointed  by  the  governor  and  held  office 
during  his  pleasure.  Under  the  first  constitution  the  court  was  reorgan- 
ized, the  judges  being  then  named  by  the  council  of  appointment,  and 
all  proceedings  were  directed  to  be  entitled  in  the  name  of  the  people. 

By  the  constitution  of  1821  many  and  important  changes  were  made 
in  the  character  and  methods  of  the  court.  The  judges  were  reduced 
to  three  and  appointed  by  the  governor  with  the  consent  of  the  Senate, 
to  hold  office  during  good  behavior,  or  until  sixty  years  of  age.  They 
were  removable  by  the  Legislature  on  the  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the 
Assembly  and  a  majority  of  the  Senate.  Four  times  a  year  the  full 
court  sat  in  review  of  their  decisions  on  questions  of  law.  By  the  con- 
stitution of  1846  the  Supreme  Court  was  abolished,  and  a  new  court,  of 
the  same  name  and  having  general  jurisdiction  in  law  and  equity,  was 
established  in  its  place.  Its  members  were  composed  of  thirty-three  jus- 
tices, to  be  elected  by  the  people     By  the  judiciary  act  of  1847  general 


208  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

terms  were  to  be  held  at  least  once  in  each  year  in  counties  having  more 
than  40,000  inhabitants,  and  in  other  counties  once  in  two  years  ;  and  at 
least  two  special  terms  and  two  circuits  were  to  be  held  yearly  in  each 
county  except  Hamilton.  By  this  act  the  court  was  authorized  to  name 
the  times  and  places  of  holding  its  terms,  and  those  of  the  Oyer  and  Termi- 
ner, the  latter  being  a  part  of  the  Circuit  Court  and  held  by  the  justice, 
county  judge  and  two  justices  of  sessions.  Since  1882  the  Oyer  and 
Terminer  has  consisted  of  a  single  justice  of  the  Supreme  Court.  How- 
ever, under  the  sweeping  changes  made  by  the  constitution  of  1894, 
Circuit  Courts  and  Courts  of  Oyer  and  Terminer  are  abolished  from 
and  after  the  last  day  of  December,  1895,  and  all  their  jurisdiction  shall 
thereafter  be  vested  in  the  Supreme  Court.  Provision  is  also  therein 
made  for  an  appellate  division  of  this  court,  to  consist  of  seven  justices 
in  the  first,  and  five  in  each  of  the  other  three  judicial  departments  into 
which  the  State  is  divided.  The  appellate  division  is  invested  with  the 
jurisdiction  previously  exercised  by  the  Supreme  Court  at  general  term, 
and  the  general  terms  of  the  New  York  County  Common  Pleas,  the 
Superior  Courts  of  the  cities  of  New  York,  Brooklyn  and  Buffalo,  and 
such  other  jurisdiction  as  the  Legislature  may  confer.  From  the  justices 
of  the  Supreme  Court  the  governor  shall  designate  those  who  shall  con- 
stitute the  appellate  division,  and  also  the  presiding  justice  thereof,  the 
latter  to  act  during  his  term  of  office,  the  others  for  the  term  of  five 
years.  In  this  court  four  members  shall  constitute  a  quorum,  and  three 
must  concur  to  render  judgment.  Legislative  enactment  in  1895  desig- 
nated the  city  of  Rochester  as  the  place  in  which  the  appellate  division 
shall  sit  in  the  fourth  department  of  the  State  (which  includes  Steuben 
county),  the  other  department  capitals  being  New  York,  Brooklyn  and 
Albany. 

The  judiciary  article  of  the  constitution  of  1 846  was  amended  in  1 869, 
the  Legislature  being  authorized  to  provide  (not  more  often  than  once 
in  five  years)  for  the  organization  of  general  terms  consisting  of  a  pre- 
siding justice  and  not  more  than  three  associates,  but  by  the  laws  of 
1870  the  then  organization  of  the  general  terms  was  abrogated,  and  the 
State  was  divided  into  four  departments,  and  provision  made  for  hold- 
ing general  terms  in  each.  By  the  same  act  the  governor  was  directed 
to  designate  from  the  justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  a  presiding  justice 


THE  BENCH  AND  BAR.  209 

and  two  associates  to  constitute  a  general  term  in  each  department. 
Under  the  authority  of  the  constitutional  amendment  adopted  in  1882, 
the  Legislature,  in  1883,  divided  the  State  into  five  judicial  depart- 
ments, and  provided  for  the  election  of  twelve  additional  justices  to  hold 
office  from  the  first  Monday  in  June,  1884.  The  constitution  of  1894 
provided  for  the  election  of  twelve  more  justices  of  the  Supreme  Court, 
three  to  reside  in  the  first,  three  in  the  second,  and  one  in  each  of  the 
other  six  judicial  districts  of  the  State. 

The  Court  of  Chancery  of  the  State  of  New  York  was  an  heirloom  of 
the  colonial  period,  and  had  its  origin  in  the  Court  of  Assizes,  the  latter 
being  vested  with  equity  powers  under  the  duke's  laws.  The  court  was 
established  on  February  16,  1683,  and  went  out  of  existence  by  limita- 
tion in  1698  ;  was  revised  by  ordinance  in  1701,  suspended  in  1703,  and 
re-established  in  1704.  Previous  to  that  time  matters  in  equity  were 
heard  in  any  of  the  courts  organized  in  conformity  to  the  duke's  laws. 
At  first  this  court  was  unpopular  in  the  province,  the  assembly  and  col- 
onists opposing  it  with  the  argument  that  the  crown  had  no  authority 
to  establish  an  equity  court  in  the  colony. 

Their  reasons  were  that  quit-rents  upon  the  sale  of  lands  belonged  to 
the  crown  as  a  prerogative  ;  that  through  the  neglect  of  the  governors 
these  rents  had  been  allowed  to  fall  in  arrears,  and  the  Court  of  Chan- 
cery was  resorted  to  for  their  collection.  Furthermore,  the  governors, 
almost  without  exception,  were  adventurers,  or  men  of  impaired  for- 
tunes, who  accepted  these  appointments  with  the  hope  of  enriching 
themselves.  The  methods  they  pursued  in  making  their  office  profit- 
able consisted  of  granting  patents  of  lands  and  receiving  from  the 
grantee  a  gratuity  (or  bribe)  in  proportion  to  the  value  of  the  land 
granted — a  palpable  fraud  upon  the  rights  of  the  crown.  As  a  result 
the  grantees  were  fearful  that  proceedings  might  be  instituted  in  the 
Court  of  Chancery  by  the  attorney  general  to  revoke  the  grants.  And 
thus  the  Court  of  Chancery  was  a  menace  to  the  security  of  the  land 
owners,  and  incurred  their  bitter  opposition. 

Under  the  Constitution  of  1777,  the  Chancery  Court  was  reorganized, 
and  by  the  reorganization  of  1778  masters  and  examiners  were  desig- 
nated by  the  council  of  appointment,  while  registrars  and  clerks  were 
appointed  by  the  chancellor  ;  and  the  latter  licensed  all  solicitors  and 
27 


210  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

counsellors  of  the  court.  Appeals  lay  from  the  Chancery  Court  to  the 
Court  for  the  Correction  of  Errors. 

Under  the  constitution  of  1821  the  chancellor  was  appointed  by  the 
governor,  and  held  office  during  good  behavior,  or  until  sixty  years  of 
age.  Under  the  second  constitution  equity  powers  were  vested  in  the 
circuit  judges,  and  their  decisions  were  reviewable  on  appeal  to  the 
chancellor.  The  equity  character,  however,  was  soon  taken  from  the 
circuit  judges  and  vested  in  the  chancellor  alone,  and  the  judges  after- 
ward acted  as  vice-chancellors  in  their  respective  circuits.  The  Consti- 
tution of  1846  abolished  the  Court  of  Chancery,  and  its  powers  and 
duties  were  vested  in  the  Supreme  Court. 

By  an  act  of  the  Legislature  passed  in  1848,  and  entitled  the  "Code 
of  Procedure,"  all  distinction  between  actions  at  law  and  suits  in  equity 
was  abolished,  so  far  as  the  manner  of  beginning  and  conducting  the 
same  were  concerned,  and  one  uniform  method  of  practice  in  all  actions 
was  adopted.  In  June,  1877,  the  Legislature  enacted  the  "  Code  of 
Civil  Proceedure,"  to  take  the  place  of  the  code  of  1848,  and  by  this 
many  minor  changes  in  the  practice  of  the  court  were  made. 

These  are,  in  brief,  the  changes  through  which  the  Supreme  Court  has 
passed  in  its  growth  from  the  prerogative  of  an  irresponsible  governor 
to  one  of  the  most  independent  and  enlightened  instrumentalities  for 
the  protection  and  attainment  of  rights  of  citizens  of  which  any  State 
or  nation,  ancient  or  modern,  can  rightfully  boast.  So  well  is  this  fact 
understood  by  the  people  that  by  far  the  greater  amount  of  business 
which  might  be  done  in  inferior  courts  at  less  expense  is  actually  taken 
to  this  court  for  settlement. 

Next  in  rank  to  the  Supreme  Court  is  the  County  Court,  held  in  and 
for  each  county  in  the  State,  at  such  times  and  places  as  its  judges  may 
direct.  This  court  had  its  origin  in  the  English  Court  of  Sessions,  and, 
like  it,  had,  at  one  time,  only  criminal  jurisdiction.  In  1765  Andros 
granted  a  charter.  The  mayor  with  four  aldermen  was  authorized  to  sit 
as  a  Court  of  Sessions.  He  did  not,  however,  organize  a  separate  crim- 
inal tribunal,  but  continued  as  before  to  discharge  criminal  and  munici- 
pal business  at  the  regular  sittings  of  the  court.  By  an  act  called  an  act 
to  "settle  courts  of  justice,"  which  was  passed  in  1683,  a  Court  of 
Sessions,   having  power  to  try  both  civil  and  criminal  causes  by  jury, 


THE  BENCH  AND  BAR.  211 

the  former  without  Hmitation  as  to  amount,  was  directed  to  be  held  by 
three  justices  of  the  peace  in  each  of  the  counties  of  the  province  twice 
a  year,  with  an  additional  term  in  Albany  and  two  in  New  York.  In 
the  city  of  New  York  it  was  held  by  a  mayor  and  four  aldermen.  By 
the  act  of  1 69 1  and  the  decree  of  1699,  all  civil  jurisdiction  was  taken 
from  this  court  and  conferred  on  the  Common  Pleas.  By  the  radical 
changes  made  by  the  constitution  of  1846,  provision  was  made  for  a 
County  Court  in  each  county  of  the  State  except  New  York,  to  be  held 
by  an  officer  designated  the  "  county  judge,"  and  to  have  such  jurisdic- 
tion as  the  Legisluture  should  prescribe.  Under  the  authority  of  this 
constitution  County  Courts  have  been  given  jurisdiction  in  various 
classes  of  actions,  and  have  also  been  invested  with  certain  equity 
powers  in  the  foreclosure  of  mortgages,  the  sale  of  infants'  real  estate, 
and  also  to  partition  lands,  admeasure  dower  and  care  for  the  persons 
and  estates  of  lunatics  and  habitual  drunkards.  The  judiciary  act  of 
1869  continued  the  existing  jurisdiction  in  all  actions  in  which  the  de- 
fendant lived  within  the  county  and  the  damages  claimed  did  not  exceed 
$1,000.  The  constitution  of  1894  likewise  continues  the  court  and 
increases  its  power  in  extending  the  amount  of  damages  claimable 
to  $2,000. 

Like  the  Supreme  Court,  the  County  Court  has  its  civil  and  criminal 
sides.  In  criminal  matters  the  county  judge  is  assisted  by  two  justices 
of  sessions,  elected  by  the  people  from  among  the  justices  of  the  peace 
of  the  county.  It  is  in  the  criminal  branch  of  this  court,  known  as  the 
"Sessions,"  that  minor  criminal  offenses  are  disposed  of,  and  all  indict- 
ments, except  for  murder  or  some  very  serious  felony,  are  sent  to  it  for 
trial  from  the  Oyer  and  Terminer.  The  constitution  of  1894  abolishes 
Courts  of  Sessions,  except  in  New  York  county,  after  the  31st  of  De 
cember,  1895,  and  its  powers  and  jurisdiction  are  thereafter  to  be  vested 
in  the  County  Court.  By  the  codes  of  1848  and  1877  the  procedure 
and  practice  in  this  court  are  made  to  conform  as  nearly  as  possible  to 
the  practice  of  the  Supreme  Court.  This  was  done  with  the  evident 
design  to  attract  litigation  into  these  minor  courts  and  thus  relieve  the 
Supreme  Court.  In  this  purpose,  however,  there  has  been  a  failure,  as 
litigants  much  prefer  the  shield  and  broader  powers  of  the  higher  courts. 
Under  the  code  county  judges  perform   some  of  the  duties  of  a  justice 


212  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

of  the  Supreme  Court  at  Chambers.  The  County  Court  has  appellate 
jurisdiction  over  actions  arising  in  Justices  Courts  and  Courts  of  Special 
Sessions.  Appeals  lie  from  the  County  Court  direct  to  the  General 
Term. 

The  old  court  of  Common  Plea^  of  the  State  of  New  York,  the  oldest 
tribunal  of  the  State,  which  survived  the  changes  of  two  constitutional 
revisions,  was  another  heirloom  of  the  colonial  period,  and  was  estab- 
lished originally  under  the  charters  of  1686,  for  the  counties  of  New 
York  and  Albany,  and  was  made  general  to  the  State  by  the  act  of 
1691.  Under  the  first  constitution  the  number  of  judges  was  various, 
there  being  as  many  as  twelve  in  some  counties,  but  the  act  of  18 18 
limited  the  judges  to  five  in  each  county,  including  the  first  judge.  The 
constitution  of  1 82 1  continued  the  court,  and  its  judges  were  appointed 
by  the  governor  and  Senate  and  held  office  for  the  term  of  five  years. 
This  court,  except  in  the  county  of  New  York,  was  abolished  by  the 
constitution  of  1846. 

Surrogates'  Courts,  one  of  which  exists  in  each  county  of  the  State, 
are  now  courts  of  record,  having  a  seal,  and  their  especial  jurisdiction  is 
the  settlement  and  care  of  estates  of  infants  and  of  deceased  persons. 
The  derivation  of  the  powers  and  the  practice  of  these  courts  is  from 
the  Ecclesiastical  Court  of  England,  also  in  part  through  the  colonial 
council  which  existed  during  the  rule  of  the  Dutch,  and  exercised  its 
authority  in  accordance  with  the  Dutch  Roman  law,  the  custom  of  Am- 
sterdam, and  the  law  of  Aasdom,  the  Court  of  Burgomasters  and  Schep- 
pens,  the  Orphan  Masters,  the  Mayor's,  the  Prerogative,  and  the  Court 
of  Probate.  The  settlement  of  estates  and  the  guardianship  of  orphans 
was  transferred  to  the  Burgomasters  in  1653,  and  soon  after  to  the 
Orphan  Masters.  Under  the  colony  the  Prerogative  Court  controlled 
all  matters  relating  to  the  probate  of  wills  and  settlement  of  estates,  but 
in  1692,  by  act  of  the  Legislature,  all  probates  and  granting  of  letters  of 
administration  were  to  be  under  the  hand  of  the  governor  or  his  dele- 
gate, and  two  freeholders  were  to  be  appointed  in  each  town  to  care  for 
the  estates  of  persons  dying  inestate.  Under  the  duke's  laws  this  duty 
had  been  performed  by  the  constables,  overseers  and  justices  of  each 
town.  In  1778  the  governor  was  divested  of  all  of  this  power,  except 
the  appointment  of  surrogate,  and  it  was  conferred  upon  the  judges  of 
the  Court  of  Probate. 


THE  BENCH  AND  BAR.  213 

Under  the  first  constitution  surrogates  were  appointed  by  the  council  of 
appointment,  and  under  the  second  by  tlie  governer  with  the  approval 
of  the  Senate.  The  constitution  of  1 846  abolished  the  office  of  surrogate 
in  all  counties  having  less  than  40,000  population,  and  conferred  its 
powers  and  duties  on  the  county  judge.  By  the  code  of  civil  procedure, 
surrogates  were  invested  with  all  the  necessary  powers  to  carry  out  the 
equitable  and  incidental  requirements  of  their  office.  In  its  present 
form,  and  sitting  weekly,  this  court  affords  a  cheap  and  expeditious 
medium  for  the  care  and  settlement  of  estates  and  the  guardianship  of 
infants. 

The  only  remaining  courts  which  are  common  to  the  whole  State  are 
the  Special  Sessions,  held  by  justices  of  the  peace  for  the  trial  of  minor 
criminal  offenses,  and  justices'  courts  with  a  limited  civil  jurisdiction. 
Previous  to  the  constitution  of  1821  (modified  in  1828),  justices  of  the 
peace  were  appointed,  but  since  that  time  they  have  been  elected.  The 
office  and  its  duties  are  descended  from  the  English  office  of  the  same 
name,  but  are  much  less  important,  and  under  the  laws  of  this  State  it 
is  purely  the  creature  of  the  statute. 

This  brief  survey  of  the  courts  of  New  York,  which  omits  only  those 
that  are  local  in  character,  gives  the  reader  some  idea  of  the  machinery 
provided  for  the  use  of  the  members  of  the  bench  and  bar. 

The  organization  of  the  courts  in  Steuben  county  was  accomplished 
with  little  ceremony  and  still  less  difficulty.  The  county  itself  was 
erected  by  act  of  the  Legislature,  passed  March  8,  1796,  and  on  the  21st 
day  of  June  following,  the  first  court  of  Common  Pleas  was  held  at 
Bath.  The  officers  of  the  county  at  that  time  were  William  Kersey, 
first  judge,  and  Abraham  Bradley  and  Eleazer  Lindsley,  assistants; 
Stephen  Ross,  surrogate;  George  D.  Cooper,  clerk;  William  Dunn, 
sheriff.  In  the  same  year  in  which  the  county  was  organized  the  court- 
house and  jail  were  erected.  On  the  19th  of  July,  1859,  an  act  of  the 
Legislature  divided  Steuben  county  into  two  jury  districts,  the  northern 
and  southern,  and  the  court  house  for  the  latter  was  erected  at  Corning, 
during  the  years  1853-54.  Still  further,  for  the  convenience  of  the  in- 
habitants generally  of  the  west  part  of  the  county,  an  earnest  effort  was 
made  to  establish  a  third  jury  district  with  court  buildings  at  the  city  of 
Hornellsville  ;   and  while  the  act  passed  both  houses  of  the  Legislature  it 


214  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

failed  to  become  a  law  in  not  receiving  the  executive  approval.  This 
was  manifest  injustice  to  the  people  in  this  section,  as  a  fair  proportion 
of  the  business  of  the  county,  whether  legal,  commercial  or  industrial, 
is  transacted  in  the  locality  of  which  Hornellsville  is  the  center ;  and 
the  final  result  will  undoubtedly  be  the  erection  of  a  new  county  from 
Steuben  and  Allegany  with  the  seat  of  justice  at  the  city  mentioned. 

However,  it  is  hardly  within  the  province  of  this  chapter  to  refer  at 
any  length  to  the  several  county  buildings  in  which  courts  have  been 
held,  as  that  subject  is  more  fully  treated  in  another  part  of  this  work  ; 
but  it  is  our  present  purpose  to  mention  the  names  of  those  persons  who 
have  been  connected  with  the  courts  atvd  the  administration  of  law  in 
the  county  from  its  earliest  history  to  the  present  time. 

The  bar  of  Steuben  county  has  ever  been  noted  for  its  strength.  On 
the  bench  and  at  the  bar  of  the  courts  have  been  men  of  the  highest  pro- 
fessional character  and  of  great  moral  worth.  Of  the  leading  legal  minds 
of  this  State  Steuben  has  furnished  a  liberal  proportion,  many  of  whom 
have  attained  distinction  and  some  have  become  eminent.  They  have 
been  characterized  by  strict  integrity  as  well  as  rare  ability — qualities 
which  have  made  for  them  a  high  place,  not  only  in  the  courts,  but  also 
in  the  legislative  halls  both  of  the  State  and  Nation. 

In  this  chapter  the  writer  aims  to  avoid  personal  allusion  to  or  com- 
ment on  the  abilities  and  characteristics  of  the  lawyers  of  the  county, 
pleading  as  an  excuse  the  entire  lack  of  space  and  the  utter  impossi- 
bility to  do  full  justice  to  a  subject  so  unlimited.  It  is  fact  well  known 
that  this  county  has  produced  some  of  the  ablest  lawyers  of  the  State, 
but  to  separate  the  few  from  their  fellows  equally  worthy  of  notice,  per- 
haps, and  eulogize  them  to  the  neglect  of  the  many  would  lead  to  com- 
plications and  consequent  dissatisfaction.  However,  it  is  proper  that 
we  make  same  passing  allusion  to  two  members  of  the  old  bar  who  at- 
tained positions  upon  the  Supreme  Court  Bench.  We  refer  to  Thomas 
A.  Johnson  and  David  Rumsey 

Thomas  A.  Johnson  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  born  at  Blanford, 
May  15,  1804,  but  during  his  childhood,  his  parents  settled  in  Broome 
county,  N.  Y.  Young  Johnson  was  educated  in  the  common  schools, 
after  which  he  read  law  with  Judge  Monell  at  Greene,  Chenango  county. 
After  admission  to  practice,  Mr.  Johnson  located   at  the   hamlet  years 


THE  BENCH  AND  BAR.  215 

ago  called  Centreville,  near  Corning,  but  some  years  later  moved  to  the 
suburb  of  the  city  known  as  Knoxville,  where  he  ever  afterward  resided. 
Early  in  his  professional  career  our  subject  developed  an  active  interest 
in  public  afifairs,  and  this  naturally  drew  him  somewhat  into  politics, 
though  never  to  the  serious  neglect  of  his  practice.  He  loved  the  pro- 
fession and  was  devoted  to  it,  hence  was  an  able  and  successful  lawyer, 
but  in  connection  with  his  practice  he  engaged  in  several  mercantile  and 
and  manufacturing  enterprises.  In  1847  Mr.  Johnson  was  elected  justice 
of  the  Supreme  Court  in  the  Seventh  Judicial  district,  and  was  twice  re- 
elected, holding  this  office,  which  he  honored  with  his  ability  and  graced 
with  his  quiet,  native  dignity.  Jndge  Johnson  was  appointed  to  a  posi- 
tion on  the  Court  of  Appeals  bench  in  1847,  ^""^  again  in  1856  and 
1864.  He  was  appointed  to  the  General  Term  bench  in  December, 
1870.      Judge  Johnson  died  December  5,  1872. 

David  Rumsey  was  born  in  Salem,  Washington  county,  December 
25,  1 8 10,  and  was  the  son  of  David  Rumsey,  the  latter  a  settler  in  Bath 
in  1 8 16.  In  the  county  seat  David,  jr.,  acquired  his  early  education, 
and  also  studied  law  in  the  office  of  Henry  Wells,  a  prominent  Bath 
lawyer.  Mr.  Rumsey  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1832,  and  soon  after- 
ward formed  a  law  partnership  with  William  Woods,  which  continued 
until  the  death  of  the  latter  in  1837.  Five  years  later  he  became  part- 
ner with  Robert  B.  Van  Valkenburg.  In  1846  Mr.  Rumsey  was  elected 
to  Congress,  and  was  re  elected  in  1848.  In  January,  1873,  he  was 
appointed  by  Governor  Dix  justice  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  was 
elected  to  the  same  office  in  the  following  fall.  He  continued  to  per- 
form the  duties  of  that  office  until  1880,  when  he  was  disqualified  by 
age,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  William  Rumsey,  who  now  occu- 
that  high  position.  Of  Judge  Rumsey  a  cotemporary  has  said  :  "With 
a  thorough  knowledge  of  law  David  Rumsey  possessed  the  rare  faculty 
of  grasping  the  thoughts  of  jurors  and  leading  them  along  by  plain 
methods  of  logic  and  reasoning  to  the  conclusion  he  desired." 

Besides  Judge  Johnson  and  David  Rumsey,  Steuben  county  has 
furnished  two  other  incumbents  of  the  office  of  justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court.  William  Rumsey,  of  Bath,  and  George  B,  Bradley,  of  Corning, 
both  of  whom  are  now  on  the  bench  and  with  years,  perhaps,  of  useful- 
ness before  them. 


216  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Judge  Rumsey  was  elected  justice  of  the  Supreme  Court,  November 
2,  1880.  He  was  a  native  of  Bath,  and  extensively  known  throughout 
Central  and  Western  New  York,  Previous  to  his  election  to  the  bench 
Judge  Rumsey  was  an  active  attorney  of  the  county  seat,  well  known 
in  local  political  circles,  though  in  no  sense  a  seeker  after  political  pre- 
ferment. On  May  6,  1887,  he  was  appointed  by  the  governor  one  of 
the  commissioners  to  examine  the  bill  entitled  "An  act  to  establish  a 
Code  of  Evidence,"  an  appointment  purely  honorary,  yet  nevertheless 
gratifying  because  of  the  confidence  expressed  in  the  designation. 

George  B.  Bradley,  who  for  more  thon  forty  years  has  been  an  active 
factor  in  professional  and  public  life,  and  who  now  retires  from  the  bench 
by  reason  of  the  age  limitation,  was  born  in  Greene,  Chenango  county, 
February  5,  1825.  His  young  life  was  spent  on  a  farm,  and  his  ele- 
mentary education  was  acquired  in  the  district  schools  and  also  in 
Ithaca  Academy.  In  1845  he  began  reading  law  with  Judge  Monell, 
of  Greene,  but  finished  with  James  Crombie,  of  Fulton,  Oswego  county. 
He  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1848,  and  in  the  same  year  located  at 
Addison,  remaining  a  single  year,  thence  practicing  four  years  in 
WoodhuU,  but  locating  permanently  at  Corning  in  1852,  Judge  Brad- 
ley's life  and  public  career  are  made  the  subject  of  special  mention 
elsewhere  in  this  work,  and  here  we  may  only  say  that  he  was  elected 
to  the  Supreme  bench,  November  6,  1883,  ^^^^  's  now  a  member  of  the 
General  Term. 

In  another  chapter  of  this  work  the  reader  will  find  a  complete  suc- 
cession of  the  incumbents  of  the  ofiSces  of  justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  county  judge,  surrogate,  sheriffs,  district  attorney  and  county 
clerk,  all  of  whom  were  officers  of  the  court  during  the  term  of  their 
service.  They  are  proper  subjects  of  mention  in  this  chapter,  but  being 
noted  in  the  civil  list  need  not  be  repeated  here. 

Record  and  tradition  alike  have  it  that  George  D.' Cooper  was  the 
pioneer  lawyer  of  this  county,  having  settled  in  Bath  in  1895.  He  was 
the  first  county  clerk.  The  first  term  of  the  Common  Pleas  was  held 
on  June  21,  1796,  and  it  is  said  these  lawyers  were  in  attendance  : 
Nathaniel  W.  Howell,  of  Canandaigua ;  Vincent  Matthews,  a  lawyer  of 
much  fame  in  Western  New  York,  and  an  afterward  resident  of  Bath  ; 
William   Stuart,    who    appeared  in   the   capacity   of  deputy   attorney- 


I 


% 


^,ff 


7 


THE  BENCH  AND  BAR.  217 

general,  to  perform  the  duties  of  the  office  we  now  call  district  attorney. 
There  were  also  present  lawyers  William  B.  Ver  Planck,  David  Jones, 
Peter  Masterson,  Thomas  Morris,  Stephen  Ross  and  David  Powers. 

This  mention  recalls  the  old  bar  of  the  county,  in  connection  with 
which  we  may  mention  some  of  the  prominent  early  practitioners  in 
the  courts,  although,  for  reasons  already  given,  this  mention  must 
necessarily  be  brief 

Samuel  S.  Haight  was  an  early  lawyer  at  Bath,  having  an  extensive 
practice,  and  taking  an  active  part  in  public  affairs.  William  Howe 
Cuyler,  came  to  Bath  from  Albany,  and  is  remembered  as  a  scholarly 
and  dignified  lawyer,  fashionable  in  attire  and  fascinating  in  manners. 
He  was  killed  in  service  during  the  war  of  1812.  Gen.  Daniel  Cruger, 
also  of  Bath,  was  a  leading  lawyer  and  an  influential  politician.  He, 
too,  was  in  the  war  of  18 12,  and  served  with  honor  as  major  of  in- 
fantry. In  1 8 16  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  but  in  1833  he  moved  to 
Virginia,  where  he  died  in  1843.  William  B.  Rochester  presided  at  the 
trial  of  Robert  Douglass  (charged  with  murder,  convicted  and  hanged), 
and  was  an  able  exponent  of  the  law.  He  practiced  for  a  time  as  part- 
ner with  William  Woods.  He  was  elected  to  Congress  in  1822,  and  in 
1823  was  appointed  Circuit  judge  for  the  eighth  district.  Judge  Roch- 
ester met  a  tragic  death,  being  drowned  while  on  a  voyage  to  Florida. 
Ziba  A.  Leland  was  a  graduate  of  Williams  College,  and  a  lawyer  of 
much  force  and  ability.  He  came  to  Bath  in  1822,  and  in  1838  suc- 
ceeded Judge  Edwards  on  the  Common  Pleas  bench  He  died  in 
Saratoga  county  about  1873.  Edward  Howell  came  to  Bath  from 
Delaware  county  in  the  early  part  of  the  year  181 1,  and  later  read  law 
with  General  Cruger,  He  was  one  of  the  factors  in  local  political 
affairs,  and,  as  a  lawyer,  "stood  for  many  years  at  the  head  of  his  pro- 
fession in  this  part  of  the  State."  In  1818  he  was  appointed  county 
clerk,  followed  by  an  appointment  as  postmaster  at  Bath.  In  1829  he 
was  appointed  district  attorney;  was  member  of  assembly  in  1832,  and 
member  of  congress  in  1833-35.      ^^-  Howell  died  in  1871. 

Schuyler  Strong  came  to  Bath  from  Orange  county,  and  was  partner 
with  William  Woods,  and  still  later  with  Mr.  Howell.  He  was  the  lead- 
ing lawyer  for  the  defense  at  the  famous  Douglass  murder  trial,  being 
then    associated  with  Mr.  Howell  and  Judge   Leland.     William  Woods 


218  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

was  one  of  the  early  distinguished  lawyers  of  the  county  seat ;  a  native 
of  Washington  county,  and  a  graduate  from  the  office  of  Judge  Samuel 
Nelson.  Mr.  Woods  was  a  successful  and  popular  lawyer,  and  was 
honored  with  important  political  offices  ;  was  in  the  State  Legislature 
in  1823  and  1828;  member  of  Congress  from  1823  to  1825  ;  surrogate 
from  1827  to  1835.  Mr.  Woods  died  in  1837,  ^t  the  age  of  thirty- 
seven  years. 

David  McMaster,  one  of  the  best  known  and  popular  lawyers  and 
judges  of  his  time,  and  for  many  years  recognized  authority  on  all 
questions  of  local  history,  was  a  native  of  Otsego  county,  born  in  1804, 
and  was  graduated  from  Hamilton  College  in  1824.  He  began  the 
practice  of  law  in  Bath  with  Henry  M.  Rogers,  in  1827,  and  continued 
actively  until  1847.  Other  partners  were  Judge  Leland  and  L.  H. 
Read.  Mr.  McMaster  was  the  first  county  judge  and  surrogate  elected 
under  the  Constitution  of  1846,  and  was  re-elected  in  1856.  Judge 
McMaster  died  May  6,  1888.  Henry  Welles  was  one  of  the  oldest 
members  of  the  old  bar,  and  was  also  a  patriot  of  the  war  of  181 2,  he 
raising  a  company  and  serving  with  credit  on  the  New  York  frontier. 
He  was  born  on  October  17,  1794,  and  came  to  Bath  previous  to  his 
enlistment.  He  read  law  with  Vincent  Matthews,  and  after  being  ad- 
mitted to  practice  continued  actively  in  professional  life  for  many  years. 
In  1824  he  was  appointed  district  attorney,  and  as  such  prosecuted 
Douglass.  In  1829  he  resigned  the  position,  and  after  about  ten  years 
moved  to  Penn  Yan.  He  was  elected  one  of  the  justices  of  the  Supreme 
Court  for  the  seventh  district  under  the  constitution  of  1847. 

Vincent  Matthews,  whom  we  have  incidentally  mentioned,  was  a 
native  of  Orange  county,  born  June  29,  1766.  He  was  the  friend  and 
associate  of  Col.  Robert  Troup,  and  afterward  became  intimate  with 
some  of  the  leading  men  of  the  State.  Mr.  Matthews  became  a  lawyer 
in  1790,  and  in  1793  moved  to  Elmira,  and  at  once  became  a  promi- 
nent figure  in  professional  and  political  life,  holding  a  number  of  impor- 
tant offices.  His  residence  in  Bath  began  in  18 16  and  continued  until 
1 82 1,  when  he  moved  to  Rochester,  and  continued  his  brilliant  career. 
He  died  in  1846. 

Among  the  other  early  lawyers  of  the  county  seat  were  Dominick 
Theophilus  Blake,  a  well  educated  young  Irishman,  full  of  native  humor, 


THE  BENCH  AND  BAR.  219 

in  many  respects  the  wag  of  the  bar,  on  account  of  his  rich  brogue,  yet 
a  good  lawyer.  He  remained  here  only  a  short  ime.  Cuthbert  Harri- 
son was  another  of  the  pioneer  lawyers,  well  educated  and  possessed  of 
good  sense,  and  withal,  as  General  McClure  said,  "  a  good  natured, 
clever  fellow." 

Henry  W.  Rogers  came  to  Bath  about  1827,  and  for  a  time  taught 
school,  but  afterward  read  law  with  Henry  Welles.  Later  on  he  prac- 
ticed as  partner  with  David  McMaster,  and  afterward  with  Joseph  G. 
Masten.  This  latter  firm  moved  to  Buffalo  about  1836.  George  C. 
Edwards  came  to  the  local  bar  in  1818,  and  in  1825  was  appointed 
Conunon  Pleas  judge,  holding  that  office  until  his  death  in  1837.  He 
was  author  of  the  well  known  work,  "  A  Treatise  on  the  Powers  and 
Duties  of  Justices  of  the  Peace  " 

Robert  Campbell,  jr.,  son  of  pioneer  Robert  Campbell,  was  born  in 
1808,  and  received  his  early  education  at  Hobart  College.  He  read 
law  with  Cruger  &  Howell,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1829, 
Among  his  law  partners  in  later  years  were  General  Cruger,  Samuel  H. 
Hammond  and  Guy  H.  McMaster.  Mr.  Campbell  is  remembered  as 
an  earnest  and  conscientious  lawyer,  a  man  of  education,  and  a  polished 
gentleman.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1846, 
and  was  elected  lieutenant-governor  in  1858;  and  re-elected  in  i860. 
He  became  Regent  of  the  University  by  appointment  February  2,  1846. 

Samuel  H.  Hammond,  for  a  time  the  law  partner  of  Mr.  Campbell, 
practiced  in  Bath  from  1836  to  1842.  He  was  a  son  of  Lazarus  Ham- 
mond, founder  of  the  village  of  Hammondsport.  Mr.  Hammond  was 
admitted  to  practice  in  1831.  In  1843  he  moved  to  Albany,  but  re- 
turned to  Bath  in  1857  and  became  partner  with  A.  P.  Ferris.  In  1859 
he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate.  In  1864  he  moved  to  Watertown, 
and  died  there  in  1878.  L.  H.  Read,  who  practiced  in  Bath  for  several 
years,  was  a  native  of  Pleasant  Valley,  and  studied  law  with  Edward 
and  William  Howell.  In  1839  he  was  partner  with  Judge  McMaster. 
In  1850  he  was  appointed  chief  justice  of  Utah,  where  he  served  upon 
the  bench,  then  resigned  and  returned  to  Bath,  where  he  soon  after- 
ward died.  William  Howell,  brother  of  Edward  Howell,  practiced  law 
in  Bath  more  than  fifty  years,  and  is  remembered  as  a  man  of  culture 
and    refinement,  and  a  successful   lawyer.     Joseph    G.   Masten   was  the 


220  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

son-in-law  of  Dugald  Cameron,  and  a  lawyer  of  prominence.  He  came 
to  Bath  about  1832,  and  for  a  time  was  partner  with  Mr.  Rogers.  He 
went  to  Buffalo  about  1836,  and  died  there  in  1872.  Washington 
Barnes  was  also  a  pioneer  at  Painted  Post,  whose  election  to  the  county 
judgeship  brought  him  to  Bath  in  i860.  After  his  term  expired  he 
practiced  in  partnership  with  Mr.  McCall.  Alfred  P.  Ferris  was  edu- 
cated in  the  old  Frankhn  Academy  at  Prattsburg,  and  studied  law  with 
Judge  Leland  and  S.  H.  Hammond.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
1843,  and  practiced  at  Bath  until  the  time  of  his  death  in  1888.  Mr. 
Ferris  was  district  attorney  from  1847  to  185  i. 

Guy  H.  McMaster  was  born  in  Bath  in  1829,  and,  like  his  father, 
David  McMaster,  always  felt  a  deep  interest  in  local  annals,  being 
author  of  two  standard  works,  entitled  respectively,  "  Old  Continentals," 
and  "  Pioneer  History  of  Steuben  County."  Mr.  McMaster  was  liber- 
ally educated,  and  was  a  graduate  of  Hamilton  College,  with  the  class 
of  '47.  He  became  a  member  of  the  local  bar  in  1852.  In  1863  he 
was  elected  county  judge  and  surrogate,  and  was  re-elected  in  1867  and 
1877.  In  1883  he  was  elected  surrogate,  that  ofifice  being  then  separate 
from  the  county  judgeship.      He  died  September  13,  1887. 

William  B.  Ruggles  was  born  in  Bath  in  1827,  and  graduated  from 
Hamilton  College  in  1849.  He  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  strongest 
lawyers  in  the  county.  He  was  elected  to  the  assembly  in  1876  and 
'']'],  and  in  the  latter  year  was  appointed  deputy  attorney-general.  On 
March  14,  1883,  Mr.  Ruggles  was  appointed  state  superintendent  of 
public  instruction,  and  also  was  appointed  deputy  superintendent  of 
insurance. 

William  E.  Bonham  read  law  with  Washington  Barnes,  and  for  many 
years  was  a  member  of  the  county  bar.  In  1864  and  '65  he  was  in  the 
Legislature.  Perry  S.  Donahe  came  from  Avoca  to  Bath  in  the  early 
forties.  He  read  law  with  A.  P.  Ferris,  and  after  being  admitted  to 
practice,  was  a  member  of  the  local  bar  until  his  death  in  1879.  He 
held  the  ofifice  of  town  clerk  and  county  treasurer. 

Robert  B.  Van  Valkenburg,  born  in  182 1,  was  for  many  years  a 
prominent  lawyer,  a  valued  and  respected  citizen,  and  also  a  brave 
officer  in  military  service  during  the  war  of  1861-65.  He  read  law  with 
David  Rumsey,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1841,  and  he  afterward 


^^  T^t^Cc 


THE  BENCH  AND  BAR.  221 

married  Mr.  Rumsey's  sister.  He  was  prominently  associated  with 
nearly  every  public  enterprise  in  the  county  ;  was  also  a  leading  poli- 
tician, and  was  in  Congress  in  1861  and  '62.  He  raised  and  commanded 
the  107th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  but  resigned  his  commission  on  account  of  the 
serious  and  fatal  sickness  of  his  wife.  In  1867  our  subject  was  appointed 
minister  to  Japan,  and  in  1872  was  appointed  justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court  in  Florida,  in  which  State  he  died  in  1887. 

Vincent  Matthews  Coryell  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1822,  and  was 
for  a  short  time  partner  with  Judge  Welles.  However,  Mr.  Coryell 
abandoned  the  profession  for  the  clergy.  Anson  Gibbs  practiced  in 
Bath  in  1821-22.  John  Cook  was  another  member  of  the  old  bar,  at 
the  county  seat,  and  was  district  attorney  in  1 82 1.  William  E  Bonham, 
a  native  of  Erwin,  read  law  with  Washington  Barnes  at  Bath  and  be- 
came his  law  partner  later  on.  He  also  practiced  in  Hornellsville,  and 
was  in  the  Legislature  in  1864-65. 

In  mentioning  the  various  members  of  the  old  bar  of  Steuben  county, 
one  other  name  is  suggested  as  specially  worthy  of  notice,  although  still 
in  professfonal  work  to  the  extent  at  least  of  gratifying  his  own  inclina- 
tion and  the  frequent  importunities  of  former  clients.  Ansel  J.  McCall, 
of  whom  a  suitable  biography  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work,  was  a 
native  of  Erwin,  born  January  14,  1816.  He  prepared  for  college  at 
Prattsburg,  entered  Union,  and  was  graduated  in  1838.  He  read  law 
vvith  David  McMaster  and  also  with  Hammond  &  Campbell,  and,  after 
admission  in  1842,  became  law  partner  with  Washington  Barnes;  sub- 
sequently with  A.  P.  Ferris.  In  1843  Mr.  McCall  was  appointed  sur- 
rogate, and  held  office  until  1847.  Notwithstanding  Mr.  McCall's  asso- 
ciation with  the  old  bar  of  the  county,  and  he  remembers  nearly  all  of 
its  members,  the  writer  feels  more  disposed  to  mention  him  as  one  of 
the  present  rather  than  the  old  bar. 

Referring  briefly  to  some  of  the  members  of  the  old  bar  in  towns  out- 
side of  the  county  seat,  mention  may  be  made  of  Charles  H.  Thomson, 
who  came  to  Corning  in  1850  and  read  law  in  the  office  of  George  J, 
Spencer.  He  was  admitted  in  1883,  and  became  partner  to  his  instruc- 
tor. Mr.  Thomson  was  a  good  lawyer  and  an  active  Republican  ;  was 
postmaster  from  1 861  to  1 872;  for  many  years  chairman  of  the  Repub- 
lican county  convention,  also  member  of  the  State  committee. 


222  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

George  T.  Spencer  became  a  member  of  the  county  bar,  and  took  up 
his  residence  in  Corning  in  1841.  He  was  in  the  Legislature  in  1857; 
was  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1867,  and  county- 
judge  from  1872  to  1877.  Other  early  members  of  the  bar  and  in  prac- 
tice in  Corning  were  William  Irvine,  who  came  in  1849.  and  who  was 
elected  to  Congress  in  1858.  He  was  colonel  of  a  cavalry  regiment 
during  the  late  war,  and  was  made  adjutant-general  in  1865.  Joseph 
Herron  was  an  active  lawyer  at  Corning  from  1847  to  1856,  and  was 
district  attorney  two  years,  begining  in  1854.  John  Maynard  came  to 
Corning  about  1850,  and  practiced  until  his  death  in  1865.  He  was 
elected  district  attorney  in  1856.  Henry  G.  Cotton  began  his  law  prac- 
tice at  Centerville  but  soon  moved  to  the  village,  when  he  became  part- 
ner with  Thomas  A.  Johnson.  Later  on  he  moved  to  Illinois.  John 
P.  Shapley  succeeded  to  Judge  Johnson's  practice  when  the  latter  was 
elected  to  the  Supreme  bench  in  1847.  Mr.  Shapley  died  about  1850. 
Henry  Sherwood  lived  and  practiced  law  in  Corning  from  i860  to  1870. 
He  was  in  the  Legislature  in  1862.  He  died  in  1875.  Alvin  F.  Payne 
was  partner  to  Mr.  Sherwood,  and  practiced  in  Corning  from  1863  to 
1868,  when  he  moved  to  New  York.  Charles  H.  Berry  came  to  Corn- 
ing and  began  law  practice  about  1850,  but  five  years  later  went  to 
Minnesota.  C.  N.  Waterman,  who  eventually  became  judge  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  of  Minnesota,  practiced  in  Corning  from  185 1  to  1853, 
being  partner  with  Mr.  Berry.  Isaac  C.  Herridon  became  a  member  of 
the  Corning  bar  about  1855  ;  George  N.  Middlebrook  came  about  1850  ; 
Azariah  Longuell  in  1864;  George  R.  Graves  in  i860.  Other  practic- 
ing attorneys  of  the  same  place,  though  of  later  date,  were  Jacob  H. 
Wolcott,  William  K.  Logic,  A.  Hadden,  E.  B.  Ross,  John  W.  Brown  and 
C.  D.  Baker,  none  of  whose  names  now  appears  on  the  court  calender. 

Andrew  G.  Chatfield  was  one  of  the  first  lawyers  at  Addison  ;  was 
member  of  assembly  four  terms,  1839,  '40,  '41,  and  '46,  and  was  elected 
district  attorney  in  1845.  F.  E.  R.  Cornell  was  also  a  former  lawyer  at 
the  same  village,  and,  like  Mr.  Chatfield,  afterward  removed  to  Minne- 
sota, where  both  became  prominent.  Ferral  C.  Dininny,  John  W. 
Dininny,  and  James  Durkin  are  also  to  be  mentioned  among  the  pioneer 
lawyers  of  Addison. 

In     Hornellsville  one  of  the  earliest  and   most  prominent  members 


THE  BENCH  AND  BAR.  223 

of  the  legal  profession  was  William  M.  Hawley,  a  native  of  Delaware 
county,  born  February  13,  1802.  Mr.  Hawley  acquired  his  legal  edu- 
cation in  the  office  of  George  Miles,  of  Allegany  county,  and  in  1837 
came  to  Hornellsville  to  practice  law.  He  is  remembered  as  a  strong, 
conscientious,  and  perfectly  candid  lawyer;  a  formidable  legal  oppo- 
nent yet  never  boastful  of  his  victories.  In  January,  1846,  Mr.  Hawley 
was  appointed  first  judge  of  Steuben  county,  but  was  succeeded  by 
David  McMaster  in  1847.  In  the  fall  of  this  year  Judge  Hawley  was 
elected  to  the  State  Senate  from  this  county,  and  served  one  year  in 
that  capacity.  Returning  to  Hornellsville  our  subject  resumed  practice 
and  continued  till  about  the  time  of  his  death,  February  9,  1869. 

John  K.  Hale  was  for  more  than  twenty  years  the  leader  of  the  Hor- 
nellsville bar,  and  was,  moreover,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  his  profession 
in  the  western  part  of  the  county.  Mr.  Hale  was  a  native  of  Maine,  a 
typical  down-easter,  it  is  said,  and  was  keen,  bright,  straightforward  and 
reliable.  Coming  to  this  county,  he  located  first  at  Addison,  and  from 
there  came  to  Hornellsville  in  1836.  He  was  State  Senator  in  1856-57, 
but  soon  after  his  term  expired  he  moved  west. 

Thomas  J.  Reynolds  came  to  Hornellsville  in  18 19,  and  if  his  legal 
practice  began  at  that  time,  he  was  the  undoubted  pioneer  ot  the  pro- 
fession in  the  town.  Later  on  he  was  partner  with  Mr.  Hale,  and  after- 
wards with  R.  L.  Brundage.  Mr.  Reynolds  is  remembered  as  a  natural 
rather  than  an  educated  lawyer,  yet  bright,  interesting  and  a  worthy  foe 
in  legal  contest.  With  his  legal  practice  Mr.  Reynolds  engaged  in  lum- 
bering and  succeeded  in  accumulating  a  competency. 

R.  L.  Brundage  became  a  member  of  the  Hornellsville  bar  in  1846. 
He  was  born  in  New  Jersey  and  came  with  his  parents  to  Bath  in  1824, 
thence  moved  to  Greenwood  in  1830.  Mr.  Brundage  read  law  with 
John  K.  Hale,  at  Hornellsville,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1846. 
In  1852  he  was  elected  district  attorney,  and  after  the  expiration  of  his 
term  was  employed  by  the  Erie  Railroad  Company. 

John  Baldwin  was  another  of  the  early  lawyers  of  Hornellsville.  He 
read  law  and  entered  the  legal  profession  in  Livingston  county,  and 
came  to  Hornellsville  in  1835.  ^^  one  time  he  was  partner  with  Will- 
iam M.  Hawley,  but  an  untimely  death  cut  short  a  career  of  usefulness 
and  undoubted  honor  in  the  profession.      Mr.  Baldwin  died  in  1843. 


224  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Harlo  Hakes,  senior  member  of  the  bar  in  Hornellsville,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Delaware  county,  born  September  23,  1823.  His  elementary 
and  legal  education  was  acquired  principally  in  Delaware  county,  yet 
he  finished  his  law  studies  with  Judge  Harris,  of  Albany,  and  also  in  the 
Albany  Law  School.  He  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1853,  and  in  the 
same  year  came  to  Hornellsville,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Among  his 
political  holdings,  the  first  of  note  was  a  term  in  the  Assembly  in  1856 ; 
district  attorney  one  term,  beginning  January  i,  1863  ;  appointment  in 
1867  as  registrar  in  bankruptcy  for  the  29th  congressional  district; 
elected  county  judge  in  1883,  and  again  in  1889,  but  retired  in  1893  by 
reason  of  the  age  limitation.  However,  Judge  Hakes  still  continues  in 
active  practice. 

Horace  Bemis  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  most  popular  lawyers 
of  Hornellsville,  and  who,  outside  of  professional  life,  was  an  active  figure 
in  both  State  and  county  politics.  Mr.  Bemis  was  a  native  of  Vermont 
and  acquired  his  legal  education  in  that  State.  He  was  admitted  to 
practice  in  New  York  State  in  185  i,  and  in  that  year  came  to  Hornells- 
ville. Politically,  Horace  Bemis  was  a  strong  Republican,  and  as  such 
represented  the  third  Steuben  district  in  the  Assembly  in  1863  and 
1865.  In  1868  he  was  presidential  elector  for  this  congressional  dis- 
trict on  the  Republican  ticket. 

James  H.  Stevens,  who  for  several  years  was  the  law  partner  of  Judge 
Hakes,  was  born  in  Dansville  in  1821,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
.1852,  after  a  thorough  general  and  legal  education.  He  came  to  Hor- 
nellsville in  1853. 

Among  the  other  practicing  attorneys  of  Hornellsville,  who  are 
worthy  of  mention  as  formerly  members  of  the  county  bar.  were  Will- 
iam E.  Bonham,  of  the  old  firm  of  Bonham,  Near  &  Piatt,  and  who 
represented  the  third  Steuben  district  in  the  Assembly  in  1864  and  '65  ; 
and  who  also  practiced  for  a  time  in  Bath.  There  was  also  Daniel  L. 
Benton,  who  was  district  attorney  from  1881  to  1884.  There  was  also 
Rodney  Dennis,  strong,  bright,  capable  and  honest,  and  who  served  one 
term  of  county  school  commissioner,  beginning  in  1865.  ^'^  untimely 
death  ended  a  useful  and  interesting  career.  Henry  N.  Piatt  is  also  to 
be  mentioned  in  the  same  connection,  though  he  aoes  not  appear  to 
have  figured  much  outside  of  professional  life. 


/J^J&€^^(f>^ 


THE  BENCH  AND  BAR.  225 

The  Present  Bar. — In  both  personal  character  and  professional  ability 
the  bench  and  bar  of  Steuben  county  always  held  distinction,  and  did 
our  space  permit  the  subject  would  be  entitled  to  more  extended  notice. 
Under  such  limitation,  however,  our  record  will  only  include  personal 
mention  of  the  members  of  the  present  bar  of  the  county ;  in  which  de- 
termination we  are  supported  by  the  profession  in  general,  and  its 
younger  representatives  in  particular,  who  have  yet  to  make  their  life 
records,  and  who  fell  that  extended  mention  belongs  more  appropriately 
to  the  close  of  labor  than  to  its  beginning. 

In  Steuben  county  there  is  a  great  variety  of  business  interests,  and 
hence  there  is  a  fair  prospect  of  success  on  the  part  of  any  energetic 
lawyer  ;  and  while  the  legal  business  ordinarily  centers  at  the  county 
seat,  in  Steuben  the  seat  of  justice  happens  to  be  located  in  a  compara- 
tively small  municipality,  which  offers  less  inducement  to  a  lawyer  than 
either  Corning  or  Hornellsville,  while,  from  a  business  point  of  view, 
Addison,  Canisteo,  Wayland  and  Hammondsport  are  rivals  of  Bath. 

The  lawyers  of  the  county  seat  at  the  present  time  are  M.  Rumsey 
Miller,  Charles  L.  Kingsley,  James  R.  Kingsley,  C.  F.  Kingsley,  John  F. 
Little,  Reuben  R.  Lyon,  Robert  M.  Lyon,  Ansel  J.  McCall,  James 
McCall,  L.  D.  Miller,  Humphrey  McMaster,  W.  H.  Nichols,  J.  F.  Park- 
hurst,  R.  E.  Robie,  Thomas  Shannon,  Clarence  Willis,  Lucius  Waldo, 
Francis  B.  Wood.  In  Addison  the  attorneys  are  H.  D.  Baldwin,  D.  M. 
Darwin  and  H.  W.  Sanford.  The  Adrian  attorney  is  J.  D.  Millard. 
At  Atlanta  are  counsellors  Isaac  N.  Baker  and  F.  B.  Beecher.  In  Avoca 
are  Earle  W.  Bozard  and  A.  M.  Spooner.  In  Bradford  the  resident 
lawyer  is  Albert  J.  Wright.  Emmet  B.  Rose  practices  at  Campbell. 
Canisteo  has  five  attorneys,  A.  H.  Burrell,  A.  M.  Burrell,  A.  W.  Burrell, 
F.  H.  Robinson  (county  judge),  and  Eli  Soule.  The  attorneys  of  Co- 
hocton  are  Samuel  J.  Depew  and  C.  W.  Stanton. 

Lawyers  of  Corning. — Daniel  F.  Brown,  Warren  J.  Cheney,  Edwin  C. 
English,  A.  S.  Kendall,  Wm.  F.  McNamara,  Ellsworth  D.  Mills,  Egbert 
Shoemaker,  George  T.  Spencer,  Wm.  J.  TuUy,  Francis  A.  Williams, 
Leslie  W.  Wellington,  Francis  C.  Williams. 

In    Greenwood    Silas    Kellogg   is   the    only  practicing  lawyer,   while 
Hammondsport  has  three,  Walter  Drew,  James  G.  Sebring  and  Monroe 
Wheeler. 
29 


226  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Hornellsville. — Milo  M.  Acker,  Hiram  A.  Baker,  Charles  E.  Beard, 
Wesley  Brown,  Shirley  E.  Brown,  Wm.  C.  Bingham,  Wm.  S.  Charles, 
Lewis  H.  Clark,  Chas.  J.  Clark,  James  H.  Clancy,  Charles  Conderman, 
Chas.  A.  Dolson,  J.  B.  Finch,  John  M.  Finch,  Adelbert  Ferry,  John  Griffin, 
Harlo  Hakes,  Homer  Holliday,  Miles  W.  Hawley,  Frank  Kelley,  W.  S. 
Newman,  Irvin  W.  Near,  George  N.  Orcutt, Warren  W.  Oxx,  De  Merville 
Page,  Murray  E.  Page,  James  A.  Parsons,  Fay  P.  Rathbun,  James  H. 
Stevens,  jr.,  C.  W.  Stevens,  J.  E.  B.  Santee,  J.  F.  Wetmore.  Elbert  M. 
Worth, 

W.  A.  Dawson  is  in  practice  at  Kanona;  J.  S.  Tobias  at  Painted  Post ; 
James  Flaherty  and  J.  K.  Smith  at  Prattsburg  ;  E.  T.  HoUis  and  P. 
Masten  at  Woodhull,  and  C.  C.  Bill,  W.  W.  Clark  and  Henry  V.  Pratt  at 
Wayland. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE  PRESS. 


It  is  surprising,  when  searching  our  libraries,  to  discover  how  little 
has  been  written  of  the  "Art  preservative  of  all  Arts,"  and  the  educator 
of  all  educators.  While  printing  has  been  the  chronicler  of  all  arts,  profes- 
sions and  learning,  it  has  recorded  so  little  of  its  own  history  as  to  leave 
even  the  story  of  its  first  invention  and  application  wrapped  in  mystery 
and  doubt ;  and  we  only  know  that  from  the  old  "  Ramage  press,"  which 
Faust  and  Franklin  used,  capable  of  producing  only  a  hundred  impres- 
sions per  hour,  we  have  now  the  ponderous  machine  which  turns  out 
one  thousand  printed  papers  per  minute. 

In  glancing  over  the  pages  of  history  we  discover  the  gradual  devel- 
opment in  the  arts  and  sciences;  we  notice  they  go  hand  in  hand  — one 
discovery  points  to  another,  one  Improvement  in  the  arts  leads  to 
others  continually,  and  the  results  of  the  last  few  centuries  show  that 
observations  of  no  apparent  use  led  to  the  most  important  discoveries 
and  developments.  The  falling  of  an  apple  led  Newton  to  imfold  the 
theory  of  gravitation  and  its  relation  to  the  solar  system ;   the  discovery 


THE  PRESS.  227 

of  the  polarity  of  the  loadstone  led  to  the  construction  of  the  mariner's 
compass  ;  the  observation  of  the  muscular  contraction  of  a  frog  led  to 
the  numerous  applications  of  galvanic  electricity ;  the  observation  of 
the  expansive  force  of  steam  led  to  the  construction  and  application  of 
the  steam  engine;  the  observation  of  the  influence  of  light  on  the 
chloride  of  silver  led  to  the  art  of  photography  ;  the  observation  of  the 
communication  of  sound  by  the  connected  rail's  of  a  railroad  led  to  the 
invention  of  the  telephone  ;  the  impressions  cut  in  the  smooth  bark  of 
the  beech  tree  led  to  the  art  of  printing — the  art  which  transmits  to 
posterity  a  record  to  all  that  is  valuable  to  the  world. 

Thus  is  progress  discernible  in  every  successive  generation  of  man. 
Gradually  has  he  advanced  from  a  state  of  barbarism  and  ignorance  to 
a  degree  of  perfection  which  gives  him  almost  absolute  dominion  over 
all  elements,  and  in  the  pride  of  glorious  and  enlightened  manhood  he 
can  exclaim  with  Cowper  : 

I  am  monarch  of  all  I  surv^ey, 
My  right  there  is  none  to  disijute ; 
From  the  center  all  'round  to  the  sea 
I  am  lord  of  the  fowl  and  the  brute. 

The  printing  office  has  well  been  called  the  "  Poor  Boy's  College,"' 
and  has  proven  a  better  school  to  many ;  has  graduated  more  intellect 
and  turned  it  into  useful,  practical  channels,  awakened  more  active,  de- 
voted thought,  than  almost  any  alma  mater.  Many  a  dunce  has  passed 
through  the  universities  with  no  tangible  proof  of  fitness  other  than  his 
insensible  piece  of  parchment,  called  the  "  sheepskin."  There  is  some- 
thing in  the  very  atmosphere  of  the  printing  office  calculated  to  awaken 
the  mind  to  activity  and  inspire  a  thirst  for  knowledge.  Franklin,  Stan- 
hope, Beranger,  Thiers,  Greeley,  Taylor,  and  a  host  of  other  names 
illustrious  in  the  world  of  letters  and  science,  have  been  gems  in  the 
diadem  of  typography,  and  owe  their  success  to  the  influence  of  a  print- 
ing office. 

The  newspaper  has  become  one  of  the  chief  indexes  of  the  intelli- 
gence, civilization  and  progress  of  the  community  in  which  it  is  pub- 
lished, and  its  files  are  the  footprints  of  the  advancement  and  refinement 
of  the  period  of  its  publication  ;  and  the  printing  office  is  now  deemed 
as  essential  as  the  school  house  or  church.      In  a  great  measure  it  has 


228  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

taken  the  place  of  the  rostrum  and  the  professor's  chair,  and  become 
the  great  teacher.  No  party,  organization,  enterprise  or  calling  is  now 
considered  perfect  with  its  "  organ  " — the  newspaper. 

The  history  of  the  press  in  Steuben  county  dates  back  to  the  year 
1796,  the  same  in  which  the  county  itself  was  created  and  organized. 
Charles  Williamson  furnished  the  idea  and  the  means  by  which  the 
Bath  Gazette  and  Genesee  Advertiser  first  proclaimed  the  attractions  of 
the  region  to  the  outside  world,  and  William  Kersey  and  James  Edie 
managed  the  editorial  and  mechanical  departments  of  the  publication. 
However,  this  paper  continued  publication  only  about  four  years,  and 
passed  out  of  existence  about  the  time  Captain  Williamson  closed  his 
relations  with  the  Pulteney  associates. 

The  second  newspaper  of  the  county  seat  was  the  Steuben  and  Alle- 
gany Patriot,  the  first  number  of  which  appeared  in  December,  18 16, 
under  the  control  of  Capt.  Benjamin  Smead.  "  The  Patriot,"  says  Mr. 
Richardson, 1  "  remained  in  the  Smead  family  up  to  April  4,  1849,  when 
it  passed  into  the  hands  of  William  C.  Rhodes,  who  continued  its  pub- 
lication as  the  Steuben  Farmers'  Advocate."  The  office  and  plant  were 
burned  January  30,  1857.  ^^^-  Rhodes  sold  the  good  will  of  the  paper 
to  P.  S.  Donahe,  who,  on  May  31,  1857,  resumed  publication,  Ansel  J. 
McCall  filling  the  editorial  chair.  However,  in  the  summer  of  i860, 
A.  L.  Underhill  became  owner  of  the  Advocate,  and  the  office  and 
paper  were  subjected  to  radical  changes,  resulting  in  a  greatly  improved 
condition.  This  paper  is  still  owned  and  published  by  members  of  the 
Underhill  family,  although  on  the  i6th  of  September,  1895,  it  passed 
into  the  management  of  a  corporate  company,  with  a  capital  of  $10,000. 
The  Advocate  is  one  of  the  truest  exponents  of  Democratic  principles 
in  Steuben  county,  and  is,  as  well,  one  of  its  strongest  papers. 

In  September,  18 19,  the  Western  Republican  made  its  first  appear- 
ance in  Bath,  under  the  editorial  control  of  Erastus  Shepard.  In  No- 
vember, 1822,  the  name  was  changed  to  Steuben  Republican,  but  after 
a  struggling  existence  of  less  than  three  years  (February,  1822)  publi- 
cation was  discontinued. 

1  The  writer  acknowledges  access  to  the  compilations  of  George  W.  Richardson,  of  Bath,  in 
preparing  the  history  of  the  local  press.  Mr.  Richardson  is  regarded  as  undoubted  authority  on 
the  subject,  and  has  corrected  many  errors  made  by  earlier  historians. 


THE  PRESS.  229 

The  next  venture  in  the  journalistic  field  was  the  Steuben  Whig,  a 
campaign  paper  published  in  1828,  by  William  M.  Swaine,  who  after- 
ward published  the  Pliiladelphia  Ledger.  In  the  same  year  David 
Rumsey  issued  the  first  number  of  the  Steuben  Messenger,  but  in  1830 
sold  out  to  S.  M.  Eddy,  and  the  latter,  in  turn,  disposed  of  the  paper 
to  W.  P.  Angel.  He  changed  the  name  to  Constitutionalist,  and  con- 
tinued it  until  1834,  when  Charles  Adams  became  proprietor.  In  1841 
Adams  sold  to  R.  L.  Underbill,  but  still  later  owners  or  persons  inter- 
ested were  M.  F.  Whittemore  &  Co.,  R.  B.  Van  Valkenburgh,  and  George 
B.  Richardson  and  John  Dowe,  the  latter  in  1843.  ^"d  by  whom  the 
name  was  changed  to  Steuben  Democrat.  In  1844  publication  was 
suspended,  but  the  paper  was  revived  in  1848  by  L.  J.  Brush,  who,  in 
1849,  sold  to  George  H.  Bidwell,  and  he  continued  it  till  1852.  Next 
came  the  Primitive  Christian,  a  religious  paper,  edited  by  Rev.  Jabez 
Chadwick  and  printed  by  Richardson  &  Dowe,  and  issued  monthly. 
The  Rose,  a  literary  monthly,  also  made  its  appearance  in  1844.  J.  C. 
Vincent,  editor,  and  Richardson  &  Dowe,  printers.  Mr.  Vincent  en- 
listed as  a  soldier  in  the  Mexican  war,  upon   which   publication  ceased. 

The  present  Steuben  Courier,  the  leading  Republican  organ  of 
Northern  Steuben  county,  had  its  origin  in  a  newspaper  founded  under 
Whig  influences,  and  for  the  special  purpose  of  promoting  the  political 
aspirations  of  Henry  Clay.  For  its  conduct  Henry  H.  Hull  was  called 
to  Bath,  and  he  associated  with  him  M.  F.  Whittemore  of  the  defunct 
Constitutionalist.  After  two  years  Mr.  Whittemore  retired,  and  Mr. 
Hull  conducted  the  paper  alone  until  1856,  when  Charles  G.  Fairman 
took  an  interest  and  remained  nine  months.  In  1854,  when  the  Re- 
publican party  was  organized,  the  Courier  advocated  its  principles  and 
became  its  chief  organ  in  the  county.  This  standing  it  has  ever  since 
maintained,  although  frequent  changes  in  ownership  have  been  made 
during  its  subsequent  history.  However,  in  1890,  the  Courier  Com- 
pany, Limited,  was  formed  and  has  since  owned  and  conducted  the 
paper,  employing  a  competent  editor  and  a  full  corps  of  assistants. 

In  1854,  Jennie  and  Caroline  Rumsey  founded  and  edited  the  Tem- 
perance Gem,  procuring  the  assistance  of  the  Advocate  office  in  com- 
position and  press  work.  This  paper  was  afterward  moved  to  Elmira. 
About  two  years  afterward,  on  January  i,  1856,  the  Steuben  American 


230  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

was  issued  by  A.  L.  Underbill.  P.  S.  Donahe  became  its  owner  in 
1857  and  merged  the  paper  in  the  Farmers'  Advocate.  The  Saturday 
News  was  established  by  Enos  \y.  Barnes,  who  issued  the  first  number 
April  25,  1868.  It  lived  less  than  six  months.  The  Tri-weekly  Con- 
servative made  its  first  appearance  in  August,  1868,  under  the  editorial 
management  of  Charles  Clute.  It  was  a  spicy  little  sheet,  yet  short 
lived,  about  equal  to  its  cotemporary,  the  News.  The  Bath  Echo  was 
the  undertaking  of  Clute  &  McCall,  and  was  published  four  or  five 
months  during  the  year  1874.  The  same  may  also  be  said  of  the  Bath 
Sunday  News,  which  was  published  about  six  months,  of  the  year  1881, 
by  L.  R.  Smith  &  Co.,  the  editor  being  A.  Ellas  McCall. 

The  Bath  Plaindealer,  recognized  to-day  as  one  of  the  best  weekly 
family  newspapers  published  in  Steuben  county,  was  founded  in  1883, 
the  first  number  being  issued  May  5.  Its  owners  were  A.  Ellas  Mc- 
Call, Orson  L.  Drew  and  William  Black.  The  Plaindealer  soon  found 
its  way  into  popular  favor,  yet  it  never  courted  notoriety  in  any  respect. 
It  is  conservatively  yet  liberally  conducted  and  has  a  large  circulation. 
Of  the  original  firm.  Drew  and  Black  both  withdrew  in  1884,  since 
which  time  Mr.  McCall  has  been  sole  proprietor. 

The  Savona  Review,  a  bright,  interesting  and  newsy  weekly  paper 
published  at  Savona  by  T.  C.  Wall  was  established  in  1888  (May  19) 
by  S   L.  Ward,  and  then  known  as  the  Savona  Rustler. 

Having  referred  at  some  length  to  the  newspapers,  past  and  present, 
of  the  county  town,  we  may  with  propriety  mention  those  which  have 
had  an  existence  in  the  other  towns  of  the  county.  In  the  village  and 
town  of  Addison  are  two  good  representative  newspaper  publications, 
known  respectively,  as  the  Advertiser  and  the  Record,  advocates  of  the 
two  great  political  parties  of  the  nation,  and  withal  interesting  and  in- 
structive family  journals.  In  March,  1858,  after  several  previous  ineffec- 
tual attempts,  the  Addison  Advertiser  was  brought  into  permanent  ex- 
istence, and  while  it  freely  discussed  all  political  questions,  it  did  so 
from  a  distinctly  independent  standpoint.  However,  before  a  year  had 
passed  the  paper  became  as  earnestly  Democratic  as  it  was  previously 
independent  During  the  war  the  Advertiser  was  perfectly  loyal,  and 
so  zealous  was  it  in  support  of  the  administration  that  it  became  essen- 
tially Republican.      In  1872  it  favored  the  Greeley  movement,  and  four 


THE  PRESS.  231 

years  later  supported  Tilden.  Again,  in  i88i,  it  returned  to  the  Re- 
publican fold  under  the  management  of  Amos  Roberts,  its  present 
owner.  Many  indeed  have  been  the  changes  in  ownership  of  the  Ad- 
vertiser, and  we  may  note  them  about  as  follows  :  Henry  M.  Johnson, 
founder,  assisted  by  Col.  Henry  Baldwin  ;  Johnson,  Dow  &  Bates,  July, 
1865,  to  January  i,  1866;  Johnson  &  Roberts;  George  H.  HoUis,  Jan- 
uary 30,  1873;  Amos  Roberts,  1881.  The  Addison  Record  was 
founded  December  3,  1 881,  by  O.  B.  Ireland,  who  was  succeeded  by 
F.  B.  Orser  and  George  Jones,  and  the  latter  in  turn  by  M.  Kinne.  On 
the  iith  of  June,  1886,  C.  B.  Mowers,  the  present  owner,  purchased 
and  has  since  conducted  the  paper;  and  has  made  it  the  organ  of  the 
Democratic  party  in  this  part  of  the  county. 

On  the  17th  day  of  May,  1879,  W.  T.  Coggswell  issued  the  first 
number  of  the  Avoca  Advance,  the  first  and  only  newspaper  published 
in  the  town.  It  has  continued  to  the  present  time  and  always  received 
a  fair  share  of  the  public  patronage.  Its  successive  owners  have  been 
W.  T.  Coggeshall,  Martin  A.  Hoadley,  Alvin  Wood,  Fred  C.  Dean, 
Coggeshall  &  Silsbee,  and  George  C.  Silsbee,  the  latter  becoming  sole 
owner  in  March,  1888. 

The  Canisteo  Times  was  established  January  25,  1877,  ^^  the  enter- 
prising village  of  Canisteo  by  S.  H.  Jennings,  and  almost  at  once  met 
with  popular  favor  and  generous  support.  On  April  I,  1886,  the  plant 
was  sold  to  F.  B.  Smith,  who  in  turn  disposed  of  it  Frank  A.  Fay,  the 
present  editor  and  publisher. 

The  Canisteo  Tidings  was  originally  a  paper  of  Troupsburg,  estab- 
lished in  1890,  as  Farmers'  Weekly,  by  Elmer  E.  Reynolds.  The 
paper  was  removed  to  Canisteo  in  1894.  Potter,  Mulhollen  &  Co. 
were  former  proprietors,  but  it  is  now  owned  and  successfully  managed  by 
James  N.  Osincup  and   Clarence  C.  Proctor. 

Away  back  in  1859  William  Waite  Warner  started  a  little  paper  in 
Cohocton,  the  first  venture  of  its  kind  in  the  town.  It  was  called  the 
Cohocton  Journal,  and  was  a  good  though  short  lived  paper.  No 
further  attempt  at  starting  a  paper  was  made  until  1872,  when  H.  B. 
Newell  brought  the  Cohocton  Herald,  but  he  soon  sold  out  to  James 
C.  Hewitt  and  the  latter  changed  the  name  of  the  paper  to  Cohocton 
Tribune.     The   next  owner    was   William   A.   Carpenter   (in    1875)   by 


232  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

whom  the  name  was  changed  to  Cohocton  Valley  Times,  as  now  known. 
In  1878  Edward  A.  Higgins  became  owner,  and  was,  in  November, 
1889,  succeeded  by  S.  D.  Shattuck.  The  Times,  under  the  careful  and 
energetic  management  of  editor  Shattuck,  is  known  as  one  of  the  best 
and  most  widely  circulating  weekly  papers  in  the  upper  Conhocton 
region,  and  is  in  all  respects  an  interesting  family  newspaper. 

The  Cohocton  Index  was  moved  to  Cohocton  village  from  Atlanta  in 
1893,  but  previous  to  that  time  had  been  published  in  the  latter  village 
under  the  name  of  Atlanta  News.  Hyatt  C.  Hatch  was  its  founder  and 
owner  until  1892,  when  the  present  management  was  established.  V. 
L.  and  R.  M.  Tripp  are  competent  newspaper  men,  and  under  their 
united  efforts  the  Index  has  taken  a  favorable  position  among  the  weekly 
publications  of  the  county. 

The  Corning  and  Blossburg  Advocate  was  the  first  venture  in  jour- 
nalism in  Corning,  and  was  established  in  1840,  soon  after  the  opera- 
tions of  the  "  Corning  Company  "  had  become  an  assured  success. 
However,  the  Advocate  had  but  a  brief  life  in  this  locality,  as  in  1841 
it  passed  into  the  hands  of  Henry  H.  Hull,  and  by  him  was  united  with 
the  Steuben  Courier,  a  newspaper  of  the  county  seat. 

After  the  removal  of  the  Advocate  to  Bath,  in  1843,  there  was  no 
newspaper  published  in  Corning  until  1847,  when  Thomas  Messenger 
founded  the  Corning  Journal,  a  paper  which  has  been  in  continuous  and 
active  existence  from  that  until  the  present  time,  and  one  which, 
throughout  the  long  period  of  its  history,  has  recorded  as  many  public 
changes  and  events,  and  yet  has  experienced  as  few  in  its  own  man- 
agement and  personnel,  as  any  paper  in  the  southern  tier.  Further- 
more, the  Journal  has  been  productive  of  as  much  good  to  every  worthy 
interest  as  any  newspaper  of  the  region,  and  has  ever  been  devoted  to 
the  advocacy  of  purity  in  home  and  public  life.  In  July,  185  i,  A.  W. 
McDowell  and  Dr.  George  W.  Pratt  purchased  the  Journal,  and  since 
April,  1853,  the  person  last  mentioned  has  had  sole  and  almost  con- 
stant charge  of  its  conduct  and  management,  and  being  practically  re- 
lieved only  within  the  present  year.  This  experience  and  record  in 
journalism  has  few  equals;  and  to-day  the  newspaper  guide  and  direc- 
tory retains  the  old  pioneer  name — "  Corning  Journal,  George  W.  Pratt, 
editor  and  publisher."     The  daily  edition  of  the  Journal  was  begun  in 


GEORGE  W.   PRATT. 


THE  PRESS.  233 

1891.  From  July,  1869,10  November.  1874,  T.  S.  De  Wolf  was  inter- 
ested in  the  paper,  and  Harry  H.  Pratt  soon  afterward  became  associ- 
ate editor.  The  Journal,  in  both  daily  and  weekly  editions,  is  a  Re- 
publican paper,  representing  and  advocating  true  party  principles;  and 
is  the  recognized  organ  of  the  party  in  the  county  and  State. 

The  Corning  Democrat  has  its  origin  in  the  Corning  Semi-Weekly 
Sun,  a  paper  established  and  published  by  M.  M.  Pomeroy  and  P.  C. 
Van  Gelder,  beginning  in  1853.  Mr.  Pomeroy,  both  in  Corning  and 
elsewhere,  became  a  noted  writer,  and  was  for  many  years  famih'arly 
known  as  "Brick"  Pomeroy.  However,  in  1854  the  Sun  passed  into 
the  hands  of  Rev.  Ira  Brown,  who  published  it  weekly  as  The  Southern 
Tier  Farmer.  At  later  periods  the  paper  was  managed  by  C.  T.  Huson 
and  Frank  B.  Brown,  as  partners,  under  whom  the  name  Corning  Dem- 
ocrat was  adopted.  From  November,  1859,  to  June,  1885,  the  paper 
was  owned  by  Mr.  Brown,  but  since  that  time  the  firm  name  of  F.  B. 
Brown  &  Son  as  appeared  as  editors  and  publishers.  The  daily  edition 
of  the  Democrat  was  first  published  in  1884.  Both  daily  and  weekly 
editions  are  Democratic  in  politics,  emphatic,  perhaps,  in  utterances,  yet 
consistent  and  representing  the  best  interests  of  the  party  in  county, 
State  and  Nation. 

The  Corning  Independent  made  its  appearance  in  local  journalism  in 
Corning  in  December,  1874,  under  control  of  P.  S.  De  Wolf,  but  in  1876 
was  sold  to  Dr.  A.  J.  Ingersoll  who  continued  it  as  a  Greenback  paper, 
though  under  the  editorial  management  of  Uri  Mulford.  The  paper 
•suspended  publication  in  1879. 

The  Evening  Chronicle,  a  daily  newspaper,  independent  in  politics, 
was  started  in  Corning  on  May  4,  1891,  by  Edward  Mott,  and  enjoyed 
a  brief  season  of  public  attention, 

Among  the  other  temporary  newspapers  of  the  vicinity  of  Corning, 
we  may  mention  the  Painted  Post  Gazette,  established  in  1846,  by  Mr. 
Fairchild  and  continued  a  few  months.  The  Painted  Post  Herald  was 
founded  by  Ransom  Bennett  and  B.  M.  Hawley  in  1848,  and  continued 
a  single  year.  The  Painted  Post  Times  was  begun  in  October,  1870, 
by  Wm.  C.  Bronson,  H.  C.  Higman  and  S.  H.  Ferenbaugh,  and  was 
continued  with  indifferent  success  until  1877. 

The  first  attempt  to  start  a  newspaper  in  Hornellsville  was  successful, 
30 


234  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

and  the  paper  then  founded  has  been  in  continuous  and  successful  ope- 
ration to  the  present  time.  On  the  3d  of  November,  185 1,  Edwin 
Hough  estabhshed  the  Hornellsville  Tribune,  and  it  was,  as  Mr.  Tuttle 
says  "  the  faithful  chronicler  of  the  progress  of  the  vicinity.  At  first  an 
independent  paper,  it  became  Democratic  for  about  two  years,  but  es- 
poused the  Republican  cause  with  the  organization  of  that  party  and 
remained  so  until  its  sale  in  1869  to  D.  R.  Shafer."  '  From  that  until 
the  present  time  the  Tribune  has  been  Democratic  in  politics,  firm  and 
undoubted  in  its  utterances,  yet  consistent  throughout,  and  to-day  the 
paper,  both  daily  and  weekly,  is  regarded  as  the  organ  of  the  party 
in  the  county,  and  one  of  its  strongest  exponents  in  the  southern 
tier.  Says  Mr.  Tuttle:  "The Tribune  has  been  published,  successively, 
by  Edwin  Hough,  Hough  &  Kinney,  Hough  &  Baker,  E.  Hough  & 
Son,  Hough  &  Beecher,  E.  H.  Hough,  D.  R.  Shafer,  Greenhow  &  Son, 
and  W.  H.  Greenhow,  he  now  being  sole  owner  and  publisher."  In 
1870  John  and  W.  H.  Greenhow  purchased  the  paper,  and  in  1880  the 
first  mentioned  sold  his  interest  to  Charles  F.  Peck.  W.  H.  Greenhow 
became  owner  of  the  Tribune  in  December,  1884.  The  daily  edition  of 
the  Tribune  was  first  issued  February  4,  1878,  as  an  afternoon  paper. 

The  National  American  was  established  February  13,  1856,  by  D.  C. 
Pruner  and  C.  M.  Harmon,  but  in  September,  1858,  passed  into  the 
hands  of  Charles  A.  Kinney  who  changed  its  name  to  The  Canisteo 
Valley  Journal.  Three  years  later,  January,  1861,  the  paper  was  sold 
to  R.  S.  Lewis,  and  he  made  it  Republican  in  politics.  However,  in 
1862  its  publication  was  discontinued. 

The  Democratic  Vidette  was  formed  by  Burdick  Bros.,  September 
28,1 865,  and  was  thereafter  published  successively  by  Burdick  &  Cooper, 
John  M.  Riley  &  Co.,  A.  J.  Riley  &  Co.,  and  William  H  Baldwin. 
The  owner  last  mentioned,  who  was  a  writer  of  more  than  ordinary 
force  and  ability,  sold  the  paper  to  Thacher  &  Tuttle,  who  changed  its 
name  to  The  Canisteo  Valley  Times,  and  made  it  Republican  in  politics 
from  January  10,  1867.  Concerning  its  subsequent  history,  Mr.  Tuttle 
says,  "  Others  connected  vi^ith  the  editorial  management  of  the  Times 
were  Johnson  Brigham,  H,  S.  Tomer,  and  John  W.  Mack."  Following 
the  retirement  of  Mr.  Thacher,  in  1877,  the  Times  has  been  published, 
in  turn,  by  R.  M.  Tuttle,  Tuttle  &  Brigham,  Johnson  Brigham,  Tomer, 


R.  M.   TUTTLE. 


THE  PRESS.  235 

Dolson  &  Jackman,  Dolson  &  Mack,  J.  S.  Dolson,  and  the  Times  As- 
sociation, the  latter  now  owners  and  pubhshers,  with  Russell  M.  Tuttle 
as  editor,  and  A.  H.  Bunnell  as  business  manager."  The  Times  is  the 
organ  of  the  Republican  party  of  the  county  at  large,  and  not  of  any 
faction  of  the  party  ;  holding  firmly  to  Republican  principles  and  not 
easily  swayed  by  party  prejudices  and  contentions.  In  all  departments 
the  paper,  in  both  editions,  is  well  edited  anii  managed,  and  is  received 
favorably  throughout  the  southern  tier.  The  daily  edition  began  with 
the  Daily  News,  published  first  by  Benzinger  &  Osincup,  Octo- 
ber 22,  1877.  Tuttle  &  Brigham  purchased  it  February  25,  1878,  en- 
larged and  materially  improved  it,  and  changed  the  name  to  Daily 
Times.  Originally  this  was  an  evening  daily,  but  became  a  morning 
paper  in  September,  1883. 

The  Saturday  Herald,  one  of  Hornellsville's  best  weekly  newspapers, 
had  its  origin  in  an  advertising  sheet  issued  by  several  prominent  mer- 
chants of  the  then  village,  conspicuous  among  whom  was  M.  A.  Tuttle. 
The  paper  was  called  the  Economist,  and  was  published  every  week  for 
about  a  year,  being  then  purchased  by  Graham  &  Dawson  and  changed 
n  name  at  least,  to  the  Hornellsville  Herald.  It  soon  espoused  the 
cause  of  Prohibition  and  was  ably  edited  by  Mr.  Graham.  However, 
in  1876,  E.  H.  Hough  purchased  the  paper,  who,  with  his  son,  under 
the  style  of  Herald  Publishing  Company,  now  conduct  it.  The  change 
in  name  to  Saturday  Herald  was  made  in  March,  1893. 

The  Reveille,  a  paper  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  Greenback  party, 
began  publication  in  Hornellsville  on  January  19,  1878,  under  the  man- 
agement of  J.  Willett  Smith,  the  press  work,  however,  being  done  in 
the  Tribune  ofiice.  After  two  weeks  James  D.  Adams  bought  the 
Reveille,  brought  a  printing  equipment  from  Andover,  and  continued 
the  paper  under  the  name  of  the  Greenback  Champion  for  a  year  when 
publication  was  suspended.  Soon  afterward  Daniel  Healey  purchased 
the  material  and  produced  the  Invincible,  and  the  latter  gave  way  in 
June,  1 88 1,  to  The  Daily  Independent,  an  evening  paper  under  the 
management  of  Tolan  Bros.  &  Shattuck.  It  suspended  December  25, 
1881. 

The  Steuben  Signal,  a  Prohibition  newspaper,  was  established  April 
4,  1883.  under  the  direction  the  "Signal  Publishing  Company,"  and 
was  published  five  years  before  suspension. 


236  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

The  Era,  a  Labor  party  paper,  was  established  in  1887,  by  S.  H. 
Jennings,  and  continued  one  year. 

The  Daily  Press,  another  and  in  fact  the  last  new  venture  in  Horn- 
ellsville  journalism,  was  established  March  9,  1889,  by  the  Press  Pub- 
lishing Company,  consisting  of  John  Tolan  and  Leon  Hough.  The 
paper  was  printed  on  the  Herald  press.  In  February,  1890,  Mr.  Tolan 
purchased  a  printing  outfit  and  continued  the  Press  as  sole  proprietor. 
It  was  an  independent  eveningpaper,  and  remained  in  existence,  though 
with  many  vicissitudes,  until  1894  when  publication  ceased. 

The  Prattsburgh  News,  a  bright,  lively  and  interesting  weekly  news- 
paper published  by  P.  C.  Howe's  Sons,  was  established  December  12, 
1872,  by  P.  C.  Howe  &  Sons,  and  was  successor  to  the  still  older  local 
paper  known  as  the  Prattsburgh  Advertiser,  which  Caleb  B.  Hoke 
founded  several  years  before.  The  News  is  an  excellent  family  paper, 
devoted  especially  to  the  interests  of  the  north  part  of  the  county.  Its 
directory  feature  is  valuable,  while  its  market  reports  give  it  a  large  and 
deserved  circulation. 

The  Hammondsport  Herald  was  established  May  i,  1874,  by  Mrs. 
Benjamin  Bennitt  and  Mrs.  E.  B.  Fairchild,  ladies  well  known  in  local 
literary  circles,  and  both  interested  in  the  welfare  of  the  Pleasant  Valley 
region.  After  a  year  of  successful  management  Mrs.  Bennitt  retired 
from  the  paper,  and  at  the  end  of  another  year  (in  December,  1876,) 
Llewelyn  H.  Brown  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  Herald.  In  1876  Mr. 
Brown  became  and  has  since  been  sole  owner  and  publisher  of  the 
paper.  It  is  issued  weekly  and  is  an  independent  family  journal,  enjoy- 
ing a  good  circulation  and  advertising  patronage. 

The  Union  Advertiser,  published  at  Wayland  by  H.  B.  Newell,  was 
established  in  the  fall  of  1863  by  its  present  proprietor,  although  for  a 
time  the  paper  was  owned  by  Newell  Brothers.  It  is  an  independent 
family  newspaper,  devoted  to  general  news  and  a  thorough  representa- 
tion of  Wayland  interests. 

The  Wayland  Register  made  its  initial  appearance  in  Wayland  village 
on  the  1st  of  May,  1889,  under  the  editorial  management  of  C.  F.  Dean. 
This,  too,  has  been  a  successful  venture  in  local  affairs  and  received 
generous  support.      It  is  now  edited  and  published  by  Bert  Goodno. 

The  Southern  Steuben  Republican  was  founded  in  1879  by  R.  C.  Park 


iM9('^A..... 


■'^ff!>!,J<,„us  RMice  i  So.ts.Pf-U^ 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION.  237 

under  the  name  of  Steuben  Sentinel,  having  its  office  at  Troupsburg, 
but  in  1880  removed  to  Woodhull.  It  was  formerly  an  independent 
paper,  but  now,  as  the  name  implies,  advocates   Republican   principles. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 
THE    MEDICAL    PROFESSION. 

The  medical  profession  of  Steuben  county  has  preserved  but  little  of 
its  history,  and  while  there  are  a  few  meagre  records  by  which  we 
may  learn  the  proceedings  and  membership  of  the  medical  societies 
that  have  been  formed,  there  are  no  data  upon  which  can  be  based  a 
history  of  the  development  of  the  profession.  The  great  advance  in  all 
branches  of  art  and  science  during  the  last  century  has  indeed  been 
marvelous,  but  in  none  has  there  been  greater  progress  than  in  medi- 
cine and  surgery. 

This  science  which  now  sheds  its  light  throughout  the  civilized  world 
began  with  Hippocrates  nearly  twenty-three  hundred  years  ago,  and  he 
first  treated  of  medicine  with  the  simplest  remedies,  relying  chiefly  on 
the  healing  power  of  nature.  He  wrote  extensively,  and  many  of  his 
works  were  translated  and  served  as  a  foundation  for  succeeding  litera- 
ture of  the  profession.  The  greatest  advance  in  medical  science,  how- 
ever, has  been  made  during  the  last  one  hundred  years,  and  chiefly  dur- 
ing the  last  half  century. 

Evolution  and  development  are  the  watchwords  of  the  nineteenth 
century,  and  it  is  no  longer  universally  believed  that  this  world  was 
created  by  supernatural  power,  for  many  of  our  deepest  thinkers,  men 
of  the  most  profound  understanding,  believe.it  has  been  gradually  un- 
folded by  the  action  of  natural  causes.  But,  not  wishing  to  be  accused 
of  heresy,  it  may  be  stated  that  whether  the  theory  be  according  to 
Darwin,  or  Haekel,  or  Spencer,  or  some  other  philosopher,  the  law  will 
be  the  same  in  any  case,  and  away  back,  behind  "  protoplasm,"  "  germ- 
inal matter  "  and  "  cellular  germ,"  there  still  exists  abundant  proof  of  a 
"first  great  cause,"  of  an  "infinite  wisdom,"  for  the  depth  of  which  Ian- 


238  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

guage  hath  not  expression.  A  flood  of  light  on  this  question  is  now 
pouring  forth  upon  the  world,  but  its  acceptation  as  a  convincing  truth 
rests  with  the  individual.  Physiologists  no  longer  believe  with  the 
practitioners  of  the  sixteenth  century  that  the  plants  have  a  direct  and 
controlling  action  on  the  body,  the  sun  upon  the  heart,  or  the  moon 
upon  the  brain ;  nor  do  they  now  believe  that  the  vital  spirits  are  pre- 
pared in  the  brain  by  distillation.  On  the  contrary,  modern  physiology 
teaches  that  the  phenomena  of  the  living  body  are  the  results  of  physi- 
cal and  chemical  changes ;  the  temperature  of  the  blood  is  now  ascer- 
tained by  the  thermometer,  and  the  different  fluids  and  gases  of  the 
body  are  analyzed  by  the  chemists,  giving  to  each  its  own  properties 
and  functions. 

There  are  now  known  to  botanists  more  than  160,000  plants,  of  which 
a  large  proportion  are  constantly  being  added  to  the  already  appalling 
list  of  new  remedies.  Few  of  these  drugs  possess  little,  if  any  virtue, 
except  as  their  sale  adds  to  the  profits  of  the  dealer.  The  ancients 
were  not  so  well  supplied  with  drugs,  and  hence  resorted  to  other  meth- 
ods. It  was  a  custom  among  the  Babylonians  to  expose  the  sick  to  the 
view  of  passers-by  in  order  to  learn  of  them  whether  they  had  been 
afflicted  with  a  like  distemper  and  by  what  remedies  they  had  been 
cured.  It  was  also  a  custom  of  those  days  for  all  persons  who  had  been 
sick  to  put  up  a  tablet  in  the  temple  of  Esculapius,  whereon  they  gave 
an  account  of  the  remedies  by  which  they  had  been  restored.  Prior  to 
Hippocrates  all  medicines  were  in  the  hands  of  the  priests,  and  were 
associated  with  numerous  superstitions,  such  as  charms,  amulets,  incan- 
tations, sympathetic  ointments,  and  the  like.  And  we  may  here  add 
that  all  this  credulous  superstition  of  early  ages,  born  of  ignorance,  has 
not  been  fully  wiped  out  by  the  advanced  education  of  the  present  day. 
One  of  the  latest  appeals  to  the  credulity  of  the  masses  is  the  so-called 
"  Christian  Science,"  and  also  "  Faith  Cure,"  but  so  long  as  filth  brings 
fever  prayer  will  not  interpose,  and  the  persons  seeking  to  popularize 
this  means  of  cure  are  either  deceived  themselves  or  are  deceiving 
others. 

It  is  not  our  purpose,  however,  to  treat  of  ancient  or  more  modern 
medical  history,  and  though  a  review  of  the  progress  in  this  science, 
from  the  time  of  Greek  or  Roman  medical  mythology,  would  be  inter- 


C.  S.  PARKHILL. 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION.  239 

esting  and  instructive,  it  is  hardly  pertinent  to  the  medical  history  of 
Steuben  county,  and  our  introductory  observations  are  merely  to  sug- 
gest to  the  reader  the  difference  betwen  the  ancient  and  modern  means 
of  healing. 

Previous  to  the  present  century  the  State  of  New  York,  unlike  Penn- 
sylvania and  New  England,  had  done  very  little  to  encourage  science, 
and  there  were  no  schools  of  medicine  worthy  of  the  name  nearer  than 
Boston  or  Philadelphia.  Few  young  men  could  then  afford  to  go  so  far 
to  qualify  themselves  for  a  profession  which  offered  but  little  pecuniary 
inducement,  hence  the  prevailing  custom  was  for  the  medical  aspirant 
to  enter  the  office  of  some  neighboring  physician  and  read  for  two  or 
three  years,  at  the  same  time  accompanying  his  tutor  in  hi^  professional 
visits  and  learn  his  methods  of  practice.  At  the  end  of  the  term  the 
young  doctor  would  seek  some  promising  field  and  begin  practice. 

The  legislation  which  then  regulated  the  practice  of  physicians  was 
so  defective  as  to  be  really  worthless.  In  I006,  however,  an  act  was 
passed  repealing  all  former  laws  in  reference  to  the  profession  and  at 
the  same  time  authorizing  a  general  State  Medical  Society,  and  also 
county   societies 

Under  the  provisions  of  this  law  a  medical  society  was  organized  in 
Steuben  county,  but  at  what  precise  date  we  are  unable  to  determine, 
as  the  earliest  records  are  not  to  be  found.  It  is  confidently  believed, 
however,  that  the  society  was  formed  about  the  year  18 15,  though  this 
belief  is  founded  almost  wholly  on  tradition. 

Among  the  earlier  members,  previous  to  1820,  may  be  mentioned 
John  D.  Higgins,  Willis  F.  Clark,  Warren  Patchin,  Samuel  Gorton, 
James  Faulkner,  Enos  Barnes,  John  Warner,  James  Warden,  Andrew 
Kingsbury,  John  P.  Kennedy,  Daniel  Gilbert,  Jacob  Chatterton,  Lyman 
N.  Cook,  Philo  Andrews,  Walter  Wolcott,  Thomas  M.  Brown,  Noah 
Niles,  Samuel  Southworth,  Simeon  H.  Goss  and  Joel  Luther.  The  later 
members,  yet  all  previous  to  1830,  were  Robert  F.  Ho3^t,  Jonathan 
Lockwood,  Samuel  Scofield,  Silas  B.  Hibbard.  James  Cutler,  George  W. 
Turner,  Gustavus  A.  Rogers,  Samuel  B.  Chidsey,  Isaac  L.  Kidder,  Milo 
Hurd,  Levi  S.  Goodrich,  David  L.  Wicks,  Daniel  H.  Orcutt,  M.  C.  Kel- 
logg, E.  R.  Pulling,  Israel  Chissom,  Isaac  Wixom,  T.  E.  Ganesvoort, 
J.  L.  Livermore,   F.  E.  Bateman,  William  Hunter,   Samuel   Olin,   Levi 


240  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Fay,  David  Hotchkiss,  Nathaniel  Sheldon,  Manning  Kelly,  Zenas  S. 
Jackson,  Sampson  Stoddard,  Winthrop  E.  Booth  and  David  Ward,  the 
latter  being  admitted  to  membership  in  the  society  in  1830. 

The  Steuben  County  Medical  Society,  in  its  early  history,  is  remem- 
bered as  having  been  an  exceeding  prosperous  organization,  and  was  at 
one  time  vested  by  law  with  seemingly  extraordinary  powers  in  the 
matter  of  receiving  members,  licensing  practitioners  and  dismissing 
recalcitrants.  It  also  had  the  power  to  establish  fees  and  regulate, 
arbitrarily  at  times,  the  conduct  of  physicians  and  compel  membership 
and  obedience  to  its  rules.  Yet,  during  the  long  period  of  its  existence, 
the  society  passed  through  many  vicissitudes  and  has  been  threatened 
with  complete  disintegration,  but  an  organization  has  ever  been  main- 
tained, and  now  its  affairs  are  in  a  healthful  condition  (emblematic,  per- 
haps, of  the  professional  object  of  its  members).  However,  even  for  the 
purposes  of  this  record,  the  writer  is  embarrassed  in  not  having  access 
to  the  secretary's  books,  and  is  compelled  to  obtain  the  appended  list 
of  members  from  the  published  reports  of  the  State  Medical  Society. 

The  officers  for  the  year  1895  ^^^  ^^  follows:  President,  Burtis  R. 
Wakeman,  Hornellsville ;  vice-president,  Willis  S.  Cobb,  Corning;  sec- 
retary and  treasurer,  Chester  K.  Stewart,  Bath. 

Members. — H.  R.  Ainsworth,  Addison  ;  M.  L.  Allen,  Hammonds- 
port;  A.  A.  Aldrich,  Addison;  Eli  Allison,  Wayne;  Henry  A.  Argue, 
Corning;  M.  T.  Babcock,  Hammondsport ;  J.  A.  Bennett,  Prattsburg  ; 
H.  M.  Bourne,  Corning;  C.  M.  Brasted,  Horrnellsville ;  T.  O.  Bur- 
lison,  Bath;  Franklin  Burr,  Corning;  George  Conderman,  Hornells- 
ville; Amelia  A.  Christie,  Hornellsville;  Willis  S.  Cobb,  Corning; 
D.  F.  Cridler,  Hornellsville  ;  A.  H  Cruttenden,  Bath  ;  Mrs.  A.  A.  Dol- 
son,  Hornellsville ;  J.  S.  Dolson,  Hornellsville ;  Lewis  Fitzsimmons, 
South  Pulteney;  T.  B.  Fowler,  Cohocton ;  F.  S.Gallagher,  Naples; 
A.  L.  Gilbert,  North  Cohocton;  H,  Gilbert,  Hornellsville;  H.  S.  Gil- 
lett,  Savona;  I.  L.  Goff;  Cohocton;  W.  T.  Green,  Hornellsville;  W. 
W.  Green,  Prattsburg;  Joseph  Hoare,  Corning;  G.  C.  Hubbard,  Hor- 
nellsville ;  John  S.  Hubbs,  Hammondsport ;  M.  B.  Hubbs,  Addison ; 
C.  O.  Jackson,  Cameron;  Ambrose  Kasson,  Bath;  R.  R.  Kelly,  Hor- 
nellsville; Arthur  Kendall,  Corning;  George  W.  Lane,  Corning ;  H. 
G.  Mace,  Wallace;  Thomas  F,  McNamara,  Hornellsville;  J.  D.  Mitch- 


■  ;^li^ 

>"    '•>l 


4# 


.^^^  ^  ^^  ^/i^t^ 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION.  241 

ell,  Hornellsville;  H.  B.  Nichols,  Pulteney;  S.  B.  H.  Nichols,  Corning; 
W.  E.  Palmer,  Hornellsville  ;  C.  S.  Parkhill,  Hornellsville  ;  Myron  H. 
Parkhill,  Howard ;  R  F.  Parkhill,  Howard ;  C.  Patterson,  Avoca ; 
Thomas  H.  Pawling,  Bath;  M.  M.  Perry,  Troupsburg ;  Charles  R. 
Phillips,  Corning;  Benjamin  Pickett,  Canisteo ;  A.  D.  Robbins, 
Corning;  C.  B.  Robertson,  Towlesville  ;  Denton  W.  Rodgers,  Hornells- 
ville; Robert  J.  Scott,  Prattsburg ;  W.  Sheffield,  Jasper;  I.  P.  Smith, 
Bath;  W.  W.  Smith,  Avoca;  B.  M.  Spencer,  Hornellsville;  C.  P. 
Stevens,  Wallace  ;  Chester  T.  Stewart,  Bath  ;  P.  K.  Stoddard,  Pratts- 
burg; Stephen  M.  Switzer,  Bradford;  C.  J.  Tower,  Savona ;  J.  H. 
Trumbull,  Hornellsville ;  Burtis  R.  Wakeman,  Hornellsville ;  Eugene 
E.  Webster,  Hornellsville;  Seymour  C.  Williamson,  Canisteo;  E. 
Winne,  Haskinsville  ;   F.  A.  Wygant,  Cohocton. 

In  the  year  1867  the  disciples  of  Similia  Similibus  Qirantur  m  StQu- 
ben  county  sought  an  organization  for  the  general  welfare  of  their 
school  of  medicine  and  its  representatives.  In  the  early  history  of  the 
county  nothing  whatever  was  known  of  homeopathy,  and  when  the  first 
physicians  of  this  school  came  into  the  region  they  were  regarded  with 
distrust  and  suspicion  by  friends  of  the  old  school  of  practice,  while  the 
allopathists  themselves  regarded  the  newcomers  as  intruders  and 
quacks.  Indeed,  homeopathy  has  been  compelled  to  work  its  way 
through  hardships  and  difficulties  almost  equal  to  those  encountered  by 
our  pioneers  in  gaining  a  substantial  foothold  in  a  country  inhabited 
only  by  enemies.  But  by  steady  advances  in  the  hands  of  careful  and 
competent  representatives,  this  method  of  treatment  has  come  to  be  re- 
garded   with    popular   favor,  and  is   recognized  as   sound   and   rational. 

The  organization  referred  to  was  effected  on  the  25th  of  May,  1861, 
and  its  result  was  the  "Steuben  County  Homeopathic  Medical  Society," 
with  these  officers:  A.  De  Wolfe,  president;  W.  S.  Purdy,  vice  presi- 
dent; James  M.  Cadmus,  secretary;  B.  F.  Grant,  H.  S.  Benedict  and 
P.  S.  Hollett,  censors. 

The  society  maintained  an  active  and  successful  existence  for  several 
years,  and  its  members  were  chiefly  from  the  eastern  and  northern  por- 
tions of  the  county,  with  a  few  from  the  vicinity  of  Hornellsville  ;  but 
with  the  formation  of  the  Southern  Tier  society  there  followed  a  decline 
in  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  local  society,  with  ultimate  disintegration. 
31 


242  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

The  Southern  Tier  Homeopathic  Medical  Association  of  the  State  of 
New  York  was  organized  at  a  largely  attended  meeting  of  homeopa- 
thists  held  in  the  city  of  Elmira  on  the  20th  of  January,  1874.  Its 
members  were  chiefly  from  Chemung,  Steuben  and  Schuyler  counties, 
with  a  few  from  Tioga  and  Broome.  This  society  has  preserved  intact 
its  organization  originally  made,  and  built  substantially  upon  a  lasting 
foundation  by  procuring  an  incorporation  on  the  i6th  of  April,  1878. 
However,  the  general  rather  than  local  character  of  this  society  makes 
it  imprudent  to  furnish  other  than  a  mere  outline  of  its  history. 

The  Hornellsville  Academy  of  Medicine  was  organized  December  17, 
1873,  and  continued  in  existence  nearly  ten  years,  and  was  dissolved 
through  natural  causes  during  the  summer  of  1883.  The  last  meeting 
was  held  August  6,  1883.  The  objects  of  the  society  were  worthy,  the 
membership  fairly  good,  but  through  imperfect  organization  and  lack 
of  interest,  it  was  decided  to  terminate  the  existence  of  the  body. 

However,  the  medical  profession  of  Hornellsville  and  vicinity  soon 
felt  the  need  of  a  professional  organization  other  than  the  county  society  ; 
the  well  being  of  the  fraternity  demanded  such  and  the  best  medical 
practitioners  were  heartily  in  favor  of  the  plan.  The  result  was  a  meet- 
ing of  the  local  physicians  at  the  Page  House  in  Hornellsville  on  the  3d 
of  December,  1888,  at  which  time  the  Hornellsville  Medical  and  Surgi- 
cal Association  was  formed  ;  and  this  formal  organization  was  soon 
afterward  made  complete  by  incorporation  under  the  State  laws,  there- 
by giving  the  association  a  standing  in  the  State  Medical  Society,  and 
also  in  the  American  Medical  Association. 

The  first  oflicers  were  Dr.  Clare  S.  Parkhill,  president ;  John  G.  Kelly, 
vice-president;  Chauncey  G.  Hubbard,  secretary  and  treasurer.  The 
presidents,  in  succession,  have  been  as  follows :  C.  S.  Parkhill,  1888; 
John  S.  Jamison,  1889;  John  G.  Kelly,  1890;  James  E.Walker,  1891  ; 
Joseph  S.  Dolson,  1892  ;  C.  R.  Bowen,  1893  ;  Charles  R.  Phillips,  1894; 
Lyman  B.  Smith,  1895. 

The  association  has  thirty- two  members,  regular  practicing  physicians 
in  this  and  the  adjoining  county  of  Allegany.  The  officers  for  the 
year  1895  are  as  follows:  Lyman  B.  Smith,  president ;  Charles  Con- 
derman,  vice-president :  Roy  Dunham,  secretary  and  treasurer;  Drs. 
Palmer,  Brasted  and  Wakeman,  censors. 


J.  G.  KELLY 


CITIES,   VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  243 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS. 

The  Village  of  Bath. — In  1793,  when  Charles  Cameron  and  his 
party  of  pioneers  disembarked  from  their  flat  boats  and  canoes  and 
began  the  first  improvements  near  Pulteney  Square,  the  village  of  Bath 
was  founded  in  fact,  although  some  time  passed  before  the  hamlet  was 
given  its  name.  Whether  Captain  Williamson  at  that  time  had  in  mind 
the  establishment  of  this  as  a  county  seat  is  a  subject  of  speculation,  with 
the  weight  of  opinion  in  favor  of  the  idea,  for  his  plans  were  complete, 
and  Thomas  Rees,  jr.,  the  surveyor  of  the  party,  evidently  acted  under 
direction  to  be  thorough  in  his  work,  and  when  all  was  done  no  change 
of  importance  was  required  and  only  subsequent  additions  to  the  village 
plans  were  made. 

Williamson  was  possessed  of  excellent  judgment  and,  moreover,  was 
a  man  of  large  ideas,  hence  naturally  gave  heed  to  the  possibilities  of 
the  future.  His  estate  was  a  vast  tract  of  land,  extending  in  all  direc- 
tions from  this  central  point,  and  here  he  decided  to  make  the  seat  of 
his  extensive  operations.  He  knew  that  the  best  results  were  to  be  ob- 
tained through  organization  of  the  territory  into  a  separate  county,  and 
within  three  years  from  the  time  Cameron's  men  felled  the  first  tree  we 
find  the  little  hamlet  of  Bath  the  seat  of  justice  of  Steuben  county.  The 
first  court  of  Common  Pleas  and  General  Sessions  of  the  peace  was  held 
at  the  land  office  on  June  21,  1796,  and  in  the  same  year  a  newspaper, 
that  indispensable  adjunct  of  municipal  prosperity,  was  founded.  A 
school  house  was  also  built,  a  place  provided  for  informal  religious  gath- 
erings, and  that  outdoor  amusements  might  be  encouraged,  a  race- 
track was  constructed.  Weld,  the  English  traveler,  who  visited  the  set- 
tlement in  1796,  wrote :  "  Bath  is  a  post  and  principal  town  in  the  west- 
ern part  of  the  State  of  New  York.  Though  laid  out  only  three  years 
ago,   yet  it  contains  about  thirty   houses ;  it  is   increasing  very  fast. 


244  [LAITDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Among  the  houses  are  several  stores  and  shops,  well  furnished  with 
goods,  and  a  tavern  that  would  not  be  thought  meanly  of  in  any  part  of 
America,  The  town  [meaning  the  village  settlement]  stands  on  a  plain, 
surrounded  on  three  sides  by  hills  of  moderate  height.  The  plain  is 
almost  wholly  divested  of  trees,  but  the  hills  are  still  uncleared  and  have 
a  very  pleasing  appearance  from  the  town.  At  the  foot  of  the  hills  runs 
a  stream  of  pure  water  over  a  bed  of  gravel,  which  is  called  Conhocton 
Creek.  There  is  a  very  considerable  fall  in  the  creek  just  above  the 
town,  which  affords  the  finest  seats  for  mills  possible.  Extensive  saw 
and  flour  mills  have  already  been  erected  upon  it." 

Such  was  a  superficial  view  of  the  surroundings  of  our  pretty  little 
hamlet  a  century  ago,  and  to  the  familiar  eye  of  an  observer  the  present 
beautiful  village  of  Bath  is  discernible,  the  scene  in  many  respects  being 
undisturbed.  The  magnificent  and  heavily  wooded  hills  on  the  south 
are  the  same  to  the  eye  to-day  as  an  hundred  years  ago,  and  a  home 
and  nature  loving  people  have  endeavored  to  spare  and  preserve  as  far 
as  possible  the  landmarks  and  reminders  of  early  life.  Notwithstand- 
ing all  this,  Bath  has  been  a  progressive  village  and  all  desirable  im- 
provements have  been  encouraged  and  promoted.  Its  people  have 
been  conservative,  yet  generous  in  all  worthy  undertakings.  Circum- 
stances and  location  have  in  a  measure  combined  to  retard  its  progress 
during  the  last  half  century,  yet  all  municipalities  cannot  become  im- 
portant and  large  commercial  centers,  and  there  is  little  manifest  desire 
to  have  Bath  partake  of  such  character.  The  residents  are  content  with 
their  surroundings  and  conditions,  and  there  is  an  indescribable  some- 
thing that  always  attracts  the  visitor  to  the  place,  makes  him  contented 
while  there,  and  causes  a  pang  of  regret  at  departure. 

"In  1804,"  says  Mr.  McCall's  address,  "William  H.  Bull  came,  with 
his  father,  Howell  Bull,  from  Painted  Post,  and  has  furnished  the  mem- 
oranda from  which  has  been  made  a  bird's-eye  view  of  Bath  in  that  year." 
Also,  in  181 1,  Edward  Howell  and  his  brother  William  came  to  Bath, 
and  from  the  latter  we  have  an  accurate  pen  description  of  the  village 
in  that  year,  viz.:  "In  181 1,  the  only  streets  in  Bath  were  Morris,  Lib- 
erty, and  West  Steuben  from  Pulteney  Square  to  its  junction  with 
Morris  street.  There  were  nine  dwelling  houses  on  the  north  side  of 
Morris  street,  extending  from  the  square  to  Stewart's  Hill.     There  was 


Village  of  Bath  in  1804. 


1 — Log  house,  formerly   printing  office 
of  the  Bath  Gazette. 

2— Bull's  Tavern. 

3 — Log  house. 

4 — Helm's  residence. 

5 — Frame  house,  afterwards  occupied  by 
Rev.  J.  Niles. 

6 — Log  house. 

7 — H.  A.  Townsend's  house. 

8 — McClure's  house  and  store. 

9 — Grocery. 
10 — Court  House. 
11 — Turner's  house. 


12 — Jonathan  T.  Haight,  lawyer. 

13 — Log  house. 

14— Pulteney  Land  Agent's  residence. 

15 — Land  office. 

16 — Liberty  tree  (blown  down  in  1825). 

17— Bath  Jail. 

18 — School  house. 

19—  D.  Cameron's  house. 

20-  Metcalf  s  Tavern. 
21 — Blacksmith  shop. 
22— Theatre. 

23 — Helm's  grist  and  saw  mills. 


246  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

only  one  house  on  the  south  side  of  the  street.  On  the  south  side  of 
the  square  was  the  agency  house  and  the  land  ofifice,  and  back  of  them 
were  several  long  low  houses,  built  of  logs  and  sided  with  clapboards, 
which  had  been  used  as  servant's  quarters.  On  the  south  side  of  West 
Morris  street,  from  the  land  office  to  where  the  Erie  depot  stands,  were 
four  or  five  dwelling  houses,  and  near  the  depot  was  a  small  frame 
dwelling  and  a  blacksmith  shop.  On  the  north  side  of  Morris  street 
(west  of  the  park)  were  six  dwelling  houses,  viz.:  Ira  Pratt's,  Metcalf's 
Tavern,  John  McCalla,  D.  Cruger,  and  on  the  corner,  Spring's  Tavern. 
On  the  opposite  corner  on  Steuben  street,  was  the  stone  jail  building, 
and  south  of  it  a  small  store  building.  On  the  north  side  of  the  park, 
on  the  two  opposite  corners  of  Liberty  street,  were  the  Townsend 
house  on  the  east,  and  the  Captain  Helm  house  on  the  west  There 
were  also  some  small  buildings  and  a  barn  extending  up  to  the  old 
cemetery.  East  of  the  Townsend  house  was  a  row  of  small  frame  build- 
ings, occupied  for  stores  and  shops.  On  the  east  sid,e  of  the  park  was 
the  court-house  and  a  frame  building  used  for  a  school.  The  jail  was 
the  only  building  on  the  south  side  of  Steuben  street,  while  several  were 
on  the  north  side,  among  them  being  the  '  Old  Theater,'  also  a  large 
square  frame  building.  On  the  east  side  of  Liberty  street  were  a  dwell- 
ing of  frame,  another  of  logs,  and  the  Niles  house,  while  opposite  were 
the  Gazette  printiqg  office,  the  Howell  Bull  tavern  and  a  log  house." 

Such  was  the  municipal  condition  of  Bath  four  score  years  previous 
to  the  centennial  celebration,  and  from  these  primitive  elements  has  the 
village  grown.  In  another  department  of  the  work  the  reader  will  find 
a  brief  outline  history  of  the  town  at  large,  in  which  mention  is  made 
of  all  the  pioneer  occupants  of  the  village  ;  but  that  the  situation  during 
the  days  of  settlement  may  be  made  clear,  attention  is  directed  to  the 
accompanying  map  taken  from  the  printed  proceedings  of  the  centen- 
nial celebration  in  1893 

It  appears  that  an  attempt  to  incorporate  the  village  was  made  as 
early  as  the  year  18 16,  and  the  measure  was  in  fact  adopted  although 
the  organization  under  it  was  not  perfected.  At  this  time  Bath  was  a 
place  of  more  than  ordinary  importance  among  the  villages  of  the  Gen- 
esee country  while  several  of  our  now  large  cities  were  unknown  even  in 
name.      During   the   twenty  years   following    1816,  many  and   various 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  247 

improvements  were  inaugurated  and  successfully  established,  and  the 
village  continued  to  grow  and  enlarge  in  every  direction.  A  contem- 
porary writer  has  furnished  a  brief  outline  of  some  of  the  more  impor- 
tant events  of  this  period,  and  those  of  a  local  character  are  deemed 
worthy  of  reproduction  here.  On  the  1st  of  October  the  County  Medi- 
cal Society  was  organized,  and  in  June,  1819,  the  first  Agricultural 
Society  was  likewise  brought  into  existence.  In  1820  the  Western 
Republican  began  publication,  and  in  the  same  year  Vincent  Matthews 
and  William  B.  Rochester  formed  a  law  partnership.  Also  in  this  year 
a  semi- weekly  stage  line  was  established  between  Bath  and  Owego.  In 
1824  Colonel  Bull  erected  the  first  brick  dwelling  in  the  village  On 
March  2,  1825,  the  Presbyterian  church  was  dedicated,  and  on  the  29th 
of  April  of  the  same  year  Robert  Douglass  was  hanged  on  Gallows  Hill. 
This  first  execution  was  a  remarkable  event  in  local  history,  beside 
which  the  visitation  of  the  extreme  penalty  of  law  upon  Ira  Appo,  about 
twelve  years  afterward,  was  of  minor  importance.  In  1826,  the  Indians 
Sundown  and  Curlyeye  were  tried  for  murder,  but  acquitted,  and  in  the 
same  year  the  Episcopal  church  was  organized.  In  1827  the  brick 
court-house  was  built  to  replace  that  originally  erected  by  Captain 
Williamson.  In  1828,  the  Steuben  Messenger  and  the  Steuben  Whig 
were  founded,  the  former  an  anti-Masonic,  and  the  latter  a  cam- 
paign paper  started  to  oppose  General  Jackson.  In  1829  William  S. 
Hubbell  was  appointed  postmaster.  In  March,  1831,  the  Bath  and 
Crooked  Lake  Railroad  Company  was  organized,  with  a  capital  of  $20,- 
000,  but  under  this  charter  nothing  was  done,  and  rail  communication 
between  these  terminal  points  was  not  secured  until  the  construction  of 
the  Bath  and  Hammondsport  Railroad  in  1874.  In  March,  1832,  the 
old  Steuben  County  Bank  opened  its  doors  for  business,  and  in  the  fol- 
lowing year  William  P.  Angel  issued  the  first  number  of  the  Constitu- 
tionalist, the  office  of  which,  together  with  several  other  business  build- 
ings, was  destroyed  by  fire  in  June,  1837. 

The  village  of  Bath  was  regularly  incorporated  and  completely  or- 
ganized in  1836,  the  act  of  the  Legislature  being  passed  May  6  of 
that  year.  The  first  meeting  for  the  election  of  officers  was  held  at  the 
Franklin  House,  June  7,  and  resulted  as  follows  :  John  D.  Higgins, 
Ten  Eyck  Gansevoort,  Benjamin   Smead,  Moses  H.  Lyon  and  John  T. 


248  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Andrews,  trustees;  Ziba  A.  Leland,  John  M.  Campbell  and  Henry- 
Brothers,  assessors ;  Robert  Campbell,  jr.,  treasurer  ;  Levi  C.  Whitney, 
clerk  ;  Elisha  Hempstead,  collector,  and  O.  W.  L.  Warren,  constable. 
The  first  village  president,  elected  by  the  trustees,  was  Ten  Eyck  Gan- 
sevoort,  and  the  last,  so  elected  in  185  i,  was  R.  B.  Van  Valkenburg. 

By  an  act  of  the  Legislature  passed  January  20,  185  i,  our  village 
changed  its  character  quite  radically,  and  by  a  charter  became  entitled 
to  elect  the  village  president,  and  was  otherwise  vested  with  broader 
powers  than  under  the  old  regime.  Under  the  charter  the  first  officers 
were  elected  April  6,  1852,  and  were  Robert  Campbell,  president;  Joel 
H.  Rice,  George  S.  Ellas,  Alfred  P.  Ferris,  Lansing  D.  Hodgman, 
trustees  ;  John  Bramble,  Paul  C.  Cook  and  Moses  H.  Lyon,  assessors  ; 
Alva  E.  Brown,  treasurer  ;  Benjamin  C.  Ward,  collector,  and  William 
E.  Bonham,  clerk. 

Such  is  the  character  of  municipal  organization  in  Bath  at  the  present 
day,  although  the  Legislature  has  so  amended  the  village  charter  as  to 
permit  the  election  of  officers  other  than  noted  above,  and  has  granted 
greater  powers  than  those  conferred  under  the  original  act. 

The  fire  department,  as  a  complete  and' properly  equipped  branch  of 
local  goverment,  was  brought  into  existence  by  the  trustees  on  Decem- 
ber 17,  1839,  although  previous  to  that  year  an  informal  organization 
was  maintained  by  the  villagers  for  the  prevention  of  fire.  At  that  time 
the  old  company  was  dissolved,  and  the  trustees  organized  a  fire  engine 
company,  the  personnel  of  which  was  as  follows :  Lewis  Biles,  foreman  ; 
J.  McBeath,  assistant;  R.  L.  Underhill,  clerk,  and  members,  Moses  H. 
Lyon,  William  H.  Bull,  L.  H.  Read,  Daniel  Miller,  John  O.  Goodsell, 
Charles  Adams,  Bernard  Fox,  W.  Secor,  Reuben  Robie,  James  Shannon, 
Benjamin  D.  Lilly,  A.  F.  Ellas,  G.  A.  Rogers,  William  Hamilton, 
Thomas  Metcalf,  James  Moore,  A.  Babcock,  Lewis  Shoemaker,  William 
A.  Biles,  James  R.  Dudley,  A.  R.  Gould,  Nathan  Stevens,  R.  H.  Gra- 
ham, John  R.  Gansevoort  and  David  McMaster. 

In  later  years  the  organization  was  radically  modified,  and  as  the 
growth  and  necessities  of -the  village  demanded,  changes  were  made  to 
conform  to  the  existing  condition  of  affairs.  However,  the  present  effi- 
cient volunteer  fire  department  is  the  outgrowth  of  the  primitive  organ- 
izations mentioned  above,  and  the  construction  of  a  water  supply  sys- 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  249 

tem  has  materially  advanced  the  efficiency  of  the  organization  and  less- 
ened its  labors.  As  now  constituted  the  department  comprises  three 
companies,  known  respectively  as  Edwin  Cook  Hose  Co.  No.  i,  Frank 
Campbell  Hose  Co.  No.  2,  and  Rescue  Hook  and  Ladder  Co.  No.  i. 

The  Bath  Water  Works  Company  was  incorporated  in  1887,  with  a 
capital  of  $72,000,  owned  chiefly  by  non-residents.  The  supply  is 
obtained  from  a  large  reservoir  on  Magee  Hill,  and  by  a  combined 
pumping  and  gravity  system  is  distributed  throughout  the  village. 
There  are  about  eight  miles  of  main  pipes,  seventy- eight  fire  hydrants, 
and  about  275   taps. 

The  village  officers  for  the  year  1895,  (to  whom,  with  their  prede- 
cessors in  office,  is  due  great  credit  for  the  admirable  government  of  the 
last  score  and  more  of  years)  are  as  follows  :  Hiram  W.  Brundage,  pres- 
ident;  Bernard  M.  Wynkoop,  clerk;  Orland  W.  Sutton,  Edward  E. 
Aber,  William  H.  Scrafford  and  Matthew  E.  Shannon,  trustees  ;  Will- 
iam A.  Dutcher,  treasurer ;  Hoyt  Butle'r,  collector ;  Clarence  Willis, 
police  justice;  Charles  A.  Ellas,  Thomas  Fogarty  and  Andrew  Crook, 
assessors. 

Among  the  various  institutions  of  the  county  seat,  the  schools  have 
ever  received  the  same  careful  attention  and  generous  support  that  has 
characterized  local  interests  in  all  directions.  The  subject,  too,  is  one 
which  has  been  extensively  treated  by  local  writers  of  known  repute  and 
standing,  and  it  is  impossible  at  this  time  to  enlarge  upon  what  is  al- 
ready of  record  or  to  improve  upon  what  has  been  said.  The  writer 
therefore  acknowledges  access  to  the  sketches  of  Clarence  Willis  and 
Charles  F.  Kingsley,  both  recognized    authority  on   the  subject  tt;eated. 

Says  Mr.  Kingsley  :  In  the  very  first  year  of  the  settlement  of  the 
town  of  Bath  a  school  was  established,  and  here  Robert  Hunter  was  the 
schoolmaster.  The  first  school  house  was  built  on  the  northwest  corner 
of  Pulteney  Square,  where  the  furniture  store  stands,  but  when  built 
records  afford  no  accurate  information.  Mr.  Dixon  was  the  teacher  in 
1805.  Elam  Bridges  taught  school  in  a  little  frame  building  near  the 
old  clerk's  office  as  early  as  181 1.  In  December,  18 12,  Henry  A. 
Townsend  and  wife  conveyed  to  the  trustees  of  the  Bath  school  a  lot  on 
the  north  side  of  Steuben  street,  near  the  end  of  the  Beekman  sash 
factory  of  later  years,  In  1813  a  school  house  was  built  on  this  lot  at 
33 


250  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

the  expense  of  district  No.  5.  This  building  became  known  as  the  "  Old 
Academy,"  and  its  upper  portion  was  for  a  time  used  by  the  local  Ma- 
sonic societies.  This  school  was  burned  in  1824,  and  was  replaced  with 
the  once  well  known  "  Red  School  house,"  the  latter  being,  it  is  said, 
the  first  school  organized  in  the  village  under  the  district  system. 
However,  the  Red  School  was  burned  in  September,  1849,  ^"^  ^^e  lot 
on  which  it  stood  was  afterward  the  subject  of  long  and  expensive  liti- 
gation. 

On  the  8th  of  July,  1846,  a  Union  school  was  founded  by  the  consol- 
idation of  districts  Nos.  2  and  5  in  the  village,  and  forms  the  present 
district  No.  5.  Adam  Haverling  donated  to  this  district  the  site  on 
which  the  present  Haverling  Union  Free  School  stands.  On  April  13, 
1847,  a  contract  was  made  between  the  district  trustees  and  Sylvanus 
Stephens,  by  which  the  latter  agreed  to  erect  a  school  building  on  this 
lot,  at  a  cost  of  $2,180.66.  This  was  done  and  school  was  first  opened 
in  the  building  May  15,  1848.  However,  this  structure  was  burned 
January  29,  1866,  and  in  its  place  was  erected  the  present  substantial 
and  attractive  academy  building,  at  a  cost  of  about  $25,000,  including 
$900  paid  for  the  lot  in  front  of  it  on  Liberty  street.  In  1887  Ira 
Davenport  gave  to  the  district  a  lease  of  an  acre  of  land  lying  north  of 
the  old  school  grounds. 

The  principals  of  the  Union  District  School  from  1848  to  1868,  were 
Mr.  Hathaway,  Emerson  J.  Hamilton,  Charles  W,  Gulick,  James  Buell, 
James  A.  Broadhead,  William  S.  Hall,  C.  C.  Wheeler,  J.  H.  Strong,  J. 
C.  Higby,  Henry  A.  Smith,  Z.  L.  Parker  and  J.  Horace  Crum  and 
Edward  Wilson,  joint  principals. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  qualified  voters  of  the  district  held  August  6, 
1868,  the  present  Union  Eree  School  was  formed,  and  G.  H.  McMaster, 
L.  P.  Hard,  L.  D.  Hodgman,  R.  Hardenbrook,  Abram  Beekman  and 
Samuel  Ensign  were  duly  elected  members  of  the  Board  of  Education. 

On  the  7th  of  September,  1868,  Haverling  Union  Free  School  with 
its  academic  department  was  opened  to  the  public,  and  it  at  once  took 
rank  with  the  leading  schools  of  the  State  ;  a  position  which  it  has 
maintained  to  the  present  day.  The  principals  since  1868  have  been 
Zenas  L.  Parker,  Lewis  M.  Johnson,  E.  H.  Lattimer  and  Levi  D. 
Miller. 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  251 

The  present  Board  of  Education  comprises  L.  D.  Hodgmaii,  Abram 
Beeknian,  Charles  F.  Kingsley,  Clarence  Willis,  W.  S.  Burns  and  W. 
P.  Sedgwick.  Mr.  Hodgnian  is  chairman  and  Mr.  Kingsley  secretary 
of  the  board 

Another  of  the  established  institutions  of  Bath  is  the  Agricultural 
Society,  a  county  rather  than  local  organization,  yet  a  fixed  adjunct  of 
the  shire  town,  hence  to  be  mentioned  in  this  chapter. 

The  present  Steuben  County  Agricultural  Society  was  organized  in 
1853,  although  for  a  number  of  years  previous  to  that  time  annual  fairs 
and  exhibitions  had  been  held,  and  a  formal  organization  may  have 
been  in  existence.  In  fact  Charles  Williamson  was  tlie  originator  of 
fairs  in  old  Steuben,  yet  his  successors  in  ofifice  and  influence  failed  to 
awaken  the  same  interest  in  such  exhibitions  as  did  that  worthy  pio- 
neer. In  1 84 1  a  county  agricultural  society  was  brought  into  existence 
at  a  public  meeting  held  in  Bath,  and  its  first  ofificers  were  Otto  F. 
Marshall,  president ;  John  Cooper,  jr.,  Israel  Wood  and  Erastus  Skinner, 
vice  presidents;  Wm.  S.  Hubbell  and  Ziba  A.  Leland,  secretaries; 
Henry  Brother,  treasurer.  This  society  was  continued  for  about  four 
years,  though  with  rather  indifferent  success  from  a  financial  point  of 
view,  and  then  dissolved.  The  last  fair,  that  of  1844,  was  held  on  the 
river  flat,  southwest  of  the  land  office. 

On  the  i8th  of  May,  1853,  a  public  notice  was  given,  as  required  by 
law,  to  the  effect  that  a  meeting  would  be  held  in  Bath  on  the  22d  of 
June  following,  for  the  purpose  of  legally  organizing  a  county  agricul- 
tural society.  At  the  time  mentioned  an  organization  was  perfected  and 
these  officers  chosen  for  the  following  year:  Goldsmith  Denniston, 
president;  O.  F.  Marshall,  J.  B.  Mitchell,  J.  B.  Dickinson,  Lyman  Bal- 
com,  R.  S.  Davis  and  John  Van  Wie,  vice-presidents;  Geo.  Edwards, 
treasurer;  R.  B.  Van  Valkenburgh,  corresponding  secretary,  and  Geo. 
S.  Ellas,  recording  secretary.  The  first  fair  was  held  at  Bath  on  the 
I2th  and  13th  of  October,  1853,  in  an  open  field  on  Robert  Campbell's 
farm. 

In  1854  the  society  leased  a  portion  of  its  present  admirable  grounds, 
and,  depending  largely  upon  annual  exhibitions  to  build  up  a  purchas- 
ing and  improving  fund,  it  was  not  until  1862  that  the  property  was 
deeded  to  the  trustees.      It  is  deemed  unnecessary  in  this  place  to  note 


252  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

one  and  all  of  the  many  improvements  made  by  the  society,' for  almost 
every  person  in  Steuben  county  is  perfectly  familiar  with  the  grounds, 
the  buildings,  the  famous  log  cabin,  and  every  other  noticeable  building 
within  the  inclosure.  The  fair,  also,  needs  no  complimentary  reference 
in  this  chapter,  as  the  annual  meeting  at  Bath  is  known  throughout 
the  entire  State  ;  and  it  goes  without  saying  that  in  this  village  is 
the  best  and  most  successful  county  fair  in  Western  or  Central  New 
York.  This  success  has  been  due  to  the  untiring  efforts  of  the  officers 
and  managers  annually  elected,  in  view  of  which  it  is  proper  that  we 
note  the  succession  of  presidents,  viz  :  Goldsmith  Denniston,  Uri  Bal- 
com,  Lyman  Balcom,  Daniel  Gray,  John  W.  Taggart,  Grattan  H. 
Wheeler,  Samuel  Balcom,  Robert  B.  Wilks,  Frank  J.  Marshall,  Chas. 
H.  Robie,  Samuel  E.  Haskin,  Azariah  C.  Brundage,  Nathaniel  B.  Stan- 
ton, Martin  W.  Noble,  Joseph  M.  Hopkins,  Daniel  B.  Curtis,  Lemuel 
Mathewson,  Lewis  C.  Kingsbury,  Lyman  AuUs,  Amos  Jewett,  Sanford 
A.  Gardiner,  James  L.  Packer,  Chas.  A.  Reynolds,  Edward  C.  Cook. 

The  present  (1895)  officers  are  Edward  C.  Cook,  president;  John  C. 
Switzer,  G.  D.  Wilbur,  H.  T.  Connor,  J.  B.  Giffin,  George  Wolcott, 
Robert  Kellogg,  David  H.  Ackerson  and  D.  B.  Bryan,  vice-presidents  ; 
Major  A.  C.  Brundage,  secretary  ;  Thos.  N.  Smith,  treasurer,  and  John 
W.  Moore,  general  superintendent. 

The  New  York  State  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Home  at  Bath,  although 
an  institution  of  the  State  rather  than  local,  is  nevertheless  a  proper 
subject  of  mention  in  this  chapter.  In  fact  the  location  and  erection  of 
the  buildings  in  our  county  town  was  the  result,  of  generosity  and  enter- 
prise on  the  part  of  the  people  of  Bath  and  its  immediate  vicinity. 
After  several  futile  attempts  to  found  a  soldiers'  home  in  this  State  an 
effective  act  was  passed  by  the  Legislature  in  1876,  approved  by  Gov- 
ernor Tilden  on  May  15.  An  organization  was  perfected  and  the  con- 
stituted committee  received  proposals  or  offers  of  land  for  a  site.  Of 
course  the  public-spirited  citizens  of  various  localities  made  generous 
offers  to  the  commissioners,  but  of  them  all  that  at  Bath  was  considered 
the  most  desirable.  The  land  comprised  the  well  known  Rider  farm, 
220  acres  in  extent,  in  addition  to  which  was  a  cash  offer  of  $6,000  to  be 
used  in  the  erection  of  buildings. 

On  Wednesday,  June  13,  1877,  the  corner-stone  of  the  home  build- 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  253 

ing  was  laid,  and  on  the  23d  day  of  January,  1879,  the  institution  was 
opened  for  the  reception  of  inmates.  The  formal  transfer  of  the  prop- 
erty from  the  commissioners  or  association  to  the  State  was  completed 
in  pursuance  of  an  act  of  the  Legislatnre,  passed  March  11,  1878. 

As  is  well  known,  the  object  and  purpose  of  the  home  is  to  provide 
for  the  care,  maintenance  and  relief  of  soldiers  and  sailors  from  the 
State  of  New  York,  who  served  in  the  Union  army  or  navy  during  the 
war  of  1861-5,  and  received  an  honorable  discharge  therefrom,  and 
who  from  any  cause  stand  in  need  of  the  care  and  benefits  of  a  soldiers' 
home. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  is  composed  of  nine  members,  exclusive  of  the 
governor  and  attorney- general,  who  are  ex-ofificio  members.  The 
board  establish  rules  and  regulations  for  the  management  of  the  home, 
its  ofificers  and  inmates,  and  they  submit  a  detailed  report  of  their  pro- 
ceedings to  the  Legislature  each  year.  The  personnel  of  the  present 
Board  of  Trustees  is  as  follows:  The  governor  and  attorney-general, 
ex-ofificio,  and  Hosea  H.  Rockwell,  John  Palmer,  Oliver  B.  Caldwell,  O. 
H.  Smith,  Halbert  S.  Greenleaf,  George  H.  Blackman,  Frank  Campbell, 
Edwin  S.  Jenney  and  Horatio  C.  King. 

The  officers  of  the  home  are  Gen.  Wm.  F.  Rogers,  superintendent  ; 
Maj.  S.  H.  Leavitt,  adjutant ;  Dr.  T.  O.  Burleson,  surgeon  ;  Dr.  E.  C. 
Pixley,  assistant  surgeon  ;   Capt.  Frank   P.  Frost,  quartermaster. 

The  Davenport  Home  for  Female  Orphan  Children,  one  of  the 
noblest  charities  of  the  State,  is  beautifully  located  in  the  south  part  of 
the  village  of  Bath.  It  was  the  free  and  voluntary  gift  of  Col.  Ira  Dav- 
enport, his  own  and  original  idea,  the  revelation  of  his  generous  heart 
and  nature;  and  unaided  and  unadvised,  except  by  those  of  his  own 
family,  he  founded  and  built  the  home  and  endowed  it  abundantly  so 
that  is  not  in  any  manner  a  charge  upon  the  generosity  of  the  public. 
The  building  was  begun  in  1861,  and  two  years  later  the  association 
was  organized.  The  first  inmate  was  received  July  19,  1864.  The 
property  was  conveyed  by  Col.  Davenport  to  the  home  association,  and 
to  the  managers  is  assigned  the  pleasant  duty  of  conducting  its  affairs. 
The  endowment  fund  now  aggregates  more  than  $200,000,  and  the  an- 
nual income  is  about  $12,000,  At  present  the  home  has  sixty- three 
inmates.     The  late  John  Davenport,  who  died  May  5,  1895,  was  at  that 


254  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

time  president,  and  was  succeeded  by  Ira  Davenport.  Roth  were  sons 
of  the  founder  of  the  institution.  The  trustees  and  managers  are  Ira 
Davenport,  Mrs.  Sherman  S.  Rogers.  Mrs.  John  Davenport  and  James 
Lyon.      Matron,  Mrs.  Jemima  L.  McPherson. 

The  Rath  Centennial  Celebration,  June  6  and  7,  1893,  was  one  of  the 
most  notable  events  in  local  annals.  The  preliminary  arrangements  for 
this  occasion  began  in  January,  and  nothing  was  left  undone  to  make 
perfect  desirable  features.  At  the  first  public  meeting,  General  Averell 
was  chosen  chairman,  and  James  R.  Kingsley,  secretary.  For  the  pur- 
pose of  carrying  out  the  detail  of  arrangements  a  large  general  com- 
mittee was  appointed,  and  also  sub-committees,  and,  with  complete 
unity  in  opinion  and  action,  all  things  were  done  "  decently  and  in  order." 
On  Sunday,  June  4,  in  the  several  churches  of  the  village  were  conducted 
appropriate  religious  services  with  historical  sermons  (from  these  ser- 
mons there  has  been  compiled  a  history  of  each  of  the  local  churches. 
See  Ecclesiastical  history  in  another  department  of  this  work),  followed 
in  the  evening  by  a  union  service  in  the  Casino,  and  address  by  Prof 
Levi  D.  Miller.  From  the  published  proceedings  we  quote  the  order 
of  exercises  : 
Tuesday,  June  6,  Prayer,  Rev.  L.,M.  Miller,  D.D.,  of  Ogdensburgh,  N  Y. 

Address  of  Welcome,  by  President  of  the  Day,  Reuben  E.  Robie. 

Poem,  Prof.  Zenas  L.  Parker. 

Captain  Charles  Williamson,  a  sketch,  by  James  McCall. 

History  of  Rath  for  Fifty  Years,  Ansel  J.  McCall. 
Evening  Exercises,  Prayer. 

Reminiscences — by  Wm.  E.  Howell,  J.  R.  Whiting,  Rev.  L.  M. 
Miller,  D.D.,  Irving  W.  Near,  F:dward  H.  Rutler  and  Clark  Rell. 

Schools,  Charles  F".  Kingsley, 

Physicians,  Dr.  Ira  P.  Smith. 

Lawyers,  Charles  H.  McMaster. 

Editors,  George  R.  Richardson. 

Soldiers,  Major  John  Stocum. 
Wednesday,  June  7. 

Sunrise  Salute  of  Cannon  and  Rells. 

Parade  of  all  the  Schools  of  the  Town  to  the  Fair  Grounds  (about 
1,000  children,  headed  by  five  bands  of  music,  participated  in  this  novel 
and  interesting  event). 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  255 

On  the  Fair  Grounds,  10.30  A.  M. 

Prayer,  M.  N.  Preston. 

Letters  of  Regret,  read  by  Secretary  R.  R.  Lyon. 

Address  and  Presentation  of  Portrait  of  Charles  WilHamson,  by  Jas. 
McCall. 

Acceptance  on  behalf  of  Trustees,  Byron  L.  Smith. 

Oration,  Sherman  S.  Rogers,  of  Bufifalo. 

Change  of  Name  of  Lake  Salubria  to  Lake  Williamson. 

Benediction. 

2.00  P.  M.  Parade  of  Fire  Department,  Civic  Societies  and  General 
Trades  Display  ;  Capt.  W.  W.  Lindsay,  Marshal  ;  Messrs.  L.  H.  Bal- 
com,  Hoxie  W.  Smith,  Wm.  J.  H.  Richardson  and  S.  J.  Wilkes,  Aides. 

8.00  P.  M.      Old  Time  Reception  at  the  Casino. 

The  following  list  shows  the  formation  and  the  companies  in  the  line 
of  the  parade  : 

Capt.  W.  W.  Lindsay,  Marshal. 

Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Home  Band,  sixteen  men. 

Custer  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  eighty  men. 

General  Barry  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  No.  248,  seventy-five  men. 

Keeley  Club  of  the  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Home,  seventy  men. 

L.  H.  Balcom   Assistant  Marshal. 

Hammondsport  Cornet  Band,  sixteen  men. 

Royal  Arcanum,  Chapter  No.  344,  of  Bath,  forty  men. 

Knights  of  the  Maccabees,  No.  71,  of  Bath,  forty  men. 

Boy's  Society,  "  Character  Builders  of  St.  Thomas  church,"  forty- two 
in  line,  led  by  Rev.  B  S.  Sanderson. 

Wm.  J.  H.  Richardson,  Assistant  Marshal. 

Prattsburgh  Cornet  Band,  fourteen  men. 

Bath  Fire  Department,  Chief  McNamara,  First  Assistant  Cotton, 
Second  Assistant  Parker. 

Rescue  Hook  and  Ladder  Company,  twenty  six  men.  Foreman  A. 
L.  Lilley. 

Hook  and  Ladder  truck  gaily  decorated  and  carrying  a  log  hut  with 
Indians,  representing  1793  at  one  end,  while  at  the  other  end  was  a  boat 
containing  four  little  girls  representative  of  the  year  1893. 

Samuel  E.  Wilkes,  Assistant  Marshal. 


256  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Cohocton  Cornet  Band,  twenty  men. 

Edwin    Cook    Hose    Company,     twenty-eight   men.    Foreman  John 
Donahe. 

Hose  Company's  cart  completely  covered  with  flowers,  and  two  little 
children  riding  on  top  dressed  in  Continental  costume. 

Hacks  containing  Mayor  Gould,  Trustees  Smith,   Phillips,    Aber  and 
Sutton,  City  Attorney  Waldo  and  Clerk  Shannon. 

HoxieW.  Smith,  Assistant  Marshal,  followed  by  a  long  division  rep- 
resenting the  business  interests  of  the  Town  and  Village. 

Personnel  of  the  several  committees  under  whose  division  the  celebra- 
tion was  arranged  and  most  successfully  managed  : 
General  Committee : 

Gen.  W.  W.  Averell.W.  W.  Allen,  R  E.  Robie,  A.  J.  McCall,  H.  W. 
Bowes,  J.  F.  Little,  O.  H.  Smith,  Abram  Beekman,  W.  E.  Howell,  J.  F. 
Parkhurst,  R.  R.  Lyon,  James  R.  Kingsley,  Rev.  M.  N.  Preston,  Rev. 
B.  S.  Sanderson,  Rev  M.  C.  Dean,  Rev.  V.  P.  Mather,  Rev.  J.  J.  Gleason  , 
Rev.  B.  W.  Swain.  Gen.  Averell  was  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  and 
James  R.  Kingsley,  Secretary. 
Sub-committees  : — 

Invitations — A.  J.  McCall. 

Reception  of  Guests — Augustus  de  Peyster. 

Entertainment — Abram  Beekman. 

Literary  Exercises — John  F.  Little. 

Finance — Reuben  R.  Lyon. 

Decorating  Village — John  McNamara. 

Schools — Clarence  Willis. 

Procession  and  Bands — William  H.  Hallock. 

Evening  Reception — Augustus  de  Peyster. 

Publication  and  Printing — John  Underhill. 

In  their  preparations  the  Committee  Vere  given  most  valued  assist- 
ance by  the  Ladies'  Committee,  made  up  as  follows  : 

Executive  Committee — Mrs.  James  Lyon,  Chairman  ;  Mrs.  Ansel  J. 
McCall,  Mrs.  Wm.  Rumsey,  Mrs.  George  W.  Hallock,  Mrs.  J.  F.  Park- 
hurst, Mrs.  B.  F.  Young,  Mrs.  M.  Rumsey  Miller,  Mrs.  Agustus  de 
Peyster,  Mrs.  John  Davenport,  Mrs.  W.  W.  Averell ;  Miss  Jeanette  M. 
Hodgman,  Sec'y. 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS  257 

Invitations — Mrs.  Thomas  J.  Whiting. 

Reception  and  Care  of  Guests — Mrs.  William  H.  Nichols. 

Entertainment,  Seats  and  Grounds — Miss  Katharine  Bowes. 

Literary  Exercises — Miss  Mamie  McBeath. 

Finance — Mrs.  Charles  F.  Kingsley. 

Decoration  of  Village  and  Grounds — Mrs.  Abram  Beekman. 

Schools — Miss  Anna  Freeman. 

Procession  and  Bands — Mrs.  Alfred  Case. 

Evening  Reception — The  Executive  Committee. 

Publication  and  Printing — Miss  Cassie  W.  Hull. 

As  a  business  and  manufacturing  center  Bath  has  attracted  little 
attention  in  commercial  circles.  True,  mercantile  interests  are  now  and 
in  the  past  have  been  sufficiently  represented,  and  there  has  always 
been  enough  of  competition  to  prevent  the  possibilities  of  monopoly. 
In  the  early  history  of  the  town,  General  McClure  and  some  of  his  asso- 
ciates were  very  active  in  starting  and  maintaining  manufacturing  enter- 
prises, yet  indifferent  results  were  the  reward  of  their  best  efforts,  and 
later  generations  have  shown  only  a  passive  interest  in  building  up 
Bath  with  factories.  And  it  is  also  true  that  many  of  the  present  busi- 
ness men,  bankers  and  capitalists  have  generously  contributed  money 
to  various  manufacturing  industries,  but  the  results  generally  have  been 
discouraging  rather  than  satisfactory. 

In  this  work  it  has  not  been  thought  advisable  to  mention  by  name 
the  merchants  of  Bath  ;  they  need  no  such  advertisement  to  display 
their  wares  as  nearly  all  are  patrons  of  the  local  press.  However,  we 
may  mention,  among  manufacturing  interests,  the  harness  and  saddle 
factory,  started  about  1890  by  Fred  Morris,  but  now  and  since  July, 
1893,  operated  by  the  Bath  Harness  Company.  Another  industry 
worthy  of  note  is  the  Smith  &  Griegson  Shoe  Company,  whose  plant 
was  destroyed  by  an  unfortunate  fire  during  the  spring  of  1895.  The 
business  of  the  company,  however,  was  at  once  established  and  con- 
tinued. 

Among  the   fixed    manufacturing   industries  of  the   village   may  be 

mentioned  the  planing  mills  and  general  wood  working  establishments 

of  Abram  Beekman,  and  also  William  H.  and  Robert  J.  Davison,  the  firm 

being  also  extensive  contractors  and  builders.    Joy'sjsteam  flouring  mill 

33 


258  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

may  also  be  mentioned  in  the  same  connection.  Messrs.  Hardenbrook 
&  Co.  formerly  operated  a  large  foundry  and  machine  shop,  among 
their  specialties  being  stoves,  plows  and  general  castings.  The  old 
plant  occupied  by  Loomis  &  McMath  as  a  wagon  factory  is  now  owned 
by  WilUiam  Allen.  The  Applebee  Horse  Collar  factory  has  moved  to 
Corning,  and  the  Bath  Jacket  Can  Manufacturing  Company,  after  dis- 
asters, went  out  of  business. 

The  record  of  the  banking  institutions  shows  in  more  favorable  light 
so  far  at  least  as  substantial  results  and  capable  management  is  con- 
cerned. The  pioneer  financial  concern  of  Bath  was  the  old  Steuben 
County  Bank,  incorporated  by  the  Legislature  March  9,  1832,  the  di- 
rectors being  John  Magee,  president,  and  William  W.  McCoy,  Reuben 
Robie,  Edward  Howell,  Constant  Cook,  James  Faulkner,  Andrew  B. 
Dickinson,  Chauncey  Hoffman,  Charles  Butler,  Henry  S.  Williams, 
Henry  B.  Gibson,  Ansel  St.  John,  and  William  S.  Hubbell,  directors.  The 
bank  first  opened  for  business,  October  24,  1832,  in  the  old  Land  Ofifice 
building,  but  in  1833  moved  to  the  new  bank  building  erected  for  its 
use,  and  where  it  afterward  continued  throughout  the  period  of  its  useful 
and  successful  career.  The  presidents,  in  succession,  were  John  Magee, 
William  W.  McCoy,  John  Magee,  D.  C.  Howell,  Ambrose  S.  Howell, 
D.  C.  Howell,  and  William  E.  Howell.  During  the  time  of  the  last 
mentioned  president,  the  bank  went  into  voluntary  liquidation  and 
soon  passed  out  of  existence. 

George  W,  Hallock's  bank  was  established  January  i,  1849,  and  for 
a  period  of  nearly  half  a  century  has  been  known  among  the  safe  finan- 
cial institutions  of  the  State.  William  H.  Hallock  became  partner  with 
the  founder  in  1879,  a  relation  which  was  maintained  to  the  death  of 
the  latter,  February  10,  1895.  The  bank,  however,  is  continued  on  the 
same  safe  basis  established  by  Mr.  Hallock  many  years  ago.  It  is  now 
owned  by  Mary  H,  and  William  H.  Hallock.  The  latter  is  now  cashier  ; 
John  M.  Farr,  assistant  cashier,  and  C.  E.  Bennett,  teller. 

The  present  First  National  Bank  of  Bath  was  originally  organized  as 
The  Bank  of  Bath,  April  1 1,  1854,  with  a  capital  of  $50,000.  Constant 
Cook  was  its  president,  and  H.  H.  Cook,  cashier,  by  both  of  whom  its 
affairs  were  managed,  and  successfully  although  frequent  changes  in 
location  were  made.      However,  in  1858,  the  business  was  removed  to 


A. 


CITIES,   VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  259 

the  new  bank  building  at  the  corner  of  Steuben  and  Liberty  streets. 
On  the  14th  of  December,  1863,  the  State  charter  was  dissolved  and 
the  bank  at  once  reorganized  under  the  name  of  First  National  Bank  of 
Bath  (No.  153)  with  a  capital  of  $50,000  (soon  afterward  increased  to 
$100,000).  The  first  officers  were  Constant  Cook,  president ;  H.  H. 
Cook,  cashier,  both  of  whom,  with  L.  D.  Hodgman,  E.  C.  Cook  and  W. 
W.  Allen  composed  the  board  of  directors.  Judge  Cook  died  on  the 
24th  of  February,  1874,  and  in  April  following  Henry  H.  Cook  was 
elected  to  the  presidency.  At  this  time,  also,  W.  W.  Allen  was  ap- 
pointed cashier,  which  offices  they  hold  at  the  present  time.  The  direc- 
tors are  H.  H.  Cook,  L.  D.  Hodgman,  E.  C.  Cook,  M.  R.  Miller  and 
W.  W.  Allen.  This  bank  has  a  surplus  of  nearly  $45,000.  No  com- 
ment upon  its  management  or  business  is  required  at  the  hands  of  the 
writer,  for  the  First  National  Bank  of  Bath  is  too  well  known  in  bank- 
ing circles  and  in  the  business  world  to  suggest  even  the  desirability  of 
compliment. 

The  Farmers'  and  Mechanics'  Bank  of  Bath  opened  its  doors  for  busi- 
ness January  i,  1880,  the  owners  and  managers  forming  a  partnership, 
comprising  J.  F.  Parkhurst,  Abram  Beekman,  Thomas  R.  Rutherford, 
William  M.  Nichols,  and  Frank  Campbell.  The  present  partners  and 
owners  are  Messrs.  Beekman,  Parkhurst,  and  Campbell.  This  is  a 
private  banking  house,  safe  and  reliable,  and  enjoys  a  full  share  of  public 
confidence. 

The  City  OF  Corning — On  the  26th  day  of  October,  1825,  that 
great  thoroughfare  of  travel  and  traffic — the  Erie  canal — was  completed 
and  opened  for  its  intended  use,  and  great  and  immediate  benefit  ac- 
crued to  the  towns  and  villages  along  its  route.  During  the  ten  years 
next  following  this  event,  the  legislature  was  constantly  besieged  with 
applications  for  charters  and  for  pecuniary  assistance  in  the  interest  of 
other  similar  enterprises,  nearly  all  of  which  were  intended  to  be  auxil- 
iary and  tributary  to  the  canal  first  mentioned,  and  to  cross  the  State 
from  north  to  south,  penetrating  the  vast  lumber  tracts  of  Southern  New 
York  and  the  unlimited  coal  fields  of  Northern  Pennsylvania.  Capital- 
ists and  merchants  in  Albany  and  New  York,  and  also  in  the  more 
prominent  manufacturing  centers  of  New  England,  were  desirous  that 
these  lateral  waterways  should  be  established,    for   they  eagerly  sought 


260  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

both  coal  and  lumber  for  business  and  speculative  purposes,  which 
commodities  were  not  provided  by  the  main  canal.  In  1825  the  Dela- 
ware and  Hudson  Canal  company  was  chartered,  and  in  1828  the  canal 
itself  was  opened.  This  brought  southern  products  to  Rondout,  on  the 
Hudson,  affording  partial  relief,  yet  still  another  inlet  was  needed. 

While  the  canal  last  mentioned  was  in  process  of  construction,  a  prop- 
osition was  laid  before  the  legislature  contemplating  another  canal,  ex- 
tending southward  from  the  head  of  Seneca  lake  into  the  extensive  coal 
and  lumber  fields  of  Northern  Pennsylvania,  by  way  of  the  Chemung 
and  Tioga  rivers,  but  the*scheme  nearly  failed  through  the  adverse  posi- 
tion taken  by  Col.  Samuel  Young  who  seemed  to  have  authority  to  pass 
upon  the  necessity  or  desirability  of  the  enterprise.  However,  at  this 
juncture,  Captain  Vincent  Conklin  took  his  team  of  horses  and  drew  a 
fine  load  of  Blossburg  coal  to  Albany  in  order  to  satisfy  the  doubtful 
mind  as  to  the  value  of  the  coal  deposit  of  that  region.  In  Albany  the 
redoubtable  Conklin  found  an  interested  listener  in  Edwin  Cresswell, 
editor  of  the  Argus,  and  the  result  was  an  earnest  advocacy  of  the  canal 
project  on  the  part  of  that  paper.  Better  yet,  on  the  15th  of  April, 
1829,  a  bill  was  passed  authorizing  the  construction  of  the  Chemung 
canal,  extending  from  Watkins  to  Elmira,  with  a  navigable  feeder,  or 
branch,  between  Horseheads  and  Knoxville.  The  work  of  construction 
was  at  once  begun,  and  was  completed  in  1833,  and  by  it,  and  other 
public  enterprises  soon  afterward  carried  to  successful  completion,  the 
village  and  city  of  Corning  became  a  possibility.  Without  them  it  is 
doubtful  if  the  original  hamlet  would  ever  have  been  more  than  a  cross- 
roads settlement. 

This  great  consummation  attained,  public  attention  was  soon  attracted 
to  the  vicinity  of  the  canal  terminus  on  the  southwest.  The  Conhocton, 
the  Canisteo,  the  Tuscarora  and  the  Tioga  brought  here  their  rafts  of 
superior  quality  lumber,  while  the  Tioga  contributed  in  addition  both 
lumber  and  coal,  all  of  which  found  ready  cash  markets  in  the  east. 
These  things  naturally  drew  attention  to  our  locality,  and  it  is  not  sur- 
prising that  Albany  capitalists  sought  investments  in  so  promising  a 
field. 

The  operations  of  the  Corning  Company  were  no  less  important  as 
factors  in  early  municipal  history  than  was  the  the  canal,  yet   the  com- 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  261 

pany  followed  the  canal  and  was  dependent  upon  it  just  as  later  improv- 
ments  were  the  outgrowth  of  the  land  operations.  It  was  the  combina- 
tion of  all  these  elements  that  laid  the  foundation  upon  which  the  mu- 
nicipal structure  was  subsequently  built,  improved  and  enlarged  ;  and 
to-day  we  note  the  result  in  one  of  the  most  metropolitan  yet  cosmo- 
politan cities  in  interior  New  York,  built  up  and  firmly  established,  well 
ordered  and  situated,  and  containing  all  the  requisites  for  future  advanced 
prosperity. 

The  Corning  Company  was  formed  in  1835,  i"  Albany,  and  comprised 
in  its  membership  Erastus  Corning,  Thomas  W.  Olcott,  Joseph  Fellows, 
Watts  Sherman,  Hiram  Bostvvick,  Ansel  Bascom,  Bowen  Whiting, 
William  A.  Bradley  and  Levin  I.  Gilliss,  who  associated  for  the  purpose 
of  acquiring  and  developing  lands  in  this  State,  particularly  in  Steuben 
county,  and  for  such  other  speculative  purposes  as  were  desirable.  The 
company  first  purchased  at  Painted  Post,  but  their  title  failed,  and  they 
next  obtained  340  acres  of  land  on  the  west  side  of  the  Chemung,  with- 
in the  present  city  limits.  It  was  at  first  thought  the  selection  of  land 
made  by  the  company  was  unfortunate,  being  on  the  west  side  of  the 
river,  but  whether  so  or  not  the  location  proved  most  fortunate  for  sub- 
sequent interests  as  bridges  were  built  and  thus  the  whole  town  was 
benefited. 

Indeed  these  first  years  of  village  history  witnessed  many  improve- 
ments and  wonderful  changes,  and  in  1836  there  was  sufficient  impor- 
tance in  the  settlement  to  warrant  a  name  for  the  hamlet.  It  was 
called  Corning,  in  honorable  allusion  to  Erastus  Corning,  founder  in 
fact  of  the  company  and  one  of  the  chief  promoters  of  the  enterprise. 
The  purchase  tract  was  surveyed  and  laid  out  into  lots,  and  all  needful 
things  were  provided  to  build  up  a  progressive  settlement.  However, 
one  of  the  first  acts  of  the  company  was  to  ascertain  the  possibility  of  a 
successful  line  of  railroad  between  the  canal  terminus  and  the  rich  Bloss- 
burg  coal  fields.  To  be  sure,  the  Tioga  river  afforded  moderate  facili- 
ties for  transportation  at  certain  periods,  yet  it  proved  a  somewhat  slow 
and  occasionally  unreliable  thoroughfare  of  traffic.  To  overcome  the 
objections  a  survey  was  made  to  the  State  line,  up  the  valley  of  the 
river,  and  being  practicable  the  energetic  company  constructed  the  road 
to  that  point,  and  there  joined  with  the  road  built  by  a  similar  company 


262  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

of  Pennsylvania  operators.  In  1839  the  first  locomotive  traversed  the 
Tioga  valley,  and  the  future  success  and  growth  of  our  little  village 
became  assured. 

Reference  to  the  railroad  statistics  of  the  State  discloses  the  fact  that 
this  road  was  built  by  the  "  Tioga  Coal,  Iron  Mining  and  Manufactur- 
ing Company,"  connecting  the  bituminous  coal  fields  of  Pennsylvania 
with  the  Chemung  canal,  but  gives  the  year  of  organization  as  1841. 
However,  in  1852,  the  road  was  sold  and  the  name  changed  to  Corning 
and  Blossburg  railroad.  It  is  the  same  more  recently  known  as  the 
Blossburg,  Corning  and  Tioga  railroad,  the  "  Cowanesque  Branch," 
and  also  as  the  Fall  Brook  road.  In  1840  the  preliminary  surveys  for 
the  Erie  railroad  were  made  in  this  vicinity,  yet  ten  years  passed  before 
the  road  was  in  fact  completed.  In  the  expectation  that  this  line  was 
to  be  immediately  built  local  capital  invested  largely,  and  the  delay 
which  followed  worked  disaster  to  all  business  interests.  The  road, 
however,  was  completed  to  Corning  in  January,  1850.  Two  years  later 
the  Buffalo,  Corning  and  New  York  railroad  (now  Rochester  division 
of  the  Erie)  was  completed  to  Corning,  affording  additional  facilities 
through  the  Conhocton  valley.  Still  later  railway  lines,  which  have 
added  to  the  general  advancement  of  local  interests,  were  the  Syracuse, 
Geneva  and  Corning,  chartered  in  1875,  and  opened  in  1877  >  the  Del- 
aware, Lackawanna  and  Western,  opened  in  1882  ;  and  the  Addison 
and  Pennsylvania,  also  opened  in  1882.  The  old  Corning  and  Olean 
Company  was  chartered  in  1852,  with  a  capital  of  $850,000,  but  the 
road  was  never  built. 

Returning  to  purely  local  history,  let  us  briefly  note  some  of  the 
prominent  factors  in  the  development  of  early  interests.  Col.  H.  W. 
Bostwick  was  of  course  active  in  the  operations  of  the  Corning  company, 
and  was  its  resident  manager.  •  Other  enterprising  residents  were  Dr. 
William  Turbell,  Lawyer  Thomas  A.  Johnson,  Laurin,  P.  J.  and  Wm. 
M.  Mallory,  Major  S.  B.  Denton,  Nelson  L.  Somers,  H.  G.  Phelps,  B. 
P.  Bailey,  John  A.  Parcell,  B.  W.  Payne,  Daniel  G.  Comstock,  George 
T.  Spencer,  E.  P.  Rogers,  S.  T.  Hayt,  Hiram  Pritchard,  Wm.  J.  Arnold, 
Charles  Clark  and  others. 

Previous  to  1840  the  hamlet  had  no  post-office  nearer  than  Center- 
ville,  but   in   the   year   mentioned   Postmaster   Philo  P.  Hubbell  kindly 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  263 

moved  the  Painted  Post  office  to  Corning.  In  1841  the  name  of  the 
office  was  changed  to  Corning  and  Major  S.  B.  Denton  was  appointed 
postmaster.  Also  in  1840  Charles  Adams  contributed  greatly  to  local 
interests  in  establishing  a  newspaper,  called  the  Corning  and  Blossburg 
Advocate.  The  second  paper  was  the  Corning  Sun,  founded  in  1853 
by  Mark  M.  Pomeroy  and  P.  C.  Van  Gelder.  Churches  were  erected 
and  religious  societies  were  organized,  the  village  Presbyterian  in  1842, 
and  the  second  of  the  same  denomination  three  years  later.  The  Prot- 
estant Episcopal  church  followed  in  1854,  while  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal workers  were  in  the  field  as  early  as  1839.  The  Baptist  and  Cath- 
olics were  here  about  the  same  time,  1842. 

In  1842,  according  to  a  reprinted  article  from  the  Corning  and  Bloss- 
burg  Advocate,  the  village  contained  about  500  inhabitants,  and  was 
considered  "  a  smart  town,"  but  the  failure  of  the  first  Erie  railroad  en- 
terprise had  a  depressing  effect  on  all  local  interests  and  some  of  them 
suffered  seriously.  The  road  was  completed  to  Corning  from  the  east 
in  December,  1849,  but  ^^  that  time,  notwithstanding  all  adverse  events, 
the  local  population  had  increased  to  1,300,  and  the  village  had  been 
regularly  incorporated. 

Referring  again  to  the  article  in  the  Advocate,  we  learn  that  the  law- 
yers of  the  village  in  1842  were  Johnson  &  Covell,  George  T.  Spencer, 
and  also  Col.  H.  W.  Bostwick,  the  latter  president  and  attorney  of  the 
Corning  Company  and  constantly  engaged  in  furthering  the  interests  of 
his  principals  rather  than  occupied  in  general  legal  practice.  Terbell  & 
Brownell  were  physicians,  the  former  being  also  proprietor  of  a  drug 
store  which  has  since  been  continued  by  some  member  of  the  family. 
S.  B.  Denton  kept  a  shoe  store,  and  was  also  at  one  time  proprietor  of 
the  old  Corning  House,  a  well  known  hostelry  standing  on  the  site  now 
occupied  by  the  Dickinson  House.  H.  H.  Wyman  was  the  village  liv- 
eryman. 

The  old  Bank  of  Corning  was  then  in  successful  operation,  having  be- 
gan business  January  12,  1839,  under  a  hundred-year  charter,  yet  its 
existence  covered  a  period  of  less  than  thirty  years.  However,  it  out- 
lived by  more  than  a  year  the  Corning  Company  which  dissolved  in 
1855.  Jared  A.  Redfield  was  a  dry  goods  merchant,  and  Loveland  & 
Arnold  were  in  the  same  line  of  trade.      Bailey  &  Gray  kept  a  stock  of 


264  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

general  merchandise,  while  L.  Davenport  was  hatter,  but  later  on 
opened  a  book  store.  Charles  Clark  was  builder  and  contractor,  and 
some  of  the  structures  built  by  him  are  still  standing,  though  most  of 
the  frame  business  buildings  have  been  removed  by  fire  or  the  ever 
progressing  hand  of  man.  G.  W.  Hanmer  kept  general  store,  C.  H. 
Powers  was  the  jeweler,  and  Loomis,  Fuller  &  Co.  kept  a  large  supply 
of  boots,  shoes  and  leather.  James  B.  Lower  was  a  manufacturer  of 
cars  and  did  an  extensive  business  in  the  village.  David  Baker  was  the 
brickmaker,  and  his  product  is  still  discernible  in  many  of  the  older 
buildings  of  the  vicinity. 

Dr.  James  Cutler  practiced  medicine  in  Knoxville,  which  place  then 
rivaled  Corning.  Later  on,  however,  the  village  founded  by  Judge 
Knox  became  a  suburb  to  rapidly  growing  and  constantly  extending 
Corning,  and  finally  was  absorbed  by  the  city  incorporation.  It  now 
constitutes  the  Fifth  ward,  and  is,  withal,  the  largest  and  most  impor- 
tant outlying  district  of  the  municipality.  However,  for  the  purposes 
of  this  outline  narrative  Knoxville  will  be  treated  as  a  part  of  Corning. 

The  old  and  well  known  firm  of  W.  &  F.  Thornton  dealt  in  dry 
goods  ;  W.  B.  Scudder  had  a  stock  of  general  merchandise ;  W.  &  J. 
Treverton,  and  also  J.  F.  Geen  sold  paints,  oils  and  glazier's  goods;  D. 
R.  Davis  was  the  village  barber ;  M,  J.  Pace  made  and  sold  bakestufifs  ; 
J.  S.  Jamison  taught  writing  school ;  Pew  &  Paddleford  were  livery- 
men ;  N.  L.  Somer  &  Co  sold  hardware  ;  W.  L.  Waller  dealt  in  dry 
goods  ;  and  H.  G.  Phelps  and  H.  Pritchard  were  proprietors  of  the  local 
flour  and  grist  mills.  Over  in  Knoxville  Dyer  Ford  sold  groceries  and 
patent  medicines  ;  D.  J.  Shaw  dealt  in  dry  goods  and  Yankee  notions, 
but  later  on  built  and  opened  the  Corning  Exchange. 

Such,  substantially,  was  the  condition  of  mercantile  interests  in  the 
village  half  a  century  ago,  but  succeeding  years  worked  wonderful 
changes.  Within  the  next  ten  years,  following  1842,  the  village  suf- 
fered severe  losses  by  fire  and  many  of  the  best  business  places  were 
completely  destroyed.  These  disasters  led  to  the  forniation  of  fire  com- 
panies as  a  partial  means  of  preventing  still  further  conflagrations  and 
their  consequent  loss,  and  the  liberality  of  the  business  men  was  sorely 
taxed  to  provide  fire  apparatus,  which  could  not  be  purchased  at  the 
expense  of  the  town  at  large.      Having  a  population  of  about  1,200  in 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS  265 

1848,  many  public  improvements  were  necessary,  and  the  town  showed 
little  inclination  to  pay  an  expense  from  which  persons  outside  the  vil- 
lage received  no  direct  benefit.  Therefore  the  interested  citizens  deter- 
mined to  produre  an  order  of  incorporation. 

The  petitioners  were  Horace  G.  Phelps,  James  C.  Davis  and  Joseph 
Herron,  who  made  application  to  the  Court  of  Sessions  on  the  31st  of 
August,  1848,  and  on  the  6th  of  September,  following,  Judge  McMaster 
granted  the  order  of  incorporation,  subject  to  ratification  by  the  electors 
of  the  incorporated  district.  The  election  for  this  purpose  was  held  on 
the  25th  of  October,  and  the  result  showed  1 18  votes  for  and  5  against 
the  proposition. 

The  first  election  of  village  officers  was  held  January  12,  1849,  and 
resulted  as  follows :  Horace  G.  Phelps,  Laurin  Mallory,  George  T. 
Spencer,  Aaron  H.  Foster  and  James  S.  Robinson,  trustees.  On  the 
organization  of  the  board,  Mr.  Mallory  was  chosen  president,  and 
Thomas  Messenger,  clerk.  However,  in  1858,  the  powers  of  the  muni- 
cipal body  were  increased  through  charter  enactment,  after  which  time 
the  office  of  president  became  elective  instead  of  appointive. 

The  village  trustees,  under  the  first  order  of  incorporation,  were  nec- 
essarily compelled  to  inaugurate  many  public  improvements.  They  were 
the  legislative  and  executive  power  of  a  municipality  of  1,300  inhabitants, 
and  with  mercantile  and  manufacturing  interests  of  greater  importance 
than  is  usual  in  such  villages.  The  highways  were  in  great  need  of 
attention,  and  sidewalks  must  be  laid  and  lights  provided.  Soon  after- 
ward the  Erie  railway  was  completed  to  the  village  and  police  protec- 
tion was  imperative.  About  the  same  time  the  locality  was  visited  with 
a  series  of  disastrous  fires,  by  which  many  of  their  prominent  business 
blocks  were  destroyed.  So  seriously  was  the  loss  felt  in  the  community 
that  the  trustees,  on  the  fourth  of  January,  185  i,  adopted  a  resolution 
by  which  a  regular  fire  department  was  organized  ;  and  within  one 
week  from  that  time  Rescue  Fire  Co.  No.  i,  and  Rescue  Hose  Co,  No. 
I,  also  Rough  and  Ready  Fire  Co.  No  2,  and  Rough  and  Ready  Hose 
Co.  No.  2,  were  brought  into  existence,  and  soon  afterward  equipped 
with  the  necessary  apparatus  for  extinguishing  fires.  The  name  Rough 
and  Ready  was  changed  to  Neptune,  and  in  1857,  Alliance  Hook  and 
Ladder  Co.  was  organized.     This  was  the  nucleus  of  the  present  fire 

34 


266  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

department  of  the  city,  an  organization  surpassed  by  none  and  equaled 
by  few  among  the  volunteer  organizations  of  the  State. 

In  1862  the  department  was  incorporated  under  the  State  laws,  and 
upon  organization  Alfred  Jones  was  elected  president,  and  George  W. 
Pratt,  secretary.  As  the  village  and  subsequent  city  enlarged  both  in 
population  and  business  importance,  so,  also,  was  the  department  in- 
creased in  members  and  efficiency,  until  it  was  a  distinct  branch  of  mu- 
nicipal government,  controlled  by  a  full  board  of  officers,  as  follows  : 
Marvin  Olcott,  president ;  G.  D.  Gorton,  secretary  ;  W.  L.  McGeorge, 
treasurer.  The  chief  engineer  is  F.  L.  Clute ;  ist  asst.,  W.  H.  Christie; 
2d  asst.,  J.  Lazarus.  The  fire  wardens  are  W.  B.  Walker,  E.  B.  Sey- 
mour and  D.  F.  Fero. 

In  the  same  year  in  which  the  first  village  officers  were  elected  the 
Erie  Railroad  was  completed  to  Corning  and  opened  for  traffic  This 
was  by  far  the  greatest  acquisition  in  local  interests  and  contributed 
largely  to  early  prosperity.  Within  another  year  or  two  the  road  was 
completed  to  Hornellsville  and  points  farther  west,  thus  giving  the  vil- 
lage a  trunk  line  of  railroad  with  all  its  accompanying  advantages.  In 
1852  the  Rochester  branch  was  also  opened,  and  the  products  of  both 
Canisteo  and  Conhocton  valleys  poured  into  the  village  on  their  way  to 
Eastern  markets.  The  Chemung  Canal  was  in  full  and  successful 
operation  at  the  same  time.  In  less  than  another  quarter  of  a  century 
the  Syracuse,  Geneva  &  Corning  Road  was  ready  for  business,  afford- 
ing ready  connection  with  the  New  York  Central  Road  and  also  points 
in  New  England.  In  view  of  these  things  it  is  not  surprising  that  Corn- 
ing was  a  business  center  of  much  importance  previous  to  the  outbreak 
of  the  late  war,  and  when  peace  was  restored  renewed  activity  added 
still  other  interests  to  the  village.  In  1868  the  now  celebrated  glass 
works  were  removed  from  Brooklyn  to  Corning,  bringing  to  the  village 
at  least  one  hundred  experienced  workmen,  many  of  them  having  fam- 
ilies. One  industry  led  to  another,  each  succeeding  family  increased 
the  importance  of  the  municipality,  and  we  find  as  early  as  1888  popu- 
lation and  volume  of  business  sufficient  to  warrant  a  city  charter,  with 
all  its  attendant  prestige  and  advantage.  Of  this  the  people  began  to 
speak  at  least  two  years  before  the  act  in  fact  passed  the  Legislature, 
and  among  the  more    prominent   factors  in   bringing  about  the  desired 


WILLIAM  W.  ADAMS. 


CITIES,  VILLAQES  AND  HAMLETS.  267 

result  were  F.  D.  Kingsbury,  Franklin  N.  Drake,  Amory  Houghton,  jr., 
Harry  C.  Heermans,  John  Hoare,  sen.,  E.  D.  Willis,  F.  R.  Brown, 
Stephen  T.  Hayt,  George  W.  Pratt,  Q.  W.  Wellington,  Dwight  A.  Ful- 
ler, George  B.  Bradley  and  others.  The  bill  creating  the  city  became  a 
law  and  received  the  executive  sanction  on  the  20th  of  March,  1890. 
Within  the  city  limits  were  about  i,8oo  acres  of  land. 

The  first  election  of  city  officers  was  held  April  2,  1890,  with  result 
as  follows  :  William  E.  Gorton,  mayor  ;  D.  F.  Browne,  recorder ;  L.  B. 
Robinson,  chamberlain  ;  Thomas  O'Brien,  overseer  of  the  poor  ;  George 
Hitchcock  and  Thomas  Hiffernan,  justices  of  the  peace  ;  William  A. 
Foster,  Peter  Griffin  and  S.  C.  Robertson,  supervisors.  Aldermen: 
John  Peart  and  William  Hunt,  First  Ward  ;  John  W.  Fedderand  Will- 
iam T.  Brady,  Second  Ward;  E.  Clisdell  and  William  T.  Rubright, 
Third  Ward;  John  Cogan  and  James  McMahon,  Fifth  Ward;  George 
Clark  and  Albert  Pritchard,  Fifth  Ward. 

Mayor  Gorton  found  the  work  of  organizing  the  several  departments 
of  city  government  to  be  a  rather  arduous  undertaking,  yet  he  applied 
himself  industriously  to  the  duties  of  his  ofifice,  and  within  a  very  short 
time  all  branches  were  working  smoothly  and  well.  Doctor  Gorton's 
term  of  office  covered  two  years,  and  his  administration  of  affairs  proved 
very  acceptable  to  the  people. 

In  1892  Benjamin  W.  Wellington  was  elected  mayor,  and  showed 
himself  to  be  an  entirely  capable  and  efficient  public  officer.  His  was 
the  first  Republican  term  in  the  mayoralty,  the  change  contemplating 
several  new  appointments,  yet  all  were  satisfactory  and  worthy.  Under 
Mayor  Wellington  the  new  city  hall  was  built,  in  1893,  at  an  expense 
of  nearly  $40,000. 

The  present  mayor,  William  W.  Adams,  was  elected  in  the  spring  of 
1894,  and  although  a  new  man  in  public  office,  his  administration  has 
been  clean,  careful  and  conservative,  with  an  aim  to  promote  the  wel- 
fare of  the  city  rather  than  for  personal  advantage. 

In  all  departments  of  city  government  Corning  has  been  fortunate  in 
the  selection  of  officers,  and  to-day  ranks  among  the  best  and  most 
liberally  conducted  municipalities  of  the  State.  To  a  great  extent  poli- 
tics is  subordinate  to  the  public  good,  the  heads  of  departments  and 
commissioners  being  chosen  with  reference  to  fitness  rather  than  party 


268  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

affiliation.  The  popular  plan  of  delegating  the  control  of  the  several 
arms  of  city  government  to  constituted  commissions  has  shown  bene- 
ficial results  in  the  aptly  called  "  Crystal  City."  However,  let  us  here 
note  the  names  of  present  officials  connected  with  local  government, 
and  then  refer  briefly  to  some  of  the  more  important  branches  which 
have  made  for  our  city  its  excellent  standing. 

Mayor,  William  W.  Adams;  city  clerk,  William  L.  McGeorge  ;  cham- 
berlain, John  Greentrup  ;  city  attorney,  E.  D.  Mills  ;•  street  commis- 
sioner, Rufus  C.  Palmer;  city  engineer,  Harry  C.  Heermans ;  recorder, 
W.  J.  Tully  ;  acting  recorder,  George  Hitchcock;  chief  of  police,  James 
Ryan ;  captain  of  police,  John  Brennan.  Aldermen :  C.  H.  Lovell, 
George  Walsh,  First  Ward;  Dr.  H,  A.  Argue,  C.  H.  Duerlin,  Second 
Ward  ;  Valentine  Rettig,  W.  J.  Cheney,  Third  Ward  ;  Peter  Farrell, 
T.  F.  Reilly,  Fourth  Ward  ;  Dr.  G.  W.  Lane,  A.  A.  King,  Fifth  Ward. 
Assessors,  S.  B.  Nichols,  N.  D.  Rowley,  P.  D.  Haradon  ;  justices,  George 
Hitchcock,  B.  F.  Marriott;  overseer  of  the  poor,  James  Peart. 

Police  commissioners — James  A.  Drake,  Henry  Beck,  Edward  P. 
Graves,  C.  G.  Cole. 

Sewer  commissioners — F.  D.  Kingsbury,  president;  H.  P.  Sinclair, 
secretary  ;  O.  W.  Wellington,  treasurer;  Samuel  T.  Hayt  and  Thomas 
Dwyer. 

Excise  Commissioners — W.  T.  Brady,  Joseph  F.  Moore,  Charles  W. 
Hayt,  W.  J.  Tully. 

Board  of  Health— C.  A.  Rubright,  E.  W.  Bryan,  M.  D.,  John  B. 
Dailey,  H.  M.  Bourne,  Charles  W.  Fassett,  J.  L.  Miller.  W.  S.  Cobb, 
health  officer  and  clerk  of  the  board. 

Fire  Department  Companies — Alliance  Hook  and  Ladder  Co  ,  No.  i  ; 
Pritchard  Hose  Co.,  No.  i  ;  Crystal  City  Hose  Co.,  No.  2;  Independ- 
ent Hose  Co.,  No.  3  ;  Corning  Protectives,  No.  4  ;  Magee  Hose  Co., 
No.  5. 

The  educational  branch  of  city  government  in  Corning  is  one  in  which 
every  loyal  citizen  feels  a  just  pride,  and  for  the  maintenance  and  sup- 
port of  the  public  schools  the  local  authorities  make  generous  provision. 
In  this  action  the  board  of  education  has  ever  received  the  approval  of 
the  taxpayers,  as  the  appropriations  are  worthily  applied,  and  there  is 
no  evidence   whatever   of  prodigality.     The   present   admirable  school 


CITIES,   ^^ILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  269 

system  is  the  outgrowth  of  a  beginning  made  as  early  as  the  year  1839, 
when  a  public  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  S.  B.  Denton,  at  which 
time  Judge  Johnson,  William  L.  Waller  and  Charles  Clark  were  chosen 
trustees  of  old  district  No.  14,  of  the  then  town  of  Painted  Post.  A 
school  house  was  thus  provided,  in  fact  two  of  them,  but  in  later  years 
a  consolidation  of  school  interests  was  effected.  On  April  13,  1859,  a 
special  act  of  Legislature  constituted  a  board  of  education  in  district 
No.  9,  which,  of  course,  was  the  village  school  district.  At  that  time 
the  free  school  system  was  put  in  operation,  although  the  academy  build- 
ing was  not  completed  and  occupied  until  September  i,  1873.  This 
structure,  known  as  the  Corning  Academy,  or  High  School,  needs  no 
extended  description  in  this  place  ;  it  stands  to-day  a  monument  to  the 
generosity  of  an  intelligent  public.  The  building  has  been  repaired 
and  enlarged  as  occasion  has  required,  and  within  the  last  year  nearly 
$30,000  has  been  expended  in  enlargements  and  sanitary  improvements. 

In  district  No.  9  are  three  good  schools,  one  of  which  is  the  academy 
just  mentioned.  When  the  city  was  created  it  included  within  its  lim- 
its district  No.  13,  town  of  Corning,  or  at  least  so  much  of  that  district 
as  comprises  the  present  Fifth  Ward.  This  was  formerly  Knoxville,  and 
by  the  acquisition  Corning  gained  another  excellent  school.  However, 
this  district  is  separately  supported,  receiving  no  support  from  the  city 
other  than  from  its  own  territory.  Its  affairs  are  controlled  by  a  sepa- 
rate board  of  education  and  at  the  expense  of  the  district  known  as 
No.  13. 

The  personnel  of  the  board  of  education  in  district  No.  9  is  as  follows  : 
Amory  Houghton,  jr.,  George  R.  Brown,  Edward  Clisdell,  O.  P.  Robin- 
son, David  S.  Drake  and  William  E.  Gorton.  Officers  of  the  board  : 
Amory  Houghton,  jr.,  president;  George  Hitchcock,  secretary;  Q.  W. 
Wellington,  treasurer.      Superintendent  of  schools,  Leigh  R.  Hunt. 

The  board  of  education  in  district  No.  13  comprises  Luman  S.  Con- 
over,  Dr.  George  W.  Lane,  Charles  Billinghurst,  Frank  H.  Viele,  Will- 
iam A.  Pierce,  John  McBurney  and  T.  H.  Cole,  jr. 

Corning  is  abundantly  supplied  with  pure  and  wholesome  water  for 
domestic  and  public  purposes.  The  system  was  established  in  1871  and 
'72,  at  an  expense  of  about  $25,000,  but  for  some  reason  it  was  a  con- 
stant source  of  expense   instead  of   profit  to  the  village.      Further  im- 


270  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

provements  entailed  additional  outlays  of  money  until  the  public  had 
invested  nearly  $40,000  in  the  plant,  and  yet  the  concern  was  con- 
tinually a  source  of  expense.  In  order  to  be  relieved  of  this  burden 
the  trustees  offered  to  lease  the  works,  but  without  success  for  some 
time,  and  not  until  young  Harry  Heermans,  law  student,  determined  to 
establish  it  on  a  paying  basis,  He  associated  with  T.  L.  Lawrence,  and 
the  two  leased  the  plant  and  system  for  thirty  years,  beginning  Janu- 
ary I,  1877.  Their  capital  consisted  chiefly  of  energy  and  good  judg- 
ment, and  within  three  years  the  works  were  on  a  self-sustaining  basis. 
Soon  afterward  a  profit  was  realized,  and  to-day,  notwithstanding  the 
large  outlays  for  extensions  and  maintenance,  the  firm  are  lessees  of  one 
of  the  best  enterprises  in  Steuben  county.  The  city  is  well  supplied 
with  excellent  water  from  a  large  reservoir  on  the  hill  on  the  south  side, 
while  connected  with  the  system  is  a  pumping  station  of  equal  utility. 
From  500,000  to  800,000  gallons  of  water  are  pumped  daily,  and  the 
number  of  taps  is  about  800 

The  Corning  Gas  Company  was  incorporated  August  i,  1862,  to 
furnish  the  village  with  gas  for  illuminating  purposes.  This  is  an  im- 
portant adjunct  of  municipal  welfare  although  electric  lighting  has  in  a 
measure  displaced  gas,  The  officers  of  the  company  are  C.  S.  Cole, 
president  ;  F.  D.  Kingsbury,  treasurer  and  general  manager ;  E.  B. 
Seymour,  secretary.     Superintendent,  W.  H.   Christie. 

As  a  manufacturing  and  mercantile  city.  Corning  ranks  exceedingly 
well  among  the  industrial  centers  of  the  State  This  fortunate  con- 
dition of  affairs  is  largely  due  to  the  railroad  facilities,  by  which  the 
local  product  is  easily  and  quickly  shipped  to  markets  in  any  direction. 
Indeed  our  enterprising  city  has  two  recognized  trunk  lines  of  railroad 

the  Erie  and  the  Delaware,    Lackawanna  &  Western,  while  the  Fall 

Brook  system  is  so  complete  and  important  to  local  interests  as  to  be 
of  equal  value  with  the  lines  mentioned.  In  addition  the  Fall  Brook 
Company  have  here  their  central  offices  for  business  management, 
while  their  construction  and  repair  shops  furnish  employment  to  hun- 
dreds of  workingmen. 

One  of  the  most  important  industries  of  Southern  New  York  is  the 
Corning  Glass  Works,  which,  with  its  allied  interests,  furnishes  em- 
ployment   to    about    1,000    persons,    and   also,   through   its  pay    rolls, 


HARRY  C.  HEERMANS. 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  271 

provides  the  means  of  subsistence  to  at  least  3,000  more.  In  Corning 
these  works  were  established  by  the  removal  of  the  Brooklyn  Flint 
Glass  Works  in  the  year  1868,  being  induced  to  such  course  through 
the  representation  of  Elias  Hungerford  that  coal,  rents  and  employees 
could  be  procured  in  this  village  at  less  expense  than  in  the  former 
location.  At  that  time  the  company  comprised  Amory  Houghton,  sr., 
Josiah  Oakes,  George  P.  Bradford  and  Amory  Houghton,  jr.  As  an 
inducement  to  the  removal,  the  village,  through  individuals,  took  $50,- 
000  of  stock,  while  the  company  took  $75,000,  and  also  brought  to 
Corning  100  regular  and  skilled  employees.  A  reorganization  was 
effected  at  the  time  of  the  removal  and  the  concern  became  known  as 
the  Corning  Flint  Glass  Company.  For  three  years  at  least  the  com- 
pany did  business  at  a  heavy  loss,  finding  the  Cumberland  coal  not 
suited  to  their  purposes,  and  being  brought  into  direct  competition 
with  the  large  Pittsburg  factories;  and  in  1871  it  became  necessary  to 
dispose  of  the  local  plant,  which  was  purchased  by  Nathan  Gushing,  of 
Boston,  and  placed  in  charge  of  Amory  Houghton,  jr.,  as  manager. 
With  an  exceedingly  doubtful  future  before  him,  Mr.  Houghton  began 
the  operation  of  the  works,  on  borrowed  capital,  running  economically, 
devising  and  introducing  specialties,  endeavoring  in  every  way  to  place 
the  works  on  a  paying  basis.  Subsequent  results  showed  the  wisdom  of 
his  policy,  for  the  end  of  the  year  showed  a  small  profit.  In  1872  Mr. 
Houghton  purchased  the  works  and  became  the  sole  proprietor.  Three 
years  later,  in  1875,  the  "Corning  Glass  Works"  was  incorporated 
with  a  capital  of  $50,000,  Amory  Houghton,  jr.,  president  and  treas- 
urer; Charles  F.  Houghton,  vice  president,  and  Henry  P.  Sinclair,  sec- 
retary. From  the  time  of  the  purchase  in  1872,  under  the  new  man- 
agement, this  enterprise  has  been  successful  from  every  point  of  view, 
and  is  now  regarded  as  the  leading  industry  of  Corning  and  one  of  the 
most  noted  in  the  State  of  New  York.  As  originally  established  in 
1868,  the  works  covered  two  acres  of  ground,  and  employed  about  150 
men,  boys  and  girls  ;  as  now  constituted  the  works  cover  six  acres,  and 
employ  regularly  about  400  persons,  and  occasionally  as  many  more. 
Connected  with  this  splendid  industry  are  the  cutting  shops,  although 
under  different  ownership  and  management,  but  taking  the  raw  product 
from  the  glass  works  and  finishing  it  so  beautifully  that  Corning  is 
known  throughout  the  land  as  the  "Crystal  City." 


272  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

The  well  known  glass  cutting  firm  of  J.  Hoare  &  Co.,  whose  wares 
are  sold  throughout  the  United  States,  and  in  many  foreign  countries 
as  well,  was  the  outgrowth  of  a  business  established  in  Corning  in  1868, 
by  John  Hoare,  he  coming  to  the  village  with  the  Brooklyn  Flint  Glass 
works.  Mr.  Hoare  began  in  a  small  way  and  increased  the  capacity  of 
his  shops  as  rapidly  as  the  demand  for  his]products  increased,  and  it  is  a 
fact  well  known  that  the  output  from  the  Hoare  works  is  among  the 
best  in  the  world,  while  the  proprietor  himself  was  the  pioneer  manufac- 
turer of  rich  cut  glass  in  this  country  ;  and  he  was  the  first  man  who 
ever  turned  glass  in  a  lathe,  and  also  the  first  who  ever  made  glass  for 
store  window  sashes.  At  the  noted  exhibitions  of  fine  goods  at  Boston, 
Philadelphia  and  Baltimore,  Mr.  Hoare  was  awarded  the  first  prize  in 
each  case,  and  generously  turned  over  the  exhibit  to  his  principal  cus- 
tomer in  each  city.  At  the  Columbian  Exposition  he  was  awarded 
four  medals  for  superiority,  in  design,  finish  and  general  beauty.  The 
works  of  J.  Hoare  &  Co.  are  an  important  industry  in  Corning  and 
furnish  employment  for  about  250  persons. 

In  1890  T.  G.  Hawkes  &  Co.  was  incorporated  for  the  purpose  of 
carrying  on  a  general  business  in  cutting  and  selling  fine  glassware. 
However,  since  1880  the  name  of  T.  G.  Hawkes  has  been  known  in 
local  manufacturing  circles,  and  during  the  period  from  that  until  the 
present,  the  product  of  the  Hawkes  factory  have  found  their  way  into 
almost  every  civilized  country  where  fine  cut  glass  is  appreciated  and 
used.  Previous  to  1880  Mr.  Hawkes  was  an  employe  of  John  Hoare, 
but  in  the  year  mentioned  began  business  for  himself  in  Corning,  in  a 
small  way  at  first,  but  enlarging  the  capacity  of  his  shops  as  demand  for 
for  his  product  has  increased  ;  and  in  the  short  space  of  fifteen  years  he 
has  built  up  a  business  that  requires  the  employment  of  245  workmen. 
As  evidence  of  the  superior  excellence  of  his  goods,  we  may  state  that 
at  the  Paris  Exposition,  in  1889,  the  Hawkes  exhibit  was  awarded  the 
grand  prize  in  open  competition  against  the  entire  world.  Nearly  all  the 
articles  comprising  that  exhibit  were  eagerly  sought  and  taken  by  the 
nobility  of  Europe. 

Among  the  other  substantial  manufacturing  industries  of  this  pro- 
gressive city  we  may  mention  the  Corning  Brick  and  Terra  Cotta 
Works,  which,  in  its  special  product  is  a  noted  concern   in  the  country. 


STEPHEN  T.  HAYT. 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  273 

and  one  of  great  importance  in  local  circles,  employing  many  persons 
in  its  various  departments.  The  officers  of  the  company  are  C.  A. 
Rubright,  president ;  H.  O.  Dorman,  vice-president ;  C.  W.  Rubright, 
general  manager,  and  Morris  E.  Gregory,  secretary. 

The  Southern  Tier  Mills  are  also  worthy  of  special  mention,  and  were 
built  in  1868  by  Hayt  &  Olcott,  the  firm  being  succeeded  by  Mr.  Hayt 
in  1869.  The  buildings  were  burned  in  1879,  and  immediately  rebuilt, 
with  brick,  far  more  substantial  than  the  old  building,  and  equipped 
with  modern  machinery  for  the  manufacture  of  flour.  The  present 
capacity  of  the  mills  is  200  barrels  of  flour  per  day. 

The  Preston  and  Heermans  foundry  and  machine  shops  were  estab- 
lished in  1867. 

The  Corning  Iron  Works  were  founded  in  1889  by  William  E.  Gor- 
ton and  manufactures  all  kinds  of  cast  iron  work  and  railway  specialties. 
The  officers  of  the  company  are  William  E.  Gorton,  president,  and  E. 
D.  Mills,  secretary  and  treasurer.  The  company  was  incorporated  in 
1893  ;  capital  $100,000.  The  Corning  Lumber  Company  is  another 
substantial  business  enterprise  of  the  city,  officered  as  follows :  Glode 
Requa,  president  ;  George  W.  Foster,  secretary  ;  W.  H.  Clark,  treas- 
urer. The  Corning  Manufacturing  Company  are  builders  of  the  popu- 
lar "Victor  Warm  Air  Furnace."  The  officers  are  E.  P.  Graves,  presi- 
dent; V.  Haischer,  secretary,  and  E..R.  Stasch,  superintendent.  The 
Corning  Stone  Company,  whose  extensive  works  are  southwest  of  the 
city,  was  organized  many  years  ago,  and  is  therefore  one  of  the  old  in- 
dustries of  the  locality.  They  produce  fine  building  and  dimension 
stone.  The  officers  are  Jared  Pratt,  president ;  E.  C.  English,  secretary 
and  treasurer.  The  Corning  Stove  Company  manufactures  the  well 
kn6wn  Garnet  stoves  and  ranges,  do  a  large  business  and  employ  many 
workmen.  The  officers  are  George  W.  Drake,  president;  L.  D. 
Streeter,  vice  president;  L.  H.  Drake,  treasurer.  The  Hood  Furnace 
and  Supply  Company,  manufacturers  of  hot  air  furnaces,  is  another 
staple  industry  of  the  city.  Its  officers  are  C.  S.  Hood,  president;  W. 
A.  Adams,  vice-president,  and  James  C.  Hood,  secretary. 

In  addition  to  the  industries  thus  specially  mentioned  are  many  others 
of  less  magnitude,  yet  all  combine  to  promote  local  growth.  In  mer- 
cantile pursuits  all  branches  appear  to  be  well  represented,  with  compe- 


274  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

tition  in  each  line  of  trade  sufficient  to  prevent  monopoly.  The  stores, 
blocks,  and  public  buildings  of  Corning  surpass  those  of  any  other 
municipality  in  the  county,  and  the  number  of  commercial  men  who 
daily  register  at  the  principal  hotels  indicate  a  heavy  volume  of  trade  in 
retail  as  well  as  wholesale  houses.  Much  of  this  prosperous  condition 
is  due  to  the  energetic  efforts  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  which  comprises  a 
number  of  the  best  and  most  liberal  men  of  the  city.  The  board  is  a 
large  body  in  point  of  membership,  and  its  object  is  to  promote  the 
growth  and  welfare  of  the  city  in  every  direction.  The  officers  are 
Stephen  T.  Hayt,  president;  Quincy  W.  Wellington,  vice-president; 
William  Walker,  treasurer;  John  L.  Lewis,  secretary;  and  O.  W. 
Wellington,  Amory  Houghton,  jr.,  S.  T.  Hayt,  George  J.  Magee,  Austin 
Lathrop,  T.  S.  Pritchard,  George  W.  Pratt,  George  Hitchcock,  John 
Hoare,  Thomas  G.  Hawkes,  William  Walker,  John  Peart  and  Justin  M. 
Smith,  trustees. 

The  city  is  well  supplied  with  hotels,  in  fact  appears  to  have  more 
public  houses  than  the  demand  requires.  The  traveling  patronage  is 
distributed  among  the  three  principal  houses,  the  Dickinson,  the  St. 
James,  and  the  Wellington,  the  first  mentioned  being  the  largest  and 
best  equipped. 

The  history  of  Coming's  banks,  past  and  present,  may  be  briefly 
stated.  The  old  Bank  of  Corning,  the  pioneer  of  the  financial  institu- 
tions of  the  village  and  city,  was  organized  and  began  business  June  lo, 
1839,  being  then  founded  and  supported  chiefly  by  the  Corning  Com- 
pany. Its  career  covered  a  period  of  about  twenty  years,  with  varied 
successes  and  reverses,  yet  useful  on  the  whole.  It  went  into  liquida- 
tion about  1856,  and  its  currency  was  redeemed  by  stockholders,  who 
also  paid  the  depositors.  Next  came  the  George  Washington  Bank, 
organized  under  the  State  law  by  J.  N.  Hungerford  and  George  W. 
Patterson,  with  $50,000  capital.  This  bank  first  began  business  in 
Concert  block,  and  later  on  built  and  occupied  the  present  First  National 
Bank.  The  life  of  the  George  Washington  Bank  was  comparatively 
brief.  Mr.  Hungerford  withdrew  from  the  concern  in  1859,  and  organ- 
ized what  was  known  as  the  "J.N.  Hungerford  Bank,"  which  he  continued 
until  his  death.  His  executor,  Mr.  Hadden,  took  the  assets  and  un- 
dertook to  pay  the  creditors,  but  his  tragic  death  only  served  to  further 


■J-.tc.  Campi' 


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CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  27fi 

complicate  the  afifairs  of  the  bank,  and  it  finally  passed  out  of  existence 
in  1883,  and  was  soon  forgotten.  The  Corning  Savings  Bank  was 
organized  by  Cole  &  Thompson  about  1856  or  '57,  and  did  business 
about  five  years. 

The  banking  house  of  O.  W.  Wellington  &  Co.,  known  throughout 
the  entire  State  as  an  entirely  safe  and  reliable  private  bank,  was  organ- 
ized under  the  laws  of  New  York,  on  the  1st  of  September,  1862,  and 
issued  currency  until  the  arbitrary  provisions  of  subsequent  legislative 
enactments  necessitated  redemption  and  retirement  of  its  bills.  The 
members  of  the  original  firm  were  Quincy  W.  Wellington  and  Samuel 
Russell,  jr.  After  four  years  Mr.  Russell  withdrew,  and  Mr.  Welling- 
ton operated  the  bank  as  sole  owner  until  1884  when  his  son,  Benjamin 
W.  Wellington,  acquired  an  interest  and  became  partner.  However, 
the  old  firm  style  of  Q.  W.  Wellington  &  Co.  has  ever  been  the  desig- 
nation of  the  bank's  management,  and  its  standing  in  financial  circles  is 
too  well  understood  to  require  any  comment  in  this  chapter.  Glancing 
over  the  last  report  of  the  condition  of  business  in  the  bank,  we  notice 
a  surplus  of  nearly  $105,000  ;  undivided  profits,  $38,000,  and  an  aggre- 
gate of  deposits,  $690,000.  Of  a  truth  this  bank  needs  no  further  com- 
ment at  the  hands  of  the  present  writer. 

The  First  Nantional  Bank  of  Corning  was  organized  in  May,  1882, 
by  the  late  Franklin  N.  Drake,  assisted  by  Judge  Bradley,  C.  C.  B. 
Walker  and  others.  However,  Mr.  Drake  was  the  leading  spirit  of  the 
enterprise,  a  large  stockholder,  and  held  the  office  of  president  from  the 
organization  until  the  time  of  his  death,  December  28,  1892.  He  was 
then  succeeded  by  his  son,  James  A.  Drake,  the  present  chief  officer  of 
the  institution,  and  at  the  same  time  Judge  Bradley  was  elected  vice- 
president.  The  first  board  of  directors  comprised  F.  N.  Drake,  O.  W. 
Bump,  George  B.  Bradley,  Edwin  C.  Cook,  James  A.  Drake  and  C.  C. 
B.  Walker.  The  original  capital  was  $50,000,  later  on  increased  to 
$100,000,  but  subsequently  reduced  to  the  amount  first  mentioned. 
The  first  cashier  was  O.  W.  Bump,  who  was  succeeded  by  James  A. 
Drake,  and  on  the  election  of  the  latter  to  the  presidency,  D.  S.  Drake 
was  appointed  in  his  place.  This  bank  is  an  entirely  safe,  successful 
and  well  managed  institution,  enjoying  the  confidence  of  business  men 
throughout  the  region.      Its  accumulated  surplus  amounts  to  $75,000. 


'276  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

The  present  directors  are  James  A.  Drake,  George  B.  Bradley,  D.  S. 
Drake,  C.  M.  Hyde,  C.  E.  Drake  and  G.  W.  Bump. 

By  an  act  of  the  State  Legislature,  passed  July  19,  1853,  the  village  of 
Corning  was  designated  as  the  seat  of  justice  for  the  second  jury  dis- 
trict of  Steuben  county.  This  was  a  fortunate  event  in  the  earl)'^  history 
of  the  place  and  one  which  contributed  much  to  local  growth  and  im- 
portance. The  court-house  was  built  during  the  years  1853-4,  at  an 
expense  of  $14,000.  It  stands  on  a  commanding  elevation  of  land  just 
outside  the  business  center,  and  is  a  comfortable  structure  though  now 
quite  old  and  hardly  in  keeping  with  the  beautiful  dwelling  properties  in 
the  vicinity.  However,  the  supervisors  of  the  county  have  authorized 
an  appropriation  of  $10,000  for  a  new  court-house  in  the  district,  to 
which  the  city  will  undoubtedly  add  a  considerable  amount  for  the 
same  purpose. 

The  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Corning,  as  now  designated,  was 
originally  organized  as  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Painted  Post,  and  lo- 
cated at  Knoxville.  The  society  was  formed  in  18 10,  but  not  until 
1832  was  a  church  home  provided  A  second  edifice  was  erected  in 
Corning  village  in  1842,  and  in  1843  the  name  was  changed  to  First 
Presbyterian  church  of  Corning,  and  incorporated  as  such.  The  pres- 
ent substantial  church  edifice  was  built  in  1867.  A  second  Presbyte- 
rian church  was  organized  in  Corning  in  1845,  by  withdrawing  mem- 
bers from  the  mother  society.  The  only  pastor  of  the  new  church  was 
Rev.  Horatio  Pettingill,  D.D.  The  offshoot  united  with  the  parent 
church  in  1849.  The  succession  of  pastors  of  this  church  has  been  as 
follows:  Clement  Hickman,  1812-16;  Thomas  Lounsbury,  1821-23; 
Mr.  Gilbert,  1823-25;  Reuben  Sanborn.  1826-27;  David  Harrower, 
1827-29;  David  Higgins,  D.D.,1829-31  ;  John  Barton,  1832-35  ;  John 
Smith,  1835-38  ;  F.  W.  Graves,  1838;  Samuel  M.  Hopkins,  D.D.,  1840- 
42;  Joshua  B.  Graves,  1842-47;  Job  Pierson,  1847-49;  A.L.Brooks, 
1848-51  ;  R.  E.Wilson,  1851-55  ;  Darwin  Chichester,  1856-59;  Will- 
iam A.  Niles,  D.D.,  1858-72;  Anson  G.  Chester,  1872-75  ;  M.  L.  P. 
Hill,  1875-82;  John  S.  Bacon,  acting  pastor  from  1882  to  1893.  Rev. 
Dr.  Alfred  J.  Hutton,  the  present  pastor,  was  installed  in  February, 
1895.  This  church  has  300  members.  Its  elders  are  Uriah  D.  Hood, 
Cyrus  S.  Hood,  Charles  E.  Benedict,  Edward   Clisdell,  and   Francis  A. 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  277 

Williams.  The  deacons  are  Rollin  P.  Perry.  Noble  Hill,  and  C.  W. 
Ecker.  Trustees,  George  B.  Bradley,  William  W.  Adams,  John  H. 
Lang,  H.  C.  Heermans,  David  S.  Drake,  Alfred  M.  Gannon,  Edward 
Clisdell,  F.  D.  Kingsbury,  and  H.  P.  Sinclaire,  jr. 

Christ  church,  Episcopal,  and  its  parish,  in  Corning,  were  organized 
April  2,  1 841,  by  Rev.  Richard  Smith.  The  Corning  Company  donated 
to  the  church  a  lot  on  West  Market  street,  on  which  a  chapel  was  built, 
and  subsequently  used  until  the  erection  of  the  stone  edifice  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Walnut  street  and  East  avenue  in  1854.  However,  the  congre- 
gation and  society  at  length  outgrew  the  church  home,  and  during  the 
years  1893-94  the  present  beautiful  church  edifice  was  erected.  This 
is  without  question  one  of  the  most  elegant  and  complete  church  struc- 
tures in  the  southern  tier,  and  was  built  at  a  total  cost  of  about  $75,000. 
The  memorial  windows  are  noticeable  features  of  the  interior,  among 
them  that  privided  by  Mrs.  Amory  Houghton,  jr.,  in  memory  of  her 
father,  Alanson  Bigelow  ;  also  that  furnished  by  Marvin  Olcott  in  mem- 
ory of  his  parents  ;  by  William  Bigelow  in  memory  of  his  children  ;  by 
Charles  F.  and  Mrs.  Houghton  in  memory  of  their  daughter  ;  together 
with  three  others  in  the  chancel,  furnished  by  the  Chancel  Guild.  The 
rectors  of  Christ's  church,  in  succession,  have  been  as  follows  :  Richard 
Smith,  M.  A.  Nickerson,  J.  Field,  James  Eaton,  G.  M.  Skinner,  F.  J.  R. 
Lightbourn,  N.  Barrows,  E.  Z.  Lewis,  L.  D.  Ferguson,  Lucius  Sweet- 
land,  William  Montgomery,  Joseph  Hunter,  E.  S.  Wilson,  S.  R.  Fuller, 
Roy  McGregor  Converse,  and  Walter  Coe  Roberts,  the  latter  the  pres- 
ent rector,  who  came  to  the  church  in  April,  1888.  The  communicat- 
ing members  in  Christ's  church  number  274.  The  wardens  are  John 
Hoare  and  Joseph  J.  TuUy  ;  vestrymen,  Q.  W.  Wellington,  Amory 
Houghton,  jr.,  Charles  F.  Houghton,  J.  B.  Maltby,  Thomas  G.  Hawkes, 
R.  H.  Canfield,  Austin  Lathrop.  E.  A.  Kreger. 

Methodism  in  Corning  began  as  early  as  the  years  1832,  although 
not  until  1839  was  the  Corning  circuit  formed.  The  first  house  of  wor- 
ship was  built  in  1839,  the  second  in  i860,  and  the  third,  the  present 
large  and  beautiful  church  edifice,  during  the  years  1893-94,  It  stands 
on  the  site  of  the  old  church,  and  cost  $40,000.  This  church  has  more 
than  800  members,  and  is  the  oldest  in  Steuben  county.  The  present 
pastor.  Rev.  Henry  C.  Woods,  began  his  services  here  in  1891. 


278  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

St.  Mary's  church,  Roman  Catholic,  of  Corning,  was  the  outgrowth 
of  early  missionary  services  conducted  by  Rev.  Father  Patrick  Bradley 
about  the  year  1842.  Seven  years  later  a  church  edifice  was  built,  but 
the  larger  church,  the  present  edifice,  was  begun  in  1866  and  was  in 
course  of  construction  for  several  years  before  completion.  In  1873 
the  bishop  of  the  diocese  purchased  the  old  State  Arsenal  on  the  hill, 
which  was  converted  into  a  convent  for  use  of  the  Sisters  in  charge  of 
the  parochial  school  connected  with  St.  Mary's  parish.  In  December, 
i860,  Father  Peter  Colgan,  present  priest  in  charge,  was  appointed  to 
St.  Mary's. 

The  Baptist  church  of  Corning  was  organized  August  24,  1841,  with 
twenty-four  original  members.  The  church  edifice  was  erected  in  1849 
and  1850,  and  dedicated  May  8th  of  the  yeai*  last  mentioned.  The 
church  numbers  242  active  members,  and  is  under  the  present  pastorate 
of  Rev.  P.  W.  Crannell. 

A  Free- Will  Baptist  church  was  organized  in  Corning  in  1865,  but  is 
not  now  in  existence.  Other  and  more  recent  organizations  in  the  city 
are  the  Congregational,  Free  Methodist,  and  German  Lutheran.  The 
First  Congregational  church  of  the  Fifth  ward  was  formed  as  a  society 
in  September,  1889,  with  thirty- seven  members,  but  now  numbers 
about  200.  Rev.  Nathaniel  E.  Fuller  has  been  the  pastor  since  organ- 
ization. The  Free  Methodist  church  was  organized  in  1894  and  built 
a  house  of  worship  during  the  same  year.  The  German  Lutheran  So- 
ciety, also  recently  formed,  purchased  and  now  occupy  the  old  church 
edifice  of  Christ  church.     The  pastor  is  Rev.  W.  Stern. 

Painted  Post  Lodge,  No.  117,  F.  &  A.  M.,  was  organized  under  dis- 
pensation from  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  June,  1808,  with  John  Knox,  mas- 
ter. This  lodge  at  one  period  in  its  history  was  known  as  No.  203,  but 
in  1856  the  number  was  changed  to  117,  which,  it  is  understood,  was 
the  original  designation.  The  membership  numbers  196.  The  past 
masters  have  been  as  follows:  John  Knox,  1808-14;  Joseph  Gillett, 
1815-17;  John  Knox,  1818-21  ;  Henry  Stearns,  1822;  Laurin  Mall- 
ory,  1823-25  ;  Daniel  E.  Brown,  1826-31.  No  further  record  of  the 
lodge  is  extant  previous  to  1846,  and  it  is  probable  that  there  was  a 
suspension  of  work  during  that  period.  The  masters  since  1846  were 
Samuel  Boyer,  1846-48  ;   B.  P.  Bailey,  1849-53  ;   William  A.  Spencer, 


f-RKux/'mm^.' 


ITIEMir  MMWIEMIEWI]!)   ll>]iSi^^  (C®IL(J5.^^0 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.         •  279 

1854;  J.  B.  Lower,  1855-57;  J.  H.  Lansing,  1858-59;  C.  May  Gam- 
man,  1860-61;  John  Evers,  1862-65;  F.  E.  Spaulding,  1866-67;  C. 
H.  Thomson,  1868-69;  T.  S.  Pritchard,  1870-71  :  H.  A.  Balcom,  1874; 
W.J.  Bryan,  1875-76;  J.  J.  Tully,  1877-78;  J.  S.  Earle,  1879-80; 
A.  D.  Robbins,  1881  ;  C.  E.  Greenfield,  1882  ;  James  Hoare,  1883-84  ; 
A.  J.  Etheridge,  1885-86;  W.  F.  Sheehan,  1887-88;  A.  J.  Etheridge, 
1889;  G.  B.Hill,  1890;  W.  F.  Sheenan,  1891;  John  Comosh,  jr.,  1892; 
E.  B.  Seymour,  1893-94;  W.J.  Cheney,  1895. 

Corning  Chapter,  No.  190,  R.  A.  M.,  was  chartered  February  7,  1866, 
and  now  numbers  about  125  members.  The  past  high  priests  have 
been  as  follows:  Charles  H.  Erwin.  1866;  C.  S.  Cole,  1867-70;  Ed- 
ward Clisdell,  1871  ;  G.  W.  Fuller,  1872-74;  J.  H.  Hitchcock,  1875-76; 
T.  S.  Pritchard,  1877-82;  C.  E.  Greenfield,  1883;  A.  D.  Robbins,  1884; 
J.  S.  Earle,  1885  ;  W.  A.  Wicks,  1886;  G.  B.  Hill,  1887;  W.  E.  Van- 
derhof,  1888;  W.  F.  Sheehan,  1889;  T.  S.  Pritchard,  1890;  James 
Hoare,  1891  ;  T.  S.  Pritchard,  1892-93  ;  John  Comosh,  jr.,  1894-95. 

Corning  Council,  No.  53,  Royal  and  Select  Masters,  was  instituted 
June  5,  1 87 1.  The  Thrice  Illustrious  Masters  have  been  as  follows: 
H.  A.  Balcom,  1871-74;  C.  H.  Thomson,  1875-77;  A.  D.  Robbins, 
1878-81;  T.  S.  Pritchard,  1882-84;  G.  B.  Hill,  1885-86 ;  W.  A.  Wicks, 
1887;  J.S.  Billington,  1888;  C.  V.  Hutchins.  1889;  John  Comosh,  jr., 
1890;  H.  C.  Austin,  1891  ;  C.  E.  Greenfield,  1892;  Hugh  H.  Ken- 
dall, 1893-95. 

The  Masonic  bodies  of  Corning  also  include  four  Scottish  Rite  organ- 
izations, to  which  we  may  also  briefly  refer  in  the  following  order : 

Corning  Consistory,  S.  P.  R.  S.,  32^,  instituted  September  14,  1866. 
Post  Commanders — Charles  H.  Thomson,  33*^,  1866-78;  Frank  D. 
Kingsbury,  32°,  1879-81  ;  George  W.  Fuller,  33^,  1882-84;  Truman 
S.  Pritchard,  32"^,  1885-87;  A.  D.  Robbins,  32°,  1888-90;  Charles  E. 
Greenfield,  32^^,  1891-93;    Hugh  H.  Kendall.  33°,  1894-95. 

Corning  Chapter,  Rose  Croix,  A.  A.  S.  Rite,  was  instituted  Septem- 
ber 14,  1866.  The  past  masters  have  been  as  follows  :  Austin  Lathrop, 
32^,  1866-67;  Frank  D.  Kingsbury,  32°,  1868-79;  Charles  H.Thom- 
son, 33^,  1880-82  ;  Daniel  F.  Brown,  32°,  1883-85  ;  George  W.  Fuller, 
33*^,  1886-89;  Truman  S.  Pritchard,  32",  1890  95. 

Corning   Council,  Princes  of  Jerusalem,  A.  A.  S   Rite,  was  instituted 


280  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

September  14,  1866.  The  past  M.  E.  Sov.  P.  G.  M's.  have  been  as  fol- 
lows: George  M.  Smith,  32°,  1866-68  ;  Robert  J.  Burnham,  32'',  1869- 
71  ;  Frank  D.  Kingsbury,  32^,  1872-73;  Daniel  F.  Brown,  32°,  1874- 
82;  Charles  H.  Thomson,  33=,  1883-85;  Frank  D.  Kingsbury,  32°, 
1886-89;   Hugh  H.  Kendall,  33°,  1890-94;   George  B.  Hill,  33°,  1895. 

Corning  Lodge  of  Perfection.  A.  A.  S.  Rite,  was  instituted  Septem- 
ber 14,  1866.  The  past  T.  P.  G.  M's.  have  been  as  follows:  Henry  A. 
Balcom,  32°,  1866-79;  Joseph  H.  Hitchcock,  32^*,  1880-82;  Ahaz  D. 
Robbins,  32^,  1883-85;  Daniel  F.  Brown,  32^,  1886-90;  Joseph  C. 
Moore,  33",  1891-94;   Egbert  Shoemaker,  32*^,  1895. 

The  City  of  Hornellsville — When  pioneer  Benjamin  Crosby 
and  his  immediate  followers  came  into  the  Upper  Canisteo  country 
they  little  thought  the  lands  on  which  they  settled  would  ever  become 
the  site  of  a  prosperous  village,  and  much  less  a  thriving  metropolitan 
city  ;  and  it  is  equally  doubtful  if  even  those  enterprising  early  settlers 
George  Hornell,  Dugald  Cameron  or  Ira  Davenport  ever  contemplated 
such  a  substantial  growth  and  development  as  the  locality  enjoyed  as 
the  result  of  their  first  efforts.  "  Yeoman  "  Benjamin  Crosby  purchased 
from  Solomon  Bennett,  "  gentleman,"  great  lot  No.  8,  for  three  hundied 
pounds,  and  George  Hornell  bought  of  John  Stephens  lot  No.  7,  for  one 
hundred  and  eleven  pounds,  each  tract  containing  1,600  acres  of  land 
and  lying,  in  part  at  least,  within  the  present  city  limits. 

However,  the  earlier  growth  of  this  locality  was  by  no  means  rapid, 
but  rather  by  steady  yet  sure  advances  did  the  village  succeed  the 
hamlet  and  the  city  in  turn  supersede  the  village.  The  first  beginning 
in  this  direction  was  made  by  Judge  Hornell  when  he  built  the  grist  mill 
on  the  site  of  the  now  called  Thacher  mill,  followed  by  the  erection  of 
the  tavern  which  he  maintained  as  a  public  house.  Yet  we  are  told 
that  when  Mr.  Hornell  came  to  the  place  there  were  about  seven  or 
eight  dwellings  on  the  village  site.  In  1809  the  turnpike  road  from 
Ithaca  to  Clean  was  opened,  thus  giving  an  impetus  to  local  growth  ; 
and  about  the  same  time,  possibly  before,  several  flat  boats  and  arks 
were  built,  laden  with  grain  and  other  products  of  the  region,  and  trans- 
ported to  Baltimore  and  other  available  markets.  This  led  to  the  con- 
struction of  several  warehouses  along  the  river  front  in  the  hamlet.  In 
18 1 5  Col.  Ira  Davenport  came  to  the  settlement  and  opened  store  in  a 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS  381 

building  constructed  by  him  for  that  purpose,  and  he  has  been  men- 
tioned as  the  first  merchant  of  the  town,  Soon  afterward,  in  1816, 
Dugald  Cameron  built  a  saw  mill  on  the  island,  near  the  old  stone  quarry, 
just  above  the  bridge,  which  locality,  it  is  believed,  became  known  as 
"  Cameronia."  The  statement  has  also  been  made  that  a  post-office  was 
established  here  under  that  name  with  Mr.  Cameron  as  postmaster,  but 
much  doubt  exists  regarding  the  accuracy  of  the  name.  So  near  as  can 
be  determined  at  this  time  the  first  post-office  was  established  here  soon 
after  the  completion  of  the  turnpike,  under  the  name  of  "  Canisteo,"  and 
was  so  continued  until  February,  1823,  and  then  changed  to  "  Hor- 
nellsville."  In  confirmation  of  this  assertion,  we  quote  from  Judge  Hul- 
burt's  description  of  the  place  in  18 12,  in  which  he  says  :  "The  settle- 
ments are  of  recent  date  and  still  retain  their  first  local  names.  At 
Hornell's  Mills,  on  the  Canisteo,  is  a  ferry  and  a  road  of  pretty  exten- 
sive travel ;  here  is  located  the  Canisteo  post  office."  (See  Spaffbrd's 
Gazetteer,  ed.  181 3).  In  a  later  edition  the  same  authority  says:  "  There 
are  two  post  offices,  Hornellsville,  as  it  will  soon  be  called,  but  now  Can- 
isteo post-office,  and  Ark  Port  post-office;"  also  "There  is  a  small 
village  at  Ark  Port  of  some  fifteen  or  twenty  houses,  and  another  at 
Hornellsville  of  about  the  same  number,  a  store,  a  grist  mill  and  a  saw 
mill." 

According  to  Deacon  Thacher's  reminiscences,  the  residents  of  the 
hamlet  in  1823,  were  Amasa  Thacher,  Rufus  or  Bulrock  Mason,  Du- 
gald Cameron,  Thomas  Bennett  (tavern  keeper),  Squire  Livermore, 
Truman  Bostwick  (who  kept  a  stage  house),  Ira  Davenport  (merchant), 
Andrew  L.  Smith  (tanner),  William  B.  Bostwick,  and  the  Hornell  prop- 
erty— the  tavern  and  grist  mill.  At  that  time  there  were  eleven  houses, 
including  the  mill,  on  the  village  site.  The  Cameron  mill  was  located 
farther  north,  about  half  a  mile.  Mr.  Adsit's  recollections  are  no  less 
interesting,  and  he  remembers  the  village  when  it  contained  only  twenty- 
six  houses.  The  first  brick  building  was  erected  by  Colonel  Davenport 
in  1828,  followed  soon  afterward  by  others.  Mr.  Adsit  built  a  large 
brick  building  in  1841. 

The  period  of  greatest  growth  and  prosperity  in  the  early  history  of 
the  village  was  that  between  1820  and  1840,  although  it  is  impossible 
to  recall  the  one  thousand  and  one  events   that  contributed  to  local  ad- 


282  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

vancement  during  that  time.  The  town  authorities  at  this  period 
showed  a  commendable  zeal  in  helping  to  build  up  the  village,  and  in 
1832  purchased  from  Major  Thomas  Bennett  two  and  three-fourths 
acres  of  land  on  the  south  side  of  Main  street,  for  the  purpose  of  a 
public  square.  In  1834  the  town  voted  $100  to  improve  the  square, 
and  in  1836  William  Bostwick  was  paid  $1 1  for  digging  the  stumps  out 
of  the  same  tract.  This  was  the  origin  and  inception  of  Hornellsville's 
present  beautiful  park,  the  most  attractive  spot,  perhaps,  within  the  city- 
limits.  The  later  improvements,  the  pagoda,  the  fountain,  and  tasteful 
arrangements  of  walks,  together  with  other  adornments,  are  due  to  the 
generosity  of  local  government  and  the  liberality  and  public  spiritedness 
of  the  citizens. 

The  most  fortunate  event  in  all  the  history  of  Hornellsville,  and  that 
which  has  contributed  most  largely  to  both  early  and  more  recent  pros- 
perity, was  the  construction  of  the  Erie  railroad,  with  its  attendant 
shops  and  business  departments.  Rumors  that  a  railroad  was  in  con- 
templation became  current  in  this  locality  soon  after  1830,  and  within 
the  next  year  or  two  the  surveyors  appeared  in  the  valley,  though  the 
people  here  were  in  much  anxiety  lest  the  road  should  be  actually  built 
through  the  Conhocton  rather  than  the  Canisteo  valley  ;  and  it  was  not 
until  the  coming  of  the  famous  old  "  pile  driver  "  that  the  inhabitants 
of  Hornellsville  were  fully  assured  that  the  line  through  this  valley  had 
been  accepted  by  the  company.  The  preliminary  surveys  were  made 
in  1832,  and  in  1833  the  company  was  organized.  The  work  of  con- 
struction was  begun  in  this  vicinity  in  1841,  but  not  until  the  first  day 
of  September,  1850,  did  the  first  locomotive  appear  in  the  village. 

The  line  of  road  then  built  was  what  is  now  locally  termed  the  Sala- 
manca or  Western  division  of  the  N.  Y.  L.  E.  &  W.  railroad.  The  At- 
tica and  Hornellsville  railroad,  now  known  as  the  "  Buffalo  road,"  was 
incorporated  May  14,  1845.  Other  companies  were  allowed  to  pur- 
chase its  stock,  and  in  April,  185  i,  the  name  was  changed  to  Buffalo 
and  New  York  City  railroad.  Still  later,  through  various  transfers  and 
processes  of  law,  this  line,  with  the  western  branch,  became  merged  in 
the  present  Erie  system.  The  Attica  and  Hornellsville  road  was  built 
in  1852. 

It  was  not   the   mere   building   of  a  railroad  through  the  village  that 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  283 

contributed  so  much  to  its  early  welfare,  although  that  consummation  was 
an  important  factor  in  advancing  local  interests  ;  but  the  greatest  bene- 
fit was  derived  through  the  establishment  of  a  division  terminus  at  the 
place  and  the  erection  of  shops  for  purposes  of  construction  and  repairs 
to  railroad  equipment.  There  is  now  paid  out  monthly  in  Hornellsville 
by  the  Erie  company  an  aggregate  of  about  $60,000,  three-fourths  of 
which  remains  in  the  city  ;  and  there  are  generally  employed  here  in 
one  capacity  or  another  from  800  to  1,000  men,  while  the  terminal  fea- 
ture materially  makes  this  place  the  temporary  home  of  perhaps  200 
more  men. 

Incidentally  we  may  mention  the  fact  that  construction  of  the  first 
railroad  through  the  village  was  due  largely  to  the  persevering  efforts 
of  Judge  Hawley,  Rufus  Tuttle,  Martin  Adsit,  T.  J.  Reynolds,  John  K. 
Hale,  T.  J.  Magee,  Walter  G.  Rose,  Charles  N.  Hart,  and  others  asso- 
ciated with  them  in  promoting  local  interests.  Within  the  last  half 
score  of  years  the  city  has  been  given  the  advantage  of  still  another  line 
of  railroad,  from  which  the  merchants  and  manufacturers  of  the  locality 
are  the  greatest  beneficiaries.  We  refer  to  the  construction  and  opera- 
tion of  the  road  built  by  the  Rochester,  Hornellsville  and  Lackawanna 
Company,  now  known,  however,  as  the  Central  New  York  and  West- 
ern. This  road  proper  runs  from  this  city  to  Hornellsville  Junction, 
thence  over  the  line  of  another  company  to  Wayland,  where  it  connects 
with  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  and  Western,  thus  affording  direct 
connection  with  Rochester  on  the  west,  as  well  as  important  points 
east.  The  road  was  built  and  completed  during  the  fall  of  1887,  and 
was  brought  about  through  the  unselfish  efforts  of  Judge  Hakes,  Benton 
McConnell,  George  N.  Orcutt,  Irving  W.  Near  and  Charles  Adsit. 

Returning  again  to  the  subject  of  early  history,  the  fact  may  be  noted 
that  in  1832  the  Presbyterian  and  Methodist  Episcopal  churches  were 
organized,  each  of  which,  together  with  all  other  religious  societies  are 
more  fully  mentioned  on  later  pages  of  this  chapter.  In  1833  the  "little 
red  school  house  "  was  built  and  stood  near  the  site  of  the  Tribune 
building.  The  Park  School  property  was  secured  by  the  district  in 
1844,  and  soon  afterward  a  school  was  opened  there.  This  subject, 
however,  will  be  fully  treated  in  a  later  portion  of  this  chapter. 

Soon  after  the  completion  of  the  railroad  the  inhabitants   began  to 


284  LANDMARKS  OP  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

discuss  the  subject  of  incorporation.  In  this  matter  Dr.  John  H.  Lillie 
was  a  leading  spirit,  and  as  he  found  a  local  population  of  1,814,  when  a 
short  time  before  there  Mere  only  700,  it  was  evident  that  the  people 
were  entitled  to  advance  from  the  hamlet  to  the  village  character. 
James  B.  Finch  made  the  necessary  surveys,  and  on  the  28th  day  of 
June,  1852,  the  "Village  of  Hornellsville  "  became  a  body  corporate 
and  politic,  through  the  order  of  the  court  of  sessions  of  Steuben 
county. 

The  first  election  of  ofificers  was  held  on  August  30  following,  at 
which  time  John  H.  Lillie,  Thomas  Snell,  J.  T.  Wilbur,  Richard  Durbin 
and  William  R.  McCormick  were  chosen  trustees.  The  board  elected 
Dr.  Lillie  president,  and  Horace  Bemis,  clerk,  together  with  all  other 
officers  authorized  by  law, 

"  The  first  board  of  trustees,"  says  Mr.  Tuttle's  article,  "  was  enter- 
prising and  progressive.  It  legislated  for  a  turbulent  element  and  had 
to  build  everything  '  from  the  stump.'  Sidewalks  were  the  first  enter- 
prise undertaken,  and  on  September  27,  a  special  election  was  held, 
which  voted  to  build  walks  on  Main,  Canisteo,  Genesee,  Cass,  Taylor 
and  Albion  streets." 

However,  in  the  course  of  the  next  fifteen  years  following  the  first  in- 
corporation, the  growth  in  population  and  the  advancement  of  all  local 
business  interests  demanded  that  broader  powers  be  accorded  the  munici- 
pal government.  Therefore,  recourse  was  had  to  the  Legislature,  and 
on  the  9th  day  of  April,  1867,  an  act  was  passed,  entitled  "An  act  to 
amend  and  consolidate  the  several  acts  relating  to  the  village  of  Hornells- 
ville." 

This  charter  fixed  the  village  boundaries  as  they  had  previously  ex- 
isted under  the  former  government,  and  divided  the  territory  into  five 
wards.  The  officers  provided  under  the  act  were  a  president,  a  trustee 
from  each  ward,  police  justice,  three  assessors,  a  collector,  clerk,  treas- 
urer, superintendent  of  streets  and  not  more  than  three  policemen  ;  the 
clerk,  superintendent  of  streets  and  policemen  to  be  appointed  by  the 
board,  and  all  other  officers  elected  by  the  people. 

Under  this  charter  government  the  affairs  of  the  village  were  con- 
ducted for  a  period  of  about  twenty  years,  when,  in  accordance  with 
an  express  demand,  the  Legislature  in  1888  passed  an  actincorporating 


E.  F.  WILLETS. 


CITIES,   TILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  285 

the  "  City  of  Hornellsville,"  thus  advancing  our  once  little  hamlet  to  a 
municipality  of  the  highest  grade.  Subsequent  amendments  have  been 
made  to  the  city  charter,  providing  for  contingencies  and  improvements 
not  contemplated  in  the  original  act. 

At  the  first  city  election  held  in  1888,  these  officers  were  chosen: 
Mayor,  James  B,  Day  ;  aldermen,  Patrick  Broderick,  Robert  Carberry, 
George  H.  Dove,  Edward  F.  Houser,  E.  H.  Lanphear,  Thomas  C. 
McCarthy,  Charles  F.  McGuire,  Thomas  Ryan,  T.  J.  O.  Thacher, 
Edward  Tolan,  Charles  D.  Walters,  and  Otto  Walther ;  city  clerk, 
Harris  C.  Sawyer  ;  recorder,  Wm.  C.  Bingham  ;  chamberlain,  Wm.  K. 
Smith  ;  overseer  of  poor,  Aaron  Ross  ;  commissioners  of  excise,  Eda 
N.  Alden,  Frank  Tanner  and  Wm.  H.  Reynolds ;  sealer,  Nicholas 
Schu.  Mayor  Day  was  re-elected  in  1890,  and  was  succeeded  in  1892 
by  Edward  F.  Willets,  the  latter  being  also  re-elected  in  1894. 

The  city  officers  for  the  year  1895  are  as  follows:  Edward  F.  Willets, 
mayor ;  Henry  L.  Nash,  city  clerk ;  Winfield  S.  Newman,  recorder ; 
E.  L.  Dolson,  city  attorney;  M.  V.  Sherwood,  chamberlain;  J.  W. 
Shelley,  overseer  of  the  poor;  J.  M.  Harding,  street  commissioner; 
aldermen,  T.  H.  Coleman,  E.  Y.  Butler,  First  ward|;  E.  H.  Lanphear, 
G.  A.  Waldorf,  Second  ward ;  E.  Powers,  John  McDougall,  Third 
ward  ;  John  Haire,  E.  H.  Nelson,  Fourth  ward  ;  W.  E.  Curtiss,  G.  A. 
Prentiss,  Fifth  ward  ;  Charles  Conderman,  Frank  A.  Jones,  Sixth 
ward;  supervisors,  George  B.  El  well,  Alfred  E.  Bowen  and  Charles  J. 
Clark  ;  justices  of  the  peace,  Frank  Kelly,  Lewis  H.  Clark  and  Frank 
J.  Nelson  ;  assessors,  David  Wellever,  Wm.  B.  Van  Dusen,  Hiram  H. 
Carney. 

The  Police  Commission  was  established  under  the  charter  and  is  one 
of  the  efficient  departments  of  government.  The  present  commissioners 
are  Morris  Smith,  president;  and  G.  H.  Dore,  Matthew  Dewey  and 
D.  E.  Fleming.  Chief  of  police,  Michael  Hickey  ;  captain,  Edward  B. 
Shepard. 

The  city  Fire  Department  was  first  organized  on  September  25, 
1852,  under  the  village  government.  Charles  Mcllvaney  was  chief  en- 
gineer, E.  J.  Richardson  and  Charles  Strawn,  assistants.  From  this 
primitive  organization  the  present  department  has  grown  and  developed, 
and  at  this  time  is  better  equipped  and  trained  than  ever  before  in  its 


286  LANDMAEKS  OP  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

history.  This  branch  of  city  government  was  placed  on  secure  basis 
by  the  act  of  incorporation,  passed  April  29,  1875.  The  present  de- 
partment consists  of  Maple  City,  Emerald,  Prindle,  and  Erie  Hose 
companies,  each  well  housed  and  equipped  ;  also  Babcock  Hook  and 
Ladder  Company,  who  operate  the  "  truck,"  and  one  good  Silsby 
steamer.  The  latter,  however,  is  not  frequently  called  into  service,  as 
the  excellent  water  supply  system  of  the  city  affords  all  needed  pressure 
for  both  fire  and  domestic  purposes.  The  officers  of  the  fire  depart- 
ment are  Frank  L.  Howard,  chief  engineer  ;  John  J.  Baker,  first  assist- 
ant;   and  Henry  Lundrigan,    second  assistant;   F.  A.  Jones,    secretary. 

The  Sewer  commission  was  created  by  special  act  of  the  Legislature, 
for  the  purpose  of  constructing  and  maintaining  a  complete  system  of 
sewers  for  the  city.  The  commissioners  are  J.  B.  Kennelly,  president  ; 
G.  P.  Rishel,  secretary  ;  and  F.  G  Babcock,  W.  A.  Stephens,  S.  E. 
Brown  and  F.  T,  McConnell. 

The  Park  commission  was  also  constituted  by  special  act  of  the 
legislature,  and  the  electors  voted  for  the  park  scheme  on  May  6, 
1 89 1.  The  first  commissioners,  F.  G.  Babcock,  F.  D.  Sherwood, 
Patrick  Enright,  R.  K.  Faulkner,  Benton  McConnell,  and  Charles  Adsit, 
purchased  the  Jones  Driving  Park  property,  some  twenty- one  acres, 
and  subsequently  added  to  its  area  by  other  purchases.  This  property 
is  located  on  Seneca  street,  and  is  leased  to  the  Farmers'  Club.  The 
present  park  commissioners  are  C.  Cadogan,  president ;  J.  W.  Nichol- 
son, secretary  ;   E.  S.  Brown,  P.  Enright,  M.  E.  Page   and  J.  O.  Adsit. 

The  city  excise  commissioners,  provided  by  statute,  are  W.  H.  Pran- 
gen,  president ;   H.  R.  Wagner,  secretary,  and  P.  Houck,  treasurer. 

The  City  Hall  was  built  in  1877,  on  Broad  street,  and  here  all  the 
business  of  the  municipality  is  transacted.  Hornellsville  is  bonded  to 
the  extent  of  $162,500,  of  which  $100,000  is  for  sewers,  $12,500  for 
pavements,  and  $50,000  for  the  park.     The  first  pavement  was  laid  in 

1893. 

St.  James  Mercy  Hospital  receives  annually  from  the  city  excise 
funds  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars.  This  mention  naturally  leads 
us  to  refer  at  some  length  to  this  most  praiseworthy  institution,  its  origi- 
nator and  founder,  and  the  persons  connected  with  its  management. 

The  Rev.  Father  James  M.  Early  was  appointed  to   the   pastorate  of 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  287 

St.  Ann's  church  and  parish  in  November,  1879,  and  from  that  time 
until  his  death  was  one  of  the  most  earnest  and  unselfish  Christian 
workers  in  this  field.  Soon  after  his  pastorate  began  Father  Early 
often  expressed  a  desire  to  establish  a  hospital  in  Hornellsville,  and  in 
his  will  made  generous  provision  for  that  purpose.  However,  during 
the  month  of  February,  1890,  through  the  assistance  of  F.  G.  Babcock, 
Father  Early  purchased  the  once  known  Van  Scoter  property,  on  Can- 
isteo  street,  south,  for  which  he  paid  $5,000  cash.  The  necessary  im- 
provements and  modifications  were  at  once  made  to  the  building,  and 
soon  afterward  the  property  was  deeded  to  a  board  of  trustees,  consti- 
tuted and  incorporated  for  that  purpose,  under  the  name  of  trustees  of 
St.  James'  Mercy  Hospital.  According  to  the  provision  made  by  the 
founder,  the  board  shall  be  composed  of,  ex  officio,  the  bishop  of  this 
diocese  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  the  rector  of  St.  Ann's  parish, 
two  Sisters  of  Mercy,  and  the  mayor  of  the  city  ;  also  four  citizens  of 
Hornellsville.  The  first  trustees  were  designated  by  Father  Early,  and 
comprised  the  ex  officio  members  and  Harlo  Hakes,  Joseph  Cameron, 
James  M.  Welsh,  and  Dr.  J.  G.  Kelly.  The  trustees  organized  on 
March  3,  1890,  and  elected  Judge  Hakes,  president;  Sister  Dolores, 
vice-president ;  Joseph  Cameron,  secretary,  and  Mr.  Welsh,  treasurer. 
These  officers,  except  the  vice-president,  have  been  continued  in  their 
respective  positions  to  the  present  time.  The  first  matron  was  Sister 
Mary    Catherine  ;   the  present  matron  is  Sister  Angela. 

The  good  work  accomplished  by  this. institution,  the  outgrowth  of  the 
generosity  and  philanthropy  of  Father  Early,  needs  no  recital  here. 
The  rich  and  poor  alike  receive  the  same  kind  treatment  and  attention 
at  the  hands  of  the  devoted  sisters  who  have  direct  control  of  the  hos- 
pital. The  institution  is  supported  by  popular  contribution  and  the 
city  fund  referred  to.  The  annual  expense  of  maintenance  amounts  to 
about  $3,000.  The  stafif  of  medical  attendants  has  been  organized 
through  the  efforts  of  Dr.  Kelly,  and  comprises  the  physicians  of  the 
city. 

Another  of  the  important  and  interesting  departments  of  municipal 
government  is  the  educational  system,  at  present  perfected  to  a  degree 
that  places  it  in  favorable  comparison  with  that  of  any  city  in  the 
State,  and  far  in  advance  of  many  of  them.     We  are  told  that  the  first 


288  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

school  of  the  then  hamlet  was  opened  through  the  efiforts  of  Judge 
Hornell  about  1810,  and  that  Sarah  Thacher  was  its  first  teacher.  The 
building  stood  near  the  corner  of  Main  and  Arkport  streets.  The  next 
school  was  that  of  district  No.  7,  predecessor  to  the  Central  school,  and 
was  maintained  in  a  log  house  on  lower  Canisteo  street. 

The  first  building  erected  for  school  purposes  was  also  a  log  struc- 
ture, and  stood  at  the  lower  end  of  Main  street.  Here  at  one  time 
George  Hornell,  jr.,  taught.  The  third  school  stood  near  the  "Canisteo 
block,"  and  among  its  early  teachers  were  Rev.  Samuel  White,  James 
Osborne,  Mr.  Case,  Mary  Morris.  Pamelia  Stephens,  Deacon  Thacher, 
and  later  John  S.  Livermore,  Dr.  Thomas,  Orange  McCay  and  others. 
In  1833  the  "  little  red  school"  was  built  on  the  Tribune  building  site, 
and  was  burned  in  the  great  fire  of  1868.  The  early  pedagogues  here 
were  Washington  Cruger,  Samuel  Porter,  H.  V.  R.  Lord,  Samuel 
Street,  Hiram  Bennett  and  others  of  later  date. 

In  1844  the  district  purchased  the  Park  school  site,  and  the  first 
school  house  built  there  was  also  used  for  town  hall  and  theatrical  per- 
formances. But  notwithstanding  its  various  uses  here  were  taught 
youths  and  misses  who  are  now  our  best  business  men  and  most  cul- 
tured women.  Recalling  a  few  of  the  many  names  possible  of  mention, 
let  us  note  Judge  Solon  O.,  T.  D wight,  Saffbrd  M.  and  T.  Scott  Thacher  ; 
also  Col.  Frank  B.  Doty,  Martin  and  Levi  Doty,  Emmett  and  Charles 
Reynolds,  Maxwell  Cameron,  Scott  Belden,  Matthew  Hale,  Russell  M. 
Tuttle,  the  Prindle  boys,  and  the  Bennetts,  Stephenses,  Caldwells,  Mor- 
rises, Browns,  Popples,  Hawleys  and  a  host  of  others.  The  first  teacher 
here  was  Rev.  O.  B.  Clark  who  opened  his  school  in  February,  1845. 
The  old  building  was  modified,  enlarged,  and  in  fact  replaced,  but  to- 
day the  site  is  occupied  with  one  of  the  most  modern,  convenient  and 
attractive  school  buildings  in  the  southern  tier.  It  is  known  as  the 
Park  School,  and  bears  the  year  mark  "  1886." 

The  present  educational  system  was  adopted  in  1872,  and  the  affairs 
and  management  of  schools  is  vested  in  a  Board  of  Education, 
authorized  to  levy  and  raise  a  tax  sufficient  for  all  purposes  of  main- 
tenance, additions,  repairs  and  equipments,  independent  of  any  other 
branch  of  city  government.  The  plan  of  naming  each  school  was 
adopted  in  1888.      The  city  now  has  five  public  schools,  viz.:  The  Park 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  289 

School,  built  1886,  having  213  pupils;  the  Lincoln  School,  on  Canisteo 
street,  attendance,  400;  the  Columbian  School,  built  1893,  cost  $20,000, 
located  on  Pearl  street,  319  pupils;  the  Irving  School,  formerly  First 
ward  school,  265  pupils  ;  the  Bryant  School,  formerly  Sixth  ward,  249 
pupils. 

The  present  Board  of  Education  is  comprised  of  J.  E.  B.  Santee, 
president;  Stephen  Hollands,  J.  W.  Nicholson,  F.  C.  Prindle  and  Cass 
Richardson.  The  secretary  of  the  board  is  Joseph  Cameron.  Members 
of  the  board  are  elected  from  the  city  at  large,  and  hold  office  for  a 
term  of  five  years.  The  city  schools  are  under  the  superintendence  of 
W.  R.  Prentiss,  appointed  in  1887  as  successor  to  Robert  Simpson. 

In  this  connection  we  may  also  properly  mention  some  of  the  past 
and  present  private  schools  which  have  been  opened  in  the  village  and 
city ;  among  which  were  those  of  Rachel  Bennett,  Hannah  Wilbur, 
Harriet  Waldo,  Mrs.  Van  Court.  Mrs.  Schuyler,  Helen  Thacher.  In 
August,  1862,  Mrs.  B.  A.  McNall  (Belva  Lockwood)  organized  a  young 
ladies'  school  in  the  M.  E.  church.  She  lived  here  several  years  and 
had  a  good  school.  Mary  Dwight  also  had  a  good  private  school,  and 
as  well  had  Professor  Ford.  Dr.  Jamison  taught  penmanship  in  the 
Park  school. 

St.  Ann's  Union  Academic  School,  parochial  in  its  general  character, 
and  attached  to  and  sustained  by  the  parish  of  St.  Ann's  church,  was 
founded  during  the  pastorate  of  Father  M.  Creedon,  which  began  Oc- 
tober II,  1863.  This  is  a  large  school,  numbering  435  pupils,  and  is 
under  the  State  regency.  The  teachers  are  selected  from  the  Sisters  of 
Mercy,  nine  of  whom  devote  themselves  wholly  to  the  work  of  educa- 
tion. The  only  other  educational  institutions  of  the  city  are  the  Busi- 
ness Colleges,  of  which  there  are  two,  both  well  conducted  and  affiard- 
ing  excellent  opportunities  in  their  special  branches. 

The  ecclesiastical  history  of  Hornellsville,  town  and  city,  is  alike  rich, 
interesting  and  instructive,  and  although  the  local  churches  are  men- 
tioned in  another  department  of  this  work,  they  are  of  sufficient  im- 
portance to  this  chapter  to  demand  more  than  a  passing  allusion  to 
them  in  this  place,  even  at  the  hazard  of  repetition. 

Gleaning  information  from  all  sources,  we  learn  that  as  early  as  1799 
religious  services  were  held  at  the  house  of  Judge  Hornell  by  Robert 
37 


290  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Logan,  a  Presbyterian,  and  that  about  the  same  time  Rev.  John  Durbin, 
Methodist,  preached  in  a  log  house  in  Main  street.  From  this  time 
forth  occasional  services  were  held  in  the  little  settlement  by  ministers  of 
different  denominations,  but  not  until  about  the  year  1830  does  there 
appear  to  have  been  made  any  successful  effort  at  church  organization  ; 
and  as  the  Methodists  and  Presbyterians  were  originally  in  the  mission- 
ary field  about  the  same  time,  so,  also,  their  society  organizations  were 
at  about  the  same  date,  the  former  slightly  in  advance. 

The  present  Park  Methodist  Episcopal  church  had  its  inception  in 
the  little  primitive  meetings  held  during  the  early  years  of  the  century, 
and  a  society  came  into  existence  in  the  year  1830.  The  members  met 
in  dwellings  and  school  houses  until  strong  enough  to  erect  a  church 
home.  This  was  accomplished  in  1832-33.  The  second  edifice  was 
built  in  1864-5  (cost  $9,500),  and  the  present  structure  in  1878-9. 
From  first  to  last  the  church  has  ever  increased,  steadily  and  surely, 
and  now  it  has  a  membership  of  700,  with  171  probationers.  During 
the  history  of  the  mother  society,  two  other  churches  have  been  formed 
in  the  city,  each  drawing  a  portion  of  its  original  membership  from  the 
Park  organization.  The  pastors  of  the  church  have  been  Revs.  Asa  Story, 
1830;  W.  D.  Gage,  1835;  Robert  Parker,  Nelson  Hoag,  1837;  Ira 
Bronson,  Nelson  Hoag,  1838;  Samuel  Church,  1839;  D.  B.  Lawton, 
1840;  V.  Brownell,  1841  ;  Philo  Tower,  1842;  W.  E.  Prindar,  1843  ; 
Sheldon  Doolittle,  1844;  W.  E.  Prindar,  1846;  John  Knapp,  John 
Spink,  1847-48;  Carlos  Gould,  1849;  S.  B.  Rooney,  1850 ;  James 
Wilson,  185  I  ;  A.  S.  Baker,  1852;  James  Ashworth,  1853  ;  N.  A.  De 
Puy,  1854;  H.  N.  Seaver,  1856;  W.  C.  Huntington,  1857;  J.  R. 
Jacques,  1859  ;  J.  Walters,  J.  B.  Knott,  1861  ;  E.  P.  Huntington,  1862  ; 
C.  M.  Gardner,  1863-66;  C.  P.  Hart,  1867;  Thomas  Stacy,  1868;  W. 
C.  Mattison,  1870;  E.  Wildman,  1872;  C.  C.  Wilburn,  1873;  K.  P. 
Jervis,  1874;  L.  A.  Stevens,  1877;  C.W.Winchester,  1878-80;  S.W. 
Lloyd,  1881-83;  J.  E,  Williams,  1884-86;  E.  H.  Lattimer,  1887-89; 
Ward  D.  Piatt,  1890-92  ;  L.  A.  Stevens.  1883  ;  Ward  B.  Picard,  1894. 
The  trustees  of  this  church  are  William  O'Connor,  Charles  W.  Kress, 
Joseph  L.  Schaumburg,  ¥.  G.  Schutt,  S.  M.  Townsend,  James  H. 
Stevens,  George  Hollands,  John  D.  Mitchell.  Superintendent  of  Sun- 
day school,  L.  B.  Crandall. 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  291 

The  East  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal  church  society  was  organized 
and  the  edifice  built  during  the  year  1885,  and  though  but  ten  years 
old  is  an  entirely  progressive  body,  having  190  full  members,  and  33 
probationers.  The  pastors  have  been  Revs.  F".  S.  Roland  and  F.  H. 
Van  Kuren,   the  latter  now  officiating. 

The  South  Side  M.  E.  church  was  organized  about  the  1st  of  Janu- 
ary, 1895,  by  certain  withdrawing  members  from  the  Park  church  ;  not, 
however,  with  the  approval  of  the  mother  society.  The  new  organiza- 
tion has  a  small  though  neat  edifice  at  the  corner  of  Canisteo  and  Van 
Scoter  streets.  The  members  number  about  fifty  persons,  and  are  under 
the  pastoral  charge  of  Rev.  George  S,  Spencer. 

The  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Hornellsville  was  organized  by 
Revs.  Moses  Ordway  and  Moses  Hunter,  on  July  10,  1832.  The 
original  members  were  twelve  persons  who  presented  letters  of  dismis- 
sal from  other  churches,  and  sixteen  received  on  confession  of  faith. 
The  first  trustees  were  James  McBurney,  Ira  Davenport,  Samuel  Mul- 
hollen,  Truman  Bostwick,  Philander  Hartshorn  and  Otis  Thacher.  After 
the  church  and  society  were  organized  attention  was  at  once  given  to 
providing  a  church  home.  For  this  purpose  Dugald  Cameron  donated 
two  lots  on  Main  street,  each  4x8  rods  in  size,  and  here  the  edifice  was 
built,  at  a  cost  of  $3,000.  The  original  building  was  39x40  feet,  with 
side  and  end  galleries.  The  several  subsequent  enlargements  to  the 
building  were  made  in  1862,  1871,  1875  and  1877,  the  latter  being  the 
lecture  room  addition.  The  manse  was  purchased  during  the  pas- 
torate of  Dr.  Pettengill,  and  stood  on  Main  street.  This  property  was 
sold  in  1862,  and  in  the  spring  of  1873  the  society  purchased  the  prop- 
erty now  occupied  by  the  pastor. 

This  church  is  among  the  strongest  religious  organizations  of  the  city, 
both  in  influence  for  good  and  in  membership.  The  members  on  the 
roll  now  number  472,  and  in  the  Sunday  school  are  267  attendants,  and 
32  teachers.  The  ministers,  supplies  and  pastors,  in  succession,  have 
been  as  follows:  Moses  Ordway,  July  10,  1832;  George  P.  King,  Sep- 
tember, 1832  ;  Moses  Hunter,  March,  1834;  vacant  from  March,  1835, 
to  October,  1837  ;  Benj.  Russell,  October,  1837;  Samuel  W.  May,  sup- 
ply, 1839  ;  John  W.  Hopkins,  first  pastor,  1839-41  ;  Charles  B.  Smythe, 
1841-42;    Elias    S.    Peck,    1842-43;  Thos.    M.    Hodgman,    1843-45; 


292  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Foster  Lilly,  1845-48  ;  Horatio  Pettengill,  second  pastor,  June  10, 
1849-September,  1857;  F.  W.  Graves,  1857-58;  Ira  O.  De  Long, 
1859-60;  Milton  Waldo,  1 861-71  ;  W.  A.  Niles,  April,  1872-April  7, 
1884;  Edward  M.  Deems,  installed  May  10,  1890,  the  present  pastor. 
Elders,  Nathan  Piatt,  T.  Scott  Thacher,  Geo.  W.  Seymour,  C.  H.  Hub- 
bard, Alex.  Davidson,  Geo.  H.  Miller,  Wm.  A.  Tracey  and  C.  H. 
Glady.      Superintendent  of  Sunday  school,  Alex.  Davidson. 

The  Hartshorn  Presbyterian  church  was  organized  February  26,  1891, 
and  was  the  outgrowth  of  the  mission  Sunday  school  and  chapel  founded 
in  1883  through  the  generosity  of  Charles  Hartshorn.  About  two 
months  before  his  death  Mr.  Hartshorn  deeded  the  chapel  property  to 
his  wife,  who,  in  turn,  conveyed  it,  without  consideration,  to  the  trustees 
of  the  newly  organized  society.  The  present  members  number  about 
sixty- five,  and  in  the  Sunday  school  are  eighty  attendents.  The  pastors 
have  been  Revs.  William  Veenscoten,  George  F.  Danforth  and  Andrew 
Brown,  the  latter  now  officiating. 

St.  Ann's  church,  Roman  Catholic,  was  organized  as  a  parish  and 
a  church  home  provided  in  1849,  under  the  pastoral  charge  of  Father 
Michael  O'Brien.  However,  masses  were  said  in  this  region  as  early 
as  1843,  by  Father  Benedict  Bayer,  followed  in  1844  by  Father 
McAvoy,  the  latter  continuing  his  missionary  labors  in  this  field 
until  1849.  Next  came  Father  O'Brien,  under  whom  the  little  chapel 
on  Cass  street  was  built,  and  the  church  placed  upon  a  substantial 
footing  in  the  village.  Then,  following  through  the  successive  pas- 
torates of  Father  McCabe,  Daniel  Moore,  Joseph  McKenna,  Terrance 
Keenan,  and  James  McGlew,  under  each  of  whom  the  church  constantly 
increased  in  members,  we  reach  the  year  1863,  during  which  four  priests 
were  in  the  parish.  Fathers  John  Lawton,  W.  A.  Gregg,  R.  J.  Story 
and  M.  Creedon.  The  latter  came  in  October  of  that  year,  and  during 
his  earnest  labors  here  the  first  portion  of  the  large  edifice  on  Erie 
avenue  was  erected  and  St.  Ann's  Academic  school  was  founded.  He 
died  in  1870,  and  was  followed  by  Father  Wm.  J.  McNab.  Francis 
Clark  came  in  1873,  and  was  in  turn  succeeded,  in  November,  1879,  by 
Rev.  James  M.  Early,  who,  during  his  pastorate,  enlarged  the  church 
and  also  founded  St.  James  IMercy  Hospital.  Father  Early  died  in 
February,    1890,   and   was   succeeded   by  James   O'Loughlin,   and   the 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  293 

latter  by  Rev.  Arthur  Barlow,  who  came  to  the  parish  June  lo,  1893. 
The  parish  of  St.  Ann's  contains  about  700  families,  or  a  total  of  3,500 
persons. 

The  earliest  missionary  work  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church  in 
this  field  began  about  the  year  1850,  when  Rev.  Asa  Griswold  read 
services  to  the  few  adherents  of  the  church  then  living  in  the  locality. 
These  informal  services  were  continued  for  a  year  or  two.  the  Metho- 
dist edifice  being  occupied  for  a  time,  and  later  the  old  Washington 
Hall  which  burned  about  1859.  On  the  6th  of  March,  1854,  a  meeting 
was  held  for  the  organization  of  the  parish  of  Christ's  church,  and  the 
election  of  wardens  and  vestrymen.  At  this  meeting  were  present 
Martin  Adsit,  John  M.  Wisenell,  Truman  Warner, Nirom  M.Crane,  John 
Jamison,  Aaron  Morris,  Wm.  H.  Chandler,  Chas.  Strawn,  Peter  C.  Ward, 
Thomas  Snell,  Russell  Pardee,  George  Huckett,  Charles  L.  Prindle  and 
Charles  E.  W.  Baldwin.  On  the  20th  of  March  following,  the  church 
was  duly  incorporated  under  the  name  of  "  Rector,  Church  Wardens 
and  Vestrymen  of  Christ's  Church  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville,  County 
of  Steuben."  The  first  officers  were  Rev.  James  A.  Robinson,  rector; 
Aaron  Morris  and  Charles  L.  Prindle,  wardens  ;  and  Peter  C.  Ward, 
Martin  Adsit,  William  H.  Chandler,  Charles  Strawn,  George  Huckett, 
T.  Jefferson  Magee,  Thomas  Snell  and  Nirom  M.  Crane,  vestrymen. 
The  corner  stone  of  the  church  edifice  was  laid  in  May,  i860,  and  the 
church  was  consecrated  by  Bishop  De  Lancey,  on  April  10,  1862.  The 
first  service  in  the  new  church  was  on  Christmas  day,  i860.  The  old 
edifice  still  stands  and  is  kept  in  such  excellent  repair  that  to  day  it  is 
one  of  the  most  attractive  structures  of  its  kind  in  the  city.  Rev.  Lloyd 
Windsor  became  rector  January  I,  1859,  and  died  in  the  performance 
of  his  duty  during  service,  on  June  30,  1889.  His  rectorate  therefore 
covered  a  period  of  more  than  thirty  years.  In  another  department  of 
this  work  will  be  found  a  biographical  sketch  of  the  life  of  this  beloved 
rector  and  esteemed  friend,  but  here  we  may  say  that  his  memory  is 
preserved  in  the  beautiful  memorial  window  in  the  chancel.  The 
present  rector,  Rev.  Edwin  S.  Hoffman,  came  to  the  city  in  March, 
1890.  In  the  parish  are  about  160  families,  and  the  communicating 
members  number  262.  The  church  raises  annually  between  four  and 
five   thousand    dollars.      The   present    wardens   are    Martin   Adsit  and 


294  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Judge  Harlo  Hakes.  The  vestrymen  are  Dr.  J.  S.  Jamison,  Don  L. 
Sharp,  John  K.  Chapman,  C.  B.  Windsor,  L.  W.  Rockwell  and  Henry 
E.  Gilpin.  The  parish  societies  are  the  Woman's  Missionary  Auxiliary, 
Ladies'  Guild,  The  Unity,  St.  Agnes'  Guild,  Daughters  of  the  King,  and 
the  Brotherhood  of  St.  Andrew. 

The  First  Baptist  church  of  Hornellsville  was  organized  October  17, 
1852,  with  fifteen  constituent  members.  For  seven  years  the  society 
held  its  meetings  in  Union  Hall,  and  it  was  not  until  the  pastorate  of 
Henry  A.  Rose  (1856-59)  that  the  brick  edifice  on  Church  street  was 
built.  The  church  now  numbers  430  members.  The  present  trustees 
are  J.  W.  Nicholson,  W.  E.  Tuttle,  Alfred  E.  Brown,  Herbert  M.  Hor- 
ton,  S.  D.  Pitts,  E.  M.  Le  Munyan.  Deacons,  S.  D.  Pitts,  O.  S.  Palmer, 
Aaron  Brown  and  M.  Tuttle.  The  pastors,  in  succession,  have  been 
Thomas  S.  Sheardown,  1852;  William  Luke,  1854-55;  Henry  A. 
Rose,  1856-59  ;  John  B.  Pittman,  1859-61;  Jacob  Gray,  1861-63;  A. 
G  Bowles,  1863;  Isaac  C.  Seeley,  1864-67;  Joel  Hendrick,  1867-72; 
D.  Van  Alstine,  1872-79,  followed  by  T.  J.  Whittaker,  A.  Coit,  Jesse  A. 
Hungate,  and  Will  C.  Gates  in  the  order  named.  Mr.  Gates  came  to 
the  pastorate  about  November   i,  1894. 

The  South  Side  Baptist  church  was  established  as  a  mission  of  the 
mother  church  in  the  year  1884,  but  was  granted  a  separate  organiza- 
tion and  pastor  on  September  18,  1893.  At  that  time  the  members 
numbered  seventy- six;  in  1895  the  membership  is  155,  while  the  Sun- 
day school  has  153  pupils.  The  first  pastor  was  Elder  G.  W.  Grimm, 
succeeded  in  May,  1894,  by  Rev.  George  H.  Thompson.  The  deacons 
are  Isaac  Thomas,  Jacob  Hodge,  Frank  Towner  and  A.  C.  Boyce. 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  St.  Paul's  church  was  organized  in  1885, 
and  the  edifice  erected  in  1886,  and  in  its  membership  numbers  about 
fifty  families.  In  the  Sunday  school  are  ninety  pupils.  The  parsonage 
was  built  in  1893.  The  church  was  organized  by  Mr.  Miller,  and  under 
the  pastorate  of  Carl  Graf  the  house  of  worship  was  built.  The  later 
pastors  have  been  Revs.  Edward  Schuelke,  A.  Brown,  and  M.  O. 
Poole. 

Among  the  other  religious  societies  which  in  the  past  have  had  an 
existence  in  the  city,  may  be  mentioned  the  First  Universalist  church, 
organized  May  23,  1868,  by  Rev.  A.  G.  Clark;   also  we  may  recall  the 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  295 

Jewish  congregation,  Ahavat-Achim,  organized  in  June,  1876,  by 
Rabbi  Israel  Eriicli,  and  which,  passed  out  of  existence  about  1892. 
The  Seventh  Day  Baptist  believers  formed  a  society  in  the  village. 
April  II,  1877,  but  this,  too,  is  among  the  things  of  the  past. 

In  1849,  wlien  Martin  Adsit  was  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits,  he 
began  in  a  small  way  to  do  a  banking  business  in  the  rear  of  his  store. 
This  was  the  first  attempt  in  this  direction  and  met  with  such  approval 
in  business  circles  that  it  rapidly  grew  into  importance.  Mr.  Adsit  con- 
tinued this  branch  until  1 863  and  then  organized  the  First  National 
Bank,  In  the  meantime  Samuel  Hallett  opened  a  private  bank  in  the 
village,  which  in  March,  1856,  developed  into  the  Bank  of  Hornellsville, 
an  incorporated  concern  with  $100,000  capital,  and  authorized  to  issue 
currency.  This  bank  did  business  several  years,  under  the  management 
of  Mr.  Hallett  and  Frank    McDowell,  and  finally  went  into  liquidation. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  Hornellsville  was  organized  in  November, 
1863,  by  Martin  Adsit,  Ira  Davenport,  and  others,  with  a  capital  of 
$50,000,  authorized  to  issue  $200,000  of  stock.  Business  began  May 
I,  1864,  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Canisteo  streets,  and  was  subse- 
quently moved  to  the  present  building  on  Main  street.  The  first  ofifi- 
cers  were  Ira  Davenport,  president,  and  Martin  Adsit,  cashier.  After 
two  years  Mr.  Adsit  succeeded  to  the  presidency,  and  Charles  Adsit  was 
elected  cashier.  These  respective  ofBces  they  have  continued  to  fill. 
The  present  capital  of  the  bank  is  $100,000;  surplus,  $20,000.  The 
ofificers  are  Martin  Adsit  and  Charles  Adsit,  president  and  cashier,  and 
Ira  Davenport,  vice-president;  also  Martin  Adsit,  Ira  Davenport,  E.  J. 
Adsit,  S.  G.  Adsit,  Charles  Adsit  and  F.  A.  Bull,  directors. 

After  the  affairs  of  the  old  Bank  of  Hornellsville  were  wound  up,  the 
firm  of  N.  M.  Crane  &  Co.  began  banking  in  the  same  building,  and 
continued  through  a  long  period  of  years.  Nirom  Crane  was  the  active 
man  of  the  concern,  and  S.  H.  Crane  was  for  a  time  its  cashier.  The 
firm  failed  July  31,  1893. 

The  present  Bank  of  Hornellsville  was  organized  and  opened  its  doors 
for  business  on  February  i,  1875.  Its  capital  is  $50,000;  surplus, 
$20,000.  The  officers  are  F.  G.  Babcock,  president;  W.  E.  Pittenger, 
cashier  ;  C.  C.  Babcock,  assistant  cashier  ;  F.  G.  Babcock,  C.  C.  Bab- 
cock and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Babcock,  directors.  This  institution  is  organ- 
ized under  the  laws  of  this  State. 


296  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

The  Citizens'  National  Bank  was  organized  and  began  business  in 
1 88 1,  with  a  capital  of  $125,000,  which,  however,  was  subsequently 
reduced  to  $100,000.  The  first  president  was  John  Santee,  followed  by 
Charles  Hartshorn,  and  the  latter  succeeded  (October  17,  1887)  by 
Charles  Cadogan  The  surplus  and  undivided  profits  of  the  Citizens' 
Bank  aggregate  $25,000.  The  present  officers  are  Charles  Cadogan, 
president ;  J.  E.  B.  Santee,  cashier  ;  Charles  Cadogan,  George  N.  Or- 
cutt,  C.  H.  Hartshorn,  John  M.  Finch,  J.  B.  Woodbury,  D.  K. 
Belknap,  C.  F.  Strack,  F.  D.  Sherwood,  George  D.  Terry  and  J.  E.  B. 
Santee,  directors. 

Tradition  (we  have  no  positive  record)  informs  us  that  Judge  Hornell 
was  the  first  postmaster  at  this  place ;  that  the  office  was  established 
soon  after  the  opening  of  the  old  stage  road  in  1809,  and  that  the  name 
of  the  office  previous  to  1823  was  Canisteo.  In  the  year  mentioned 
it  was  changed  to  Hornellsville.  So  near  as  local  authorities  can 
determine  the  postmasters  in  succession  have  been  as  follows : 
George  Hornell,  Ira  Davenport  Dr.  Manning  Kelly,  John  R.  Morris, 
John  K.  Hale,  Maj.  Thomas  J.  Reynolds,  Martin  Adsit,  Andy  L  Smith, 
Dr.  Luman  A.  Ward,  E.  G.  Durfey,  J.  W.  Shelly,  S.  M.  Thacher,  Fran- 
cisco M.  Cronkrite,  William  H.  Greenhow,  George  L.  Tubbs  and  Will- 
iam H.  Murray. 

The  Hornell  Library,  in  which  every  patriotic  person  in  the  city  feels 
a  just  pride,  was  the  outgrowth  of  a  series  of  lecture  courses  inaugur- 
ated for  public  edification  and  entertainment  about  the  year  1866. 
The  profits  of  a  third  course  were  saved  and  the  young  men  having  the 
matter  in  charge  determined  to  establish  a  library  in  the  village.  These 
managers  became  also  managers  of  the  library  association  formed  in 
1868,  and  were  Miles  W.  Hawley,  I.  W.  Near, ,  Dr.  E.  J.  Johnson, 
Stephen  F.  Gilbert,  S.  M.  Thacher,  N.  P.  T.  Finch,  J.  W.  Shelley  ; 
Charles  Adsit,  president;  John  M.  Finch,  vice-president,  and  N.  M. 
Crane,  treasurer.  Horace  Bemis  secured  the  passage  of  an  act  author- 
izing the  trustees  to  have  the  excise  moneys  of  the  village,  amounting 
to  about  $1,500.  This  sum,  however,  was  afterward  reduced  to 
$500.  The  association  now  receives  annually  about  $1,500.  On 
March  3,  1888,  the  Jewett  Club  building  on  Canisteo  street  was 
purchased    at    a  cost   of    $8,000.       The    library    now    contains    10,000 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  297 

volumes.  The  free  circulation  system  was  adopted  in  1889.  The 
present  officers  are  De  M.  Page,  president  ;  Dr.  C.  S.  Parkhill,  vice- 
president  ;  James  M.  Welsh,  secretary  and  treasurer.  Managers, 
J.  W.  Burnham,  Cass  Richardson,  C.  W,  Etz,  E.  D.  L.  Robertson, 
William  H.  Van  Dusen,  J.  E.  K.  Santee,  Dr.  C.  G.  Hubbard,  R.  M. 
Tuttle.  Librarian,  Miss  Isabella  A.  Charles,  assisted  by  Miss  Mary  A. 
Windsor. 

The  Steuben  Sanitarium  Association,  although  not  a  public  institu- 
tion of  the  city,  is  nevertheless  noteworthy  as  one  of  the  factors  in 
municipal  and  individual  welfare.  The  building,  situate  in  the  north 
part  of  the  city,  is  located  on  a  commanding  elevation,  and  is  provided 
with  every  essential  requisite  to  health  and  comfort.  In  November, 
1894,  the  Sanitarium  passed  under  the  care  of  Dr.  J.  E.  Walker,  as 
superintendent.  Soon  after  he  with  others  purchased  the  establishment, 
and  have  made  it  one  of  the  most  successful  medical  and  surgical  insti- 
tutions in  the  country.  It  has  among  its  consulting  staff  some  of  the 
highest  talent  in  Western  New  York.  The  most  complicated,  medical 
and  surgical  cases  are  given  all  the  advantages  known  to  science. 

The  Forty- seventh  Separate  Company,  N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.,  was  organized 
September  30,  1891.  The  first  officers  were  Avery  McDougall,  cap- 
tain ;  T.  G.  Babcock,  jr.,  first  lieutenant,  and  Wm.  S.  Charles,  second 
lieutenant.  The  company  numbers  seventy-five  men,  well  uniformed 
and  equipped  and  thoroughly  drilled.  In  April,  1893,  the  State  appro- 
priated $32,000  for  the  erection  of  an  armory  in  the  city,  and  added 
$12,000  a  year  later.  The  county  also  contributed  $12,000  to  the 
building.  The  armory,  one  of  the  largest  and  most  attractive  public 
buildings  in  the  county,  was  begun  October  19,  1894,  and  was  com- 
pleted during  the  summer  of  1895. 

The  Hornellsville  Co-operative  Loan  and  Savings  Association  was 
incorporated  and  organized  in  1888,  and  is  under  the  supervision  of  the 
State  banking  department.  As  a  purely  local  concern  it  is  worthy  of 
notice,  and  as  an  investment  is  far  preferable  to  many  of  the  outside 
companies  which  promise  greater  returns. 

The  Hornellsville  Water  Company  is  a  local  improvement  concern, 
though    owned    by    foreign    capital.      The    water    system    of   the    city 


298  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

is  exceptionally  good,  the  supply  abundant,  and  results  satisfactory. 
The  works  were  constructed  in  1882,  water  being  taken  from  springs 
(through  a  large  reservoir)  in  the  town  of  Fremont,  six  miles  from  the 
city,  and  elevated  at  least  250  feet  above  city  base  level. 

The  Hornell  Gas  Company  have  about  six  miles  of  street  mains  in 
the  city.  Its  capital  stock  is  $40,000  The  officers  are  Mrs.  Jane  A. 
McDougall,  president;  John  McDougall,  secretary,  and  F.  G.  Babcock, 
jr.,  treasurer. 

The  American  Illuminating  Company  was  organized  in  1886;  capi- 
tal, $78,000.  Officers:  J.  M.  Finch,  president;  J.  E.  B.  Santee,  treas- 
urer ;   L.  T.  Mason,  secretary  and  manager. 

The  manufacturing  and  mercantile  interests  of  this  city  are  measur- 
ably proportionate  to  its  population  and  other  adjuncts  of  the  munici- 
pality. The  statement  has  frequently  been  made  that  in  manufactures 
Hornellsville  is  somewhat  behind  other  similar  cities,  yet  in  the  light  of 
years  of  travel  and  observation,  the  writer  is  inclined  to  the  belief  that 
this  city  compares  favorably  with  others  of  its  population  throughout 
the  region,  and,  coupled  with  the  vast  railroad  interests  found  here,  ever 
in  operation,  stands  in  advance  of  many  in  the  southern  tier  Among 
the  important  industries  of  the  day  may  be  mentioned  the  McConnell 
Company,  whose  extensive  wood  working  establishment  employs  200 
workmen.  This  was  the  outgrowth  of  an  older  business  started  many 
years  ago  by  Morris  Smith,  and  purchased  by  Asa  McConnell  and  Ben- 
ton McConnell  in  1868.  After  several  changes  in  proprietorship  the 
company  was  incorporated,  and  now,  under  the  name  above  noted  is 
the  largest  manufacturing  enterprise  of  the  city  and  one  of  the  largest 
and  best  of  its  kind  in  the  country.  Benton  McConnell  is  president  ; 
Floyd  T.  McConnell,  general  manager ;  Claude  Hallett,  secretary,  and 
Claude  Jones,  treasurer, 

J.  M.  Deutsch  &  Co.  are  manufacturers  of  furniture,  and  in  connec- 
tion with  their  works  is  also  the  Woodward  Fence  Wire  Co.,  which  to- 
gether form  an  extensive  plant  and  furnish  employment  to  forty  or  fifty 
men.  Mr.  Deutsch  began  business  here  in  1866  as  one  of  the  firm  of 
Deutsch  &  Tschachtli,  and  in  1871  occupied  the  Barclay  factory  build- 
ing of  still  older  date. 

The  O'Connor  tannery  was  established  in  1865  by  William  O'Connor, 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  299 

and  since  that  time  has  been  in  successsul  operation,  and  now  employs 
about  fifty  men.  The  firm  now  consists  of  Mr.  O'Connor  and  his  son, 
George  VV.  O'Connor. 

The  well  known  Thacher  Mills  on  Main  street  occupy  the  site  where 
Judge  Hornell  started  his  primitive  mill  previous  to  1800.  The  present 
mill  was  built  by  the  late  Judge  Thacher  and  is  now  owned  by  J.  T.  O. 
Thacher,  though  leased  by  G.  W.  Morris. 

William  Richardson's  large  boot  and  shoe  factory  is  also  one  of  the 
old  industries  of  the  place  and  was  established  in  1871.  Here  nearly 
175  employees  are  furnished  with  work. 

The  Hollow  Cable  Manufacturing  Co.  began  operations  in  1873,  and 
from  that  to  the  present  time  have  been  recognized  as  one  of  the  leadmg 
business  houses  of  the  city.  The  company  was  organized  in  1888 
with  Othaniel  Preston,  sr.,  as  president,  Henry  C.  Preston,  treasurer, 
and  Othaniel  Preston,  jr.,  secretary.  Since  the  death  of  O.  Preston,  sr,, 
(March  27,  1893)  the  business  has  been  conducted  by  the  sons  men- 
tioned.    They  employ  about  twenty-five  men. 

The  St.  Julian  Gear  Co.  was  established  in  1880,  by  Charles  O.  Rose 
for  the  manufacture  of  wagons  and  carriages.  Here  about  thirty  men 
are  employed. 

A.  T.  Prindle  &  Son  is  a  firm  of  tanners  and  the  outgrowth  of  a 
business  founded  in  this  city  in  1861  by  A.  T.  &  M.  Prindle.  The 
present  firm  employs  about  thirty  men. 

In  the  same  connection  we  may  also  note  the  Underwear  Manufac- 
turing Co.,  commonly  known  as  the  White  Goods  factory,  at  the  corner 
of  Canisteo  and  Loder  streets,  which  was  established  July  i,  1888.  At 
full  capacity  this  factory  employs  one  hundred  hands,  chiefly  women 
and  girls.  The  members  of  the  firm  are  F.  D.  Sherwood,  George  D. 
Terry  and  W.  F.  Sherwood.     The  firm  succeeded  the  company  in  1891. 

The  Rockland  Silk  Mills  were  started  in  1887  by  Edwin  S.  Brown 
who  came  to  Hornellsville  from  Paterson,  N.  J.  The  present  factory 
was  built  in  1894.  Here  are  employed  in  all  departments  1 10  persons, 
two-thirds  of  whom  are  young  women.  The  product  of  these  mills  is 
"  organzine  "  and  "  tram,"  or  warp  and  filling. 

In  1889  John  O.  Adsit  established  in  the  city  a  large  general  machine 
shop  and  foundry.     This  he  conducted  till  about  January  i,  1895,  vvhen 


300  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

Daniel  H.  Rogers  succeeded.      Here  are  employed  about  twenty  work- 
men. 

The  Truss  and  Cable  Fence  Wire  Co.  was  established  in  1889,  for 
the  manufacture  of  fence  wire,  the  patent  of  Dr.  Lee  Rishel.  In  the 
works  are  now  employed  about  twelve  men.  The  present  proprietors 
are  Charles  O.  Rose  and  George  P.  Rishel. 

The  Merrill  Fabric  Glove  Company,  for  the  manufacture  of  silk  gloves 
and  mitts,  was  established  during  the  winter  of  1890-91,  and  is  among 
the  leading  industries  of  the  city.  Employment  is  furnished  here  for 
about  one  hundred  men. 

The  Preston  Brick  Company  was  organized  in  1890  by  Othaniel  Pres- 
ton and  his  sons  for  the  manufacture  of  brick  from  the  shale  rock  found 
in  this  vicinity.     This  firm  furnishes  employment  to  twenty-five  men. 

It  is  estimated  that  the  city  of  Hornellsville  has  a  total  of  about  250 
merchants  and  persons  otherwise  mterested  in  such  mercantile  pursuits 
as  are  incident  to  every  well  ordered  municipality  ;  and  while  every 
branch  of  trade  is  well  represented,  neither  public  or  private  interests 
appear  to  have  suffered  through  over-competition.  In  mercantile  cir- 
cles the  business  men  of  this  city  are  honorably  regarded.  Statistics 
prove  that  at  least  ninety  per  cent,  of  merchants  fail  at  some  time  during 
their  busines  career,  and  while  such  disasters  are  not  unknown  in  Horn- 
ellsville, it  may  be  said  that  the  general  average  of  failures  have  not 
been  increased  by  the  experiences  of  local  merchants. 

The  city  possesses  the  necessary  elements  of  prosperity  in  almost 
every  direction.  It  has  a  fine  opera  house,  and  several  large  halls  for 
public  assemblages.  In  the  matter  of  hotels,  too,  the  city  is  fortunate, 
having  at  least  three  pubhc  houses  that  are  regarded  as  first  class. 
These  are  the  Osborne  House,  named  for  its  original  founder,  though 
burned  and  rebuilt  in  1874.  It  was  the  property  of  W.  C.  Brainerd,  of 
Buffalo.  The  Page  House,  owned  by  Esek  Page  and  sons,  was  built 
about  1 87 1  or '72,  on  the  site  of  the  still  older  Hornellsville  Hotel. 
The  name  Page  House  was  adopted  in  1887.  The  Sherwood  House 
was  formerly  the  Schu  House,  though  now  greatly  enlarged  and  im- 
proved.     It  is  owned  by  F.  D.  Sherwood  and  George  N.  Orcutt. 

The  street  railroad  system  of  the  city  is  worthy  of  special  mention. 
The  now  known   Hornellsville  Electric    Railroad    was   begun  in   May, 


CITIES,   VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  301 

1892,  and  the  city  branch  was  in  operation  on  August  5th  following, 
with  five  motor  cars.  The  Canisteo  division  was  begun  on  October 
23,  1892,  and  finished  on  December  30th  thereafter.  The  equipment 
now  consists  of  eight  motors  and  five  trailers.  Power  is  furnished  by  the 
American  Illuminating  Company.  The  railroad  company  employs 
twenty- five  men. 

Evening  Star  Lodge,  No.  44,  F.   &    A,    M.,    was   chartered  June  11, 

1 8 16,  although  the  history  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  in  this  city  ante- 
dates that  time.  Informal  meetings  were  held  and  as  early  as  January, 
1 8 14,  and  there  may  have  been  some  work  done  here  under  dispensa- 
tion. So  near  as  can  be  ascertained  the  first  officers  were  Andrew 
Simpson,  W.  M.;  Timothy  Perry,  S.  W.,  and  John  Stephens,  J.  W. 
Among  the  other  early  members  were  James  Jones,  Nathaniel  Thacher 
and  William  Mulhollen,  while  visiting  brethren  were  Andrew  Morris, 
Uriah  Stephens,  William  Hyde,  Samuel  O.  Thacher,  Elias  Perry,  Sam- 
uel Lenox  and  Samuel  Darby.  The  lodge,  it  appears,  was  originally 
an  institution  of  Canisteo  proper,  and  first  came   to   Upper   Canisteo  in 

1 8 17.  Notwithstanding  its  vicissitudes,  which  have  also  been  a  part  of 
the  record  of  all  pioneer  Masonic  societies,  this  lodge  has  been  an  endur- 
ing institution,  its  aggregate  enrollment  numbering  several  hundred 
members.  The  present  number  is  about  125.  The  past  masters  have  been 
H.  E.  Buvinger,  W.  L.  Collins,  G.  H.  Dore,  W.  W.  Howell,  J  Mounce, 
W.  H.  Sims,  A.  M.  Lewis,  C.  E  Evans,  jr.,  H.  D.  Leach,  John  Mc- 
Dougall.  Present  officers,  H.  T.  Harris,  W.  M.,  I.  S.  Lanning,  S.  W., 
W.  U.  Rixford,  J.  W.,  H.  H,  Carney,  treasurer,  W.  H.  Sims,  secretary, 
O.  S.  Palmer,  chaplain,  Joseph  Mounce,  S.  D.,  Gee  Becker,  J.  D.,  M. 
Hill,  S.  M.  C,  G.  B.  Daley,  J.  M.  C,  F.  Donahue,  tiler. 

Hornellsville  Lodge,  No.  331,  F.  and  A.  M.,  was  chartered  June  24, 
1854,  and  throughout  the  period  of  its  history  has  enjoyed  a  constant 
and  healthful  growth.  It  has  now  nearly  225  members.  The  past 
masters  have  been  E.  G.  Gilbert,  H.  P.  Johnson,  Robert  Laughlin,  J.  I. 
Bentley,  P.  C.  Hufstader,  L.  S.  Boardman,  George  W.  Griswold,  S.  Os- 
soski,  P.  M.  Nast,  jr.,  Don  L.  Sharp,  F.  A.  Jones,  William  S.  Charles, 
Avery  McDougall.  The  officers  for  1895  are  :  Joseph  Schaul,  W.  M.; 
Samuel  ErHch,  S.  W.;  O.  E.  Elwell,  J.  W.;  S.  Ossoski,  Treasurer;  Don 
L.    Sharp,    Secretary;   L.    W.    Rockwell,    S.    D.;   William   H.  Prangen, 


302  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

J.  W.;  O.  W.  Pratt,  S.  M.  C;  G.  I.  Blackmer,  J.  I.  C;  W.  E.  Waldorf, 
Organist ;   F.  Donahue,  Tiler. 

Steuben  Chapter,  No.  lOi,  R.  A.  M.,  was  chartered  February  23, 
1825,  and  has  since  had  an  active  organization  in  the  city.  Its  members 
now  number  141  Masons.  The  past  high  priests  are :  Morrison 
Harding,  H.  E.  Buvinger,  H.  P.  Johnson,  G.  W.  Griswold,  L.  S.  Board- 
man,  H.  O.  Fay.  D.  L.  Sharp,  P.  C.  Hufstader,  P.  M.  Nast,  jr.,  S.  Os- 
soski,  W.  H.  Sims,  F.  A.  Jones  and  S.  Lang.  The  present  officers  are : 
W.  H.  Prangen,  H.  P.;  C.  E.  Evans,  jr.,  K  ;  John  McDougall,  S.;  John 
I.  Bentley,  Treasurer;  O.  W.  Pratt,  Secretary;  W.  H.  Van  Dusen, 
Chaplain. 

Hornellsville  Council,  No.  35,  R.  and  S.  M.,  was  chartered  February 
I,  1870.  The  present  membership  is  72.  The  officers  are  W.  H.  Sims, 
T.  111.  M.;  O.  E.  EUwell,  Dep.  T.  111.  M.;  I.  S.  Lanning,  P.  C.  of  Work; 
W.  E  Waldorf,  Recorder ;  W.  H.  Prangen,  Treasurer ;  J.  S.  Norton, 
Captain  of  Guard  ;  J.  I.  Bentley,  Con.  of  Council;  W.  H.  Van  Dusen, 
Chaplain. 

De  Molay  Commandery,  No.  22,  K.  T.,  is  another  of  the  higher 
Masonic  organizations  of  the  city,  and  in  membership  is  one  of  the 
strongest,  the  number  now  being  150.  The  past  eminent  commanders 
have  been  H.  E.  Buvinger,  A.  H.  Bunnell,  W.  L.  Collins,  H  D.  Leach, 
G.  W.  Griswold,  W.  H.  Prangen,  J.  I.  Bentley,  S.  F.  Smith,  F.  H. 
Robinson,  George  T.  Rehn,  Louis  S.  Boardman.  The  present  officers 
are:  F.  A.  Jones,  E.  C;  W.  H.  Sims,  GenTo  ;  Avery  McDougall, 
Capt.  Gen.;  J.  I.  Bentley,  Ex-Prelate;  G.  A.  Waldorf,  Treasurer;  W. 
E.  Waldorf,  Recorder;   F.  A.  Jones,  Trustee. 

The  other  Masonic  organizations  having  an  abiding  place  in  the  city 
are  Hornell  Consistory,  No.  40,  S.  P.  R.  S.,  32°,  attached  to  which  are 
Rose  Croix  Chapter,  17-18°;  the  Council  of  Princes  of  Jerusalem, 
15-16°,  and  Lodge  of  Perfection,  4-14°.  The  Masonic  Hall  Associa- 
tion was  incorporated  in  1869,  and  is  designed  to  care  for  the  property 
and  interests  of  the  order  in  general  in  the  city. 

Odd  Fellowship  in  the  city  is  well  represented  in  four  substantial 
organizations,  being  Oasis  Lodge,  No.  251,  Steuben  County  Lodge, 
No.  331,  Canacadea  Encampment,  No.  117,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  Canton 
Loyal,  No.  153,  P.  M. 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  303 

The  principal  officers  of  Oasis  Lodge  are  :  W.  J.  Hallett,  N.  G.; 
Alfred  Webb,  V.  G.;  W.  W.  White,  permanent  secretary.  This  lodge 
has  150  member. 

Steuben  County  Lodge  has  a  membership  of  190,  and  is  officered  as 
follows:  N.  G.,  R.  H.  Foster;  V.  G..  A.  L.  Shannon;  recording  sec- 
retary, A.  L.  Harrison  ;  permanent  secretary,  W.  A.  Tracy  ;  treasurer, 
F.  J.  Hutchinson. 

Canacadea  Encampment  has  about  eighty  members,  and  is  governed 
by  these  officers  :  C  P..  F.  J.  Abbott  ;  H.  P.,  A.  M.  Webb  ;  S.  W.,  A. 
Seal;  J.  W.,  G.  F.  Avery;  scribe,  R.  H.  Foster;  permanent  scribe, 
H.  S.  Pettibone  ;   treasurer,  G.  G.  Wafer. 

Canton  Loyal,  P.  M.  No.  43,  has  thirty-five  members.  Its  present 
officers  are:  Captain.  W.  H.  Owm  ;  lieutenant,  G.  G.  Walzer;  en- 
sign, W.  F.  Simms  ;   clerk,  R.  H.  Foster;   accountant,  J    M.  Peterson. 


CHAPTER  XVni. 

CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS. 

The  Village  of  Addison. — In  the  south  part  of  the  town  of 
Addison,  at  the  confluence  of  Tuscarora  Creek  with  the  Canisteo.  is  an 
enterprising  and  constantly  growing  incorporated  village  of  about  2,200 
population,  named  after  the  town  in  which  it  is  located.  It  has  been 
said  that  Addison  stands  in  much  the  same  relation  to  Corning  as  Can- 
isteo bears  to  Hornellsville.  In  truth  there  may  be  some  force  in  this 
remark,  for  Canisteo  and  Addison  have  long  been  regarded  as  sister 
villages,  settled  originall}'  by  the  same  sturdy  stock,  and  whose  de- 
scendants appear  to  have  been  imbued  with  similar  traits  and  like 
worthy  purposes.  Both  villages  have  the  advantages  of  the  Erie  Rail- 
road ;  both  have  the  Canisteo  River,  and  while  the  western  village  has 
Bennett's  Creek,  Addison  has  the  Tuscarora.  Still,  beyond  the  fact 
that  every  friendliness  exists  between  the  inhabitants  of  these  villages, 
there  is  nothing  in  common  between  them. 

William  B.  Jones  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  town,  also  of  the  vil- 


304  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

lage,  and  kept  one  of  the  early  hotels  north  of  the  river,  on  the 
"  Pumpelly  Lot,"  as  commonly  known.  Solomon  Curtis  laid  out  a  part 
of  the  village  lots  on  this  side,  and  William  Wombaugh  was  another 
conspicuous  factor  in  early  history,  though  his  lands  lay  south  of  the 
river.  The  latter  was  a  man  of  means  as  well  as  enterprise.  He  built 
saw  and  grist  mills,  a  log  distillery,  carding  machine,  and  otherwise  con- 
tributed largely  to  early  village  history.  Yet,  for  several  years  the  (ew 
mills  and  many  public  houses  were  about  the  only  visible  evidences  of 
village  settlement.  However,  Addison  was  a  hamlet  of  much  impor- 
tance in  the  region,  and  so  great  was  the  volume  of  business  that  a  post- 
office  was  established  here  as  early  as  1 804.  Lumbering  was  for  many 
years  the  leading  industry,  hence  here  was  the  rendezvous  fur  buyers 
and  dealers,  while  raftsmen  were  counted  by  hundreds.  There  were 
John  Loop,  Shumway  &  Glover,  Wilcox.  Birdsall  &  Wetherby,  all  lum- 
bermen and  merchants,  and  all  in  active  business  as  early  as  1 830.  Later 
on  came  John  and  Peter  P.  Loop,  Caleb  Wetherby  and  Reed  A.  Will- 
iams, who  were  partners  in  business  and  large  operators.  These  were 
followed  by  Thompson  &  French,  who  built  a  store  at  the  corner  of  Wall 
and  Railroad  streets.  This  firm  sold  out  to  William  R.  Smith  and  Eli 
Fitch  Later  business  men  and  merchants  were  Ransom  Rathbone, 
S  L.  and  Joel  D.  Gillett,  A.  Cone.  C.  E.  Gillett,  George  Wells,  E.  L. 
and  E.  R.  Paine,  George  Graham,  N.  W  Mallory,  Thomas  and  Benja- 
min Phillips,  Merriam  &  Haynes,  Dr.  Bradley  Blakeslee,  Ezra  J. 
Brewer,  Hiram  Sleeper,  and  others,  whose  names  are  now  lost,  but  all 
of  whom  were  active  figures  in  town  and  village  life  and  by  their  efforts 
contributed  not  a  little  to  early  local  prosperity. 

These  men  laid  the  foundation  for  the  village  and  a  later  generation 
of  inhabitants  completed  the  municipal  superstructure,  and  to  day  the 
joint  efforts  of  both  builders  are  rewarded  in  one  of  the  most  cosmo- 
politan villages  of  Steuben  county  ;  and  it  is  no  idle  or  fulsome  compli- 
ment to  say  of  Addison  that  it  is  now  regarded  as  the  best  village  of  the 
county,  interest  for  interest  and  resource  for  resource. 

In  1854  the  population  and  business  interests  of  the  village  were  so 
large  and  of  such  a  character  that  it  became  necessary  to  partially  sep- 
arate it  from  the  town  at  large  ;  local  improvements  were  necessary 
and  the  town,  not  being  directly  interested,  was  not  willing  to  bear  any 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  305 

part  of  the  expense.  Tlierefore  the  people  of  the  hamlet  availed  them- 
selves of  the  general  laws  relating  to  village  incorporations,  and  in  Jan- 
uary, 1854.  by  an  order  of  the  Court  of  Sessions,  Addison  became  a 
body  politic  and  corporate,  authorized  to  elect  officers,  inaugurate 
local  improvements  and  levy  and  collect  taxes  to  meet  the  expenses 
thereof.  At  the  first  election  of  officers  the  trustees  chosen  were 
Frederick    R.    Wagner,    Bradley    Blakeslee,    Parley    Guinnip,    Stephen 

Lewis, White  and  Thomas  Paxton.      At  the  first  meeting  of  the 

trustees  Dr.  Wagner  was  elected  president,  and  I.  V.  L.  Meigs,  clerk. 

This  limited  municipal  government  was  found  sufficient  for  temporary 
purposes,  but  as  the  village  grew  in  population  and  business  importance, 
broader  powers  and  more  thorough  government  became  necessary,  and 
the  result  was  a  special  act  of  the  Legislature,  passed  April  12,  1873, 
granting  a  charter  to  the  "  Village  of  Addison,"  including  within  its 
boundaries  specified  territory,  and  dividing  the  latter  into  two  wards. 
The  Canisteo  was  the  dividing  line  The  first  officers  under  the  char- 
ter were  J.  V.  Graham,  president;  John  W.  Clark,  clerk;  Chaun- 
cey  D.  Hill,  treasurer;  Sanford  Elmor,  collector;  Daniel  D.  Hickey 
and  E.  S.  Mead,  trustees  of  First  ward,  and  Lorin  Aldrich  and  James 
D.  Goodley,  trustees  of  Second  ward. 

In  this  connection  it  is  also  proper  to  note  the  names  of  the  officers 
of  the  village  for  the  year  1895,  viz.:  George  Crane  president  ;  George 
J.  Ameigh,  George  Wetherby,  George  Allison  and  S.  M.  La  Grange, 
trustees;   E.  E.  Burdick,  clerk;   George  J.  Truell,  treasurer. 

According  to  the  present  disposition  of  business  Addison  is  well 
provided  with  mercantile  and  manufacturing  interests,  with  good 
churches,  five  in  number,  exceptionally  excellent  schools,  two  sound 
banking  houses,  and  all  other  institutions  which  contribute  to  municipal 
welfare.  There  are  also  two  good  and  representative  newspapers,  the 
Advertiser,  a  Republican  paper,  founded  in  1858,  and  the  Record, 
established  in  1880,  and  the  exponent  of  Democratic  doctrines,  general 
and  local. 

The  present  fire  department  comprises  Phoenix  and  Wells  Hose 
Companies,  and  Baldwin  Hook  and  Ladder  Company,  all  well  equipped 
with  good  apparatus,  and  liberally  supported  by  the  village  and  people. 

The  Addison  Water  Works  Company  was  established  in  1889,  the 
39 


306  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

water   supply   being  taken   from  a  reservoir  elevated  above  the  village 
level.      It  is  a  private  enterprise  and  owned  by  foreign  capital. 

In  the  month  of  December.  1847,  twelve  prominent  men  of  Addison 
formed  an  association  for  the  purpose  of  founding  and  building  an  acad- 
emy. They  purchased  a  four-acre  tract  of  land  north  of  the  village,  on 
which,  in  1848,  the  building  was  erected.  The  promoters  of  this  worthy 
enterprise  were  Henry  Wombaugh,  Rufus  Baldwin,  Joel  D.  Gillett, 
Elihu  Wittenhall,  Erastus  Brooks,  Orange  Seymour,  William  H.  Gray, 
Bradley  Blakeslee,  William  Bradley,  James  Baldwin,  William  R  Smith, 
and  Arthur  Erwin.  The  original  academy  was  in  all  respects  a  worthy 
institution  and  was  well  supported,  but  the  building  was  destroyed  by 
an  unfortunate  fire  in  October,  1856.  Subsequently  another  association 
of  citizens  established  a  private  academic  school,  and  the  latter  con- 
tinued in  fairly  successful  operation  until  the  organization  of  Union 
Free  School  District  No.  i,  in  the  year  1878.  The  first  Board  of  Edu- 
cation comprised  Jesse  K.  Strock,  John  F.  Turner,  George  Farnham. 
John  W.  Dininny,  James  M.  Wood,  John  Mitchell,  David  Darrin, 
Henry  S.  Jones  and  William  A.  Smith.  In  connection  with  this  school 
was  an  academic  department,  and  upon  a  substantial  and  generously 
supported  basis  it  has  ever  since  been  maintained.  At  the  public 
expense  an  excellent  school  building  was  erected  in  1888,  and  the 
Grammar  School  on  Tuscarora  street  in  1889. 

The  present  Board  of  Education  is  comprised  of  William  T.  Moran, 
president ;  Fred  C.  Tabor,  W.  O.  Feenaughty,  William  A.  Storey,  Dr. 
George  Crane,  Daniel  D.  Hickey,  Arthur  P.  Hill,  H.  W.  Sanford,  sec- 
retary, and  S.  V.  Lattimer,  treasurer. 

The  financial  institutions  of  the  village  are  the  Addison  Bank  and  the 
Baldwin  Bank.  The  former  was  established  by  incorporation,  May  17, 
1856,  with  a  capital  of  $50,000,  and  with  William  R.  Smith  and  Charles 
H.  Henderson  as  active  owners  and  managers,  the  former  president  and 
the  latter  cashier.  The  corporation  was  dissolved  about  1861,  and 
fram  that  time  the  bank  has  been  conducted  as  a  private  enterprise. 
The  bank  building  was  erected  in  1873.  The  Baldwin  Bank  began  busi  • 
ness  in  January,  1874,  under  the  ownership  of  James  Baldwin  and 
Charles  D.  Williams,  which  proprietors  were  succeeded  in  April,  1880, 
by    Henry    Baldwin    and    Mrs.  Sarah    Weatherby.     This   bank   is  now 


HENRY  BALDWIN. 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  307 

operated  by  James  Baldwin,  and,  like  its  cotemporary  in  the  village  is 
a  safe  financial  institution. 

The  churches  of  Addison  are  also  worthy  of  at  least  a  mention  in 
this  chapter  although  a  more  detailed  history  of  each  will  be  found  else- 
where in  this  work.  Those  at  present  existing  are  Protestant  and 
Methodist  Episcopal,  Presbyterian,  Baptist  and  Roman  Catholic,  each 
holding  regular  services,  well  organized  and  instruments  of  good  in  the 
community. 

All  branches  of  mercantile  business  appear  to  be  well  represented, 
but  lack  of  space  prevents  us  from  an  individual  mention  of  each  mer- 
chant. However,  it  is  pardonable  that  the  manufacturers  should  be 
specially  noted,  for  Addison  enjoys  the  pleasant  notoriety  of  having 
several  industries  of  importance.  In  this  connection  we  may  mention 
the  sash,  door  and  blind  factory,  lumber  yard  and  general  wood-work- 
ing establishment  of  Park,  Winton  &  True  ;  the  large  foundry  and  ma- 
chine works  of  E.  S.  Chatfield  ;  the  "A.  &  P."  machine  shops;  John 
Schmitt's  brewery  ;  the  Owen  planing  mill,  and  the  extensive  roller 
flouring  mill  of  Curtis  &  Paxton.  F.  H.  Wheaton  owns  the  electric 
light  plant,  furnishes  light  for  the  streets  and  buildings,  and  also  operates 
the  pump  house.  The  principal  hotels  of  the  village  are  the  "Ameri- 
can "  and  the  "  Wyckoff." 

Addison  Hilt,  is  a  small  settlement  in  the  southwest  part  of  Tus- 
carora,  containing  a  post-office,  a  few  dwellings,  a  store  and  a  black- 
smith shop.  The  local  storekeeper  and  postmaster  is  Fayette  V.  Howser  ; 
the  blacksmith,  William   Crowell. 

The  Village  of  Arkport. — This  pretty  and  busy  little  hamlet 
of  about  400  population  is  located  in  the  extreme  northern  part  of  the 
town  of  Hornellsville,  in  the  vicinity  where  Chistopher  Hurlbut  made 
his  first  settlement,  and  from  which  point  the  famous  ark  was  sent  down 
the  Canisteo  in  1800,  laden  with  grain.  Judge  Hurlbut  was  the  founder 
of  the  place,  the  builder  of  the  first  mill  and  hotel,  and  also  proprie- 
tor of  the  ark.  Although  this  village  has  never  attained  either  popula- 
tion or  business  interests  sufficient  to  justify  incorporation,  it  is  never- 
theless a  place  of  some  importance  in  the  county,  and  as  a  shipping 
point  for  agricultural  products  it  is  quite  noted.  It  is  a  station  on  the 
Buffalo  division  of  the    Erie,  and   also  on  the   Central   New  York  and 


308  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Western    Railroad.      Since  the  construction  of  the  road  last   mentioned 
the  business  interests  have  materially  increased. 

Arkport  has  two  churches,  Presbyterian  and  Methodist  Protestant, 
and  an  excellent  school.  In  1894  the  village,  with  some  adjacent  ter- 
ritory, was  formed  into  a  Union  Free  School  district,  superseding  the 
old  system  formerly  in  operation.  The  members  of  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion are  L.  C.  Healy,  president,  and  N.  O.  Wheeler,  Hiram  Ellis,  A.  A. 
Sewell,  Henry  Colgrove,  and  Charles  Lawrence.  The  school  building 
is  of  brick  and  frame,  substantially  built,  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the 
best  rural  schools  of  the  county.     Three  teachers  are  employed. 

The  industries  of  Arkport  comprise  the  large  planing  mill,  the  feed 
and  grist  mill,  the  Stephens  wagon  factory.  The  business  men  are 
Taylor  Brothers,  general  store ;  Daniel  Curry,  store ;  M.  Weber,  gun 
store;  Willis  Ellis,  grocer;  Hiram  Ellis,  hardware;  Healy  &  Daven- 
port, produce  dealers  and  feed  mill;  Colgrove  &  Son,  produce  dealers; 
William  M.  Hurlbut,  lumber  dealer  ;  A.  M.  Eiband,  large  planing  mill; 
Stephens'  wagon  factory ;  James  F.  Deeters,  harness  shop  ;  Ira  Haga- 
dorn,  wagon  shop;  Marshall  Emery,  jeweler ;  H.  L.Gillette,  druggist; 
Calvin  Hawkins,  proprietor  of  Hawkins  House,  and  J.  D.  Taylor,  post- 
master. 

Atlanta. — Thirty- five  years  ago  a  writer  of  local  history  said: 
"Blood's,  a  hamlet,  is  a  station  on  the  railroad,  one  mile  from  North 
Cohocton.  It  is  named  from  Calvin  Blood.  This  is  rendered  an  im- 
portant station  on  the  railroad  from  its  connection  with  the  Canandai- 
gua  Lake  route.  A  daily  line  of  stages  runs  to  Naples,  at  the  head  of 
the  lake,  and  a  steamer  plies  daily  between  the  latter  place  and  Canan- 
daigua."  A  still  later  writer  describes  Blood's  Station  as  a  thriving 
little  hamlet  on  the  railway  and  point  of  departure  for  the  stage  route 
to  Naples  and  Canandaigua ;  and  further  says  a  post-office  was  estab- 
lished at  Blood's,  April  21,  1871,  through  the  instrumentality  of  Asa 
Adams,  who  was  the  first  postmaster.  From  this  we  may  correctly 
infer  that  the  residents  of  this  locality  were  compelled  to  repair  to  the 
north  hamlet  for  their  mail  previous  to  1 871,  when  the  post-office  was 
located  at  Blood's.  However,  long  before  this  the  hamlet  was  one  of 
the  recognized  centers  of  the  town,  and  one  of  importance  in  various 
directions.      But  from  these  elements  there  has  grown  a  thriving  village, 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  309 

and  in  the  course  of  time,  in  fact  at  a  quite  recent  date,  the  old  name  of 
"Blood's"  or  "Blood's  Station,"  was  discontinued  and  in  its  stead  the 
more  euphonious  designation  of  "  Atlanta  "  was  adopted. 

The  railroad,  and  the  diverging  stage  route  to  Naples,  gave  Atlanta  an 
importance  forty  years  ago,  and  from  that  time  to  the  present  there  has 
been  no  retrograde  movement,  and  to-day  the  hamlet  stands  prominent 
among  the  several  villages  of  the  town.  However,  a  disaster  came  to 
local  interests  during  the  month  of  September,  1895,  and  by  it  several 
large  buildings  were  burned  to  the  ground.  The  principal  sufferers 
from  this  fire  were  John  Dunn.  H.  W.  Hatch,  L.  D.  Hodgman,  L.  R, 
Partridge,  Henry  Clark,,  and  T.  J.  Cornish. 

The  business  interests  of  Atlanta  at  the  present  time  are  represented 
substantially  as  follows:  D.  C.  Borden,  T.  J.  Cornish,  and  J.  C.  Whit- 
more,  grocers;  J.  Radish,  drugs;  W.  E.  Waite,  hardware;  Wheaton  & 
Wells,  meat  market ;  G.  Kesler  and  Frank  Davy,  blacksmiths  ;  John 
Spencer  and  Byron  Hayes,  feed  mills;  F.  Parks,  clothing;  John  Lang- 
don  and  John  Dunn,  hotel  keepers. 

The  Free  Methodist  church  of  the  town  is  located  in  this  village,  and 
in  the  matter  of  schools  there  is  an  association  with  North  Cohocton  in 
a  union  free  school  and  district.  The  school  house  is  located  between 
the  villages,  convenient  to  both. 

The  Village  of  Avoca.— It  is  extremely  doubtful  v*hether  pioneer 
Buchanan  ever  contemplated  the  possibility  of  an  attractive  and  flour- 
ishing village  near  the  point  where  he  located  in  1794  and  opened  a 
public  house.  Still  this  worthy  frontiersman  lived  to  see  a  post  settle- 
ment where  Avoca  now  stands,  though  the  locality  was  then  commonly 
known  as  "Buchanan's,"  also  as  "  Eight  Mile  Tree."  It  was  the  begin- 
ning made  by  the  pioneer  that  led  to  the  founding  of  the  settlement  and 
subsequent  village,  and  the  store  opened  by  George  and  Alonzo  Simons 
made  the  latter  a  fixed  fact.  Yet  the  Simons  Brothers'  stock  of  goods 
comprised  only  a  small  quantity,  the  whole  amount  being  brought  to 
the  place  on  two  pack  horses.  In  18 18  the  settlement  had  attained 
sufficient  importance  to  justify  a  school,  hence  one  was  started  at  that 
time,  and  about  nine  years  later  the  Methodists  built  a  small  meeting 
house  in  the  hamlet. 

However,  the  name  Avoca  was  not  given  the  village  until  the   latter 


310  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

was  well  founded,  and  was  adopted,  it  is  said,  at  the  request  of  a  young 
lady  of  the  settlement,  she  at  the  time  being  on  her  death- bed.  Among 
the  hamlets  of  the  valley  this  was  for  many  years  one  of  minor  impor- 
tance; a  convenient  stopping  place  on  the  stage  route,  a  post-office  point 
of  some  little  note,  but  previous  to  the  construction  and  operation  of 
the  Buffalo,  Corning  and  New  York  Railroad  in  1852,  Avoca  enjoyed 
none  of  its  present  prominence.  But  even  railway  companies  are  capa- 
ble of  ungenerous  actions,  and  exorbitant  freight  charges  sometimes 
have  a  tendency  to  delay  municipal  growth.  Such  was  the  case  with 
Avoca  for  many  years,  but  a  competing  line,  as  the  D.,  L.  &  W.  Rail- 
road proved  to  be,  relieved  the  abuses  of  the  past  and  gave  additional 
impetus  to  all  local  enterprises.  Manufactures  were  established,  busi- 
ness interests  were  enlarged  and  increased,  and  even  the  farmer  reaped 
a  full  share  of  the  profits  created  by  this  new  thoroughfare  of  travel  and 
transportation. 

In  1883  the  village  was  incorporated  and  its  first  officers  at  once  made 
provision  for  such  conveniences  and  protection  as  villages  require.  The 
ordinances  provided  for  streets  regularly  laid  out,  for  sidewalks,  lights, 
and  also  the  health  of  the  inhabitants.  A  good  supply  of  pure  and 
wholesome  water  was  obtained  from  a  reservoir  located  about  two  miles 
northwest  of  the  village,  and  with  this  assured  increased  fire  protection 
was  a  natural  consequence.  Thus  suitably  provided  with  all  the  ele- 
ments of  municipal  convenience,  and  with  a  location  in  the  most  beau- 
tiful part  of  Cohocton  valley,  the  observer  is  both  pleased  and  sur- 
prised at  the  attractions  and  business  thrift  which  seem  to  prevail  on 
every  hand.  To-day  Avoca  has  a  population  of  about  one  thousand 
inhabitants,  and  is  well  supplied  with  business  and  manufacturing  enter- 
prises. Of  the  milling  interests  we  may  note  the  Avoca  Milling  Com- 
pany, and  the  firm  of  Billings,  Beals  &  Company,  flour  manufacturers, 
the  saw  mill  of  M.  A.  Hoadley,  and  the  cigar  factory  of  W,  N.  Clutchey. 

The  mercantile  interests  are  represented  as  follows  :  Smith  &  Hoad- 
ley, C.  W.  Marlatt,  and  W.  R.  Sutton,  general  merchants  ;  J.  M.  Willis, 
grocer  ;  Robert  Gay,  grocer  and  baker  ;  D.  S.  Jolly,  restauranter ;  W. 
H.  Fultz  and  J.  Hall,  clothiers  ;  J.  B.  and  M.  A.  Sturdevant,  hardware 
dealers;  J.  VV.  Griswold  and  Frank  Gilmore,  jewelers;  Baldwin  & 
Mattice,   furniture  dealers;   E.  D.    Hess,  druggist;   A.  White,   photog- 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  311 

rapher  ;  Charles  Cropsey.  druggist ;  J.  Towner  and  Gallup  &  Abbey, 
meat  dealers ;  B.  Palmer,  shoe  shop  ;  A.  L.  Richards,  D.  Roberts, 
wagon  makers;  G.  O.  Noxon,  broom  maker;  Milo  Sharp  and  Henry 
Zignfuss,  harnessmakers  ;  W.  C.  Loucks,  L.  S.  Veeder  and  J.  C.  Hovey, 
hotel  keepers.  In  the  same  connection  may  be  mentioned  the  Avoca 
Advance,  an  enterprising  weekly  newspaper,  established  about  1878, 
and  since  March,  1888,  owned  and  published  by  George  C.  Silsbee. 

The  officers  of  the  village  for  the  year  1895,  ^^^  ^s  follows:  J.  B. 
Sturtevant,  president  ;  Walter  H.  Wood,  J.  Hall  and  Oscar  C.  Billings, 
trustees  ;  William  R.  Sutton,  treasurer  ;  J.  H.  Shaffer,  collector.  The 
Board  of  Water  Commissioners  comprises  J.  Hall,  president ;  Walter  H. 
Wood,  secretary;  Oscar  C.  Billings,  treasurer,  and  J.  B  Sturtevant, 
commissioner. 

The  public  institutions  of  the  village  comprise  the  graded  school,  also 
the  Baptist,  Evangelical  Lutheran,  and  Methodist  Episcopal  churches. 
The  history  of  Avoca  religious  societies  will  be  found  in  a  later  chapter 
of  this  volume. 

Bradford  Village. — This  little  hamlet  is  located  in  the  northeast 
part  of  the  town  of  the  same  name,  and  while  it  has  never  attracted  any 
special  attention  as  a  business  center,  it  is  nevertheless  a  convenient 
trading  point  and  sufficient  for  the  needs  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  sur- 
rounding country.  Frederick  Bartles  was  the  first  settler  in  the  village, 
the  builder  of  the  first  mills,  and  proprietor  of  the  first  store.  As  at 
present  constituted  the  business  interests  comprise  three  or  four  good 
stores,  and  also  the  hotel,  mills,  shops  and  other  lesser  industries  inci- 
dent to  rural  villages.  Here  also  are  three  churches  and  a  good  school. 
The  churches  are  the  Baptist,  Methodist  and  Protestant  Episcopal,  each 
of  which  is  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

BUENA  Vista. — Buena  Vista  is  a  pleasantly  situated  hamlet  located 
in  the  south  part  of  the  town  of  Howard,  and  was  established  as  a  post- 
office  and  trading  center  for  the  convenience  of  the  inhabitants.  Its 
business  interests  are  few,  comprising  the  general  store  of  F.  W.  Spencer 
and  the  blacksmith  shop  of  W.  E,  Drake.  Here  is  located  the  Wesleyan 
Methodist  church. 

Burns. — Burns  is  the  name  of  a  small  hamlet  and  station  on  the  line 
of  the  Erie  and  also  the  C.  N.  Y.   &  W.   railroads,  to  the  construction  of 


312  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

which  it  owes  its  greatest  importance.  The  merchant  of  this  place  is 
P  S.  Jones,  who  also  holds  the  office  of  postmaster. 

Cameron  Village. — During  the  early  history  of  the  town,  the  vil- 
lage was  the  center  of  trade  and  population,  and  here  for  many  years 
there  assembled  the  worthies  of  the  vicinity  and  the  numerous  lumber- 
men who  operated  in  the  region.  In  the  town  chapter  we  have  re- 
ferred to  the  primitive  industries  which  led  to  the  founding  of  a  village 
settlement,  and  also  to  its  subsequent  growth  and  final  decline  in  im- 
portance. The  first  store  was  kept  by  Andrew  Erwin,  an  Irishman, 
and  Martin  Rumsey  was  another  early  merchant  at  the  Corners,  as  then 
known.  Still  later  business  men  were  Ebenezer  VanTuyl,  John  Cherry, 
S.  M.  Rogers,  Herman  Swift,  Morgan  &  McKay,  Peter  Chase,  Swarth- 
out  &  Pierson,  and  others. 

The  village  is  built  on  a  narrow  strip  of  land  in  the  Canisteo  valley, 
and  is  surrounded  by  high  hills.  A  main  street  runs  through  the  ham- 
let, parallel  with  the  river,  and  along  this  the  buildings  and  principal 
residences  are  built.  The  present  mercantile  interests  are  the  stores  of 
J.  D.  Wheeler,  Mrs.  William  Hallett,  and  F.  L.  Hawley.  The  later 
industries  of  this  immediate  vicinity  are  the  Cameron  flour,  feed  and 
custom  mills  and  the  Boyd  saw  and  feed  mills.  The  Adamson  saw  mill 
is  located  three  miles  north. 

Cameron  Mills. — The  original  designation  of  this  hamlet  was 
"  Hubbardville,"  and  so  named  from  Daniel  Hubbard  who  came  from 
Broome  county  half  a  century  or  more  ago  and  built  the  first  flour  mill 
in  the  town.  He  also  opened  a  store  for  the  accommodation  of  his 
customers,  and  naturally  a  post-office  was  established  there.  This  part 
of  the  town  was  in  Cameron,  and  as  the  milling  interests  were  impor- 
tant, the  name  of  Cameron  Mills  was  adopted.  Furthermore  another 
post-office  by  the  name  of  "  Hubbardsville"  was  in  existence  in  Madi- 
son county. 

The  present  Cameron  mills  are  owned  and  operated  by  J.  T.  Beck- 
with.  The  merchants  here  are  Crawford  Bros.,  and  Watson  Northrup. 
Dr.  J.  W.  Blades  has  a  drug  store.  Postmaster,  James  Crawford. 
The  public  institutions  are  the  district  school  and  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  A  Catholic  chapel  was  built  here  several  years  ago.  It  is  at- 
tended from  Addison  by  Father  Noonan. 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS  313 

Campbell  Village. — This  little  hamlet  is  located  near  the  center 
of  the  town  of  the  same  name,  and  was  brought  into  existence  by  the 
earliest  settlers,  who  built  mills  on  the  Conhocton  River.  The  first  grist 
mill  was  built  by  Gen.  John  Knox  and  Archie  Campbell  in  1812,  and 
stood  across  the  raceway  from  the  present  Bemis  mill.  In  1846  a  com- 
bined saw  and  grist  mill  was  built  by  Marcus  Wheelock  for  Andrew 
Langdon.  In  1855  the  business  interests  of  Campbelltown,  for  the  vil- 
lage was  once  so  called,  comprised  three  saw  mills,  one  flouring  mill 
and  two  tanneries.  At  that  time  there  were  about  twenty  dwellings  and 
one  church  in  the  hamlet  proper.  The  present  industries  are  the  saw 
mills  of  John  P.  Clark  and  Floyd  Fuller;  the  grist  mill  owned  by  the 
Bemis  estate,  established  in  i860  ;  and  the  hay-press  and  hay  and  grain 
business  carried  on  by  R.  P.  Myhers,  the  latter  established  in  1885.  The 
merchants  of  the  village  are  Bowlby  &  Piatt,  A.  B.  White,  J.  L.  Van 
Kirk,  George  C.  F.  Sharp,  John  M.  Clawson,  George  N.  H.  Piatt,  Mrs. 
E.  B.  Williams,  H.  B.  Willard,  John  Worden  (barber),  John  Eggabroat. 
postmaster,  Emmet  B.  Ross.  The  Bank  of  Campbell  began  business 
in  July,  1877,  with  George  R.  Sutherland,  president,  and  W.  S.  Clark, 
cashier. 

The  Village  of  CaniSTEO. — In  the  general  division  of  the  lands 
of  township  3,  range  5,  Col.  Arthur  Erwin  drew  lot  number  one,  but 
soon  afterward  exchanged  lots  with  Solomon  Bennett,  the  latter  being 
the  first  settler  at  the  place  afterward  called  Bennettsville.  Lot  No.  i 
covered  substantially  the  present  village  site,  but  previous  to  the  white 
occupancy  here  stood  the  Delaware  Indian  town  which  had  been  dig- 
nified by  some  writers  with  the  name  of  "Kanestio  Castle."  This  an- 
cient village  is  said  to  have  contained  about  sixty  hewed  log  houses, 
with  stone  chimneys  in  each,  and  to  have  been  the  home  or  seat  of 
operations  of  a  noted  "Delaware  King,"  known  as  At-weet-se-ra.  The 
place  was  destroyed  in  1765   by  direction  of  Sir  William  Johnson. 

The  honor  of  having  been  the  pioneer  on  the  village  site  may  be  ac- 
corded to  Colonel  Erwin  or  Solomon  Bennett,  probably  the  latter,  as  he 
opened  the  first  store  and  kept  the  first  hotel.  The  first  blacksmith  was 
Nicholas  Doughty,  a  well  educated  German  and  worthy  citizen.  How- 
ever early  may  have  been  the  founding  of  the  village,  it  did  not  attain 
a  standing  of  any  importance  among  the  municipalities  of  the  county 
40 


314  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

previous  to  the  year  1850,  at  which  time  the  Erie  Railroad  was  put  in 
operation.  This  gave  impulse  to  the  growth  of  the  place,  but  not  until 
the  year  1868  did  it  become  a  manufacturing  center,  when  Lawrence 
Allison  built  the  large  boot  and  shoe  factory,  furnishing  employment  to 
nearly  one  hundred  persons.  This  was  followed  by  another  similar  fac- 
tory, a  planing  mill,  sash,  door  and  blind  factory,  bent  wood  works  and 
a  chair  factory;  and  within  the  next  five  years  the  manufactured  pro- 
duct was  worth  $  1, 000,000  a  year.  In  1868  the  village  proper  had  but 
350  inhabitants;  ten  years  later  the  population  reached  2,000. 

The  Canisteo  Academy  was  one  of  the  most  praiseworthy  institutions 
ever  founded  in  the  village,  and  one  which  has  endured  and  enjoyed  a 
successful  existence  to  the  present  day.  It  was  built  by  popular  sub- 
scription to  the  capital  stock,  at  an  entire  cost  of  $17,500.  The  insti- 
tution was  chartered  March  15,  1868,  and  its  first  Board  of  Trustees^ 
who  were  also  in  fact  its  founders,  were  Lewis  F.  Laine,  Henry  Hamil- 
ton, Commodore  P.  Chamberlain,  Nathaniel  C.  Taylor,  George  Riddell, 
John  H.  Consalus,  Joshua  C.  Stephens,  Edward  P.  Bartlett,  Mortimer 
Allison,  Lucius  A.  Waldo,  John  Davis  and  Richard  Allison.  The  build- 
ing is  of  brick,  three  stories  high  and  beautifully  situated  on  an  eminence 
overlooking  the  village.  It  was  finished  and  opened  in  September, 
1 87 1.  The  present  attendance  at  the  academy  averages  about  125 
pupils  annually,  the  patronage  being  drawn  from  the  county  at  large 
and  even  beyond  its  borders. 

The  present  trustees  and  officers  are :  Lucius  A.  Waldo,  president ; 
F.  H.  Robinson,  vice-president;  W.  E.Stephens,  secretary;  George  L. 
Davis,  treasurer,  and  Herman  E.  Buck,  Oran  Lathrop,  A.  N  Burrell, 
N.  S.  Baker,  William  H.  Ordway,  William  G.  Porter,  Charles  Mead, 
William  P.  Bailey,  O.  O.  Laine,  S.  P.  Marsh,  Ira  W.  Hall,  Enos  Smith, 
Mortimer  Allison  and  J.  E.  Shaut.  The  academy  has  an  endowment 
fund  of  $2,000. 

As  years  passed  and  the  population  and  business  interests  of  the 
village  increased,  there  was  created  a  demand  for  improvements  and 
expenditures  in  which  the  town  at  large  were  but  little  interested,  and 
for  which  the  outside  taxpayers  were  not  disposed  to  contribute.  To 
provide  the  necessary  revenues  the  village  residents  determined  to  pro- 
cure an  order  of  incorporation   under  the  laws  of  the   State,  therefore, 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  3lfi 

in  1873,  the  Court  of  Sessions  made  an  order  incorporating  the  Village 
of  Canisteo.  Thus  our  interesting  little  place  threw  off  the  hamlet  and 
adopted  the  municipal  character. 

The  first  village  election  was  held  May  16,  1873,  at  which  time  these 
officers  were  chosen  :  Lucius  A.  Waldo,  president;  Mortimer  Allison, 
L.  P.  Weed,  Smith  Eason,  trustees ;  Daniel  Upton,  collector ;  William 
H.  Mead,  treasurer.  William  E,  Stephens  was  the  first  clerk ;  Hiram 
J.  Colgrove,  police  constable  ;  Hiram  C.  Whitwood,  street  commis- 
sioner. One  of  the  first  duties  of  the  trustees  was  to  provide  sidewalks 
through  the  principal  streets,  which  being  done,  a  system  of  lighting 
was  adopted  and  a  fire  department  organized,  the  latter  the  nucleus  of 
the  present  efficient  body.  The  present  department  comprises  Canisteo 
Hook  and  Ladder  Co.,  No.  i,  Waldo  Hose  Co.,  No.  i,  Drake  Hose 
Co.,  No. 2,  Weed  Hose  Co,  No.  3,  and  a  company  of  fireprotectives.  How- 
ever, the  steamer  seems  to  have  lost  its  usefulness  since  the  construction 
of  the  water  supply  system,  hence  its  company  disbanded,  and  the 
"Truck"  was  purchased  in  its  stead.  The  steamer,  a  good  La  France 
engine,  is  held  in  reserve  for  any  emergency.  The  fire  department 
building  was  erected  in    1880. 

The  Canisteo  Water  Works  system  and  company  is  another  of  the 
worthy  institutions  of  the  village,  and  another  evidence  of  local  thrift 
and  progressiveness.  The  works  were  constructed  in  1887,  at  a  cost  of 
about  $45,000  Water  is  obtained  from  a  reservoir  on  one  of  the  hills 
outside  the  corporation  limits,  while  the  source  of  supply  is  a  series  of 
springs  in  the  vicinity  of  the  reservoir.  The  company  has  laid  seven 
miles  of  mains  through  the  streets  of  the  village  and  have  219  taps  and 
fifty-one  fire  hydrants  The  officers  of  the  company  are  :  O.  O.  Lane, 
president ;   De  M.  Page,  secretary,  and  W.  G.  Porter,  secretary. 

The  Canisteo  Electric  Light  and  Gas  Company,  and  the  Fuel  Gas 
Company,  are  also  worthy  of  mention  among  the  local  improvement 
companies  of  the  village,  and  though  not  yet  fully  developed,  are  prom- 
ising of  good  results  in  the  future  and  will  undoubtedly  add  materially 
to  the  business  importance  of  Canisteo. 

The  Union  Free  School  of  Canisteo  enjoys  the  reputation  of  being 
one  of  the  best  and  most  thorough  institutions  of  its  kind  in  this  part 
of  the  county.      Many   years   ago    the   old  district   system    was   aban- 


316  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

doned  and  in  its  stead  the  people  voted  for  a  Union  Free  School, 
with  an  academic  department.  Tne  present  Board  of  Education  com- 
prises H.  S.  Beebe,  Elijah  Hallett,  W.  B.  Taylor.  A.  H.  Burrell,  William 
D.  Carter,  Harrison  Crane  and  I,  E.  Lyon. 

With  these  and  other  kindred  institutions  added  to  the  ordinary  local 
interests,  it  will  be  seen  that  Canisteo  is  a  village  of  importance  among 
the  municipalities  of  the  county.  However,  still  further  advances  are 
expected  in  the  near  future,  for  on  the  roadbed  of  the  old  Canisteo  and 
Whitesville  Railroad  Company  there  is  promised  to  be  built  a  line  of 
railway  from  the  village  up  Bennett's  Creek  to  Oswayo,  via  Rexville 
and  Whitesville.  For  this  enterprise  the  people  of  Canisteo  have  pledged 
the  sum  of  $20,000. 

As  at  present  constituted  Canisteo  enjoys  the  reputation  of  beingone 
of  the  most  pleasantly  situated  and  best  governed  villages  in  the  county. 
As  a  manufacturing  center  it  has  considerable  importance  and  all  mer- 
cantile interests  are  well  represented.  It  is  a  temperance  village  in 
which  there  are  no  saloons.  The  principal  manufacturing  industries  are 
the  large  tannery  of  Richardson,  Crary  &  Co.,  formerly  Richardson 
&  Shaut,  built  in  1880;  the  tannery  of  Charles  Flohr's  Sons,  established 
in  1875  by  Charles  Flohr.  Flohr's  custom  and  merchant  mills  were 
started  about  the  same  time  but  are  now  discontinued.  The  Canisteo 
Sash  and  Door  Works  is  a  large  concern  employing  about  one  hundred 
men,  and  were  originally  known  as  the  Vorhis  Planing  Mills,  established 
in  1868.  The  present  company  is  comprised  largely  of  non-resident 
capitalists.  W.  D.  Carter,  successor  to  H.  Carter  &  Sons,  is  proprietor 
of  an  extensive  foundry  and  machine  shop.  This  industry  was  founded 
in  1873. 

The  Canisteo  Shoe  Co.  abandoned  the  village  in  May,  1895,  thus 
taking  from  our  little  municipality  one  of  its  most  important  industries. 
L.  Allison  &  Co.  began  the  manufacture  of  boots  and  shoes  in  the  vil- 
lage about  fifteen  years  ago,  the  firm  being  succeeded  in  1884  by  the 
Allison  Boot  and  Shoe  Co.  The  Levi  S.  Davis  shoe  factory  was  one  of 
the  important  local  industries  and  was  originally  established  by  Isaac 
Allison.  The  Weed  Saw  and  Stave  mill  was  established  by  L.  P.  Weed 
in  1854.  The  Canisteo  Spoke  Works  were  started  by  Stephens  Bros, 
about  1882.     John   Carroll,    the  present  proprietor,   succeeded   to   the 


CITIES,   VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  317 

business  in  1886.  Among  the  other  local  industries  may  be  mentioned 
the  Hub  and  Spoke  Works  of  Thomas  Slosson  ;  the  wagon  factory  of 
Alfred  Slosson  ;  the  pearl  button  factory  of  D.  A.  Tucker  &  Son;  the 
chair  factory  of  Taylor  Bros.,  and  the  planing  mill  of  Shell  I.  Wilkins. 

The  village  has  half  a  dozen  hotels,  prominent  among  which  are  the 
Canisteo  House,  the  Commercial  House  and  the  Riverside  House.  The 
general  merchants  are  E.  Clarkson  &  Bro.  and  Fehx  D.  Clossey.  The 
dry- goods  merchants  are  William  Riddell,  C.  E.  Smith  and  G.  J.  San- 
ders. The  grocers  are  George  Walker  &  Co.,  T.  K.  Brownell,  James 
Roblie,  L.  Davison,  L.  P.  Rice,  Charles  Mead,  Ralph  Dunham  and 
Mrs.  Baker.  The  druggists  are  J.  W.  Mitchell,  E.  L.  Hess  and  George 
P.  Reed  &  Co.  F'urniture  dealers,  Stephens  &  Hitchcock,  and  E.  A. 
Carter  &  Son.  Hardware  dealers,  O.  O.  Laine,  W.  P.  Gofif,  and 
Burrell  &  Carroll.  Jewellers,  E.  H.  Miner  &  Co.,  Bate  McKean,  and 
William  Dudley.  Bakers,  T.  N.  Wallace,  Miner  Merwin  and  Frank 
Hallett.  Tinsmiths,  F.  J.  Kearns  and  Wells  Trowbridge.  Boot  and 
shoe  dealers,  H.  E.  Buck,  John  A.  Wirt  and  T.  K.  Brownell.  Meat 
markets,  John  Bailey  and  J.  Bert  Williams. 

The  Bank  of  Canisteo  was  established  in  1876,  and  did  business  in  the 
building  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Depot  streets.  The  officers  were 
Mortimer  Allison,  president;  Lawrence  Allison,  vice-president,  and 
and  W,  W.  Ball,  cashier.  However,  in  1883,  the  banking  interests  in 
the  village  suffered  seriously  through  financial  disaster,  although  the 
affairs  of  the  bank  were  not  wound  up  until  the  next  year.  The  present 
substantial  banking  house  of  Porter  &  Davis,  the  members  of  which  are 
William  E.  Porter  and  George  L.  Davis,  began  business  in  the  early 
part  of  1884. 

Among  the  fraternal  and  social  organizations  of  the  village  may  be 
mentioned  Morning  Star  Lodge,  No.  65,  F.  &  A.  M.,  which  was  char- 
tered about  1840,  although  it  was  the  outgrowth  of  old  Evening  Star 
Lodge,  the  latter  being  established  in  this  village  as  early  as  1 8 14  or  '15. 
In  this  connection  also,  we  may  mention  the  Men's  Association,  a  relig- 
ious organization,  entirely  informal  in  its  character,  yet  one  of  the  most 
deserving  and  praiseworthy  institutions  in  the  village. 

The  officers  of  the  village  for  the  year  1895  are  as  follows  :  Herman 
E.  Buck,  president,   and   O.   O.    Laine,  L    Edward  Lyon,  A.  H.  Bunell 


318  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

and  William  E.  Flohr,  trustees  ;  John  Jackson,  clerk  ;  George  L.  Davis, 
treasurer;    Seymour  B.  King,  collector.      Population  in  1890,  2,071, 

Caton  Village. — This  pretty  little  hamlet  is  attractively  set 
among  the  hills,  near  the  center  of  the  town,  where  hardly  more  than 
half  a  century  ago  was  a  dense  growth  of  mixed  hardwood  timber. 
The  first  store  was  opened  here  in  1849  by  W.  D.  Gilbert,  while  near 
the  four  corners  was  still  earlier  established  the  post  office  called  Worm- 
ley,  Samuel  Wormley,  postmaster,  and  also  tavern  keeper.  As  a  vil- 
lage Caton  has  little  importance,  yet  for  the  convenience  of  the  in- 
habitants of  the  vicinity  a  mill  and  one  or  two  stores  have  been  main- 
tained here  for  many  years.  The  present  merchants  are  C.  B.  Snyder 
and  A.  J.  Whitney,  the  latter  also  being  owner  of  the  mill.  The  Caton 
Mill  was  built  by  Whitney  &  Deyo  in  1880.  The  local  postmaster  is 
Osceola  Gilbert. 

The  Village  of  Cohocton. — On  the  4th  day  of  July,  18 13,  at  a 
general  celebration  participated  in  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of 
Cohocton,  at  their  established  trading  center,  a  large  liberty  pole  was 
raised,  and  from  this  event  the  settlement  was  named  Liberty.  This  name 
was  continued  through  all  generations  and  years  of  progress  and  de- 
velopment until  July,  1891,  when  an  order  of  incorporation  was  pro- 
cured, by  which  941.20  acres  of  land  were  declared  to  be  a  body  cor- 
porate and  politic  and  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  the  "  Village  of 
Cohocton."  Having  attained  this  dignified  character  the  old  name  of 
"  Liberty  "  was  dropped.  However,  the  new  designation,  Cohocton, 
has  been  the  established  post-office  name  from  a  time  far  back  in  local 
history.  At  the  election  at  which  the  voters  decided  upon  the  question 
of  incorporation,  141  votes  were  in  favor  of  such  action  and  eighty-nine 
against  the  proposition. 

Liberty,  or  Cohocton,  has  witnessed  many  changes  during  the  period 
of  its  existence,  from  the  time  when  Jonas  and  James  Cleland  came 
into  the  region  and  made  their  first  improvement,  but  the  real  fact  or 
event  which  led  to  the  founding  of  the  settlement  is  not  disclosed  by 
published  record,  and  tradition  (the  historian's  final  resort)  furnishes 
nothing  definite  upon  the  subject.  However,  it  is  believed  that  the 
necessity  of  a  convenient  trading  center  in  the  town  led  to  the  hamlet, 
and  subsequent  lumbering,  milling  and  accompanying  mercantile  inter- 


ALBERTUS  LARROWE. 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  319 

ests,  in  fact  established  its  permanency.  Here,  previous  to  the  construc- 
tion of  the  railroad,  was  a  central  lumber  point  and  the  railway  com- 
pany found  profit  in  building  a  station  at  the  place.  One  industry  led 
to  another  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  a  hamlet  of  importance  had 
been  built  up.  Forty  years  ago  the  place  had  half  a  dozen  good  gen- 
eral stores,  three  public  houses,  a  good  school,  and  several  church 
societies.  In  1859  William  W.  Warner  established  the  Cohocton  Jour- 
nal, through  which  paper  the  town  and  its  advantages  were  widely  ad- 
vertised throughout  the  county.  Between  1840  and  i860  the  village 
enjoyed  an  excellent  reputation  as  a  lumbering  and  farming  locality, 
hence  subsequent  growth  was  natural.  In  1875  business  interests  were 
increased  at  least  threefold  beyond  those  of  a  quarter  of  a  century  be- 
fore, and  at  the  present  day  they  are  greater  than  at  any  time  in  vil- 
lage or  hamlet  history. 

Let  us  note  briefly  the  principal  institutions  and  interests  of  Cohoc- 
ton, and  otherwise  obtain  a  fair  pen  view  of  this  enterprising  municipal- 
ity. There  are  six  churches,  viz.:  St.  Peter's  Roman  Catholic,  St.  Paul's 
Lutheran,  Zion  Lutheran,  Universalist,  Presbyterian,  ajid  Methodist 
Episcopal.  The  village  has  an  excellent  graded  Union  Free  School, 
the  affairs  of  which  are  under  the  direction  of  a  Board  of  Education, 
comprised  as  follows:  P.  J.  Rocker,  president;  C.  W.  Stanton,  secre- 
tary ;  and  J.  L.  Gofif,  Asa  McDonnell,  A.  H.  Wilcox,  James  Fox  and 
W.  E.  Adair. 

The  water  supply  was  secured  and  system  completed  in  the  fall  of 
1893.  This  department  is  controlled  by  three  commissioners,  Charles 
Oliver,  Merritt  Dusenbury  and  A.  Weld  The  officers  of  the  village 
are  W.  E.  Adair,  president;  I.  L.  Gofif  clerk;  J.  L  Bartheline,  T.  B. 
Fowler,  Webster  Edmunds,  trustees;  E.  B.  Slayton,  treasurer;  P.  A. 
Seeley,  collector.     The  trustees  are  the  village  assessors. 

Noting  briefly  the  village  interests  of  the  village,  we  may  mention  the 
A.  Larrowe  Milling  Company,  and  the  Model  Roller  Flour  Mill,  both 
large  and  successful  industries.  Wilcox  &  Son  are  coal  dealers,  also 
proprietors  of  a  saw  mill.  The  local  druggists  are  Hiram  Wygant  and 
Hill  &  Vorhees  ;  the  dry  goods  houses  are  those  of  F.  R.  Harris,  Shults 
&  Shiefen,  and  Foults  Bros.;  the  grocers  are  W.  J.  Becker,  E.  L.  Jenks, 
Henry  Michael,  A.  Dewey,  and  J.  L.  Bottleman  ;   the  hardware  dealers, 


320  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

George  W.  Peck  &  Co.,  and  M.  Kimmel  &  Son  ;  boot  and  shoe  dealers, 
R.  J.  Rocker  (also  clothier),  Fults  Bros,  (also  clothing),  and  Henry 
Snyder ;  jeweler,  James  M.  Reynolds  ;  baker,  Henry  Smith  ;  furniture 
and  undertaking,  T.  S.  Crosby  &  Son  ;' produce  dealer,  Charles  Keefer  ; 
coal  dealer,  George  E.  Wagner;  music  dealer,  W.  E.  Adair;  cigar 
manufacturers,  Frank  Crew,  J.  S.  Schubmehl  &  Co.,  and  Frank  B. 
Folts  ;  bottling  works,  Fred  Lamb  ;  photographers,  Messrs.  Hoffman 
and  Chubbuck  ;  meat  markets,  C.  Sherman,  and  Henry  Finch.  There 
are.  also  two  barber  shops,  six  blacksmiths,  one  wholesale  liquor  store 
(Casey  &  Lickey),  and  four  hotels. 

The  village  also  has  one  good  private  bank,  an  institution  of  years 
standing  and  known  for  the  careful  methods  of  its  managers,  W.  J. 
Shults  &  Co. 

There  are  two  good  newspaper  publications  having  a  seat  of  opera- 
tions at  Cohocton — the  Times,  owned  by  S.  D.  Shattuck,  and  the  Index. 
Hyatt  C.  Hatch,  proprietor.  (See  Press  chapter  for  more  extended 
mention  of  newspapers.) 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  Cohocton,  the  successor  of  the  old  hamlet  of 
Liberty,  is  in  all  respects  a  well  ordered  village,  supplied  with  all  the 
requisites  of  flourishing  municipalities.  On  every  hand  are  evidences 
of  thrift  and  enterprise,  while  within  are  the  substantial  elements  of 
success. 

Cooper's  Plains. — In  the  north  part  of  the  present  town  of  Erwin, 
near  the  Campbell  line,  John  Williams  settled  about  the  year  1795. 
Local  tradition  has  it  that  Williams  was  a  "  Hessian  "  soldier  in  Bur- 
goyne's  army  and  was  included  in  the  surrender  at  Saratoga  in  1777. 
When  the  Genesee  country  was  opened  to  settlement,  Williams  came 
to  the  region  and  made  a  residence  in  the  then  town  of  Painted  Post. 
Among  the  later  land  owners  or  settlers  in  this  locality  were  Judge 
McBurney,  Alson  Pierce  and  the  Cobbs,  all  as  early  as  18 14  and  1815. 
Finally  a  settlement  was  started  and  a  post  station  established,  the 
post-office  being,  it  is  said,  a  shmgle  nailed  to  a  tree,  under  which  let- 
ters and  papers  were  placed. 

Judge,  or  as  otherwise  known,  Dr.  Cooper,  came  to  this  part  of  the 
town  in  1 828,  and  was  in  fact  the  founder  of  the  hamlet.  In  1841  he 
built  a  large  residence  and  laid  out  into  lots  a  part  of  his  farm.      Albert 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  321 

Mulligan  opened  a  store,  Col.  Uri  Balcom  built  a  saw  mill,  and  Anson 
Buck  opened  public  house.  Thus  the  hamlet  was  founded,  but  after 
the  timber  lands  had  been  cleared  business  began  to  wane,  and  only  as 
a  station  in  a  fertile  region  on  the  line  of  the  Erie  and  D.  &  W.  Rail- 
roads has  the  place  any  importance. 

Curtis  is  a  small  settlement  on  the  railroad,  southeast  of  Campbell, 
where  in  1835  Col.  Balcom  built  a  saw  mill.  The  post-office  was  es- 
tablished here  in  1875.  The  present  postmaster  is  Jerome  J.  Quinby, 
who  also  has  a  general  store.  In  1854  the  firm  of  Howell,  Curtis  & 
Co.  built  a  large  tannery  at  this  place,  and  for  one  of  the  partners  the 
post-office  and  village  were  named.  The  tannery  was  burned  in  1858, 
and  rebuilt  by  Curtis  Bros.  It  was  burned  a  second  time  in  1869,  but 
immediately  restored.  The  concern  is  now  owned  and  operated  by  the 
U.  S.  Leather  Company.  At  the  post  office  called  East  Campbell, 
Eugene  Smith  has  a  grocery.      The  postmaster  is  Harmon  Stevens. 

Dyke  is  a  post  hamlet  near  the  center  of  the  town  of  Hornby,  and 
was  established  August  i,  1889,  for  the  convenience  of  the  people  of 
the  vicinity.  Here  is  located  the  "  Shady  Grove  "  district  school  and 
the  Wesleyan  Methodist  church.  The  merchant  here  is  Manley  L. 
Baker,  who  is  also  postmaster. 

East  Troupsburg  is  a  post-office  in  the  east  part  of  the  town 
where  is  a  small  settlement  and  one  or  two  industries.  In  this  locality, 
also,  is  the  East  Troupsburg  Baptist  church.  The  local  postmaster  is 
Stephen  C.  Brewer.  This  hamlet  has  a  store  and  a  few  other  interests 
of  lesser  importance. 

Erwin. — In  the  southwest  part  of  the  town  of  Erwin,  on  the  line  of 
the  Erie  Railroad,  is  a  small  hamlet  known  as  Erwin.  The  station  was 
built  in  1873,  and  about  that  time  E.  E.  Townsend  was  appointed  post- 
master.    The  present  postmaster  is  James  W.  Thompson. 

Ferenbaugh. — This  hamlet,  a  post  office  and  station  on  the  line  of 
the  now  called  Fall  Brook  road,  was  named  in  allusion  to  one  of  the 
prominent  families  of  Hornby.  The  hamlet  itself  is  small,  its  industries 
few,  yet  as  a  shipping  point  for  farm  produce  it  has  some  prominence. 
The  merchants  here  are  Ferenbaugh  Bros.  The  postmaster  is  John  H. 
Ferenbaugh. 

Freeman. — This  little  hamlet  is  situated  near  the  center  of  the  town 
41 


322  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

of  Tuscarora,  and  includes  about  thirty  dwellings,  a  church,  two  stores, 
a  district  school,  recently  built,  a  saw  and  feed  mill,  and  a  few  shops. 
The  hamlet  was  named  for  one  of  the  old  and  prominent  settlers  of  the 
locality.  The  present  merchants  are  Atwood  Weeks  and  William  H. 
Whitcomb  ;  blacksmiths,  Martin  Andrews  and  Levi  Chase  ;  shoemaker, 
George  Mullen.      Postmaster,  William  H.  Whitcomb. 

Gang  Mills. — This  hamlet  was  a  place  of  much  importance  during 
the  lumbering  period  of  town  history  in  Erwin.  A  firm  comprised  of 
Isaac  Gray  and  Piatt  and  Dana  purchased,  about  1832,  a  4,000  acre 
tract  of  timber  from  the  William  Erwin  estate,  and  built  and  put  in 
operation  a  large  saw  mill.  The  locality  afterward  becam.e  known  as 
Gang  Mills,  but  with  the  devastation  of  the  forests  the  importance  of  the 
settlement  also  departed. 

Gibson's  Landing  (Catawba  P.  O.). — This  is  a  pretty  little  hamlet 
on  the  lake  front,  and,  during  the  period  of  canal-boating  on  the  lake, 
was  an  important  shipping  point.  It  is  now  a  summer  resort,  enjoying 
an  excellent  standing  in  that  respect,  and  still  possesses  a  certain  prom- 
inence from  a  commercial  standpoint.  The  Lake  Keuka  Wine  Cellars 
are  near  the  hamlet.  The  officers  of  the  company  are  George  H.  Keeler, 
president;  R.  R.  Soper,  vice-president;  Monroe  Wheeler,  treasurer, 
and  Charles  G.  Wheeler,  secretary. 

Goodhue  Lake  is  the  name  of  a  post  hamlet  situated  in  the  north- 
west corner  of  the  town  of  Addison,  near  the  small  body  of  water  of 
the  same  name.  A  post-office  was  established  here  for  the  convenience 
of  the  inhabitants  of  this  locality,  and  naturally  a  little  trading  center 
has  been  built  up.  William  A.  Jimmerson  is  the  merchant  and  post- 
master at  this  place.      Here  also  is  a  district  school. 


GEORGE  GIBSON. 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  323 


CHAPTER  XIX. 
CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS. 

The  Village  of  Greenwood. — This  little  hamlet  of  about  250  in- 
habitants is  situated  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  town  of  Greenwood,  on 
what  is  known  as  Bennett's  Creek,  and  distant  ten  miles  from  Canisteo. 
It  contains  three  churches  (see  church  history),  several  stores  and  shops, 
and  a  number  of  manufacturing  industries.  Mail  reaches  here  daily 
from  Canisteo. 

The  merchants  of  the  village  are  George  M.  Webster  &  Co.,  large 
general  stock;  N.  E.  Coston,  general  store;  Woodward  &  Young,  gen- 
eral store;  Shaw  &  Austin,  and  J.  M.  Cheesman,  hardware;  and  S.  A. 
Scribner,  harness  dealer.  The  manufacturing  interests  are  the  machine 
shops,  foundry  and  planing  mill  owned  by  George  M.  Woodward  ;  the 
wagon  and  carriage  shops  of  T.  E.  Mallory ;  the  wood-working  factory 
of  Byron  Rugar,  and  the  lumber  business  of  G.  D.  Woodward. 

The  town  at  large  has  eleven  school  districts,  No.  2  comprising  the 
village  school.  This  is  a  school  of  advanced  standing,  a  Union  Free 
School,  with  an  academic  department.  Here  are  employed  a  principal 
and  two  assistants. 

The  Village  of  Hammondsport. — In  the  year  1802,  Gen,  George 
McClure  purchased  several  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Pleasant  Valley 
near  Cold  Spring,  on  which  he  caused  to  be  built  a  saw  mill,  fulling 
mill,  flour  mill  and  carding  machine.  About  the  same  time  he  also 
opened  a  store  on  the  site  of  Hammondsport,  and  by  all  his  operations 
laid  the  foundation  for  what  has  now  become  one  of  the  most  progress- 
ive villages  in  Steuben  county.  General  McClure  also  built  the  first 
vessel  on  the  lake,  the  Sally,  a  small  schoner  of  about  thirty  tons  burden, 
and  thus  was  the  pioneer  in  opening  Lake  Keuka  to  navigation.  The 
schooner  is  said  to  have  been  built  in  1803. 

However,  it  remained  for  a  later  comer  to  found  the  village  in  fact. 


524  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COTJNTY. 

Capt.  John  Shether  was  the  original  settler  on  the  village  tract,  in  1796, 
and  a  portion  at  least  of  his  lands  afterward  passed  to  Judge  Lazarus  Ham- 
mond. This  was  in  1807,  and  about  the  same  time  the  purchaser  came 
to  reside  on  the  land.  He  at  once  saw  the  possibilities  of  a  village  at 
the  head  of  the  lake,  hence  laid  out  a  series  of  lots,  and  also  donated  a 
pleasantly  located  tract  of  land  for  a  public  park  or  square.  Still  many 
years  passed  before  the  settlement  assumed  the  proportions  or  character 
of  a  settlement,  and  even  as  late  as  1825  the  lands  in  the  vicinity  were 
used  chiefly  for  farming  purposes. 

In  the  year  last  mentioned,  William  fiastings  opened  a  well  stocked 
store,  and  Lemuel  D.  Hastings  acted  in  the  capacity  of  clerk.  In  the 
following  fall  Ira  G.  Smith,  of  Prattsburg,  built  a  store  and  soon  after- 
ward a  number  of  business  interests  were  established  about  the  public 
square.  In  1830  the  Crooked  Lake  canal  was  begun,  and  finished  the 
next  year,  and  from  this  time  Hammondsport  became  a  place  of  con- 
siderable importance  in  the  commercial  world  and  the  future  success  of 
the  village  was  assured.  Among  the  varied  industries  of  early  and  even 
later  days,  was  that  of  boat  building.  The  Keuka  was  put  upon  the 
lake  in  1835,  a  steamboat  of  good  capacity.  Others  followed  in  suc- 
cession, as  necessity  required,  or  as  competition  suggested,  until  at 
length  historic  and  beautiful  Lake  Keuka  became  known  for  the  num- 
ber and  quality  of  her  steam  craft.  In  1831  General  McClure  built  a 
saw  and  plaster  mill  in  the  village,  also  a  good  dwelling  for  his  own 
use.  John  Randel  came  in  1833,  and  built  a  store,  and  was  a  prom- 
inent merchant  and  citizen  for  the  next  quarter  of  a  century.  The 
stone  mill  was  built  in  1835-6,  by  Meredith  Mallory,  and  though  the 
enterprise  was  not  successful  as  a  business  venture,  the  old  mill  build- 
ings became  one  of  the  conspicuous  landmarks  of  the  region. 

Among  the  early  business  men  of  Hammondsport,  in  addition  to 
those  already  mentioned,  we  may  recall  the  names  of  A.  M.  Adsit, 
Delos  Rose,  William  Hastings  Si  Co.,  Adsit  &  Co.,  J.  W.  Davis,  Lemuel 
D.  Hastings,  and  G,  W.  Nichols.  The  first  school  house  was  built  in 
1827,  and  stood  where  St.  James'  church  was  afterward  erected.  The 
large  and  attractive  stone  school  house  was  erected  for  academic  pur- 
poses in  1858.  J.  W.  McLaurey  was  it  principal  for  the  first  six  or 
more  years. 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  325 

One  of  the  most  desirable  public  improvements,  and  one  which  has 
proven  of  the  greatest  material  advantage  to  the  village,  was  the  con- 
struction of  the  Bath  and  Hammondsport  railroad,  begun  in  1872  and 
opened  for  traffic  in  1874.  By  the  opening  of  this  thoroughfare  of 
travel  and  traffic  the  county  seat  and  the  interior  of  the  county  were 
given  direct  and  rapid  communication  with  the  Erie  Canal  and  the 
New  York  Central  railroad,  while  the  benefit  to  Hammondsport  inter- 
ests were  greatly  increased.  For  this  short  road  the  town  of  Urbana 
bonded  to  the  extent  $40,000,  and  the  village  $30,000.  In  fact  they 
built  the  road  or  at  least  furnished  the  means  with  which  it  was  con- 
structed. 

As  the  hamlet  grew  and  increased  in  population  and  importance,  the 
inhabitants  became  desirous  to  make  improvements  and  establish  insti- 
tutions which  were  not  directly  beneficial  to  the  town  at  large,  and  to 
which  the  people  of  the  latter  were  not  inclined  to  contribute.  There- 
fore it  was  determined  that  a  corporation  should  be  established,  and  to 
this  end  Delos  Rose,  S.  B.  Fairchild,  William  Hastings,  S.  Watrous, 
Henry  Benham  and  Benjamin  Bennitt  petitioned  the  court  for  an  order 
of  incorporation  under  the  provisions  of  the  law.  The  order  was  granted 
and  Hammondsport  became  a  body  corporate  aud  politic  on  the  i6th 
of  June,  1856.  The  area  of  the  village  at  that  time  was  about  172 
acres,  and  within  its  boundaries  were  530  inhabitants.  At  an  election 
held  June  29,  1856,  the  electors  ratified  the  corporation  measure  by  a 
vote  of  forty- seven  to  thirty-four.  Thus  it  is  seen  in  this  case,  as  in 
nearly  all  other  similar  movements,  the  opponents  were  a  strong  mi- 
nority of  the  voting  element.  However,  the  spirit  of  progress  and  en- 
terprise prevailed  and  the  village  of  Hammondsport  took  a  place  among 
the  municipalities  of  Steuben  county. 

The  first  election  of  village  officers  was  held  November  22,  1856,  and 
resulted  as  follows  :  Trustees,  William  Hastings,  John  Randel,  J.  N. 
Crane,  J.  W.  Davis,  Clark  Bell  ;  assessors,  Orlando  Shepard,  Benjamin 
Bennitt;  collector,  Lewis  Wood;  treasurer,  John  Watrous;  clerk,  B. 
Frank  Drew.  In  January,  1 871,  a  village  charter  was  granted  Ham- 
mondsport, and  our  little  municipality  increased  and  broadened  her 
powers  and  advanced  her  corporate  character.  The  first  meeting  for 
election   of  officers   under   the  charter   was   held    March   21,  1871,  and 


326  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Absalom  Hadden  was  elected  president ;  George  W.  Nichols,  Allen 
Wood  and  Walter  L.  Moore,  trustees ;  Benjamin  F.  Drew,  treasurer, 
and  George  C.  Wise,  collector.  The  first  clerk  of  the  board  of  trustees 
was  William  W.  Wright ;  David  Burch,  police  constable,  and  J.  B.  Van 
Auken,  chief  engineer  of  the  fire  department. 

At  this  time  the  fire  department  was  carefully  reorganized  and  be- 
came an  important  adjunct  of  the  village.  In  fact  all  departments 
of  local  government  were  then  firmly  established  and  Hammondsport 
advanced  to  the  degree  of  a  municipality  of  the  second  class.  The 
present  department  consists  of  a  good  horse  power  fire  engine,  a 
hook  and  ladder,  and  also  a  hose  company.  In  1894-5  ^  water  works 
system  was  established,  the  source  of  supply  being  the  abundant  springs 
on  the  well  known  Scofield  farm.  Fire  hydrants  have  been  distributed 
throughout  the  streets,  placed  at  convenient  points,  and  with  simple 
gravity  pressure  the  village  has  excellent  fire  protection,  and  is,  more- 
over, supplied  with  pure  and  wholesome  water  for  all  domestic  pur- 
poses. The  plant  complete  was  constructed  at  a  total  cost  of  about 
$25,000,  and  is  owned  by  the  village. 

Hammondsport  enjoys  the  pleasant  notoriety  of  being  one  of  the  most 
attractive  and  desirable  residence  villages  in  Steuben  county.  Situated  as 
it  is  in  the  very  midst  of  a  vast  vineyard  region  and  on  the  head  waters 
of  charming  Lake  Keuka,  added  to  which  may  also  be  mentioned  a 
rich  agricultural  and  fruit  producing  country,  all  elements  combine  to 
make  this  one  of  the  most  delightful  localities  in  the  Genesee  country. 
The  people,  too,  are  known  to  be  hospitable,  entertaining  and  progres- 
sive. The  manufactures  are  chiefly  wine  and  other  products  of  the 
vine  and  fruit  tree. 

The  officers  for  the  year  1895  ^^^  ^s  follows:  Trevor  Moore,  presi- 
dent; Henry  Frey,  Milan  H.  Hall,  Phineas  H.  Casterline,  trustees;  G. 
W.  Hubbs,  clerk,  and  Aaron  G.  Pratt,  treasurer.  The  president  and 
trustees  constitute  a  board  of  village  assessors.  The  estimated  popula- 
,tion  of  the  village  is  1,000;  in  1890  the  number  was  934,  and  in  1880 
was  775. 

The  manufacture  of  wines  may  be  regarded  as  the  staple  industry  of 
the  village  and  its  immediate  locality,  and  in  this  production  much  cap- 
ital is  employed,  while  directly  and  indirectly  hundreds  of  workmen  are 


Jr^^/f-^h^y 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  327 

engaged.  So  great  indeed  is  this  industry  that  we  may  briefly  refer  to 
some  of  the  more  important  wine  producing  companies.  The  Urbana 
Wine  Company  was  organized  in  1865,  having  an  original  capital  of 
$250,000.  The  present  capital  is  $100,000.  The  extensive  cellars  are 
located  on  the  west  side  of  the  lake,  four  miles  below  the  village. 
Among  the  many  and  various  grades  of  wine  manufactured  here  may  be 
specially  mentioned  the  famed  "  Gold  Seal,"  a  purely  dry  wine  much 
prized  by  epicures.  The  officers  of  the  company  are  Harlo  Hakes, 
president ;  D.  M.  Hildreth,  vice-president  :  H.  A.  Switzer,  secretary  ; 
W.  W.  Allen,  treasurer,  and  John  W.  Davis,  general  manager.  It  is 
only  a  just  compliment  to  say  that  much  of  the  success  achieved  by  the 
Urbana  Wine  Company  is  due  to  the  untiring  efforts  of  Mr.  Davis. 

The  Pleasant  Valley  Wine  Company  may  be  sufficiently  introduced 
to  the  reader  by  the  mere  mention  that  at  its  cellars  is  manufactured 
the  noted  "  Great  Western,"  an  exceedingly  choice  dry  wine.  The 
works  are  located  at  Rheims,  a  small  hamlet  and  station  on  the  line  of 
the  Bath  and  Hammondsport  railroad,  and  less  than  two  miles  south  of 
the  village.  This  company  was  organized  in  i860.  Its  officers  are 
James  Lyon,  president ;  De  Witt  Bauder,  secretary  and  treasurer,  and 
Jules  Masson,  superintendent. 

The  Germania  Wine  Cellars  are  located  between  Hanmiondsport  and 
Rheims,  but,  like  the  others,  is  regarded  as  a  village  industry.  The 
proprietors  here  are  Frey  Brothers  (John  and  Gottlieb),  who  are  own- 
ers of  a  large  and  well  established  plant  Jacob  Frey  established  the 
business  of  which  this  company  is  the  outgrowth  about  thirty- five  years 
ago. 

The  cellars  of  the  Columbia  Wine  Company  are  also  located  at 
Rheims,  and  are  owned  by  Henry  Frey  and  J.  S.  Hubbs.  Here  is  con- 
ducted a  large  and  successful  business,  though  the  industry  itself  is  of 
more  recent  founding  than  some  of  those  mentioned  above. 

The  Hammondsport  Wine  Company  is  distinctly  an  industry  of  the 
village,  and  was  incorporated  October  24,  1880.  Its  capital  is  $50,000, 
and  the  output  is  justly  noted  for  purity  and  general  excellence.  The 
officers  of  the  company  are  Edwin  S.'  Underhill,  president;  G.  I.  Allen, 
treasurer ;  G.  H.  Wheeler,  secretary,  and  H.  G.  Layton,  superin- 
tendent. 


328.  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

The  Port  Glen  Wine  Company's  cellars  are  also  to  be  mentioned  and 
are  in  all  respects  worthy  of  patronage.  They  are  under  the  proprie- 
torship of  A.  F.  Bricout. 

Auxiliary  to  these  leading  industries  are  several  manufactories  de- 
voted to  box,  package  and  basket  making,  all  furnishing  employment  to 
workingmen  and  women,  and  contributing  in  some  degree  to  the 
general  welfare.  H.  M.  Champlin  has  a  good  roller  flouring  mill,  with 
a  capacity  for  the  manufacture  of  fifty  barrels  of  flour  per  day.  Another 
flourishing  industry  is  a  broom  factory,  located  just  outside  the  village 
limits.  On  the  inlet  are  a  number  of  busy  enterprises,  chiefly  box  or 
basket  factories,  while  the  latest  acquisition  up  the  stream  is  the  State 
Fish  Hatchery.  For  the  convenience  of  the  inhabitants  living  in  the  town 
south  of  the  village  post  offices  have  been  established  at  various  places. 
One  is  at  Rheims,  with  DeWitt  Bauder  postmaster,  while  a  second,  still 
further  up  the  stream,  is  called  Taggart ;  John  W.  Kirkham,  postmaster. 

In  the  village  of  Hammondsport  is  an  excellent  school,  for  the  people 
of  this  town  have  ever  been  noted  for  generosity  in  the  matter  of  afford- 
ing proper  education  to  the  youth  of  the  locality.  A  reference  to  the 
town  history  will  disclose  the  fact  that  as  early  as  1795,  long  before  a 
village  was  thought  of,  Messrs.  Reed,  Stone  and  Baker  were  given  by 
Charles  Williamson  fifty  acres  of  land  for  the  benefit  of  a  public  school. 
This  tract  was  afterward  deeded  to  trustees,  this  being  one  of  the  few 
towns  in  which  the  people  received  the  full  benefit  of  the  donor's  gen- 
erosity. The  first  village  school  stood  where  St.  James'  church  was 
built,  and  was  erected  in  1827.  The  academy  was  built  in  1858,  and 
aud  was  afterward  used  by  the  district  under  the  Union  Free  School 
system.  The  present  members  of  the  board  are  J.  W.  Keeler,  Will  S. 
Wood,  J.  S.  Thorp,  H.  Y.  Rose,  H.  J.  Moore  and  Mrs.  Matilda 
Bennett. 

All  branches  of  mercantile  business  appear  to  be  well  represented  in 
Hammondsport,  and  there  is  little  evidence  of  overcompetition.  There 
are  several  hotels,  the  largest  being  the  Fairchild  House,  near  the  land- 
ing. The  others  are  the  Steuben  House,  the  Park  Hotel  and  the  Grand 
Central.  At  present  the  excise  commissioners  have  granted  eight  vil- 
lage licenses.  The  merchants  are  Rothschild  &  Oloskey,  clothiers ; 
C.  A.  Champlin,    general    merchandise  ;   George  H.  Keeler,   hardware  ; 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS  329 

Frank  Crookston,  grocer;  George  Vroom,  grocer;  Orson  Brundage, 
grocer;  John  R.  Brown,  shoe  dealer ;  Mr.  Brough,  clothier;  James  H. 
Smellie,  druggist;  L  I.  Rose  &  Son,  dry  goods;  F.  W.  Fawcett,  furni- 
ture dealer.  At  Lakeside  the  business  men  are  George  M.  Chapman, 
grocer;   H.  J.  Moore,  druggist;   E.  K.  Chapman,  baker. 

The  Bank  of  Hammondsport,  as  now  known,  is  the  outgrowth  of  a 
banking  business  started  in  the  village  in  1876  by  H.  C.  Ainsworth,  as 
a  branch  of  a  still  older  business  in  Prattsburg.  At  one  time  the  firm 
of  bankers  was  Ainsworth  &  Co.  The  bank  was  continued  unin- 
terruptedly until  1894,  and  was  then  purchased  by  John  J.  Frey  and 
Aaron  J.  Pratt,  by  whom  it  is  now  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of 
Frey  &  Pratt.  The  members  of  this  firm  are  tried  business  men, 
prompt  and  reliable  in  all  their  transactions.  Their  office  contains  one 
of  the  best  banking  equipments  in  the  county,  and  is  provided  with  a 
remarkably  secure  safe  and  a  correspondingly  strong  and  firmly  con- 
structed vault. 

The  church  history  of  Hammondsport  is  interesting  and  worthy  of 
record,  for  a  perusal  of  which  the  reader  is  directed  to  another  depart- 
ment of  this  work,  wherein  will  be  found  at  least  a  brief  sketch  of  each 
organized  church  society  in  the  cotmty. 

HarmonyVILLE  (Pulteney  P.  O.). — This  little  hamlet,  severally 
known  as  indicated  above,  is  pleasantly  situated  in  the  northeast  part 
of  the  town,  yet  among  the  villages  of  the  county  possesses  little  im- 
portance It  is  on  the  main  thoroughfare  leading  from  Hammondsport 
to  Branchport,  and  about  a  mile  distant  from  the  lake.  A  trading  cen- 
ter was  established  here  many  years  ago,  and  until  lake  traffic  drew 
trade  to  the  eastward  was  the  most  important  hamlet  of  the  town.  The 
public  buildings  here  are  the  Presbyterian  and  Methodist  Episcopal 
churches  and  the  district  school  house.  The  merchants  are  G.  W.  Peck 
&  Company,  general  store  ;  F.  N.  Goodrich  &  Company,  general  store  ; 
Coryell  &  Council,  general  store  ;  A.  J.  Nichols,  drugs,  etc.  The  man- 
ufacturing interests  are  few,  chiefly  basket  and  box  factories  to  supply 
the  demands  of  the  grape  and  fruit  growers. 

Hartsville  Center  .  (Purdy  Creek  Post-Office),  is  a  small 
hamlet  situate  north  of  and  near  the  center  of  the  town,  on  the  upper 
waters  of  Purdy  Creek.      The   first  business  in  this  locality  was  done  a 


330  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

mile  above  the  present  hamlet,  near  where  a  cheese  factory  was  built. 
Joseph  Henry  opened  the  Center  House  in  185  i,  and  two  years  after- 
ward this  became  the  business  center.  The  post-office  was  located  at 
Charles  N.  Hart's  dwelling.  J.  D.  Russell  established  a  permanent 
store  here  in  1868,  since  which  time  two  stores  have  generally  been  in 
operation.  The  present  public  -buildings  are  the  school  house  and  the 
Baptist  and  Methodist  Episcopal  churches,  both  of  which  are  mentioned 
elsewhere  in  this  work.  The  merchants  are  F.  E.  Carney  and  F.  W. 
Spencer,  proprietors  of  general  country  stores.  Here,  also,  is  a  saw 
and  feed  mill,  owned  by  William  Donaldson.  The  other  local  interests 
are  the  blacksmith  shop  of  Mr.  Fuller  and  the  harness  shop  of  James 
Goodno.  D.  A.  Oaks  is  proprietor  of  the  Call  Hill  cheese  factory. 
Another  similar  industry  in  the  town  is  in  process  of  erection.  The 
postmaster  at  Purdy  Creek  is  Scott  Van  Buskirk. 

Haskinville. — This  little  hamlet  is  situate  in  the  northeast  part  of 
the  town  of  Fremont,  and  was  named  for  William  Haskin,  early  settler 
and  progressive  citizen.  At  this  place  William  Holden  had  a  shingle 
mill  as  early  as  1834,  and  soon  afterward  sold  out  his  improvement  to 
Mr.  Haskin;  and  the  latter  built  here  the  first  tavern  in  the  town  in 
1836.  Around  this  the  village  was  built  up.  Its  early  interests  com- 
prised the  hotel,  a  store,  cheese  factory,  shoe  and  blacksmith  shop,  to- 
gether with  about  twenty  dwellings.  The  present  business  interests  are 
the  store  of  Silsbee  &  Bowen,  the  hotel  of  Eli  Chase  and  a  few  small 
shops.  The  postmaster  is  Ziba  C.  Silsbee.  The  Wesleyan  Methodist 
church  at  this  village  is  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

HiGHUP  is  the  somewhat  characteristic  post-office  designation  of  a 
locality  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  town  of  Troupsburg,  which  was 
formerly  known  as  East  Troupsburg.  Other  than  enjoying  an  elevated 
situation,  and  being  surrounded  with  thrifty  farmers,  this  place  pos- 
sesses little  general  importance.  The  present  postmaster  is  Samuel  S. 
Wyckofif. 

HORNBV. — This  is  perhaps  the  largest  and  greatest  among  the  ham- 
lets of  the  town  of  the  same  name.  Its  public  buildings  comprise  the 
Presbyterian  and  Baptist  churches,  the  district  school,  and  the  town 
hall  (for  here  the  town  business  is  transacted).  The  residences  number 
about  thirty.     The  leading  industry  comprises  the  flour,  feed   and  saw 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  331 

mills  of  C.  G.  Wheat  &  Son.  The  merchants  are  M,  A.  Eddy,  A.  W. 
Howell,  and  C.  L.  Smith,  proprietors  of  good,  well  stocked  general 
stores.     The  local  postmaster  is  Clark  L.  Smith. 

Howard. — This  little  hamlet  is  located  in  the  south  part  of  the 
town,  and  is  perhaps  the  principal  business  center.  The  village  begin- 
ning was  made  by  the  opening  of  a  store  and  the  erection  of  the  saw 
and  grist  mill  mentioned  in  the  history  of  the  town.  As  settlement 
progressed  other  industries  were  established,  an  academy  was  founded, 
two  churches  were  built,  hotels  were  opened,  and  the  so-called  Howard 
Flats  became  a  place  of  some  importance  in  local  annals.  However, 
the  population  of  the  village  proper  has  not  at  any  time  exeeded  250 
inhabitants,  and  now  has  less  than  that  number. 

The  present  business  interests  of  the  village  comprise  the  general 
stores  of.Gofif  &  Swain  and  D.  Ray  Bennett;  the  saw  mill  of  J.  W.  & 
M.  M.  Bennett;  the  cheese  factory  of  Bennett  &  Glover,  and  the  black- 
smith shops  of  Frank  H.  Sharp  and  Horace  Bennett.  There  are  also 
two  hotels,  the  National,  kept  by  Judson  Wells  and  the  Central  House, 
William  Burleson  proprietor. 

Ingleside. — This  pleasantly  situated  little  hamlet  was  primarily 
known  as  Riker's  Hollow,  and  so-called  after  an  old  family  in  that 
locality.  The  merchants  here  are  John  D.  Avery  and  Wyman  Drake, 
the  latter  being  also  postmaster.  Dr.  William  M.  Fulkerson,  supervisor, 
is  a  resident  at  this  place.  Three  miles  south  of  this  hamlet,  in  Lyon's 
Hollow,  so-called,  is  the  saw  mill  of  Edward  Drake.  At  Ingleside  is  an 
M.  E.  church. 

The  Village  of  Jasper. — This  pretty  little  hamlet  of  perhaps  350 
population,  is  the  chief  center  of  trade  in  the  town,  and  the  story  of  its 
early  history  is  best  told  in  the  words  of  another  :  "  The  old  business 
portion  of  Jasper  known  as  the  Five  Corners,  was  centered  around 
Adam  Brotzman's  tavern,  and  contained,  besides  the  tavern,  a  saw  mill, 
two  stores  and  a  post-office,  the  latter  the  first  in  town,  and  William 
Gardner  postmaster.  The  office  became  an  object  of  contention  be- 
tween the  rival  corners,  and  during  John  G.  Marlett's  term,  became 
"  Marlatt's  Corners."  Near  this  place  Harvey  Phoenix  opened  the  first 
store,  and  was  succeeded  in  1834  by  Edward  Craig,  who  moved  the 
goods  to  Five  Corners.      Andrew  Craig  was  soon  afterward  made  post- 


332  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

master  and  brought  the  office  to  the  store.  Thus  the  village  was 
founded,  and  later  interests  gradually  increased  the  local  population  to 
its  present  number.  The  merchants  of  to-day  are  D.  C.  Hunter,  gen- 
eral store  ;  J.  W.  Wallace,  general  store  ;  Andrew  Murphy,  hardware  ; 
Charles  B,  Hilborn,  general  merchandise ;  C.  E.  Brown,  furniture  and 
undertaking  ;  H.  B.  Andrews,  market,  F.  S.  Viele  and  M.  N.  Samett. 
The  village  also  has  a  good  school,  three  churches  (elsewhere  mentioned 
in  this  work)  and  the  shops  and  lesser  business  enterprises  incident  to 
similar  hamlets. 

Kanona. — According  to  the  recollections  of  Irving  W.  Near,  the 
pioneer  in  fact  of  the  little  village  called  Kanona  was  Col.  Henry  Ken- 
nedy, yet  at  this  point  as  early  as  1794  a  tavern  was  kept  by  John 
Mahon.  In  1795,  the  year  in  which  Duke  de  Liancourt  travelled 
through  this  region,  a  small  settlement  had  been  built  up  on  the  village 
site.  Col.  Kennedy,  however,  made  a  substantial  improvement  here, 
and  from  him  the  place  became  known  as  Kennedyville.  Among 
the  other  early  settlers  here  were  Brigham,  Elijah  and  John  Hanks,  in 
1804,  and  Jeremiah  Wheeler  in  1805.  These  settlers  were  Vermonters, 
drawn  to  the  locality  by  the  cheapness  and  fertility  of  the  land.  Erastus 
Glass  came  to  Kanona  about  1806,  and  built  a  sawmill  about  three- 
fourths  of  a  mile  below  the  village.  Clinton  Nixon  built  a  saw  mill  and 
tannery  in  the  village  in  1830.  Among  the  early  prominent  men  of  the 
locality  were  Russell  Kellogg,  George  Dawson,  Samuel  Tyler,  Zera 
Bradley,  and  Oliver  Allen,  all  of  whom  are  now  dead. 

Mr.  Near  also  informs  us  that  about  1836,  a  new  class  of  people  came 
to  the  locality,  many  of  them  from  the  Mohawk  Valley.  Also  from  the 
same  authority  it  may  be  stated  that  Ann  Parker  taught  the  first  school 
in  this  district,  in  a  school  house  built  in  18 10,  on  the  site  now  occupied 
by  business  blocks.  The  Universalists  were  the  first  religious  denomi- 
nation in  this  part,  followed  by  the  Christians,  and  the  two  built  a  union 
meeting-house.  The  Presbyterian  church  was  built  in  1831,  but  was 
afterward  transferred  to  the  M.  E.  Society,  by  whom  services  have  ever 
since  been  maintained. 

The  name  of  the  post-office  was  changed  from  Kennedyville  to  Ka- 
nona in  1852,  through  the  effiDrts  of  Brigham  Hanks  and  Reuben  Robie. 
The  name  then  adopted  was  the  Indian  designation  of  Five  Mile  Creek, 


CITIES,  \^ILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  333 

and  means  "  rusty  water."  The  first  railroad,  now  the  Erie,  was  built 
through  the  town  in  1853,  from  which  time  everything  relating  to  travel 
and  transportation  was  changed.  The  D.,  L.  &  W.  Road  was  opened 
for  traffic  in  1882,  and  the  Kanona  and  Prattsburg  road  in  1889, 
These  thoroughfares  of  travel  have  built  up  Kanona  and  made  it  a  vil- 
lage of  some  note  in  the  Conhocton  Valley.  Here  are  about  seventy- 
five  dwellings,  several  good  stores,  shops  and  all  other  industries  found 
in  similar  villages. 

Keuka. — A  hamlet  on  the  lake  of  the  same  name  derives  whatever 
importance  it  possesses  from  its  value  as  a  shipping  point  for  grapes 
and  various  other  kinds  of  fruit  grown  in  the  region  of  which  the  hamlet 
is  the  center.  The  Keuka  House  and  the  Helvetia  are  prominent 
public  hostelries,  while  the  nearby  resort  known  as  Grove  Spring,  with 
its  large  hotel,  adds  to  local  prosperity.  The  general  store  at  Keuka  is 
owned  by  A.  C.  Waggoner,  who  is  also  postmaster. 

LiNDLEY, — When  this  town  was  erected  from  Erwin  the  center  of 
business  was  transferred  from  Erwin  Center,  or  as  now  known  Presho, 
to  Lindley,  and  the  clerk's  office  has  since  been  maintained  there.  This 
event,  together  with  the  fact  that  the  hamlet  is  situated  near  the  center 
of  a  rich  agricultural  region,  and  is  a  natural  trading  point,  has  given 
to  it  whatever  importance  it  has.  Here  are  t\\o  churches,  Methodist 
Episcopal  and  Free  Methodist,  the  town  hall  and  district  school.  The 
merchants  are  H.  F.  Hill  and  Dr.  J.  McManus.  Postmaster,  Marvin 
Stowell ;  William  Hutchinson,  blacksmith  and  town  clerk. 

Lynn. — This  place  is  hardly  more  than  a  post  office  station,  and  is 
located  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town.  The  postmaster  is  Aaron 
Porter  Borden.  Here  is  a  store,  school  house,  and  a  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church. 

MiTCHELLSVILLE  is  the  name  of  a  small  hamlet  and  post-office 
situated  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  town  of  Wheeler,  near  the  Urbana 
line.  The  office  was  established  here  for  the  convenience  of  the  inhab- 
itants of  this  part  of  the  town,  and  naturally  a  trading  center  was  soon 
built  up.  The  hamlet  contains  one  general  store,  a  Methodist  church, 
the  district  school  and  a  few  shops.  Mail  is  received  by  stage  from 
Bath. 

Neil's  Creek  is   a   post  office   and    hamlet  in  the   extreme  western 


334  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

part  of  the  town  of  Avoca  ;  a  convenient  center  in  the  heart  of  a  pro- 
ductive farming  community,  but  of  no  considerable  importance  among 
the  villages  of  the  county.  The  postmaster  at  this  point  is  Matthew 
N.  Silsbee. 

North  Cohocton,  the  companion  hamlet  to  Atlanta,  distant 
north  one  mile  from  the  latter,  is  a  pleasant  little  burg  on  the  lines  of 
railroad  which  cross  the  town.  Forty  years  ago  the  settlement  con- 
tained one  church,  a  store,  a  few  shops,  and  about  thirty  dwellings.  The 
first  merchant  was  Solomon  Hubbard,  succeeded  by  William  A.  Gil- 
bert. At  the  present  time  the  churches  are  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
and  the  Wesleyan  Methodist,  while  the  business  interests  comprise  at 
least  a  dozen  substantial  stores,  about  as  follows  :  Wetmore  Bros.,  gen- 
eral merchandise;  E.  S.  Carpenter,  druggist ;  C.  E.  Moose;  W.  L. 
McDorn  &  Co.,  general  store  ;  C.  A.  Greisa,  furniture  and  undertaking; 
J.  P.  Wetmore,  clothing;  John  Wood  and  M.  Peck,  blacksmiths; 
C.  B.  Stoddard,  wagonmaker;  H,  Nye,  flour  and  feed;  Ira  Wagner, 
hotel. 

The  North  Cohocton  and  Atlanta  Union  School  and  district,  as  now 
known,  was  established  in  1872,  and  the  academy  building,  south  of 
the  village,  was  erected  in  1874,  at  a  cost  of  $4,000.  About  200  pupils 
are  in  constant  attendance  at  this  school.  The  present  school  board 
comprises  H.  W.  Hatch,  president;  R.  P.  Moulton,  secretary;  A.  R. 
Wetmore,  treasurer  ;  and  Beech  Drake,  W.  C.  Waite  and  S.  M.  Decker. 
Principal,  M.  C.  Plough. 

North  Urbana. — This  small  hamlet  is  situated  in  the  eastern  part 
of  the  town  of  Urbana,  near  the  Wayne  town  line  and  about  a  mile 
distant  from  Lake  Keuka.  As  a  business  center  the  place  has  little  im- 
portance, yet  its  location  in  a  rich  vineyard  and  agricultural  region, 
makes  it  a  convenient  post-office  point  for  the  people  of  both  towns. 
Here  are  generally  maintained  two  churches  and  a  district  school.  The 
local  postmaster  is  J.  W.  Wheeler. 

Painted  Post. — This  pretty  little  village  was  incorporated  under 
the  laws  of  the  State  on  the  i8th  of  July,  i860,  but  away  back  in  the 
early  years  of  the  present  century  a  settlement  was  made  on  the  site 
and  some  business  was  transacted.  As  early  as  the  year  1801  a  post- 
office  was  established  and   Howell    Bull  was  the    first  postmaster.      He 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  33.*^ 

was  succeeded  by  Thomas  McBurney,  February  i8,  1805,  and  the 
latter  was  in  turn  superseded  by  John  E.  Evans,  February  4,  1817. 

According  to  Charles  H.  Erwin's  history  of  the  village,  Francis 
Erwin  erected  a  frame  hotel  on  the  village  site  in  1 822,  that  being  the 
first  frame  building  in  the  village.  During  the  same  year  Capt.  Sam- 
uel Erwin  built  a  framed  store,  and  John  Arnot,  late  of  Elmira,  was  its 
first  tenant.  In  1812  the  Erwin  House  was  erected.  "In  1824," 
says  the  same  authority,  "  John  W3^gant  cut  the  sheet-iron  Indian," 
which  long  graced  the  village,  perched  upon  a  painted  post.  In  1848 
A.  H.  and  E.  F.  Erwin,  with  I.  P.  Bennett  and  Henry  S.  Brooks, 
erected  an  extensive  foundry  and  machine  shop,  also  a  large  business 
block  of  three  stores.  This  was  perhaps  the  leading  enterprise  of  the 
village  for  its  time  and  had  the  efifect  to  add  materially  to  local  growth. 
Indeed,  so  vast  and  varied  were  business  interests  at  this  time  that  a 
banking  house  became  necessary,  and  Asa  Foster  and  Cephas  Piatt 
purchased  and  removed  to  the  village  the  old  Cayuga  Lake  Bank,  of 
Ithaca.     This  was  in  1851. 

In  1850  the  New  York  and  Lake  Erie  Railroad  was  put  in  operation 
between  Corning  and  Hornellsville,  and  two  years  later  the  BufTalo, 
Conhocton  Valley  and  New  York  Railroad  joined  with  the  Erie  at 
Painted  Post.  The  Western  Union  Telegraph  Company  completed  its 
line  in  1855,  and  by  this  and  the  railroads  the  then  little  hamlet  en- 
joyed commercial  advantages  equal  to  any  municipality  in  the  southern 
tier.  The  "Empire"  block  was  built  in  1841  ;  a  Masonic  Lodge  was 
installed  in  1850,  and  the  Corning,  Painted  Post,  Cooper's  Plains  and 
Monterey  Plank  Road  Company  was  organized  in  1852.  Eight  years 
later,  or  in  i860,  the  village  became  incorporated,  officers  were  elected, 
improvements  inaugurated  and  carried  to  completion,  and  the  result  was 
a  permanent  and  attractive  village,  supplied  with  business  and  manu- 
facturing interests,  and  inhabited  by  a  thrifty,  energetic  and  public- 
spirited  class  of  people. 

However,  this  prosperous  condition  has  not  been  established  without 
local  misfortunes  and  disasters,  for  at  least  twice  in  its  history  has  the 
village  been  visited  with  destructive  fires  ;  the  first  in  May,  186 1,  and 
again  in  February,  1873.  But  the  burned  buildings  were  in  due  time 
restored  and  the  loss  was  only  temporary. 


336  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

The  Painted  Post  Gazette  was  the  first  newspaper  of  the  village,  es- 
tablished in  1846  by  Mr.  Fairchild.  The  second  paper  was  the  Herald, 
founded  by  Ransom  Bennett  and  B.  M.  Hawley.  The  Times  made  its 
first  appearance  in  1870,  under  the  management  of  W.  C.  Bronson,  H. 
C.  Higman  and  S.  H.  Ferenbaugh. 

The  first  school  in  the  village,  which  was  also  the  first  in  the  town, 
was  that  taught  by  John  E.  Evans  ;  and  the  first  school  house  was 
built  of  plank  on  land  furnished  by  Capt.  Samuel  Erwin.  About  1848 
or  '49,  Arthur  Erwin  built  a  large  frame  building  on  the  south  side  of 
the  river,  and  this  was  used  for  a  district  school  until  1868,  when  the 
large  and  commodious  brick  school  house  was  erected.  About  this 
time  a  union  free  district  was  organized,  including  the  village  tract  and 
surrounding  territory.  The  school  has  always  been  admirably  managed 
and  liberally  supported,  and  now  ranks  among  the  best  institutions 
of  its  kind  and  grade  in  the  county.  The  present  Board  of  Education 
comprises  Dr.  J.  G.  Webster,  president ;  W.  F.  Bronson,  secretary,  and 
F.  H.  Loomis,  T.  F.  Minier  and  W.  A.  Allen. 

Referring  briefly  to  the  business  and  mercantile  interests  of  this 
thrifty  little  village,  it  may  be  stated  that  all  branches  appear  to  be  well 
represented,  with  little  evidence  of  over  competition.  However,  we  are 
forced  to  remark  that  Painted  Post  is  too  near  the  city  of  Corning  for 
the  best  results  to  local  merchants,  but,  notwithstanding  all  this,  we 
find  several  substantial  business  houses  here,  which  may  be  noted  about 
as  follows:  D.  Forer  &  Son,  and  G.  J.  Blakeslee,  large  general  stores  ; 
S.  W.  Gorton,  grocer  ;  Orcutt  &  Loomis,  druggists  ;  Ira  Stiles,  jewelry ; 
W.  F.  Bronson,  hardware  ;  James  Berlon  and  G,  Wheadon,  meat  mar- 
kets ;  B.  C.  Wood,  gunsmith  ;  A.  H.  Wood,  taxidermist ;  Wm.  Beebe 
and  J.  Johnson,  shoe  shops  ;  A.  B.  Hurd  and  William  Hill,  wagon 
shops  ;   E.  A.  Stout,  G.  L.  Mclntyre  and  C.  Van    Gelder,   blacksmiths. 

The  manufacturing  interests  comprise  the  widely  known  Weston  En- 
gine Company,  manufacturers  of  steam  heaters  and  steam  engines, 
without  question  the  leading  industry  of  the  town.  Stanton  &  Brew- 
ster and  W.  S.  Hodgman  have  lumber  mills,  and  Mr.  Hodgman  is  also 
proprietor  of  a  good  flour  and  feed  mill.  F.  J.  Townsend  manufac- 
tures a  wire  fence  stretcher.  The  banking  house  of  A.  Weston  &  Co. 
is  the  only  institution  of  its  kind  in  the  town. 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  337 

The  village  officers  of  Painted  Post  are  A.  E.  Gokey,  president ;  J  D. 
Orcutt,  clerk  ;  L.  B.  Hodgman,  treasurer  ;  A.  E.  Gokey,  G.  W.  Fritts, 
J,  W.  Borst  and  D.  H.  Lee,  trustees. 

Perkinsville  was  so  named  in  compliment  to  Benjamin  Perkins,  an 
early  settler  and  prominent  man  in  the  western  central  part  of  the  town. 
He  built  the  first  saw  mill  in  the  town.  However,  the  hamlet  did  not 
attain  to  a  position  of  more  than  passing  importance  previous  to  the 
opening  of  the  D.,  L.  &  W.  railroad,  which  naturally  gave  impetus  to 
all  local  interests  ;  and  the  still  more  recent  construction  of  the  C.  N.  Y. 
&  W.  road,  as  now  known,  added  to  the  prominence  of  the  hamlet.  The 
merchants  here  are  Frank  Bricks,  Stephen  Bricks  and  Peter  Kuhn,  gen- 
eral stores ;  John  Ritz  and  George  A.  Didas,  boots  and  shoes  ;  Mrs.  T. 
M.  Fowler,  grist  mill.  The  hotels  are  the  Steuben,  the  Miller,  the  Per- 
kinsville, and  the  Lackawanna.  John  Smith  is  a  manufacturer  of  cigars  ; 
Nicholas  Mather  has  a  market,  and  W.  F.  Schubmehl  and  Mr.  Schoon- 
over  are  local  blacksmiths.  Postmaster,  Peter  Didas.  One  of  the 
Wayland  Portland  Cement  companies  has  its  seat  of  manufacture  at  this 
place.      The  churches  are  the  Catholic  and  Lutheran. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS. 

The  Village  of  Prattsburg. — In  the  eastern  central  part  of  the 
town  of  Prattsburg,  at  the  northern  terminus  of  the  Kanona  and  Pratts- 
burg railroad,  is  situated  an  incorporated  village,  named  for  the  town,  and 
both  in  honor  of  and  allusion  to  the  chief  promoter  and  founder  in  fact 
of  the  original  settlement,  Capt.  Joel  Pratt.  The  village,  in  its  hamlet 
character,  antedates  the  town  in  name  if  not  in  history ;  but  it  is  doubt- 
ful if  even  Joel  Pratt  ever  contemplated  the  founding  of  a  village  settle- 
ment, as  a  part  of  his  chief  enterprise,  further  than  to  establish  a  con- 
venient trading  center  for  the  accommodation  of  the  scattered  inhabi- 
tants. Joel  Pratt,  jr.,  and  Ira  Pratt  first  drew  attention  to  the  settlement 
by  opening  a  store,  and  in  1806  or  '7  Aaron  BuU  opened  a  tavern  in  a 
43 


338  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

log  house.  Judge  Porter  also  built  a  good  mill.  A  public  square  was 
laid  out  and  in  1808  three  log  houses  were  built  around  it.  In  the  same 
year  Prattsburg  was  designated  as  a  post-office  station,  and  post  riders 
began  regular  trips  betwen  Geneva  and  Bath,  passing  through  the  set- 
tlement. However,  through  some  political  maneuvering, the  route  was 
afterward  changed  to  the  east  side  of  Lake  Keuka,  to  the  great  sorrow 
and  inconvenience  of  residents  of  the  village.  Still,  after  a  time  a  sys- 
tem was  re-established  and  mails  came  regularly  to  Prattsburg.  But  the 
one  event  which,  above  all  others,  contributed  to  the  welfare  of  our  vil- 
lage was  the  construction  and  operation  of  the  Kanona  and  Prattsburg 
railroad  ;  a  recent  consummation,  to  be  sure,  yet  none  the  less  welcome 
or  desirable.  The  work  of  construction  was  begun  July  29,  1888,  and 
the  first  train  passed  over  the  completed  road  October  9,  1889.  Pratts- 
burg capital  made  the  road  possible,  and  Prattsburg  enterprise  pushed 
it  to  a  successful  completion  ;  and  the  whole  of  northern  Steuben  county 
reaps  the  benefit  of  its  operation. 

Returning  again,  however,  to  the  early  history  of  the  village,  we  find 
that  in  1803  the  inhabitants  of  the  locality  organized  a  religious  society, 
and  provision  was  also  made  for  a  primitive  school.  The  road  to  Bath 
was  laid  out  in  1805,  and  two  years  later  roads  were  built  to  Crooked 
or  Keuka  Lake  and  to  West  Hill.  From  this  time  Prattsburg  became 
the  principal  trading  point  of  the  region  and  a  future  village  was  assured. 
A  cemetery  was  also  laid  out  in  1806. 

From  these  humble  elements  has  grown  the  present  village  of  about 
800  inhabitants,  and  we  may  say,  as  does  its  enterprising  newspaper — 
The  News,  "  it  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  villages  of  Steuben  county, 
the  northern  terminus  of  the  railroad,  which,  by  connecting  with  the 
Erie  and  the  D.,  L.  &  W.  railways,  renders  the  place  easy  of  access. 
Daily  communication  is  also  maintained  with  the  Northern  Central,  and 
the  steamers  on  Lake  Keuka."  Still  further  the  same  paper  continues: 
"  The  merchants  and  business  men  of  Prattsburg  are  wide-awake  and 
among  the  most  enterprising  business  men  of  the  State,  and  are  finan- 
cially safe  and  reliable.  .  .  .  There  are  four  regular  church  services 
— Presbyterian,  Methodist,  Baptist  and  Catholic,  while  various  young 
peoples'  societies  hold  regular  meetings." 

In  1812  the -most  important   of  these   four   schools  of  the  town  was 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS. 


339 


that  maintained  in  the  village,  following  which  others  were  opened  and 
thereafter  continuously  supportd.  However,  the  necessity  of  a  school 
of  more  advanced  standard  became  apparent,  and  as  its  result  there  was 
founded  and  incorporated,  on  February  23,  1824,  the  Franklin  Academy. 
This  school  at  once  took  rank  among  the  successful  academic  institu- 
tions of  Western  New  York  and  for  a  period  of  nearly  half  a  century 
enjoyed  a  prosperous  existence.  In  1868,  under  the  provisions  of  the 
Union  P'ree  School  law,  the  institution  changed  its  character  and  thence- 


Franklin  Academy,  Prattsburg. 


forth  became  known  as  the  Franklin  Academy  and  Union  Free  School; 
still  maintaining,  however,  its  old  standard  of  excellence  and  promi- 
nence. Its  management  and  affairs  passed  from  the  trustees  to  the 
newly  constituted  Board  of  Education.  The  faculty  comprises  a  prin- 
cipal, preceptress,  and  four  assistants.  The  members  of  the  present 
board  are  H.  J.  Pinneo,  president;  H.  G.  Skinner,  jr.,  secretary,  and 
Frank  Hall,  Byron  Chisom,  Henry  Horton,  Seymour  Coggswell,  W.  G. 
Dean  and  William  Howe.     Treasurer,  E.  K.  Smith. 


340  ^  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

As  the  village  grew  in  population  and  commercial  importance  the 
necessities  of  public  improvement  demanded  that  the  hamlet  character 
be  laid  aside  and  that  the  little  berg  take  upon  itself  the  more  dignified 
title  of  corporation.  To  this  end  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  court 
of  sessions,  with  result  that  on  the  8th  of  November,  1848,  Judge  Mc- 
Master  made  an  order  of  incorporation  as  required  by  law,  subject  to 
ratification  by  the  electors  of  the  described  territory.  This  was  done  at 
a  subsequently  held  election. 

Still  later,  on  the  20th  of  February,  1877,  ^^  an  election  held  for  that 
special  purpose,  the  freemen  voted  to  procure  a  village  charter,  accord- 
ing to  the  provisions  of  the  law.  This  being  done,  the  powers  and 
authority  of  the  corporation  were  materially  enlarged,  and  by  it  Pratts- 
burg  became  a  municipality  of  the  second  class.  The  first  trustees  and 
ofificers  under  the  charter  were  E  T.  Watkins,  president;  and  Wm.  S. 
Foster,  A.  H.  Van  Housen,  Henry  A.  Ackerson  ;  Wm.  W.  Green,  clerk  ; 
A.  K.  Smith,  treasurer. 

The  village  ofificers  for  the  year  1895  are  as  follows:  Frank  Hall, 
president ;  James  Coryell,  Frank  Flaherty  and  Angelo  Walker,  trustees  ; 
Charles  H.  H.  Boyd,  collector  ;  W.  F.  McLean,  treasurer  ;  Benjamin 
Castor,  street  commissioner;  W.  G.  Dean,  police  justice;  William  F. 
Wilcox,  clerk. 

The  business  and  mercantile  interests  of  Prattsburg  have  advanced 
and  kept  even  step  with  progress  in  other  directions,  although  as  a 
manufacturing  village  circumstances  and  location  have  prevented  any 
prominence  beyond  the  supply  of  domestic  demand.  In  trade  circles 
all  branches  appear  to  be  well  represented,  with  sufficient  competition 
to  prevent  the  possibility  of  monopoly  and  its  consequent  exactions. 

The  merchants  and  other  business  houses  may  be  mentioned  about  as 
follows:  Coggswell  Bros.,  John  Van  Tuyl,  W.  A.  Watkins  and  J.  L. 
McCarrick,  dealers  in  general  merchandise  ;  G.  F.  Conine,  mens'  fur- 
nishings ;  Wurth-  &  Flaherty,  and  Jacob  T.  Smith,  grocers  ;  Barnum 
Cole,  flour  and  grist  mill ;  George  W.  Peck  &  Co.,  and  Flynn  &  Walker, 
hardware  ;  C  F,  Hayes  and  W.  G.  Look,  druggists  ;  Z.  J.  Terry  and 
John  A.  Shea,  furniture  dealers  and  undertakers  ;  D.  R.  Edmond,  jew- 
elers ;  Charles  L.  Baker  and  Bailey  &  Knapp,  meat  dealers  ;  F.  D. 
Gillett,  baker  ;   Mrs.  S.  D.  Cornell,  Miss  Lina  C.  Graves  and    Mahn    & 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  341 

Stoddard,  milliners  ;  M.  C.  Curran,  restaurant  and  bakery;  Philip  Geiss, 
tailor  ;  C.  L.  Pullar,  dentist ;  Coryell  &  Clark  and  W.  P.  Dean,  hay 
dealers  ;  Flint  H.  Lewis,  coal  dealer  ;  Frank  Hall,  general  insurance  ; 
H.  B.  Howe,  market  gardener  ;  John  C.  Clary,  cooper  ;  H.  J.  Pinneo, 
painter  ;  F.  H.  Cook,  wagonmaker ;  Germain  Clark,  saw  mill  ;  G.  H. 
De  Witt,  photographer  ;  D.  R  Myers,  harnessmaker ;  J.  H.  Keeler, 
harnessmaker ;  B.  P.  Austin,  painter;  George  Bancroft,  livery;  Frank 
Relyea,  landlord.  The  Plattsburg  Creamery,  one  of  the  most  complete 
of  its  kind  in  the  region,  was  built  in  the  spring  of  1895.  It  is  managed 
by  Charles  H.  Higbee  and  Frank  F'laherty.  The  attorneys  of  the  vil- 
lage are  James  Flaherty  (also  postmaster),  J.  K.  Smith  and  Harvey  D. 
Waldo.  The  banking  house  of  C.  P.  Smith  was  originally  established 
in  1861,  while  that  of  W.  F.  McLean  has  been  in  operation  since   1880. 

The  society  organizations  of  the  village  are  Prattsburg  Lodge,  No. 
583,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Prattsburg  Lodge,  No.  598,  L  O.  O.  F.;  Gregory 
Post,  No.  649,  G.  A.  R,;  Prattsburg  Grange,  No.  112,  P.  of  H.;  K.  O. 
T.  M.,  Prattsburg  Tent,  No.  230  ;  Banner  Lodge,  No.  533,  I.  O.  of  G.  T., 
and  the  Prattsburg  Cornet  Band,  F.  F.  Neff,  leader.  Of  Protective 
Fire   Company,  S.  D.  Cornell   is  foreman,  and  G.  W.  Howe,  secretary. 

Presho. — This  little  hamlet  was  for  many  years  known  as  Erwin 
Center,  and  previous  to  the  division  of  the  old  town  of  Erwin,  in  1848, 
was  a  place  of  considerable  importance  in  local  affairs.  The  town  meet- 
ings were  held  here  and  other  business  was  attracted  to  this  central 
part  of  the  town  as  then  constituted.  It  was  also  a  lumbering  center  of 
note  forty  and  more  years  ago,  and  after  the  forest  growths  were  cleared 
and  agriculture  became  the  chief  pursuit  of  the  inhabitants,  it  became  a 
shipping  point  on  the  commonly  called  Blossburg  railroad.  The  recent 
name — Presho — was  given  in  allusion  to  a  prominent  family  of  that 
part  of  the  town.  T.  J.  Presho  is  now  the  local  storekeeper  and  post- 
master. Here  is  located  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  the  district 
school,  and  the  saw  mill  of  H.  M.  McCuUough. 

Rathboneviile. — In  the  year  1842  Gen.  Ransom  Rathbone  came 
to  the  Canisteo  valley  to  engage  in  manufacturing  and  shipping  lumber. 
Unquestionably  he  was  a  man  of  excellent  judgment  in  business  affairs, 
for  his  efforts  here  were  fairly  rewarded.  Not  a  pioneer  in  the  locality, 
he  nevertheless  opened  the  first   store    in   the  town,  secured  a  post  sta- 


342  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

tion,  was  active  in  organizing  the  town  itself,  and,  in  return  for  his  ser- 
vices, the  latter  was  named  in  his  honor,  as  well  as  the  hamlet.  Half  a 
century  ago  this  was  the  center  of  an  extensive  lumber  region,  where 
many  enterprising  operators  were  engaged  in  lucrative  business.  This 
led  to  the  starting  of  other  industries,  and  a  little  energy  and  push 
created  a  village  settlement.  Among  the  persons  engaged  in  milling 
and  kindred  pursuits,  were  Orman  S.  and  Keyes  Whitmore,  who  began 
in  1845.  Ten  years  later  Henry  Rathbone  built  a  fair  sized  flour  and 
grist  mill.  In  the  year  first  mentioned  General  Rathbone  opened  his 
store  and  secured  the  post-office.  A  meeting  house  for  religious  wor- 
ship was  soon  erected,  a  school  house  was  opened,  and  by  these  insti- 
tutions the  village  was  created.  The  operation  of  the  railroad  only 
added  to  local  prosperity,  and  Rathboneville  became  an  established  and 
permanent  fact;  and  to-day  it  is  the  principal  village  of  that  town. 

The  population  of  the  "  ville,"  as  briefly  called,  is  hardly  more  than 
one  hundred  and  fifty,  yet  here  is  a  busy  hamlet.  The  leading  indus- 
tries are  the  saw  and  grist  mills  of  F.  J.  Brady  ;  the  hay  press  of  E.  M. 
Cafferty  ;  large  general  stores  of  M.  P.  Young  and  J.  F.  Boyer  ;  tobacco 
store  and  barber  shop  of  town  clerk,  Jesse  F.  Cole ;  the  blacksmith 
shop  of  W.  S.  Wilson,  and  the  hotel  (Magnolia  House)  kept  by  H. 
Bird.  The  public  institutions  are  the  district  school  and  the  M.  E. 
church. 

The  Village  of  Rex  ville. — In  1849  Charles  and  Daniel  Rexford 
came  into  the  valley  of  Bennett's  Creek  and  built  a  saw  mill  on  the  site 
of  the  village  named  for  them.  They  also  erected  the  first  frame  build- 
ing in  the  town  and  opened  a  tavern  which  was  called  the  "  Eagle." 
These  enterprising  brothers  were  also  instrumental  in  bringing  about 
many  improvements  in  the  settlement  and  were  in  all  respects  useful 
and  progressive  citizens.  However,  they  sold  the  tavern  to  James 
McCormick  and  soon  afterward  left  the  village.  In  1855  Jesse  Jones 
and  Dr.  Cyrus  B.  Knight  opened  a  store  in  tlie  village,  and  soon  after- 
ward a  mail  route  was  established  through  this  part  of  the  valley.  Thus 
the  village  settlement  became  a  fact,  and  although  never  having  more 
than  200  population  it  is  a  business  center  of  some  importance.  The 
public  buildings  are  the  Methodist  Episcopal  and  Roman  Catholic 
churches  and  the  district  school.     The   merchants   are    Failing  &   Co., 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  343 

Mrs.  Sarah  P.  Harden,  Joseph  McKeon,  Bernard  Harrigan  and  John 
McCormick.  Postmaster,  Jolin  P.  Harden.  The  manufacturing  indus- 
tries of  the  village  are  the  combined  saw  and  grist  mill,  built  in  1872 
and  1876,  owned  by  Mortimer  Richey ;  the  cheese  factory  owned  by 
O.  Snyder  and  operated  by  Edwin  Carpenter,  and  a  few  other  small 
shops. 

RiSlNGVILLE.— This  hamlet  is  located  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town 
about  three  miles  from  Thurston  village.  It  was  named  in  allusion  to 
Noble  A.  Rising  and  was  brought  into  existence  by  the  erection  of  a 
large  mill  in  the  year  1852.  The  mill  was  built  by  Josephus  Turbell 
and  was  one  of  the  most  complete  of  its  kind  in  the  county  at  that  time. 
Harley  Sears  opened  a  store  near  the  mill  in  1853,  a  school  and  church 
were  established  about  the  same  time  and  Risingville  soon  became  a 
settlement  of  some  importance.  The  post-office  was  established  in  1853, 
Noble  H.  Rising,  postmaster.  The  only  business  interests  of  the  village 
of  the  day  are  those  carried  on  by  E.  J.  Jerry. 

ROGERSVILLE. — Among  the  earliest  settlers  on  the  village  site  were 
Jonas  Bridge,  Prosper  Booth  and  Daniel  Handy,  who  with  John  Miller 
built  a  flour  mill  in  1822.  The  post-office,  which  down  to  about  1848, 
had  been  located  at  Beachville,  was  removed  to  this  village,  and  at  the 
same  time  William  C.  Rogers  moved  to  the  old  store  from  Beachville 
and  opened  therein  a  select  school  which  soon  afterward  became  the 
academy.  In  1850  a  foundry  was  established  by  R.  W.  and  D.  Dans, 
near  the  store,  for  the  manufacture  of  stoves  and    farming  implements. 

The  Rogersville  Academy,  a  notable  institution  during  its  palmy  days, 
was  organized  in  1849,  ^"cl  the  buildings  were  erected  in  1852.  The 
Rogersville  Union  Seminary,  an  institution  designed  for  the  higher  edu- 
tion  of  young  ladies,  was  incorporated  by  the  regents  January  28,  1853. 
However,  both  of  these  institutions  lost  much  of  their  old  time  impor- 
tance with  the  gradual  enlargement  of  the  public  school  system  of  the 
town.  At  its  best  Rogersville  had  a  population  of  about  250  inhabi- 
tants. Twenty  years  ago  its  business  interests  comprised  three  or  four 
stores,  a  good  hotel,  three  blacksmith  and  two  wagon  shops,  a  broker's 
office  and  a  flouring  mill.  There  were  also  the  academy  and  the  semi- 
nary and  the  Methodist  Episcopal  and  the  Universalist  churches. 

The   present   business    interests   of  the   village   are  the  well  stocked 


344  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

stores  of  Henry  Weirmiller  and  Mundy  &  Root,  general  merchants  ;  the 
flour  and  feed  mill  of  Byron  Wallace,  and  the  saw  mill  of  Jacob  Kurtz. 
The  post-office  designation  of  this  village  is  South  Dansville  ;  postmas- 
ter, Dyer  L.  Kingsley. 

Savona  Village. — On  the  30th  of  April,  1833,  the  village  of  Savona 
was  incorporated,  and  thereafter  became  separated  from  the  mother 
town  of  Bath  so  far  at  least  as  local  government  was  concerned.  The 
name  of  this  little  village  is  all  that  now  remains  of  the  once  known 
town  of  Savona  which  was  annexed  to  Bath  in  1862.  Had  the  town 
scheme  been  perpetual,  our  village  would  have  been  its  principal  trading 
center  and  metropolis,  yet  notwithstanding  the  annexation,  the  life  of 
the  place,  both  in  hamlet  and  village  character,  has  been  one  of  con- 
tinued growth  and  prosperity.  With  the  natural  attractions  of  the 
county  seat  and  the  superior  trading  facilities  offered  by  the  enterpris- 
ing city  of  Corning,  business  interests  in  Savona  have  been  compelled 
to  establish  themselves  against  opposing  circumstances,  yet  they  have 
grown  with  other  branches  of  village  life  and  are  now  firmly  established. 
In  fact  Savona  enjoys  the  same  advantages  of  location  as  does  Bath,  and 
like  it  is  in  the  center  of  a  rich  agricultural  region.  The  Erie  and 
D.  L.  &  W.  railroads  are  built  through  the  village,  affording  excellent 
shipping  facilities  both  east  and  west.  The  Conhocton  also  contributes 
its  share  in  promoting  the  public  welfare.  It  is  not  frequent  that  two 
incorporated  villages  are  built  up  within  the  limits  of  one  town,  as  in 
Bath,  and  both  be  prosperous,whiIe  the  first  established  and  incorporated 
happens  to  be  a  county  seat.  From  this  condition  of  things  we  may 
conclude  that  there  is  much  of  enterprise  and  progressiveness  on  the 
part  of  the  younger  village  and  its  inhabitants  ;  at  least  the  residents 
and  business  men  of  other  localities  claim  this  for  Savona,  and  as  the 
opinion  is  disinterested  it  carries  the  conviction  of  truth. 

From  old  records  it  is  learned  that  this  part  of  the  town  of  Bath  was 
for  many  years  within  the  general  region  called  Mud  Creek,  from  the 
fact  that  that  stream  discharges  into  the  Conhocton  at  the  village  site  ; 
and  in  the  early  history  of  the  town  this  point  of  junction  was  an  im- 
portant center  to  lumbermen  and  boatmen  on  both  streams.  The  pio- 
neer of  this  locality  was  Thomas  Corbitt,  1793,  followed  by  John  Dole- 
son  and  Henry  McElwee  in  1794,  and  soon  afterward  by   Henry  Bush 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  345 

and  others.  A  post-office  and  trading  center  was  established  here  about 
1 823,EHsha  McCoy  being  of  one  the  early  postmasters.  Among  the  other 
early  settlers  in  the  locality  were  John  Moore,  David  Whitaker,  Uriah 
Hughes  and  others  now  forgotten. 

The  water  privilege  offered  by  Mud  Creek  and  the  Conhocton  had 
much  to  do  with  the  founding  of  a  village  in  this  part  of  the  town,  and 
it  only  remained  for  the  industrious  inhabitants  of  that  time  and  of  later 
years  to  enjoy  railroad  facilities  when  that  popular  thoroughfare  of 
transportation  and  travel  superseded  the  slow  current  of  the  streams. 
Within  a  stone's- throw  of  the  the  school  house  in  the  village  can  be 
found  at  least  half  a  dozen  substantial  citizens  who  remember  the  infancy 
of  Savona,  and  also  the  once  wide  popularity  of  Mud  Creek.  However, 
all  is  now  changed  by  the  the  march  of  progress,  and  where  only  a  few 
years  ago  was  a  struggling  hamlet  is  now  a  flourishing  village  of  six 
hundred  inhabitants.  The  public  buildings  comprise  the  Baptist'and 
Methodist  churches,  and  the  village  school.  A  Union  school  district 
was  organized  in  1891,  and  the  Savona  school  now  compares  favorably 
with  any  of  like  size  in  the  county.  The  board  of  education  is  composed 
of  Charles  Peterson,  Daniel  Collier  and  A.  Burt. 

The  village  officers  are  John  P.  Hedges,  president,  and  Will  Sanford, 
Jerome  Freeman  and  George  Stinson,  trustees,  T.  C.  Wall,  clerk,  and 
W.  E.  Joint,  treasurer. 

The  business  interests  comprise  the  grist  mill  of  George  Allen,  the 
sash  and  blind  factory  of  George  Scripture,  the  planing-mill  of  Clarence 
Hubbard  and  the  "patent  sluice"  factory  of  Charles  Davis.  The  mercan- 
tile interests  include  two  good  general  stores,  Sanford  &  Stinson,  and 
William  Stevenson  ;  two  drug  stores,  W.  H.  Ward  and  G.  U.  Sexton  ; 
one  hardware  store  W.  E.  Joint ;  one  furniture  and  undertaking  store, 
A.  Gushing  ;  a  jewelry  store  W.  M.  Shutts  ;  two  hotels,  three  black- 
smiths, a  carriage  shop,  a  cigar  factory  (John  Ward),  a  music  store, 
meat  market,  barber  shop,  two  milliners,  and  several  shops,  such  as  are 
usual  to  country  villages.  Savona  has  one  good,  live  newspaper,  the 
Savona  Review,  well  edited,  and  published  by  T.  C.  Wall. 

SONORA. — This  hamlet  is  a  small  post-office  settlement  in  the  north- 
east part  of  the  town  of  Bath,  and  three  miles  north  of  Savona.  Haifa 
a  century  ago  Sonora  and  Savona  were  regarded  as  sister  hamlets,   the 


346  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

advantage  and  location,  however,  being  with  the  latter.  The  store  of 
P.  A.  Bryant,  a  blacksmith  and  carpenter  shop,  comprise  the  business 
interests  of  the  place.  Here,  also,  is  the  school  of  district  14,  and  a 
Methodist  church 

South  Addison. — In  the  early  history  of  the  north  part  of  the 
present  town  of  Tuscarora,  Amos  Carr  made  a  settlement  and  improve- 
ment, and  from  him  the  locality  was  designated  Carrtown.  However, 
when  a  post- office  was  established  in  the  little  hamlet  which  was  built 
up,  the  name  South'Addison  was  adopted,  and  has  since  been  continued. 
About  a  mile  from  this  settlement  was  built  in  1856  a  large  tannery, 
around  which  another  cluster  of  dwellings  was  built.  The  present  in- 
stitutions of  South  Addison  comprise  the  nearby  school  and  the  M.  E. 
church. 

The  Addison  tannery  was  built  in  1856,  by  Robert  Hammond,  and 
although  twice  partly  burned,  it  has  been  an  important  industry  of  the 
town.  It  was  bought  in  1865  by  W.  Stratton,  from  whom  it  became 
known  as  Stratton's  tannery.  In  1893  it  became  a  part  of  of  the  large 
syndicate  called  the  United  Leather  Company. 

South  Bradford  is  a  hamlet  situate  in  the  south  part  of  the  town 
of  Bradford,  and  on  the  highest  land  in  the  town.  Joel  Hallock  cleared 
the  first  land  on  the  village  site.  Increase  Cooley  was  the  first  store- 
keeper, and  Moses  Ellas  the  first  hotel-keeper.  The  present  interests 
comprise  two  stores,  a  few  small  shops,  while  the  public  buildings  are 
the  Baptist  and' Methodist  churches  and  the  district  school. 

South  Howard. — This  is  a  post-office  station  located  in  the  south- 
east part  of  the  town.      Postmaster,  Samuel  T.  Hoagland. 

South  Pulteney,  or  Bluffport,  is  a  hamlet  and  post-office  in 
the  southeast  part  of  the  town  of  Pulteney. 

South  Troupsburg  is  a  post-office  hamlet  in  the  south  part  of  the 
town  of  Troupsburg.  The  postmaster  here  is  James  B.  Murdock.  This 
place  has  a  general  store. 

Stephens  Mills. — This  little  hamlet,  otherwise  known  as  Fremont 
Center,  was  named  in  allusion  to  Elisha  G.  Stephens,  who  for  a  period 
of  more  than  half  a  century  was  identified  with  the  best  interests  and 
history  of  the  town.  In  1833  Mr.  Stephens  purchased  the  Upson  farm, 
near  the  center  of  the  town,  and  engaged   extensively  in  milling,  lum- 


-^"mm^^^z^^m^ 


JAMES  B.  MURDOCK. 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  347 

bering  and  farming,  and  as  a  result  of  his  industry  the  village  settle- 
ment was  built  up.  He  also  established  the  hotel  and  secured  the  post- 
office  for  this  place.  The  hotel  he  built  in  1854,  and  in  1839,  on  the 
death  of  his  daughter,  caused  the  pretty  cemetery  to  be  laid  out.  In 
the  village  are  three  churches,  the  Methodist  Episcopal,  Advent  and 
Evangelical,  the  latter  just  outside  the  village  proper. 

The  merchants  at  the  center  are  N.  Davis,  E.  R.  Killbury,  B.  Pickle 
&  Son  and  E.  L.  Welsh.  The  industries  are  the  mill,  established  by 
Mr.  Upson,  and  now  owned  by  Jesse  L.  Spaulding;  W.  B.  Stephens' 
saw  mill  and  shoe  last  factory,  and  the  blacksmith  shops  of  J.  A.  Kester 
and  L,  Clark.     The  local  postmaster  is  John  Helmer. 

Thurston  Village. — This  hamlet  is  situated  in  the  east  part  of 
the  town  on  Michigan  Creek,  and  until  a  comparatively  recent  day  was 
known  as  Merchantville.  In  1841  Edwin  Merchant  bought  the  village 
site  and  opened  a  blacksmith  and  wagon  shop  between  Hawley's  farm 
and  Eddy's  tannery.  In  1845  l^^  built  a  saw  mill,  and  in  1854  Alva 
Carpenter  and  O.  P.  Alderman  bought  a  stock  of  goods  of  Harley  Sears 
and  began  doing  business.  From  that  time  Merchantville  has  been  a 
trading  point  and  business  center.  Mail  is  received  daily  from  Camp- 
bell station.  However,  Thurston  village  has  lost  much  of  its  oldtime 
importance  and  now  numbers  hardly  more  than  100  inhabitants.  Here 
is  located  the  Methodist  Episcopal  and  Christian  churches,  the  district 
school  house,  two  stores,  a  few  shops  and  about  twenty-five  dwellings. 
The  merchants  are  J.  W.  Colson  and  J.  M.  Alderman.  Postmaster, 
Frank  Allerton. 

ToWLESVlLLE. — This  hamlet  is  located  about  a  mile  west  from  the 
town  line,  on  the  Turnpike  road,  and  was  named  from  Richard  Towle, 
a  prominent  early  settler  in  the  vicinity.  This  place  has  two  churches, 
the  Baptist  and  Methodist  Episcopal,  a  school,  four  stores  and  one  or 
two  shops.  The  merchants  are  H.  Clark  McChesney,  Hollie  Hoagland 
and  Will  Boughter,  general  stores ;  G.  R.  De  Groat,  hardware.  Black- 
smith, George  Wyckoff. 

TroupSBURG  Village  is  a  pleasantly  situated  hamlet,  near  the  cen- 
ter of  the  town  and  on  Troup  Creek.  Independent  of  the  surrounding 
country,  the  hamlet  has  little  history,  for  its  founding  and  subsequent 
growth  were  almost  wholly  due  to  the  necessities  of  the  inhabitants  of 


348  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

the  locality  ;  and  not  at  any  time  during  the  period  of  its  history  has 
the  local  population  exceeded  250.  Pioneer  George  Martin,  better 
known  as  "Captain"  Martin,  made  the  hamlet  beginning  here  when  he 
built  the  saw  mill  on  the  creek  many  years  ago.  This  improvement 
was  followed  by  the  country  store,  then  a  public  house,  and  finally  the 
the  small  shops  incident  to  such  places  completed  the  village  settlement. 

However,  as  the  hamlet  grew  in  importance  and  the  surrounding 
township  became  freely  settled,  an  academy  was  founded  which  en- 
joyed for  many  years  a  prosperous  existence,  and  afforded  educational 
advantages  not  obtainable  in  all  towns.  After  its  destruction  by  fire  the 
academy  was  followed  by  a  graded  district  school  of  excellent  standing 
among  the  institutions  of  the  county.  As  at  present  constituted  the 
business  interests  of  Troupsburg  comprise  several  well  appointed  gen- 
eral stores,  saw  and  feed  mills,  several  blacksmiths  arid  wagon  and  repair 
shops,  a  good  hotel  and  about  forty  dwellings.  The  Methodist  Epis- 
copal and  Baptist  churches  are  also  located  here,  and  will  be  found  more 
fully  mentioned  in  another  department.  The  postmaster  at  Troupsburg 
is  Benjamin  F.  Ford. 

Wallace. — This  is  a  small  hamlet  situated  northeast  of  Avoca,  in 
the  Conhocton  Valley,  and  on  the  line  of  the  Erie  and  Delaware,  Lack- 
awanna &  Western  Railroads.  To  these  lines  of  travel  the  hamlet  owes 
its  greatest  prosperity  and  almost  its  very  existence.  The  local  post- 
master is  J.  H.  Cotton. 

Wayland  Village. — The  town  of  Wayland  was  brought  into  ex- 
istence chiefly  through  the  efforts  of  John  Hess  and  Myron  M.  Patchin, 
and  the  village  in  an  equal  measure  was  brought  into  life  by  the  energy 
of  James  G.  Bennett,  also  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  town.  He 
secured  the  consolidation  of  the  previously  existing post-ofifices  of  Patch- 
inville  and  Begola,  under  the  name  of  Wayland  Depot,  in  1848,  by  which 
designation  the  place  was  known  until  1884,  when  the  word  "Depot" 
was  dropped.  As  Mr.  Jervis  has  said,  "The  building  of  the  Erie  Rail- 
road determined  finally  the  location  of  the  village  and  assisted  in  its 
growth.  The  nearest  station  to  Dansville,  all  the  traffic  from  that  en- 
terprising village  passed  through  Wayland ;  and  the  old  stage  coach, 
with  its  four  horses  and  Captain  McHenry  in  charge,  is  vividly  re- 
membered by  the  older  citizens — the  four  horses  reduced  to  one  and  the 


CITIES,   VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  349 

old  coach  exchanged  for  a  'buck- board'  made  its  last  trip  over  this  his- 
toric route  on  July  20,  1889."  However,  later  railroad  constructions 
added  greatly  to  local  advancement.  The  now  known  Delaware,  Lack- 
awanna &  Western  road  was  built  through  the  town  and  opened  for 
traffic  in  1882,  and  the  Rochester,  Hornellsville  &  Lackawanna  began 
business  January  25,  1888.  By  the  latter  the  village  was  given  direct 
communication  with  Hornellsville,  and  the  three  thoroughfares  of  travel 
and  transportation  combined  to  make  this  village  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant railroad  points  in  the  county.  The  village,  too,  has  profited  by 
these  roadsj  and  if  we  may  be  guided  by  the  prophecy  of  observing 
men  the  future  of  Wayland  is  to  be  one  of  continued  prosperity  and 
substantial  growth. 

In  1877  the  population  and  business  interests  were  such  as  to  create 
a  demand  for  incorporation.  Consequently  in  April  of  that  year  the 
Court  of  Sessions  made  an  order  by  which  the  place  advanced  from  the 
hamlet  to  the  village  character.  The  first  officers  were  elected  on  May 
22,  1877,  ^n<^  ^^si"^  ^s  follow?  :  H.  S.  Rosenkrans,  president;  N.  N,  St. 
John,  Guy  Bennett,  Henry  Schley,  trustees  ;  Torrey  S.  Beeman,  col- 
lector ;  George  Morehouse,  treasurer.  C.  C.  Tinker  was  the  first  clerk. 
The  present  officers  are  :  George  C.  Whitman,  president ;  B.  Kusch,jr., 
Frank  Kester  and  W.  W.  Capron,  jr.,  trustees  and  assessors  ;  P.  H. 
Zimmerman,  clerk;   Frank  K.  Smith,  treasurer;   S.  B.  Young,  collector. 

The  incorporation  of  the  village  was  an  absolute  necessity,  for  at  that 
time  the  population  approximated  600,  and  improvements  were  needed 
which  could  not  be  secured  at  the  general  expense  of  the  town.  The 
trustees  first  caused  suitable  sidewalks  to  be  laid,  then  secured  a  system 
of  street  lighting,  and  provided  against  some  of  the  annoying  elements 
incident  to  hamlets.  A  small  though  efficient  fire  department  was 
organized,  the  present  apparatus  being  a  good  truck,  Champion  Hook 
and  Ladder  Co.,  comfortably  housed  in  Music  Hall. 

The  Union  School  of  the  village  is  one  of  its  best  institutions,  aca- 
demic in  character,  and  standing  in  the  front  rank  among  the  schools 
of  the  county.  The  present  trustees  are  W.  W.  Clark,  Julian  A.  Mor- 
ris, William  Flory,  George  C  Beitzel  and  R.  C.  Niel. 

The  business  interests  of  Wayland  are  noted  for  their  stability,  and 
notwithstanding  the  disastrous  fire  of  1883,  by  which   many   buildings 


350  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

were  destroyed,  the  present  condition  of  afifairs  is  an  improvement 
upon  the  former.  In  truth,  there  is  much  progressiveness  and  public- 
spiritedness  on  the  part  of  this  German  and  American  municipality  and 
its  people.  There  are  a  number  of  good  hotels,  among  them  the 
Bryant  House,  kept  by  O.  F.  Leiders  ;  the  Commercial,  by  N.  Schu, 
jr.;  the  Central,  by  Shepard  Rowell ;  the  Wayland,  by  Thomas  Cramer  ; 
the  Engel,  by  Frank  Engel,  and  the  Rauber,  by  J.  N.  Rauber. 

The  mercantile  interests  are  represented  substantially  as  follows  :  Dry 
goods,  J.  I.  Sterner,  A.  L.  Morley,  C.  Gottschall  &  Son ;  grocers, 
John  C.  Mehlenbacker,  Weinhart  Bros.,  Kausch  Bros.,  T.  K.  Smith, 
W.  N.  Deitzel,  Mrs.  M.  Rauver  ;  hardware,  M.  Kimmel  &  Son,  Geo.  E. 
Whiteman  &  Co.;  druggists.  Guile  &  Snyder;  baker,  Gunderman  & 
Huppes  ;  furniture,  J,  A.  Rosenkrans,  agent ;  boots  and  shoes,  George 
Nold,  G.  Zeilbeer  &  Son  ;  meat  markets,  George  Fox,  Frank  Reufern- 
barth  ;  jewelers,  A.  J.  Pardee,  J.  M.  Purcell ;  undertakers,  V.  Kausch, 
jr.,  Rosenkrans  &  Tinker;  cigar  dealers  and  makers,  Sherman  Bassler, 
A.  M.  Hartshorn  ;  wholesale  liquors,  Edward  Tyler  ;  coal  and  produce, 
W.  W.  Capron,  jr.,  H.  W.  Hatch  &  Son,  B.  J.  Scott  &  Son;  bankers, 
Morris  &  Morris,  a  private  bank,  established  in  1887. 

The  Wayland  Register  and  the  Union  Advertiser,  are  enterprising 
weekly  newspapers  published  in  the  village,  the  former  by  Bert  Goodno, 
and  the  latter  by  H.  B.  Newell. 

Among  the  manufacturing  industries  of  the  village  the  cement  com- 
panies demand  first  attention.  The  Wayland  Portland  Cement  Com- 
pany began  the  manufacture  of  a  superior  grade  of  cement  in  1891, 
and  almost  at  once  gained  great  popularity  with  their  product  in  the 
market.  The  works  were  burned  July  4,  1892,  but  were  immediately 
rebuilt.  This  concern  manufactures  300  barrels  of  cement  daily.  A 
second  company  under  the  same  name  is  ready  to  begin  business,  and 
also  promises  to  become  an  extensive  industry  in  the  village.  The  pro- 
prietors of  the  company  first  mentioned  are  T.  Millin  &  Co.  Messrs. 
Schafifer  and  Wolf  are  proprietors  of  a  combined  planing  and  saw  mill, 
and  are  also  contractors  and  builders.  The  second  saw  mill  is  owned 
by  W.  F.  Kiel.  The  village  blacksmiths  are  B.  J.  Scott,  Frank  Kester, 
J.  M.  Ryder,  William  Drumm,  H.  Teed  and  E.  Harter.  The  flouring 
mill  at  Patchinville  is  owned  by  J.  P.  Morsch. 


MARTIN  KIMMEL. 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS  351 

In  addition  to  the  business  interests  already  enumerated,  we  may 
mention  as  elements  of  municipal  life  four  organized  church  societies, 
the  Methodist  Episcopal,  Evangelical,  Roman  Catholic  and  Christian  ; 
also  the  customary  social  and  fraternal  organizations,  prominent  among 
which  is  Lodge  176,  I.  O.  O.  F.  The  principal  entertainment  hall  is 
Wienhart's  Opera  House.  The  population  of  Wayland  village  in  1880 
was  605,  and  679  in  1890. 

Wayland  Depot  is  a  hamlet  on  the  D.,  L.  &  W.  Road.  Here  are 
two  hotels  and  the  station,  but  no  business  interests  of  any  impor- 
tance. 

Wayne  Villace  is  a  pretty  little  hamlet  lying  in  the  northeast  por- 
tion and  partly  in  the  adjoining  county  of  Schuyler.  As  a  trading 
center  the  village  possesses  some  commercial  importance  yet  a  fair  pro- 
portion of  business  interests  are  outside  the  boundaries  of  this  town. 
The  more  recent  enterprises  are  embraced  in  three  good  general  stores, 
two  feed  mills,  a  saw  mill  and  basket  factory,  and  a  few  shops.  Here, 
also,  are  two  hotels,  a  good  school,  and  the  Episcopal,  Baptist  and 
Methodist  churches,  the  latter  being  referred  to  elsewhere  in  this  work. 
The  postmaster  at  Wayne  is  Edson  Bailey. 

Wayne  Four  Corners  is  a  settlement  and  trading  center  in  the 
south  part  of  Wayne,  having  a  few  business  interests  of  various  kinds. 
The  postmaster  here  is  C.  A.  Castner. 

West  Caton. — A  post-office  was  established  at  this  point  in  1888 
(May  29).  The  hamlet  is  situated  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the  town. 
The  merchant  here  is  S.  E.  Quackenbush,  and  the  mill  proprietor  C.  D. 
Barnard.  The  mill  was  built  in  i860.  Postmaster,  S.  E.  Quacken- 
bush. 

Wheeler  Village. — This  little  hamlet  is  pleasantly  situated  near 
the  center  of  the  town  of  the  same  name,  and  although  it  has  never 
attained  to  a  position  of  an)'  special  prominence  among  the  villages  of 
the  county,  it  is  nevertheless  an  important  trading  center  and  also  an 
excellent  shipping  point  on  the  line  of  the  Kanona  and  Prattsburg  Rail- 
road. The  necessity  of  a  trading  post  within  the  town  led  to  the  build- 
ing up  of  the  hamlet  and  a  post-office  was'  established  here  many  years 
ago.  Levi  Gray  was  the  first  postmaster,  followed  by  Daniel  Gray, 
O.  F.  Marshall  and  Ephraim  Aulls  in  the  order  mentioned.     The  busi- 


352  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

ness  interests  of  the  hamlet  are  few,  yet  sufficient  to  supply  all  local 
demands.  The  merchants  are  E.  K.  Derick  and  Fred  F.  Lewis,  while 
the  other  interests  are  embraced  in  the  few  small  shops  incident  to 
country  hamlets.  However,  the  saw  mill  owned  and  operated  by 
Charles  M.  Renchan  is  one  of  the  largest  industries  of  its  kind  in  all 
Steuben  county.  The  village  church  and  district  school  are  the  only 
public  buildings  worthy  of  note. 

The  Village  of  Woodhull. — This  is  one  of  the  most  important 
of  the  unincorporated  villages  in  the  county,  and  is  situated  near  the 
center  of  a  large  farming  district,  hence  attracts  trade  of  such  character 
as  to  materially  advance  all  local  interests.  Moreover,  the  village  is 
noted  for  its  delightful  situation  and  beautiful  surroundings.  The  first 
beginning  on  the  village  site  was  made  in  1806  by  Caleb  Smith,  builder 
of  the  first  mills  in  the  town.  Micajah  Sherwood  was  also  an  early 
settler  here  and  largely  instrumental  in  building  up  the  hamlet.  Jus- 
of  the  Peace  Calvin  Searles  was  an  early  comer  here,  as  also  were 
Joseph  Tubbs,  landlord  ;  Levi  Tubbs,  carpenter  and  shoemaker ;  Lyman 
Rosier,  blacksmith ;  Ichabod  Leach,  merchant  and  potash  manufac 
turer;  Ira  Smith,  storekeeper,  and  others.  In  these  primitive  indus- 
tries was  laid  the  foundation  of  the  village,  and  after  the  separate  or- 
ganization of  the  town  the  little  hamlet  became  the  chief  center  of 
trade. 

The  village  is  on  both  sides  of  the  Tuscarora,  the  stream  being 
spanned  by  a  substantial  bridge.  The  public  buildings  of  the  village 
are  the  churches  (elsewhere  mentioned)  and  the  public  schools.  The 
merchants  are  E.  &  D,  Colvin,  C.  W.  Tubbs,  N.  B.  Payne,  Gee  &  Stroud, 
general  stores;  J.  S.  Warner  and  J.  C.  Husted,  druggists;  James  A. 
Walker  and  George  A.  Candy,  hardware  ;  E.  &  D.  Colvin,  and  White 
Brothers,  meat  markets  ;  F.  S.  Prutzman  and  M.  E.  Colvin,  jewelers; 
H.  P.  Smith  &  Son,  furniture  dealers.  The  local  lawyer  is  E.  T.  Hollis; 
the  milliners  are  Mrs.  Payne  and  Mrs.  Hollis  ;  the  blacksmiths  are  Ran- 
dall Prutzman,  Jacob  Salisbury,  Samuel  Colgrove,  ;  wagon  shops,  W. 
P.  Perry,  M.  P.  Wilson,  and  Frank  Olin  ;  barber,  S.  H.  Barrett,  who  is 
also  town  clerk.  The  hotels  are  kept  by  James  R.  Lautz  and  Edward 
Potter. 

Woodhull  is  also  the  seat  of  publication  of  a  good  family  newspaper, 


CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  HAMLETS.  353 

the  Southern  Steuben  Republican,  edited  and  published  by  R.  C.  Park. 
This  paper  was  founded  in  1879  as  the  Steuben  Sentinel  and  independ- 
ent in  politics,  but  eventually  becoming  a  Republican  paper,  changed  its 
name  to  Republican. 

In  addition  to  the  business  interests  noted,  the  village  and  its  imme- 
diate vicinity  is  the  seat  of  several  manufacturing  industries,  also  worthy 
of  mention.  They  are  the  furniture  factory  of  William  Benjamin  ;  the 
saw  mill  and  feed  mill  of  Lamson  &  Bartle  ;  the  saw,  feed  and  cider 
mills  of  James  W.  Miller;  the  saw  and  grist  mills  of  Baldwin  &  Stryker, 
and  the  cheese  factories  of  George  Harris  and  William  Wildrick.  In 
addition  to  these  are  the  lesser  interests  and  industries,  all  of  which 
combine  to  establish  a  prosperous  suburban  village.  The  postmaster  of 
Woodhull  is  S.  L.  Wildrick. 

The  Woodhull  Academy  and  Union  School  is  the  pride  and  glory  of 
every  loyal  inhabitant  of  the  town,  and  is  indeed  a  worthy  institution. 
It  was  built  in  1868  and  designed  for  academic  purposes,  the  most 
prominent  of  its  supporters  being  Hamilton  Marlatt,  and  Orrin  B. 
Baxter,  the  former  donating  the  site  on  which  the  building  was  erected. 
The  academy  was  incorporated  under  the  statute,  but  was  soon  after- 
ward deeded  to  the  district  and  established  as  a  Union  Free  School, 
with  an  academic  department.  The  first  principal  was  Prof.  Jeffreys. 
The  present  principal  is  Miss  Belle  Ingersoll.  The  members  of  the 
Board  of  Education  are  Delancy  Colvin,  S.  L.  Wildrick,  N.  P.  Matson, 
Hiram  Ten  Broeck,  and  William  Carpenter. 

Young  Hickory  is  a  post-ofifice  and  trading  hamlet  in  the  south- 
west part  of  the  town  of  Troupsburg,  where  is  one  or  two  industries. 
Postmaster,  Nathan  E.  Wallace. 


354 


LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER   XXI. 


CHURCHES. 


The  Presbyterian  church  at  Arkport  was  organized  in  1852,  although 
services  of  this  denomination  had  been  held  in  the  locality  for  many 
years  previous.  About  the  time  of  organization  and  building  the 
church  edifice  this  society  was  very  strong  in  the  south  part  of  the  town, 
and  although  the  church  has  ever  continued  to  work,  during  recent 
years  there  has  been  a  noticeable  decline  in  interest  and  membership, 
the  number  now  being  about  iio.  The  Sunday  school  is  large,  having 
170  pupils  under  the  superintendency  of  John  Hurlbut.  The  present 
pastor,  Rev.  Erwin  C.  Hull,  came  to  this  church  in  April,  1885.  The 
trustee  are  William  S.  Hurlbut,  Lot  Reznor,  Norman  O.  Wheeler,  Seth 
M.  Huntly,  Henry  Sharp,  Michael  Webber,  James  P.  Wolever,  Henry 
Colgrove,  Wright  Newsom. 

The  Methodist  Protestant  Church  at  Arkport  was  organized  in  July, 
1884,  and  was  the  outgrowth  of  a  class  formed  many  years  ago  on 
Pennsylvania  Hill.  In  the  same  year  also,  the  neat  church  edifice  was 
built,  at  a  cost  of  about  $2,500.  Rev.  F.  A.  Snow  was  their  pastor, 
and  was  followed  by  W.  T.  Edds  and  O.  P.  Wildey,  the  latter  now  offi- 
ciating. The  membership  is  about  100,  and  the  trustees  are  G.  C.  Syl- 
vester, Arthur  Hathaway,  M.  A.  Emery,  Harrison  Osborne,  and  Ira 
McMichael. 

The  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Hornellsville  was  organized  July 
10,  1832.      (See  history  of  city  of  Hornellsville.) 

The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  church  (Park  church)  of  Hornellsville 
was  organized  in  1830.      (See  history  of  city  of  Hornellsville.) 

St.  Ann's  Roman  Catholic  church  of  Hornellsville  was  organized  in 
1843.     (See  city  history.) 

The  First  Baptist  church  of  Hornellsville  was  organized  in  1852.  (See 
city  history.) 


CHURCHES.  355 

Christ's  church,  Episcopal,  of  Hornellsville  was  organized  March  6, 
1854.      (See  city  history.) 

The  East  Avenue  M.  E.  church,  Hornellsville,  was  organized  in  1885. 
(See  city  history.) 

The  South  Side  M.  E.  church,  Hornellsville,  was  organized  1895.  (See 
city  history.) 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  St.  Paul's  church,  Hornellsville,  was  organ- 
ized in  i860.      (See  city  history.) 

The  Hartshorn  Presbyterian  church,  Hornellsville,  was  organized  in 
1890.      (See  city  history.) 

The  South  Side  Baptist  church,  Hornellsville,  was  organized  Septem- 
ber 18,  1893.      (See  city  history.) 

The  Jasper  Baptist  church  was  organized  on  the  9th  of  February, 
18 17,  its  original  members  being  Nathaniel  and  Rebecca  Seelye,  Bed- 
ford, William  and  John  George,  Charles  and  Phebe  Card,  and  Lurena 
Harrington.  Fourteen  were  added  to  the  church  in  June,  18 17.  This 
organization  was  effected  in  Troupsburg,  which  then  included  this  local- 
ity in  part,  and  the  society  was  first  known  as  Troupsburg  Baptist 
church,  but  later  changed  to  Jasper  Baptist  church.  The  first  church 
house  was  begun  in  1834,  and  finished  in  1841.  The  church  at  present 
is  included  in  the  Canisteo  River  Association,  and  is  small,  having  but 
forty-two  members.  The  church  property  is  valued  at  $1,500.  The 
pastor  is  Rev.  A.  W.  Mettlar 

The  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Jasper  was  organized  October  29, 
1829,  with  twenty-five  members,  although  as  early  as  1825  Enoch  Ord- 
way  formed  a  Presbyterian  Sunday  school,  and  in  1828  a  society  was 
organized  to  form  Sunday  schools  throughout  the  town.  The  church 
was  annexed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Bath  and  afterward  of  Chemung,  but 
was  restored  to  the  Bath  Presbytery  in  1847.  ^^  the  first  regularly  in- 
corporated religious  society  in  the  town,  this  church  received  the  "  gos- 
pel lot  "  from  the  Pulteney  Association.  The  first  house  of  worship  was 
built  in  1844,  but  was  burned  in  1846.  The  second  building,  located  in 
the  Hampshire  settlement,  was  erected  and  dedicated  in  1847,  but  was 
abandoned  in  1872,  on  the  completion  of  the  large  and  attractive  edifice 
at  Jasper  village.  This  church  now  numbers  108  members,  and  is  under 
the  pastoral  charge  of  Rev.  Charles  McCarthy. 


366  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Jasper  was  the  outgrowth 
of  early  class  meetings  held  by  Mrs.  S.  A.  Grinolds  and  Mrs.  Smith,  be- 
ginning about  i8i8,  and  soon  afterward  a  church  organization  was 
efifected,  although  a  house  of  worship  was  not  built  until  about  1834  or 
1835.  The  present  edifice  at  Jasper  village  is  an  attractive  and  com- 
fortable building,  and,  with  the  parsonage,  is  valued  at  $7,i;oo.  The 
church  has  130  members,  and  the  Sunday  school  195  attendants.  The 
pastor  is  Rev.  John  Wootton.  The  Talbot  Creek  or  North  Jasper  M.  E. 
church  is  an  offshoot  from  the  village  church,  and  is  a  part  of  the  same 
charge,  under  the  same  pastorate.  The  members  number  about  forty 
persons. 

The  First  Wesleyan  Methodist  church  at  West  Jasper  was  organized 
in  March,  1871,  at  the  "Gully"  school  house,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Sinabaugh. 
There  were  less  than  half  a  dozen  original  members,  but  the  number 
is  now  grown  to  sixty- one.  The  church  house  was  built  in  1874,  and 
dedicated  February  14,  1875.     This  society  is  now  without  a  pastor. 

The  Presbyterian  church  of  Woodhull  was  organized  October  15, 
1 83 1,  by  Rev.  Isaac  Flagler,  with  sixteen  original  members.  The  first 
pastor  was  Rev.  Warren  Day,  followed  by  Rev.  Mr.  Pomeroy.  This 
society  received  the  "  gospel  lot  "  from  the  Pulteney  Association  for  the 
first  organized  church  in  the  town.  In  1 861,  in  association  with  the 
Methodist  society,  this  church  erected  an  edifice  at  Hedgesville. 

The  Union  Baptist  church  of  Woodhull  was  organized  in  March,  1858, 
and  was  the  result  of  a  union  of  two  older  societies,  known  as  the 
Woodhull  Baptist  church,  formed  November  20,  1835,  and  the  Newville 
Baptist  church,  organized  in  June,  1849.  The  united  societies  caused 
to  be  erected  the  church  edifice  at  Woodhull  in  1856.  This  is  now  and 
for  many  years  has  been  one  of  the  strongest  churches  of  the  town,  the 
present  members  numbering  123.  The  pastor  is  Rev.  G.  W.  Barnes. 
In  the  Sunday  school  are  eighty  pupils,  under  the  superintendency  of 
J.  C.  Husted. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Woodhull  dates  its  history  back 
to  a  little  earlier  than  1840,  although  an  organization  was  not  effected 
until  1846,  when  a  church  was  built  in  Woodhull  village.  A  second 
organization  was  effected  in  1848,  and  in  1861  a  church  edifice  built  at 
Hedgesville,   in    union    with    the    Presbyterian    society.      The    M.    E. 


CHURCHES.  357 

churches  of  Woodhull  now  number  148  members  and  nine  probationers. 
The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  J.  L.  King. 

The  Free  Baptist  church  of  Woodhull  was  organized  about  1834, , with 
seven  original  members.  The  second  church  was  organized  February 
18,  1852,  at  which  time  eleven  persons  constituted  the  membership. 
The  house  of  worship  was  built  at  an  expense  of  $2,000,  and  was  dedi- 
cated in  August,  1875. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Greenwood  was  organized  in 
1827,  under  the  class  leadership  of  Enos  Mead.  Methodist  services, 
however,  were  held  in  this  vicinity  as  early  as  1825-26,  by  Rev.  Asa 
Orcutt.  The  society  maintained  an  existence  for  nearly  twenty- five 
years,  meeting  in  convenient  places,  but  in  185  i  a  reorganization  was 
effected  and  the  affairs  of  the  church  established  upon  a  more  secure 
basis.  The  edifice  in  the  village  was  built  by  popular  contribution,  and 
cost  $5,000.  It  was  dedicated  September  14,  1876.  This  church  has 
an  active  membership  of  ninety-nine,  with  nineteen  probationers.  In 
the  Sunday  school  are  108  pupils.  The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  D.  E. 
Stiles. 

The  Universalist  church  of  Greenwood  was  organized  in  1851,  and 
the  house  of  worship  in  the  village  was  erected  in  1852.  The  first 
meetings  of  this  denomination  were  held  in  the  old  stone  school  house. 
The  society  is  now  without  a  pastor. 

The  First  Christian  church  of  Greenwood  was  formed  February  19, 
1876,  by  Rev.  John  H.  Cheeseman,  who  began  his  work  in  the  town 
about  1 87 1.  The  original  members  numbered  seventeen  persons,  but 
materially  increased.  In  1878-9  the  church  edifice  on  Main  street  was 
erected.     The  pastor  is  Rev.  E.  D.  Chapman. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Rexville  was  not  organized  until 
within  a  quite  recent  date,  although  Methodist  meetings  and  services 
were  held  in  this  locality  as  early  as  1831,  and  were  continued  regularly 
until  the  society  was  formed.  The  church  edifice  in  the  villao^e  was 
built  in  1870  and  dedicated  in  August  of  that  year. 

St.  Mary's  church,  Roman  Catholic  at  Rexville,  was  regularly  organ- 
ized as  a  parish  about  the  year  1869,  although  several  priests  had  said 
masses  and  conducted  services  in  this  field  regularly  since  1845.  Father 
McMullen  moved  his  residence  from  Greenwood  to  Rexville  about  1870 


358  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

and  within  the  next  two  years  a  church  edifice  was  built.  The  structure 
was  burned  February  13,  1877,  and  immediately  replaced  with  the 
present  edifice.  A  parochial  school  was  established  in  this  parish  in 
1889,  but  soon  afterward  discontinued.  The  present  pastor  of  St.  Mary's 
is  Rev.  Dr.  H.  J.  McConnell. 

The  Presbyterian  church  of  Canisteo  was  formed  in  1836,  but  after  a 
few  years  of  struggling  existence  the  society  dissolved.  No  special 
effort  at  reorganization  was  made  previous  to  July,  1849,  when  Rev. 
Horatio  Pettengill  began  preaching  in  the  village,  and  the  result  of  his 
labors  was  a  complete  organization  on  March  20,  1852,  with  B.  C. 
Richey,  N.  C.  Taylor,  W.  B.  Jones,  Peter  Myers,  T.  J.  Magee  and  Wm. 
H.  Mead  as  constituent  members.  A  lot  was  purchased  from  the 
Pulteney  estate  on  which  to  erect  a  church  edifice.  The  cost  was  $1,360. 
The  corner  stone  was  laid  in  May,  1852,  and  the  church  was  dedicated 
February  15,  1853.  The  edifice  was  enlarged  and  remodeled  in  1877. 
This  is  one  of  the  large  and  influential  religious  societies  of  the  town, 
the  present  membership  numbering  308;  the  Sunday  school  has  361 
attendants,  and  is  under  the  superintendence  of  Benjamin  Stephens.  The 
present  pastor.  Rev.  Duncan  Cameron,  has  been  with  this  church  nearly 
eight  years. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Canisteo  village,  the  mother  of 
the  M.  E.  churches  in  the  vicinity,  was  formally  organized  about  the 
year  1850,  although  Methodist  meetings  were  held  in  the  town  about  as 
early  as  1800.  and  were  continued  with  some  degree  of  regularity 
through  all  the  years  down  to  the  time  of  organization.  The  first  trus- 
tees were  Jeremiah  Baker,  Stephen  Taylor,  John  H.  Consalus.  E.  L. 
Gray,  C.  P.  Chamberlain  and  Wm.  B.  Jones.  The  church  edifice  was 
built  in  1856,  dedicated  in  1857,  and  rebuilt  in  1875.  The  present 
members  number  221,  and  in  the  Sunday  school  are  330  pupils.  The 
pastor  is  Rev.  O.  S.  Chamberlayne. 

The  Baptist  church  of  Canisteo  was  organized  as  a  branch  of  the 
mother  church  at  Hornellsville,  November  30,  1876,  although  Baptist 
services  in  the  town  were  held  many  years  previously,  and  at  Adrian  a 
society  had  an  existence.  The  original  members  of  the  new  society 
numbered  fifteen,  and  Rev.  C.  K.  Bunnell  was  the  first  pastor.  The 
fine  brick  edifice  was  was  built  in  1880     The  first  Baptist  society  in  the 


CHURCHES.  359 

town  was  formed  in  1866.  The  present  membership  is  134.  Pastor, 
Rev.  E.  P.  Brigham,  settled  in  1890.      Clerk,  T.  K.  Brownell. 

St.  Joachim's  church,  Roman  Catholic,  at  Canisteo,  was  organized 
about  1883,  and  the  church  edifice  built  at  the  same  time,  on  a  lot 
donated  by  Mr.  Vorhis.  This  parish  includes  about  forty  families,  and 
is  attended  from  St.  Ann's  at   Hornellsville,  Rev.  A.  R.  Barlow,  pastor. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Fremont  was  organized  as  a  class 
in  1 83 1,  although  the  first  meetings  of  this  denomination  in  the  town 
were  held  as  early  as  1828  in  various  localities.  Asa  result  of  these 
early  missionary  labors  three  separate  classes  or  societies  were  formed 
in  the  town  and  were  located  at  Big  Creek,  Briar  Hill  and  at  Fremont 
Center.  At  the  latter  place  a  substantial  church  edifice  was  built  in 
1873.  The  Methodist  charges  in  Fremont  are  now  supplied  by  Rev. 
E.   S.  Wilcox. 

The  Wesleyan  Methodist  church  of  Fremont  was  organized  as  a  class 
at  the  Gulf  school  house  in  1831,  and  the  Haskinville  circuit  was  formed 
in  1855.  The  church  edifice  at  the  village  was  dedicated  in  December, 
1876.     The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  James  Bowen. 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  at  Fremont  Center  was  erected  in 
i860,  although  missionary  preachers  came  among  the  German  element 
of  population  in  this  town  as  early  as  1828;  and  their  services  were 
continued  with  some  degree  of  regularity  until  the  society  was  formed. 
The  membership  in  this  church  is  constantly  growing.  The  last  pastor 
was  Rev.  Mr.  Dayton. 

The  First  Advent  Christian  church  of  Fremont  was  organized  in  1870 
by  Rev.  William  Fenn,  of  Rochester,  who  first  preached  in  a  tent  on 
the  flat  south  of  the  present  meeting  house.  The  present  edifice  was 
built  in  1 87 1.     The  pastor  is  Rev.  H.  S.  Jiskok. 

The  Cameron  Presbyterian  church  was  built  in  the  south  end  of 
Cameron  village  in  1853,  and  its  society  received  the  Pulteney  donation 
of  100  acres  of  land  to  the  first  organized  church  of  the  town.  The 
society  passed  out  of  existence  many  years  ago  and  the  Baptist  organ- 
ization purchased  its  meeting  house. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Cameron  was  founded  in  1812, 
when  Rev.  Abner  Chase  preached  in  the  house  of  Phones  Green  in  the 
Canisteo  valley,  and  in  the  services  conducted  in  after  years  by  other 


360  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

missionary  workers  in  the  same  field.  The  first  regular  organization 
was  effected  in  1834,  by  Rev.  Ira  Bronson.  Isaac  Santee  was  the  first 
class  leader.  The  first  church  building  was  constructed  in  1842,  being 
a  store  remodeled  for  the  purpose  of  worship,  and  was  located  at  West 
Cameron.  It  was  deeded  to  the  society  by  Luther  White  in  1865. 
From  this  humble  beginning  the  church  in  the  town  has  been  built  up, 
and  now,  within  the  limits  of  Cameron  are  four  organized  Methodist 
societies,  each  with  a  comfortable  house  of  worship,  and  all  under  the 
charge  of  Rev.  W.  D.  Allen.  They  are  located,  respectively,  at  Cam- 
eron, West  Cameron,  North  Hill  and  South  Hill.  The  village  class  was 
formed  in  185 1,  with  thirteen  members.  The  South  Hill  church  was 
built  in  1872.  The  members  of  the  church  in  the  town  number  100, 
with  ten  probationers. 

The  Baptist  church  of  Cameron  was  constituted  in  1847,  although 
meetings  of  the  denomination  were  held  in  the  town  several  years  pre- 
viously. The  society  purchased  the  old  meeting  house  formerly  occu- 
pied by  the  dissolved  Presbyterian  church,  the  building  being  removed 
to  a  more  suitable  location  and  rededicated  in  October,  1871.  In  the 
south  part  of  the  town  is  located  the  East  Cameron  Baptist  church, 
which  was  dedicated  June  3,  1861.  The  association  records  give  this 
church  a  membership  of  fifty-one  persons,  many  of  them  residents  of 
Woodhull.  The  Baptist  clergymen  in  the  town  are  Revs.  C.  E.  Stuart 
and  A.  W.  Mettlar. 

The  Christian  church  of  Cameron  was  organized  about  the  year  1850, 
and  the  edifice  in  the  east  part  of  the  town  was  built  in  1854. 

The  Roman  Catholic  church  at  Cameron  is  of  recent  organization, 
and  is  attended  from  Addison  by  Father  M.  Noonan. 

A  Presbyterian  church  and  Sunday  school  were  organized  in  the 
southeast  part  of  the  county,  in  the  town  now  called  Caton,  about  the 
year  1825.  Meetings  were  held  in  Gilbert's  mill,  also  in  barns,  for  sev- 
eral years,  and  in  1833  a  house  of  worship  was  completed.  Rufus  and 
William  L.  Howe  and  Stephen  L.  Gregory  built  the  edifice.  After  a 
struggling  and  feeble  existence  of  about  thirty  years  this  society  dis- 
solved. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Caton  had  its  inception  in  the 
class  formed  in  1833  by  Thomas  Wheat,  a  local  preacher.     The  society 


CHURCHES.  361 

was  formed  soon  afterward  and  meetings  were  held  in  school  houses  and 
dwellings  until  1840,  when  the  house  of  worship  at  the  Center  was  com- 
pleted. It  was  dedicated  in  1842.  The  second  church  edifice  was 
dedicated  January  16,  1868.  The  present  pastor  of  this  church  is  Rev. 
D.  B.  Kellogg. 

The  Caton  Baptist  church  was  organized  August  23,  1832,  as  the 
First  Baptist  church  of  Painted  Post,  and  in  1840  became  known  under 
its  present  name.  In  1842  the  church  was  made  a  separate  charge. 
The  first  edifice  was  erected  on  the  hill,  overlooking  the  village,  near 
where  the  old  cemetery  is  located.  The  second  house  of  worship  was 
built  in  1862.  The  present  membership  numbers  fifty-one  persons. 
Pastor,  Rev.  L.  D.  Ayers. 

The  Free  Methodist  church  of  Caton  was  organized  in  1865,  and 
about  the  same  time  the  house  of  worship  was  built  in  the  northeast  part 
of  the  town.      Pastor,  Rev.  G.  T.  Labrum. 

The  First  Baptist  church  of  Campbell  was  organized  as  a  branch  of 
the  Savona  society,  in  1870.  In  1873  the  house  of  worship  was  built. 
At  present  this  church  is  a  joint  charge  with  Erwin,  the  total  member- 
ship being  153.      Pastor,  Rev!  J.  C.  Stowell. 

The  Catholic  church  at  Campbell  is  a  recent  organization,  and  in  its 
parish  includes  all  the  Catholic  families  of  the  vicinity.  It  is  attended 
from  Bath. 

The  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Campbell  was  organized  February 
14,  183 1,  and  was  the  outgrowth  of  the  older  society  known  as  the 
Campbell  and  Mud  Creek  church,  the  history,  of  which  dated  back  to 
the  year  1812.  The  church  edifice  was  built  in  1833,  and  was  replaced 
with  a  more  substantial  structure  in  1867;  dedicated  February  4,  1868. 
The  society  has  a  good  parsonage.  The  present  members  number  abont 
125  persons.      Pastor,  Rev.  E.  P.  Salmon. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  "of  Campbell  was  formed  as  a  class 
about  1827,  and  as  a  society  soon  afterward.  However,  it  was  not  until 
1869  that  the  society  purchased  and  occupied  the  old  Presbyterian 
church  building,  which  was  remodeled  and  improved.  It  was  dedicated 
January  21,  1869.  This  church  has  1 14  members  and  probationers,  and 
a  Sunday  school  of  ninety- five  pupils.      The  pastor  is  Rev.  D.  L.  Pitts. 

The   Methodist   Episcopal   church  in   Thurston  has  comprised  three 


362  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

separate  charges.  The  first  class  was  formed  in  the  Bonny  Hill  district 
about  the  year  1825,  and  for  many  years  was  a  part  of  the  Bath  charge. 
A  church  edifice  was  built  and  dedicated  in  1843.  The  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  of  Risingville  was  organized  about  1850,  and  its  church 
edifice  erected  in  1864.  The  class  at  Merchantville  was  formed  previ- 
ous to  1850  and  its  church  edifice  was  built  in  1861.  The  churches 
last  mentioned  are  under  the  pastoral  charge  of  Rev.  D.  L.  Pitts. 

The  Clinton  church  of  Thurston  was  organized  March  26,  1836,  at 
Smith  school  house  in  Bath,  but  in  1842  was  transferred  to  West  Hill 
in  Thurston.  The  church  edifice  was  dedicated  June  27,  1852.  The 
members  number  about  seventy- five.  This  society  is  now  without  a 
pastor. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Wayland  dates  back  in  its  history 
to  the  first  years  of  settlement  in  the  town  by  the  pioneers,  yet  the 
absence  of  reliable  data  precludes  the  possibility  of  furnishing  data  of 
either  organization  or  subsequent  growth.  Two  separate  charges  have 
been  established,  the  one  at  Loon  Lake  and  the  other  at  Wayland  vil- 
lage, the  latter  a  large  and  growing  church  both  in  influence  and  numer- 
ical strength.  The  present  members  number  ninety  persons,  with  100 
pupils  in  the  Sunday-school.     The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  W.  O.  Peet. 

The  German  Evangelical  church  of  Wayland  dates  its  organization 
back  to  about  the  year  1868,  and  a  house  of  worship  was  built  about 
the  same  time.  The  new  edifice  in  the  village  is  a  substantial  and  com- 
fortable structure.  The  society  is  strong  in  members  and  influence. 
The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  J.  W.  Thompson. 

The  Christian  church  of  Wayland  was  organized  in  1864,  and  a  chapel 
was  built  during  the  same  year.  This  society  is  without  a  resident 
pastor. 

The  German  Lutheran  church,  St.  Peter's  at  Perkinsville,  was  orga- 
nized in  1845,  and  includes  in  its  membership  about  150  of  the  German 
families  in  this  part  of  the  town.  The  house  of  worship  and  the  parson- 
age are  valued  at  about  $5,000.      Pastor,  Rev.  R.  Krause. 

The  Church  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  Roman  Catholic,  was  organized  in 
1850,  its  parish  including  the  catholic  families  (many  of  them  German) 
in  that  part  of  the  town.  Connected  with  church  is  a  parochial  school, 
having  seventy  pupils,  under  the  instruction  of  three  Sisters  of  Mercy. 
The  priest  in  charge  of  the  parish  is  Rev.  Father  A.  L.  Huber. 


CHURCHES.  363 

St.  Joseph's  church,  Roman  Catholic,  at  Wayland  village,  was  orga- 
nized as  a  parish  in  1880,  and  regularly  incorporated  the  following  year. 
The  parochial  school  was  organized  in  1884.  It  has  sixty-five  pupils 
under  the  instruction  of  three  Sisters  of  Mercy.    Pastor,  Rev.  C.  Kaelen. 

The  First  Baptist  church  and  society  of  Hartsville  were  organized  on 
the  second  Sunday  in  November,  1838,  the  original  members  being  ten 
in  number.  This  is  a  comparatively  large  society  and  has  a  comfor- 
table meeting-house  at  Hartsville  Center.  It  numbers  about  ninety 
members  but  at  present  is  without  a  pastor.  In  1894  this  church  did 
not  report  to  the  association. 

The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Hartsville  was  organized  by 
Rev.  James  Hemingway  in  June,  1825,  with  Lewis  Clark  and  Robert 
Martin,  stewards.  The  substantial  church  edifice  at  Hartsville  Center 
was  built  and  dedicated  in  1870,  and  adjoining  it  is  a  comfortable  par- 
sonage. The  church  numbers  fifty-nine  members  and  six  probationers, 
and  in  the  Sunday-school  are  forty-five  pupils.  The  present  pastor  is 
Rev.  George  L.  Spencer  of  Hornellsville  South  Side  M.  E.  church. 

The  Seventh  Day  Baptist  church  of  Hartsville,  was  organized  in  1836, 
by  Hiram  P.  Burdick,  and  was  the  outgrowth  of  his  early  and  boyhood 
christian  teachings  and  life.  The  meeting-house  in  the  west  part  of  the 
town  was  built  in  1856,  and  cost  $2,800. 

The  East  Troupsburg  Baptist  church  was  organized  in  1857,  as- 
sociation minutes,  although  Baptist  services  were  held  in  the  locality  as 
early  as  1835,  and  early  meetings  were  held  in  dwellings  and  school- 
houses.  The  "  Chenango  Settlement  "  church  was  built  and  dedicated 
in  1875.  This  church  now  numbers  ninety-six  members,  and  is  under 
the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  J.  W.  Lyon. 

The  Troupsburg  Baptist  church  was  organized  in  1844,  the  result  of 
the  labors  of  Rev.  Mr.  Wade.  The  edifice  at  the  Center  was  built  in 
1874.  The  present  membership  in  this  church  is  128,  with  fifty-two 
pupils  in  the  Sunday-school.      Pastor,  Rev.  I.  H.  Beman. 

The  Troupsburg  Free- Will  Baptist  church  was  organized  in  1 850, 
and  numbered  about  forty  persons. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Troupsburg  dates  its  history 
back  to  the  year  18 19,  when  pioneer  Uzal  McMindes  formed  and  led  a 
class  at  the  houses  of  Mr.  Douglass  and   Samuel  Rice.      Samuel  Griggs 


364  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

and  Samuel  Cady  were  later  class- leaders.  This  society  was  donated 
the  "  Gospel  lot  "  by  the  Pulteney  association,  being  lOO  acres  of  land. 
The  church  edifice  at  the  Center  was  built  in  1872.  The  Methodist 
members  in  this  town  number  108,  and  in  the  Sunday-school  are  ninety 
attendants.     The  present  paster  is  Rev.  F.  H.  Rowley. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Dansville  was  the  outgrowth  of 
early  meetings  on  Oak  Hill  as  early  as  the  year  18 17.  Parker  Buell 
and  James  Bronson  were  the  first  preachers,  and  Robert  Butler  the  first 
class  leader.  An  organization  was  perfected  about  the  same  time  and 
in  1 8 19  the  first  log  church  in  the  town  was  built.  This  old  building 
was  abandoned  for  the  new  church  edifice  at  Rogersville  which  was 
dedicated  July  19,  1841.  In  1862  a  new  church  on  Oak  Hill  was  built 
and  dedicated.  This  is  one  of  the  largest  churches  in  the  town  the 
members  numbering  230.  The  Sunday-school  has  150  attendance. 
Pastor,  A.  R.  Cheverton. 

The  First  Baptist  church  of  Dansville  was  organized  about  the  year 
1820  with  ten  members  but  after  a  struggling  existence  of  about  half  a 
century,  during  which  the  society  suffered  from  factional  differences, 
the  organization  was  dissolved. 

The  Universalist  church  of  Dansville  was  organized  about  1850, 
chiefly  through  the  efforts  of  Rev.  Asa  Upson.  The  church  edifice  was 
built  in  the  village  in  1852.  This  society,  like  some  others  in  the  town, 
has  experienced  a  life  of  vicissitudes  and  for  a  time  no  meetings  were 
held.  It  was  revived,  however,  and  placed  upon  a  more  substantial 
basis.      Its  present  pastor  is  Rev.  H.  P.  Morrell. 

The  Baptist  church  of  Howard  village  was  organized  February  6, 
1826,  with  nine  members,  and  Rev.  B.  B.  Brigham,  first  pastor.  The 
house  of  worship  was  erected  in  1835,  ^"<^  substantially  repaired  in 
1877.      Present  members,  eighty-eight;  pastor.  Rev.  D.  J.  Allen. 

The  Baptist  church  at  Towlesville,  in  the  town  of  Howard,  was  orga- 
nized in  1844,  and  has  since  had  a  prosperous  existence.  The  mem- 
bers number  eighty-three,  and  the  society  is  at  present  under  the  pas- 
toral charge  of  Rev.  Mr.  House,  successor  to  Rev.  C.  Saulsbury. 

The  Presbyterian  church  of  Howard  was  organized  in  1834,  and  dur- 
ing the  same  year  built  a  comfortable  house  of  worship.  The  church 
has  a  large  membership  and  its  services  are  well  attended.  The  pastor 
is  Rev.  Mr.  Webster. 


CHURCHES.  365 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Howard  is  among  the  older  re- 
ligious organizations  of  the  town,  dating  its  history  back  to  the  pioneer 
days.     The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  Mr.  Piercy. 

The  Wesleyan  Methodist  church  at  Buena  Vista  is  also  to  be  men- 
tioned among  the  substantial  church  organization  of  the  town  of  How- 
ard.    The  pastor  is  Rev.  F.  S.  Lee. 

The  Wayne  Baptist  church  was  constituted  in  1794,  and  is  therefore 
one  of  the  oldest  religious  organizations  of  the  region.  Rev.  Ephraim 
Todd  was  the  first  pastor  and  served  in  that  capacity  for  thirty  years, 
until  1823.  This  church  has  been  a  member  of  several  associations, 
the  Chemung,  Cayuga,  Ontario  and  Steuben,  in  succession.  The  pres- 
ant  members  number  fifty  nine,  and  the  church  property  is  valued  at 
$1,500.      Present  pastor.  Rev.  C.  Townsend. 

St.  John's  church,  Protestant  Episcopal,  of  Wayne,  was  organized  as 
a  parish  November  20,  1871,  although  the  mission  was  established  in 
1840.  Services  have  been  held  here  frequently,  though  not  regularly. 
In  1872  the  society  purchased  the  Presbyterian  church  edifice,  which 
was  consecrated  in  September,  1875.  St.  John's  now  has  twenty-two 
communicating  members. 

The  Presbyterian  church  of  Wayne  was  organized  December  21, 
1809,  by  Rev.  John  Lindsley,  missionary,  under  the  General  Assembly. 
However,  after  an  existence  of  about  half  a  century  the  society  was  dis- 
solved in  1869,  and  the  church  edifie  was  sold  to  St.  John's  church. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Wayne  was  formed  February  28, 
1837,  although  class  meetings  had  been  held  in  the  town  at  a  much 
earlier  date.      A  church  house  was  provided  in  1839. 

The  Baptist  church  of  Bradford  was  organized  in  1834,  having  sixty 
constituent  members,  and  about  the  same  year  a  church  house  was 
erected.  In  1835  the  church  was  admitted  to  membership  in  the  Steu- 
ben Baptist  Association.  The  present  members  number  114,  and  the 
church  property  is  valued  at  $3,500. 

The  South  Bradford  Baptist  church  was  organized  July  29,  1848,  and 
the  church  edifice  was  completed  and  dedicated  during  the  following  year. 
It  is  a  member  of  the  Steuben  Association.  The  present  membership 
is  eighty-five. 

The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  South  Bradford  was  organ- 


366  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

ized  as  a  class  in  1826,  on  Oak  Hill,  and  the  church  organization  was 
perfected  on  February  23,  1847.  The  original  members  numbered 
thirteen;  the  present  members  number  136,  with  thirty-two  probation- 
ers. However,  this  number  includes  the  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  of  Bradford,  which  was  formed  April  26,  1876.  The 
houses  of  worship  are  at  Bradford  and  South  Bradford,  respectively, 
and  constitute  a  single  charge. 

St.  Andrew's  church,  Protestant  Episcopal,  was  formally  organized 
on  the  8th  of  June,  1851,  although  previous  to  that  time  services  had 
been  held  with  some  degree  of  regularity  by  clergymen  from  Ham- 
mondsport  and  elsewhere.  A  comfortable  church  edifice  was  erected 
and  consecrated  in  1866,  during  the  rectorate  of  Rev.  J.  T.  Gushing. 
The  present  rector  of  St.  Andrews  is  Rev.  Henry  S.  Dennis. 

St.  James'  Episcopal  church  at  Hammondsport  was  formally  organ- 
ized June  15,  1829,  although  as  early  as  1825  the  Rev.  W.  W.  Bostwick 
labored  as  a  missionary  in  this  field.  He  also  became  the  first  rector  of 
the  newly  organized  parish,  and  continued  in  that  relation  until  1842  ; 
and  during  his  rectorship,  in  1832-33,  the  first  church  edifice  was  built, 
and  on  August  28  of  the  latter  year  the  church  was  consecrated  by 
Bishop  Onderdonk.  The  cornerstone  of  a  new  church  edifice  was  laid 
by  B-ishop  Coxe,  April  18,  1876,  and  the  consecration  services  were  held 
June  12,  1877.  This  latter  structure  fell  a  victim  to  the  elements  on 
August  2,  1894,  and  was  at  once  replaced  with  the  present  edifice,  a 
handsome  building  of  Warsaw  bluestone.  The  corner  stone  was  laid 
June  8,  1895,  and  the  entire  cost  of  the  edifice  was  about  $13,000.  The 
first  rector,  Mr.  Bostwick,  was  succeeded  in  1842  by  Rev.  Philemon  E. 
Coe,  a  deacon,  and  he  in  turn  was  followed  by  Rev.  Erastus  Spaulding, 
the  latter  serving  from  1843  to  1849.  ^^^^  L.  W.  Russ  came  next, 
1849-50,  followed  by  Rev.  Charles  Woodward,  1850-52.  Rev.  Robert 
N.  Parke  was  rector  from  1853  to  1855,  succeeded  by  Rev.  Daniel  E. 
Loveridge,  1855-70.  Rev.  James  Stoddard  was  rector  from  1870  to 
1873,  and  Rev.  John  T.  Gushing  during  1875-74.  Rev.  H.  B.  Gardner 
came  in  1875  and  remained  until  1880,  then  being  followed  by  Rev. 
John  V.  Stryker,  who  died  April  6,  1892.  The  present  rector,  Rev. 
Thomas  Dirck,  came  to  the  parish  in  June,  1892,  and  under  his  pastoral 
direction   the   new   and   beautiful   church  edifice  has  been  erected.      St. 


CHURCHES.  367 

James'  church  is  one  of  the  most  worthy  institutions  of  northern  Steuben 
county.  The  present  communicating  members  number  ii6  persons. 
The  wardens  are  John  W.  Davis  and  Charles  C.  Halsey  ;  and  the  ves- 
trymen, Henry  O.  F'airchild.  Trevor  Moore,  H.  J.  Moon,  D.  C.  Bauder, 
George  B.  Lyon,  H.  Y.  Rose,  Will  S.  Wood  and  F.  C.  Fawcett. 

The  Presbyterian  church  of  Hammondsport  was  organized  September 
14,  1 83  I,  and  its  first  pastor  was  Rev.  Mr.  Flagler.  The  original  mem- 
bers were  seven  in  number.  ,  A  lot  was  donated,  and  William  Hastings 
built  a  church  edifice  for  the  society.  A  second  church  house  was 
erected  in  1847.  This  building  still  stands  and  is  in  good  repair.  The 
present  membership  in  this  church  is  large — about  200 — and  the  Sun- 
day school  has  about  1 10  pupils.  The  present  pastor,  Rev.  Charles  L. 
Luther,  came  to  Hammondsport  in  June,  1895. 

St.  Gabriel's  church,  Roman  Catholic,  Hammondsport,  dates  its  his- 
tory to  about  the  year  1840,  when  missionary  priests  said  occasional 
masses  in  the  village.  Three  years  later  a  parish  and  church  were  organ- 
ized, and  in  1847  purchased  and  occupied  the  edifice  formerly  owned  by 
the  Presbyterian  society.  The  present  St.  Gabriel's  church  was  built  in 
1886,  and  is  certainly  a  substantial  structure.  This  parish  is  quite 
extensive,  including  parts  of  several  towns — Urbana,  Puiteney,  Wayne 
and  Bradford.  The  present  priest  in  charge  of  the  parish  is  Rev.  James 
O'Shea. 

The  Baptist  church  in  the  town  of  Urbana  includes  two  separate 
organizations,  the  one  known  as  the  Urbana  Baptist  church,  formed  in 
1835,  with  a  present  membership  of  fifty-seven  persons,  and  the  South 
Urbana  church,  formed  in  1891,  now  having  thirty-eight  members. 
Pastor  of  the  latter  church,  Rev.  A.  B.  McConnell. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Urbana,  ever  increasing  and 
growing  both  in  strength  and  influence,  comprises  two  society  organi- 
zations and  two  charges,  and  a  total  membership  of  232  and  twenty- 
seven  probationers.  Two  churches  are  maintained,  at  Hammondsport 
and  North  Urbana,  respectively,  and  the  fair  value  of  the  church  prop- 
erty is  $6,500.     Pastor,  Rev.  John  Segwalt. 

The  Presbyterian  church  in  Wheeler  enjoyed  its  most  successfiil 
period  of  history  and  progress  during  the  first  half  of  the  present  cen- 
tury.     The  early  settlers  were  chiefly  Presbyterians  and  they  secured 


368  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

the  services  of  a  minister  who  preached  for  them  as  early  as  about  the 
year  1810,  although  not  before  1824  was  there  any  regular  organization 
effected.  Among  the  first  ministers  were  Revs.  David  Harrower,  James 
Hotchkin  and  David  Higgins.  The  church  itself  was  Organized  August 
30,  1825,  and  was  at  once  received  by  the  Presbytery  of  Bath.  How- 
ever, the  after  life  of  the  society  witnessed  many  vicissitudes  and  dis- 
couragements, although  its  membership  included  many  of  the  most  in- 
fluential families  of  the  town.  The  legal  organization  was  perfected  in 
1832,  under  the  name  of  the  "  First  Presbyterian  Society  of  Wheeler  " 
The  first  church  edifice  was  built  in  1832,  and  the  second  in  1867,  both 
at  the  Center. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Wheeler  dates  its  history  to  about 
the  year  1840,  and  had  its  beginning  in  a  small  class.  But  from  this 
germ  there  has  grown  a  very  strong  organization,  now  numbering  in 
the  town  four  separate  charges  and  societies,  and  four  church  edifices. 
They  are  known,  respectively,  as  the  Wheeler  Center  church  ;  the 
Wheeler  Hill,  or  First  M.  E.  church  of  Wheeler;  the  Hemlock  M.  E. 
church,  and  the  Mitchellville  M.  E.  church.  The  total  membership  in 
these  churches  is  large  and  the  societies  themselves  are  increasing  in 
strength  and  usefulness.  The  members  number  more  than  150  persons, 
and  all  the  charges  are  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  G.  R.  Harvey. 
The  Wheeler  church  was  originally  built  in  union  with  the  Presbyterian 
society,  but  later  the  edifice  passed  into  the  ownership  of  the  Metho- 
dists. 

The  Presbyterian  church  of  Prattsburg  had  its  origin  in  the  religious 
service  held  at  the  house  of  Jared  Pratt  in  the  year  1803,  and  on  the 
4th  of  June,  1804,  Timothy  Field  organized  a  Church  of  Christ  in  the 
district  of  Bath,  at  the  house  of  John  Niles.  The  original  members 
were  Joel  Pratt,  John  Niles,  Samuel  Tuttle,  Pomeroy  Hull,  Salisbury 
Burton,  William  P.  Curtis,  Martha  Tuttle,  Dorcas  Niles,  Mary  Hull, 
Hannah  Niles,  Sarah  Curtis,  Lydia  Beach,  Mary  Pratt,  Olive  Burton 
and  Almira  Tuttle.  In  1806  the  society  determined  to  erect  a  house  of 
worship,  for  which  purpose  a  site  was  selected  on  the  public  square  in 
the  village.  Here  was  built  the  first  Congregational  church  of  Pratts- 
burg, but  as  the  edifice  was  soon  found  to  be  quite  too  small,  enlarge- 
ments were  subsequently  made.      On  the   i6th  of  November,  1807,  the 


CHURCHES.  369 

church  society  was  regularly  and  legally  organized  under  the  name  of 
the  Prattsburg  Religious  Society.  Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkiss  was  in- 
stalled pastor  August  i6,  1809.  On  October  12,  181 2,  the  society 
voted  to  accept  the  doctrine  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  on  the 
2 1  St  of  September,  18 13,  was  received  into  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva. 
In  1825  a  new  church  edifice  was  built,  on  land  donated  by  Judge 
Porter.  Rev.  George  R.  Rudd  became  pastor  in  1830,  and  two  years 
later  the  parsonage  was  erected.  This  church  is  undoubtedly  the 
strongest  in  the  town  and  has  a  total  membership  of  200  persons.  The 
pastor  is  Rev.  G.  W.  Warren. 

The  first  Methodist  Episcopal  society  in  Prattsburg  was  organized  in 
1829,  at  which  time  also  a  chapel  was  built.  The  organizers  of  the 
mother  church  were  Dr.  Noah  Niles,  Aaron  Bull  and  Bishop  Tuttle, 
who  withdrew  their  membership  from  the  Prattsburg  Religious  Society. 
However,  the  Methodist  organization  was  dissolved  about  1840,  and 
the  meeting  house  was  sold  for  debt,  but  the  class  remained,  and  in 
1847,  through  the  efforts  of  Rev.  James  Hall,  the  society  was  revived, 
reorganized,  and  placed  upon  a  substantial  basis.  A  church  edifice  was 
built  on  the  south  side  of  the  public  square  in  1847,  but  was  destroyed 
by  fire  in  1853.  After  this  the  society  again  declined  although  occa- 
sional services  were  held.  A  third  organization  was  effected  in  1869 
and  the  present  M.  E.  church  of  the  village  is  its  outgrowth.  Moreover, 
Methodism  has  spread  throughout  the  whole  town,  and  in  addition  to 
the  mother  church,  there  are  now  two  others,  those  at  Ingleside  and 
Lynn.  The  members  of  the  village  and  Lynn  churches  number  150 
and  are  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  B,  F.  Hitchcock.  The  Ingle- 
side church  is  a  joint  charge  with  North  Cohocton,  under  the  pastorate 
of  Rev.  D.  C.  Nye. 

The  Baptist  church  of  Prattsburg  was  organized  on  West  Hill,  about 
the  year  1821,  and  Elder  Nehemiah  Lamb  was  its  first  pastor.  A  log 
meeting  house  was  built  in  1822,  but  after  its  destruction  by  fire,  in 
1833,  was  replaced  with  a  substantial  frame  edifice  and  located  a  mile 
east  of  the  old  site.  In  1842  the  society  divided,  the  members  uniting 
with  four  separate  organizations.  There  was  formed  the  First  and 
Second  Baptist  churches  of  Prattsburg,  also  the  Prattsburg  village  Bap- 


370  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

tist  church.  The  house  of  worship  of  the  latter  was  built  in  1845.  I^s 
members  now  number  forty-two  persons.      Pastor,  W.  A.  Huntington. 

The  Roman  Catholic  church  at  Prattsburg  has  about  seventy-five 
families  in  the  parish.  It  is  attended  from  Hammondsport  by  Father 
O'Shea. 

The  Christian  church  at  Ingleside  is  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Carr. 

The  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Bath  is  one  of  oldest  religious  soci- 
eties in  the  whole  Genesee  country,  and  was  organized  as  early  as  the 
year  1806,  although  previous  to  that  time  public  worship  had  been  held 
in  the  town.  In  1802  Rev.  Seth  Williston  conducted  services  in  the 
old  school  house  at  the  corner  of  Pulteney  Square.  On  January  6, 
1806,  an  organization  was  perfected  by  Rev.  John  Niles,  and  was 
named  "The  Bath  Religious  Society."  Still  later,  January  3,  1808,  a 
modification  of  the  former  organization  was  made,  and  there  was  formed 
"  The  Church  of  Christ  in  Bath,  Presbyterian  Congregation,"  and  four- 
teen persons  entered  into  covenant  and  subscribed  the  constitution.  The 
church  adapted  Congregational  form  of  government,  and  appointed 
Joseph  Inslee  and  Samuel  S  Haight  as  deacons.  Rev.  John  Niles  was 
installed  pastor  on  July  7,  1808,  and  on  the  i8th  of  September,  181 1, 
the  church  completed  its  presbyterial  organization  by  electing  five 
elders  viz.:  William  Aulls,  Elias  Hopkins,  Samuel  S.  Haight,  Henry 
A.  Townsend  and  Howell  Bull;  and  at  the  same  time  removed  its  con- 
nection from  the  Congregational  association  and  united  with  the  Presby- 
tery of  Geneva.  Mr.  Niles  died  September  13,  18 12,  and  was  succeeded 
by  Rev.  David  Higgins  in  January,  181 3.  During  Mr.  Higgins'  pas- 
torate, the  first  church  edifice  was  erected,  and  was  dedicated  March  2, 
1825  The  third  pastor.  Rev,  Isaac  Piatt,  began  his  service  June  4, 
1 83 1,  and  resigned  in  1844.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  L.  Merrill  Miller, 
and  the  latter  by  Rev.  George  D.  Stewart  in  1851.  Still  later  pastors 
were  Revs.  William  E.  Jones,  James  M.  Harlow  (stated  supply),  James 
M.  Piatt,  1869;  and  M.  N.  Preston,  the  present  pastor,  whose  labors 
began  December  i,  1884.  The  new  church  edifice  on  the  south  side  of 
the  "  Square"  was  built  during  the  year  1876,  and  was  first  occupied 
for  service  on  February  22,  1877. 

It  is  proper  to  mention  in  this  connection  that  in  1837  this  church 


CHURCHES.  371 

was  divided  by  the  dissensions  in  the  Presbyterian  church  at  large,  and 
the  result,  locally,  was  the  withdrawal  of  certain  members  and  the  or- 
ganization of  "The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Bath  (Congregational)."  In 
1 84 1  the  new  society  erected  a  house  of  worship  on  Liberty  street, 
where  now  stands  the  Purdy  Opera  House,  The  building  was  burned 
in  1 87 1.  During  its  separate  existence,  the  pastors  of  the  church  were 
Revs.  William  Strong,  Orris  Fraser,  Hiram  Gregg,  Samuel  Potter,  Sabin 
McKinney,  Loren  W.  Russ,  George  Hood,  Edwin  Benedict,  H.  E, 
Johnson,  C.  H.  Belong  and  William  Dewey. 

St.  Thomas'  Protestant  Episcopal  church  at  Bath  was  organized  as  a 
parish  at  a  meeting  held  April  19,  1826,  yet  for  several  years  previous 
to  that  time  stated  services  were  held  by  Rev.  Caleb  Hopkins,  he  being 
persuaded  to  visit  this  missionary  field  through  the  good  offices  and  in- 
tercession of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Hull  Townsend.  This  worthy  woman  has 
ever  been  regarded  as  the  founder  of  the  church  in  the  village  and  its 
vicinity.  The  early  services  of  the  church  were  held  in  the  court-house, 
but  in  1836  a  lot  was  secured  on  the  southeast  of  Pulteney  Square,  and 
here  a  church  edifice  was  built.  The  first  regularly  appointed  clergy- 
man in  the  parish  was  Rev.  William  W.  Bostwick,  who  conducted  his  first 
services  here  May  23,  1825,  and  who  continued  the  pastoral  relation 
until  1840,  when  he  resigned.  Rev.  Phineas  L.  Whipple  became  rector 
soon  afterward,  but  an  untimely  death  cut  short  his  career  of  useful- 
ness in  1844.  The  succeeding  rectors  have  been  Revs.  Wm.  D.  Wil- 
son, Levi  H.  Corson,  Almon  Gregory,  Oran  Reed  Howard,  Abner  Piatt 
Brush  and  Benjamin  S.  Sanderson,  the  latter  the  present  rector,  who 
assumed  his  duties  on  the  ist  of  May,  1890.  During  Mr.  Whipple's 
rectorship  the  "church  plot"  in  the  cemetery  was  secured,  and  during 
Mr.  Gregory's  term  many  improvements  were  made  to  the  church  prop- 
erty. The  parsonage  was  provided  in  1852.  In  1854,  and  again  in 
1859,  the  church  edifice  was  materially  improved,  and  in  1869  the  new 
and  beautiful  edifice  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Washington  Square  was 
erected. 

The  first  society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Bath  was 
formed  on  the  3d  of  October,  1822,  and  on  September  4  following  the 
articles  of  incorporation  were  filed  in  the  county  clerk's  office,  naming 
John   Whiting,  Simpson    Ellas,    George  Wheeler,  Jeremiah    Baker  and 


372  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

Darius  Reed  as  the  first  board  of  trustees.  The  frame  of  a  church 
home  was  put  up  in  1823,  and  although  not  completed  until  1826,  this 
was  the  first  church  edifice  projected  in  Bath,  and  was  used  by  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  and  Baptist  societies.  In  1865  it  was  found  neces- 
sary to  enlarge  or  rebuild  the  church,  and  the  oflficers  resolved  upon 
the  latter  course.  Prompt  action  was  taken  and  on  May  16,  1866,  the 
corner  stone  was  laid  for  the  Centenary  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
by  which  name  it  has  ever  since  been  known.  In  1835  Bath  was  made 
a  separate  charge,  and  Rev.  J.  G.  Gulick  was  appointed  pastor.  The 
subsequent  pastors,  in  succession,  were  Revs.  Chandler  Wheeler,  Wm. 
Hosmer,  E.  Dowd,  Daniel  B.  Lawton,  Philander  Powers,  David  Ferris, 
Earl  B.  Fuller,  S.  W.  Alden,  J.  K.  Tuttle,  Augustus  C.  George,  E.  G. 
Townsend,  Nathan  Fellows,  Andrew  Sutherland,  C.  M.  Gardiner,  M. 
N.  Beers,  George  E.  Havens,  W.  C.  Mattison,  Wm.  Manning,  A,  F. 
Morey,  J.  T.  Brownell,  S.  McGerald,  E.  T.  Green,  R.  D.  Munger, 
George  Stratton,  James  Moss,  E.  E.  Chambers,  D.D.,  K.  P.  Jervis,  T. 
E.  Bell,  E.  G.  Piper,  and  M.  C.  Dean,  the  latter  the  present  pastor. 

The  Bath  Village  Baptist  church  was  organized  March  16,  1842,  at  a 
meeting  held  in  the  Methodist  meeting  house,  together  with  an 
ecclesiastical  council.  The  constituent  members  numbered  thirty-one 
persons.  The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  M.  Rowley,  who  remained  from 
1842  to  1845.  The  later  pastors  have  been  as  follows:  Revs.  H. 
Spencer,  B.  F.  Balcom,  B.  R.  Swick,  J.  Parker,  E.  C.  Brown,  P.  Col- 
grove,  E.  F,  Crane,  D.  B.  Olney,  E  J.  Scott,  J.  D.  Barnes,  E.  Savage, 
H.  H.  Cochrane,  J.  W.  Taylor,  I.  W.  Emery,  J.  C.  Cubberly,  P.  S. 
Vreeland.  The  present  pastor.  Rev.  V.  P.  Mather,  settled  with  the 
church  in  1890.  The  first  edifice  of  this  church  was  erected  in  1844, 
and  was  enlarged  in  1859.  Extensive  repairs  were  made  in  1870.  It 
was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1887,  and  rebuilt  the  same  year  at  an  expense 
of  $12,000. 

St.  Mary's  church,  Roman  Catholic,  at  Bath,  dates  its  history  to  about 
the  year  1846,  when  Rev.  Thomas  McEvoy  visited  Bath  and  found 
about  ten  Catholic  families  in  the  vicinity.  In  the  following  year 
Father  Sheridan  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  Catholic  families  along 
the  Conhocton  as  far  west  as  Dansville.  In  1850  Father  O'Flaherty 
added  Bath  to  his  charge.     The  early  services  were  usually  held  at  the 


CHURCHES.  373 

house  of  James  Manley,  but  in  1850  Bartholomew  Wilks  erected  a 
building  suitable  for  a  church.  In  1861  the  parochial  residence  was 
built.  In  1862  a  Catholic  school  was  established  in  the  basement  of  the 
church,  and  was  continued  about  five  years,  until  the  school  building 
was  completed.  In  August,  1886,  the  property  adjoining  the  school 
estate  at  Bath  was  purchased  by  W.  B.  Ruggles,  for  $3,300,  and  on 
this  site  in  the  years  189 1-2  and  '93  an  elegant  church  structure  was 
erected.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  May  8,  1892,  and  on  St.  Patrick's 
day,  1893,  the  first  services  were  celebrated  within  its  walls.  The  suc- 
cession of  pastors  in  charge  of  St.  Mary's  parish  and  church  has  been 
as  follows:  Thomas  McEvoy,  Father  Sheridan,  Edward  O'Flaherty, 
Charles  Tierney,  John  Donnelly,  Joseph  McKenna,  T.  Cunningham, 
Patrick  Burns,  John  Castaldi,  Michael  Steger,  J.  M.  McGlew.  P.  Mazu- 
ret,  L.  Vanderpool,  M  Darcey,  J.  J.  Baxter  and  J.  J.  Gleason.  On  the 
24th  of  February,  1889,  Father  Baxter  was  transferred  to  Buffalo,  and 
Father  Gleason  was  appointed  to  the  Bath  church.  Father  Gleason 
died  during  the  spring  of  1895,  and  the  parish  is  now  (June,  1895) 
without  a  priest. 

The  African  Methodist  Episcopal  Zion  church  of  Bath  was  organized 
about  the  year  1838  or  '39,  by  Rev.  John  Tapkin,  whose  custom  it  was 
to  walk  to  Bath  from  Canandaigua,  Elmira,  Owego  and  Binghamton. 
Among  the  early  pastors  who  preached  to  the  colored  people  in  Bath 
were  Revs.  J.  A.  Logan,  J.  P.  Thompson,  John  Thomas,  M.  H.  Ross 
and  C.  A.  Smith.  The  present  pastor.  Rev.  B.  W.  Swain,  came  to  Bath 
in  June,  1890,  and  found  the  affairs  of  the  church  in  an  unfortunate 
condition,  but  succeeded,  after  much  labor,  in  re-establishing  and  build- 
ing up  the  society  and  placing  it  upon  a  secure  and  permanent  basis. 
A  large  new  church  edifice  is  now  in  process  of  erection. 

The  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Addison  was  organized  in  Septem- 
ber, 1832,  by  a  committee  of  the  Bath  Presbytery,  comprising  Revs. 
A.  Donaldson  and  E.  D.  Wills,  There  were  seven  original  members, 
and  Porter  Phelps  and  Elihu  Wittenhall  were  elected  ruling  elders. 
Meetings  were  held  in  the  Curtis  school  house  previous  to  the  erection 
of  the  first  church  edifice,  in  1838.  The  first  pastor,  as  the  records  dis- 
close, was  Rev.  Daniel  B.  Butts,  who  served  in  that  capacity  from  1835 
to    1839,  and  was  followed   by  Revs.  Lewis  Hamilton,  Darius  A.  Will- 


374  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

iams,  A.  H.  Parmalee  and  others,  in  the  order  named.  The  new 
church  home  of  this  society  was  built  during  1881  and  '82,  and  was 
dedicated  in  April  of  the  year  last  mentioned.  The  present  members 
number  about  one  hundred  and  sixty-five.  The  pastor  is  Rev.  David 
Mackay. 

The  Church  of  the  Redeemer,  Protestant  Episcopal,  of  Addison  vil- 
lage, dates  back  in  its  history  to  about  the  year  1847,  when  Rev. 
Gardner  M.  Skinner  came  as  missionary  to  the  region.  He  was  fol- 
lowed by  other  zealous  laborers,  among  them  Robert  N.  Parke,  and  he 
succeeded  in  organizing  the  parish  in  April,  1854.  From  this  time  the 
history  of  the  church  has  been  a  record  of  continued  success  and 
growth,  and  the  present  healthful  church  is  its  outgrowth.  A  church 
edifice  was  completed,  paid  for  in  full,  and  consecrated  by  Bishop 
De  Lancey  on  the  5th  of  April,  i860.  In  this  parish  are  about  sixty- 
five  Episcopal  families      The  present  rector  is  Rev.  W.  H.  Hawkin. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Addison  dates  its  origin  back  to 
the  early  history  of  the  town,  and  when  organization  took  place  two 
societies  were  formed,  the  one  in  1835  and  the  other  in  184 1.  In  the 
latter  year  a  church  home  was  provided,  the  earlier  services  being  held 
in  the  Presbyterian  church  edifice  which  the  M.  E.  society  aided  in 
erecting.  By  a  disastrous  fire  the  M.  E  church  was  destroyed,  and 
was  replaced  with  the  comfortable  structure  now  occupied  by  the  soci- 
ety. It  was  dedicated  in  1876.  The  Methodist  members  in  Addison 
number  284,  with  twenty-five  probationers  in  addition.  The  present 
pastor  is  Rev.  A.  W.  Decker. 

St.  Catharine's  church,  Roman  Catholic,  at  Addison,  was  organized 
in  1854,  by  Father  Cunningham,  the  zealous  priest  at  St.  Mary's,  at 
Corning.  The  parish  included  all  the  Catholic  families  of  the  vicinity, 
and  from  its  earliest  history  this  church  has  grown  and  enlarged.  The 
church  edifice  was  built  in  1854,  but  not  until  1866  was  Addison  made 
a  separate  charge.  The  elegant  new  edifice  in  Curtis  Square  was  erected 
in  1887.  This  church  and  parish  are  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev. 
Father  M.  Noonan. 

The  First  Baptist  church  of  Addison  was  organized  May  6,  1869, 
under  the  faithful  efforts  of  Rev.  C.  W.  Brooks.  The  first  pastor,  how- 
ever  was  Rev.  S.  D.  Merrick,  who  settled    in   October,  1869.      During 


1 


CHURCHES.  375 

his  pastorate  the  "chapel"  was  built  (in  1871).  The  total  membership 
in  this  church  is  146,  and  the  church  property  is  valued  at  about  $3,500. 
The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  W.  A.  Billings. 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  Avoca  was  originally  organized 
April  9,  1842,  and  after  a  period  of  about  twenty-five  years  was  sub- 
stantially reorganized,  adopting,  on  the  latter  occasion,  a  new  constitu- 
tion. The  church  was  regularly  incorporated  July  26,  1868,  since  which 
time  it  has  been  one  of  the  permanent  institutions  of  the  Conhocton 
valley.     The  comfortable  church  edifice  was  dedicated    January,  1870. 

The  Baptist  church  of  Avoca  was  organized  January  13,  1847,  with 
thirty-three  constituent  mrmbers  Rev.  Horace  Spencer  was  the  first 
pastor.  The  early  meetings  of  the  society  were  held  in  a  school  house 
and  other  convenient  buildings,  and  not  until  the  year  1852  was  a 
church  home  erected.  This  church  numbers  eighty-eight  members, 
and  is  attached  to  the  Steuben  Association.  The  pastor  is  Rev.  J.  E. 
Wilson. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Avoca  is  one  of  the  largest  socie- 
ties of  the  town  and  vicinity,  and  in  its  history  dates  back  almost  to  the 
days  of  pioneership  in  the  town,  although  a  regular  organization  was 
not  effected  until  a  comparatively  recent  date.  The  church  now  num- 
bers 115  members  and  fifty- five  probationers,  including  those  of  a  joint 
charge  in  an  adjoining  town.  The  pastor  of  both  churches  is  Rev.  W. 
E.  Searles. 

The  Presbyterian  church  of  Cohocton  dates  back  in  its  history  to  the 
primitive  and  informal  meetings  held  in  the  town  as  early  as  the  year 
1802,  although  it  was  not  until  October  8,  1809,  that  an  organization 
was  efifected,  and  then  Congregational  in  form  of  government.  On  the 
lOth  of  April,  1823,  the  church  became  Presbyterian  On  April  6, 
1 8 10,  Elijah  Parker  was  chosen  deacon.  Revs.  Aaron  C.  Collins  and 
Abijah  Warren  were  among  the  first  preachers  engaged,  and  in  1818, 
Robert  Hubbard  was  pastor,  being  followed  in  that  capacity  by  Revs. 
William  Stone,  Aaron  C.  Collins,  Statham  Clary  and  others  On  Feb- 
ruary 3,  1830,  the  first  meeting  house  was  erected,  and  the  second  was 
built  during  the  summer  and  fall  of  the  year  1872.  This  church  is  to- 
day one  of  the  largest  in  the  town.      Its  pastor  is  Rev.  Mr.  Swan. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  the  town  of  Cohocton  in  its  his- 


376  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

tory,  from  first  to  last,  has  comprised  three  distinct  organizations  and 
the  same  number  of  houses  of  worship.  The  mother  church,  known  as 
the  M.  E.  church  of  Cohocton,  was  organized  in  1829  while  the  church 
at  North  Cohocton  dates  its  earliest  meetings  as  far  back  as  18 16, 
though  not  then  fully  organized.  The  class  from  which  sprung  the 
Lent  Hill  M.  E.  church  was  formed  in  1831,  and  the  meeting  house 
was  built  in  1834.  The  society  was  known  as  the  "  First  Union  Soci- 
ety of  Cohocton  and  Prattsburg."  The  church  house  for  the  society 
first  mentioned  was  provided  soon  after  1830,  and  the  building  was 
substantially  remodeled  in  1872.  This  church  seems  to  have  experi- 
enced many  changes  during  the  period  of  its  history.  It  was  reorgan- 
ized in  1845,  ^"<^  was  made  a  separate  charge  ("Liberty  charge  "),  in 
1873.  According  to  the  Conference  report  there  are  two  Methodist 
charges  in  the  town,  at  Cohocton  and  North  Cohocton,  respectively. 
Of  the  first  the  pastor  is  Rev.  T.  F.  Parker,  and  of  the  latter,  Rev.  D. 
C.   Nye. 

The  First  Universalist  church  of  Cohocton  was  regularly  organized  in 
September,  1859,  although  for  a  number  of  years  previous  to  that  time 
those  of  this  faith  had  held  meetings  in  the  town.  A  meeting  house 
was  begun  in  i860  and  completed  and  dedicated  in  1863.  The  pastor 
of  this  church  i^  Rev.  H.  P.  Morrell. 

The  Catholic  church  (St.  Peters)  of  Cohocton,  was  erected  in  1861. 
Rev.  Father  M.  Steger  was  the  first  missionary  priest  to  read  mass  in 
the  town.     The  present  priest  in  charge  is  Rev.  Father  M.  Krischel. 

St.  Paul's  church,  German  Lutheran,  of  Cohocton  was  organized  in 
1 86 1,  by  former  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  Perkinsville.  The 
newly  formed  society  at  once  erected  a  small  house  of  worship,  and  also 
chose  as  trustees  Philip  Zimmer,  Henry  Schuriegel,  Henry  Hengle  and 
Philip  Bortz.     The  present  pastor  of  this  church  is  Rev.   Mr.  Pfieffer. 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  Zion  church  of  Cohocton  was  an  offshoot 
from  St.  Paul's  church,  formed  in  1869  by  members  of  the  old  society 
who  severed  their  relations  from  it.  The  meeting  house  was  built  dur- 
ing the  same  year.     The  pastor  is  Rev.  Mr.  Rummell. 

The  Free  Methodist  church  at  Atlanta  is  under  the  pastoral  care  of 
Rev.  M.  S.  Babcock. 

The  Wesleyan  Methodist  church  at  North  Cohocton  is  under  the  pas- 
toral care  of  Rev.  W.  F.  Dutcher. 


CHURCHES.  377 

The  Presbyterian  church  of  Painted  Post  was  organized  about  1835, 
and  the  church  edifice  was  built  in  1840.  This  was  the  first  religious 
society  in  the  village  and  has  had  a  continuous  existence  to  the  present 
time.     The  pastor  is  R-ev.  J.  Robinson. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Painted  Post  was  organized  about 
the  year  1850  and  at  the  same  time  a  church  home  was  built.  This  is 
now  a  large  church  numbering  200  full  members  and  probationers,  with 
a  proportionally  large  Sunday  school.  The  present  pastor  is  Rev. 
Arthur  Osborne. 

The  Baptist  church  of  Erwin,  at  Painted  Post,  was  organized  in  1854, 
and  in  i860  a  chruch  was  erected.  The  present  membership  is  eighty- 
eight.      Pastor,  Rev.  C.  G.  Dilworth. 

The  Baptist  church  of  Hornby  dates  its  history  back  to  the  year  1820, 
when  Elder  Beebe  preached  and  labored  in  this  missionary  field,  hold- 
ing services  on  Nash  Hill.  However,  it  was  not  until  several  years 
later  that  a  formal  organization  was  effected.  The  Baptist  families  in 
the  society  number  about  thirty-five  members,  and  the  church  property 
is  valued  at  $2,000.  The  present  pastor  of  the  local  church  and  society 
is  Rev.  O.  N.  Fletcher. 

The  Presbyterian  church  of  Hornby  was  organized  at  the  Knowlton 
school  house,  September  14,  183  i,  by  a  committee  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Bath.  The  original  members  numbered  twenty-one,  who  were  re- 
ceived into  the  church  by  Rev.  B.  B.  Smith.  The  first  pastor,  however, 
was  Rev  Mr.  Barton.  A  substantial  church  edifice  was  built  in  1852, 
located  at  Hornby  village. 

The  Wesleyan  Methodist  church  at  Dyke,  in  the  town  of  Hornby, 
was  organized  in  1843,  and  for  several  held  meetings  in  the  Knowlton 
school  house ;  and  still  later  in  the  Presbyterian  meeting  house.  On 
March  4,  1877,  the  society  dedicated  a  new  church  edifice  near  the  lit- 
tle hamlet  now  called  Dyke. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Hornby  was  organized  as  a  class 
in  1843,  by  Rev.  James  Hall.  The  church  was  divided,  a  por- 
tion of  its  members  withdrawing  and  forming  the  Wesleyan  so- 
ciety. A  Methodist  Episcopal  reorganization  was  effected  about 
1863,  under  the  leadership  of  Rev.  A.  H.  Shurtlift"  and  A.  P.  McCabe, 
the  latter  being  class  leader.  Meetings  were  held  in  the  church  edifices 
48 


378  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

of  other  denominations  for  several  years.  This  society  does  not  now 
report  to  the  annual  conference. 

The  First  Baptist  church  of  Lindley  was  organized  June  13,  1841, 
under  the  missionary  labors  of  that  indefatigable  worker,  Rev.  Thomas 
Sheardown,  but  despite  of  the  efforts  in  its  behalf  the  society  existed 
less  than  a  quarter  of  a  century,  and  was  dissolved  about  1864, 

The  Free  Methodist  church  of  Lindley  was  organized  in  1866,  and  a 
church  edifice  was  built  at  Lindleytown  within  the  next  two  years.  The 
present  pastor  is  Rev.  Mr.  Kelly. 

The  Independent  church  of  Lindley  was  organized  May  20,  1875, 
with  about  fifty  constituent  members.  In  1877  the  society  became 
Baptist  in  religious  doctrine.      It  does  not  now  report  to  the  association. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Lindley  was  organized  at  the 
Center  in  1850,  but  did  not  become  a  separate  charge  until  1866. 
Still  later  another  church  of  the  same  denomination  was  formed  at 
Lindley,  and  two  charges  existed  in  the  town.  The  church  at  Presho, 
and  also  that  at  Lindley,  are  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  E.  D.  Compton. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Rathbone  comprises  two  charges 
and  two  organized  societies,  the  one  at  Rathboneville,  under  the  care 
of  Rev.  J.  W.  Miller,  and  the  other  at  Cameron  Mills,  an  auxiliary 
charge.  The  first  class  in  this  vicinity  was  formed  about  1831,  and  in 
1845  the  "Town  Line  church"  was  erected.  A  class  was  formed  in 
Rathboneville  about  the  same  time,  and  in  1850  a  church  edifice  was 
built. 

The  Roman  Catholic  church  at  Cameron  Mills  is  an  outmission  from 
Addison  and  is  attended  by  Father  M.  Noonan. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Tuscarora  dates  its  history  back 
to  about  the  year  1825,  although  not  until  1833  was  a  class  formed. 
The  first  meeting  house  was  built  in  1849,  but  was  subsequently  aban- 
doned. The  church  in  the  town  now  forms  a  part  of  four  charges. 
South  Addison,  Addison  Hill,  Orr  Hill,  and  one  other.  The  total 
membership  is  186,  with  forty-five  probationers.  The  pastor  is  Rev.  R. 
S.  Clark. 

The  Free- Will  Baptist  church  of  Tuscarora  wasorganized  in  1826,  with 
nineteen  members,  as  a  Free-Communion  church,  but  changed  to  Free- 
Will  character  in  1842.      The   church  edifice    in   the  valley  was  built  in 


CHURCHES.  379 


1847,  and  was  repaired  in  1866,  and  again  in  1886.  The  pastor  is  Rev. 
Mr.  Streeter.  Baptist  meetings  are  also  held  in  the  southeast  part  of 
the  town,  and  a  society  has  been  formed  there. 

(For  history  of  the  churches  of  Corning,  see  city  chapter.) 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


WILLIAM    FINDLAY  ROGERS. 

Gen.  William  Findlay  Rogers,  superintendent  of  the  New  York  State  Soldiers' 
and  Sailors'  Home  at  Bath,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Forks,  near  Easton,  Pa.,  March 
1,  1820,  and  is  a  son  of  Hon.  Thomas  J.  Rogers,  who  came  from  Waterford,  North  of 
Ireland,  to  this  country  with  his  father,  Joseph,  in  1786,  settling  m  Philadelphia, 
where  the  latter  engaged  in  manufacturing.  Thomas  J.  Rogers  learned  the  printer's 
trade  and  subsequently  compiled  a  Biographical  Dictionary  for  use  in  public  schools. 
He  represented  the  old  Tenth  Pennsylvania  Legion  in  Congress  three  terms  and 
served  as  brigadier-general  of  the  State  militia  in  the  war  of  1812,  marching  with  his 
command  to  a  point  near  Baltimore  to  repuLse  a  threatened  attack  of  the  British.  He 
was  a  life-long  Democrat,  and  died  in  1832,  aged  fifty-two.  His  wife  was  Mary  Win- 
ters, daughter  of  Christian  Winters,  of  Easton,  Pa. 

Gen.  William  F.  Rogers,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
and  early  learned  the  printer's  trade  at  Easton,  Pa.,  whence  he  removed  to  Phila- 
delphia. In  1846  he  went  to  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and  entered  the  office  of  the  Buffalo 
Courier.  There  he  became  an  active  and  prominent  member  of  the  local  militia, 
which  he  joined  in  1846,  and  rose  through  all  the  regular  gradations  from  private 
to  major-general,  a  position  he  held  until  the  divi-sion  system  was  abolished.  At  the 
breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion  in  1861  he  volunteered  with  his  company  (Co.  C,  74th 
Regt.)  in  the  Union  cause  for  ninety  days,  but  the  secretary  of  war  declined  troops 
for  that  period,  and  he  immediately  enlisted  in  the  21st  N.  Y.  Vol.  Inf.,  which  was 
composed  of  ten  companies  and  organized  at  Elmira,  and  of  which  he  was  elected 
colonel.  Leaving  Elmira  on  June  8,  1861,  the  regiment  with  Colonel  Rogers  at  its 
head  proceeded  to  Washington  and  camped  at  Kalorama  Heights,  whence  they 
crossed  Long  Bridge  and  took  station  at  Fort  Runyan.  There  the  gallant  colonel 
was  placed  in  command  and  remained  until  after  the  battle  of  First  Bull  Run.  The 
organization  then  moved  to  Arlington  Heights,  where  it  was  brigaded  with  the  20th 
N.  Y.  Militia  and  23d  and  35th  N.  Y.  Inf.  under  General  Wadsworth.  At  the  open- 
ing of  the  campaign  in  March,  1862,  they  marched  to  Centerville,  which  they  found 
evacuated,  and  returned  to  Alexandria  to  take  steamers  for  the  Peninsula,  but  this 
plan  was  changed.  While  McClellan  was  advancing  up  the  Peninsula  Colonel 
Rogers's  detachment  returned  toward  Centerville  under  McDowell,  but  before  the 
march  was  completed  turned  toward  Washington,  the  rebels  having  made  a  dem- 
onstration on  that  city.     Colonel  Rogers  participated  with  his  command  in  the  Mary- 


4  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

land  and  Virginia  campaigns  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment  in  Buffalo  in 
in  May   1863. 

At  about  the  same  time  he  was  appointed  commissioner  of  enrollment  for  the  30th 
New  York  Congressional  district  and  soon  afterward  received  the  appointment  of 
provost-marshal  with  headquarters  in  Buffalo,  from  which  he  was  relieved  for  politi- 
cal reasons  at  the  close  of  the  year  1863.  In  1864  he  was  appointed  auditor  of  the 
city;  in  1866  he  was  chosen  comptroller;  and  in  1868  he  was  elected  mayor.  While 
mayor  of  Buffalo  he  was  instrumental  in  establishing  the  present  beautiful  park 
system,  one  of  the  finest  in  the  United  States,  and  in  his  official  capacity  appointed 
the  first  Board  of  Park  Commissioners,  thirteen  in  number,  of  which  he  was  ex  officio 
a  member,  and  of  which  he  was  made  the  first  president.  At  the  close  of  his  term 
as  mayor  he  was  elected  secretary  and  treasurer  of  that  board  and  held  those  posi- 
tions until  he  resigned  in  1887.  He  was  also  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Buffalo 
State  Hospital  while  that  instiiution  was  in  process  of  construction  and  resigned 
those  offices  in  the  fall  of  1885.  In  1885  General  Rogers  was  elected  to  the  48th  Con- 
gress, and  during  his  term  was  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Printing  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Committee  on  War  Claims. 

In  October,  1887,  he  w^as  elected  by  the  board  of  trustees  superintendent  of  the 
New  York  State  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Home  at  Bath,  which  position  he  still  holds, 
and  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  that  institution  in 
1879.  a  member  of  the  committee  charged  with  selecting  the  site,  a  member  of  the 
building  committee,  and  one  of  its  trustees  from  its  inception  until  1887.  The  Home 
was  originally  started  by  the  G.  A.  R.  of  the  State.  Voluntary  subscriptions  were 
solicited  from  the  different  G.  A.  R.  Posts  and  the  people,  and  about  §80,003  were 
contributed.  The  town  of  Bath  donated  the  farm  upon  which  the  institution  is 
located  and  $10,000  additional  to  the  building  fund.  A  portion  of  the  present  hos- 
pital and  barracks  A,  B,  and  C  were  partially  completed  when  the  funds  were  ex- 
hausted. The  G.  A.  R.  commissioners  then  went  before  the  Legislature  and  pro- 
posed that  the  State  complete  the  home  and  maintain  it  as  a  State  institution,  which 
proposition  was  accepted.  Since  then  the  State  has  maintained  it,  the  U.  S.  govern- 
ment contributing  §1  per  capita  for  the  average  number  of  inmates  in  each  year. 

General  Rogers  has  been  president  of  the  State  Military  Association  and  is  past 
department  commander  of  the  G.  A.  R.  He  was  the  organizer  and  charter  member 
of  Chapin  Post,  No.  2,  G.  A.  R.  of  Buffalo,  the  second  post  organized  in  the  State, 
and  is  a  member  of  Bidwell-Wilkinson  Post,  No.  9,  of  Buffalo.  He  is  a  member  and 
past  master  of  Hiram  and  Demolay  Lodges,  F.  &  A.  M.,  past  high  priest  of  Buffalo 
Chapter,  No.  73,  R.  A.  M.,  and  past  commander  of  Lake  Erie  Commandery,  No.  20, 
K.  T.  He  was  married,  first,  to  Miss  Caroline  M.  Waldron,  of  Honesdale,  Pa.,  who 
died  in  1846.  He  married,  second,  in  1849,  Miss  Phebe  Demoney,  of  Buffalo,  who 
died  at  the  Soldiers'  Home  in  Bath  in  October,  1890.  By  his  first  marriage  General 
Rogers  had  one  son.  Franklin,  a  printer  of  Washington.  His  second  wife  bore  him 
three  children:  Mary  W.  (Mrs.  William  C.  Brown),  of  New  York  city;  Florence  N. 
(Mrs.  Charles  N.  Armstrong),  of  Buffalo;  and  Thomas  J.,  a  prominent  civil  engineer 
of  Buffalo,  who  was  engineer  In  charge  of  the  Soldiers'  Home  during  the  laying  out 
of  the  grounds  and  construction  of  the  reservoir  and  water  works. 


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BIOGRAPHICAL.  5 

FRANKLIN  J.   MARSHAL. 

Franklin  J.  Marshal,  only  surviving  son  of  the  late  Gen.  Otto  Frederick  Marshal 
(which  see),  was  born  on  the  Marshal  homestead  in  Wheeler,  Steuben  county,  where 
he  has  spent  his  active  life,  on  November  25,  1829,  and  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  town  and  at  Alfred  University  in  Allegany  county.  He 
succeeded  his  distinguished  father  upon  the  paternal  farm  and  worthily  continued 
the  laudable  enterprises  inaugurated  by  that  pioneer.  He  became  a  progressive 
farmer,  an  extensive  breeder  of  thoroughbred  merino  sheep,  and  latterly  a  heavy 
grower  of  tobacco,  carrying  on  all  these  various  interests  with  great  sagacity  and 
ability.  He  was  one  of  the  earliest  tobacco  growers  in  town,  and  established  a  busi- 
ness in  this  line  which  has  more  recently  been  largely  increased  by  his  only  son. 
Otto  F.,  the  present  supervisor  of  Wheeler. 

Mr.  Marshal  inherited  the  native  characteristics  of  the  German  race.  Enterpris- 
ing, public-spirited,  and  honest,  liberally  endowed  with  the  attributes  which  marked 
his  father's  notable  career,  he  chose  the  life  of  a  husbandman  with  innate  knowledge 
of  its  requirements,  and  succeeded  beyond  the  average  degree.  He  attained  the  dis- 
tinction of  a  representative  farmer  and  won  the  approbation  of  all  classes  of  citizens. 
He  has  long  been  an  active  and  influential  member  of  the  Steuben  County  Agricul- 
tural Society,  and  for  one  year  served  as  its  president.  His  advice  upon  various  mat- 
ters has  been  frequently  sought  and  freety  given,  and  his  friends  are  numbered  by 
the  score.  For  many  years  he  was  an  influential  factor  in  politics,  often  a  delegate 
to  political  conventions  and  for  several  years  supervisor  of  his  town,  serving  with 
credit  and  fidelity. 

October  17,  1854,  Mr.  Marshal  was  married  to  Miss  Valora  E.  Smith,  of  Avoca, 
Steuben  county,  by  whom  he  has  two  children :  Dollie  V.  and  Otto  F.  The  latter 
was  born  on  the  Marshal  homestead  in  Wheeler  on  August  5,  1860,  and  obtained  his 
education  at  the  Franklin  Academy  in  Prattsburg.  He  has  spent  his  life  upon  the 
original  farm,  where  he  is  heavily  interested  in  growing  tobacco  and  breeding  regis- 
tered merino  sheep.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Steuben  County  Agricultural  Society, 
and  is  serving  his  fourth  term  as  supervisor  of  Wheeler. 


JOHN  G.    KELLY,   M.  D. 

Dr.  John  G.  Kelly  was  born  in  Bergen,  Genesee  county,  N.  Y.,  February  12, 
1857,  the  third  son  of  a  family  of  seven  children  of  James  Kelly,  a  farmer  and  stock 
breeder  of  Genesee  county.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  school,  Bergen  High 
School  and  Brockport  State  Normal  School,  where  he  taught  school  two  terms  in  the 
academic  department.  He  took  up  the  study  of  medicine  in  tne  fall  of  1881,  enter- 
ing the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Buffalo  from  the  Normal  School, 
and  graduating  from  that  institution  February  26,  1884.  He  was  interne  in  the  Sis- 
ters' Hospital  of  Buffalo  the  last  two  years  of  his  medical  school  attendance,  and 
April,  1884,  came  to  Hornellsville,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  regular  prac- 
tice of  his  profession,  and  has  won  the  highest  esteem  and  respect  of  his  numerous 


6  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

friends  and  acquaintances.  In  1888  he  became  identified  with  the  drug  firm  of 
George  T.  Reed  &  Co.,  now  composed  of  G.  T.  Reed,  Franklin  D.  Sherwood  and 
Dr.  J.  G.  Kelly.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Hornellsville  Medical  and  Surgical  Asso- 
ciation, Steuben  County  Medical  Association,  the  Erie  Railway  Surgeons'  Associa- 
tion and  the  New  York  State  Railway  Surgeons'  Association.  He  is  the  chancellor 
of  Branch  33,  C.  M.  B.  A.,  and  ex-president  of  the  A.  O.  H.,  and  was  a  delegate  to 
the  State  Convention  in  1894.  June  1,  1887,  he  married  Theresa  Henneberg,  of  Port 
Jervis,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  has  five  children.  In  politics  the  doctor  is  a  Democrat, 
and  represented  the  Third  Ward  in  the  Board  of  Alderman  in  1891-92 ;  was  health 
officer  in  1886-87.  He  is  chairman  of  the  Democratic  City  Committee  at  the  present 
time.  He  has  been  president  of  the  St.  James  Mercj'  Hospital  staff  of  physicians 
since  its  organization  ;  also  he  is  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  hospital. 


JOHN  D.   CONDERMAN. 

John  D.  Conderman  was  born  in  Warren,  Herkimer  county,  N.  Y.,  September  30, 
1820.  He  was  the  son  of  Adam  J.  and  Elizabeth  Conderman  who  were  of  Dutch 
Protestant  descent.  His  forefathers  were  among  a  colony  of  Dutch  who  left  their 
country  on  account  of  religious  persecution.  Their  fleets  became  separated  in  their 
voyage  to  this  country,  .some  landing  on  the  coast  of  New  England,  the  others  enter- 
ing New  York  harbor  from  whence  they  migrated  up  the  Hudson  and  out  the  Mo- 
hawk locating  in  Herkimer  county. 

In  1834  Adam  J.  Conderman  together  with  his  family  consisting  of  his  wife  and 
ten  children,  five  sons,  Abraham,  David,  John  D.,  Caleb  and  Hiram,  and  five  daugh- 
ters, Mary,  Margaret,  Eliza,  Rachel  and  Catherme,  moved  to  what  was  known  as 
Dutch  street  in  the  town  of  Fremont,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  where  his  family  grew 
up  and  where  he  spent  the  major  portion  of  his  remaining  days,  dying  at  the  home 
of  his  son  John  D.,  at  the  age  of  eighty-six.  He  fought  in  the  war  of  1812  and  his 
father,  John  Conderman,  the  namesake  of  John  D.,  was  an  officer  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war. 

John  D.  Conderman,  at  the  age  of  twenty-six,  married  Aseneth  Spaulding,  daugh- 
ter of  George  and  Elizabeth  Spaulding,  then  residents  of  the  town  of  Howard,  N.  Y., 
and  purchasing  a  farm  on  the  cross  road  from  Dutch  street  to  what  was  known  as 
the  Big  Creek  Post-office,  erected  a  log  house  and  began  life  in  common  with  pioneers 
of  that  day. 

Here  he  lived  and  raised  his  family  consisting  of  four  sons.  Frank  Conderman, 
who  is  the  present  owner  of  a  large  farm  on  Dutch  street  which  has  never  been  owned 
out  of  the  Conderman  family,  being  settled  by  John  Conderman  in  1815.  Lavurn  D. 
Conderman  who  now  resides  in  Fremont  Center,  and  who  also  is  the  owner  of  a  large 
farm  adjoining  hisfather's  old  homestead.  Charles  Conderman,  a  practicing  attorney 
and  counsellor  at  law  in  Hornellsville,  and  George  Conderman,  a  practicing  physi- 
cian and  surgeon  in  Hornellsville. 

John  D.  Conderman  was  a  man  of  exemplary  habits,  very  energetic  and  industrious, 
possessed  of  a  very  keen  intellect  and  extra  good  judgment  and  being  blessed  with  a 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  7 

wife  who  proved  herself  a  helpmate,  always  willing  and  capable  of  doing  her  share 
in  their  voyage  through  life  and  to  whose  foresight  and  good  counsel  a  large  share 
of  their  ultimate  happiness  and  success  was  due,  passed  a  life  of  almost  continued 
success  resulting  in  the  accumulation  of  a  goodly  fortune  as  a  result  of  their  toil. 

He  never  sought  political  distinction  but  was  always  looked  upon  as  one  of  the 
staunchest  and  representative  men  of  the  town,  so  much  .so  that  his  home  was  made 
the  headquarters  of  salesman  and  drovers  who  availed  themselves  of  his  judgment 
in  buying  all  kinds  of  stock  but  more  especially  to  horses,  for  horses  being  one  of  his 
hobbies  of  life,  his  farm  was  always  well  stocked  with  the  finest  horses  that  the  coun- 
try afforded.  This  business,  though  obsolete  now,  was  one  of  considerable  moment 
in  those  days,  and  was  a  means  of  profit  which  together  with  good  management  and 
economy  soon  made  him  the  owner  of  1,000  acres  of  Fremont's  choicest  lands. 

During  the  Anti-Renter  Insurrection  his  ideas  of  justice  would  not  permit  him  to 
sympathize  with  them  in  their  position  taken,  thus  provoking  their  wrath  which  was 
aggravated  by  their  appreciating  the  strength  his  influence  might  have  exerted  if 
directed  in  their  interest,  they  threatened  him  with  all  kinds  of  bodily  and  personal 
injury,  as  the  burning  of  buildings,  etc.,  and  even  did  go  so  far  as  to  shoot  his  horses 
while  running  in  the  pastures.  But  right  triumphed  at  last,  for  while  they  were 
spending  their  time  and  means  fighting  their  claims  he  had  paid  for  his  home  and 
several  farms  besides. 

In  1874  he  removed  to  Hornellsville,  N.  Y.,  where  his  remaining  days  were  pleas- 
antly spent  in  looking  after  his  large  property  interests  and  educating  his  sons.  He 
died  July  17,  1890,  leaving  his  widow  and  four  sons  to  survive  him. 


MARTIN  PINNEY. 

Martin  Pinney,  a  life-long  leading  citizen  of  northern  Steuben  and  for  more  than 
half  a  century  one  of  the  foremost  residents  of  Prattsburg,  was  born  in  that  town  on 
the  farm  now  owned  by  Purlee  Fisher  on  the  16th  of  April,  1826.  His  father,  Aaron 
Pinney,  son  of  Philander,  was  born  in  Galway,  Saratoga  county,  N.  Y.,  August  28, 
1801,  and  came  to  Prattsburg  in  1822,  where  he  married  Miss  Sophronia,  adopted 
daughter  of  Jeduthan  Higby;  in  1854  he  removed  to  the  village,  where  his  wife  died 
in  1872,  and  where  his  death  occurred  m  1881.  He  was  supervisor  of  the  town  sev- 
eral years.  Martin  Pinney  was  the  eldest  of  their  nine  children,  and  was  reared  on 
the  paternal  farm,  where  as  a  youth  he  worked  summers,  teaching  school  winters. 
At  the  Franklin  Academy,  where  he  finished  his  education,  he  bore  the  reputation  of 
a  progressive  and  faithful  student.  At  an  early  age  he  began  his  long  and  success- 
ful mercantile  career  as  a  clerk  at  Bath  and  Avon,  and  in  the  fall  of  1853  he  returned 
to  Pratt.sburg,  where  he  established  himself  in  business  in  the  old  "  Kremlin  Block  " 
in  partnership  with  William  B.  Boyd  and  James  J.  Hotchkin  under  the  firm  name  of 
W.  B.  Boyd  &  Co.  Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Hotchkin  and  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Boyd 
two  years  later,  Mr.  Pinney  formed  a  partnership  with  H.  B.  Williams,  as  Pinney  & 
Williams,  which  continued  a  long  time.  In  1860-61  he  built  the  handsome  brick 
Pinney  block  and  carried  on  a  successful  mercantile  trade  there  from  April  1,  1861, 
for  twenty-eight  years. 


8  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Mr.  Pinney  was  especially  prominent  in  the  development  of  the  village  of  Pratts- 
burg,  to  the  cause  of  which  he  gave  much  time  and  untiring  energy.  His  faith  in  its 
future  was  unswerving,  and  his  zeal  in  promoting  its  material  interests  never  faltered. 
In  this  respect  he  became  the  leading  and  influential  citizen  of  the  place.  Being  a 
heavy  taxpayer,  and  intimately  identified  with  its  growth  and  prosperity,  he  was 
ever  foremost  among  the  representative  inhabitants  in  fostering  and  encouraging 
every  movement  which  had  the  welfare  of  the  village  at  heart.  He  was  the  chief 
promoter  of  the  Kanona  and  Prattsburg  railroad,  and  to  him  more  than  to  any  other 
man  is  due  the  inception  and  construction  of  that  line  from  Kanona  northward.  As 
the  business  of  his  village  increased  in  volume  he  intuitively  foresaw  the  necessity  of 
such  a  road,  and  long  before  it  was  started  he  put  forth  every  energy  for  its  consum- 
mation, even  to  involving  his  entire  fortune  in  the  interests  of  the  project.  He  was 
the  prime  mover  in  organizing  the  company,  and  upon  its  incorporation  was  elected 
its  president,  a  position  he  held  until  shortly  before  his  death.  He  lived  to  see  the 
line  completed  and  distributing  its  benefits  to  the  town  he  honored  with  his  residence 
and  business  ability. 

Mr.  Pinney  was  also  prominent  in  various  other  connections.  A  life-long  Demo- 
crat he  was  for  several  years  the  supervisor  of  Prattsburg.  and  in  local  politics  bore 
the  distinction  of  a  leader.  In  education  he  always  took  an  active  interest,  particu- 
larly in  planning  for  the  prosperity  of  the  academy,  in  which  he  personally  looked 
after  matters  of  detail.  He  was  for  a  number  of  terms  a  member  and  president  of 
the  Board  of  Education,  and  for  along  time  a  trustee  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  of 
which  he  was  a  regular  attendant  and  liberal  supporter.  A  great  reader  of  the  Bible 
he  was  a  devout  christian,  and  in  various  ways  fostered  and  encouraged  the  cause  of 
religion.  Dignified,  courteous,  and  simple  in  manner,  honest,  kindhearted,  and 
generous,  he  won  hosts  of  friends  and  bore  the  respect,  esteem,  and  confidence  of 
every  one.  He  was  a  devoted  husband,  and  found  in  his  home  the  height  of  enjoy- 
ment. He  lived  the  life  of  an  upright  citizen,  and  left  an  indelible  impression  of  his 
eventful  and  successful  career  upon  the  community. 

Mr.  Pinney  was  married,  first,  on  October  20,  1858,  to  Miss  Electa  Jane  Gillett, 
who  died  in  1863.  October  20,  1865,  he  married  Mrs.  Fannie  Lewis  Smith,  whose 
death  occurred  September  18,  1892.  On  February  14,  1894,  he  was  married  to  Mrs. 
Elsie  J.  Combs,  who  survives  him  and  occupies  the  handsome  homestead  in  Pratts- 
burg village,  where  he  died  on  Sunday  morning,  July  1,  1894,  at  the  age  of  a  little 
more  than  sixty-eight  years. 


GEORGE  HOLLANDS. 

George  Hollands  was  born  in  Sussex  county,  England,  on  January  9,  1841.  His 
parents,  William  and  Charlotte  Hollands,  with  a  family  of  six  children,  came  to  this 
country  in  the  year  1850.  Soon  after  their  arrival  they  found  their  way  to  Mansfield, 
Tioga  county.  Pa. ,  where  they  have  since  resided.  Four  more  children  were  born  to 
them  after  their  arrival  to  this  country.  They  are  still  living  and  enjoying  reason- 
ably good  health  and  are  in  their  eighty-fourth  and  eighty-first  year  of  age  respec- 
tively.    George  Hollands,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  at  the  age  of  eleven  years  found 


'dZ^C^Of^^O^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  9 

a  home  with  a  respectable  farmer,  with  whom  he  was  to  live  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  with  the  understanding  that  he  was  to  receive  a  com num  school  educa- 
tion and  when  he  became  of  age  he  was  to  have  a  good  suit  of  clothes  and  $100  in 
money.  Before  arriving  at  the  age  of  maturity,  however,  the  war  broke  out,  and  in 
September,  1861,  he  left  the  farm  and  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  101st  Pa.  Vols.,  and  served 
in  the  army  for  the  period  of  three  years  and  ten  months,  during  which  time  he  was 
engaged  in  many  miportant  battles.  He  was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks  on 
May  31,  1863,  and  was  taken  prisoner  at  the  surrender  of  Plymouth,  N.  C,  April  20, 
1864.  He  was  an  mmate  of  Andersonville  and  Florence  prisons  until  the  foUowmg 
December,  and  has  never  recovered  from  the  exposure  and  suffering  of  that  terrible 
summer.  He  was  shipwrecked  in  the  Potomac  River  while  on  his  way  to  join  his 
regiment  in  April,  1865,  and  was  only  saved  from  a  watery  grave  by  chnging  to  the 
mast  of  the  ship  all  night,  where  he  was  picked  up  in  an  exhausted  condition  by  a 
United  States  gunboat,  the  following  morning.  He  was  discharged  from  the  service 
in  July,  1865,  having  risen  from  a  private  to  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant.  Soon  after 
the  close  of  the  war  he  embarked  in  the  grocery  business  at  Hornellsville,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Hollands  &  Fletcher,  occupying  what  was  then  known  as  the  old 
"  Mamouth  Store,"  opposite  the  Park.  On  January  2,  1866,  he  married  Lydia  Bailey 
of  Mansfield,  Pa.  Five  children  were  born  to  them,  viz. :  Minnie,  now  the  wife  of 
Charles  A.  Smith  of  Middletown,  N.  Y.  ;  Eva  and  Robert,  who  died  of  diphtheria  in 
October,  1876;  George  Hollands,  jr.,  who  was  born  in  November,  1875,  and  who  is 
now  at  the  age  of  twenty  years,  carrying  on  an  extensive  grocery  business  in  the 
village  of  Bath,  under  the  firm  name  of  Geo.  Hollands,  jr.,  &  Co.  ;  and  Burr  R.  Hol- 
lands, who  was  born  in  June,  1878,  and  is  now  being  educated  as  a  pharmacist.  Mr. 
Hollands  is  an  enterprising  citizen,  a  man  of  sober  and  industrious  habits  and  a 
prominent  member  of  the  First  M.  E.  church  of  Hornellsville.  He  has  always  been 
a  prominent  and  active  member  of  the  Republican  party  and  has  had  the  honor  of 
representing  his  ward  as  village  trustee  for  six  years  prior  to  the  organization  of 
the  city.  In  1879  he  was  elected  to  the  important  office  of  county  superintendent  of 
the  poor,  in  which  capacitjr  he  served  for  three  years.  In  1886  he  very  ably  repre- 
sented the  town  of  Hornellsville  on  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  He  was  commander 
of  Doty  Post,  No.  226,  G.  A.  R.,  for  two  years,  1889  and  '90.  He  was  one  of  the  in- 
corporators of  the  Hornell  Sanitarium  Co.  and  for  several  years  a  director  and  treas- 
urer of  said  company.  In  the  fall  of  1891  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  Steuben  county, 
which  office  he  very  satisfactorily  filled  for  the  term  of  three  years.  A  few  months 
after  his  retirement  from  the  office  of  sheriff  he,  in  company  with  Mr.  O.  L.  Thomp- 
son, purchased  the  interest  of  J.  W.  Bachman  of  Hornellsville,  N.  Y.,  in  the  drug 
trade,  and  at  the  present  time  are  carrying  on  a  very  prosperous  business  under  the 
firm  name  of  Thompson  &  Hollands. 


FURMAN  GARDNER. 

FuRMAN  Gardner,  one  of  the  leading  pioneers  of  the  town  of  Wheeler,  was  born 
in  Albany  county,  N.  Y.,  November  7,  1793,  being  an  only  child  and  was  left 
an  orphan  at  a  very  early  age.     When   seven  years  old  he  was  brought  to  this  then 


10  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

wild  and  picturesque  section  by  Capt.  Silas  Wheeler,  from  whom  the  town  subse- 
quently received  its  name,  and  with  whom  he  lived  until  he  attained  his  majority. 
On  June  17,  1817,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Myrtle,  eldest  child  of  Philip  and  Mar- 
garet Myrtle,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1799,  and  who  came  here  with  her 
parents  in  1800,  settling  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  D.  Z.  Gibbs.  The  newly  married 
couple  located  on  the  farm  now  owned  and  occupied  by  their  son,  William  Gardner, 
where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  He  died  June  6,  1856,  and  his  wife 
on  December  22,  1883. 

Mr.  Gardner  was  one  of  the  hardest  working  men  in  town.  Endowed  with 
a  robust  constitution  he  cleared  his  forest  farm,  mainly  with  his  own  hands,  convert- 
ing it  from  an  unbroken  wilderness  into  a  pleasant  and  fruitful  home,  and  adding  to 
it  from  time  to  time  until  he  owned  170  acres.  He  was  industrious  and  prosperous, 
and  systematically  followed  the  business  of  agriculture  upon  what  might  be  termed 
modern  methods.  He  was  long  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  farmers  in  town.  His 
first  house  was  a  log  cabin,  rude  and  inconvenient,  but  suitable  for  those  days.  This 
was  finally  superseded  by  a  more  pretentious  frame  dwelling,  and  this  in  turn 
eventually  gave  place  to  the  present  house,  built  and  occupied  by  their  son  William. 
Thus  three  habitations  for  the  family  have  been  erected  on  the  same  site,  two  of 
them  by  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

In  the  common  affairs  of  life  Mr.  Gardner  always  took  a  keen  interest,  and  in  fur- 
thering every  worthy  movement  he  gave  both  time  and  means.  While  a  young  man 
he  served  his  country  as  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  in  later  years  he  was  active 
as  a  substantial  citizen  in  public  matters,  particularly  in  the  cause  of  religion.  In 
politics  he  was  a  lifelong  Whig,  but  never  sought  office  nor  official  distinction.  He 
was  long  a  prominent  member  and  liberal  supporter  of  the  Wheeler  Presbyterian 
church,  and  throughout  a  useful"  life  bore  the  respect,  esteem  and  confidence  of  a 
wide  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gardner  had  born  to  them  six  sons  and  four  daughters,  namely: 
Sarah  (Mrs.  Ezra  Haire),  widow,  born  May  9,  1818.  of  Wheeler ;  Silas,  born  April  2, 
1820,  deceased;  Rebecca  (Mrs.  A.  J.  Raplee),  born  September  18,  1823,  a  widow,  of 
Hillsdale,  Mich.  ;  Polly,  born  March  31,  1825,  died  August  2,  1827;  Henry,  born  Oc- 
tober 5,  1828,  of  Wheeler;  Addison,  bom  October  16,  1832,  of  Bath.  Mich.  ;  William, 
born  May  25,  1834,  of  Wheeler;  Benjamin,  born  March  2,  1837,  died  August  32.  1839; 
Thomas,  born  August  14,  1839,  of  Wheeler;  and  Harriet  (Mrs.  William  Rose),  born 
August  16,  1842,  of  Bath,  Mich. 

Mrs.  Gardner  practically  spent  her  entire  life  in  the  town  of  Wheeler,  and  witnessed 
its  transformation  from  dense  forests  to  a  prosperous  community.  She  related  in 
later  vears  many  interesting  stories  of  the  Indians  and  pioneer  times,  when  settlers 
did  not  enjoy  the  benefits  of  modern  civilization.  She  was  one  of  the  original  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  1835,  as  was  also  her  husband,  and  remained  a 
communicant  of  that  body  until  her  death.  Endowed  with  rare  personal  qualifica- 
tions she  was  a  true  woman,  a  consistent  and  devout  Christian,  and  a  worthy  help- 
mate and  mother. 


FURMAN  GARDNER. 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  II 

GEORGE  C.    McNETT,   M.  D. 

George  C.  McNett,  M.D  ,  of  Bath,  youngest  child  of  the  late  Col.  Andrew  J.  Mc- 
Nett,  was  born  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  July  11,  1857.  His  paternal  grandfather  served  as 
a  commissioned  officer  at  Sackett's  Harbor  during  the  war  of  1812  and  gallantly  saved 
the  garrison  from  capture  by  the  British ;  for  this  act  he  was  subsequently  placed  in 
charge  of  the  post  and  neighboring  lighthouses.  Col.  Andrew  J.  McNett,  a  native  of 
Henderson,  Jefferson  county,  born  in  October,  1819,  completed  his  education  in 
Belleville  Union  Academy,  studied  law  with  Augustus  Ford  at  Sackett's  Harbor,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1847.  Settling  in  Buffalo  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
Hon.  Hiram  Barton,  the  mayor  of  the  city.  He  became  a  recognized  leader  of  the 
Democratic  party  there,  and  was  elected  alderman  of  the  Seventh  ward  in  1855,  dis- 
trict attorney  in  1856-57,  and  member  of  assembly  in  1858.  In  the  Legislature  he 
was  made  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Railroads.  In  1859  he  settled  in  Belmont, 
Allegany  county,  where  he  practiced  his  profession  until  1861,  when  he  enhsted  in 
the  93d  N.  Y.  Vols,  as  captain.  June  12,  1863,  he  resigned  that  post  and  was  com- 
missioned lieutenant-colonel  of  the  141st  Regt.  Vols.,  and  was  mustered  out  June  25, 
1865.  He  participated  in  many  of  the  principal  battles  of  the  war  and  lost  an  arm  at 
Peach  Tree  Farm  on  July  20,  1864.  In  the  fall  of  1866  he  was  commi;  sioned  a  cap- 
tain in  the  44th  U.  S.  Infantry,  assisting  m  the  reconstruction  of  Virginia  and  act- 
ing as  mayor  of  the  cities  of  Lynchburg  and  Suffolk.  He  was  subsequently  appointed 
judge-advocate  of  the  Washington  district,  serving  under  Generals  Emory,  Canb3^ 
and  Brooks.  He  was  placed  on  the  retired  list  with  the  rank  of  colonel  on  Decem- 
ber 10,  1873.  Colonel  McNett  was  repeatedly  supervisor  of  Belmont,  president  of  the 
village,  and  was  a  candidate  of  his  party  in  Allegany  county  for  congressman,  judge 
and  surrogate,  assemblyman,  and  district  attorney,  and  never  failed  to  reduce  the 
majority  of  his  opponent  in  a  Republican  stronghold.  He  died  in  Belmont  on  March 
8,  1895.  He  married  Miss  Abby  Clark,  daughter  of  John  Clark,  a  wealthy  citizen  of 
Belleville,  Jefferson  county,  who  survives  him,  as  do  also  their  three  children: 
Priscilla  (Mrs.  J.  E.  Norton),  of  Rutherford,  N.  J.  ;  James  H.,  of  Hornellsville;  and 
Dr.  George  C,  of  Bath. 

Dr.  George  C.  McNett  attended  the  Union  School  of  Belmont  and  completed  a  four 
years'  course  at  Alfred  University  in  1876.  He  received  the  degree  of  M.  D.  from 
the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  the  City  of  New  York  in  1881,  and  im- 
mediately afterward  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Belmont,  where  in  the 
same  year  he  joined  the  Allegany  County  Medical  Society,  of  which  he  is  still  a  mem- 
ber, and  of  which  he  was  president. 

In  the  winter  of  1883-84  he  took  a  post-graduate  and  polyclinic  course  at  the  Post- 
graduate School  in  New  York  city,  and  in  1886  he  removed  to  Bath,  having  received 
the  appointment  of  surgeon  to  the  Soldiers'  Home.  He  filled  that  position  with  dis- 
tinguished ability  until  1889,  since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  general  prac- 
tice, making  surgical  operations  and  disease  of  the  nervous  system  a  specialty. 

Dr.  McNett  is  one  of  the  leading  members  of  the  medical  profession  in  Western 
New  York.  As  a  citizen  he  has  always  taken  a  keen  interest  in  public  affairs  and  en- 
courages every  project  which  promises  benefit  to  the  community.  For  the  past  two 
years  he  has  been  health  officer  of  the  village  of  Bath.     He  is  a  member  of  the  New 


12  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

York  State  Association  of  Railwa}^  Surgeons  and  is  also  a  prominent  Mason,  being  a 
member  of  Belmont  Lodge,  No.  474,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Wellsville  Chapter,  No.  143,  R.  A. 
M.,  Corning  Consistory,  32°  Scottish  Rite,  and  Ismaiha  Temple,  Nobles  of  the 
Mj'stic  Shrine.  He  has  held  all  the  chairs  in  the  order  and  was  past  master  of  Bel- 
mont Lodge,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Elks,  No.  63,  Elmira. 

June  1,  1882,  Dr.  McNett  married  Mary  Agnes  Stewart,  daughter  of  Dr.  E.  S. 
Stewart,  a  prominent  physician  andbanker  of  EUicottville,  Cattaraugus  county.  They 
have  one  child,  Celia. 


HENRY  W.   FERINE. 

Henry  W.  Ferine,  of  Bath,  the  oldest  merchant  in  Steuben  county,  was  born  in 
South  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  July  2,  1821,  and  is  the  eldest  of  seven  children  born  to  Will- 
iam Ferine,  jr.  His  grandfather,  William  Ferine,  sr.,  came  to  this  country  from 
France  about  1750  and  took  an  active  part  as  a  cavalryman  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 
He  first  settled  in  Washington  county,  N.  Y.,  whence  he  moved  at  a  very  early  day 
to  Dansville,  Livingston  county,  where  he  followed  farming  upon  land  now  occupied 
by  a  large  portion  of  the  village,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  founders.  William 
Ferine,  jr.,  was  born  February  25,  1792,  in  Livingston  county,  and  settled  in  South 
Dansville ;  he  subsequently  returned  to  Dansville  and  died  there  in  May,  1879.  He 
was  one  of  the  founders,  a  prominent  member  and  long  a  deacon  of  the  Dansville  Fres- 
byterian  church,  and  married  Miss  Abigail  K.  Whiting,  daughter  of  Col.  John  Whit- 
ing, of  Bath.  She  was  born  August  29,  1801,  and  died  February  11,  1858.  Of  their 
seven  children  Henry  W.,  the  eldest,  and  Clarence  (born  February  3,  1842),  the 
youngest,  of  New  York  city,  are  living. 

Henry  W.  Ferine  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Dansville  and  the  high 
school  of  Bath,  where  m  1835  he  entered  the  employ  of  Hon.  William  S.  Hubbell,  a 
leading  dry  goods  merchant,  with  whom  he  remained  five  years.  He  was  then  a 
clerk  for  four  years  in  the  same  business  for  Timothy  Whiting,  with  whom  in  1844  he 
formed  the  partnership  of  Whiting  &  Ferine,  which  continued  until  1847,  when  Mr. 
Whiting  retired.  In  1848  Mr.  Ferine  .became  associated  with  his  brother,  William 
W.,  under  the  firm  name  of  H.  W.  Ferine  &  Co.,  and  continued  thus  till  1860.  In 
1862  he  took  in  Moses  Davison  and  William  H.  Nichols  as  partners  under  the  style 
of  H.  W.  Ferine  &  Co.,  which  continued  for  three  years.  He  carried  on  the  business 
alone  until  1892,  when  he  formed  the  present  firm  of  Ferine  &  Davison  by  taking  in 
his  former  partner,  Moses  Davison.  Mr.  Ferine  has  been  in  continuous  trade  in  Bath 
since  1844,  and  is  the  oldest  merchant  in  Steuben  county.  He  commenced  on  a  small 
scale  and  gradually  increased  his  business  until  he  became  the  most  extensive  mer- 
cantile dealer  in  that  village,  doing  more  at  one  time  than  all  the  other  merchants 
combined.  He  built  the  Ferine  block  in  1861-62,  and  upon  occupying  it  es- 
tablished the  first  department  store  in  the  county,  which  he  has  continued  uninter- 
ruptedly to  the  present  time.  An  establishm.ent  of  that  character  in  a  place  like  Bath 
was  then  a  novelty  and  many  were  the  predictions  of  its  failure,  but  Mr.  Ferine  has 
successfully  demonstrated  the  feasibility  of  the  enterprise  and  with  great  skill  has 
made  it  a  permanent  and  profitable  concern. 


i 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  13 

Mr.  Ferine  has  built  more  structures  in  Bath  than  any  other  one  man.  He  has 
erected  four  imposing  business  blocks  and  three  of  the  finest  dwellings  in  town,  and 
has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  local  affairs,  particularly  in  public  improve- 
ments. He  is  heavily  interested  in  various  enterprises  of  a  general  and  private  na- 
ture, and  is  one  of  the  largest  taxpayers  in  the  village.  He  was  one  of  the  prime 
movers  in  securing  the  Erie  railroad  and  the  Soldier's  Home,  and  to  these  and  many 
other  institutions  he  has  given  freely.  No  movement  which  promises  benefit 
to  the  community  is  consummated  without  his  aid  and  encouragement.  He  has 
always  been  a  Republican  and  somewhat  active  in  politics,  and  for  several  years 
served  as  village  trustee,  two  of  which  he  was  president.  He  is  one  of  the  represen- 
tative and  influential  citizens  of  the  town  and  county,  and  and  is  ever  ready  to  ad- 
vance the  material  interests  of  the  people,  especially  in  the  cause  of  education  and 
religion. 

August  28,  1847,  he  married  Miss  EHzabeth  S.  Read,  daughter  of  Capt.  James 
Read,  of  Bath,  a  lady  of  great  refinement  of  beauty  of  character,  who  died  March  27, 
1894.  They  had  three  sons;  James  R.,  born  Augost  3,  1848,  died  November  5,  1864; 
William  H.,  born  December  3,  1850  died  May  10,  1874;  and  Clarence  R.,  born  March 
3,  1867,  died  September  16,  1869. 


ALANSON  STEPHENS. 

Al.-^nson  Stephens,  eldest  son  of  Benjamin  Stephens,  was  born  in  Hornellsville, 
on  a  farm  on  December  8,  1820,  and  is  the  oldest  living  native  of  the  town.  His 
great-grandfather,  Uriah  Stephens,  born  in  1724,  came  with  his  son  Elijah  from  the 
Wyoming  valley  in  Pennsylvania  to  what  is  now  the  town  of  Canisteo,  Steuben 
county,  in  1789,  settling  on  lot  8  on  the  25th  of  December  of  that  year,  and  being 
one  of  the  original  seven  owners  of  that  township.  Uriah  Stephens  died  there  Au- 
gust 14,  1800;  his  wife  was  born  in  1731  and  at  the  time  of  her  death  was  ninety-four 
years  old.  Their  son  Elijah  succeeded  to  the  homestead  and  reared  a  large  family 
of  children,  of  whom  Benjamin,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  died  June  4, 
1837,  aged  thirty-eight,  being  born  in  Canisteo  in  1799.  The  family  is  of  English 
descent,  and  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  respected  in  Steuben  county.  Its  mem- 
bers have  for  one  full  century  taken  an  active  part  in  business,  social,  and  official 
life  and  in  various  capacities  have  served  their  townsmen  with  fidelity  and  distinc- 
tion. 

Benjamin  Stephens  married  Arathusa  Hamilton  and  had  born  to  him  six  children, 
all  living,  as  follows:  Alanson,  Elijah,  Daniel,  Albert,  Helen,  and  Cordelia.  Mr. 
Stephens  settled  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville  and  died  here,  as  did  also  his  wife. 

Alanson  Stephens  received  such  meagre  educational  advantages  as  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  town  afforded.  His  early  lite  was  spent  principally  in  hard 
work  upon  his  father's  farm,  where  he  acquired  the  robust  constitution  and  thrifty 
habits  which  later  proved  of  inestimable  value.  While  a  youth  he  learned  the  trade 
of  carpenter  and  joiner  and  followed  that  occupation  about  six  years,  when  he  decid- 
ed to  embark  in  more  promising  fields  of  employment.  He  engaged  extensively  in 
lumbering  in  Hornellsville,  and  during  several  years  cleared    some  1,500  acres  of 


14  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

heavy  pine  timber  in  the  town,  manufacturing  it  into  lumber  on  the  premises  and 
shipping  the  products  to  distant  markets.  He  had  a  large  saw  mill  on  the  Canisteo 
river  that  was  twice  burned  and  twice  rebuilt  under  his  ownership,  and  there  he  met 
with  two  or  three  serious  accidents  which  threatened  his  future  activity.  He  con- 
tinued this  business  until  his  supply  of  timber  was  exhausted,  when  he  turned  his 
energies  to  agricultural  pursuits,  which  have  since  largely  engrossed  his  attention. 
He  owns  three  farms,  aggregating  about  500  acres,  all  lying  just  south  of  the  city, 
and  upon  the  one  he  occupies  he  settled  in  1852.  In  1880  he  started  a  meat  market 
in  Hornellsville  which  was  continued  about  twelve  years  by  his  son,  Walter  A. 
Stephens. 

Mr.  Stephens  has  been  a  life-long  Democrat  and  is  the  oldest  school  official  in  point 
of  service  in  the  county.  He  served  as  school  trustee  of  the  village  of  Hornellsville 
for  eighteen  consecutive  years,  or  until  the  village  board  of  education  was  organized, 
when  he  became  a  member  and  the  first  president  of  that  body.  He  held  both  of 
these  positions  for  fifteen  successive  years,  completing  a  continuous  service  of  thirty- 
three  years.  During  that  period  he  had  charge  of  the  erection  of  the  First  ward  and 
Lincoln  school  buildings  and  the  reconstruction  of  the  Sixth  ward  and  Park  school 
houses.  No  man  has  taken  a  deeper  or  a  more  active  interest  in  the  development 
of  local  education  than  has  Mr.  Stephens,  and  no  one  has  devoted  more  time  and 
energy  to  the  cause.  He  was  loan  commissioner  for  the  State  for  three  years,  high- 
way commissioner  of  his  town  for  eleven  years,  and  supervisor  of  Hornellsville  two 
terms.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  first  members  of  the  Hornellsville  Farmers' 
club,  and  as  superintendent  had  charge  of  the  grounds  and  construction  of  the 
buildings,  etc.,  at  the  time  of  its  inception.  Ever  since  then  he  has  been  actively 
identified  with  that  organization.  In  various  other  movements — in  religious  and 
social  matters,  in  public  affairs,  and  in  numerous  business  relations — Mr.  Stephens 
has  been  a  foremost  promoter. 

He  was  married  in  1841  to  Miss  Catherine  Doty,  of  Hornellsville.  She  died  March 
7,  1863,  aged  forty-one,  leaving  five  children,  viz.:  Christopher  B.,  born  April  19, 
1844,  died  in  1879;  Thaddeus  A.,  born  September  1,  1845;  Walter  A.,  born  March  6, 
1852;  WilHam  D.,  born  October  10,  1854;  and  Catherine  E.,  born  September  25, 
1856,  who  married  September  7.  1876,  Henry  M.  Bennett,  who  with  Alanson  Stephens 
conducts  the  meat  market  previously  mentioned.  Mr.  Stephens  married  for  his 
second  wife,  in  July,  1881,  Mrs.  Philena  Pickard,  of  Hornellsville, 


EDWARD  F.  WILLETS. 

Hon.  Edward  F.  Willets,  who  has  filled  the  office  of  mayor  of  the  city  of  Hor- 
nellsville since  March,  1892,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Ledyard,  Cayuga  county,  N.  Y., 
and  is  the  youngest  of  three  sons  of  Abram  Willets,  a  native  of  Queens  county,  who 
spent  the  last  years  of  his  life  on  a  farm  upon  which  the  subject  of  thissketch  passed 
his  infancy  and  youth.  He  completed  his  education  at  Poplar  Ridge  Seminary,  and 
at  an  early  age  engaged  in  mechanical  pursuits,  which  he  followed  for  five  years.  He 
then  entered  mercantile  business  in   Lake   Ridge,   Tompkins  county,  and  later  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  15 

Fleming,  Cayuga  count3%  and  thence  in  1857  removed  to  Angelica,  Alleganv  county, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  lumbering  for  a  time.  Leaving  there  he  operated  a  saw 
and  flouring  mill  in  Belmont  until  1877,  when  he  went  to  Bradford,  Pa.,  and  engaged 
in  the  oil  business,  with  which  he  has  ever  since  been  identified. 

In  1888  Mr.  Willetts  removed  to  Hornellsville,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  has 
oeen  a  life-long  Republican,  and  for  many  years  an  active  and  influential  factor  in 
political  affairs.  He  was  for  four  years  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Amity,  Allegany 
county,  and  while  a  resident  of  that  county  served  also  as  internal  revenue  collector 
four  years.  After  coming  to  Hornellsville  he  represented  the  city  for  four  years  on 
the  Board  of  Supervisors,  and  in  1892  was  elected  mayor,  to  which  ofifice  he  was  re- 
elected in  1894.  In  all  these  positions  he  has  served  with  satisfaction  to  his  con- 
stituents. As  mayor  he  has  been  instrumental  in  effecting  many  notable  and  sub- 
stantial improvements,  which  testify  to  his  progre.ssive  spirit  and  enterprise.  Dur- 
ing his  occupancy  of  the  office  of  mayor  the  present  electric  street  railway  system 
was  placed  in  operation,  the  sewer  system  was  constructed  and  two  miles  of  brick 
pavement  were  laid  in  the  city.  Mr.  Willets  was  the  first  Republican  mayor  of  Hor- 
nellsville and  the  second  elected  since  the  city's  incorporation. 

Mr.  Willets  was  married  in  1856  to  Miss  Amelia  Smith,  of  Ledyard,  Cayuga  county. 
They  have  no  children  living. 


JOHN  W.   DAVIS. 

John  W.  Davis,  the  eldest  child  of  Orlando  Davis,  and  the  grandson  of  a  sol- 
dier of  the  war  of  1812,  was  born  in  Sherburne,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  Octo- 
ber 5,  1820,  and  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  and  academy  of  his  na- 
tive town.  His  father  drove  a  team  from  Hartford  to  New  Haven,  Conn.,  during 
the  war  of  1812,  and  late  in  life  moved  to  Yates  county,  N.  Y.,  where  he  died  in  Jan- 
uary, 1880,  aged  eighty-six  years.  He  married  in  1819  Mrs.  Fanny  Adsit,  w'idow  of 
Leonard  Adsit  and  daughter  of  Noah  Davenport,  a  prominent  farmer  and  merchant 
in  Columbia  county.  She  had  five  children  by  her  first  husband,  viz. :  Albert, 
Arunah  M.,  James  M.,  Martin  and  Alma;  by  her  second  marriage  she  had  three  sons: 
John  W.  Davis,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Charles  D.,  of  Yates  county,  and  George, 
who  died,  aged  thirteen.     She  died  April  28,  1871,  at  the  age  of  eighty- six. 

John  W.  Davis  came  to  Hammondsport,  Steuben  county,  in  1837,  as  clerk  for  his 
half-brother,  A.  M.  Adsit,  who  was  engaged  in  general  merchandising  and  forward- 
ing. He  remained  in  that  capacity  until  1842,  when  he  was  admitted  to  partnership 
under  the  firm  name  of  Adsit  &  Davis,  which  continued  till  1851,  when  Mr.  Adsit 
moved  to  St.  Lawrence  county  and  Mr.  Davis  became  sole  owner  of  the  business. 
He  then  increased  the  scope  of  his  operations  and  carried  on  a  large  mercantile,  pro- 
duce storage  and  forwarding  trade  alone  until  1877,  when  he  closed  out  one  of 
the  most  extensive  and  successful  concerns  ever  prosecuted  in  Hammondsport.  He 
was  a  heavy  dealer  in  lumber,  grain  and  wool,  which  he  shipped  to  eastern  markets. 
He  was  the  principal  owner  and  manager  for  a  considerable  time  of  a  line  of  some 
twelve  freight  boats  that  ran  between  Hammondsport  and  New  York,  which  was  in- 
stituted by  A.  M.  Adsit  at  the  opening  of  the  Crooked  Lake  Canal.     In  this  business 


16  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Mr.  Davis  was  remarkably  successful,  and  acquired  as  wide  a  reputation  as  his  vil- 
lage in  days  when  it  was  noted  as  one  of  the  leading  and  most  important  grain  and 
lumber  markets  in  the  State.  He  was  by  all  odds  the  heaviest  operator  in  produce 
in  the  county,  and  discontinued  the  trade  only  when  the  grape  industry  superseded 
all  other  interests. 

In  1881  Mr.  Davis  became  a  director  and  general  manager  of  the  reorganized  Ur- 
bana  Wine  Company,  one  of  the  largest  corporations  of  the  kind  in  this  famous  sec- 
tion, and  these  positions  he  has  ever  since  held.  He  has  been  interested  in  farming 
and  grape  growing  since  1865,  and  owns  and  occupies  the  place  upon  which  the  first 
grape  vines  in  town  were  set.  These  were  planted  more  than  sixty  years  ago  by 
Rev.  W.  W.  Bostwick,  and  have  continuously  borne  excellent  fruit.  Mr.  Davis  has 
long  been  one  of  the  prominent  and  extensive  viniculturists  of  this  locality,  and  to 
him  much  of  its  fame  as  a  grape  section  is  due.  He  was  largely  instrumental  in 
bringing  about  the  construction  of  the  Bath  &  Hammondsport  Railroad,  and  upon 
the  organization  of  the  company  was  elected  its  first  secretary  and  director,  which 
latter  office  he  still  holds.  He  has  also  been  a  director  in  the  Lake  Keuka  Naviga- 
tion Company  most  of  the  time  since  its  inception,  and  has  always  taken  an  active 
interest  in  the  material  prosperitj-  of  his  village  and  town. 

Mr.  Davis  is  a  Republican  and  has  been  a  prominent  factor  in  local  politics,  though 
not  in  the  sense  of  a  politician.  He  was  supervisor  of  Urbana  in  1848,  member  of 
Assembly  in  1880,  and  was  one  of  the  first  board  of  trustees  of  the  village  of  Ham- 
mondsport, an  office  he  held  several  years.  He  has  also  been  president  of  the  vil- 
lage and  was  one  of  the  prime  movers  in  effecting  its  incorporation.  He  has  been  a 
member  of  St.  James's  Protestant  Episcopal  church  about  forty-five  years,  and  has 
served  successively  as  vestryman,  junior  warden  and  senior  warden  much  of  that 
time.  To  this  parish  he  has  given  valuable  services,  especially  during  the  erection 
of  the  new  edifice,  which  cost  about  §15,000,  and  which  is  one  of  the  finest  village 
structures  of  the  kind  in  the  covmtry.  As  chairman  of  its  building  committee,  com- 
posed of  able  and  representative  men,  he  has  had  the  principal  charge  of  its  con- 
struction during  the  summer  and  fall  of  1895,  and  to  him  is  largely  due  the  efficient 
management  which  has  characterized  the  work 

August  10,  1848,  Mr.  Davis  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Hunt,  of  Dansville,  N.  Y., 
daughter  of  Richard  Hunt,  of  Illinois.     She  died  July  3,  1894,  aged  seventy-two. 


WALTER  LULL  MOORE. 

Walter  Lull  Moore,  son  of  Nathaniel  Moore,  was  born  in  the  town  of  But- 
ternuts (now  Morris),  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  November  1,  1815.  He  was  reared  a 
farmer,  a  business  he  followed  there  until  1863,  and  obtained  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  the  neighborhood.  Endowed  with  the  sterling  characteristics  of  a 
worthy  parentage,  he  imbibed  the  qualities  which  make  the  successful  man  and  re- 
spected citizen,  and  from  an  early  age  pursued  a  career  of  quiet  but  marked  useful- 
ness. On  September  7,  1843,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Esther  Adelia  Fairchild,  of 
New  Lisbon,  Otsego  county,  who  was  born  April  29,  1822.     Before  this,  on  February 


FARY  B.   BEECHER. 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  17 

24,  1838,  he  was  commissioned  by  Gov.  William  L.  Marcy  a  lieutenant  in  the  251st 
Regt.,  infantry,  2d  Brigade,  6th  Division,  New  ^  ork  State  Militia,  and  on  August  8 
of  the  same  year  was  promoted  captain,  which  position  he  resigned  July  14,  1842.  In 
1863  he  came  with  his  wife  and  four  children  to  Hammondsport,  Steuben  county, 
where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  dying  January  7.  1898.  His  estimable  wife 
preceded  him  on  December  29,  1876,  being  killed  m  the  memorable  railroad  accident 
at  Ashtabula,  Ohio,  of  that  date. 

Arriving  at  Hammondsport,  Mr.  Moore  engaged  in  viniculture,  a  businesshe  prose- 
cuted with  marked  success  until  his  death.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneer  grape  grow- 
ers in  that  now  famous  section,  and  for  many  years  carried  on  an  extensive  vineyard. 
About  1865  he  also  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cabinet  ware  and  grape  boxes  in 
partnership  with  his  brother-in-law,  S.  B.  Fairchild,  under  the  firm  name  of  Fair- 
child  &  Moore,  and  continued  about  five  years,  when  the  firm  sold  out  to  Fairchild 
Brothers. 

Mr.  Moore  was  a  man  universally  respected  and  esteemed,  not  only  for  his  busi- 
ness qualifications,  but  also  for  his  many  social  attributes.  He  was  a  life-long  Demo- 
crat in  politics,  but  never  an  officeseeker.  Public-spirited  and  enterprising,  he  lib- 
erally encouraged  and  supported  all  worthy  movements  of  general  benefit,  and  took 
a  keen  interest  in  the  welfare  of  village  and  town,  especially  in  religion  and  educa- 
tion, being  for  a  time  school  trustee,  and  during  nearly  his  entire  residence  in  Ham- 
mondsport a  vestryman  of  St.  James's  Protestant  Episcopal  church. 

His  children  were  Anna  (Mrs.  Elbert  McMinn),  born  March  3,  1845,  died  May  12, 
1884;  Trevor,  born  April  13,  1846,  president  of  the  Central  New  York  Grape  Grow- 
ers' Union  during  its  existence,  and  a  heavy  shipper  of  grapes,  of  Hammondsport; 
Hobart  J.,  born  December  14,  1850,  a  prominent  druggist  of  Hammondsport;  and 
Clara  A.  (Mrs.  J.  C.  J»Iitchell),  born  September  11,  1854,  of  Chicago. 


FARY  B.  BEECHER. 

Fary  B.  Beecher,  of  Atlanta,  Steuben  county,  is  a  lineal  descendant  of  one  of  the 
immortal  band  of  Pilgrims  who  sailed  for  this  country  in  the  Mayflower  in  1620. 
This  paternal  ancestor  had  three  sons,  Hezekiah,  Lines,  and  Lyman,  and  from  the 
latter  descended  Rev.  Henry  Ward  Beecher,  Rev.  '1  homas  K.  Beecher,  and  Mrs. 
Harriet  Beecher  Stowe.  To  the  posterity  of  Hezekiah  Beecher  belongs  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  and  his  father,  Randall  F.  Beecher.  The  latter  came  from  Madison 
county,  N.  Y. ,  about  1840,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Fremont,  Steuben 
county,  where  he  also  practiced  as  a  licensed  veterinarian,  and  where  he  died.  He 
married,  first,  Miss  Serepta  Cass,  who  bore  him  three  children:  Andalusia,  Nason, 
who  died  in  the  Union  army  in  the  Rebellion,  and  William  Henry,  deceased.  His 
second  wife  was  Wealthy  Doneha,  who  was  the  mother  of  one  son,  John  D.,  who 
served  in  the  Civil  war  and  afterward  settled  in  Allegany  county.  For  his  third  wife 
Mr.  Beecher  married  Statira  Sanford,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children  who  attained 
maturity:  Wealthy,  of  Buffalo;  Orrin  H.,  a  teacher  at  Lima.  N.  Y.  ;  Eunice  (Mrs. 
Lewis  B.  Ward),  of  Fremont,   Steuben  county;  Mark   H.,  of  Buffalo;  Fary  B.,  the 


18  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

subject  of  this  sketch;  Luke  A.,  a  furniture  dealer  in  Atlanta;  Amenzo  J.,  aeon- 
tractor  and  builder  in  Buffalo;  Murray  C,  who  died  in  Chicago  in  1894;  Scott  AL,  of 
Buffalo;  and  Gertrude  C. 

Fary  B.  Beecher  was  born  on  his  father's  farm  in  Fremont,  Steuben  county,  June 
2,  1856,  and  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  town.  He 
attended  the  Rogersville  Union  Seminary  for  a  time  then  taught  school  several 
years.  Deciding  upon  a  professional  life  he  entered  the  office  of  O.  S.  Searl,  of 
Cohocton,  where  he  became  a  faithful  disciple  of  Blackstone,  and  from  whence  he 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  ISSJl.  He  immediately  settled  in  Atlanta,  where  he  has 
very  successfully  practiced  his  chosen  profession  ever  since. 

Mr.  Beecher  is  a  staunch  Democrat  and  active  in  the  councils  of  his  party.  He 
takes  a  keen  intere.st  in  local  affairs,  in  the  advancement  of  his  village  and  town,  and 
is  prominently  identified  with  its  material  growth  and  prosperity.  He  is  a  member 
of  and  has  held  nearly  every  office  in  Kanawha  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Atlanta,  and 
has  taken  the  past  official  degree  of  the  District  Grand  Commandery  and  also  in  1893 
the  Grand  Lodge  degree  at  Buffalo.  He  is  also  a  prominent  member  of  the  Atlanta 
Presbyterian  church. 

Mr.  Beecher  was  married  in  1881  to  Miss  Emma  E.  Johnson,  of  North  Cohocton. 
They  have  four  children:  Don  L.,  Dana  C,  Una  M.,  and  Marion. 


OTTO  FREDERICK  MARSHAL. 

Gen.  Otto  Frederick  Marshal  was  born  in  the  village  of  Zeisar,  Prussian  Saxony, 
Germany,  August  14,  1791,  being  the  only  son  of  Daniel  Marshal,  field  chaplain,  who 
enjoyed  the  favor  of  Fredeiick  the  Great,  the  sovereign  of  that  country.'  Upon  the 
death  of  his  royal  patron  in  May,  1799,  father  and  son  came  to  the  United  States, 
landing  in  Boston,  whence  they  took  a  stage  to  New  York  city,  where  they  arrived 
in  June.  There  Daniel  Marshal,  being  a  talented  linguist,  opened  a  select  school, 
and  also  invested  his  small  means  in  German  linen,  ivory  combs,  and  other  notions, 
opening  a  modest  store  at  the  Bowery  in  Chatham  street.  In  the  spring  of  1801  he 
gathered  his  effects  together  and  started  for  the  interior  of  the  State,  taking  a  sloop 
to  Albany,  where  he  procured  transportation  to  bchenectady.  He  there  purchased 
a  small  boat,  took  aboard  his  baggage  and  supplies,  and  with  his  .son  poled  his  rude 
craft  up  the  Mohawk  River  to  Utica,  then  a  frontier  village.  There  was  a  German 
settlement  about  a  mile  from  the  village,  and  ten  miles  below  another.  The  elder 
Marshal  had  taken  orders,  and  was  therefore  qualified  to  preach,  and  for  several 
years  ministered  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  these  settlements  in  their  own  language. 
About  a  year  after  their  arrival  in  Utica  he  purchased  a  lot  on  Genesee  street, 
erected  a  house,  and  opened  a  small  store.  In  1805  a  German  farmer  persuaded  him 
to  visit  with  him  the  Genesee  country.  They  came  to  Geneva  and  were  advised  by 
the  agent  of  the  Pulteney  estate  there  to  apply  at  the  office  in  Bath.     Marshal  did  so, 

1  Several  autograph  letters  of  Frederick  the  Great  to  Daniel  Marshal,  as  well  as  one  from 
General  Washington,  are  in  the  possession  of  the  pioneer's  great-grandson,  Otto  F.  Marshal,  of 
Wheeler,  by  whom  they  are  highly  prized. 


1 

^. 

'^J^k 

mm. 

"^^^''.'^^^    ^^^ 

K^ 

J.   H.   LHWIS. 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  19 

and  found  a  lot  on  Five  Mile  Creek,  in  Wheeler,  which  suited  him.  Part  of  it  was 
owned  by  Valentine  Bear,  a  German,  who  sold  his  right  and  improvements  to  Mar- 
shal. He  also  purchased  an  additional  forty  acres  adjoining,  and  then  returned  to 
his  home  in  Utica.  In  1809  he  disposed  of  his  house  and  lot  and  closed  out  his  little 
store,  preparatory  to  his  removal  to  this  county.  He  waited  till  the  16th  of  February, 
1810,  for  sleighing,  and  then  engaged  a  party  to  bring  him  and  his  son,  with  his 
goods,  to  his  lauds  in  Wheeler,  where  they  arrived  on  the  22d  of  that  month  where 
the  general  ever  afterward  resided,  a  period  of  more  than  eighty  years.  The 
father  .soon  after  his  settlement  here  married  a  young  widow.  On  the  27th  of  May, 
1812,  he  died.  February  16,  1814,  Gen.  Otto  F.  Marshal  married  Mi.ss  Dolly  Neally, 
a  sister  of  the  late  Samuel  Neally.  There  were  born  to  them  three  sons  and  two 
daughters.  One  son,  Frank  J.  Marshal,  of  Wheeler,  survives  him.  He  died  January 
10,  1891. 

General  Marshal  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  men  the  town  of  Wheeler  ever 
honored  as  a  resident.  His  first  service  in  the  State  militia  was  as  third  corporal  in 
1810,  and  he  rose  by  regular  gradation  until  his  appointment  as  major-general  of  the 
30th  Division  on  June  20,  1883,  a  position  he  held  until  he  resigned  in  1845.  He 
took  a  becoming  pride  in  that  organization,  was  regarded  as  a  model  officer,  and  was 
present  as  a  commissioned  officer  at  the  execution  of  Robert  Douglass  in  Bath.  By 
the  gift  of  his  townsmen  he  held  every  town  office  from  pathmaster  to  supervisor 
except  constable  and  collector.  He  was  long  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  about  twelve 
years  county  superintendent  of  the  poor,  and  in  1837  was  appointed  postmaster  of 
Wheeler.  In  1846  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Legislature  and  served  creditably  his 
term.  He  was  al.so  commissioner  of  deeds  many  years.  He  was  a  life-member  of 
the  Steuben  County  Agricultural  Society  and  never  failed  to  have  an  attractive  exhibit 
at  its  annual  fairs.  He  was  literally  the  father  of  that  society  by  virtue  of  great 
efforts  for  its  organization  and  his  unceasing  anxiety  for  its  welfare  and  continued 
usefulness.  No  other  man  ever  did  .so  much  for  that  body  or  contributed  so  largely 
towards  its  permanent  existence.  At  the  time  of  his  death  be  was  its  oldest  and 
most  honored  member.  In  all  the  affairs  of  life  his  great  desire  was  always  to  aid 
his  fellow-citizens  and  promote  their  best  interests  in  word  and  deed.  He  was  plain 
and  simple  in  his  manners,  as  becomes  an  American  by  birth  as  well  as  by  adoption. 
He  was  frank  and  cordial  in  his  deportment,  without  roughness  or  bluster.  Always 
hopeful,  always  cheerful,  slight  in  form  and  .spare  in  habit,  his  great  age  was  due  as 
much  to  his  social  qualities  as  te  a  vigorous  constitution.  His  memory  of  men  and 
events  was  wonderful.  It  is  doubtful  is  he  ever  forgot  a  person  he  once  knew,  or 
was  unable  to  recall  some  incident  connected  with  him.  He  attained  the  great  age 
of  nearly  ninety-nine  years  and  five  months,  and  died  universally  respected,  esteemed, 
and  beloved. 


JACOB  H.    LEWIS. 

Jacob  H.  Lewis,  third  son  of  Herman  and  Margaret  (Thompson)  Lewis,  was  born 
in  Brunswick,  Rensselaer  county,  N.  Y.,  January  16,  1826,  and  came  with  his  parents 
to  the  town  of  Wheeler,  Steuben   county,  in  1828.     His  father  was  born  of  Holland 


20  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Dutch  parentage  in  the  Mohawk  valley  on  April  28,  1787,  and  served  for  a  time  in 
the  war  of  1812;  he  was  a  life-long  farmer,  and  with  the  exception  of  a  few  ^-ears 
spent  in  Yates  count3%  Avoca,  and  Bath,  lived  in  Wheeler  from  1828  until  his  death 
on  January  5,  1873;  his  wife,  Margaret  Thompson,  daughter  of  Daniel  Thompson, 
who  came  to  this  town  in  1840,  was  born  July  12,  1797,  and  died  August  19,  1860. 
Their  children  were  Daniel  D.,  born  October  10, 1818,  died  December  23,  1893;  Jane, 
born  May  24,  1820,  died  October  20,  1860 ;  Catherine,  born  February  9,  1822 ;  John 
M.,  born  February  9,  1824;  Jacob  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Barbara,  born  Feb- 
ruary 16,  1828.  died  November  4,  1881 ;  Emeline,  born  January  3,  1831,  died  March 
23,  1857;  Lemuel,  born  March  7,  1834;  Mary  E.,  born  February  29,  1836;  and  George 
W.,  born  November  7,  1839. 

Jacob  H.  Lewis  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Wheeler,  where  he  has  lived 
since  the  age  of  two  years.  He  was  reared  upon  his  father's  farm,  and  early  mani- 
fested an  inclination  for  an  active  life.  When  fifteen  he  began  farming  for  himself 
and  at  nineteen  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  followed  successfully  for 
ten  years.  He  then  purchased  a  farm  of  112  acres,  wh'ch  he  sold  twelve  j'ears  later, 
and  he  then  bought  a  farm  of  135  acres  on  Wheeler  hill,  a  part  of  which  he  still  owns. 
While  farming  he  also  bought  sheep  and  shipped  them  to  western  markets.  In  1885 
he  moved  to  Wheeler  village  and  engaged  in  general  merchandising,  which  he  con- 
tinued with  marked  success  until  1894,  when  he  turned  the  business  over  to  his  only 
son,  F.  F.  Lewis,  and  retired  permanently  from  active  life. 

Mr.  Lewis  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  has  always  taken  a  prominent  part  in 
town  affairs.  Public  spirited,  enterprising,  and  sagacious  he  encourages  every 
worthy  movement  with  a  degree  of  liberality  that  characterizes  a  progressive  citizen. 
He  was  assessor  nine  years,  town  clerk  two  5'ears,  and  supervisor  two  terms,  and  in 
all  these  capacities  distinguished  himself  for  rare  fidelity  and  uprightness.  He  was 
one  of  the  chief  promoters  in  Wheeler  of  the  Kanona  and  Prattsburg  railroad,  to 
which  he  donated  considerable  land  for  right  of  way.  In  other  minor  enterprises  of 
a  private  and  public  nature  he  has  been  equally  prominent,  and  in  matters  affect- 
ing the  social  and  moral  welfare  of  the  community  his  influence  is  often  felt  for  the 
good. 

February  12,  1854,  Mr.  Lewis  was  married  to  Miss  Belinda  Hankinson,  second 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Susan  (Myrtle)  Hankinson,  of  Wheeler.  They  have  one  son, 
Fred  Francis  Lewis,  born  December  1,  1855,  who  married  Miss  Kate  Cook,  daughter 
of  Adam  Cook,  on  April  5,  1882. 


JOHN  H.   KEELER 

John  H.  Keeler  was  born  at  Mauch  Chunk,  Pa.,  January  1,  1822,  and  inherited 
the  sturdy  characteristics  of  a  Holland  Dutch  ancestry.  When  a  young  man  he 
came  to  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.,  w^here  he  acquired  a  common  school  education.  He  early 
learned  the  trade  of  tinsmith  in  Waterloo,  Seneca  county,  and  about  1848  removed  to 
Hammondsport,  N.  Y.,  where  he  entered  the  employ  of  Randall  &  Neil,  stove  foun- 
drymen  and  tinsmiths,  whose  business  he  very  soon  bought  out.  This  was  the  prac- 
tical beginning  of  a  long  a  useful  career.     He  manufactured  stoves,  plows,  tinware, 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  21 

and  agricultural  implements  until  about  1865,  when  he  sold  the  foundry  and  devoted 
his  attention  to  a  vmeyard  near  the  village.  In  January,  1879,  he  purchased  the 
hardware  store  of  Allen  &  Brownell  and  placed  his  sons,  John  W.  and  George  H. 
Keeler,  in  charge  under  the  firm  name  of  J.  H.  Keeler  &  Sons.  Mr.  Keeler  died 
May  17  of  that  year,  and  about  four  years  later  the  mercantile  business  was  sold  to 
Robie  &  McNamara,  who  a  year  afterward  was  succeeded  by  George  H.  Keeler  and 
O.  H.  Younglove.  This  firm  was  followed  by  George  H.  Keeler,  the  present  pro- 
prietor. 

John  H.  Keeler  was  a  lifelong  Republican  and  an  ardent  advocate  of  the  princi- 
ples of  his  party,  but  he  never  became  an  office  seeker  nor  a  politician.  He  devoted 
his  time  and  energies  solely  to  business  and  acquired  unusual  success.  He  was  one 
of  the  first  vineyardists  in  this  now  famous  grape  section,  and  practically  demon- 
strated his  faith  in  its  future  by  founding  the  valuable  vineyard  owned  by  his  two 
sons.  In  social  and  business  life  Mr.  Keeler  was  a  man  of  strict  integrity,  endowed 
with  the  attributes  of  a  respected  and  successful  citizen,  and  esteemed  for  his  many 
excellent  qualities  of  head  and  heart.  He  took  a  keen  interest  in  all  movements 
conducive  to  the  welfare  of  his  town  and  village. 

In  1845  he  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  E.,  daughter  of  William  McConnell,  of  Sugar 
Hill,  Schuyler  county,  who  was  the  mother  of  his  five  children,  three  of  whom  died 
in  infancy.  She  met  a  sudden  death  in  the  memorable  railroad  wreck  at  Jackson, 
Mich.,  on  October  13, 1893,  while  on  her  way  to  the  World's  Columbian  Exposition  at 
Chicago.  Their  surviving  children,  born  in  Hammondsport,  are  John  W.,  born  June 
19,  1849,  and  George  H.,  born  September  17,  1853,  both  of  whom  are  representative 
business  men  and  leading  citizens. 

John  W.  Keeler  was  educated  m  Hammondsport  Academy,  graduating  in  1868, 
and  became  a  clerk  for  K.  Church  &  Co.,  hardware  dealers,  of  Bath,  with  whom  he 
remained  until  1879,  when  he  returned  to  Hammondsport,  where  he  has  since  been 
engaged  m  viniculture.  In  1894  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  original  Board  of  Water 
Commissioners  to  establish  the  present  water  system  for  the  village,  and  in  Decem- 
ber of  that  year  was  made  superintendent,  which  position  he  now  holds.  He  was 
married  in  1877  to  Miss  Lizzie  P.,  daughter  of  Dr.  John  Read,  of  Bath.  They  have 
three  children:  John  W.,  Daisy  L.,  and  Lois  R. 

George  H.  Keeler  was  graduated  from  Hammondsport  Academy  in  1873,  and  en- 
gaged in  viniculture  until  1879,  when  he  became  a  dealer  in  general  hardware,  which 
business  he  still  continues.  He  was  one  of  the  originators  of  the  Lake  Keuka  Wine 
company  in  1886  and  has  served  as  its  president  ever  since.  He  is  also  an  extensive 
grape  grower  and  farmer.  A  Republican  in  politics  he  has  held  nearly  every  town 
office,  serving  as  town  clerk,  highway  commissioner,  and  supervisor  three  terms,  and 
president  of  the  village  four  years.  He  has  also  been  chief  of  the  fire  department 
for  ten  years,  and  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  public  affairs.  He  married 
in  1875  Miss  Eva  D.,  daughter  of  John  Quick,  of  Hammondsport.  They  have  six 
daughters,  viz.:  Sarah  E.,  Lottie  J.,  Mary  L.,  Bessie  P.,  Georgia  May,  and  Flor- 
ence D. 


22  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

MARTIN  KIMMEL. 

Martin  Kimmel  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  February  13,  1831,  came  to 
America  in  1847,  and  settled  in  South  Dansville,  Steuben  county,  where  he  worked 
by  the  month  for  eight  years'.  He  inherited  the  progressive  characteristics  of  his 
race,  and  in  early  youth  obtained  as  thorough  an  education  as  the  limited  means  of 
his  parents  permitted,  but  the  knowledge  with  which  he  is  endowed  to-day 
was  largely  acquired  in  the  practical  affairs  of  life  and  in  personal  application  to 
minutest  details.  Determining  to  start  hmiself  upon  a  business  career  he  purchased 
a  stump  machine  and  profitably  manipulated  it  two  seasons.  He  then  formed 
a  partnership  with  William  Cotton  and  bought  a  steam  saw  mill  at  Haskinsville,  but 
one  year  later  became  sole  owner.  In  1860  he  moved  the  mill  to  Wayland  and  con- 
tinued it  with  different  partners  until  18G5,  when  he  purchased  and  moved  on  to  a 
farm  of  176  acres  one-half  mile  west  of  the  village.  Later  he  bought  230  acres  ad- 
joining and  owns  now  in  all  about  400  acres  of  the  best  farming  land  in  town.  In 
1884  he  bought  the  site  and  erected  a  brick  block  in  Wayland,  and  in  it  opened  a 
large  hardware  store,  first  under  the  name  of  Martin  Kimmel  &  Co.  This  he  still 
carries  on,  the  present  firm  being  Martin  Kmimel  &  Son,  which  was  formed  in  1887. 
In  1890  he  also  started  a  hardware  store  in  Cohocton  under  the  same  firm  name  and 
still  continues  it.  This  store  is  managed  by  Peter  Kimmel,  while  the  one  in  Wayland 
is  in  charge  of  John  Kimmel. 

Mr.  Kimmel  has  long  been  one  of  the  representative  men  of  the  town,  which  he 
served  four  years  as  supervisor.  He  has  always  taken  a  keen  interest  m  local  affairs, 
and  in  various  movements  his  aid  and  influence  have  been  exerted  for  the  general  wel- 
fare. He  was  married  in  1855  to  Miss  Catherins  Gross,  of  Perkinsville,  who  died  in 
1862,  leaving  three  children,  namely:  Joseph,  of  Dakota,  born  in  1856,  married  Addie 
Steinhart,  of  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  and  has  two  children,  Joseph  and  Laura;  Margaret, 
of  Wajdandi  born  in  1860,  married  Peter  Yohon,  and  has  four  children,  Clara,  Mar- 
tin, Katie,  and  Peter;  and  Mary,  of  Wayland,  born  in  1862,  married  John  Quantz, 
and  has  five  children,  Mary,  Martin,  Peter,  George,  and  Katie.  Mr.  Kimmel  mar- 
ried for  his  second  wife  Mrs.  Clara  (Foot)  Kirk,  and  they  have  ten  children:  Martin, 
born  December  28,  1864,  married  Mary  Shultz,  and  had  three  children,  Josephine, 
Katie,  and  Agnes;  John,  born  April  22,  1867,  married  Mary  Engel,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren, Victor  and  Leo;  Frank,  born  August  17,  1869,  married  Lizzie  Munding;  Peter, 
born  November  24,  1871,  married  Catherine  Mertz;  Catherine,  born  November  24, 
1873;  Anna,  born  February  1,  1876;  Clara,  born  April  22,  1878;  Jacob,  born  May  7, 
1880;  Lizzie,  born  September  19,  1882;  and  Lena,  born  March  19,  1886. 


HARLO    HAKES. 

Hon.  Harlo  Hakes  was  born  in  Harpersfield,  Delaware  county,  N.  Y.,  Septem- 
ber 23,  1823.  He  spent  his  time  until  about  twenty-eight  years  of  age  upon  his  fath- 
er's farm,  attending  school  winters  until  he  was  seventeen,  and  was  for  eight  suc- 
cessive terms  a  teacher.     In  the  year  1851  he  entered  the  office  of  Rufus  King,  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  23 

Davenport,  Delaware  couut3%  as  law  student,  where  he  remained  two  years.  He 
then  became  a  student  with  Judge  Harris,  of  Albany,  and  after  attending  one  course 
of  lectures  at  the  Albany  Law  School,  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  in  1853,  and  in  May 
of  the  same  year  settled  in  Hornellsville,  where  he  has  remained  in  the  practice  of 
his  profession  imtil  the  present  time. 

In  the  year  1855  Mr.  Hakes  married  Mary,  youngest  daughter  of  J.  D.  Chandler, 
of  Hornellsville.     Their  children  are  M.  Evelyn,  Hattie  V.,  and  Carrie  M. 

Mr.  Hakes  was  chosen  to  represent  his  assembly  district  in  the  State  Legislature 
for  the  year  1856,  and  served  on  the  judiciary  committee  during  the  term.  In  1862 
he  was  elected  district  attorney  of  the  county,  which  he  held  for  three  years.  Dur- 
ing the  year  1865  he  associated  with  him  in  the  law  business  James  H  Stevens,  jr., 
a  gentleman  of  fine  legal  ability.  This  firm  enjoyed  a  very  large  law  practice  in  this 
and  surrounding  counties  during  the  term  of  partnership. 

In  the  year  1867  Mr.  Hakes  was  appointed  registrar  in  bankruptcy  for  the  Twenty- 
ninth  Congressional  District.  He  has  been  somewhat  active  in  political  circles,  and 
interested  in  questions  affecting  the  changes  in  our  nation's  history.  He  was  origi- 
nally a  member  of  the  Whig  party,  and  was  a  delegate  to  the  Baltimore  Convention 
that  nominated  Bell  and  Everett  for  president  and  vice-president,  since  which  time 
he  has  been  a  supporter  of  the  Republican  party,  and  its  representative  of  the 
Twenty-ninth  Congressional  District  of  New  York,  as  a  member  of  the  Cincinnati 
Convention  in  1876  that  made  Hon.  Rutherford  B.  Hayes  the  Republican  nominee 
for  the  presidency  of  the  United  States. 

In  addition  to  his  professional  and  official  duties,  he  has  been  thoroughly  identified 
with  the  growing  interests  of  the  city  of  Hornellsville,  and  largely  interested  in 
real  estate.  In  1873  he  opened  "  Hakes  avenue,"  connecting  Main  and  Genesee 
streets,  and  donated  it  to  the  then  village,  and  since  that  time  has  purchased  and 
improved  that  portion  of  the  city  known  as  "  Riverside  Place,"  connecting  Main  with 
Elm  street,  where  he  has  built  several  substantial  dwellings. 

In  1883  was  elected  to  the  (office  of  county  judge  for  Steuben  county,  for  the  term 
of  !-ix  years,  and  in  1889  the  confidence  of  the  people  was  again  expressed  by  re- 
electing him  by  an  emphatic  vote  to  the  same  office.  His  keen  perception,  sound 
judgment,  strict  integrity  and  fair  dealing  have  secured  to  him  a  large  measure  of 
success  and  the  confidence  of  the  community. 


RUSSELL  M.  TUTTLE. 

Russell  M.  Tuttle  was  born  in  Almond,  Allegany  county,  N.  Y.,  January  12, 
1840,  and  has  been  a  resident  of  Hornellsville  since  1842.  He  was  a  son  of  Rufus 
Tuttle,  who  was  for  more  than  thirty  years  a  prominent  business  man  and  a  re- 
spected citizen  of  Hornellsville.  He  was  married  November  7,  1867,  to  Ervilla, 
daughter  of  the  late  Dr.  Levi  S.  Goodrich.  He  received  his  education  at  the  Hornells- 
ville public  schools,  at  Alfred  Academy,  and  at  the  University  of  Rochester,  where 
he  was  graduated  in  1862. 

In  August,  1862.  he  enlisted  in  the  107th  Regiment,  New  York  Volunteers,  and 


24  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

served  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  in  the  "march 
to  the  sea."  He  was  promoted  to  second  and  first  Ueutenant,  and  at  the  close  of  the 
war  received  an  honorary  commission  as  brevet  captain  United  States  Volunteers. 
He  was  on  staff  duty  nearly  two  years,  as  topographical  engineer  and  A.  A.  A.  G., 
with  Generals  T.  H.  Ruger  and  W.  T.  Ward,  of  the  Twentieth  Army  Corps. 

Mr.  Tuttle  was  elected  president  of  the  village  of  Hornellsville  in  1868,  and  repre- 
sented the  Second  Assembly  district  of  Steuben  in  the  Legislatures  of  1880  and  1881. 
He  has  taken  especial  interest  in  the  organization  and  management  of  the  Hornell 
Library  Association. 

His  chief  interests  have  been  in  the  newspaper  and  printing  business.  He  was  an 
editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Hornellsville  Times  from  its  establishment  in  1867  to 
1879,  and  again  from  1888  to  the  present  time. 


CLAIR  S.   PARKHILL,   M.  D. 

Dr.  Cl.'MR  S.  Parkhill  was  born  in  Howard,  Steuben  county,  N,  Y.,  November  lo, 
1842.  The  youngest  son  of  David  Parkhill,  his  boyhood  was  spent  on  the  homestead 
farm  and  in  attendance  at  the  district  school. 

His  father,  David  Parkhill,  was  born  in  Minden,  Montgomer)'  county,  1804,  and 
came  with  his  parents,  Timothy  and  Anna  (Rurey)  Parkhill,  to  the  town  of  Howard 
in  1818.  In  1823  he  married  Eveline,  daughter  of  Reuben  Ferris.  Their  children 
were  Delia,  Willard,  Albert  (decea.sed).  Dr.  Reuben  F. ,  Ann  and  Dr.  Clair  S. 

In  1876,  David  Parkhill  moved  to  Hornellsville,  where  he  died  November  8,  1892. 

The  Parkhill  family  traces  its  ancestry  to  a  French  lad  taken  from  the  wreck  of  a 
vessel  in  the  English  Channel.  The  boy  was  adopted  by  an  English  gentleman,  who 
had  a  country  seat  situated  in  a  large  park  at  Torquay,  England,  known  as  Park 
Hill.  Being  unable  to  make  his  name  known  to  his  rescuers,  the  boy  was  called 
Parkhill,  after  the  name  of  this  manor,  where  he  was  taken  to  reside.  He  grew  to 
manhood,  married,  and  lived  at  Havershaw,  England.  His  two  sons  joined  King 
William  III.,  Prince  of  Orange,  in  the  war  between  Catholics  and  Protestants  in  Scot- 
land and  Ireland,  1688-97. 

After  the  war  one  of  these  sons  remained  in  Scotland,  the  other  settled  in  Derry 
county,  Ireland.  During  the  early  part  of  the  seventeenth  century  four  brothers  of 
one  of  these  families,  of  the  Scotch  branch,  landed  at  Plymouth,  Mass.,  one  brother 
and  sister  remaining  in  Ireland.  The  names  of  those  who  immigrated  to  this  country 
were  Nathaniel,  the  father  of  Timothy  Parkhill;  David,  James  and  Hugh.  Two 
brothers  and  their  families  remained  for  some  years  in  Massachusetts,  but  subse- 
quently Nathaniel  moved  to  Vermont,  thence  to  Springfield,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y. 
James  and  Hugh  remained  in  the  New  England  States.'  Descendants  of  these  four 
brothers  are  widely  scattered  over  the  United  States.  Burk's  History  of  Peers  puts 
the  Parkhill  family  down  as  of  Scotch  origin. 

At  the  age  of  fourteen  Doctor  Parkhill  entered  Haverling  Union  School  at  Bath. 
From  there  he  returned  to  the  farm  and  remained  there  until  eighteen  years  of  age. 
In  the  fall  of  1862  he  entered  Michigan  University,  where  he  studied  for  two  years, 
and  then  returned  to  his  native  town  and  entered  Albany  Medical  College,  from 


CALVIN   E.  THORP. 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  25 

which  he  was  graduated  December  24,  1866.  He  began  the  practice  of  the  profes- 
sion with  his  brother,  Reuben  F.,  in  the  town  of  Howard,  and  continued  with  him 
for  seven  years.  September,  1873,  he  came  to  Hornellsville  and  took  up  the  prac- 
tice of  the  profession  in  this  city,  where  we  now  find  him,  one  of  the  leading  physi- 
cians of  this  county. 

The  doctor  is  a  member  of  the  American  Medical  Association,  the  New  York  State 
Medical  Association,  the  New  York  State  Medical  Society,  president  of  the  New- 
York  State  Railway  Surgeon;;'  Association,  member  of  the  Association  of  Surgeons 
of  the  Erie  system,  the  surgical  section  of  the  Medical  Legal  Society  of  New  York 
city,  the  Steuben  County  Medical  Society,  and  member  and  ex-president  of  the  Hor- 
nellsville Medical  and  Surgical  Association.  He  is  also  the  company's  surgeon  at 
Hornellsville  for  the  N.  Y.,  L.  E.  &  W.  Railway,  and  president  of  the  medical  and 
surgical  staff  of  the  St.  James  Mercj'  Hospital.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
Fraternity, 'Evening  Star  Lodge,  No.  44,  and  one  of  the  supporters  of  the  R.  R.  Y. 
M.  C.  A.,  and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  In  1884  he  served  as  presi- 
dent of  the  village  and  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education  four  years. 

March  30,  1867,  he  married  Marjory  P.,  daughter  of  William  Rice  of  Howard.  By 
this  marriage  he  had  four  children:  Louise,  the  wife  of  Blake  B.  Babcock;  Carrie, 
who  died  at  three  years  of  age ;  Walter,  who  died  at  seventeen  years  of  age ;  and 
one  who  died  in  infancy. 


CALVIN  E.   THORP. 

Calvin  E.  Thori'  was  born  in  Otsego  county,  N.  Y. ,  May  27,  ]829,  and  is 
a  son  of  Nelson  Thorp,  who  took  up  a  tract  of  land  and  settled  on  Potter 
Hill,  in  the  town  of  Cohocton,  Steuben  county,  in  1837.  Nelson  Thorp  was  a 
stirring  man  of  considerable  influence,  and  engaged  extensively  in  lumbering,  and 
later  in  farming.  A  Whig  in  politics,  he  took  an  active  interest  in  local  affairs,  and 
held  several  important  town  offices.  His  wife  was  Lucy  Snyder,  and  their  children 
were  Calvin  E.,  James  N.  and  George,  Mary  and  Charles,  deceased. 

Calvin  E.  Thorp  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  Cohocton,  and  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one  went  out  to  work  by  the  month.  In  1852  he  engaged  in  lumbering  on  his 
father's  land,  having  a  saw  mill,  which  he  successfully  carried  on  for  several  years 
prior  to  leaving  home.  About  1865  he  settled  where  he  now  resides,  and  since  then 
he  has  been  a  heavy  dealer  in  live  stock,  wool,  carriages,  agricultural  implements, 
etc.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  the  town  of  Cohocton,  and  has  always 
taken  a  lively  interest  in  public  affairs,  and  especially  in  politics.  A  staunch  and 
unswerving  Republican,  he  has  held  several  town  offices,  and  was  first  elected  super- 
visor in  1879,  and  served  in  all  three  terms.  He  was  a  charter  member  of  the  Cohoc- 
ton Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows  and  has  been  a  member  of  Liberty  Lodge,  No.  510,  F.  & 
A.  M.,  about  forty  years. 

Mr.  Thorp  was  married,  first  in  1853,  to  Miss  Luna  M.  Carrington,  who  died  April 
3,  1873,  leaving  five  children;  Oscar  D.,  of  Buffalo;  Charles  M.,  a  farmer  of  Cohoc- 
ton; Walter  E.,  of  Hartland,  Mich.  ;  Jennie  M.  (Mrs.  Frank  M.  Larrowe),  of  Cohoc- 
ton; and  George  A.,  a  general  dealer  in  Cohocton.  He  married,  second,  Jennie  S. 
Myers,  of  Cohocton,  in  1874. 

D 


26  LANDMARKS  OF  STETJBEN  COUNTY. 

HIRAM  W.   HATCH. 

HrRAM  W.  Hatch  was  born  in  the  town  of  Cohocton,  Steuben  county,  January  9, 
1846.  His  grandfather,  Matthew  Hatch,  a  man  peculiarly  fitted  by  nature  for  pio- 
neer life,  left  Whitehall,  N.  Y.,  in  1812,  and  settled  in  Bath,  where  he  resided  one 
year.  In  1813  he  settled  on  a  farm  on  Lent  Hill  in  the  town  of  Cohocton,  being  the 
third  to  locate  on  that  elevation,  which  was  named  from  its  first  white  settler,  Abram 
Lent,  whose  daughter  Matthew  Hatch  married.  Mr.  Hatch  had  five  sons  and  one 
daughter,  viz.:  Sylvanus,  Philii),  Barnabas  C. ,  Matthew,  jr.,  Hiram,  and  Cerisa 
(Mrs.  William  Hyatt).  Barnabas  C.  Hatch  became  a  prominent  and  influential  citi 
zen  of  Michigan,  where  he  served  as  county  judge,  member  of  assembly,  etc.  The 
other  sons  settled  on  Lent  Hill  and  were  respected  and  thrifty  farmers.  vSylvanus 
Hatch  was  a  captain  in  the  old  State  militia,  a  life-long  farmer,  and  a  man  of  ster- 
ling character,  whose  aid  and  advice  were  often  sought  upon  matters  of  importance, 
and  who  was  universally  esteemed  for  his  many  excellent  qualities.  He  was  born  in 
Whitehall,  N.  Y. ,  June  11,  1802,  and  died  in  Cohocton  in  1874,  and  was  buried  in  the 
Hatch  burying  ground  on  Lent  Hill.  He  was  married  in  1839  to  Miss  Emily  Peck, 
who  survives  him  and  resides  in  Atlanta.  She  was  born  Jtdy  11,  1819.  Their  only 
son  was  Hiram  W.  Hatch,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Hiram  W.  Hatch  inherited  all  the  ennobling  and  thrifty  characteristics  of  his 
respected  ancestors.  Born  and  reared  on  the  parental  farm,  where  he  formed  those 
habits  of  integrity  and  practical  labor  which  have  marked  his  life,  he  early  became 
imbued  with  the  attributes  of  a  successful  career  and  put  forth  every  energy  to 
secure  the  results  of  such  advantages  as  his  surroundings  afforded.  He  finished  his 
public  school  education  in  the  old  Naples  Academ^y  and  remained  on  the  homestead 
assisting  his  father  until  1870,  when  he  settled  in  the  village  of  Atlanta  and  engaged 
in  the  hardware  trade,  which  he  successfully  contmued  till  1881.  In  1871  he  also 
engaged  in  the  produce  business,  dealing  in  grain,  potatoes,  wool,  etc.  In  this  he 
became  an  extensive  operator,  succeeding  beyond  the  average  dealer,  and  with  it  he 
has  ever  since  been  prominently  identified.  He  is  also  extensively  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, owning  several  farms  in  this  and  adjoining  counties.  In  1884  his  son,  Hyatt  C. 
Hatch,  became  his  associate  and  in  1893  the  firm  name  of  H.  W.  Hatch  &  Son  was 
adopted.  In  September,  1895,  his  son-in-law,  C.  Gilbert  Lyon,  and  cousin,  William 
E.  Otto,  were  admitted  as  partners  and  the  firm  became  Hatch,  Otto  &  Co.  Their 
business  extends  along  the  lines  of  the  Erie  and  D.  L.  &  W.  Railroads  throughout 
Western  New  York  and  the  firm  is  one  of  the  most  extensive  operators  of  the  kind  in 
this  part  of  the  State.  They  handle  immense  quantities  of  potatoes,  grain  and  wool 
annually,  involving  transactions  aggregating  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars. 

Mr.  Hatch  commenced  a  business  career  before  he  had  reached  his  majority. 
While  still  a  farmer  with  his  father  he  dealt  quite  heavily  in  live  stock,  in  which  he 
was  remarkably  successful.  In  his  commercial  life  he  has  followed  the  strict  rules  of 
integrity  which  underlie  all  honorable  dealing,  and  has  won  the  respect  and  good 
will  of  every  one  with  whom  he  has  had  business  relations.  His  natural  business 
qualifications  and  the  confidence  imposed  in  him  by  the  community  have  brought 
him  a  large  measure  of  success.  He  is  a  man  of  unusual  public  spirit  and  his  sub- 
stantial aid  and  generous  support  have  always  been  freely  given  to  any  public  im- 


HiRAM  W.  HATCH. 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  27 

provement  that  merits  his  sanction.  His  career,  both  commercially  and  socially, 
has  been  marked  by  uninterrupted  success.  He  is  honest  and  truthful,  kind,  courte- 
ous, and  popular,  prudent  and  sagacious,  trustworthy,  vigilant,  and  upright,  and  his 
life  has  been  founded  upon  those  princijoles  of  integrity  and  fairness  toward  his  fel- 
low men  which  invariably  prove  responsible  for  such  success  as  he  has  attained.  His 
counsel  is  esteemed  by  all  who  care  to  profit  by  it  in  practical  affairs.  In  the  several 
stations  of  life  he  has  exhibited  those  sterling  qualifications  that  contribute  so  much 
toward  his  own  personal  success,  and  by  his  genial  way  has  won  a  warm  place  in  the 
hearts  of  his  associates  that  is  equally  gratifying  to  them  and  to  himself.  He  was 
the  first  president  of  the  Atlanta  and  North  Cohocton  Building  and  Loan  Association, 
and  since  its  organization  has  been  president  of  Erie  and  Niagara  Land  Company  of 
Bath,  which  owns  valuable  real  estate  in  Buffalo.  His  interest  in  public  affairs  has 
led  him  to  a  considerable  extent  into  politics.  A  Republican  of  the  staunchest  char- 
acter he  served  as  highway  commissioner  several  years,  as  supervisor  two  terms,  and 
often  as  delegate  to  county,  district,  and  State  conventions,  and  also  as  a  member  of 
the  Republican  town  and  county  committees  many  years.  Although  not  a  member 
he  was  long  a  trustee  of  the  old  Atlanta  Baptist  church  and  in  1894  became  one  of 
the  first  board  of  trustees  of  the  new  Presbyterian  church,  which  he  joined  as  a  com- 
municant, and  of  which  he  was  among  the  founders.  To  this  worthy  cause  he  has 
contributed  generously  and  largely  made  possible  the  construction  of  the  elegant 
new  edifice,  and  as  a  trustee  he  was  a  member  of  the  building  committee  during  its 
erection  in  1895.  He  has  always  been  deeply  interested  in  educational  matters  and 
locally  he  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education  for  fifteen  years  being 
president  of  that  body  most  of  the  time  He  was  largely  instrumental  in  placing  the 
present  academical  department  of  the  Atlanta  Union  School  under  the  Regents.  In 
his  home  Mr.  Hatch  is  especially  fortunate.  He  has  practically  spent  several  win- 
ters in  the  South,  and  in  travel  finds  both  recreation  and  knowledge,  for  he  is  a 
shrewd  observer  as  well  as  a  practical  man. 

In  1866  Mr.  Hatch  was  married  to  Miss  Celestia  Bush,  daughter  of  John  Bush, 
of  Naples,  N.  Y.  They  have  three  children:  Hyatt  C,  Minnie  L.  (Mrs.  C.  Gilbert 
Lyon),  and  Mary  E.,  all  of  Atlanta. 

Hyatt  C.  Hatch  was  born  in  the  town  of  Cohocton  in  1867,  and  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  and  in  the  Atlanta  Union  School.  At  the  age  of  seventeen 
he  became  associated  with  his  father  in  business,  and  shortly  afterward  entered 
Eastman's  Business  College  of  Poughkeepsie,  from  which  he  was  graduated,  the 
highest  in  his  class,  in  April,  1887.  He  continued  his  business  relations  with  his 
father  and  in  1893  the  firm  name  of  H.  W.  Hatch  &  Son  was  adopted.  Besides  this 
he  has  personally  carried  on  various  business  relations,  principally  in  real  estate,  in 
which  he  has  been  very  successful.  He  was  elected  one  of  the  first  elders  of  the  At- 
lanta Presbyterian  church  in  1894  and  has  officiated  as  superintendent  of  its  Sunday 
.school  since  its  organization.  In  politics  he  is  a  staunch  Republican  and  a  member 
of  the  Repubhcan  town  and  county  committees.  He  w^as  elected  supervisor  of  Co- 
hocton in  February,  1893,  and  re-elected  in  February,  1894,  for  two  years— an  office 
he  filled  with  great  satisfaction.  He  was  married  August  24,  1893,  to  Miss  F.  Edith 
Armstrong,  daughter  of  Seth  W.  Armstrong,  of  Oaks  Corners,  Ontario  county. 
They  have  one  son,  Bernis  "Warner  Hatch,  born  September  19,  1894. 


28  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

LORENZO  HULBERT. 

Moses  Hulbert,  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Hampshire 
county,  Mass. ,  August  7,  1770,  and  was  of  the  fifth  generation  in  direct  descent  from 
Sir  Justice  George  Hulbert,  who  in  1632  was  made  a  knight  of  the  order  of  the  gar- 
ter for  bravery  in  battle,  and  who  settled  in  New  England  early  in  the  seventeenth 
century.  Moses  Hulbert,  after  a  brief  residence  at  Fort  Ann,  "Washington  county, 
N.Y.,  came  to  the  town  of  Dansville,  Steuben  county,  in  1816,  and  located  on  a  farm 
on  North  Oak  Hill,  where  he  lived  the  remainder  of  his  life,  dying  about  1846.  He 
followed  both  farming  and  coopering.  He  married,  first,  Experience  Birge,  who 
was  born  April  25,  1776,  and  their  children  were  Harriet,  born  April  8,  1796;  Almira, 
born  April  28,  1800 ;  and  Cornelius,  born  March  6,  1802.  His  second  wife  was  Esther 
Hanhum,  who  was  born  January  17,  1775,  and  their  children  were  Julius,  born  Octo- 
ber 26,  1805;  Lester,  born  July  6,  1808;  Justus,  born  November  12.  1810;  Elmina, 
born  October  23,  1812;  and  Joel  Coleman,  born  November  12,  1815.  Julius  Hulbert, 
born  in  Fort  Ann,  came  to  Dansville  with  his  parents,  and  on  April  9,  1828,  was 
married  to  Eliza  Brown,  who  was  born  in  New  Hampshire  in  October,  1804,  and 
died  January  22,  1894.  Immediately  after  his  marriage  he  purchased  the  farm  ad- 
joining his  father  on  the  south,  upon  which  Lorenzo  Hulbert  now  resides,  and  there 
he  lived  until  his  death  on  Sept.  14,  1874.  He  first  built  a  log  house  in  the  pine 
forest  and  finally  cleared  the  entire  farm.  He  was  a  man  of  a  retiring  disposition, 
prominent  in  educational  matters,  for  many  years  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church, 
and  long  a  drummer  in  the  old  State  militia.  His  children  were  Velina,  born  De- 
cember 16,  1829,  married  I.  R.  Trembly  August  16,  1848,  and  died  in  Washington, 
D.  C,  January  4,  1892;  Moses,  born  August  5,  1833,  married  Laura  J.  Boylan  Sep- 
tember 10,  1856,  enlisted  in  the  188th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  died  in  Richmond,  Va.,  May 
17,  1865;  Esther  A.,  born  December  11,  1835,  married  D.  V.  Sutfin  January  1,  1856, 
and  died  in  Dansville  February  5,  1868 ;  and  Lorenzo,  born  February  18,  1843. 

Lorenzo  Hulbert,  the  youngest  and  only  surviving  member  of  this  pioneer  family, 
was  reared  upon  the  parental  farm  and  completed  his  education  at  Rogersville  Union 
Semmary,  which  at  that  time  was  a  flourishing  institution.  He  succeeded  his  father 
upon  the  homestead  and  has  always  resided  there.  He  was  largely  instrumental  in 
organizing  Oak  Hill  Grange,  No.  574,  P.  of  H.,  and  served  as  its  ma.ster  for  five 
years,  dechning  a  re-election,  but  accepting  the  office  of  secretary.  He  has  been  sec- 
retary of  the  Steuben  County  Grange  for  five  years  and  county  deputy  and  inspector 
for  three  years.  A  staunch  Republican  he  was  elected  supervisor  of  Dansville  in 
1892  and  again  in  1894  for  two  years— a  compliment  for  both  himself  and  his  party 
in  that  Democratic  stronghold.  In  November,  1895,  at  the  annual  session  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors,  he  was  the  prime  mover  in  organizing  the  Steuben  County 
Supervisors'  Association,  of  which  he  was  elected  president.  In  all  these  positions 
Mr.  Hulbert  has  served  with  great  cred'it  and  ability,  and  with  entire  satisfaction  to 
his  constituents. 

September  23,  1869,  Mr.  Hulbert  was  married  at  Haskinsville,  N.Y.,  to  Miss  Abbie 
M.  Burdett,  daughter  of  P.  S.  Burdett  and  Mary  Curry  his  wife.  She  was  born  at 
Rogersville,  N.  Y.,  in  1851.  Their  children  are  L.  Clyde,  born  November  9,  1875, 
and  Lena  M.,  born  June  10,  1883.  The  family  for  three  generations  has  manifested 
musical  talent  of  a  high  order. 


"^^l^l^n.^^^^^^ 


DAVID  S.   WAITE. 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  29 

DAVID  S.   WAITE. 

Duty  Waite,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Steuben  county,  was  born  in  Rhode  Island  in 
1785,  and  with  his  wife  Hannah  and  three  children  moved  from  Petersburgh,  Rens- 
selaer county,  N.Y.,  in  the  spring  of  1814,  into  the  north  part  of  the  town  of  Cohocton, 
settling  on  what  was  then  called  the  Half- way  place,  between  Bath  and  Dansville, 
which  contained  a  tavern  kept  by  Arunah  Woodard,  buildings  consisting  of  an  L 
shaped  log  house,  log  barn,  and  a  frame  lean-to  shed  for  travelers'  horses.  The 
location  is  about  three  miles  south  of  the  north  line  of  Steuben  county,  and  about 
two  miles  south  of  the  great  water  divide  between  Lake  Ontario  on  the  north  and 
the  Chesapeake  Bay  on  the  south. 

Then  there  was  no  nearer  route  between  Bath  and  Dansville,  and  shaded,  rough  and 
muddy  log  paths  made  travel  so  difficult  that  the  journey  could  not  be  made  m  one 
day.  The  tavern  shed  and  signpost  are  preserved  to  the  present  day  by  David  8. 
Waite,  who  lives  on  the  place  on  which  his  father  settled  eighty-one  years  ago.  One 
apple  tree,  which  bore  two  apples  the  first  year  is  still  bearing  fruit,  and  was  the 
only  one  on  the  place  at  that  time;  the  trunk  two  feet  above  the  ground  is  five  and  a 
half  feet  in  circumference. 

The  next  farm  on  the  north  is  supposed  to  be  the  first  settled  place  in  the  town  of 
Cohocton.  Richard  Hooker,  a  wealthy  Marylander,  came  on  to  it,  according  to  the 
statement  of  Thomas,  a  son,  in  1792,  with  eight  horses  and  a  half  of  a  bushel  of  gold 
and  silver,  thinking  that  feed  could  be  bought;  but  nothing  could  be  obtained  for 
feed  nearer  than  Painted  Post,  and  four  of  the  horses  starved  to  death  the  first  winter. 
Thomas  said  that  at  that  time  he  was  five  years  old,  and  that  an  Indian  boy  came 
from  the  woods  and  played  with  him.  Mrs.  Hooker  soon  died,  and  the  familv  moved 
to  Naples. 

One-half  mile  south,  by  the  side  of  a  brook,  John  Kirkwood  first  made  a  beginning, 
but  sickness  drove  him  away.  The  brook  took  his  name.  This  town  and  vicinitv 
was  then  called  the  Genesee  country.  There  was  an  abundance  of  wolves,  deer, 
opossums,  hedgehogs,  or  porcupines,  and  some  Indians.  Sheep  had  to  be  yarded 
near  the  house  every  night.  What  little  was  cleared  was  brushy,  and  one  could  not 
see  a  fourth  of  a  mile  along  this  main  river  road. 

Eighty-one  years  ago  was  the  beginning  of  highway  surveys  in  Cohocton.  The 
Arunah  Woodard  hotel  was  soon  turned  one  part  into  a  pioneer's  dwelling,  and  the 
other  into  a  neighborhood  school  room,  supported  by  subscription ;  there  were  no 
school  districts  then.  By  a  contract  made  in  1814  between  Duty  Waite  and  his 
neighbors,  Mr.  Waite  agreed  to  teach  the  school  and  board  himself  for  $12  per  month. 
The  maximum  number  of  scholars  was  sixteen.  The  supporters  were  Duty  Waite, 
2;  Abel  Farrington,  3;  Thomas  Rogers,  3;  Benjamin  Rogers,  1;  Arunah  Woodard, 
2;  WiUiam  Woodard,  1;  Daniel  Raymond,  1;  Daniel  Raymond,  jr.,  1;  Cornelius 
Crouch,  1;  and  Chauncy  Atwell,  1.  At  that  time  no  settlement  had  been  made  at 
what  is  now  called  Cohocton,  but  about  five  years  later  it  was  called  "  the  Four  Cor- 
ners," and  in  ten  years  more.  Liberty. 

Eunice,  the  oldest  child,  is  still  living  at  South  Jackson,  Mich.  ;  William  W.  became 
inured  to  the  severities  of  pioneer  life,  which  developed  his  powers  into  a  persevering 
successful  business  man  as  farmer  and  trader ;   Wealthy  was  an  accomplished  school 


30  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

teacher.  Two  others,  Ruth  and  Eliza,  married  farmers  and  spent  most  of  their  lives 
on  farms.  Sarah  now  lives  in  Horton,  Mich.,  as  a  physician's  wife.  David  S.,  whose 
portrait  accompanies  this  narrative,  lives  on  the  old  homestead  where  he  was  born, 
seventy  years  ago.  An  incessant  and  thorough  laborer  at  farming  and  surveying,  in 
middle  life  he  devoted  much  time  in  teaching  and  superintending  schools.  Clark  G. 
has  from  youth  practiced  civil  engineering,  first  in  building  the  Erie  railroad,  then  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  later  in  Kansas,  going  there  during  the  first  border  troubles,  and 
has  there  constantly  followed  his  profession  as  railroad  or  city  engineer  to  the  present 
time.  Phoebe  and  Murray  died  while  young.  Mary  resides  near  Grand  Rapids, 
Mich.,  as  a  farmer's  wife.  A  large,  industrious,  persevering  family,  acting  well  their 
parts  in  behavior,  usefulness  and  in  the  responsibilities  of  pioneer  life. 


GEORGE  GIBvSON. 

Gkorge  Gibson  was  born  near  Ovid,  Schuyler  county,  N.  Y. ,  in  1817,  and  is  a  son 
of  Ira  and  Harriet  (Corj-ell)  Gibson,  who  came  with  their  family  to  Pulteney,  Steu- 
ben county,  in  1825.  Ira  Gibson  was  born  in  Schuyler  county  in  1797,  had  eleven 
children,  and  died  in  1886.  His  wife's  death  occurred  in  1849.  Coming  to  Pulteney 
he  settled  on  a  forest  farm  in  an  almost  unbroken  wilderness,  and  first  erected  a  rude 
log  cabin.  He  cleared  his  purchase,  and  lived  to  see  the  section  become  one  of 
the  most  famous  and  prosperous  in  Western  New  York. 

George  Gibson's  education  was  limited  to  the  common  .schools.  At  the  age  of 
fifteen  he  became  a  driver  on  the  canal  from  Penn  Yan  to  Albany,  and  soon 
afterward  was  employed  on  a  boat  as  steersman  or  deck  hand.  A  little  later  he 
was  promoted  to  captain  of  the  lake  boat  J.  Price,  of  Geneva  which  ran  between 
Hammondsport  and  New  York,  and  which  was  owned  by  A.  M.  Adsit,  of  Hammonds- 
port.  In  these  various  capacities  he  continued  for  thirty  years,  when  Mr.  Adsit  sold 
out.  Meantime  Mr.  Gibson  purchased  the  site  of  his  present  residence  and  hotel, 
at  Gibson's  Landing,  and  also  100  acres  along  the  shore  of  Keuka  Lake,  paying  $23 
per  acre.  He  then  took  up  his  residence  there.  This  tract  was  covered  with  heavy 
forests,  which  he  converted  into  lumber,  railroad  ties,  and  ship  timber.  Having 
cleared  a  large  part  of  it  he  sowed  it  with  wheat  and  nearly  paid  for  the  land  the  first 
year.  Later  he  built  a  warehouse  on  the  lake  shore,  bought  grain  and  handled 
freight  for  the  interior  of  the  State,  and  in  1863  erected  his  present  warehouse  on  the 
site  of  the  first  structure.  In  1864  he  built  his  present  residence  and  in  1887  the  Gib- 
son House,  grading  and  beautifying  the  grounds,  and  making  it  one  of  the  finest 
and  most  popular  summer  resorts  on  Keuka  Lake.  He  also  set  out  an  excellent  vine- 
yard and  became  a  member  of  the  Keuka  Lake  Wine  Company,  which  in  1865  con- 
structed the  famous  Keuka  Lake  wine  cellar,  one  of  the  largest  in  that  celebrated 
grape  section.  In  all  these  important  enterprises  Mr.  Gibson  has  been  invariably 
successful;  his  large  business  interests  have  contributed  enormously  to  the  material 
prosperity  of  both  town  and  county. 

In  politics  he  is  an  unswerving  Republican ;  he  has  held  various  town  offices  and 
for  eleven  years  served  as  highway  commissioner.     He  was  a  member  of  the  com- 


FRANKLIN   E.  DAY, 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  31 

mission  which  laid  out  the  road  along  the  west  shore  of  the  lake,  a  road  that  has 
aided  largely  in  developing  that  strip  of  fertile  land.  In  1S75  he  was  appointed 
agent  of  the  United  States  Express  Company  at  Gibson's  Landing,  and  .shortly  after- 
ward was  given  the  agencies  of  the  Adams,  the  American,  and  the  Wells,  Fargo  & 
Co.,  which  he  held  until  the  spring  of  1895,  when  he  resigned  in  favor  of  his  grand- 
son, Ira  G.  Gibson.  In  1881.  under  the  administration  of  President  Garfield,  Mr. 
Gibson  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Catawba,  the  post-name  of  the  office  at  Gibson's 
Landing,  and  continued  in  that  position  with  great  credit  for  fourteen  consecutive 
years. 

Mr.  Gibson  was  married  in  1842  to  Miss  Ann  Leary,  who  was  born  in  New  York 
city  in  1812,  and  who  died  in  1870.  They  had  two  children,  Edward  and  George  F. 
In  1881  he  married,  second,  Arvesta  Bailey,  daughter  of  John  S.  Bailey,  and  a  native 
of  Pulteney. 


FRANKLIN    E.    DAY. 

Fkanki.in  E.  D.A.V,  eldest  son  of  Paul  E.  and  Polly  (Blodgett)  Day,  was  born  in 
Bennington,  Vt.,  in  1810,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Wayland,  Steuben  county,  in 
1821.  Paul  E.  Day,  who  was  born  in  Medfield,  Mass.,  in  1785,  moved  with  his  wife 
and  family  to  Genesee  county,  N.  Y.,  in  the  winter  of  1814,  settling  two  and  one- 
half  miles  west  of  Leroy.  In  the  spring  of  1819  they  removed  to  Seneca  county  and 
thence  two  years  later  to  the  town  of  "Wayland  (then  Cohocton),  Steuben  county, 
where  Mr.  Day  died  in  1850.  In  the  spring  of  1824  the  family  settled  on  the  farm 
now  owned  by  Charles  F.  Day.  Mr.  Day's  children  were  Franklin  E.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch;  "Washington  W.,  deceased,  born  in  1812;  "William  P  ,  deceased,  born 
in  1814;  Jackson  J.,  born  in  1816;  Calphurnia,  born  in  1819;  Mary  J.,  born  in  1831, 
died  in  1894;  Jonas  B.,  born  in  1823;  Laura  L.,  born  in  1825;  and  Riley,  born  in  1828. 
Paul  E.  Day,  the  pioneer,  built  the  first  wool-carding  and  cloth-dressing  mill  in  the 
town  in  1826,  the  carding  machinery  being  added  in  1833,  when  it  was  rebuilt  by  his 
son  Franklin  E.,  who  erected  his  first  saw  mill  in  town  in  1841  and  rebuilt  it  in  1853. 
The  fir.st  named  establishment  was  continued  until  1846,  when  it  was  converted  into 
a  saw  mill,  which  is  now  operated  by  the  pioneer's  grandson,  Charles  F.  Day.  The 
father  of  Paul  E.  Day  was  Joseph  Day,  who  came  from  England  with  four  brothers 
and  settled  on  the  Connecticut  River  near  Hartford,  Conn.,  where  they  followed  the 
avocation  of  weavers  and  carders  of  wool;  his  grandsons,  "Washington  W.  and  "Will- 
iam P.,  mentioned  above,  were  prominent  physicians. 

Franklin  E.  Day  came  into  possession  of  the  property  at  Patchinsville  in  the  spring 
of  1838  and  resided  there  until  1868,  when  he  removed  to  Rochester,  where  he  has 
since  been  engaged  in  dealing  in  real  estate  and  in  building,  residing  at  204  Frank 
street.  He  always  manifested  a  keen  though  quiet  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the 
town,  and  for  several  years  served  efficiently  as  highway  commissioner  of  "Wayland. 
He  was  a  charter  member  of  the  Cohocton  Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows,  long  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Wayland  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  now  a  member  of  the 
Brick  church  of  Rochester.  He  was  a  representative  farmer,  and  was  also  exten- 
sively engaged  in  lumbering,  in  both  of  which  he  was  remarkably  successful. 


32  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

Mr.  Day  was  married  on  January  2,  1836,  to  Miss  Matilda  Chase,  daughter  of 
Thomas  Chase,  of  Cohocton,  who  died  February  3,  1871,  leaving  two  children:  Or- 
leans W.,  born  October  30,  1838,  died  March  31,  1887;  and  Mary  M.,  born  February 
5,  1841,  who  married  Rev.  D.  M.  Stuart,  a  Presbyterian  clergyman  now  of  National 
City,  Cal.  For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Day  married,  in  1872,  Mrs.  Harriet  A.  Lee,  of 
Rochester,  who  died  July  10,  1890.  Orleans  W.  Day  married  Miss  Julia  A.  Mather, 
who  was  born  in  Geneseo,  N.  Y.,  January  28,  1836.  He  was  engaged  in  mercantile 
business  for  several  years,  but  finally  moved  on  to  the  farm  and  took  charge  also  of 
the  saw  mill.  His  children  were  Charles  F.,  born  in  1862;  William  W.,  born  in  1869; 
May  E.  (Mrs.  William  J.  Faulkner),  born  in  1872;  Harry  W. ,  born  in  1875;  and 
Amelia,  born  in  1878. 


LYMAN  SHEPARD. 

Lyman  Shepard,  son  of  William  and  Sophia  (Powers)  Shepard,  was  born  on  a 
farm  in  the  town  of  Cohocton,  Steuben  county,  June  6,  1826,  and  died  there  April  11, 
1891.  His  grandfather,  Ezra  Shepard,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Meriam  (Strong)  Shej^- 
ard,  came  to  that  town  with  his  family  prior  to  the  war  of  1812  and  settled  on  the 
farm  now  owned  by  Godfrey  Marshall,  building  a  log  cabin  on  the  site  of  the  present 
orchard,  and  died  there.  Ezra  Shepard  married  Mary  Boyce  and  reared  to  maturity 
ten  children,  of  whom  William  B.  was  born  December  18,  1794;  married  Sophia 
Powers,  and  died  June  23,  1865.  The  children  of  William  and  Sophia  Shepard  were 
Polly  (Mrs.  Silas  Hurlburt),  born  June  23,  1818,  deceased ;  Riley,  born  April  10,  1824, 
deceased;  Lyman,  the  subject  of  this  memoir;  Jerome,  born  May  13,  1829,  died  in 
November,  1888;  Sophia,  born  December  8,  1833,  died  unmarried;  Milton,  born  April 
9,  1835,  deceased;  Asahel,  born  March  4,  1838,  of  Atlanta;  Maria  E. ,  born  Decem- 
ber 21,  1842,  married  Franklin  Scnbner,  and  resides  in  North  Cohocton;  and  three 
who  died  in  infancy. 

Lyman  Shepard  was  a  lifelong  farmer  and  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Co- 
hocton, in  which  town  he  always  resided  excepting  three  years  in  Dansville.  He 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  first  settled  on  the  place  now  owned  by  Dr. 
A.  L.  Gilbert,  formerly  owned  by  his  father-in-law,  Reuben  Clason,  and  in  1872  re- 
moved to  the  old  William  Waite  homestead,  where  he  died.  In  connection  with  his 
farming  he  also  engaged  quite  extensively  m  buying  and  shipping  live  stock,  which  he 
continued  until  about  1880,  first  with  Lewis  Layton  and  afterward  with  William  Culver. 
In  this  as  well  as  in  all  other  occupations  he  was  eminently  successful,  and  won  the 
respect  and  confidence  of  every  one  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  He  was  a  man 
of  great  perseverance  and  native  energy,  a  steadfast  believer  in  the  princijDles  of 
honesty,  uprightness,  and  integrity,  and  a  worthy  and  representative  citizen. 
Although  a  Republican  and  later  a  Prohibitionist  in  politics,  he  never  sought  office, 
vet  he  always  manifested  a  keen  interest  in  local  affairs  and  generously  contributed 
towards  every  movement  which  promised  benefit  to  the  community.  Alone  and  un- 
aided he  carved  out  his  own  fortune  and  lived  to  enjoy  the  accumulations  of  a  profit- 
able career.     He  traveled  quite  extensively,  spending  a  winter  in  Florida  and  two 


LYMAN  SHEPARD. 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  33 

winters  in  California,  and  being  a  close  observer  actjuired  a  large  fund  of  general 
information. 

Mr.  Shepard's  Hrstwife  was  Harriet  Clason,  daughter  of  Reuben  Clason,  one  of  the 
early  settlers  of  Cohocton.  She  was  born  March  13,  1822,  and  died  July  29,  1872. 
Their  children  were  Murray,  born  May  12,  1851,  died  October  26,  1873;  Ann  Eliza, 
born  July  12,  1854,  died  August  9,  1863;  Frankie,  born  March  13,  1860,  died  August 
25,  1865;  and  Ida  E.,  born  May  31,  1864.  His  second  wife,  whom  he  married  Sep- 
tember 19,  1872,  was  Mrs.  Fanny  (Weld)  Waite,  widow  of  the  late  William  Waite, 
who  survives  him  and  resides  in  Atlanta.  Ida  E.  Shepard,  the  only  surviving  child 
of  Lyman  Shepard,  was  married  on  March  17,  1886,  to  Clarence  G.  Gray,  who  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Dansville,  December  17,  1857.  They  have  four  children :  Jessie 
I.,  Franc  H.,  W.  Lyman,  and  Sadie  V. 


J.   E.  WALKER,   M.  D. 

Dr.  J.  E.  Walker,  of  Hornellsville,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  is  the  only  surviving 
son  of  H.  L.  Walker;  was  born  in  Nunda,  Livingston  county,  N.  Y.  Received  a 
common  school  education,  subsequently  attending  the  State  Normal  School  at  Gen- 
eseo,  N.  Y.  ;  commenced  teaching  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  and  by  constant  work  and 
untiring  energy  succeeded  in  preparing  himself  for  the  study  of  his  chosen  profes- 
sion. 

He  entered  a  medical  office  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  graduating  from  the  Cincinnati 
Medical  College  in  1876,  and  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  immediately  after 
at  Arkport,  N.  Y.     His  business  became  extensive  almost  from  the  beginning. 

In  1883,  desiring  more  knowledge  of  some  of  the  specialties  in  medicine,  he  ar- 
ranged to  leave  his  business  and  spent  several  months  in  postgraduate  work  in  New 
York.  He  returned  to  his  old  field  of  labor  and  continued  his  practice,  riding  almost 
continually  until  he  saw  it  would  be  necessary  to  seek  an  easier  field  of  labor.  Con- 
sequently in  1892  he  sold  his  practice  and  drug  business  and  removed  to  Buffalo, 
where  he  remained  a  few  months.  Although  his  practice  seemed  assured,  yet,  feel- 
ing the  need  of  a  closer  association  with  patients  than  was  possible  in  private  practice, 
he  left  Buffalo,  through  the  influence  of  friends  going  to  the  Sterlingworth  Sanita- 
rium as  chief  of  staff,  where  he  remained  for  a  year,  caring  for  tubercular  cases, 
making  special  and  original  investigations  in  relation  to  consumption. 

Desiring  a  knowledge  of  the  methods  employed  in  Europe,  he  left  for  London  in 
October,  1893,  where  he  remained  a  couple  of  months  at  work  in  the  Brompton  Hos- 
pital for  diseases  of  the  chest,  also  taking  a  course  in  bacteriology  and  microscopy 
in  King's  College. 

After  completing  the  desired  amount  of  work  in  London,  he  visited  the  various 
hospitals  of  the  French  capital,  also  studying  the  methods  employed  in  the  Pasteur 
Institute.  He  visited  several  of  the  health  resorts  of  the  continent,  among  them  the 
noted  Honniff  Sanitarium,  the  iinest institution  in  the  world  for  the  care  of  consump- 
tives. Spent  some  time  in  Berlin,  more  particularly  in  the  Koch  Institute,  where  he 
examined  many  cases  of  tuberculosis  with  the  physicians  in  charge,  having  every 


34  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

opportunity  to  study  the  methods  employed ;  spent  some  months  in  Vienna  in  special 
work  in  the  Polyclinic  and  General  Hospital,  afterward  attended  the  International 
Medical  Congress  in  Rome,  being  made  a  member  of  this  great  bod3^ 

Returning  to  his  native  country,  he  made  a  tour  of  the  United  States  from  the 
Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  visiting  the  various  health  resorts,  and  studying  the  climatol- 
ogy of  our  own  country  in  the  interests  of  his  profession. 

In  November,  1894,  he  assumed  the  responsible  position  of  Superintendent  of  the 
Steuben  Sanitarium  at  Hornellsville,  N.  Y.,  since  which  time  he,  with  others,  have 
purchased  it  and  are  making  it  one  of  the  best  medical  and  surgical  institutes  in 
America.  The  most  intricate  and  delicate  medical  and  surgical  cases  are  here  given 
the  advantages  of  all  that  is  known  to  science.  The  institution  has  among  its  con- 
sultants some  of  the  best  talent  in  Western  New  York. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Hornellsville  Medical  and  Surgical  Association,  of  which 
he  has  been  president,  the  Steuben  County  Medical  Society,  New  York  State  Medical 
Association,  also  the  American  Medical  Association.  A  member  of  Hornellsville 
Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Steuben  Chapter,  Demolay  Commandery,  and  a  noble  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine  of  Ismalia  Temple,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 


JAMES  H.   STEVENS. 

J.A.MES  Humphrey  Stevens,  a  prominent  attorney  and  well-known  influential  citi- 
zen of  Hornellsville,  was  born  in  Dansville,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  July  11,  1^27, 
and  has  always  resided  in  the  count}-. 

His  parents,  James  H.  Stevens,  sr.,  and  Sally  (Wilson)  Stevens,  natives  of  War- 
wick, Mass.,  and  Shoreham,  Vt.,  father  and  mother  respectively,  purchased  and 
founded  the  Stevens  homestead  in  the  town  of  Dansville,  which  has  ever  since  been 
in  the  possession  of  the  family,  and  where  James  H.  Stevens,  sr.,  died,  aged  ninety- 
three  years. 

Mr.  Stevens  was  educated  at  the  select  neighborhood  schools,  Rogersville  Union 
Seminary  and  Alfred  University.  He  taught  district  and  village  schools  during 
winter  terms  for  seven  years.  During  the  last  two  years  of  that  time  he  studied 
law,  taking  the  regular  course  of  a  law  student,  when  he  was  not  teaching,  by  read- 
ing in  the  forenoon  of  each  day  at  his  father's  house  on  the  farm,  and  then  working 
on  the  farm  the  balance  of  the  day ;  thereby  practically  doing  nearly  two  days'  work 
each  day,  after  which,  in  1851,  he  entered  the  State  and  National  Law  School  at 
Ballston  Spa,  in  the  "San  Souci"  building,  located  at  that  place,  where  he  continued, 
except  about  a  month  he  was  in  the  office  of  Wm.  T.  Odell,  then  district  attorney  of 
Saratoga  county,  until  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  on  the  5th  day  of  January,  1852,  at 
a  general  term  of  the  Supreme  Court,  held  at  that  place  by  Judges  Cady,  Willard, 
Hand  and  Allen.  Soon  thereafter  he  entered  the  office  as  a  clerk  of  the  Hon.  David 
Runisey,  of  Bath,  N.  Y.,  and  in  the  fall  of  1853  entered  the  office  of  Hon.  John  K. 
Hale,  of  Hornellsville,  N.  Y.,  where  he  continued  until  on  the  13th  day  of  April,  1854, 
when  he  formed  a  partnership  with  the  late  Hon.  Horace  Bemis,  whose  interest  in 
the  business  and  library  he  purchased  in  1864.     From  1864  to  1872  he  was  in  j^art- 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  35 

nership  with  Hon.  Harlo  Hakes,  under  the  firm  name  of  Hakes  &  Stevens,  imtil 
August,  1872,  when  Charles  W.  Stevens  became  a  member  of  said  firm,  which  con- 
tinued under  the  same  name  until  1879.  At  the  latter  date  the  present  well-known 
firm  of  J.  H.  &  C.  W.  Stevens  was  formed. 

He  was  superintendent  of  schools  for  his  native  town,  and  resigned  when  he  came 
to  Hornellsville.  He  has  been  chairman  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Steuben 
county,  and  president  of  the  village  of  Hornellsville.  He  has  been  three  times  the 
Democratic  nominee  for  county  judge  and  once  for  the  Assembly,  and  each  time 
succeeded  materially  in  reducing  the  large  Republican  majority,  but  failed  to  over- 
come it.  He  has  been  too  busily  employed  in  the  duties  of  his  chosen  profession  to 
which  he  has  been  devotedly  attached,  having  a  large  and  generally  successful  prac- 
tice, to  engage  personally  in  party  politics. 

He  is  renowned  throughout  Western  New  York  as  a  trial  lawyer  of  remarkable 
ability,  is  clear  and  frank  in  his  statements,  attractive  and  convincing  in  his  de- 
livery. 

Since  March  10,  1885,  he  has  been  the  attorney  for  the  N.  Y.,  L.  E.  &  W.  R.  R. 
Co.,  for  business  arising  in  the  counties  in  Western  New  York  in  which  the  railroad 
runs,  but  chiefly  in  the  counties  of  Steuben,  Allegany,  Cattaraugus,  Livingston  and 
Wyoming.  During  a  considerable  period  of  his  professional  work,  more  particularly 
prior  to  the  time  he  became  attorney  for  the  Erie  R.  R.  Co.,  he  has  had  a  large  ex- 
perience in  the  counties  above  named  as  referee  in  cases  pending  in  the  Supreme 
Court. 

September  21,  1858,  he  married  Amanda  Artman  of  Sparta,  Livingston  county, 
N.  Y.,  who  died  April  2,  1870.  August  10,  1880,  he  married  Mrs.  Allie  E.  Collum, 
of  West  Union,  Fayette  county,  la.,  with  whom  he  is  now  living  in  the  city  of  Hor- 
nellsville, N.  Y. 


VERY  REV.  PETER  COLGAN. 

Very  Rev.  Dean  Peter  Colgan  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1825;  studied  in  the  private 
schools  of  Mount  Nugent  and  Old  Castle,  and  for  two  years  was  a  student  in  the 
Diocesan  Seminary  at  Navan.  He  afterwards  entered  the  Missionary  College  of  All 
Hallows  at  Dublin,  where  he  completed  his  philosophical  studies  and  began  his 
course  of  theology.  In  1848  he  came  to  Buffalo,  where  he  finished  his  preparatory 
studies  for  the  priesthood.  He  was  ordained  in  1850  by  Rt.  Rev.  John  Timon,  first 
bishop  of  the  diocese  of  Buffalo.  In  the  same  year  he  erected  a  small  church,  and 
banding  together  a  number  of  the  then  scattered  Catholic  families  of  that  district, 
formed  the  nucleus  of  what  is  now  the  congregation  of  St.  Joseph's  Cathedral.  In 
1851  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  mission  of  Dunkirk,  which  then  extended  over 
all  Chautauqua  county  and  parts  of  Erie  and  Cattaraugus  counties.  Here  he 
erected  a  temporary  church,  and  organized  a  congregation.  Two  years  later  he  laid 
the  foundation  of  the  present  beautiful  St.  Mary's  which  adorns  the  city  of  Dunkirk, 
and  which  is  one  of  the  most  handsome  church  edifices  in  Western  New  York.  In 
1858  he  established  an  orphan  asylum  and  school  in  the  same  city,  both  of  which  were 
placed  in  charge  of  the  Sisters  of  St.   Joseph.     He  also  erected  churches  in  the  ad- 


36  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

joining  missions  of  Jamestown  and  Westfield,  which  have  since  developed  into  flour- 
ishing parishes,  with  resident  clergymen.  He  came  to  Corning  in  1860,  where  he 
entered  upon  his  duties  as  pastor  of  a  poor,  struggling  mission,  possessing  neither 
church  nor  school,  with  the  exception  of  a  dilapidated  frame  building  entirely  inade- 
quate for  the  purposes  of  worship.  The  condition  of  the  parish  at  that  time  was 
anything  but  prosperous,  as  the  Catholic  families,  with  very  few  exceptions, 
possessed  nothing  in  the  way  of  real  estate,  and  were  consequently  without  perma- 
nent homes.  His  first  efforts  were  to  encourage  and  educate  the  people  to  the  duty 
of  purchasing  land  and  owning  their  homes.  In  this  he  met  with  gratifying  suc- 
cess, and  in  a  short  time  the  condition  of  the  people  was  vastly  improved.  This  plan 
of  organizing  rendered  his  labors  so  fruitful  in  his  former  mission  at  Dunkirk, 
Jamestown  and  Westfield.  In  1865  he  began  preparations  for  the  erection  of  a  new 
house  of  worship  for  the  then  increasing  Catholics  of  Corning,  and  in  the  following 
year  was  laid  the  corner-stone  of  the  present  handsome  stone  structure  known  as  St. 
Mary's  church.  His  next  enterprise  was  to  secure  the  State  Arsenal,  which  he  pur- 
chased in  1873,  and  which  he  converted  into  an  orphan  asylum,  in  charge  of  the 
Sisters  of  Mercy.  In  1881  he  erected  a  handsome  school  building,  which  has  at 
present  an  attendance  of  over  400  children.  For  the  accommodation  of  those  living 
in  the  eastern  part  of  the  city  he  purchased,  in  1886,  the  Salvation  Army  barracks, 
which  he  converted  into  a  chapel,  now  known  as  St.  Patrick's.  During  the  many 
years  of  his  pastorate  in  Corning  he  has  always  labored  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of 
the  people  of  Big  Flats  and  Campbelltown.  having  in  the  former  village  erected  a 
small  church,  and  in  the  latter  selected  the  site  and  prepared  the  plans  for  the  present 
place  of  worship. 

This  briefly  sums  up  the  work  Father  Colgan  has  accomplished  durmg  the  forty- 
five  years  of  priestly  life.  The  facts  stand  in  themselves  a  fitting  eulogy  of  the 
pioneer  priest  of  Western  New  York,  and  testify,  better  than  words  can  express,  the 
devotion  and  self-sacrifice  which  have  ever  marked  his  labors.  His  career  is  nothing 
less  than  remarkable.  Be  it  said  to  the  lasting  honor  of  this  devoted  priest  that  in 
all  his  undertakings  he  has  been  eminently  successful.  Gifted  with  an  enterprise 
and  business  tact  rarely  to  be  found  in  one  of  his  holy  calling,  he  triumphed  where 
others  would  fail.  Wherever  his  charge,  wherever  his  field  of  labor,  the  fruit  of  his 
priestly  efforts  serves  as  a  monument  to  his  name. 

His  untiring  energy,  and  his  indomitable  zeal  have  ever  been  exerted  in  the  noble 
cause  of  educating  the  people,  building  up  religion,  and  saving  souls.  He  has  shown 
himself,  at  all  times,  an  exemplary  priest,  a  pastor  and  friend  to  all  who  have  been 
placed  under  his  kindly  care.  Such  is  the  record  of  nearly  half  a  century  in  the 
priesthood — a  record  which  can  be  pointed  to  with  pride  by  both  pastor  and  people. 
While  ever  an  ardent  lover  of  the  Stars  and  Stripes  of  his  adopted  country.  Father 
Colgan  has  never  wavered  in  his  devotion  to  the  land  of  his  birth.  During  all  the 
years  of  his  priestly  career  he  has  been  an  enthusiastic  supporter  of  Ireland's  cause, 
and  more  than  once  has  lent  his  generous  aid  towards  the  attainment  of  that  longed 
for  freedom  from  British  oppression.  Father  Colgan  has  lost  none  of  the  energy 
which  characterized  his  early  days  in  the  ministry.  He  is  still  as  zealous  as  ever  in 
the  discharge  of  his  pastoral  duties,  and  although  the  snows  of  many  winters  have 
whitened  his  locks,  time  seems  to  have  touched  him  lightly.  Blessed  as  he  is  with 
remarkable  vitality,  the  venerable  dean  has  before  him  the  prospect  of  many  useful 


felOGRAPHICAL.  37 

years.  It  is  the  heartfelt  wish  of  his  countless  friends,  and  especially  of  the  devoted 
fiock  to  whom  he  has  endeared  himself  by  thirty-five  years  of  faithful  service,  that 
the  beloved  priest  may  live  to  witness,  only  a  few  years  hence,  the  happy  occasion  of 
his  golden  jubilee  in  the  ministry. 


JOHN  S.   JAMISON,   M.   D. 

John  Ste.^rns  Jamison,  Hornellsville,  N.  Y.,  was  the  eldest  son  of  John  D.  and 
Elizabeth  (Stearns)  Jamison,  of  Canisteo,  N.  Y.,  and  grandson  of  Capt.  John  Jami- 
son, of  Durham,  Bucks  county.  Pa.  He  was  born  July  25,  1822,  at  Canisteo,  where 
his  father  was  a  leading  citizen,  and  for  many  years  a  magistrate.  After  leaving 
the  common  school  he  attended  the  academies  at  Clyde  and  Nunda,  N.  Y.,  but  tem- 
porarily failing  health  compelled  him  to  relinquish  his  coveted  idea  of  a  graduating 
course  at  ITnion  College.  He  engaged  in  teaching  and  was  for  several  years  an  in- 
structor in  penmanship  and  book-keeping,  thus  obtaining  the  means  of  defraying  the 
expense  of  his  subsequent  medical  studies.  Senator  Donald  Cameron,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  ex-Governor  George  W.  Bigler,  of  California,  were  among  his  pupils. 

He  began  the  study  of  nledicine  in  1847  with  Dr.  U.  D.  Davis,  of  Canisteo,  and 
attended  lectures  at  Buffalo  Medical  College  and  the  University  of  Michigan.  He 
was  graduated  M.  D.  from  the  latter  institution  in  April,  1852,  and  has  since  been  a 
member  of  its  alumni  society.  He  at  once  began  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Canis- 
teo, but  after  one  year  removed  to  Hornellsville,  where  he  has  remained  until  the 
present  time. 

Dr.  Jamison's  father  was  a  volunteer  in  the  war  of  1812,  while  his  grandfather  was 
a  captain  in  the  army  of  the  Revolution,  equipping  at  his  own  expense  the  company 
he  commanded  in  the  patriot  service.  He  but  followed  their  example  in  respondmg 
to  his  country's  call  in  1861,  entering  the  service  of  the  United  States  on  May  4th  of 
that  year  as  assistant  surgeon  at  the  recruiting  rendezvous  at  Elmira.  He  was  sub- 
sequently placed  in  charge  as  examining  surgeon  of  the  volunteer  forces  organizing 
and  quartered  at  that  place.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  he  accompanied  the  Eighty- 
Sixth  New  York  volunteers  to  the  field  as  their  surgeon,  with  commission  dated  Octo- 
ber 12,  1861.  At  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run  he  became  a  volunteer  prisoner  in 
the  rebel  lines  for  eleven  days,  during  which  time  he  established  a  field  hospital  at 
the  Van  Pelt  House.  Under  a  flag  of  truce  he  accompanied  the  last  of  the  wounded 
from  the  field  to  the  general  hospitals  at  Alexandria  and  Washington. 

During  much  of  his  term  of  service  Dr.  Jamison  was  detached  from  his  regiment 
on  various  details  connected  with  the  medical  service.  For  his  medical  skill  and 
efficiency  he  was  appointed,  by  special  orders  of  Major-General  Meade,  to  the  board 
of  examiners  for  the  purpose  of  examining  medical  officers  of  the  army.  As  surgeon- 
in-chief  of  division  in  the  Third  army  corps  he  was  made  a  member  of  the  medical 
board  for  the  purpose  of  examming  applicants  for  leave  of  absence,  discharge,  or 
transfer  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  by  reason  of  physical  disability.  Other 
details  were  as  examining  surgeon  at  convalescent  camp,  Alexandria,  and  on  the 
board  appointed  for  the  re-organization  of  the  ambulance  system  of  the  Third  Army 
corps.     For  these  and  other  services  he  was  officially  complimented  by  the  medical 


38  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

director  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac,  and  especial!}-  for  a  detailed  report  giving 
everything  occurring  in  his  division  which  in  a  remote  degree  affected  the  medical 
department. 

To  Dr.  Jamison  belongs  the  credit  of  suggesting  the  institution  at  Washington 
subsequently  known  as  the  "Contraband  Hospital,"  where  the  colored  pieople,  who 
had  escaped  from  the  rebel  lines  and  were  coming  to  Washington  in  large  numbers, 
destitute  of  food  and  clothing,  and  many  of  them  sick  and  suffering,  could  be  treated 
and  cared  for.  Noticing  a  block  of  empty  buildings  near  the  Capitol,  called  the 
"Duff  Green  Row,"  he  suggested  to  General  Wadsworth,  then  m  command  there, 
the  plan  of  using  it  for  a  rendezvous  and  hospital  for  the  strangers.  With  the  aid  of 
Vice-President  Hamlin  and  the  president  of  the  Freedmen's  Bureau,  the  general 
secured  this  block  and  ordered  the  doctor  to  put  it  in  sanitary  condition.  This  he 
did,  aftd  soon  had  the  hospital  department  in  eft'ective  operation.  This  institution 
was  visited  by  the  representatives  of  many  English  and  European  papers  and  received 
many  favorable  comments  from  the  home  and  foreign  press. 

On  account  of  his  large  operative  experience  and  skillful  treatment  of  cases  as 
surgeon -in-chief  of  division  of  the  Third  Army  corps.  Dr.  Jamison,  in  June,  1866,  was 
reqnested  by  George  A.  Otis,  surgeon  and  brevet  lieutenaht-colonel  U.  S.  volunteers, 
to  contribute  to  his  official  reports,  of  his  operations  and  interesting  cases  during  the 
war.  In  1873  he  was  appointed  U.  S.  pension  examiner  at  Hornellsville,  which  posi- 
tion he  still  retains,  and  at  present  is  president  of  the  Hornellsville  Board  of  Pension 
Examiners. 

The  doctor  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  has  been  a  vestryman  of  Christ  Epis- 
copal church,  Hornellsville,  for  more  than  thirty  years.  He  has  devoted  much  time 
to  the  study  of  botany  and  has  valuable  botanical  and  geological  cabinets.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Ninth  International  Medical  Congress  held  in  Washington,  D.  C.  ; 
also  a  delegate  for  the  New  York  State  Medical  Association  to  the  Tenth  Interna- 
tional Medical  Congress,  held  in  Berlin,  Prussia;  is  a  member  of  the  American 
Medical  Association ;  the  New  York  State  Medical  Association ;  and  was  the  first 
president  of  the  Hornellsville  Medical  and  Surgical  Association,  working  under  the 
code  of  the  American  Medical  Association.  He  has  published  two  papers  on  "Chronic 
Intestinal  Catarrh,"  (see  Transactions  New  York  State  Medical  Association,  1885,'86). 

Dr.  Jamison  was  married  May  26,  1846,  to  Miss  Lavinia,  daughter  of  Abijah  New- 
man, of  Schuyler  county,  N.  Y.,  who  died  October  22,  1887.  Their  only  child  is 
Newman  Catlin  Jamison,  agent  of  the  Pullman  Palace  Car  Company  at  Hornells- 
ville. 


CAPTAIN    SILAS   WHEELER. 

The  first  settlement  in  the  town  of  Wheeler  was  made  by  Captain  Silas  AVheeler 
in  the  year  1800,  and  the  town  is  named  after  him.  He  was  a  descendant  of  Captain 
Timothy  Wheeler,  who  was  born  m  England  in  1604,  and  was  a  nephew  of  Governor 
Brooks  of  Massachuseets. 

The  parents  of  Silas  Wheeler,  Jonas  Wheeler  and  Percis  Brooks,  both  natives  of 
Concord,  Mass.,  were  married  October  13,  1743,  and  Silas  Wheeler  was  born  March 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  39 

7,  1753,  at  Concord,  Mass.  He  was  married  in  Providence  county,  R.  1.,  to  Sarali' 
Gardner,  and  they  remained  there  nearly  a  year  with  the  bride's  parents.  Before 
the  year  was  ended  the  famous  fight  at  Lexington  and  Concord,  April  19,  1775,  took 
place,  in  which  battle  many  kinsmen  of  Silas  Wheeler  took  part  in  defense  of  their 
homes.  An  "army  oi  observation,"  consisting  of  three  regiments,  was  at  once 
organized  in  Rhode  Island,  and  m  a  few  weeks  marched  to  Prospect  Hill  near  Bos- 
ton. General  Nathaniel  Green  was  commander  of  one  of  the  regiments  raised  in 
Providence,  and  Silas  Wheeler  was  a  private  in  that  regiment.  These  three  regi- 
ments formed  what  was  known  as  the  "Rhode  Island  Brigade,"  and  were  present  at  the 
battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  After  Washington  assumed  command  of  the  troops  before  Bos- 
ton, a  body  of  eleven  hundred  men  was  selected  from  hisarmy  to  make  a  descent  upon 
Quebec.  This  body  was  intended  to  co-operate  with  General  Montgomery's  army, 
which  had  set  out  for  Quebec  by  the  way  of  Lake  Champlain  and  the  St.  Lawrence 
River.  Washington  selected  Benedict  Arnold  to  command  the  eleven  hundred  men, 
with  the  orders  to  march  through  the  Maine  woods.  Among  the  first  to  volunteer  in 
this  body  was  Silas  Wheeler,  who  was  appointed  3d  corporal  in  Captain  Simeon 
Thayer's  Company.  On  September  13,  1775,  Arnold  started  with  his  men  from 
Cambridge,  and  on  November  3  they  reached  Sertigan  in  Canada,  in  a  state  of 
starvation.  For  several  days  this  little  army  had  been  without  provisions  of  any 
kind. 

Caleb  Haskel,  in  his  journal  of  the  expedition  recorded  at  the  time,  says:  "No- 
vember 1,  1775,  set  out  weak  and  faint,  having  nothing  to  eat;  the  ground  covered 
with  snow;  traveled  fifteen  miles  and  encamped.  Eat  part  of  a  hind  quarter  of  a 
dog  for  supper;  we  are  in  a  pitiable  condition.  November  2,  set  out  early  this  morn- 
ing very  much  discouraged,  having  nothing  to  eat  or  no  prospect  of  anything;  we 
are  so  weak  and  faint  we  can  scarcely  walk,  obliged  to  lighten  our  packs,  have  been 
upon  short  allowance  for  sixteen  days.  November  3,  about  two  o'clock  we  espied  a 
house,  'then  we  gave  three  huzzas,  for  we  have  not  seen  a  house  before  for  thirty 
days.  The  village  is  called  Sertigan,  the  people  are  all  French  and  Indians." 

The  day  before  the  army  reached  Sertigan  Captain  Dearborn,  afterward  Major- 
General  Dearborn,  gave  his  Newfoundland  dog  to  the  men,  and  although  the  dog 
had  been  a  great  favorite  with  all  the  command,  he  was  at  once  killed  and  eaten 
without  bread  or  salt. 

Judge  Henry,  of  Pennsylvania,  in  his  journal,  says:  "One  spoonful  of  the  dog- 
stew  was  quite  enough  for  me,"  but  Captain  Wheeler  often  said  that  nothing  ever 
tasted  better  to  him  than  this  meal  eaten  as  it  was  after  a  fast  of  five  days.  Many 
men  of  this  little  army  died  of  hunger,  some  [in  four  or  five  minutes  after  making 
their  last  effort  and  lying  down.  Corporal  Wheeler  had  with  him  fifty  golden 
guineas,  and  in  his  fight  for  life  he  threw  them  awa}',  in  order  to  lighten  his  load, 
and  a  comrade  picked  them  up  and  carried  them  until  he  fell  from  e.xhaustion. 

December  1,  Arnold  reached  Quebec,  but  it  was  not  until  the  night  of  Dec.  31 
that  the  assault  was  made.  Corporal  Wheeler's  company  was  in  the  assault,  took  one 
barrier  of  the  fort,  and  captured  130  prisoners,  but  were  unable  to  reach  the  second 
barrier,  or  to  retreat.  Meantime  Montgomery  had  fallen  and  Arnold  was  wounded ; 
and  after  holding  their  position  for  four  hours,  his  men  were  captured  and  taken  to 
the  Dauphine  Prison  in  Quebec.  This  prison  was  burned  down  in  1810.  TJie 
American  prisoners  were  kindly  treated  by  Sir  Guy  Carlton,  afterwards  Lord  Doi'- 


40  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

Chester,  "the  savior  of  Canada;"  but  smallpox  broke  out  in  the  prison,  and  great 
suffering  ensued,  and  in  March  an  attempt  was  made  to  escape  but  failed  through 
the  treachery  of  John  Hall.  The  prisoners  were  placed  in  irons  and  so  kept  for  two 
months.  Corporal  Wheeler  was  treated  with  exceptional  severity,  because  it  was  re- 
ported that  he  had  taken  part  in  the  capture  and  burning  of  the  British  armed  sloop 
"  Gaspe." 

In  August,  17T6,  the  prisoners  were  paroled,  and  on  August  12  Corporal  Wheeler's 
company  left  Quebec  for  New  York  and  arrived  there  September  12,  but  finding 
New  York  in  the  possession  of  the  British,  they  proceeded  to  Elizabethtown,  N.  J. 
Captain  Thaver,  in  his  journal,  says  that  he  landed  at  Elizabethtown  on  September 
20,  with  nine  rank  and  file,  one  lieutenant — all  that  returned  of  the  eighty-seven  men 
of  his  company  who  left  Cambridge  a  year  before.  From  Elizabethtown  Corporal 
Wheeler  went  to  Rhode  Island  to  join  his  young  wife,  and  was  soon  exchanged  as  a 
prisoner.  He  at  once  re-enlisted  in  the  "Rhode  Island  Brigade,"  in  Colonel  John 
Popham's  regiment.  This  brigade  served  three  years  in  the  Continental  Army. 
Many  of  the  Rhode  Island  troops  were  permitted  to  volunteer  for  service  on  the  sea, 
and  under  this  permission  Silas  Wheeler  went  on  board  a  privateer  which  was  cap- 
tured by  a  British  man-of-war.  The  prisoners  were  treated  as  pirates,  were  taken 
to  Ireland  and  confined  in  prison  at  Kinsale  for  more  than  a  year.  Henry  Grattan, 
the  great  Irish  orator  and  patriot,  was  in  deep  sympathy  with  the  Americans  in  their 
struggle  for  freedom,  and  in  some  way  Silas  Wheeler  was  placed  in  communication 
with  him,  and  was  assured  that  if  he  could  escape  from  prison,  shelter  and  aid  would 
be  furnished  by  Lord  Grattan.  Wheeler  planned  and  made  his  escape  over  the  walls 
of  the  prison ;  and  amid  a  shower  of  bullets  aimed  at  him  by  the  guards,  he  made 
his  way  to  Grattan,  and  the  latter  gave  him  clothing  and  money,  and  secured  his 
passage  to  France,  and  when  asked  how  he  could  be  repaid,  answered:  "If  you 
should  have  a  son,  give  him  my  name,  and  bring  him  up  to  love  liberty  and  his  fel- 
low man."  Soon  after  Captain  Wheeler  took  passage  for  America,  and  lost  no  time 
in  making  his  way  to  Rhode  Island  to  his  wife,  who  for  nearly  two  years  had  not 
heard  from  him  and  had  supposed  him  dead. 

It  was  during  his  service  with  the  Rhode  Island  Brigade  and  before  he  went  on 
the  privateer  that  he  was  made  a  captain.  He  remained  in  Rhode  Island  until  the 
close  of  the  war;  and  on  August  25,  1783,  his  only  son  was  born,  and  to  him  the 
name  of  Grattan  Henry  was  given.  Soon  after  the  close  of  the  war  Captain  Wheeler 
moved  to  Albany  county;  then  in  1798  to  Steuben  county.  He  was  a  man  of  great 
energy  and  perseverance,  but  liberal  and  generous  and  never  a  money  maker.  His 
son,  Grattan  H.  Wheeler,  who  came  with  him  to  Wheeler,  was  a  man  of  great  busi- 
ness ability,  and  largely  through  his  efforts  and  good  judgment,  the  great  Wheeler 
farm  of  5,000  acres  was  secured  and  improved;  upon  that  farm  Captain  Wheeler 
lived  until  his  death  in  1828.  He  never  forgot  his  early  sufferings  from  hunger,  and 
at  his  house  every  one  who  came  was  invited  to  eat  and  drink.  He  planted  fruit  trees  by 
the  roadside,  and  raised  tobacco  for  the  free  use  of  the  waj-farer.  He  had  three  chil- 
dren, two  twin  girls  born  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  both  of  whom  lived  and 
died  in  Wheeler,  Ruth  as  the  wife  of  Nathan  Rose  and  Sarah  as  the  wife  of  William 
Holmes.     A  sketch  af  his  son,  Grattan  H.,  appears  in  another  place. 

Captain  Wheeler  was  induced  to  settle  in  Steuben  county  by  a  Mr.  Preston  from 
Westerloo,  who  had  purchased  township  6;  and  upon  his  return  to  Albany  county, 


GRATTAN  H.  WHhELER,  SR. 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  41 

had  spread  the  most  glowing  accounts  of  the  fertiHty  of  the  Conhoeton  Valley.  The 
captain  located  on  the  Wheeler  farm,  so  many  years  occupied  by  him  and  his  son, 
Grattan  H. 

His  first  trip  to  mill  is  worthy  of  record.  There  were  at  the  time  when  he  had 
occasion  to  go  to  mill  but  three  institutions  in  the  neighborhood  where  grinding  was 
done :  At  the  Friends'  Settlement  at  Dresden,  at  Bath  and  at  Naples.  The  mill  at 
Bath  had  suspended  operations.  Captain  Wheeler  made  a  cart,  the  wheels  of  which 
were  sawed  from  the  end  of  a  curly  maple  log ;  the  box  was  in  keeping.  He  started 
for  Naples  with  a  yoke  of  oxen  attached  to  this  cart.  The  young  men  went  before 
them  with  axes  and  chopped  a  road;  and  the  clumsy  chariot  came  floundering 
through  the  bushes,  bov:ncing  over  logs  and  scrubbing  the  tree  stumps.  The  first 
day  they  reached  a  point  near  where  Prattsburg  now  is — six  miles,  and  on  the  second 
day  reached  the  mill  at  Naples. 


GRATTAN  H.  WHEELER,   Sr. 

Hon.  Grattan  H.  Wheeler  was  a  son  of  Capt.  Silas  Wheeler,  and  was  born 
August  25,  1783,  in  Rhode  Island,  and  removed  with  his  father  to  Albany  county  and 
thence  in  1798  to  Steuben  county.  He  developed  into  a  man  of  great  business  and 
executive  ability ;  and,  as  stated  in  the  sketch  of  Capt.  Silas  Wheeler,  it  was  through 
his  ability  and  efforts  that  what  is  known  as  "the  old  Wheeler  Farm,"  of  5,000  acres, 
was  secured  and  improved.  He  was  a  very  successful  farmer,  stock  raiser,  lumber- 
man, and  general  business  man ;  he  also  became  one  of  the  most  prominent  politi- 
cians in  Steuben  county  and  vicinity.  In  1822  he  represented  Allegany  and  Steuhen 
in  the  Assembly;  in  1824  he  was  elected  and  in  1826  re-elected  to  represent  the 
county  of  Steuben  in  the  Assembly;  and  as  State  senator  he  represented  the  Sixth 
vSenatorial  District,  then  composed  of  the  counties  of  Broome,  Chenango,  Cortland, 
Otsego,  Tioga  and  Steuben,  during  the  years  1828,  1829,  1830  and  1831.  In  the  year 
1831  he  ran  against  Hon.  John  Magee  for  Congress,  defeating  Mr.  Magee.  He 
served  two  years  in  Congress  from  this  district,  which  was  then  composed  of  Steu- 
ben, Allegany  and  Cattaraugus  counties.  He  was  an  enthusiastic  supporter  of  Gen- 
eral Harrison  in  the'campaign  1840,  and  was  elected  one  of  his  presidential  electors. 
After  1840  he  retired  from  active  participation  in  politics  and  devoted  his  energies  to 
his  large  business  interests,  which  had  been  growing  even  during  his  political  career. 
He  died  on  his  farm  in  Wheeler  in  March,  1852,  from  an  acute  disease,  being  a  very 
vigorous  man  up  to  within  a  few  days  of  his  death.  He  was  twice  married,  first  to 
Fanny  Baker,  daughter  of  Samuel  Baker  of  Canisteo,  and  after  her  death,  to  EHza 
Aulls,  the  youngest  daughter  of  William  AuUs,  the  first  settler  in  Pleasant  Valley. 
To  him  and  his  first  wife  were  born  three  children:  vSilas,  who  died  in  1845  at 
Wheeler;  Grattan  H.,  who  resides  at  Hammondsport,  N.  Y.  ;  and  Sarah,  who  mar- 
ried Jesse  Brundage  and  resides  upon  her  farm  about  two  miles  from  the  village  of 
Bath.  She  was  the  mother  of  Frank,  Grattan  H.,  and  Capt.  Monroe  Brundage. 
There  were  born  to  his  second  wife  and  him  eleven  children,  all  of  whom  are  dead 
but  Eliza  Armstrong,  of  Tiffin,  O, 


42  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

GRATTAN  H.  WHEELER. 

Grattan  H.  Wheeler  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wheeler  March  12,  1813,  the  son  of 
Hon.  Grattan  H.  Wheeler  and  the  grandson  of  Capt.  Silas  Wheeler,  sketches  of 
whom  appear  elsewhere  in  this  book.  Grattan  H.  Wheeler  lived  on  the  farm  with 
his  distinguished  father,  and  during  the  period  while  th^  latter  was  absent  at  Albany 
and  Washington,  assisted  in  the  management  of  the  large  farm  and  business.  He 
was  married  in  1837  to  Nancy  D.  Sayre  of  Wheeler,  and  soon  after  their  marriage 
they  settled  upon  a  farm  about  one  mile  from  the  old  Wheeler  homestead.  He  lived 
in  Wheeler  until  the  year  1857,  during  which  period  he  accumulated  a  farm  of  about 
1,500  aci-es  of  land,  and  also  built  up  a  large  lumber  business.  He  was  a  first-class 
farmer  in  every  respect  and  a  great  stock  raiser,  having  brought  into  Wheeler  some 
of  the  best  blooded  sheep  and  cattle  in  the  county  of  Steuben ;  and  while  there  he 
had  the  reputation  of  having  one  of  the  finest  flocks  of  sheep  and  the  best  herds  of 
cattle  in  the  county. 

In  politics  he  was  a  staunch  Whig,  and  was  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  supervisor 
of  the  town  of  Wheeler;  he  also  held  many  offices  and  positions  of  trust.  In  1857  he 
became  satisfied  that  there  was  a  future  for  the  grape  industry  in  the  adjoining  town 
of  Urbana,  and  on  December  9  of  that  year  he  removed  from  the  old  home  to  a  farm 
one  mile  west  of  Hammondsport.  He  began  there  at  once  the  bu.siness  of  farming, 
sheep  raising  and  the  grape  industry.  He  at  once  planted  a  vineyard,  which  was 
then  the  fourth  vineyard  planted  in  that  town ;  and  in  the  year  1860  he  was  one  of 
the  active  spirits  which  organized  the  first  wine  company  and  built  the  first  large 
wine  cellar  in  the  State  of  New  York,  and  in  fact  east  of  Ohio.  He  had  great  faith 
in  the  future  of  the  Lake  Keuka  and  Pleasant  Valley  grape  region,  and  he  believed 
that  the  wine  industry  would  eventually  develop  into  a  large  business.  Time  has 
proved  the  accuracy  of  his  judgment  and  belief. 

He  was  elected  the  first  president  of  the  Pleasant  Valley  Wine  Company,  and 
served  in  that  capacity  for  nine  successive  years,  when  he  sold  his  stock  therein  at  a 
large  profit  and  established  a  cellar,  which  was  known  as  the  Hammondsport  Wine 
Company,  and  he  continued  that  business  unt^l  the  year  1878,  the  present  Ham- 
mondsport Wine  Company  having  succeeded  to  his  business  name. 

Since  the  formation  of  the  Republican  party  he  has  been  an  active  Republican. 
In  1858  he  was  a  candidate  for  member  of  assembly  in  this  district.  He  is  at  present 
living  at  Hammondsport  and  in  active  work ;  and  at  the  age  of  nearly  eighty-three 
years,  is  in  good  health,  his  mmd  as  bright  and  active  as  ever. 

There  were  ten  children  born  of  this  marriage  with  Nancy  D.  Sayre,  namely: 
Fanny,  Sarah,  Eliza,  Graham  H.,  Emma,  Monroe,  Nannie,  Charles  G.,  Nellie,  and 
Mary.  Fanny  became  Mrs.  H.  D.  Rose  and  now  resides  at  Rochester,  N.  Y.  ;  Sarah 
married  Lieutenant  Layton,  who  was  killed  in  1863  in  battle,  and  then  in  1887  she 
married  Lieutenant  Cranston,  of  the  regular  army;  she  is  living  at  Elmira.  Eliza 
married  Major  H.  Gardner  and  resides  at  New  York  city.  Emma  is  the  wife  of 
R.  R.  Sopher,  the  proprietor  of  the  Elmira  Gazette,  and  resides  at  Elmira,  N.  Y. 
Nannie  married  Major  Norton  and  died  in  1880.  The  three  sons  reside  at  Ham- 
mondsport. Nellie  also  married  Major  Norton;  and  Mary  married  G.  E.  Mendel,  and 
both  reside  at  Wheeling,  W.  Va. 


^ 


^%=^ 


\ 


t 


V 


GRATTAN   H.  WHEhLhR.  jR. 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  43 

At  one  time  Mr.  Wheeler  was  the  president  of  the  Ohio  River  Coal  Company,  and 
operated  that  company  for  years  on  the  Ohio  River ;  he  was  also  president  of  the 
Steuben  County  Agricultural  Society  for  several  terms  and  aided  materially  in  the 
early  growth  of  that  society,  and  was  recently  elected  a  life  member  thereof. 
For  many  years  he  was  an  officer  of  the  Franklin  Academy  at  Prattsburg,  and  later 
president  of  the  Hammondsport  Academy.  He  has  always  been  active  in  educa- 
tional matters,  a  man  of  public  spirit  and  closely  identified  with  all  which  tended 
towards  the  progress  of  mankind.  His  wife  was  a  woman  of  lovely  character.  She 
died  May  27,  1889. 


MONROE  WHEELER. 

Monroe  Wheeler,  the  second  son  of  Grattan  H.  and  Nancy  D.  Wheeler,  was  born 
on  the  old  Wheeler  farm  in  the  town  of  Wheeler,  August  16,  1849,  and  lived  there 
with  his  parents  until  they  moved  to  Urban  a,  December  9,  1857. 

He  was  educated  at  Hammondsport  Academy  and  Michigan  University,  and 
studied  law  his  first  year  at  Elmira  with  Judge  G.  L.  Smith,  and  .Senator  David  B. 
Hill.  The  firm  was  then  Smith  &  Hill.  He  spent  the  last  two  years  of  his  law 
course  with  D.  &  W.  Rumsey  at  Bath  N.  Y.,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Roch- 
ester, N.  Y.,  October  22,  1874.  For  three  years  thereafter  he  was  managing  clerk 
of  the  law  firm  of  Rumsey  &  Miller  at  Bath. 

On  October  24,  1879,  he  married  Miss  Emma  G.  White,  of  Cohocton,  N.  Y.,  and 
on  November  1  of  that  year  he  opened  a  law  office  at  Hammondsport,  where  he 
has  ever  since  practiced.  During  which  time  he  has  built  up  a  large  and  profitable 
practice,  and  is  now  considered  one  of  the  best  lawyers  of  his  age  in  the  county. 

He  has  always  been  an  active  Republican  and  one  of  the  leaders  of  his  party  in 
the  county  for  the  past  twelve  years.  He  has  placed  many  others  in  office,  but  he 
prefers  for  himself  the  practice  of  law  to  office  holding. 

He  has  been  village  attorney  for  many  years  and  counsel  for  the  large  wine  com- 
panies at  Hammondsport,  and  also  attorney  for  the  railroad  and  steamboat  com- 
panies there.     He  is  also  treasurer  of  the  Lake  Keuka  Wine  Co. 

He  has  an  adopted  daughter  and  two  young  sons. 


HARRY  C.    HEERMANS. 

Harry  C.  Heerm.a.ns  is  a  native  of  West  Virginia,  born  at  Fellowsville,  Preston 
county,  June  3,  1852.  He  is  the  son  of  John  and  Nancy  Heermans,  both  natives  of 
Luzerne  county.  Pa.  The  family  moved  to  Corning  from  Scranton,  Pa.,  in  1865. 
Mr.  Heermans  was  graduated  from  the  Corning  Free  Academy  in  the  class  of  1870, 
after  which  he  entered  Wesleyan  University  in  the  regular  classical  course,  grad- 
uating in  1875  and  receiving  in  course  an  honorary  degree  in  1878.  After  leaving  col- 
lege he  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Brown  &  Hadden  at  Corning.  In 
1877  he  became  identified  with  the  real  estate  business  by  entering  the  office  of  the 


U  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

Fellows  estate,  of  which  his  father  was  the  sole  trustee.  In  the  latter  portion  of  the 
year  1876  the  trustees  of  the  village  of  Corning  vainly  sought  to  make  some  disposi- 
tion of  the  local  water  works  system,  originally  constructed  for  fire  protection  only, 
and  which  was  then  a  source  of  continual  vexation  and  expense  to  the  village. 

Proposals  were  asked  for  and  none  received.  Then  Mr.  Heermans,  with  Thomas 
Lawrence,  proposed  to  lease  the  plant  for  a  term  of  years  and  assume  all  responsi- 
bility for  its  proper  management,  extension  and  maintenance,  though  he  met  with 
discouraging  advice  from  his  best  friends  and  the  strongest  possible  objection  from 
his  father.  However,  he  acted  independently  and  determined  to  operate  the  works 
and  if  possible  place  the  system  on  a  paying  basis.  The  lease  was  made  by  the  vil- 
lage authorities  to  him  and  his  partner.  Thereupon,  by  the  investment  of  private 
funds  and  in  the  face  of  many  obstacles  and  discouraging  objections  the  works  were 
placed  on  a  successful  basis. 

In  the  history  of  the  city  of  Corning  the  reader  will  find  a  more  complete  and  de- 
tailed narrative  of  the  origin  and  development  of  the  water  supply  system,  but  we 
may  here  state  that  whatever  this  system  has  become  the  whole  credit  therefor  is 
due  to  Harry  C.  Heermans  and  his  partner,  Thomas  Lawrence.  During  the  term  of 
eighteen  years  the  city  has  been  abundantly  supplied  with  pure  and  wholesome 
water,  ample  fire  protection  has  been  furnished  without  cost  to  the  city  and  in  all 
respects  Corning  has  a  water  system  as  complete  and  reliable  as  any  municipality  of 
equal  size  in  the  State. 

Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  Mr.  Heermans  is  constantly  engaged  in  the  man- 
agement of  the  Water  Company  he  has  other  important  business  interests  in  the  city 
and  elsewhere.  The  firm  of  Heermans  &  Lawrence  are  well  known  in  this  section 
as  contractors  in  steam  heating  and  plumbing  work  and  supplies.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  Heermans  &  Co.,  druggists,  formed  in  1882  and  now  doing  business  in 
Corning.  He  has  been  president  of  the  Ontario  Land  Co.  of  Duluth,  Minn.,  since 
its  organization  in  1886,  now  controlling  large  properties  in  various  States.  He  is 
also  president  of  other  land  companies  and  corporations  in  the  Western  States.  In 
the  management  of  these  concerns  he  has  been  successful. 

In  1878  Mr.  Heermans  first  acted  as  city  engineer  of  Corning  and  has  ever  since 
been  more  or  less  identified  with  that  department  of  local  government.  In  1884  he 
was  employed  to  report  a  sewer  system  for  the  village,  which  was  constructed  in 
1886  and  years  following,  acting  at  the  time  of  construction  as  consulting  engineer. 
In  1886  he  devised  a  plan  and  constructed  the  water  works  system  of  Wellsboro,  Pa., 
and  in  1893  a  similar  works  in  Westfield,  Pa.  He  is  now  city  engineer  in  charge 
of  the  pavements,  sewers  and  street  railway  work.  He  was  for  several  years  chief 
engineer  of  the  fire  department  and  is  one  of  the  managers  of  the  Corning  Library 
Association. 

In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  firm  in  his  advocacy  of  party  principles,  yet  never 
so  radical  in  expression  as  to  oftend  his  political  opponents.  In  1886  he  was  elected 
supervisor  of  the  town  and  re-elected  in  1887,  in  the  latter  year  .serving  as  chairman 
of  the  board. 

Mr.  Heermans  is  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Corning  and  one  of 
the  trustees  of  the  society.  He  has  been  twice  married ;  first  in  1878  to  Ella  Weston, 
daughter  of  Abijah  Weston,  of  Painted  Post.  She  died  in  1880.  In  1886  he  married 
Annie  L.  Townsend,  daughter  of  Edward  E.  Townsend,  of  Erwin.     Four  children 


GEORGE  RENCHAN, 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  45 

have  been  born  of  the  second  marriage:   Ruth,  Joseph  Fellows,  Jerome  Townsend. 
and  Helen  De  Kay. 

Mr.  Heermans  has  ever  been  identified  with  the  progressive  spirit  of  the  city  of 
Corning  and  has  been  active  in  the  work  necessary  to  secure  new  enterprises  in  the 
town. 


(tEOR(;e  renchan. 

George  Renchan  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wheeler,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  the 
23d  of  September,  1814.  His  advantages  for  an  education  were  limited  to  the  com- 
mon schools  of  his  town,  which  he  attended  during  the  winter  terms  until  he  was 
eighteen  years  of  age,  and  one  term  after  he  became  of  age.  He  then  commenced 
the  carpenter's  trade  without  serving  time  as  an  apprentice,  and  built  houses,  barns, 
mills,  etc.,  and  met  with  unparalleled  success.  Many  of  the  buildings  he  constructed 
are  still  in  existence.  He  continued  this  occupation  until  he  was  thirty-five  years  of 
age,  when  he  bought  the  farm  on  which  he  now  resides  and  which  he  has  occupied 
ever  since.  On  the  31st  of  January,  1849,  he  married  Sarah  Rose,  a  daughter  of 
Sherman  H.  Rose,  of  the  town  of  Wheeler.  Mr.  Renchan  has  done  a  large  farming 
■  business  and  is  still  engaged  in  that  notwithstanding  his  advanced  age.  He  has  kept 
as  many  as  four  hundred  sheep,  and  up  to  the  time  of  the  change  in  the  tariff  by  the 
Democratic  party  during  the  second  term  of  Grover  Cleveland  as  president,  since 
which  time  the  production  of  wool  has  been  unprofitable,  and  he  has  abandoned  that 
branch  of  farming.  He  has  done,  also,  a  large  business  in  the  manufacture  of  lum- 
ber. In  1852  he  built  a  large  .steam  saw  mill  (one  of  the  largest  in  the  State),  on  his 
farm,  and  operated  it  about  twenty-five  years.  The  products  of  the  mill,  consisting 
of  lumber,  lath  and  shingles,  were  immense,  exceeded  by  no  other  mill  in  the  State. 
It  is  now  operated  by  his  son,  Charles  M. 

Mr.  Renchan  in  politics  has  been  a  Republican  since  the  formation  of  that  party, 
and  a  staunch  supporter  of  its  measures.  Has  never  been  an  aspirant  for  public 
place  or  honors,  but  during  the  great  civil  war  he  was  active  in  his  support  of  the 
government,  and  worked  untiringly  with  others  in  securing  volunteers  to  fill  his 
town's  quota,  giving  liberally  of  his  means  for  paying  bounties  and  buying  substi- 
tutes. 

Mr.  Renchan  united  with  the  Methodist  church  of  Wheeler  Center  about  fifty  years 
ago,  and  has  been  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  same  all  these  years.  Our  subject  is  a 
noble  example  of  the  self-made  man.  Commencing  life  with  absolutely  no  advan- 
tages such  as  are  enjoyed  by  the  great  majority  of  the  youth  of  our  country,  he  has 
hewn  his  way  to  a  success  that  is  highly  creditable,  and  has  been  attained  only  by 
the  most  determined  effort  and  untiring  industry,  and  now  at  the  advanced  age  of 
eighty-one  years  is  a  most  remarkably  well-preserved  man,  and  in  the  posses.sion  of 
his  faculties  to  a  wonderful  degree. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Renchan  have  had  but  one  child  that  has  grown  to  maturity,  a  .son, 
Charles  M.,  whose  biography  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work.  By  adoption,  when 
she  was  seven  months  old,  Mr.  Renchan  has  a  daughter,  Dell,  who  is  now  the  wife 
of  C.  C.  Cook,  agent  of  the  D.,  L.  &-  W.  R.  R.  at  Kanonah,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y. 


46  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

DWIGHT  A.    FULLER. 

DwiGHT  A.  Fuller  was  born  in  the  village  of  Cazenovia,  Madison  county,  on  the 
28th  day  of  June,  1815.  His  young  life  was  spent  in  the  same  vicinity  and  at  the 
little  hamlet  called  New  Woodstock,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  tanner.  In  sell- 
ing the  product  of  the  tannery  young  Fuller  frequently  visited  the  Chemung  valley, 
Elmira,  Corning  and  Addison  being  the  principal  points  for  trade.  At  the  village  first 
named  he  saw  an  opportunity  to  start  a  leather  business  and  at  once  made  prepara- 
tions to  move  there,  but  wTien  he  arrived  he  found  the  field  had  been  taken  in  the 
meantime,  and  not  caring  to  enter  into  competition,  and  declining  an  offer  of  a  part- 
nership, he  came  to  Corning.  This  was  in  1846,  from  which  year  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  with  the  exception  of  a  single  year,  he  was  a  resident  of  Corning  or 
its  immediate  vicinity,  and  was  identified  with  the  best  interests  and  history  of  the 
growing  village. 

However,  in  Corning  Mr.  Fuller  did  not  follow  his  trade  to  any  considerable  extent, 
as  in  1847  he  became  connected  with  the  grocery  business,  and  continued  it  until  his 
store  was  burned  in  the  disastrous  fire  of  May,  1850.  This  was  a  serious  loss  to  him, 
as  well  as  to  many  other  local  merchants,  and  we  next  find  him  landlord  of  the  old 
Western  House,  then  the  principal  hotel  of  the  village,  standing  at  the  corner  of 
State  and  Market  streets.  This  hotel  was  succeeded  by  the  Terrett  House  on  the 
same  site,  of  which  Mr.  Fuller  was  also  proprietor  until  about  1857,  when  he  sold  out 
and  moved  to  IlHnois.  After  a  year  in  the  West,  during  which  time  he  was  engaged 
in  business  as  commission  merchant,  he  returned  to  Corning  and  opened  a  grocery  in 
the  Cowley  block,  and  for  several  years  afterward  was  an  active  merchant  of  the  vil- 
lage, and  was  also  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  old  Arcade. 

In  1865  George  W.  Fuller  leased  the  Dickinson  House,  throughout  the  period  of 
its  history  the  leading  hotel  of  the  village  and  subsequent  city.  Mr.  Fuller,  our  sub- 
ject, took  an  earnest  interest  in  the  success  of  the  house  and  gave  much  attention  to 
its  management.  About  the  year  1870  he  became  the  owner  of  the  well-known 
Fuller  farm,  now  within  the  city  Umits,  on  which  he  afterward  lived,  supplying  the 
hotel  with  products  of  the  farm.  In  fact  these  properties  were  managed  together  in 
the  common  interest  of  the  owners ;  and  we  may  truthfully  add  that  in  no  family  in 
Corning  has  there  been  shown  more  devoted  loyalty  among  its  members  than  in  the 
Fuller  household.  The  interest  of  one  has  been  the  common  interest  of  all,  there- 
fore, when  on  May  18,  1890,  the  destroyer  invaded  the  home  circle  and  removed  the 
head  of  the  family  the  blow  came  upon  the  surviving  members  with  unusual  severity, 
although  at  the  time  of  his  death  Mr.  Fuller  had  passed  the  allotted  "threescore 
years  and  ten." 

Although  a  man  of  naturally  quiet  and  conservative  habits,  Dwight  A.  Fuller  was 
known  for  many  years  as  one  of  the  most  genial,  hospitable  and  generous  landlords 
in  the  Southern  Tier.  In  the  capacity  of  host  and  entertainer  he  showed  to  the  best 
advantage,  yet  within  the  sacred  precincts  of  home  his  true  and  loyal  nature  was 
fully  displayed.  He  was  public  spirited  and  generous,  especially  kind  to  the  poor, 
and  many  indeed  were  the  occasions  on  which  he  gave  relief  to  distressed  applicants 
of  which  tne  public  never  heard.  He  was  also  much  interested  in  Corning  and  its 
institutions,   and  while  he  was  an  influential  man  in  local  affairs  he  never  sought 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  47 

political  preferment.  However,  in  1860,  he  was  appointed  postmaster  by  President 
Buchanan,  succeeding  the  late  Charles  C.  B.  Walker,  holding  othce  one  year,  and 
being  in  turn  succeeded  by  Col.  C.  H.  Thompson. 

In  1839  Dwight  A.  Fuller  was  married  to  Jane  Merrick,  of  New  Woodstock.  Of 
their  six  children  only  two  are  now  living,  George  W.  Fuller  and  Dwight  L.  Fuller, 
owners  and  proprietors  of  the  Dickinson  House.  Their  aged  mother  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  household  and  is  cheerfully  furnished  with  everything  that  can  in  any  way 
contribute  to  her  personal  comfort. 


WILLIAM  W.  ADAMS. 

William  W.  Adams,  mayor  of  Corning,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Otsego,  Otsego 
county,  August  14,  1843.  He  came  to  Corning  with  his  parents  in  1850,  where  he 
acquired  his  education  in  the  public  schools.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  years  he  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Fall  Brook  Railway  Company,  where  by  close  application  to  his 
duties  he  was  advanced  in  standing,  now  occupying  the  position  of  general  store- 
keeper and  chief  accountant  in  the  motive  power  department.  He  has  been  vice- 
president  of  the  Hood  Furnace  and  Supply  Company  since  its  organization,  and  is 
also  a  director  of  the  Corning  Loan  Association. 

Mr.  Adams  is  a  member  and  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church. 
He  has  always  been  an  active  Republican,  believing  firmly  in  the  party  and  its  prin- 
ciples. Although  not  an  aspirant  for  political  honors,  he  was  tendered  the  nomina- 
tion for  mayor  at  the  city  convention  in  1894,  and  after  some  hesitation  was  induced 
to  accept.  As  mayor  he  has  been  careful,  conservative  and  conscientious,  not  shirk- 
ing any  responsibility,  and  having  at  heart  only  the  interests  of  the  city,  regardless 
of  party. 

On  the  6th  of  January,  1870,  William  W.  Adams  was  married  to  Frances  E. 
De  Wolf,  only  daughter  of  Hiram  De  Wolf,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Corning. 


Q.  W.   WELLINGTON. 

QuiN'CV  WiNTHROP  Weli.inc;ton,  who  for  more  than  thirty  years  has  been  known 
in  banking  and  business  circles  in  the  Southern  Tier,  was  a  native  of  the  old 
historic  town  of  Moriah,  Essex  county,  N.  Y. ,  born  December  37,  1832.  His  father 
was  Samuel  Barney  Wellington,  a  native  of  Vermont,  born  September  7,  1805,  and 
his  mother  was  Amelia  Green,  born  in  Saratoga  county,  June  39,  1813.  Samuel  and 
Amelia  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  of  whom  our  subject  was  the  second  in 
order  of  birth. 

Samuel  B.  Wellington  was  a  lumberman  and  that  pursuit  brought  him  from  Ver- 
mont into  Essex  county,  N.  Y.,and  still  later,  in  1849,  he  moved  his  family  to  Tioga, 
Pa.,  where  he  afterward  lived  and  died.  During  the  long  course  of  his  business  life, 
Mr.  Wellington  accumulated  three  fortunes,  but  just  as  frequently  reverses  came  and 
swept  them  away,  and  he  died  possessed  of  little  means,  yet  was  ever  known  as  a  man 


48  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

of  straightforward  honesty  and  integrity.  Quincy  W.  Wellington,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  attended  school  until  he  was  fourteen  years  old,  and  then  found  a  position  as 
clerk  in  a  store  in  Tioga.  He  was  employed  in  this  manner  until  1853,  when  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  C  W.  Etz,  under  the  style  of  Etz  &  Wellington,  general 
merchants.  He  lived  in  Tioga  until  the  death  of  his  father,  on  March  1,  1854,  then 
sold  out  his  interest  and  moved  to  Corning.  For  three  or  four  years  he  was  employed 
as  clerk  in  the  office  of  the  Erie  railroad  company,  and  in  1859  became  clerk  and  book- 
keeper in  the  George  Washington  bank.  Three  years  later,  in  1862,  our  young  man 
left  the  bank  and  in  partnership  with  Samuel  Russell,  jr.,  organized  Q.  W.  Welling- 
ton &  Co.'s  Bank,  which  has  withstood  the  ravages  of  time  and  financial  disaster  and 
panic,  and  to-day  stands  among  the  most  solid  and  safe  financial  institutions  of  this 
State.  Its  capital  is  §100,000,  with  a  surplus  and  undivided  profits  amounting  to 
§145,000  additional.  In  1866  Mr.  Russell  retired  from  the  firm  and  Mr.  Wellington 
contmued  its  management  as  sole  owner  until  1884,  when  his  son,  Benjamin  Wick- 
ham  Wellington,  became  his  active  partner.  According  to  the  report  of  the  condi- 
tion at  the  close  of  business,  September  28,  1895,  the  resources  of  the  bank  amounted 
to  the  sum  of  §929,000,  and  the  deposit  account  aggregates  almost  $690,000. 

At  first  the  business  of  the  Wellington  bank  was  necessarily  small,  but  by  careful 
investments  and  good  judgment,  the  owner's  means  increased,  and  the  field  of  opera- 
tion became  enlarged  until  it  extended  throughout  the  county  and  even  beyond  its 
borders,  and  (Juincy  W.  Wellington  soon  became  known  as  one  of  the  most  success- 
ful business  men  and  bankers  of  the  region.  Although  constantly  occupied  with  the 
affairs  of  the  bank,  our  subject  has  nevertheless  found  time  for  other  duties  than 
purely  personal  concerns,  and  has  given  substantial  co-operation  to  every  enterprise 
which  tended  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  town  and  county.  Unselfish  and  un- 
stinted have  been  his  contributions  for  all  public  purposes,  and  no  deserving  charity 
ever  appealed  to  him  in  vain.  Although  a  firm  Republican  in  political  preference, 
Mr.  Wellington  has  not  taken  an  active  part  in  that  field  of  action,  yet  is  well  in- 
formed on  all  the  leading  questions  of  the  day.  He  is  a  regular  attendant  at  Christ 
church  and  one  of  the  vestry.  On  the  IBth  day  of  May,  1857,  Quincy  W.  Wellington 
was  married  to  Matilda  B.  Wickham,  the  daughter  of  Benjamin  C.  Wickham,  of 
Tioga,  Pa.  Of  this  marriage  six  children  have  been  born,  viz:  Benjamin  W.,  now 
partner  with  his  father;  Catherine  Amelia,  of  Corning;  Samuel  Barney,  who  died  in 
infancy;  Adalaide  Louise,  wife  of  Alanson  Bigelow  Houghton;  Sarah  Etz,  of  Corn- 
ing ;  and  Emily  Clara,  who  died  in  infancy. 


THOMAS    G.   HAWKES. 

About  the  middle  of  the  sixteenth  century,  during  the  dark  and  unfortunate  period 
of  the  Reformation,  in  which  all  Western  Europe  was  swept  by  a  succession  of  re- 
ligious wars,  strifes  and  contentions,  and  in  which  Protestant  Christians  were  intol- 
erantly treated  and  prosecuted  and  frequently  burned,  Thomas  Hawkes  suffered 
death  at  the  stake.  His  gravest  offense  against  the  papal  authority  and  decree  was  a 
deep-seated  conviction  of  right,  a  sincere  Christian  faith,  and  an  upright  Christian 
example  by  which  both  faith  and  life  were  evinced ;  and  nowhere  was  his  character 


'''^'tP->^^^/tn. 


ze^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  "  49 

more  strikingly  manifested  than  in  the  noble  defense  of  his  course  when  arraigned 
before  both  the  bishop  and  the  earl.  His  trial  was  the  hollow  mockery  of  justice 
which  marked  the  era;  he  was  condemned,  and  on  the  10th  day  of  June,  A.  D.  1555, 
was  put  to  the  stake.  Mediaeval  history  informs  us  that  Thomas  Hawkes,  the 
martyr,  was  of  Saxon  origin,  born  in  Essex,  "in  calling  and  profession  a  courtier, 
brought  up  daintily,  and  like  a  gentleman." 

One  hundred  and  twenty  years  after  this  event  (in  1726)  John  Hawkes,  the  settler, 
direct  descendant  from  Thomas  Hawkes,  the  martyr,  left  Worcestershire,  England, 
and  invested  largely  in  lands  in  Ireland.  He  founded  Monteen  Castle,  in  County 
Cork,  a  noted  estate  in  later  years,  and  here  he  lived  in  affluence  and  comfort,  one  of 
the  landed  gentry.  The  settler  had  three  sons,  John,  Charles,  and  William,  and  one 
daughter,  Katherine. 

John  Hawkes,  eldest  son  of  the  settler,  was  born  at  Monteen  Castle  in  the  year 
1727,  and  afterward  became  the  owner  of  large  estates  in  County  Cork,  one  being 
Surmount,  on  which  some  of  his  descendants  have  ever  since  lived.  He  attained  addi- 
tional prominence  as  a  captain  of  the  Supplementary  Yeoman  Corps,  an  organization 
admirably  equipped  and  liberally  supported,  yet  serving  without  compensation.  From 
this  connection  John  Hawkes  was  dignified  with  the  title  of  captain.  He,  too,  lived 
in  ease  and  affluence  and  was  a  man  of  education  and  dignified  bearing.  Indeed, 
pride  without  vanity,  refined  tastes,  and  dignity  of  demeanor,  have  been  dominant 
traits  of  character  in  the  Hawkes  family  in  Ireland  from  the  time  of  the  settler  to  the 
present  owner  of  Surmount.  The  martyr  was  a  man  of  refined  culture  and  learning. 
Capt.  John  Hawkes  was  twice  married ;  first  to  Abagail,  daughter  of  Henry  Prettie, 
esq.,  and  neice  of  Sir  John  Mead  of  the  town  of  Kinsale.  She  bore  him  one  daugh- 
ter, Katherine.  1  His  second  marriage  was  with  Bridget,  eldest  daughter  of  Samuel 
Wakeley,  alderman  of  the  city  of  Cork.  -  Four  sons  and  five  daughters  were  the 
issue  of  this  marriage,  among  whom  Samuel,  father  to  Quale  Welsted  Hawkes,  was 
the  fourth  child. 

Samuel  Hawkes  married  Sally  Penrose,  fourth  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary 
(Randall)  Penrose,  of  Waterford,  County  Cork,  both  representatives  of  families  of 
position  and  influence  among  the  gentry  of  Ireland.  *  To  Samuel  and  Sally  Penrose 
Hawkes  were  born  nine  sons  and  two  daughters,  Quayle  Welsted  being  the  sixth  son 
and  seventh  child.  Samuel  Hawkes  founded  Hawkemount,  another  noted  estate  in 
County  Cork,  where  his  life  was  passed,  and  where  he  reared  his  large  and  interest- 
ing family. 

Quayle  Welsted  Hawkes,  present  owner  of  Surmount,  was  born  in  County  Cork 
eighty-four  years  ago,  yet  despite  his  age  is-still  a  splendid  specimen  of  physical 
manhood,  also  retaining  much  of  his  former  mental  vigor,  and  still  delights  to  follow 
the  hunt,  showing  all  the  apparent  zeal  of  half  a  century  ago.  He  married  Jane  Gib- 
bons, second  daughter  of  Thomas  Gibbons,  banker,  of  Fitz  William  Square,  Dublin. 
The  issue  of  this  marriage  was  nine  sons  and  four  daughters,  all  of  whom,  save  two, 

1  Katherine  Hawks  married  Herbet  Gillman,  esq.,  whose  daughter  Ellen  married  Sir  Samuel 
Moore. 

2  Bridget  Wakely's  mother,  Sarah  Hale,  was  second  daughter  to  Sir  Matthew  Hale,  chief 
justice  of  the  Court  of  King's  Bench;  he  was  born  at  Alderley,  County  G-loucester,  IfiOl), 

3  See  "  Burke's  Landed  Gentry  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland," 

Q 


50  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

are  now  living.  In  order  of  birth  they  are  as  follows:  Samuel,  a  highly  educated 
and  successful  physician  of  Wansted,  a  suburb  of  London,  and  who  died  May  21, 
1891;  Sarah  Anne,  Thomas  Gibbons  (of  Corning,  N.  Y.),  Quayle  Welsted,  Devonsher 
Penrose,  John  Gibbons,  Henry,  John  Pim  Penrose,  Catherine  Chamney  (deceased), 
William,  Richard  Welsted,  Mary  Gibbons  and  Elizabeth  Lombard. 

Thomas  Gibbons  Hawkes  was  born  at  Surmount,  September  25,  1846.  He  was 
educated  at  Queen's  College,  city  of  Cork,  where  he  remained  two  years,  studying 
civil  engineering,  but  before  his  course  was  completed,  impelled  by  love  of  adventure 
and  a  desire  to  visit  the  United  States,  he  came  to  New  York  in  company  with  a 
former  classmate,  who  was  then  purser  on  the  steamer.  Landing  in  the  city,  our 
)^oung  man  was  possessed  of  just  ten  pounds;  half  of  which  he  was  obliged  to  spend 
to  replace  his  overcoat  which  he  had  the  misfortune  to  lose.  He  was  pleased  with 
the  city  and  the  business  manner  of  its  people  and  looked  about  earnestly  for  em- 
ploj'ment  but  found  none.  He  then  determined  to  return  home,  and  accordingly 
went  to  the  steamer  to  arrange  for  his  passage  when  chance  brought  him  into 
acquaintance  with  John  Hoare,  then  senior  partner  in  the  firm  of  Hoare  &  Dailey, 
practical  glass-cutters  doing  business  in  the  city  m  connection  with  the  Brooklyn 
Flint  Glass  Company.  This  meeting  resulted  in  the  employment  of  young  Hawkes 
in  the  works  of  the  firm,  in  the  capacity  of  draughtsman,  with  whom  he  remained 
until  1868,  when  he  came  to  Corning  with  the  company.  However,  after  the  removal 
Mr.  Hawkes  continued  with  Mr.  Hoare's  cutting  department  until  1880,  as  employee, 
though  during  a  portion  of  the  time  he  had  an  interest  in  the  business.  Indeed,  this 
young  man  was  so  constitued  by  nature  that  he  could  not  long  rest  satisfied  in  the 
position  of  draughtsman.  He  proved  faithful  to  every  duty  assigned  him  and  when 
not  otherwise  engaged  it  was  his  custom  to  take  the  product  of  the  shops  and  sell 
to  the  trade  in  large  cities.  More  than  this,  he  became  thoroughly  acquainted  with 
every  detail  of  the  art  of  glass  cutting,  in  which  direction  there  seems  to  have  been 
an  inherent  trait  in  his  character. 

Digressing  briefly  from  the  general  narrative,  the  statement  may  be  made  that 
Thomas  Hawkes,  of  Dudley,  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  of  the  old  Midland 
glass  masters,  for  whom  the  claim  is  made,  says  the  Pottery  Gazette  (an  English 
trade  journal),  that  he  was  the  first  to  introduce  deep  cut  glass  into  England.  It 
was  "  Hawkes  of  Dudley"  who  built  the  three  grand  gas  chandeliers  which  attracted 
so  much  attention  at  the  once  famous  Highbury  Barn  dancing  rooms.  From  the 
"  History  of  glass  making  in  Staffordshire"  we  learn  that  in  1805,  Thomas,  George 
and  Abiathar  Hawkes  were  glass  manufacturers;  also  that  "Abiathar  was  a  candi- 
date for  Dudley  prior  to  the  first  election  in  1832,  but  retired  from  the  field.  Thomas 
Hawkes  was  M.  P.  for  Dudley,  February,  1834-July,  1845,  when  he  resigned."  In 
explaining  their  retirement  from  business  life,  the  Gazette  says:  "  T.  Hawkes,  Dud- 
ley, worked  three  works  in  that  town.  His  family  have  been  absorbed  in  the  aris- 
tocracy, and  trade  now  knows  them  not.  Thomas  was  the  last  of  three  brothers." 
We  need  only  add  that  the  brothers  Hawkes  of  Dudley  were  related  to  the  an- 
cestors of  Thomas  G.  Hawkes,  of  Corning.     Their  arms  and  crest  were  the  same. 

In  the  year  1880  Mr.  Hawkes  became  proprietor  of  a  glass  cutting  works  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Corning,  beginning  in  a  small  way  for  his  means  were  limited,  and  this  was 
his  first  venture  in  a  comparatively  new  field  of  action  and  one  in  which  success  de- 
pended alike  on  careful  management  and  superior  quality  of  product;  and  in  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  51 

light  of  subsequent  results  we  may  well  say  that  he  made  no  mistake  in  judgment 
when  he  chose  his  pursuit  and  undertook  its  supervision  in  every  department.  A 
substantial  fortune  is  the  reward  of  his  industry  and  business  capacity,  while  the  fact 
that  the  "  Hawkes  goods"  in  rich  and  deep  cut  glass  are  known  and  received  as 
standard  almost  throughout  the  world,  establishes  a  character  for  probity  and  integ- 
rity which  is  priceless.  It  is  a  known  fact,  too,  with  the  trade  that  the  output  of  T. 
G.  Hawkes  &  Co.  requires  no  examination  whatever  on  the  part  of  the  purchaser. 
It  is  not  surprising,  therefore,  that  the  shop  which  in  1880  employed  less  than  twenty 
workmen  has  enlarged  in  fifteen  years  to  furnish  almost  constant  employment  to 
nearly  two  hundred  and  fifty  men.  As  evidence  of  the  perfection  attained  in  the 
manufacture  of  rich  glass  wares  in  these  shops,  the  statement  may  be  made  that  at 
the  famous  Paris  Exposition  in  1889,  in  competition  with  the  world,  the  Hawkes  ex- 
hibit was  awarded  the  grand  prize.  Many  of  the  pieces  comprising  that  display 
were  purchased  by  the  nobility  of  Europe,  and  several  of  them  by  members  of  royal 
families.  Two  other  noted  pieces  of  glassware,  the  product  of  the  Hawkes  shops, 
which  have  attracted  attention  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic,  were  the  crystal  bowls 
described  in  the  Pottery  Gazette  as  the  "finest  pieces  yet  made  by  any  manufacturer, 
and  for  beauty  and  perfection  of  cutting  they  are  unexcelled."  One  of  these  bowls 
was  owned  and  highly  prized  by  the  late  George  W.  Childs,  philanthropist  and  jour- 
nalist. 

To  accomplish  the  results  indicated  in  the  preceding  narrative,  it  must  be  seen 
that  the  business  life  of  Thomas  G.  Hawkes  has  been  one  of  constant  activity,  for  all 
departments  of  his  now  extensive  shops  are  under  his  immediate  personal  supervi- 
sion. Notwithstanding  this,  he  has  found  time  for  other  duties,  especially  those  de- 
signed to  promote  the  welfare  of  Corning  and  its  people.  A  glance  at  the  records  of 
various  local  institutions  discloses  the  fact  that  for  two  years  he  filled  the  position  of 
chief  engineer  of  the  fire  department,  and  that  he  is  now  an  active  member  of  the 
Board  of  Trade,  also  vice-president  of  the  City  Club.  He  is  a  consistent  member  of 
Christ  church,  and  one  of  its  vestry.  He  is  a  strong  Republican  and  pronounced 
Protectionist,  yet  takes  part  in  politics  only  in  the  interest  of  friends.  His  public 
spiritedness,  too,  is  undoubted,  as  every  measure  for  the  public  good  finds  in  him  a 
generous  friend  and  liberal  supporter.  But  ic  is  at  the  fireside,  as  well  as  in  the 
office,  when  unburdened  of  care  and  work,  that  his  most  pleasing  traits  are  exhibited. 
His  devotion  to  parents  and -home  and  family,  his  pride  of  ancestry,  his  genial  char- 
acter, his  loyalty  to  friends,  his  well  trained  mind,  his  literary  taste,  all  combine  to 
make  him  one  of  the  most  interesting  of  companions.  Indeed,  the  love  of  birthplace 
and  parents  impels  Mr.  Hawkes  to  make  annual  visits  to  Surmount,  frequently 
accompanied  with  wife  and  children  ;  and  within  a  recent  date  he  has  become  the 
owner  of  Inniscarra  House  and  lands,  conveniently  situated  between  Surmount  and 
the  estate  of  Sir  George  Colthrust  of  Blarney  Castle. 

On  the  15th  day  of  June,  in  the  year  1876,  Thomas  G.  Hawkes  was  married  to 
Charlotte  Isidore,  second  daughter  of  the  late  Walter  Bissell,  of  Corning.  Of  this 
marriage  three  children  have  been  born:  Samuel,  Charlotte  Jane  and  Alice  Luella. 
This  is  not  the  place  wherein  to  write  of  the  domestic  virtues  of  those  whose  lives 
are  sketched,  but  if  a  kind  and  indulgent  husband  and  parent  are  to  be  reckoned  as 
a  subject  of  comment,  then  the  sweet  word  "  home  "  never  had  better  exemplification 
than  in  the  household  of  Thomas  Gibbons  Hawkes. 


52  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

JOHN  HOARE. 

John  Hoare,  more  familiarly-  known,  however,  among  his  intimate  friends  as 
Captain  Hoare,  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  in  the  city  of  Cork,  April  12,  1822,  and 
was  the  oldest  but  one  of  the  large  family  of  children  of  James  and  Mary  (Courtney) 
Hoare.  He  learned  the  trade  of  glass  cutting  with  his  father  in  Belfast,  and  after- 
wards, at  the  age  of  twenty  years,  left  Ireland  for  England,  where  (in  Birmingham) 
he  worked  as  journeyman  for  Rice  Harris,  proprietor  of  the  old  establishment  at  the 
Five  Ways;  also  for  Thomas  Webb,  at  Wordsley;  after  this  acting  as  foreman  and 
traveling  salesman  for  the  firm  of  Edward  Lacey  &  Son,  of  Birmingham.  He  was 
also  foreman  for  Lloyd  &  vSummerfield  (The  Park  Glass  Company),  one  of  the  oldest 
glass  houses  in  England.  In  1848  Mr.  Hoare  began  business  for  himself,  and  in  1853 
came  to  New  York  with  his  family,  the  extent  of  his  finances  on  landing  at  Phila- 
delphia being  just  half  a  sovereign.  However,  he  was  one  of  the  most  skillful  and 
experienced  glass  cutters  then  in  this  country,  hence  had  no  difficulty  in  finding  a 
good  situation.  In  New  York  he  began  work  for  E.  V.  Haughworth  &  Company  on 
Broadway,  and  after  one  year,  with  five  partners,  formed  a  glass  cutting  firm,  he, 
however,  being  the  active  man  of  the  concern.  After  two  years  Mr.  Hoare  bought 
the  interests  of  two  members  of  tne  firm  and  then  organized  under  the  name  of 
Hoare  &  Burns.  This  partnership  continued  until  1855,  when  our  subject  purchased 
and  became  proprietor  of  the  glass  cutting  department  of  the  Brooklyn  Flint  Glass 
Company,  buying  its  tools  and  machinery.  In  the  same  year  the  old  and  well  known 
firm  of  Gould  &  Hoare  was  formed,  and  continued  until  1861,  then  being  succeeded 
by  Hoare  &  Dailey,  who  were  in  business  until  1868,  when  the  senior  partner  came 
to  Corning.  However,  Mr.  Hoare  retained  for  several  years  his  business  interests  in 
New  York  city,  at  the  corner  of  White  and  Elm  streets,  and  also  at  Greenpoint, 
Long  Island. 

In  1868  Captain  Hoare  moved  his  glass  cutting  business  from  Brooklyn  to  Corning, 
upon  the  formation  of  the  Corning  Flint  Glass  Company,  and  has  since  been  a 
resident  of  the  city,  although  the  firm  still  maintains  an  office  and  salesroom  in  New 
York  city.  The  business  career  of  our  subject  in  Corning  is  too  well  known  to  re- 
quire any  extended  comment  in  this  sketch,  yet  the  statement  must  be  made  in  full 
justice  to  him  that  among  the  men  who  have  contributed  to  the  establishment  of  the 
splendid  industry  of  glass  making  and  rich  glass  cutting  in  Corning,  none  is  entitled 
to  greater  honor  than  John  Hoare.  In  every  department  and  detail  of  the  art  of 
glass  cutting  Captain  Hoare  is  skilled,  whether  as  designer  or  practical  cutter. 
Indeed,  in  many  respects  he  was  a  pioneer  of  the  industry  in  America ;  he  was  the 
first  man  who  turned  glass  in  a  lathe,  and  to-day  his  strongest  and  most  formidable 
competitors  in  business  are  men  who  learned  the  art  of  designing  and  glass  cutting 
in  his  shops  and  under  his  personal  instruction.  In  the  several  exhibitions  in  which 
the  Hoare  wares  have  been  displayed,  they  have  always  been  awarded  the  highest 
prize.  We  refer  especially  to  the  State  exhibits  in  Boston,  Philadelphia  and  Balti- 
more, and  in  each  case  the  prize  article  was  presented  to  Mr.  Hoare's  principal 
cu.stomer  in  each  city.  At  the  World's  Fair  in  Chicago,  the  famous  Columbian  Ex- 
hibition, in  1893,  the  display  made  by  the  Hoare  shops  was  awarded  four  medals, 
Nos.   2915,  2916,   2917   and   2918,    for  first,   rich  quality  of   cut   glassware;  second, 


A 


x 


BIOaRAPHICAL.  53 

artistic  designs;  third,  perfection  of  finish,  including  depth  of  cutting;  fourth, 
symmetrical  shapes. 

Notwithstanding  Mr.  Hoare's  seventy-three  years,  he  is  still  an  active  man. 
Whether  m  the  shops,  at  the  fireside,  or  at  the  lodge,  he  is  always  the  same  genial 
and  entertaining  companion  and  generous  host.  He  takes  but  little  part  in  the 
political  atfairs  of  the  city  or  county,  yet  is  a  thorough  Republican  and  Protectionist. 
He  became  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  in  1855,  joining  Star  of  Bethlehem  Lodge 
of  Brooklyn,  and  has  since  advanced  through  the  highest  branches  to  the  thirty- 
second  degree.  He  has  also  taken  all  the  degrees  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Knights  of  Honor.  In  Bro6klyn,  in  1861,  he  joined  the  National  Guard; 
was  a  member  of  the  Military  Association  at  Albany,  and  in  England  became  a 
Forester.  Captain  Hoare  has  been  a  vestryman  in  Christ  church  for  more  than 
twenty  years,  and  for  several  years  has  been  senior  warden.  He  is  regarded  as  a 
public-spirited  and  upright  citizen. 

On  the  16th  of  November,  1845,  John  Hoare  was  married  to  Catherine  Dailey.  Of 
this  marriage  eight  children  were  born,  six  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  and  four  are 
now  living.  The  six  are  James,  of  the  present  firm  of  J.  Hoare  &  Company; 
Catharine,  who  married  William  J.  White;  Minnie,  wife  of  William  H.  Sayles; 
John,  jr.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  thirty,  while  he  was  the  valued  superintendent  of 
the  cutting  works;  Timothy,  who  died  at  thirty-one;  Joseph  A.,  a  physician  of 
Corning,  and  the  only  son  who  adopted  an  occupation  other  than  some  branch  of 
glass  cutting. 


FRANKLIN  N.   DRAKE. 

In  the  town  of  Milton,  Chittenden  county,  Vermont,  on  the  1st  day  of  December, 
1817,  Franklin  Nelson  Drake  was  born.  His  father  was  Elijah  Drake,  a  farmer  in 
modest  circumstances,  yet  hard  working  and  industrious.  He  died  in  1829,  when 
Franklin  was  only  twelve  years  old.  His  mother  was  Polly  Tambling,  a  most  esti- 
mable woman,  native  of  Lee,  Berkshire  county,  Mass.  After  the  death  of  her  hus- 
band the  widow  married  Christopher  Cadman,  and  the  family  soon  joined  the  tide  of 
emigration  to  the  Genesee  country  in  New  York  State,  settling  at  Le  Roy,  Genesee 
county.  Here  the  youth  of  Franklin  was  spent,  at  school  only  a  short  time,  for  he 
was  the  seventh  son  in  a  large  family  and  was  early  put  to  work.  At  the  age  of  fif- 
teen years  he  began  as  clerk  in  a  drug  store  in  Le  Roy,  remaining  there  three  years, 
after  which  he  spent  one  year  in  the  -west.  Still  another  year  was  spent  in  a  drug 
store  in  New  York  city,  when  he  returned  to  Le  Roy  and  with  the  little  amount  he 
had  saved  from  his  wages  opened  a  grocery  and  hardware  store  in  the  village.  This 
was  the  goal  of  his  ambition  at  the  time,  but  the  changes  of  the  succeeding  fifteen 
years  opened  to  him  the  possibilities  of  still  greater  successes  in  larger  and  perhaps 
more  hazardous  fields  of  business  action.  After  fourteen  years  of  fair  success  as  mer- 
chant Mr.  Drake  disposed  of  his  stock  at  Le  Roy,  and  in  partnership  with  H.  D. 
Graves  and  Harrison  Harvey,  under  the  firm  name  of  H.  D.  Graves  &  Co.,  purchased 
a  large  tract  of  timber  land  in  the  town  of  Cohocton,  Steuben  county,  and  soon  be- 
gan operations  as  manufacturers  and  dealers  in  lumber,  shipping  their  product  to 


54  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

northern  markets  for  sale.  Their  first  mill  was  about  three  miles  from  Cohocton 
village  (then  known  as  Liberty)  on  the  road  leading  to  Loon  Lake.  However,  a 
change  was  soon  made  in  the  personnel  of  the  firm,  Graves  and  Harvey  retiring  and 
Z.  Waterman  becoming  partner  with  Mr.  Drake.  But  Mr.  Waterman  proved  an 
unsuccessful  lumberman  and  operator,  and  the  result  was  his  early  retirement  from 
the  firm,  leaving  our  subject  .sole  owner  and  proprietor.  Down  to  this  time  and 
throughout  the  several  changes  in  partnership  relations  the  business  had  been  reason- 
ably successful,  yet  it  was  by  no  means  as  extensive  as  Mr.  Drake  desired  it  to  be, 
for  he  saw  that  larger  and  more  rapid  operations  meant  grand  success  from  a  finan- 
cial point  of  view.  His  partners  did  not  hold  the  same  opinion,  hence  the  change  in 
the  firm. 

In  the  early  part  of  1861  the  firm  of  F.  N.  Drake  &  Co.  was  organized,  the  partners 
being  Franklin  N.  Drake,  George  W.  Drake  and  Thomas  Warner.  The  operations 
of  this  firm  were  the  most  extensive  of  all  in  the  history  of  lumbermg  in  the  Conhoc- 
ton  valley.  The  senior  partner  was  the  active  manager  of  the  enterprise,  and  he 
was  earnestly  assisted  by  his  associates,  neither  of  whom  was  at  all  timid  in  making 
large  investments.  At  one  time  in  its  history  the  firm  operated  six  mills,  the  annual 
output  from  which  aggregated  15,000,000  feet  of  pine  and  hemlock  lumber.  They 
continued  business  throughout  the  period  of  the  war,  when  prices  were  high  in  every 
market,  and  the  result  of  their  management  was  a  substantial  fortune  for  each  of  the 
partners.  In  1866  the  firm  was  dissolved,  Franklin  N.  and  George  W.  Drake  retiring, 
and  Mr.  Warner  continued  the  business. 

Although  F.  N.  Drake  sold  his  interest  in  the  lumbering  enterprise  in  the  Conhoc- 
ton  valley,  and  in  the  next  year,  1867,  took  up  his  residence  at  the  village  of  Corn- 
ing, he  by  no  means  retired  from  active  business  pursuits.  To  be  sure  he  then  pos- 
sessed a  fortune,  but  he  had  also  demonstrated  the  fact  that  he  possessed  the  capacity 
to  originate  and  successfully  direct  large  enterprises,  and  his  past  experiences  only 
served  to  stimulate  him  to  still  greater  exertions  m  future  operations.  While  in  busi- 
ness in  Cohocton  Mr.  Drake  had  joined  a  company  in  the  purchase  of  a  large  tract  of 
timber  and  coal  lands  near  Blossburg,  Pennsylvania,  the  development  and  operation 
of  which  called  for  the  construction  of  a  railroad  in  order  to  secure  the  best  results. 
This  led  to  the  organization  of  the  Bloss  Coal-Mining  and  Railroad  Company,  of 
which  Mr.  Drake  was  the  general  superintendent,  or,  as  he  was  in  fact,  active  man- 
ager of  the  whole  enterprise. 

Still  further,  in  carrying  out  the  objects  of  the  organization,  in  1867  Mr.  Drake 
purchased  the  Tioga  Railroad,  and  was  elected  president  of  that  reorganized  company. 
Through  his  efforts,  in  1876,  the  line  of  the  road  was  extended  to  the  city  of  Elmira, 
thus  giving  it  an  additional  value  both  in  frieght  and  passenger  traffic  and  otherwise 
materially  improving  its  condition.  However,  in  1871,  the  Bloss-Coal  Mining  and 
Railroad  Company  was  sold  to  the  Blossburg  Coal  Company,  and  of  the  last  men- 
tioned corporation  Franklin  N.  Drake  was  elected  president ;  which  statement  im- 
plies the  ownership  of  a  controlling  interest  in  the  capital  stock  of  the  company,  and 
also  the  actual  direction  of  its  policy  and  business.  Such  was  the  case,  and  the  re- 
mark is  frequently  made  in  financial  circles  that  whatever  measure  of  success  was 
accomplished  through  the  enterprise,  it  was  due  almost  entirely  to  the  energy,  sagac- 
ity and  excellent  judgment  of  the  managing  officer.  During  the  years  1870  and  '71 
Mr.  Drake  was  director  of  the  Erie  railroad,  yet  his  chief  attention  was  given  to  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  55 

management  of  the  several  companies  previously  mentioned.  However,  all  these 
various  railroad  interests  were  sold  to  the  Erie  road  in  1881.  Mr.  Drake  was  ever 
awake  to  the  interests  of  Corning,  and  every  measure  tending  to  promote  the  general 
good  found  in  him  an  earnest  advocate  and  generous  supporter.  In  1883  he  organized 
the  First  National  Bank,  with  a  capital  of  §50,000,  and  was  elected  its  first  president, 
holding  that  office  uutil  the  time  of  his  death,  December  28,  1892.  Except  for  the 
united  efforts  of  Mr.  Drake  and  Amory  Houghton,  jr.,  it  is  doubtful  if  Corning  would 
ever  have  possessed  the  beautiful  opera  house  which  now  ornaments  the  city.  Like 
instances  of  his  public  spiritedness  and  liberality  might  be  counted  by  the  dozen, 
but  are  not  deemed  essential  in  this  place. 

Such  is  a  brief  resume  of  the  principal  business  operations  of  Franklin  N.  Drake. 
If  it  indicates  anything  it  is  that  he  was  a  remarkable  man  in  his  capacity  to  grasp 
and  successfully  direct  large  enterprises.  In  such  undertakings,  the  details  of  which 
would  distract  and  paralyze  the  powers  of  men  less  favorably  constituted  for  such 
operations,  he  seemed  to  .see  the  end  from  the  beginning.  He  looked  ov-er  his  ground, 
formed  his  own  judgment  with  rapidity  and  almost  certain  accuracy,  and  after  that 
proceeded  to  the  execution  of  his  plans  with  the  serene  confidence  that  all  would  end 
according  to  his  expectations.  He  was,  as  must  be  seen,  a  very  busy  man;  but  his 
manifold  interests  never  worried  him ;  in  all  these  his  power  was  sufficient  for  any 
emergency  and  his  time  adequate  for  all  requirements.  While  not  a  man  of  finished 
education,  for  his  early  opportunities  were  indeed  limited,  his  fund  of  general  know- 
ledge was  comprehensive  and  useful,  and  was  underlaid  with  sound  common  sense 
and  an  excellent  judgment  of  men  and  affairs.  Behind  all  this  was  a  character  noted 
wherever  his  name  was  known  for  sterling  integrity  that  causes  his  name  to  be  loved 
and  revered.  Although  a  close  reader  and  observer  of  all  that  took  place  in  public 
life  he  was  not  active  in  politics.  However,  while  living  in  Cohocton,  Mr.  Drake 
served  two  years,  (1863-1864)  as  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors. 

Franklin  N.  Drake  married  (in  1840)  Abigail,  daughter  of  Giles  Man  warring,  of 
Bethany,  Genesee  county.  To  them  were  born  three  sons  and  three  daughters,  of 
whom  only  two  sons  reached  manhood.  Of  these  Henry  attained  the  age  of  twenty- 
six  years,  and  died  in  1873.  Except  for  the  work  of  the  destroyer,  the  domestic  life 
of  Mr.  Drake  was  all  that  could  be  desired,  as  he  possessed  both  means  and  disposi- 
tion to  provide  his  family  with  every  luxury  which  adds  to  the  pleasure  of  home. 


GEORGE    B.   BRADLEY. 

George  Beckwith  Bkadlev,  who  now  retires  from  the  Supreme  Court  bench  by 
reason  of  having  attained  the  age  limitation  of  seventy  years,  and  who  carries  with 
him  into  retirement  from  the  judicial  office  he  has  filled  .so  well  and  honorably  the 
sincere  admiration  and  respect  of  the  entire  bar  of  the  State,  has  been  associated 
with  the  legal  profession  in  Steuben  county  for  almost  half  a  century.  In  1848,  the 
.same  year  in  which  he  was  admitted  to  practice,  Judge  Bradley  came  to  Addison, 
thence  in  the  course  of  a  few  months  moved  to  WoodhuU,  practicing  law  at  the  latter 
place  about  four  years.  In  the  fall  of  1852  he  located  permanently  at  Corning  and 
at  once  began  active  practice  in  the  rapidly  growing  village. 


56  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

George  B.  Bradley  was  bom  in  the  town  of  Greene,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  on 
the  5th  day  of  February,  1825,  and  was  the  younger  of  two  children  of  Orlo  F.  and 
Julia  (Carter)  Bradley.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  and  George  was  brought  up  to 
farm  work,  attending  district  school  m  the  winter.  However,  he  did  succeed,  wholly 
through  his  own  exertions,  in  obtaining  a  two  years'  course  of  study  at  the  old 
Ithaca  Academy,  after  which  he  began  reading  law  in  Greene,  using  Judge  Monell's 
office  and  library.  He  finished  his  studies  at  Fulton  in  the  office  of  James  Crombie, 
and  at  Oswego  in  May,  1848,  was  admitted  to  practice.  He  then  came  to  Steuben 
covinty,  practicing  a  few  months  at  Addison,  where  his  sister  then  lived. 

In  his  early  professional  career  Judge  Bradley  showed  commendable  zeal  and 
activity  and  was  soon  recognized  among  the  leading  young  lawyers  of  the  Southern 
Tier.  In  the  conduct  of  his  legal  business  he  was  methodical,  cautious,  and  some- 
times laborious,  and  it  has  been  said  by  lawyers  who  knew  him  well  that  he  never 
went  into  court  with  a  ease  unless  it  was  thoroughly  prepared  for  trial.  However,  it 
was  his  policy  to  discountenance  rather  than  promote  litigation,  and  a  glance  at  the 
old  court  calendars  shows  his  name  as  attorney  for  the  defense  far  more  freqviently 
than  for  the  plaintifi:;  and  in  his  intercourse  with  clients,  mature  deliberation  always 
preceded  counsel.  Before  the  jury  he  addressed  himself  to  the  understanding  of  his 
hearers  instead  of  appealing  to  their  passions,  and  approached  the  subject  m  hand 
with  dignity  and  self-possession,  and  in  the  light  of  principle  and  common  sense. 

Naturally  a  lawyer  of  such  characteristics,  and  also  possessing  the  respect,  confi- 
dence and  esteem  of  his  fellow  men,  could  not  well  avoid  being  drawn  somewhat 
into  the  arena  of  politics,  though  the  principles  he  has  maintained  and  advocated 
have  not  been  in  accord  with  those  of  the  dominant  party  in  the  county.  Neverthe- 
less he  has  been  pressed  into  the  field  as  the  Democratic  candidate  (though  seldom  of 
his  own  choice),  when  personal  and  professional  influence  and  popularity,  it  was 
hoped,  might  turn  the  scale  of  doubtful  contest. 

In  1858  our  subject  was  nominated  for  Congress  in  the  district  composed  of  Steuben 
and  Livingston  counties,  and  was  defeated  by  William  Irvine.  In  1871  he  was  the 
Democratic  nominee  for  the  State  Senate  in  the  district  then  comprising  the  counties 
of  Steuben,  Chemung  and  Schuyler,  and  was  defeated  by  Col.  Gabriel  T.  Harrower, 
though  by  a  very  small  majority.  In  1873  he  was  again  in  the  field  for  the  same 
office,  and  was  elected  b}'  more  than  two  thousand  majority.  He  was  re-elected  in 
1875.  Two  years  later  he  was  defeated  by  Ira  Davenport,  the  rich  and  popular  can- 
didate of  the  Republican  party.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Commis- 
sion of  1872-73.  In  1878  Mr.  Bradley  was  the  Democratic  nominee  for  the  office  of 
Judge  of  the  Court  of  Appeals,  but  was  defeated  at  the  polls  by  George  F.  Danforth, 
one  of  the  ablest  lawyers  and  most  popular  candidates  in  Western  New  York.  In 
1883  our  subject  was  nominated  and  elected  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  soon 
after  assuming  the  duties  of  his  office,  which  began  June  1,  1884,  he  was  appointed 
one  of  the  Justices  of  the  General  Term  in  the  Fifth  Department,  comprising  the 
seventh  and  eighth  judicial  districts.  However,  in  January,  1889,  under  the  consti- 
tutional provision  creating  the  court.  Judge  Bradley  was  designated  one  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Second  Division  of  the  Court  of  Appeals.  With  that  body  he  served  until 
its  business  was  completed  and  the  court  dissolved  in  the  fall  of  1892,  after  which  he 
was  on  the  Circuit  until  the  fall  of  1893,  when  he  succeeded  Judge  Macomber  on  the 
General  Term  bench.     By  the  Constitution  of  1895  the_,_General   Terms  of  .the  Su- 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  57 

preme  Court  from  and  after  the  31st  day  of  December,  1895,  were  superseded  by 
what  is  termed  Appellate  Division  in  four  departments,  and  at  the  same  time,  by 
reason  of  having  attained  his  seventieth  year,  Judge  Bradley  retires  from  the 
bench. 

What  more  need  be  said,  or  what  more  titting  tribute  can  be  written  upon  an  hon- 
orable professional  career  than  a  plain  statement  of  fact ;  a  lawyer  possessed  of  a 
clear  and  deep  understanding  of  law;  a  counsellor  prudent  and  careful,  ever  ready, 
but  not  hasty;  shrewd  and  able  to  see  quickly  the  vital  points  of  a  case;  and  ever 
respectful  to  the  rulings  of  the  court.  Possessing  these  qualities  as  a  lawyer,  he  was 
eminently  fitted  for  the  more  exalted  station  on  the  bench.  As  a  judge  he  was  self- 
possessed,  dignified,  courteous,  firm  in  his  rulings,  logical  in  his  reasoning,  kind  and 
forbearing  toward  the  profession  generally,  and  the  young  lawyers  in  particular ; 
hence  his  popularity  and  the  many  expressions  of  respect  and  esteem  on  the  part  of 
his  colleagues  on  the  bench  and  the  laymen  of  the  law. 

During  the  long  period  of  his  legal  practice  Judge  Bradley  had  only  two  partners ; 
first  D.  F.  Brown,  under  the  style  of  Bradley  &  Brown,  and  second,  A.  S.  Kendall, 
the  firm  being  Bradley  &  Kendall,  and  in  partnership  from  1861  to  1884. 

In  1850  George  B.  Bradley  married  Hannah  E.,  the  daughter  of  John  Lattimer,  of 
Woodhull.  They  have  no  children.  In  religious  preference  Judge  Bradley  inclines 
to  Presbyterianism,  but  is  not  a  member  of  the  church.  He  is,  however,  one  of  the 
trustees  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church  of   Corning,  and  a  regular  attendant  at 


STEPHEN   T.    HAYT. 

Stephen  Thursto.n  Hayt,  who  has  been  well  known  m  business  and  political  cir- 
cles m  Steuben  county  for  nearly  half  a  century,  was  a  native  of  Putnam  county, 
born  in  the  town  of  Patterson,  on  the  5th  day  of  June,  1823.  He  was  the  son  of  John 
C.  and  Martha  T.  Hayt,  of  Patterson  originally,  but  later  of  Ithaca,  from  which  vil- 
lage the  family  came  to  Corning  in  1833,  when  our  subject  was  only  ten  years  of  age. 
John  C.  Hayt  was  a  physician  by  profession,  well  educated  and  holding  a  good  prac- 
tice, but  poor  health  compelled  him  to  abandon  that  avocation,  and  he  afterward 
gave  his  attention  to  lumbering.  He  is  well  remembered  by  a  few  of  the  older  resi- 
dents of  Corning,  where  he  lived  until  1854.  Stephen  T.  Hayt  was  brought  up  at 
the  same  kind  of  work  in  which  his  father  was  engaged,  and  his  somewhat  limited 
early  education  was  acquired  in  the  school  at  Knoxville.  .  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he 
went  to  Elmira  and  worked  as  a  clerk  in  a  general  store,  remaining  there  three 
years,  then  returned  home  and  was  a  storekeeper  before  he  was  twenty-one.  After 
seven  years  of  fairly  successful  life  as  merchant,  Mr.  Hayt  went  into  the  lumber 
business,  buying  and  selling,  dealing  extensively  as  one  of  the  firm  of  Hayt  & 
Towner,  as  known  in  this  region,  and  Towner  &  Hayt,  as  designated  in  Albany, 
where  his  partner  managed  affairs.  This  firm  continued  its  business  operations  until 
1868,  and  was  then  dissolved,  In  the  same  year,  in  partnership  with  Mr.  Olcott,  Mr. 
Hayt  built  the  Southern  Tier  Mills,  at  Corning,  but  in  1869  our  subject  became  sole 
proprietor,  and  for  the  next  ten  years  carried    on   an    extensive    flouring   business 


58  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

under  the  old  process  of  manufacture.  In  1879  the  buildings  were  destroyed  by  fire, 
but  were  replaced  during  the  year  with  the  present  large  brick  mill,  equipped  with 
modern  machinery,  having  a  capacity  of  200  barrels  of  flour  per  day,  and  being  one 
of  the  most  complete  industries  of  its  kind  in  the  Southern  Tier.  These  mills  occupy 
the  chief  attention  of  Mr.  Ha^^t  at  this  time,  although  in  connection  with  the  busi- 
ness he  IS  a  also  a  successful  farmer  and  tobacco  grower. 

Notwithstanding  a  very  active  business  life  in  ordinary  affairs,  Mr.  Hayt  has 
been  a  more  than  passive  factor  in  Steuben  county  in  politics.  In  fact  he  was  for 
many  years  a  leader  of  the  Republican  party  and  one  of  whose  counsel  and  advice 
were  always  for  the  public  and  the  party's  good.  His  first  vote  was  for  James  K. 
Polk  in  1844,  in  the  memorable  campaign  in  which  the  successful  candidate  was 
pitted  against  Henry  Clay.  In  1848  he  was  classed  with  the  "  barn- burners,"  favor- 
ing Van  Buren,  and  in  1853  supported  Franklin  Pierce.  Four  years  later  Mr.  Hayt 
was  a  strong  Fremont  advocate,  and  from  that  until  the  present  time  has  been  an 
earnest  Repi:blican.  entertaining  clear  and  well  settled  convictions  on  all  public 
questions,  and  is  perfectly  candid  in  expressing  them.  Yet  his  Republicanism  was 
not  so  intense  as  to  prevent  him  from  supporting  Mr.  Greeley  in  1872.  Mr.  Hayt 
was  a  delegate  to  the  National  Convention  that  nominated  Abraham  Lincoln  in  1860 ; 
to  the  convention  that  nominated  General  Grant  in  1868;  to  the  convention  that 
nominated  James  G.  Blaine  in  1884,  and  to  the  convention  that  nominated  Benjamin 
Harrison  in  1888.  In  1863,  and  again  in  1865  he  was  nominated  and  elected  to  the 
State  Senate.  During  his  first  term  he  was  on  the  committee  on  canals,  also  on 
roads  and  bridges;  and  during  his  second  term  was  chairman  of  the  committee  on 
canals.  In  1866  he  resigned  the  senatorial  office  and  was  elected  Canal  Commis- 
sioner of  the  State,  holding  that  position  three  years.  In  addition  to  these  offices, 
we  may  state  that  Mr.  Hayt  has  held  many  positions  in  the  county  and  town,  and 
has  ever  shown  an  active  and  generous  interest  in  all  local  affairs,  particularly  m 
such  measures  as  have  tended  to  promote  the  welfare  of  Corning,  both  town  and 
city.  The  records  show  that  he  has  been  town  and  city  supervisor  twelve  to  fifteen 
terms,  and  held  many  other  offices  of  local  importance.  Despite  his  active  political 
career  he  has  never  seriously  neglected  his  personal  affairs,  and  his  long  business 
life  has  been  substantially  rewarded  in  a  deserved  competency. 

On  the  19th  of  November,  1856,  Stephen  T.  Hayt  was  married  to  Margaret  C. 
Townsend,  of  Palmyra,  Wayne  county.  Of  this  marriage  eleven  children  have 
been  born,  eight  of  whom  are  now  living. 


WILLIAM  E.  GORTON. 

The  surname  Gorton  stands  forpioneershipin  Steuben  county  and  in  the  Chemung 
valley.  The  pioneer  of  the  family  was  Peleg  Gorton,  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  but 
a  resident  of  Rensselaer  county  during  the  closing  years  of  the  last  century.  So 
near  as  can  be  ascertained,  Peleg  Gorton  made  a  purchase  of  land  in  the  Chemung 
valley  in  1796  or  '97,  where  he  intended  to  settle,  but  on  his  return  to  the  east  he  was 
unfortunately  killed  by  a  runaway  team.      However,   a  number  of  his  sons   were 


' {T'/W^rrrxj . 


BIOGRAPBICAL.  59 

settlers  in  this  region  in  1797,  among  them  being  Peleg,  jr.,  Rufus,  Benjamin,  and 
Moses. 

Rufus  Gorton,  the  pioneer  ancestor  of  that  branch  of  the  family  of  which  we 
write,  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  the  valley,  and  engaged  somewhat  exten- 
sively in  lumbering,  and  was  also  proprietor  of  the  old  and  historic  Hammond  & 
Johnson  Mills.  He  is  remembered  among  the  pioneers  as  an  enterprising  and  in- 
dustrious citizen,  well  endowed  with  energy  and  determination.  However,  he  went 
farther  west^nd  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Michigan,  in  which  State  he  died  about 
the  year  1863.  In  his  family  were  seven  sons  and  two  daughters,  among  whom 
Samuel  was  the  fourth  in  the  order  of  seniority.  He  was  born  in  the  old  town  of 
Painted  Post  (now  Corning)  in  April,  1802,  and  when  old  enough  learned  the  trade  of 
millwright.  He  also  went  to  Michigan  where  he  worked  at  his  trade,  and  also  at 
farming.  He  married  Sarah  Ann  Daley,  of  Millport,  Chemung  county,  N.  Y.,  of 
which  marriage  two  sons  were  born,  only  one  of  whom  grew  to  maturity. 

Alonzo  Hiram  Gorton,  surviving  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  Ann  Gorton,  was  born 
in  the  town  of  Painted  Post  on  the  18th  of  May,  1828.  His  youth  was  spent  on  a 
farm  in  Michigan,  and  his  opportunities  for  acquiring  a  practical  education  were  in- 
deed limited.  He  learned  the  milling  and  also  the  carpenter  trade  and  gained  a 
thorough  understanding  of  car  building,  therefore,  after  his  return  to  Steuben 
county  he  easily  obtained  a  position  in  the  employ  of  the  Fall  Brook  Coal  Company. 
He  proved  himself  competent,  reliable  and  honest  and  was  advanced  step  by  step 
in  the  company's  work  until  he  became  general  superintendent  of  the  Fall  Bi-ook 
.system,  a  position  held  by  him  for  twenty-seven  years,  and  until  the  time  of  his 
death,  April  26,  1886.  In  1850  Mr.  Gorton  married  Maria  Louise  Alexander,  of  the 
town  of  Webster,  Washtenaw  county,  Mich.  They  had  two  children,  Alexander 
Alonzo,  who  died  in  infancy,  and  William  E.  of  Corning. 

William  E.  Gorton,  founder,  president  and  manager  in  fact  of  the  Corning  Iron 
Works,  was  born  in  Corning  village,  October  19,  1854.  His  elementary  education 
was  acquired  in  the  local  schools,  and  he  graduated  from  the  Academy  in  1872.  He 
then  entered  the  State  Normal  School  at  Mansfield,  Pa.,  where  he  remained  about 
one  year,  then  taking  a  graduating  course  at  the  famous  Eastman  Business  College 
at  Poughkeepsie,  N.Y.  Later  on  he  began  a  course  oi  medical  study  under  the  in- 
struction of  Dr.  Qpdegraff,  a  noted  practitioner  and  specialist  of  Elmira,  and  after 
three  years  of  thorough  elementary  work,  entered  the  Hahnemannian  Medical  Col- 
lege of  New  York  city,  taking  a  full  three  years'  course  in  that  institution,  and  from 
which  he  was  graduated  with  honors  in  1878.  After  graduation  Dr.  Gorton  received 
a  most  flattering  and  tempting  offer  to  locate  and  practice  in  the  metropolitan  dis- 
trict, but  an  acceptance  would  have  necessitated  a  considerable  outlay  of  money,  and 
also  would  have  been  at  variance  with  his  plans,  hence  the  offer  was  declined,  and 
our  young  physician  returned  to  Corning;  not,  however,  to  enter  active  professional 
life,  as  a  disciple  of  Hahnemann  and  the  theories  of  s/in/lia  similibiis  curatitiir,  but 
laying  aside  his  title  of  "  M.  D.,"  Mr.  Gorton  became  clerk  in  the  ofifices'  of  the  Fall 
Brook  Company.  The  president  of  the  road  soon  appointed  him  to  the  position  of 
assistant  superintendent,  which  he  held  and  satisfactorily  filled  for  three  years,  then 
resigned  and  engaged  in  railroad  construction,  operating  principally  in  the  South,  as 
one  of  the  contracting  firm  of  Griffin  &  Gorton.  Among  the  lines  of  road  which 
this  firm  built,  in  whole  or  in  part,  may  be  mentioned  the  Charleston,  Cincinnati  & 


60  LANDMARKS  OF  STEtJBEN  COUNTY. 

Chicago,  a  part  of  the  Piedmont  Air  Line  extensions  in  North  and  South  Carolina, 
and  also  the  Roanoke  &  Southern,  in  North  Carolina  The  business  of  the  firm  was 
reasonably  successful,  and  was,  it  seems,  more  congenial  to  the  tastes  and  inclina- 
tion of  Dr.  Gorton  than  either  professional  work  or  a  subordinate  position  in  the  em- 
ploy of  a  company  or  an  individual.  In  truth,  if  we  correctly  interpret  the  dominant 
characteristics  of  William  E.  Gorton  (and  persons  who  knew  him  best  say  we  are 
right),  he  is  a  man  who  prefers  to  direct  and  manage  enterprises  according  to  his 
own  judgment,  and  in  his  own  way,  rather  than  carry  out  the  orders  of  an  em- 
ployer. 

In  1889  our  subject  returned  to  Corning,  and  in  the  same  year  established  the 
Corning  Iron  Works,  was  its  active  manager,  and  when  the  company  was  incorpor- 
ated in  1893,  became  president.  During  the  time  he  was  in  the  South,  Mr.  Gorton 
was  a  member  of  the  local  drug  firm  of  Gorton  &  Terbell.  The  iron  works  is  now 
numbered  among  the  leading  industries  of  the  city. 

William  E.  Gorton,  during  his  lifelong  residence  in  Corning,  has  taken  an  active 
part  in  all  public  enterprises.  During  the  period  of  the  war,  even  before  he  had 
reached  his  tenth  year,  he  gained  the  title  of  "  Drummer  Boy  of  the  Southern  Tier," 
for  it  was  his  practice  to  keep  the  "drum  rolling"  at  the  recruiting  offices  in  the 
region.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  was  brought  up  under  Democratic  in- 
fluences, and  while  not  a  seeker  after  public  office,  he  was  nevertheless  elected  the 
first  mayor  of  Corning  under  the  city  charter,  his  Republican  opponent  in  that  can- 
vass being  Joseph  J.  Tully,  concededly  the  most  popular  man  in  his  party  in  the 
town.  As  the  first  executive  officer  of  the  city,  the  duty  of  organizing  the  several 
departments  fell  upon  him,  and  subsequent  results  have  shown  that  his  appointments 
were  satisfactory  and  for  the  best  interests  of  the  taxpayers.  In  1893  Mr.  Gorton 
was  nominated  by  the  Democratic  convention  as  its  candidate  for  the  State  senate, 
but  declined  to  run.  While  not  a  church  member  he  was  brought  up  under  Presby- 
terian influences. 

On  the  18th  day  of  April,  1877,  William  E.  Gorton  was  married  to  Clara  Belle 
Stevens,  daughter  of  Peabody  Stevens,  of  Buffalo.  Five  children  have  been  born  to 
this  marriage,  four  of  whom  are  now  living.  They  were  Ethel  Louise,  Belle,  Alonzo 
Hiram  (deceased),  William  Edward,  and  Gretchen. 


CHARLES  G.  DENISON. 

Charles  G.  Denison  was  known  m  business  and  political  life  in  Corning  for  a 
period  of  nearly  forty  years,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  July  2,  1892,  he  held  the 
respect  and  confidence  of  every  business  man  in  Eastern  Steuben  county.  In  poli- 
tics Mr.  Denison  was  firmly  and  emphatically  Democratic,  serving  only  the  best  in- 
terests of  his  party,  and  never  expressing  his  opinions  or  sentiments  in  a  manner 
calculated  to  create  unfriendliness.  Therefore  he  was  exceedingly  popular  with  his 
Republican  neighbors,  and  when  a  candidate  for  office  he  always  received  a  large 
complimentary  vote  from  the  opposition  party.  By  his  consistent  position  and  frank, 
open  methods,  Mr.  Denison  became  a  recognized  leader  of  the  Democracy  in  the 
county,  and  one  in  whom  the  party  at  large  had  full  confidence. 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  61 

Charles  G.  Denison  was  born  in  Montrose,  Pa.,  on  the  28d  of  May,  1838,  and  was 
the  son  of  Dr.  Benadam  Denison  by  his  marriage  with  Eunice  Williams,  that  being 
his  second  marriage.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years  Charles  first  came  to  Corning, 
where  he  found  employment  in  the  store  of  G.  D.  Williams,  one  of  the  pioneer  mer- 
chants of  the  village.  In  the  spring  of  1855  Mr.  Denison  married,  and  soon  after- 
ward moved  to  Tioga,  Pa.,  where  he  went  into  business  as  general  dealer  in  mer- 
chandise. But  his  means  and  experience  were  limited,  and  despite  an  earnest, 
honest  endeavor  his  business  life  here  resulted  in  failure.  In  1858  he  returned  to 
Corning  and  soon  afterward  established  a  general  coal  business,  dealing  as  whole- 
saler in  large  quantities,  with  gratifying  success,  and  as  the  result  of  a  long  period 
of  active  life  he  became  possessed  of  a  comfortable  fortune. 

Outside  of  his  own  personal  affairs,  Mr.  Denison  took  an  earnest  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  Corning  and  its  various  public  arid  private  enterprises.  He  was  fre- 
quently elected  trustee,  and  held  the  office  of  village  president  four  terms.  For 
twenty  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education,  several  years  its  president, 
and  was  especially  interested  in  advancing  the  standing  of  public  schools.  He  lived 
to  witness  the  consummation  of  his  frequently  expressed  desire  that  Corning  become 
a  chartered  city.  The  act  was  approved  March  20,  1890.  Mr.  Denison  died  July  2, 
1892.  His  wife,  to  whom  he  was  married  April  10,  1855,  was  Martha  A.  Land, 
daughter  of  Robert  Land,ithe  latter  for  many  years  a  prominent  lumberman  of  Corn- 
ing, to  which  place  he  came  in  1835.  The  children  of  this  marriage  were  M.  Ella 
Denison,  of  Corning;  Carrie  E.,  wife  of  Charles  W.  Congdon,  of  New  York  city;  and 
Charles  L.  Denison,  of  Corning,  who  became  partner  with  his  father,  July  1,  1887, 
and  is  now  owner  of  the  business. 

Charles  L.  Denison  was  born  July  1,  1866,  and  acquired  his  early  education  in  the 
Corning  schools.  Later  on  he  attended  the  Rochester  Business  University,  and  was 
just  of  age  when  he  became  partner  with  his  father.  The  firm  of  Charles  G.  Deni- 
son &  Son  was  formed  July  1,  1887,  and  still  stands,  though  the  business  is  now 
wholly  owned  and  managed  by  the  son,  who  has  added  a  lumber  department  and 
otherwise  enlarged  upon  the  operations  formerly  conducted  by  the  firm.  On  April 
12,  1888,  Charles  L.  Denison  married  Eda,  daughter  of  James  Young,  of  Corning.    ^ 


ALLEN  WOOD. 

Allen  Wool,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Washington, 
Dutchess  county,  N.  Y.,  October  12,  1819.  He  was  the  son  of  Joseph  Wood,  the  son 
of  Stephen  Wood,  a  Quaker,  the  son  of  Daniel  Wood,  the  son  of  Jonathan  Wood,  who 
was  born  in  England  in  1697.  The  time  of  his  migration  to  America  is  unknown. 
Joseph  Wood  moved  from  Dutchess  county  in  1838,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  town 
Farmington,  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  remained  working  on  the  farm  and 
attending  the  district  school  until  1841,  when  he  completed  his  schooling  under  Pro- 
fessor H.  N.  Robinson,  at  Temple  Hill  Academy,  Geneseo.  In  1850  he  purchased  a 
farm  m  the  town  of  Manchester,  Ontario  county,  where  he  remained  till  1854,  when 
he  and  his  youngest  brother  David  built  the  steamer  Joseph  Wood,  on  Canandaigua 
Lake,  receiving  as  a  bonus  from  the  citizens  of  the  village  of  Canandaigua  $1,000  as 


62  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

an  inducement.  In  eight  years  the  business  had  so  grown  as  to  invite  opposition, 
when  they  sold  out.  Mr.  Wood  then  accepted  the  position  of  superintendent  of  the 
Gas  Works,  which  he  retained  for  four  years,  when  he  purchased  the  steamer  Steu- 
ben, on  Lake  Keuka,  and  removed  to  Hammondsport.  The  steamer  Steuben  burn- 
ing in  1864,  he  built  the  steamer  G.  R.  Youngs,  and  in  1868  the  steamer  Keuka. 
With  these  boats  he  built  up  a  large  and  profitable  business ;  again  meeting  opposi- 
tion, he  sold  out  in  1873. 

In  1875  he  leased  the  partly  completed  Bath  &  Hammondsport  R.  R.,  put  on  the 
superstructure  and  rolling  stock,  and  for  eleven  years  did  an  increasing  and  profit- 
able business.     In  1886  he  sold  his  lease  to  H.  S.  Stebbins. 

In  1887  he  removed  to  St.  Augustine,  Florida,  where  he  became  mterested  in  real 
estate,  and  the  St.  Augustine  and  South  Beach  Railway,  becoming  the  general  man- 
ager, spending  his  winters  there  and  his  summers  at  Hammondsport,  N.  Y.  On  all 
mooted  questions  he  is  fearlessly  independent.  Commencing  in  1840  he  voted  the 
Democratic  ticket,  then  the  Abolition,  Free  Soil,  Republican,  and  now  the  Populist. 
He  has  always  been  an  active  promoter  of  popular  education,  and  of  the  highest 
character,  andalwaysmanifests  the  keenest  interest  in  improvements  in  town,. county 
or  State.  He  sold  his  interests  in  Florida  in  1895,  and  is  now  living  in  retirement. 
Mr.  Wood  was  the  father  of  seven  children,  two  only  now  surviving. 


AMORY    HOUGHTON,   Sr. 

Amory  Houghton,  Sk.,  founder  of  the  glass  industry  in  Corning,  N.  Y.,  and  for 
several  years  a  resident  of  the  village,  was  a  native  of  Bolton,  Mass.,  born  August 
26,  1813,  and  was  the  ninth  of  thirteen  children  of  Rufus  and  Abigail  (Barnard) 
Houghton.  Rufus  Houghton  was  the  son  of  Jonathan  Houghton,  who  was  also 
a  native  of  Bolton,  and  who  served  with  much  credit  as  a  soldier  in  the  Ameri- 
can army  during  the  Revolutionary  War.  Jonathan,  the  soldier,  was  the  son  of 
Jonathan,  of  Lancaster,  Mass.,  while  the  latter  was  the  son  of  John,  the  Emigrant, 
who  was  born  in  1661,  and  died  April  39,  1684.  (The  Houghtons  of  New  England 
were  descended  from  Norman  stock,  and  their  ancestors  went  into  England  with 
WiUiam  the  Conqueror,  A.  D.  1066,  and  settled  in  Lancashire.) 

The  early  life  of  our  subject,  Amory  Houghton,  was  spent  on  his  father's  farm, 
but  at  the  age  of  twelve  years  he  went  to  Lancaster,  four  miles  from  Bolton,  where 
he  attended  school,  and  did  chores  for  his  board  and  tuition.  After  a  year  he  re- 
turned home  but  soon  went  to  Cambridge,  Mass. ,  and  was  apprenticed  to  Richard, 
son  &  Houghton,  to  learn  the  joiner's  trade.  Had  he  served  his  entire  apprentice- 
ship, young  Houghton  would  have  reached  his  majority  about  the  end  of  the  term, 
but  about  eighteen  months  before  the  term  was  ended  he  "purchased  his  time" 
from  his  masters  at  the  rate  of  eight  Yankee  shillings  per  day.  He  then  borrowed  a 
few  hundred  dollars  and  began  business  as  contractor  and  builder  in  and  near  Cam- 
bridge. For  a  young  man  not  yet  twenty-one  his  operations  were  looked  upon  as 
somewhat  hazardous,  and  the  gentleman  from  whom  he  had  borrowed  became  anx- 
ious for  the  safety  of  his  loan ;  but  when  he  requested  its  return  it  was  promptly 
paid,  as  were  all  obligations  when  due.     So  successful,  indeed, was  this  early  period 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  63 

of  his  business  life  that  before  Amory  Houghton  was  twenty-three  years  old  he  had 
saved  three  thousand  dollars,  and  owed  nothing. 

Notwithstanding  his  success  as  contracting  builder,  he  soon  made  a  change.  In 
1886  he  rented  a  wharf  in  East  Cambridge,  Ma^s.,  and  began  the  sale  of  coal,  wood, 
bark,  hay,  lime,  cement,  and  other  commodities,  beginning  in  a  small  way  but  grad- 
ually increasing  his  stock  as  trade  required  until  he  became  proprietor  of  a  large  and 
profitable  business.  About  the  year  1851  an  Englishman  (Gaffer  Teasdale),  who  was 
an  experienced  glass  factory  manager,  pointed  out  to  him  the  possible  profits  of  a 
well  conducted  glass  industry,  and  the  result  was  that  in  1852  Amory  Houghton  sold 
out  his  wharf  business  and  established  the  Union  Glass  Company  at  Somerville,  near 
Boston,  Mass.  It  was  to  him  wholly  a  new  business,  yet  the  qualities  of  the  man  were 
such  that  he  made  it  successful.  However,  in  1864  he  sold  the  plant  and  moved  to 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  In  this  sale  Mr.  Houghton  evidently  made  a  mistake  ;  not,  however, 
from  a  business  point  of  view,  but  as  the  result  of  an  unfortunate  train  of  circum- 
stances which  no  man  could  foresee  or  avoid.  Yet  this  very  mistake,  if  such  it  really 
was,  proved  of  the  greatest  benefit  to  Corning,  for  without  it  the  splendid  industry 
which  has  made  the  city  famous  would  never  have  been  founded  there.  As  soon  as 
he  had  completed  the  sale  of  the  Union  Glass  Company,  he  bought  out  and  reorgan- 
ized the  Brooklyn  Flint  Glass  Company,  incorporated,  the  new  stockholders  being  ■ 
Amory  Houghton,^  Josiah  Oakes,  George  P.  Bradford  and  Amory  Houghton,  jr. 
Soon  after  the  company  began  operations  labor  troubles  arose,  which,  in  connection 
with  other  embarrassing  complications,  made  the  business  unprofitable,  and  at  the 
end  of  four  years  the  works  were  removed  to  Corning,  N.  Y.,  in  the  belief  that 
cheaper  coal  and  more  desirable  surroundings  would  re-establish  it  upon  a  paying 
basis,  and  at  the  same  time  add  materially  to  the  commercial  importance  of  the  village. 
Before  the  removal  the  Corning  Flint  Glass  Company  was  organized,  of  which  Amory 
Houghton,  sr. ,  was  president,  and,  in  fact,  manager. 

The  results  anticipated  by  the  removal  were  not  at  first  realized.  Direct  competi- 
tion with  the  large  and  cheaply  operated  glass  factories  of  Pittsburgh  and  other  cen- 
tral cities  of  Pennsylvania  worked  to  the  disadvantage  of  the  local  industry,  and  the 
result  was  heavy  losses  to  the  stockholders.  In  fact,  the  effort  to  maintain  the 
works  in  Brooklyn,  and  still  later  re-establish  them  in  Corning,  cost  Amory  Hough- 
ton his  fortune.  The  plant  was  sold  in  1871  to  Nathan  Gushing  of  Boston,  and  by 
him  was  placed  under  the  mangement  of  Amory  Houghton,  jr.,  now  president  and 
treasurer  of  the  Corning  Glass  Works,  and  under  whose  immediate  direction  and 
control  they  have  become  famous  throughout  the  country  for  the  superior  quality 
and  great  variety  of  their  product. 

In  1871  Amory  Houghton,  sr.,  left  Corning  and  retired  to  his  farm  in  Northcastle, 
Westchester,  county,  N.  Y.  In  1875  he  returned  to  Brooklyn  and  with  characteristic 
determination  undertook  to  rebuild  and  change  the  Brooklyn  Flint  Glass  Works  of 
former  years  into  the  Brooklyn  Steam  Powder  Works.  In  this  undertaking  his  efforts 
were  rewarded  with  only  partial  success;  and  while  engaged  in  this  business  Mr. 
Houghton  was  taken  ill,  and  died  February  20,  1882. 

Looking  back  over  the  life  of  Amory  Houghton,  we  discover  a  record  of  business 
activity  covering  a  period  of  more  than  half  a  century ;  a  record  of  successes  and 
misfortunes,  yet,  through  all  this  period  of  varying  fortunes,  his  strong  individual 
characteristics  were  ever  discernible.     Determination  of  character  was  his  prominent 


64  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

trait.  This  served  him  well,  as  his  business  life  was  begun  under  adverse  conditions. 
He  often  felt  the  need  of  a  thorough  education  in  his  early  career,  but  he  learned 
by  observation  and  experience  what  the  schools  never  offered,  and  in  conversation, 
in  business  consultation,  or  in  whatever  association  he  chanced  to  be  placed,  Mr. 
Houghton  was  always  the  same  agreeable,  entertaining  and  intelligent  companion, 
loving  and  devoted  to  his  family  and  loyal  to  his  friends.  His  wife,  who  preceded 
him  to  the  grave  by  only  two  years,  was  Sophronia  Mann  Oakes,  daughter  of  Josiah 
Oakes,  who  was  a  great  admirer  of  the  noted  Horace  Mann,  for  whom  he  named  his 
daughter.  She  was  born  February  18,  1814,  and  died  March  19,  1880.  They  were 
married  Optober  5,  1836,  and  to  them  seven  children  were  born:  Amory,  jr.,  of 
Corning;  Caroline  iSophronia,  who  died  at  the  age  of  five  years;  Katharine  Sophro- 
nia; Charles  Frederic,  of  Corning;  Alfred  Augustus,  a  successful  business  man  of 
Buffalo,  who  died  October  28,  1892;  Ellen  Maria,  wife  of  George  L.  Abbott  of  Corn- 
ing; and  Annie  Frances  (deceased), who  married  William  A.  Tuttle  of  Buffalo. 

From  boyhood  to  the  time  of  his  death  Amory  Houghton  was  a  member  of  the 
Congregational  church.  He  gave  generously  to  the  support  of  the  church  and  to  all 
worthy  causes,  and  no  deserving  charity  ever  left  him  empty  handed.  He  was  not 
active  in  politics,  although  a  close  observer  and  careful  reader  of  all  that  took  place 
in  National  and  State  affairs. 


AMORY  HOUGHTON,  Jr. 

Amory  Houghto.n,  Jr.,  eldest  son  of  Amory  and  Sophronia  (Oakes)  Houghton,  was 
born  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  on  the  20th  day  of  October,  1837.  He  was  educated  at 
Cambridge,  and  was  graduated  from  the  High  School  in  1854.  Earlier,  when  ten 
years  of  age,  he  also  attended  a  private  boarding  school  at  Ellington,  Conn.,  where 
he  remained  for  three  years.  His  first  business  engagement  was  in  Boston,  Mass. , 
in  1854,  with  Lawson  Valentine,  a  dealer  in  paints,  oils  and  varnishes.  After  three 
years  with  Mr.  Valentine,  our  subject  became  connected,  in  1857, 'with  the  glass  in- 
dustry in  which  his  father  was  engaged  at  Somerville,  Mass.,  and  devoted  his  atten- 
tion to  experiments  in  the  composition  and  manufacture  of  the  various  kinds  of 
glass.  He  had  a  well  arranged  laboratory  in  which  he  prosecuted  his  studies  and 
experimental  work,  and  the  knowledge  acquired  at  that  time  proved  of  great  value 
in  later  years. 

After  the  purchase  of  the  Brooklyn  Flint  Glass  Company's  Works  by  his  father  in 
1864,  Mr.  Houghton,  jr.,  moved  to  Brooklyn,  taking  a  small  interest  in  the  enter- 
prise, and  becoming  one  of  the  stockholders  in  the  incorporated  company.  Still 
later,  on  the  removal  to  Corning  in  1868,  he  came  to  the  then  village,  and  continued 
his  connection  with  the  Corning  Flint  Glass  Company  throughout  the  three  years  of 
its  existence ;  and  after  disaster  had  overtaken  the  company  and  the  works  had  been 
sold  to  Nathan  Cushing,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  the  new  owner  placed  them  in  charge  of 
Amory  Houghton,  jr.,  with  direction  to  continue  their  operation,  although  the  supply  of 
ready  capital  was  indeed  meagre  and  the  prospect  of  success  exceedingly  doubtful. 
However,  Mr.  Houghton  started  the  smaller  of  the  two  furnaces  and  soon  put  the 
works  in  running  order,  using  every  possible  economy,  yet  constantly  in  need  of  ready 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  66 

money  to  pay  the  help.  This  account,  above  all  others,  he  insisted  upon  paying  reg- 
ularly. Having  introduced  several  specialties,  and  operating  upon  a  very  economical 
basis,  the  Close  of  the  year  showed  a  profit  for  the  owner.  In  1872  the  manager  pur- 
chased the  plant  on  credit,  and  the  name  of  Amory  Houghton,  jr.,  proprietor,  be- 
came known  to  Corning  and  to  the  trade  throughout  the  country.  The  works  were 
constantly  in  operation  under  his  sole  proprietorship  for  a  period  of  three  yeai's, 
when,  in  1875,  the  Corning  Glass  Works  was  incorporated,  with  §50,000  capital,  and 
with  Amor}'  Houghton,  jr.,  president  and  treasurer;  Charles  F.  Houghton,  vice- 
president,  and  Henry  P.  Sinclaire,  secretary.  The  company  formed  in  1875  has  con- 
tinued to  the  present  tmie. 

In  some  respects  Amory  Houghton,  jr.,  is  the  fair  reminder  of  his  father.  That 
ever  dominant  trait — firm  determination  of  character — having  been  transmitted 
from  sire  to  son,  and  its  best  results  are  seen  in  the  present  prosperous  condition  of 
the  Corning  Glass  Works.  We  pay  no  fulsome  compliment  to  our  subject  when  we 
say  that  the  successful  re-establishment  of  the  Glass  Works  upon  a  secure  and  profit- 
able basis  was  due  to  his  personal  efiiort,  energy  and  determination.  Business  men 
knew  him  to  be  straightforward  and  honest  and  although  his  resources  were  known 
to  be  limited  gave  him  both  credit  and  cash  without  asking  security. 

Naturally,  an  earnest  business  man  is  constantly  engaged  in  his  personal  affairs, 
yet  Mr.  Houghton  has  found  time  to  intarest  himself  in  all  public  measures  looking 
to  the  welfare  of  Corning  and  its  people.  Reference  to  the  city  history  will  show 
that  he  has  been  connected  with  several  departments  of  the  municipal  government, 
while  the  public  knows  him  to  be  a  liberal  contributor  to  all  worthy  causes.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  essentially  a  protectionist.  He  was  a  Garfield  elector 
in  1880.  Although  brought  up  under  Congregationalist  influences,  he  has  been  for 
many  vears  a  regular  attendant  at  Christ  Episcopal  church,  and,  since  1875,  one  of 
the  vestry.  The  present  splendid  church  edifice  was  in  large  measure  the  result  of 
the  generosity  of  Mr.  Houghton  and  other  members  of  his  family.  Other  churches, 
too,  and  other  good  causes  have  been  the  recipients  of  his  liberality  and  public 
spiritedness. 

In  1860,  on  the  19th  day  of  June,  Amory  Houghton,  jr.,  was  married  to  Ellen 
Anne  Bigelow,  daughter  of  Alanson  Bigelow,  of  Cambridge,  Mass.  Of  this  mar- 
riage five  children  have  been  born,  four  of  whom  are  now  living,  two  sons  and  two 
daughters.  His  sons  have  been  for  several  years  connected  with  the  works— Alan- 
son  B.  in  the  selling  department,  and  Arthur  A.  in  the  manufacturing  department. 


CHARLES   F.    HOUGHTON. 

Charles  Frederic  Houghton  was  born  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  on  June  1,  1846. 
He  attended  the  public  schools  at  Cambridge  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  and 
then  went  to  Edward  Hall's  boarding  school  at  Ellington,  Conn.,  where  he  remained 
for  three  years.  His  business  career  began  in  1863  at  the  Union  Glass  Works,  Som- 
erville,  Mass.,  where,  under  his  father's  direction  he  laid  the  foundation  of  a  techni- 
cal and  practical  knowledge  of  the  glass  business,  which  in  later  years  contributed 
so  largely  to  the  success  of  the  establishment  located  in  Corning.     In  1864  he  went 


66  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

with  his  father  to  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  was  engaged  in  the  office  of  the  Brooklyn 
Flint  Glass  Co.  In  1866  he  was  a  clerk  in  the  wholesale  drug  business  in  New  York 
city,  which  position  he  held  until  1869,  when  he  came  to  Corning,  and  was  engaged 
in  his  father's  business  in  various  capacities.  During  the  changes  which  occurred 
from  that  time  until  the  organization  of  the  present  Company  in  1875,  he  served  in 
all  the  various  departments,  and  thus  acquired  a  practical  knowledge  of  the  busi- 
ness. He  then  became  a  stockholder,  and  later  vice-president,  which  position  he  has 
since  held.  In  the  autumn  of  1873  Mr.  Houghton  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  as  the 
candidate  of  the  Republican  party  of  the  Second  District  of  Steuben  county.  This 
is  the  only  public  office  he  has  held ;  but  his  interest  in  political  matters  has  continued 
unabated.  In  1878,  on  July  2,  Mr.  Houghton  was  married  to  Helen,  daughter  of 
Judge  Benjamin  F.  Hall,  of  Auburn,  N.  Y.  Of  this  marriage  three  children  have 
been,  born,  two  of  whom  are  now  living.  Since  1888  he  has  been  a  vestryman  of 
Christ  church.  Mr.  Houghton  has  always  been  interested  in  the  welfare  of  Corning 
and  has  contributed  liberalh'  to  all  public  and  charitable  enterprises. 


WILLIAM  FAULKNER. 

William  Faulkner,  of  Dutch  origin,  was  a  lineal  descendant  of  Capt.  Daniel 
Faulkner,  who  was  born  in  Massachusetts  and  became  one  of  the  earliest  pioneers  of 
Dansville,  Livingston  county,  N.  Y.,  that  town  being  named  from  him.  Captain 
Faulkner  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-eight,  leaving  three  children,  of  whom  John  was 
born  in  Milton,  Pa.,  in  July,  1787,  settled  in  Dansville  in  1819,  and  lived  there  until 
his  death  in  1868.  John  Faulkner  married  Hannah  T.  Perriue,  daughter  of  Capt. 
William  Perrine,  a  Revolutionary  soldier  and  a  personal  friend  of  George  Washing- 
ton. She  was  born  in  September,  1787,  and  died  in  August,  1865.  They  had  born 
to  them  four  children:  John,  William,  Daniel,  and  Su.san,  all  deceased. 

William  Faulkner,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  Octo- 
ber 1,  181B,  and  died  at  his  home  in  the  town  of  Wayland,  Steuben  count}-,  January 
12,  1875.  He  was  a  generous,  pubhc  spirited  man,  and  though  declining  many  offices 
was  anxious  to  help  any  cause  of  benefit  to  others.  Mr.  FaulSner  engaged  exten- 
sively in  stock  raising  and  shipping.  He  was  especially  interested  in  educational 
affairs  and  cheerfully  aided  every  movement  which  promised  advancement  in  the 
dissemination  of  knowledge.  His  family,  including  himself,  were  all  Presbyteri- 
ans, and  he  was  always  liberal  in  the  support  of  the  church.  In  politics  he  was 
a  Republican.  He  was  a  jDrogressive  agriculturist  and  enjoyed  the  active  man- 
agement of  his  farms  until  his  death,  which  occurred  suddenly,  although  he  had  been 
in  poor  health  for  several  years.  Since  then  his  affairs  have  been  most  ably  con- 
ducted b}'  his  widow. 

November  16,  1836,  Mr.  Faulkner  married  Miss  Sarah  Kilbury,  who  was  born  in 
Fremont,  Steuben  county,  December  20,  1820,  and  who  survives  him,  residing  on 
the  homestead  in  Wayland.  Robert  Kilbury,  her  father,  was  Ijorn  in  Vermont  in 
1796,  and*married  in  1819  Eunice  Carrington,  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  by  whom  he  had 
ten  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living,  viz. :  Sarah,  Eli,  Edwin,  bmith,  Phoebe,  Mary, 
Joel,  and  Andrew.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kilbury  died  in  1883  and  1891  respectively,  both  in 


WILLIAM  FAULKNER. 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  fi7 

the  eighty-eighth  year  of  their  age  WilUam  and  Sarah  Faulkner  had  born  to  them 
nine  children,  namely:  Hannah  (Mrs.  Jesse  Gray),  born  August  13,  1837;  Minerva 
(Mrs,  Russell  Kreidler),  born  April  12,  1839;  Robert?  born  October  6,  1842,  died  at 
his  lionie  in  Hornellsville,  N.  V.,  April  18,  189i;  Eunice  (Mrs.  Henry  Driesbach), 
born  October  o,  1844;  Phoebe  (xMrs.  William  McKay),  born  November  25,  1846; 
Elizabeth  (Mrs.  Chester  Babcock),  born  October  23,  1841 ;  Victoria  (Mrs.  Byron 
Bowen),  born  September  9,  1856;  William  J.,  of  Wayland,  born  November  5,  1861; 
and  Fannie  (Mrs.  Simon  Cooley),  born  July  12,  1866.  Robert  was  an  active  politician 
and  held  the  office  of  county  clerk  for  one  term,  and  various  city  offices.  Was  mayor 
at  one  time.  Five  of  Mr.  Faulkner's  children  were  successful  teachers.  This  family 
nearly  all  married  farmers  and  have  good  homes,  and  among  them  Mr.  Faulkner  and 
his  widow  have  twenty-five  grandchildren  and  eleven  great-grandchildren. 


HIRAM  PRITCHARU. 

Hiram  Pritch.vru  has  been  an  interested  witness  of  the  growth  and  development 
of  Corning  for  almost  sixt\^  years.  He  came  to  the  hamlet  in  1838,  and  was  em- 
ployed in  the  mill  owned  by  Hayt,  Land,  Phelps  &  Bailey,  of  which  after  two  years 
he  became  the  lessee.  From  that  until  the  present  time  he  has  been  an  observer  of 
the  ever  progressive  historj'  of  the  village  and  an  active  factor  in  bringing  about 
some  of  its  valuable  permanent  improvements;  and  his  excellent  memory  is  still  a 
reliable  source  of  information  concerning  the  earlj^  events  of  the  vicinity.  Hiram 
Pritchard  was  born  in  Lawrenceville,  Tioga  county,  Pa.,  February  7,  1818,  and  was 
the  son  of  Calvin  and  Anna  (Kennedy)  Pritchard.  The  father  was  a  farmer,  in  humble 
circumstances,  but  an  honest  and  industrious  man.  He  died  at  the  age  of  seventy 
and  his  wife  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven  years. 

As  is  indicated  by  the  family  name,  Hiram  Pritchard  is  of  Welsh  descent,  and  his 
life  has  shown  him  to  be  a  fair  type  of  his  nationality,  for  industry  and  perseverance 
have  characterized  his  every  effort  in  business  life,  and  tho^e  qualities  are  the  pecu- 
liar traits  of  the  sturdy  Welshman.  He  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  district 
school,  though  his  opportunities  were  indeed  limited,  for,  being  the  son  of  poor 
parents,  it  was  necessary  that  he  find  employment.  Accordingly,  he  learned  the 
trade  of  miller  at  Factory ville,  N.  Y.  In  1836  he  married  and  continued  work  at  his 
trade  in  Pennsylvania  until  1838,  when  he  came  to  Corning  and  was  given  employ- 
ment in  the  mill.  In  1840  he  rented  the  property  and  continued  its  operation  until 
about  1843,  when  he  opened  a  fiour  and  feed  store 'in  the  village.  After  another  year 
he  engaged  more  actively  in  mercantile  business  by  increasing  his  stock  to  include 
all  general  merchandise,  and  dealing  extensively,  the  firm  being  Clark  &  Pritchard. 
This  continued  nearly  three  years,  when  our  subject  sold  out  his  interest  and  was 
employed  in  the  foundry  of  Payne  &-  Olcott  in  the  capacity  of  clerk. 

However,  in  1850  Mr.  Pritchard  went  to  Pennsylvania  and  took  charge  of  the 
lumbering  interests  of  the  firm  of  Phelps,  Dodge  &-  Company  of  New  York  city.  The 
tract  he  operated  was  in  Clinton  county,  on  the  Sinnemahoning  River.  In  the  three 
years  he  was  thus  engaged,  Mr.  Pritchard  gained  a  fair  knowledge  of  the  business, 
and  we  next  find  him  the  owner  of  a  three  thousand  acre  tract  of  timber  in  Tioga 


6?  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

county,  Pa.,  and  there  conducting  an  extensive  and  successful  lumbering  enterprise. 
In  this  venture  his  partners  were  James  A.  Hayt  and  Aaron  H.  Foster.  At  the  end  of 
about  fifteen  months  our  subject  disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  business,  then  re- 
turned to  Cornmg  and  became  a  dealer  in  lumber,  operating  extensively  between  the 
years  1856  and  '63,  at  that  fortunate  period  in  which  good  profits  were  the  result  of 
judgment  and  large  transactions.  During  a  part  of  this  time  Mr.  Pritchard  handled 
as  much  as  10,000,000  feet  of  lumber  annually. 

In  1863  our  subject  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  Payne  &  Olcott  foundry  and 
machine  shops,  in  which  he  had  formerly  been  employed  as  clerk,  and  here  he  con- 
ducted a  successful  business  until  1868,  when  he  retired,  possessed  of  a  competency, 
the  deserved  result  of  years  of  industry,  coupled  with  good  judgment  in  making  in- 
vestments. Outside  of  his  business  life,  Mr.  Pritchard  has  taken  an  active  part  in 
all  matters  pertaining  to  the  general  welfare  of  Corning,  and  it  cannot  be  said  that 
any  good  work  ever  appealed  to  him  in  vain  ;  at  the  same  time  his  best  deeds  have 
not  been  done  in  a  manner  to  draw  attention  to  himself.  He  has  not  been  a  self- 
seeker  in  any  sense,  his  chief  aim  being  to  be  considered  one  of  the  staunch  business 
men  of  the  town,  and  to  so  order  his  daily  life  as  to  secure  the  respect  and  esteem  of 
his  townsmen.  The  churches,  schools  and  other  institutions  have  received  substan- 
tial benefits  at  his  hands.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  of  Corning,  a  liberal  contributor  to  its  maintenance,  and  has  also  been  con- 
nected with  its  officiary. 

In  politics  Mr.  Pritchard  was  originally  a  Whig,  but  has  been  a  Republican  since 
the  party's  organization.  He  was  president  of  the  village  in  1861  and  '63,  and  again 
in  1886,  and  during  the  years  first  mentioned  secured  local  improvements  which  have 
proved  of  the  greatest  benefit  to  Corning,  although  at  the  time  his  suggestions  were 
ridiculed  and  opposed.  Especially  noteworthy  was  his  action  in  originating  and 
carrying  to  successful  completion  the  often  called  "  Pritchard  Canal,"  by  which  the 
overflow  waters  of  the  stream  named  Monkey  Run  were  safely  conducted  to  the 
river.  Mr.  Pritchard  well  knew  the  dangerous  character  of  this  stream  in  times  of 
excessive  rainfall,  and  labored  long  and  earnestly  to  have  built  a  safe  conduit  for  its 
surplus  water.  In  this  effort  he  finally  succeeded,  though  at  much  cost  to  himself, 
but  to  the  great  benefit  of  the  village  and  city.  In  the  local  schools,  also,  he  has 
shown  an  earnest  interest,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education  fifteen 
years,  beginning  in  1861.  He  was  for  several  years  president  of  the  board,  and  one 
of  its  active  members  under  whose  term  of  office  the  splendid  academy  building  was 
erected.  As  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  Mr.  Pritchard  has  an  excellent 
record  and  standing.  He  became  a  craftsman  in  November,  1863,  and  has  since  ad- 
vanced through  the  Lodge,  the  Chapter,  the  Council  and  the  Commandery;  also  the 
Consistor}'  and  the  Scottish  Rite  bodies  to  the  thirty-second  degree,  taking  the  latter 
September  14,  1866.  He  is  a  member  of  the  noted  St.  Omer's  Commandery  of 
Elmira. 

Full  fifty  years  of  happy  married  life  were  the  lot  of  Hiram  Pritchard.  His  wife 
was  Lucinda  Searles,  whom  he  married  September  21,  1836.  They  celebrated  the 
golden  wedding,  their  fiftieth  year  of  married  life,  on  the  21st  of  September,  1886, 
and  two  years  later  the  destroyer  entered  the  home  circle  and  took  away  the  faithful 
and  devoted  wife  and  mother.  Three  children  were  born  of  their  marriage,  viz. : 
Truman  S.,  Mrs.  Mary  M.  Sayles  (who  died  October  30,  1895),  and  Albert. 


JAMES  B.  HARGRAVE. 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  69 

JAMES   B.    MURDOCK. 

James  B.  Mukdock,  son  of  Edward  and  Eliz,abeth  (Palmer)  Murdock,  was  born  Jan- 
nary  2,  1814,  in  Courtright,  Delaware  county,  N.  Y.,  where  his  grandfather,  John 
Murdock,  was  an  early  settler.  Reared  on  the  parental  farm  and  educated  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  town  he  began  teaching  district  school  at  the  age  of 
nineteen  and  continued  in  that  occupation  with  unvarying  success  for  about  twelve 
years.  About  1835  his  father  moved  to  Brookfield,  Pa.,  adjoining  the  town  of 
Troupsburg,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  resided  for 
some  time.  Later  James  B.  came  to  South  Troupsburg,  where  in  1847  he  built  his 
present  store  and  engaged  in  general  merchandising,  a  business  he  has  ever  since 
carried  on  with  almost  uninterrupted  success.  He  has  also  been  heavily  engaged  in 
lumbering  and  farming  and  besides  has  been  proprietor  of  a  grist  mill.  He  is  one 
of  the  oldest  general  merchants  in  Steuben  county,  and  has  always  won  and  retained 
the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  with  whom  he  has  had  business  relations. 

Mr.  Murdock  early  manifested  a  keen  interest  in  public  affairs  in  both  Brookfield, 
Pa.,  and  Troupsburg,  seeking  for  what  would  advance  the  welfare  of  his  town  and 
its  people.  He  represented  Troupsburg  on  the  board  of  supervisors  in  1855,  1856, 
1857,  1858,  and  1862,  and  in  that  capacity  served  with  rare  ability  and  with  great 
credit  to  both  himself  and  his  constituents.  In  1871  he  was  elected  member  of  as- 
sembly and  in  the  Legislature  held  positions  on  several  important  committees. 

Mr.  Murdock  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  L.  Wombough.  Their  children  were 
Jane  E.,  born  in  1838;  William  B.,  born  in.  1839;  Edward  P.,  born  in  1841;  Anna 
E.,  born  in  1843;  Henry  W.,  born  in  1845;  Martha  P.,  born  in  1848;  Emma,  died 
in  infancy;  Sarah  A.,  born  in  1850;  and  Marj-  P.,  born  in  1853,  deceased. 


JAMES  B.    HARGRAVE. 

James  B.  Hargrave,  prmcipal  of  the  Canisteo  public  schools,  is  a  son  of  George 
and  Sophia  (Balcom)  Hargrave,  natives  of  England,  and  was  born  in  Balona,  Ontario 
county,  N.  Y., 'March  16,  1845.  When  nine  years  old  he  came  with  his  parents  to 
the  town  of  Cameron,  Steuben  county,  where  he  worked  on  the  farm  and  cleared 
land  until  the  age  of  eighteen.  The  straitened  circumstances  of  the  family  com- 
pelled the  youth  to  rely  chiefly  upon  his  own  resources.  While  at  home  he  attended 
the  district  schools  when  opportunity  afforded,  but  his  education  both  here  and  after- 
ward was  the  result  of  self-application,  indomitable  energy,  and  untiring  presever- 
ance.  He  became  a  student  in  Alfred  University  and  subsequently  in  Woodhull 
Academy,  and  from  the  last  named  institution  was  selected  as  a  delegate  to  the  first 
competitive  examination  for  a  free  scholarship  to  Cornell  University,  which  he  won. 
He  entered  Cornell  in  1868  and  remained  until  1872,  after  which  he  taught  in  Wells- 
ville  and  later  in  the  Andover  Union  School  m  Allegany  county.  He  was  graduated 
with  the  degree  of  LL.B.  from  the  law  department  of  Union  College  in  1875  and  then 
taught  schools  at  Livonia  and  Livonia  Station,  N.  Y.,  for  two  years. 

In  1877  Mr.  Hargrave  came  to  Canisteo,  Steuben  county,  and  formed  a  law  part- 


70  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

nership  with  Eli  Soule,  but  after  two  weeks,  at  the  earnest  soheitation  of  the  citizens, 
he  assumed  charge  of  the  public  schools  in  that  village  and  held  the  position  for  six 
consecutive  3-ears.  After  a  similar  period  of  absence  he  was  recalled  in  1889  and  has 
ever  since  served  faithfully  as  principal.  When  Mr.  Hargrave  first  became  connected 
with  the  Canisteo  schools  only  three  teachers  were  employed;  now  there  are  nine; 
and  the  standard  of  education  has  been  correspondingly  increased  under  his  efficient 
and  systematic  management.  He  is  one  of  the  prominent  educators  of  the  county 
and  holds  a  high  place  among  the  leading  teachers  of  Western  New  York.  He  has 
been  a  life-long  Democrat  and  for  many  years  quite  active  m  local  politics,  and  m 
1892  was  his  party's  candidate  for  member  of  assembly  in  a  stronghold  of  Republi- 
canism, which  caused  his  defeat  by  a  small  majority.  He  is  a  member  of  Canisteo 
Lodge  and  Hornellsville  Encampment,  I.  O.  O.  P.,  and  as  a  public  spirited  citizen,  pro- 
gressive,- enterprising,  and  energetic,  has  always  manifested  a  keen  interest  in  town 
affairs,  supporting  and  encouraging  every  movement  which  promises  benefit  to  the 
community. 

Mr.  Hargrave  was  married  in  1877  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Forrest,  who  died  May  2,  1894. 


ALBERTUS  LARROWE. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  Albertus  Larrowe,  was  born  in  Cohocton  on  the 
11th  of  July,  1826.  On  his  paternal  side,  his  ancestry  can  be  traced  back  for  several 
generations.  There  is  a  legend  in  the  family  that  at  the  time  of  the  persecution 
of  the  Huguenots,  three  brothers  named  La  Rue  fled  from  France  to  the  United 
States,  landing  in  North  Carolina.  That  they  changed  the  .spelling  of  their  name 
from  La  Rue  to  Larrowe  for  fear  of  being  followed  to  this  country,  and  to  more 
completel}-  change  their  identity.  They,  however,  retained  the  pronunciation  of 
La  Rue.  It  is  known  that  there  were  three  brothers  by  this  name,  who  formerly 
lived  in  North  Carolina.  One  went  from  thei'e  to  Louisiana,  one  to  Kentucky,  and 
one  came  north  to  New  Jersey.  To  the  latter  was  born  a  son,  on  the  day  of  the 
battle  of  Trenton,  within  hearing  of  the  guns.  This  child  was  named  Albertus,  and 
was  the  grandfather  of  the  present  Albertus.  He  came  from  New  Jersey  to  the 
town  of  Reading,  now  Schuyler  county,  from  there  he  came  to  Wheeler,  where  he 
afterward  married  Janet  Aulls,  of  Urbana.  He  had  twelve  children,  who  reached 
maturity,  all  born  in  Wheeler.  In  180fi  he  bought  from  Samuel  Haight,  in  Cohoc- 
ton, about  two  hundred  acres  of  land,  which  forms  a  part  of  the  farm  now  owned  by 
his  grandson  and  namesake. 

The  father  of  the  present  Albertus  was  named  John,  and  was  the  oldest  of  the 
twelve  children  mentioned  above.  He  was  born  in  1801,  and  was  married  to  Eliza- 
beth Holmes  in  Wheeler.  Spon  after  their  marriage,  they  came  to  Cohocton,  where 
he  bought  from  the  Pulteney  estate  a  tract  of  land  on  the  Uavis  Creek,  adjoining 
that  owned  by  his  father.  On  the  banks  of  the  creek  he  built  a  little  home,  where 
were  born  his  four  sons.  A  few  years  later  he  bought  the  Haight  property  from  his 
father,  and  built  a  house,  which,  when  he  built,  the  present  Larrowe  farm  house  was 
removed  to  the  village,  and  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Ephraim  Wemple. 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  71 

The  maternal  ancestors  of  Albcrtus  Larrowe  can  trace  their  descent  from  Silas 
Wheeler,  in  honor  of  whom  the  town  of  Wheeler  was  named,  and  who  was  its  first 
permanent  settler.  He  was  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, and  was  with  Benedict  Arnold  in  his  perilous  march  through  the  forests  of 
Maine,  and  at  the  assault  of  Quebec  stood  near  Montgomery  when  he  fell.  He  was 
four  times  taken  prisoner,  twice  bj^  land,  and  twice  upon  the  high  seas,  as  a  roving 
privateersman.  After  his  second  capture  upon  the  coast  of  Great  Britain  he  was 
confined  m  jail  and  condemned  to  be  hanged  as  a  pirate.  He  escaped  by  the  aid  of 
the  distinguished  orator  and  statesman,  Henry  Grattan,  who  procured  for  him  a 
passport,  and  secured  a  passage  to  France,  whence  he  returned  to  America.  He 
settled  in  the  town  of  Wheeler  (then  included  in  Bath)  in  ITtil). 

Captain  Wheeler  died  in  1828,  aged  seventy-eight,  at  the  home  of  his  son,  Grattan 
H.  W^heeler.  His  children  were  the  son,  Grattan  H.,  and  twin  daughters  named 
Ruth  and  Sarah.  Ruth  married  Nathan  Rose,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Wheeler. 
Sarah  married  William  Holmes,  who  made  the  first  clearing  on  what  is  known  as 
the  Barney  farm,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  creek  from  the  home  of  her  sister.  The 
first  child  bon]  to  them  was  Elizabeth,  who  afterwards  married  John  Larrowe,  who 
was  born  and  brought  up  on  the  farm  adjoining  that  of  her  father,  and  from  where 
they  removed  to  Cohocton. 

There  were  four  sons  born  to  them,  Franklin,  Albertus,  ]\Iarcus  Dwight,  and  Will- 
iam Wheeler.  They,  appreciating  the  benefits  of  education,  were  determined  that 
their  boj-s  should  have  all  the  educational  advantages  within  their  reach.  The.se 
were  necessarily  most  limited,  consisting  principally  of  winter  schools.  A  Presb)-- 
terian  minister,  a  Dr.  Johnson,  was  boarded  for  one  winter,  that  the  boys  might  de- 
rive the  benefit  of  his  college  education.  During  their  minority  the  boys  worked  for 
their  father  on  the  farm.  Soon  after  attaining  his  majoi-ity,  Albertus  invested  his 
scanty  savings  ina  timber  tract,  in  company  with  his  brother  Franklin.  Their  earn- 
ings were  invested  and  reinvested  until  they  had  purchased  several  large  and  valua- 
ble tracts,  principally  from  the  Pulteney  estate,  and  had  a  good  water  power  saw 
mill  located  just  above  the  village.  They  built  several  miles  of  the  first  fence  along 
the  Erie  Railroad  running  thi-ough  the  town,  furnishing  the  lumber  and  doing  the 
work  for  seventy-five  cents  per  rod.  The  principal  market  for  their  lumber  was  in 
Canandaigua.  It  was  hauled  to  the  landing,  near  the  head  of  Canandaigua  Lake, 
where  it  was  put  into  rafts,  and  would  then  wait  for  the  wind  to  blow  from  the  south . 
to  blow  it  to  Canandaigua.  The  market  for  farm  produce  was  either  Dansville  on 
the  Genesee  Valley  Canal,  or  Hammondsport  on  Keuka  Lake. 

Elizabeth  Larrowe  died  in  1862. 

John  Larrowe  died  in  1867.  His  remains  were  interred  in  the  plot  of  ground, 
which  he  had  alreadj^  dedicated  as  a  famil}^  cemetery.  He  left  his  farm  to  his  two 
surviving  sons,  Albertus  and  Marcus  Dwight.  Albertus  bought  the  interest  of  the 
latter  in  1868,  and  has  since  owned  the  homestead,  known  as  the  Larrowe  farm,  situ- 
ated one-eighth  of  a  mile  below  the  village  of  Cohocton.  The  larger  portion  of  it  is 
now  within  the  corporation  limits. 

Mr.  Larrowe  was  made  a  Mason  in  1858,  at  Naples,  He  was  one  of  the  charter 
members  of  Libert}-  Lodge  No.  510,  being  its  first  master,  and  occupied  this  jjosition 
for  several  terms  thereafter. 

Mr.  Larrowe  has  been  an  enthusiastic  Republican  since  the  party  was  organized 


72  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  CMDUNTY. 

He  was  supervisor  for  two  or  three  years,  and  has  always  felt  an  interest  in  the  wel- 
fare of  his  party. 

In  1866  Mr.  Larrowe  bought  from  David  H.  Wilcox  the  Liberty  Mills,  a  small  water 
power  mill,  fitted  with  two  runs  of  stone,  using  wooden  peg  gears  and  the  rude  ma- 
chinery of  that  period.  The  grain  was  hoisted  to  the  top  floor  by  a  rope  running  over 
a  pulley  in  the  roof,  and  a  man  at  the  other  end.  Two  years  later  the  mill  was  re- 
modeled and  operated  as  a  custom  mill,  making  a  specialty  of  buckwheat  flour  in  its 
season,  and  from  that  time  until  1889,  Mr.  Larrowe  continued  the  manufacture  of 
buckwheat  flour,  dropping  out  of  the  custom  work  entirely.  The  Larrowe  Milling 
Co.  was  formed  at  that  time,  and  two  ji-ears  later  changed  to  a  corporation,  with  A. 
Larrowe  as  president,  operating  the  largest  buckwheat  mill  in  the  world,  equipped 
with  the  most  modern  machines  and  appliances,  many  of  them  built  after  Mr.  Lar- 
rowe's  own  plans.  He  has  always  been  a  firm  believer  in  pure  food  products,  and 
Larrowe' s  kiln-dried  buckwheat  flour  is  one  of  the  very  few  brands  which  have  never 
been  adulterated. 

Mr.  Larrowe  has  been  a  tireless  worker,  and  has  always  enjoyed  the  respect  and 
confidence  of  all  his  business  associates  and  acquaintances  and  a  host  of  friends. 
Though  most  of  the  active  work  of  the  concei'n  is  now  performed  by  younger  men, 
much  of  the  success  enjoyed  by  the  Larrowe  Milling  Co.  Ltd.,  is  attained  by  his  sug- 
gestions and  counsel,  for  which  his  ripe  experience  so  well  fits  him. 

Mr.  Larrowe  was  married  to  Harriet  A.  Kellogg,  daughter  of  John  Kellogg  of  Co- 
hocton,  on  February  22,  18o4,  who  died  in  December,  1860,  leaving  two  sons,  John 
and  Charles.  On  the  23d  of  February,  1868,  Mr.  Larrowe  was  married  to  Julia  A., 
daughter  of  James  Draper  of  Cohocton,  who  died  January- 4,  1864,  leaving  one  son, 
James  Erwin. 

Mr.  Larrowe  was  married  April  38,  1875,  to  Katherine,  daughter  of  Shepard  P. 
Morgan,  of  Lima,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  Elizabeth  A.,  Albertus,  jr.,  and 
D wight  Morgan. 

Dr.  Larrowe  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Universalist  church.  The  site  of  the 
present  residence  of  Mr.  Larrowe  is  the  same  as  that  on  which  stood  the  house,  in 
which  were  born  the  Fowler  family,  the  eminent  phrenologists,  Orson,  Lorenzo  and 
Sarah,  now  Mrs.  Wells.  And  the  large  elm  on  the  lawn  was  set  there  by  these 
brothers  when  it  was  a  slender  sapling,  the  size  of  their  wrists. 


GEORGE    W.   PRATT 

Was  born  in  Milo,  Abates  county,  m  1821.  He  was  graduated  as  a  physician  at 
Geneva  Medical  College  in  1845,  and  practiced  in  Corning  for  several  years,  remov- 
ing to  Marshall,  Mich.,  in  1849.  He  there  became  editor  of  the  Statesman,  a  weekly 
Whig  paper,  but  returned  to  Corning  in  1851,  and  in  July  of  that  year  became  the 
editor  of  the  Corning  Journal,  and  part  proprietor.  Less  than  two  years  later  he 
became  sole  proprietor.  In  September,  1891,  he  founded  the  Corning  Daily  Journal 
which  has  had  a  remarkable  circulation  in  a  city  of  about  12,000  inhabitants,  the 
average  circulation  for  the  past  two  years  being  1,500  copies.     Mr.  Pratt  was  for  one 


DANIEL  F.   YOUNG. 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  73 

term  a  loan  commissioner  of  Steuben  county.  He  was  for  half  a  dozen  years  the 
canal  collector  for  the  port  of  Corning,  when  the  Chemung  Canal  was  in  operation. 
He  has  been  twice  the  postmaster  of  Corning,  serving  each  time  the  term  of  four 
years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first  board  of  managers  of  the  St.  Lawrence  State 
Hospital,  Ogdensburg,  being  appointed  by  Governor  David  B.  Hill,  which  board 
made  all  the  contracts  for  the  erection  of  buildings  and  purchase  of  site.  He  was 
also  the  petition  clerk  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  41st  Congress. 


DANIEL    F.   YOUNG. 

Daniel  F.  Young,  youngest  of  four  children  of  Frederick  and  Elizabeth  (Young- 
love)  Young,  who  were  born,  lived,  and  died  in  Frey's  Bush,  Montgomery  county, 
N.  Y.,  was  born  in  that  town  February  16,  1817.  Reared  on  a  farm  he  was  a  self- 
made  and  a  self-educated  man,  his  education  being  obtained  principally  in  public 
schools.  He  taught  school  for  a  time  and  also  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  which 
he  followed  as  an  employee  of  his  brother-in-law,  the  late  John  I.  Timerman.  He 
early  developed  strong  scholarly  habits  and  a  metaphysical  mind  and  manifested  de- 
cided inclination  for  a  literary  career.  In  1845  he  was  offered  and  accepted  the  edi- 
torship of  the  Montgomery  Phenix,  then  the  only  paper  published  in  Fort  Plain,  N. 
Y. ,  the  proprietor  being  that  well-known  deaf  mute,  Levi  S.  Backus.  At  the  same 
time  he  also  commenced  the  .study  of  law  under  Wagner  &  Webster,  attorneys  and 
counsellors,  but  soon  abandoned  that  profession  for  the  more  congenial  editorial 
work,  which  he  continued  as  editor  of  the  Phenix  for  thirteen  years.  In  1848  he  was 
appointed  deputy  postmaster  at  Fort  Plain  under  Henry  C.  Adams,  but  shortly  after- 
ward resigned  to  accept  the  post  of  clerk  to  William  Dale,  division  superintendent  of 
the  Erie  Canal.  A  little  later  he  became  a  clerk  in  the  Fort  Plain  Bank  and  was 
subsequently  made  its  cashier,  a  position  he  held  till  after  the  close  of  the  war,  when 
he  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health.  He  then  retired  from  active  business  and  de- 
voted the  remainder  of  his  life  to  the  care  of  his  property  and  family  and  to  literary 
pursuits. 

Mr.  Young's  connection  with  the  newspaper  press  did  not  end  with  his  career  as 
editor,  but  continued  till  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Jasper,  Steuben  county, 
August  18,  1892.  He  was  first  a  Whig  and  later  an  ardent  Republican,  and  the  leading 
journals  of  his  party  often  bristled  with  political  and  other  articles  from  his  able  and 
versatile  pen.  The  files  of  the  Mohawk  Valley  Register,  the  New  York  Mail  and 
Express,  and  many  Steuben  county  papers  contain  the  products  of  his  fertile  and  ac- 
tive brain.  Gifted  alike  in  prose  and  poetry  he  was  a  strong  defender  of  right  and 
justice,  of  temperance  legislation,  and  of  the  principles  of  Republicanism.  He  was 
opposed  to  the  saloon  and  also  to  all  third  party  movements,  and  always  had  the 
courage  of  his  convictions  and  the  honesty  to  boldly  express  the  views  espoused. 
He  was  an  excellent  writer — clear,  concise,  logical,  and  witty,  a  close  thinker,  tena- 
cious in  belief,  possessed  of  the  qualities  of  a  strong  character  and  highly  cultivated 
mind,  and  especially  fond  of  grappling  with  metaphysical  subtleties.  On  the  ques- 
tion of  the   Freedom  of  the  Will,   in  which  he  was  profoundlv  interested,   and  on 


74  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

which  he  wrote  much  but  published  httle,  he  belonged  to  the  school  of  Jonathan 
Edwards.  In  metrical  composition  he  had  abilities  of  a  no  mean  order.  He  wrote  a 
number  of  poems  which  clearh-  indicate  his  high  intellectuality  and  the  beautiful 
thoughts  that  filled  his  mind.  During  his  later  years  he  was  in  the  habit  of  writing 
a  poem  on  each  occurrence  of  his  natal  anniversary,  and  most  of  them  appeared  in 
print.  His  last  effort,  entitled  "Seventy-five,"  was  inscribed  "To  R.  W."  and  con- 
tained nine  stanzas,  of  which  the  final  two  are  as  follows: 

"I  keep  my  frail  bark  near  the  shore. 
And  smile  to  see  my  fellows  strive ; 
With  feebleness  I  ply  the  oar — 

The  pulse  runs  low  at  seventy-five ! 

"But  still  God's  wond'rous  world  is  fair — 
He  scatters  mercies  large  and  free — 
He  plants  his  beauties  everywhere. 
And  life  is  still  a  joy  to  me." 

In  the  spring  of  1885  Mr.  Young  settled  in  the  village  of  Jasper,  Steuben  county, 
where  he  bought  a  handsome  residence,  which  was  burned  September  12, 1891.  Hither 
he  had  brought  from  the  Moliawk  valley  his  large  and  valuable  library  and  literary 
treasures,  which  were  totally  destroyed.  He  felt  this  loss  keenly,  largely  from  the 
fact  that  age  prevented  him  from  making  another  collection  of  those  "silent"  and 
ever  available  "  friends,"  for  he  prized  them  as  only  a  true  book  lover  prizes  books. 
He  was  held  in  high  esteem  and  retained  the  confidence  of  all  who  knew  him. 

July  14,  1883,  Mr.  Young,  while  residing  temporarily  at  Painted.  Post,  was  married 
by  Rev.  Joseph  H.  Young,  rector  of  St.  Joseph's  Episcopal  church,  Dansville,  to 
Miss  Anna  Rust  Miller,  daughter  of  Dr.  William  and  Mary  (Seeber)  Miller,  natives 
respectively  of  Johnstown  and  Canajoharie,  N.  Y.  She  survives  him,  and  in  1894 
married  F.  S.  Viall,  formerly  a  business  man  of  Canisteo  and  now  a  merchant  in 
Jasper,  where  Mrs.  Miller  also  resides.  Dr.  Miller  liyed  in  and  died  in  Johnstown, 
Fulton  county.  His  father.  Dr.  James  W.  Miller,  prominent  in  the  early  history  of 
that  place,  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Amaziah  Rust,  of  Revolutionary  fame. 


LEONARD  S.    LAMSON. 

Leonard  S.  Lamson's  ancestors  came  from  England  to  this  country  in  the  17th 
century  and  settled  in  New  Hampshire,  where  members  of  the  family  became  sub- 
stantial farmers  and  mechanics.  His  grandfather,  Charles  Lamson,  emigrated  to  the 
town  of  Jasper,  Steuben  county,  from  Hadley,  .Mass.,  in  1825,  and  located  upon  what 
has  ever  .since  been  the  Lamson  homestead.  Here  amid  the  environments  of  a  rich 
agricultural  section  Leonard  S.  was  born,  a  son  to  Sylvester  and  Sarah  (Dennis) 
Lamson.  Sylvester  succeeded  his  father  on  the  farm  and  died  in  1872;  his  widow 
survives  him  and  resides  with  her  .son,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Leonard  S.  Lam.son  w^as  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Alfred  L'niversity. 
January  4,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  I,  16th  N.  Y.  Heavy  Artillery,  and  served  till  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  75 

close  of  the  war,  being  detailed  at  General  Tracy's  headquarters  in  Elmira  as  clerk. 
After  the  war  closed  he  returned  to  the  parental  farm  in  Jasper,  where  he  resided 
four  years,  when  he  moved  to  WoodhuU  and  settled  on  the  homestead  of  his  wife's 
family.  There  he  remained  a  farmer  until  1877,  when  he  took  up  his  residence  m 
Woodhull  village.  At  the  same  time  he  purchased  an  interest  in  the  saw,  planing, 
and  feed  mill,  in  which  he  has  ever  since  carried  on  a  successful  business. 

Mr.  Lamson  has  for  several  years  been  a  prominent  factor  in  politics  in  both  town 
and  county.  He  is  an  active  Republican,  a  trusted  leader  in  the  councils  of  his 
party,  and  influential  advocate  of  sound  party  principles.  In  1890  and  again  in  1891 
he  represented  the  town  of  Woodhull  on  the  board  of  supervisors,  where  his  efficient 
labors  on  behalf  of  his  constituents  were  recognized  and  appreciated.  In  1895  he 
was  elected  clerk  of  Steuben  county  by  a  handsome  majority.  He  is  a  prominent 
member  and  was  for  two  years  commander  of  J.  N.  Warner  Post,  No.  565,  G.  A.  R., 
of  Woodhull,  and  is  also  a  member  of  Tent  174,  K.  O.  T.  M.  He  is  an  active  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Jasper,  and  has  always  taken  a  deep  interest  in 
the  welfare  and»prosperity  of  his  town.  Every  worthy  object  which  promised  to 
become  beneficial  to  the  community  or  promote  general  advancement  receives  his 
generous  aid  and  support. 

Mr.  Lamson  was  married  on  January  23,  1864,  to  Miss  Clara  A.  Millard,  of  Wood- 
hull,  by  whom  he  has  four  children:  Prof.  George  R.,  graduate  of  the  Geneseo  State 
Normal  School,  and  a  school  teacher;  Fred  L.,  a  graduate  of  the  Rochester  Univer- 
sitv;  and  Annie  E.  and  Clara  L.,  at  home. 


r  JEROME  B.   MALTBY. 

Jerome  B.  Maltby,  the  third  of  five  children  of  Curtis  and  Caroline  (White)  Maltby, 
was  born  in  the  town  of  Orange,  Schuyler  county,  N.  Y.,  on  the  19th  day  of  June, 
1841.  During  his  youth  Mr.  Maltbj'  enjoyed  the  usual  restrictions  of  farm  life  and 
shared  the  misfortunes  of  the  average  boy  as  to  educational  opportunities.  Having 
attained  manhood,  in  1862  he  went  west  intending  to  permanently  locate;  after 
crossing  the  plains  with  an  emigrant  train  he  worked  at  gold  mining  in  Idaho 
and  spent  one  winter  in  San  Francisco — saving  from  his  earnings  about  thirteen 
hundred  dollars.  Returning  east  in  1864  he  entered  the  milling  business  with  A, 
Richmond  at  Millport,  Chemung  county,  N.  Y.  A  year  later  he  came  to  Corning 
and  purchased  a  third  interest  in  the  mercantile  business  then  conducted  by  his 
brothers  Charles  R.  and  Erastus  C.  Maltby;  at  this  time  the  wholesale  grocery  house 
of  C.  R.  Maltby  &  Bros.,  was  established  and  was  continued  until  1878,  when  Erastus 
C.  Maltby  retired.  A  few. years  previous  Charles  R.  Maltby  located  in  New  York 
city  for  the  purpose  of  dealing  directly  with  importers  and  producers  This  change 
left  the  responsibility  of  the  entire  business  in  Corning  with  Jerome  B.  Maltby,  to 
whose  untiring  efforts  and  judicious  management  the  healthy  financial  condition  of 
the  firm  is  largely  due.  The  Maltby  firm  has  the  only  exclusively  wholesale  grocery 
and. provision  house  in  Corning;  in  the  face  of  direct  competition  with  the  largest 
firms  in  the  country,  business  has  steadily  increased  and  extends  throughout  South- 
ern New  York  and  Northern  Pennsylvania. 


/6  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Mr.  Maltby  is  identified  witli  all  public  measures  for  the  advancement  of  local  in- 
terests and  in  all  worthy  enterprises  is  regarded  as  public  spirited  and  generous ;  for 
charitable  works  he  has  an  open  hand.  He  has  held  the  ofifice  of  village  trustee  and 
treasurer,  and  has  for  many  years  been  a  vestryman  of  Christ  Episcopal  church.  In 
politics  Mr.  Maltby  is  a  Republican,  but  conservative  in  his  views  and  expressions. 
A  retiring  nature,  briefness  of  speech  and  conciseness  of  expression  are  his  chief 
characteristics,  and  his  business  sense  and  forethought  are  notable.  His  position  as 
president  of  the  Southern  Tier  Wholesale  Grocers'  Association  is  evidence  of  the 
esteem  in  which  Jerome  B.  Maltby  is  held  in  business  circles.. 


HENRY  BALDWIN. 

Col.  Henry  Baldwin,  whose  sudden  and  startling  death  occurred  Sunday  morning 
December  15,  1895,  was  born  in  Lawrenceville,  Tioga  county,  Pa.,  November  2,  18H1. 
He  was  the  third  son  of  Rufus  and  Pamelia  (Wombough)  Baldwin,  thus  descending 
from  the  two  most  prominent  pioneer  families  of  the  Canisteo  valley.  He  had 
advantages  for  a  fairly  good  education  and  graduated  from  the  Albany  Law  School 
in  1854,  being  admitted  to  the  practice  of  his  chosen  profession  soon  after  attainmg 
to  his  majority.  Besides  his  law  practice  he  engaged  in  several  business  enterprises 
and  generally  pushed  to  a  successful  conclusion  all  his  undertakings.  In  1856  he 
married  Miss  Arabella  Bliss  of  Hornellsville,  N.  Y.  His  wife  died  in  1863.  Mr. 
Baldwin  did  not  remarry. 

In  1858  ha  founded  the  Addison  "Advertiser,"  and  was  associated  for  some  time 
in  its  management  with  Mr.  E.  M.  Johnson,  finally  disposing  of  his  interest  m  the 
paper  to  Mr.  Johnson. 

In  1861  Mr.  Baldwin  enlisted  in  the  defense  of  the  Union  and  raised  the  first  com- 
pany that  went  to  the  front  from  Addison,  of  which  he  was  made  captain.  It  was 
afterwards  known  as  Co.  E,  of  the  134th  Regiment,  N.  Y.  State  Vols.  Mr.  Baldwin 
served  with  credit  to  himself  and  led  his  company  through  the  battles  of  Ball's  Bluff, 
Harper's  Ferry,  Winchester,  Yorktown,  Fair  Oaks,  the  seven  days  battles  before 
Richmond,  and  fir.st  and  second  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  besides  being  in  many 
lesser  engagements.  On  his  return  to  Addison  at  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  his 
enlistment,  he  was  active  and  helpful  in  securing  recruits  to  fill  Steuben  county's 
quota  as  called  for  by  the  government. 

The  close  of  the  war  found  Mr.  Baldwin  in  a  crippled  financial  condition,  but  with 
his  natural  energy  and  a  determination  to  regain  what  he  had  lost,  he  engaged  in 
new  enterprises  and  was  eminently  successful. 

Under  the  old  military  system  of  the  State  he  became  colonel  of  the  106th  Regiment 
N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.  This  regiment  took  part  in  the  suppression  of  the  great  railroad 
strike  ifi  1877  and  the  onerous  duties  incident  to  this  service  being  so  well  performed 
that  the  regiment  and  its  commander  received  special  favorable  mention  in  genera! 
orders. 

In  politics  Col.  Baldwin  was  a  lifelong  consistent  Democrat,  and  he  often  served 
his  party  and  the  people  as  village  trustee,  and  also  as  supervisor  of  his  town  six 
terms.     So  popular  was  he  among  his  fellow  members  of  the  board  that  he  was  chosen 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  77 

chairman  of  that  body  for  one  term,  filling  that  position  with  marked  ability  and 
great  fairness.  In  1885  he  was  chosen  sheriff  of  the  strong  Republican  county  of 
Steuben,  being  elected  by  a  handsome  plurality.  During  his  term  as  sheriff  his  health 
became  much  impaired  and  after  he  left  the  office  he  lived  a  more  quiet  life,  busying 
himself  in  looking  after  his  many  interests  in  and  about  Addi.son. 

Col.  Baldwin  was  a  communicant  of  the  Episcopal  church  of  Addi.son,  was  devoted 
to  it  and  its  services,  and  was  quick  and  generous  in  response  to  her  calls  upon  him. 

Col.  Baldwin  was  made  a  Mason  early  in  life  and  ever  took  a  deep  interest  in 
everything  pertaining  to  the  order.  He  was  a  member  of  Addison  Union  Lodge  No. 
118,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Addison  Chapter  No.  146,  R.  A.  M.,  De  Molay  Commandery  Knights 
Templar,  Hornellsville,  N.  Y.,  and  Corning  Consistory  of  Scottish  Rite  Masons. 

He  was  a  volunteer  fireman,  being  a  charter  member  of  Phoenix  Company,  and 
an  honorary  member  of  Baldwin  Hook  and  Ladder  Co.,  which  was  named  in  his 
honor.  In  his  associations  of  every  kind,  with  high  and  low,  rich  and  poor,  Henry 
Baldwin  was  always  courteous,  kind,  and  considerate.  Public  spirited  beyond  most 
of  his  townsmen  he  was  always  ready  to  assist  with  liberalit}'  any  and  all  enterprises 
that  promised  to  benefit  the  town  in  which  he  had  spent  the  most  of  his  life. 

In  the  death  of  Col.  Henry  Baldwin  Addison  lost  one  of  her  most  prominent  and 
highly  respected  citizens,  the  people  a  warm  friend,  the  church  a  sincere  worshiper 
and  his  family  a  loving  brother  and  devoted  friend. 


NELSON    COWAN. 

Ne]?§on  Cowan,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  and  most  prominent  men  of  Corning, 
Steuben  county,  was  born  in  Spring  Mills  (now  Springport),  Cayuga  county,  N.  Y  , 
July  2,  1816,  and  first  came  to  the  town  of  Gibson  in  1836.  In  1838  he  settled  there^ 
and  for  thirty  years  was  engaged  in  boating  and  boat  building,  carrying  on  during 
that  period  an  extensive  and  successful  business.  His  boat  carried  the  first  cargo  of 
coal  that  was  sent  from  Blossburg  to  Albany,  the  shipment  being  consigned  to 
Erastus  Corning  for  the  rolling  mills  at  Troy.  He  also  brought  from  there  the  first 
iron  for  the  Corning  and  Blossburg  Railroad,  prior  to  the  construction  of  which  coal 
was  hauled  by  teams  from  Blqssburg.  Mr.  Cowan  subsequently  became  largely  in- 
terested in  the  operation  of  coal  mines,  and  with  Hon'.  F.  C.  Dminny,  now  of  Elmira, 
developed  mines  in  the  Pittston  (Pa.)  region  which  proved  a  source  of  wealth  to  all 
who  were  identified  with  them.  He  continued  this  business  for  twenty-five  years,  or 
until  February,  1889,  when  he  sold  his  interest  to  the  Butler  Mine  Company,  making 
what  was  said  at  the  time  one  of  the  largest  transfers  of  mining  property  on  record, 
a  property  widely  known  as  the  Schooley  and  Boston  purchase.  From  early  life  to 
March  1,  1889,  Mr.  Cowan  was  actively  and  successfully  engaged  in  business,  and 
throughout  his  long  career  won  the  confidence,  esteem,  and  respect  of  all  with  whom 
he  came  in  contact.  He  then  retired,  and  died  on  June  25  of  that  year  at  the  age 
of  nearly  seventy-three. 

While  engaged  in  these  various  industries  Mr.  Cowan  was  also  keenly  interested  in 
the  social  and  political  welfare  of  his  town  and  county.  He  was  supervisor  of  the 
town  of  Corning  for  four  years  during  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  and  in  that  capacity 


78  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

paid  to  ever}'  soldier  the  authorized  bounty.  At  the  same  time  he  had  sixty-five 
canal  boats  with  which  he  supplied  much  of  the  coal  then  used  in  the  interior  of  the 
State.  He  was  prominently  identified  with  every  movement  which  had  for  its  object 
the  advancement  of  the  community. 

Mr.  Cowan  was  married  on  July  17,  1838.  to  Miss  Emaline  A.  Whitney,  who  was 
born  in  Stamford,  Conn.,  November  4,  1818,  and  who  lived  in  Danby,  Tompkins 
county,  N.  Y.,  at  the  time  of  their  marriage.  For  over  fifty  years  she  was  a  resi- 
dent of  Gibson,  where  with  her  husband  she  led  a  very  quiet  life,  and  where  her 
many  good  deeds  and  charitable  acts  will  long  survive  her.  She  died  January  30, 
1889.  Their  only  child,  Adelia  M.,  born  February  3,  1842,  was  married  on  October 
17,  1859,  to  John  Tupper,  son  of  Dr.  Archelaus  Tupper,  and  a  prominent  young  man 
of  Corning,  who  died  October  29,  1872.  Her  death  occurred  April  30,  1894.  Their 
children  were  Emma  B.,  born  October  30,  1860;  Luella  M.,  born  April  15,  1862,  mar- 
ried C.  L.  Schonleber  on  December  5,  1894;  Ida,  born  April  15,  1865;  Nelson  W., 
born  September  17,  1867,  died  January  17,  1895;  Benjamin  Strever,  born  March  5, 
1870.  Emma  B.  Cowan  was  married  November  26,  1879,  to  R.  F.  Park,  and  has  chil- 
dren William  Nelson,  born  August  5,  1883;  Robert  Lynton,  born  September  15,  1889; 
and  Laura  Belle,  born  November  18,  1893,  Ida  Cowan,  on  January  29,  1890,  mar- 
ried George  B.  Walsh,  and  has  one  son,  G.  Lauriston,  born  October  6,  1894.  Ben- 
jamin S.  Cowan  married,  April  24,  1889,  Miss  Kate  Rose,  by  whom  he  has  two 
children;  Clara  Hazel,  born  July  7,  1890,  and  Virgil  Benjamin,  born  September  29, 
1892.  Nelson  Cowan  reared  as  his  own  the  five  children  of  his  only  child,  Mrs. 
Adelia  M.  Tupper,  and  also  a  nephew  of  his  wife,  William  W.  Whitney,  who  was 
born  September  17,  1853,  and  who  married  Priscilla  Mead,  of  Caton,  N.  Y.,  by  whom 
he  has  four  children:  Frank  L.,  born  April  25  1873;  Kate  M.,  born  March  26,  1875; 
Emma  B.,  born  February  14,  1881 ;  and  Luella,  born  November  27,  1888. 


LORENZO  DAVISON. 

Lorenzo  Davison  was  the  third  of  a  family  of  ten  children,  five  sons  and  five 
daughters,  and  was  born  in  the  town  of  Tyrone,  Schuyler  county,  N.  Y. ,  March  23, 
1824.  His  father,  Lewis  Davison,  migrated  from  New  Jersey  to  Schuyler  county 
when  quite  young,  and  there  met  and  married  Jemima  Gannon,  who  had  moved  from 
Orange  county,  N.  Y.  They  cleared  the  farm  upon  which  they  raised  their  large 
family,  and  endured  all  the  hardships  incident  to  pioneer  life.  Lorenzo  remained 
on  the  parental  homestead  until  he  reached  his  majority,  attending  school  during  the 
winters  when  opportunity  permitted,  not  to  exceed  three  months  a  year.  While  pur- 
suing his  studies  he  walked  to  and  from  the  country  school  house  a  considerable  dis- 
tance over  rough  and  hilly  roads.  Upon  leaving  the  family  home  he  learned  the 
trade  of  carpenter  and  joiner,  which  he  followed  successfully  for  six  years. 

In  the  spring  of  1851  Mr.  Davison  came  to  Canisteo,  vSteuben  county,  and  at  once 
erected  a  large  steam  lumber,  shingle  and  planing  mill  on  the  bank  of  the  Canisteo 
River,  near  the  site  of  the  present  Erie  depot.  This  was  the  first  planing  mill  ope- 
rated in  Steuben  county  west  of  Corning,  and  continued  operations  but  four  years, 
when  it  was  burned  and  rebuilt.     In  1862  he  formed  a  copartnership  with  L.   A. 


if' 


LORENZO  DAVISON. 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  79 

Waldo,  and  engaged  ([uite  extensively  in  the  lumber,  stave,  shingle  and  mercantile 
business,  owning  and  operating  three  separate  mills.  This  firm  continued  for 
eighteen  years,  when  the  partnership  was  dissolved.  Since  then  Mr.  Davison  has 
carried  on  the  lumber  and  mercantile  business  to  a  greater  or  less  extent.  During 
his  whole  life  he  has  also  been  largely  engaged  in  farming,  ownmg  at  present  a  val- 
uable farm  in  the  fertile  Canisteo  valley,  about  one  mile  east  of  the  village. 

Mr.  Davison  is  a  Republican  and  has  always  taken  a  keen  though  quiet  interest  in 
political  affairs.  He  has  never  sought  public  office,  yet  in  1873,  at  the  earnest  solici- 
tation of  his  many  friends,  he  was  elected  president  of  Canisteo  village.  He  has 
been  a  prominent  member  of  Morning  Star  Lodge  No.  65,  F.  and  A.  M.,  since  1862, 
and  an  active  and  leading  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  since  1868.  He 
is  also  president  of  the  Canisteo  Cemetery  Association,  and  towards  all  charitable 
and  business  projects  he  has  always  been  a  liberal  contributor. 

On  October  3,  1850,  Mr.  Davison  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Louise  Jackson, 
daughter  of  Josiah  and  Betsey  Jackson,  of  Attay,  N.  Y.,  who  died  June  23,  1855. 
Their  two  children  died  in  infancy.  On  November  22, 1856,  he  was  married,  second, 
to  Miss  Martha  Carter,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Chauncey  and  Maria  Carter,  of  Canis- 
teo. The  result  of  this  union  was  five  children:  Ida  L.,  born  August  26,  1859;  George 
A.,  born  October  1,  1861,  died  June  7,  1862;  Hiland  T.,  born  March  25,  1863,  died 
December  4,  1864;  Ella  M..  born  June  14,  1865;  and  Milton  W.,  born  July  2,  1867. 


CONSTANT  COOK. 

Constant  Cook,  the  son  of  Philip  and  Clarissa  (Hatch)  Cook,  was  born  in  Warren, 
Herkimer  county,  N.  Y.,  on  November  10,  1797,  and  there  with  his  father  passed  the 
earlier  years  of  his  life  upon  a  farm.  On  Christmas  day,  1819,  he  married  Maria 
Whitney,  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Hannah  Whitney,  formerly  of  Fairfield  county, 
Conn.  In  April,  1820,  Mr.  Cook  removed  to  Cohocton,  in  this  county,  where  for  a 
time  he  engaged  in  farming;  but  soon  became  interested  with  the  late  John  Magee 
of  Watkins  in  numerous  mail  and  passenger  routes  and  laid  the  foundation  for  the 
fortunes  which  these  two  men  subsequently  built  up.  About  the  year  1840,  Mr.  Cook 
was  appointed  one  of  the  judges  of  Steuben  county,  an  office  which  he  filled  for  a 
term  of  three  3'ears.  In  1843,  Judge  Cook  removed  to  Bath,  and  engaged  in  com- 
mercial pursuits  with  Mr.  Magee,  but  their  attention  was  soon  drawn  to  that  great 
work,  the  construction  of  the  Erie  railroad,  and  in  company  with  others  took  the 
contract  for  the  building  of  the  road  from  Binghamton  to  Corning.  Subsequently, 
with  Hon.  John  Magee,  he  projected  and  built  the  Buffalo,  New  York  and  Coming 
railroad  from  Corning  to  Buffalo  by  way  of  Batavia  and  Attica.  Still  later  he  pro- 
jected the  Bloss  Coal  Company,  located  at  Arnot,  near  Blossburgh,  Pa.  During  the 
last  twenty  years  of  his  life,  Judge  Cook  became  widely  known  for  his  banking  house 
at  Bath,  which,  early  in  the  war,  was  converted  into  a  national  bank,  and  soon  took 
rank  with  the  soundest  and  most  successful  institutions  of  the  kind  in  the  State. 
About  six  years  previous  to  his  death,  he  donated  thirty  thousand  dollars  toward  the 
erection  of  a  new  Episcopal  church  in  the  village  of  Bath,  and  the  result  of  this  gen- 


80  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

erous  gift  is  now  seen  in  one  of  the  most  commodious  and  beautiful  church  edifices 
in  the  diocese  of  Western  New  York.  The  death  of  Judge  Cook  occurred  on  Feb- 
ruary 24,  1874.  Of  eight  children,  three  only  survived  him,  Henry  H.  Cook  of  New 
York  city,  Mrs.  L.  D.  Hodgman  and  Edwin  C.  Cook.  Mrs.  Cook  died  September 
10, 1890. 


PART  III. 

FAMILY  SKETCHES. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES 


Averill,  Mrs.  Helen. — Oscar  J.  Averill  was  born  at  Cameron,  Steuben  county, 
Jul)^  15.  1834.  He  was  the  son  of  Hiram  and  Hulda  Averill  and  was  educated  at  the 
Elmira  Academy,  after  which  he  taught  school  for  some  years.  In  1861  he  married 
Helen  C,  daughter  of  Jared  H.  and  Maria  Thompson,  by  whom  he  had  four  chil- 
dren, William  and  Edward  T.  (both  deceased),  Mrs.  George  N.  Beekman,  and  Helen 
Bell.  Oscar  J.  was  one  of  the  representative  men  of  his  town,  elected  county  clerk 
in  1861,  United  States  internal  revenue  commissioner,  and  in  1881  he  went  to  Utah 
and  was  appointed  clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Utah.  In  1883  he  returned  to  Bath 
and  died  in  Washington,  December  20,  1892. 

Austin,  Erwin  H.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Greene,  Chenango  county,  in  1837,  son 
of  John  and  Abigail  (Adams)  Austin,  natives  of  Scotland  and  Chenango  county,  N.Y. 
John  Austin  came  with  his  father,  Russel,  to  America  about  1820,  and  settled  in 
Chenango  county,  N.Y.,  he  then  being  about  five  years  of  age.  Russel  was  a  hotel- 
keeper,  and  died  in  1843.  The  maternal  grandfather,  Rowland  Adams,  was  a  collier 
of  Chenango  county,  and  in  1840  came  to  Jasper,  Steuben  county,  where  he  remained 
until  1860,  and  spent  his  last  days  in  Troupsburg,  where  he  died  in  1861,  aged  eighty- 
seven  years.  His  father,  John  Adams,  from  Massachusetts,  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Revolutionary  war.  John  Austin  was  an  axe  maker  by  trade,  and  a  soldier  in  the 
regular  army,  and  died  in  1840.  Mrs.  Austin  still  lives  at  Greenwood,  and  is  the 
widow  of  Joseph  Wilber,  who  died  in  1 885.  Erwin  H.  was  reared  by  his  grand- 
parents, Rowland  and  Catherine  Adams,  and  when  fourteen  years  old  commenced 
work  as  a  farm  hand,  and  has  since  followed  farming.  He  came  to  Troupsburg  in 
1859.  In  1859  he  married  Amy  B.,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  Brown,  of  Troups- 
burg, who  died  in  June,  1887.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Austin  have  been  born  twelve  chil- 
dren, four  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  and  Edith  May  died  in  1883,  aged  twenty-two 
years,  and  Perry  in  February,  1875.  aged  eleven  months.  Those  living  are  Ida, 
Grace,  Jennie  L.,  Amy  A.,  Erwin  H.,  jr.,  William  J.  and  Henry  G.  Mr.  Austin  en- 
listed August  19,  1862,  in  Company  H,  161st  New  York  Volunteers,  and  was  honorably 
discharged  September  21,  1865,  and  took  part  in  many  hard  fought  battles.  He  is  a 
Republican,  and  has  been  assessor,  and  is  now  serving  his  third  term  as  justice.  He 
is  a  member  of  Post  Bailey  No.  351,  G.A.R.,  and  McLellen  Lodge  No.  649,  F.&A.M., 
and  has  held  every  position  in  the  order.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Troupsburg 
Tent  No.  339,  K.O.T.M.     Mrs.  Austin  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church. 

Arnold,  Alex  J.,  was  born  in  Avoca,  April  24,  1852.     Lyman  Arnold,  his  father. 


4  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

was  born  in  Washington  county,  N.Y.,  and  came  to  Avoca  when  quite  small  where 
he  engaged  in  farming.  He  married  Mary  McNeil,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Alex 
J.,  who  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Avoca  and  Bath.  He  has  been  a  farmer 
from  early  life,  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  140  acres  within  the  corporation  limits.  He 
married  Louisa,  daughter  of  J.  N.  Bradish,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Clarence  B. 
Mr.  Arnold  was  supervisor  for  three  terms,  and  has  also  been  president  of  the  vil- 
lage He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  Avoca  Lodge  No.  673,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  LO.O.F. 

Anmiller,  George,  was  born  in  Germany,  October  28,  1829,  and  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1853  and  settled  in  Hornellsville,  where  he  began  clearing  land;  he  re- 
mained there  for  one  year,  and  then  moved  to  Kanona,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
railroad  business  for  about  three  years,  after  which  he  went  to  Corning,  and  from 
there  to  Cooper's  Plains,  where  he  began  work  for  the  Rochester  division  of  the 
N.  Y.  L.  E.  &  W.  ;  from  that  place  he  came  to  the  town  of  Campbell,  where  he  bought 
a  farm  of  100  acres,  which  business  he  has  followed  ever  since.  He  married  Johanna 
Smith,  of  Germany,  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Dora,  Andrew,  Katie 
(deceased),  William,  Annie.     In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Allis,  Henry  Elisha,  was  born  in  Prattsburg  in  18^6,  son  of  Josiah  Allis,  who  was 
a  native  of  Whately,  Mass.,  born  in  1778,  and  one  of  eleven  children  born  to  Col. 
Josiah  Allis,  of  Whately,  Mass.,  son  of  Captain  Elisha,  son  of  Ichabod,  son  of  Cap- 
tain John,  son  of  Colonel  William,  the  founder  of  the  family  in  America  in  1640. 
Josiah  Allis,  father  of  Henry  Elisha.  first  came  to  Prattsburg  in  1801,  returned  and 
came  again  with  Capt.  Joel  Pratt,  for  whom  he  drove  three  yoke  of  oxen.  He 
settled  on  unbroken  land  south  of  the  village,  which  he  cleared  and  made  for  himself 
a  home.  He  was  an  active  pioneer  and  assisted  in  blazing  and  laying  out  the  first 
road  from  Prattsburg  to  Bath,  and  from  Prattsburg  to  Naples.  He  was  actively  in- 
terested in  educational  matters,  and  one  of  the  original  promoters  in  the  building 
of  the  Franklin  Academy  at  Prattsburg,  also  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  the 
same  place.  He  married  Mary  Bull,-  a  native  of  Connecticut,  by  whom  he  had  six 
children:  Emily,  Jerry,  Horace,  Josiah,  Lemira,  and  Henry  E.  He  died  in  1848, 
and  his  wife  in  1829.  Henry  E.  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Franklin 
Academy  and  remained  at  home  until  after  the  death  of  his  father,  after  which  he 
engaged  in  the  carpenter  trade  and  the  study  of  architecture,  and  later  became  mas- 
ter builder.  In  1854  he  went  to  Chicago,  111.,  where  for  six  years  he  was  engaged 
in  contracting  and  building,  and  one  year  was  spent  in  the  car  shops  of  the  Alton 
railroad.  He  then  returned  to  Yates  county,  N.Y.,  where  he  spent  four  years  on  the 
farm  and  one  year  in  Ontario  county,  when  he  returned  to  Prattsburg,  where  he  has 
since  been  engaged  in  farming  and  the  'breeding  of  blooded  stock,  of  which  Jersey 
cattle  are  his  specialty.  In  politics  Mr.  Allis  is  a  Republican,  has  served  as  town 
auditor,  inspector  of  elections,  and  is  now  serving  his  third  term  as  justice  of  the 
peace.  In  1860  he  married  Charlotte  J.  Holcomb,  who  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  a 
daughter  of  Ebenezer  Holcomb,  by  whom  he  had  three  children :  Addie,  wife  of 
Charles  H.  Burns,  of  Cuba;  Louie  P.,  and  Frank  H.,  who  is  married  and  has  one 
child,  Henry  E. 

Armstrong,  James  E.,  the  present  highwaj^  commissioner,  was  born  in  Schuyler 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  5 

county  in  18;!!),  son  of  Benoni  and  Hannah  Armstrong,  who  came  Lo  Steuben  count)- 
in  1844  locating  where  Mr.  Arm.strong  has  since  lived.  The  father  was  a  lumberman 
and  died  in  1880,  aged  eighty-five  years.  Mr.  Armstrong  is  the  youngest  of  a  family 
of  five  children.  In  1867  he  married  Emma  Hendryx  of  Potter  county,  Pa.,  who 
died  in  1884.  In  1893  he  was  elected  to  his  present  office  for  one  year,  and  re-elected 
in  1894  for  two  years.  He  had  also  previously  served  three  years.  The  old  saw  mill 
on  his  place  which  is  still  in  operation  was  l)uilt  by  his  father  in  1846. 

Allison,  Chas.  S.,  was  born  in  England,  September  16,  1843.  Wm.  S.  Allison,  his 
father,  was  engaged  in  the  milling  business.  Chas.  S.  was  educated  in  England  and 
learned  the  merchant  tailoring  business  at  that  place.  In  1859  he  came  to  the  United 
States  and  settled  in  Bath,  entering  into  the  employ  of  Hiram  Hess,  Conklin  &  Hill. 
In  1861  he  went  to  Fall  Brook  to  manage  a  merchant  tailoring  establishment  at  that 
place,  and  from  there  went  to  Elmira,  and  in  the  fall  of  1861  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  64th 
N.  Y.  Vol.  Inft.  During  the  war  he  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Culpepper,  Mine  Run, 
the  Wilderness,  and  numerous  others,  and  through  bravery  on  the  field  and  merito- 
rious service  was  promoted  to  second  lieutenant  in  September,  1864,  and  receiving  an 
honorable  discharge  at  the  close  of  the  war  with  acting  rank  of  first  lieutenant.  In 
1808  he  married  Erva  A.  Walsh,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Guy  W.,  Chas.  R. 
and  Ethel  M.  Mrs.  Allison  died  in  1884.  In  1869  he  came  to  Bath  and  entered  into 
the  employ  of  Jas.  Sutherland,  whom  he  succeeded  in  1874.  In  1893  he  married  Mrs, 
Clara  Sutherland,  daughter  of  Joseph  Shaut.  Mr.  Alh.son  is  one  of  the  leading  busi- 
ness men  of  the  town,  serving  as  supervisor  in  1882,  and  has  been  twice  elected 
commander  of  Custer  Post  No.  81. 

Ainsworth,  Addison,  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  N.  Y.,  September  13,  1813.  Lsaac 
Ainsworth,  his  father,  was  born  in  Spencertown,  N.  Y.,  in  1787,  and  came  to  Pratts- 
burg about  1809  and  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  William  Babcock,  and  at  his 
death  owned  800  acres  of  land.  He  served  as  constable  and  collector  nine  successive 
terms,  when  he  resigned  and  devoted  his  time  exclusively  to  farming  and  extensive 
lumbering  business.  He  married  Louisa  Burton,  by  whom  he  had  two  children, 
Addison  being  the  only  one  who  grew  to  maturity.  Mrs.  Ainsworth  died  in  1815, 
and  he  married  for  his  second  wife,  Sally  Townsend,  by  whom  he  had  .six  children. 
He  died  in  1840.  Addison  remained  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-two  years 
of  age,  and  then  engaged  in  farming,  which  he  has  successfully  followed  for  many 
years,  and  he  and  his  wife  now  live  a  retired  life  in  the  village  of  Prattsburg,  where 
he  looks  after  his  village  property.  In  1837  he  married  Julia  Ann  Johnson,  a  native 
of  Massachusetts,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Mary  Louisa  and  Sarah  S.,  both 
deceased.  '1  he  former  became  Mrs.  Wilson  and  left  one  child,  Edith  Minnehaha, 
who  now  resides  with  Mr.  Ainsworth  and  his  wife  in  Prattsburg.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Ainsworth  have  been  for  many  years  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  of  which 
he  has  been  one  of  the  tru.stees,  elder  and  treasurer  since  1879. 

Alley,  Frank  Bennett,  was  born  in  the  village  of  Hornellsville,  April  3,  1860,  only 
son  of  the  late  Samuel  M.  Alley.  He  was  educated  in  the  city  schools  and  early 
showed  his  inheritance  of  business  enterprise  and  indomitable  pluck  by  engaging  in 
a  retail  store  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Canisteo  streets.  Five  years  later  he  estab- 
lished a  wholesale  department,  where  for  eleven  years  his  trade  has  had  a  steady  and 


G  LANDMARKS  OF  STEtlBEN  COUNTT. 

permanent  growth.  In  1893  his  rapidly  increasing  trade  demanding  larger  quarters, 
he  removed  the  wholesale  department  to  the  old  post-office  building  on  Canisteo 
street,  where  we  now  find  him ;  but  he  still  continues  to  operate  as  a  retail  depart- 
ment, the  old  stand  which  is  now  popularly  known  as  "Alley's  Corner."  In  1894  he 
fitted  up  with  the  most  artistic  taste  "Alley's  Cafe."  He  devotes  his  whole  time  and 
attention  to  his  business,  with  no  political  or  social  aspirations  except  for  his  friends, 
for  whom  he  is  a  hard  worker.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  June  4,  1882,  Mr. 
Alley  married  Isabel,  daughter  of  H.  C.  Johnson,  of  Hornellsville.  They  have  one 
child,  Laura.     The  first  born,  Helen,  died  November  1,  1892,  aged  ten  years. 

Arthur,  Arthur  C,  was  born  in  England  in  1862,  and  came  to  America  in  1873,  re- 
siding at  Amesbury,  Mass.,  at  which  place  he  managed  the  Amesbury  Opera  House 
successfully.  In  June,  1891,  Mr.  Arthur  came  to  Corning  to  take  charge  of  the  Corn- 
ing Opera  House,  which  was  opened  October  8,  1891,  by  Rose  Coghlan.  The  Corn- 
ing Opera  House  is  a  $50,000  stock  company  and  owned  by  prominent  citizens. 
Corning,  by  its  enterprise  in  erecting  such  a  beautiful  place  of  amu.sement,  and  its 
excellent  method  of  management,  has  placed  that  city  at  the  head  of  the  dramatic 
profession  in  the  Southern  Tier. 

Ames,  Charles,  was  born  in  Leyden,  Mass.,  in  1825,  where  the  first  sixteen  years 
of  his  life  was  spent.  He  was  educated  in  the  district  schools,  and  has  been  a  resident 
of  Addison  just  half  a  century.  He  was  a  pioneer  of  the  sash,  blind  and  door  indus- 
try, and  in  1845  established  a  factory  here,  with  his  brothers,  Ambrose  and  N.  H., 
having  previously  been  employed  in  the  factory  at  Truxton,  N.  Y.  Two  years  later 
he  bought  an  interest  in  the  business,  which  he  maintained  for  twenty  years,  then 
selling  out,  the  next  year  he  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  under  the  firm  name 
of  Graham  &  Ames,  and  after  fifteen  years  of  close  application  to  this  business  he 
relinquished  it  in  1884.  The  Ames  family  were  originally  from  Somersetshire,  Eng- 
land, Ebenezer,  the  father  of  Charles,  being  a  descendant  of  the  famous  old  family 
of  Bridgewater,  Mass. ,  who  were  identified  with  the  early  manufactories  there,  es- 
pecially the  manufacture  of  agricultural  implements,  which  have  a  world-wide  repu- 
tation. In  1848  Charles  Ames  married  Maria  K. ,  the  elder  daughter  of  the  late  Henry 
Wornbough,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  one  daughter,  Frances,  who  married  D. 
D.  Cooley,  and  they  located  at  Ashland,  Nebraska,  where  she  died.  Mr.  Ames  is  a 
Democrat,  and  has  been  president  and  trustee  of  this  village.  He  is  a  supporter  of 
the  Episcopal  church,  of  which  his  wife  is  a  member. 

Appleby,  T.  H.,  was  born  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  where  he  learned  the  harness  and 
collar  maker's  trade,  and  in  1887  embarked  in  business  for  himself  at  Painted  Post, 
but  soon  after  moved  to  Bath  where  he  remained  for  five  years.  January  1,  1894,  he 
located  in  Corning  and  has  been  conducting  a  much  more  extensive  business.  His 
trade  is  principally  wholesale,  and  gives  employment  to  thirty  workmen,  and  amounts 
to  §50,000  a  year  in  volume. 

Brown,  George  R.,  was  born  in  Chemung  county,  N.  Y. ,  in  1840.  He  taught 
school  in  his  younger  days,  and  in  1864  came  to  Corning  and  has  been  in  the  employ 
of  the  Fall  Brook  system  since  that  date,  beginning  as  an  operator,  and  has  beeh 
promoted  from  time  to  time  until  appointed  general  superintendent  in  1886.  He  is 
a  member  and  president  pro  tem.  of  the  Board  of  Education  of  the  city  of  Corning. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  7 

Bowen,  P:dmund  I.,  was  born  in  Williamsport,  Pa.,  March  Hi,  ]S«G.  Edmund  S. 
Bowen,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  is  now  the  general  manager  of 
the  South  Carolina  and  Georgia  R.  R.  Edmund  I.  is  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  two 
sons,  was  educated  in  the  Troy  Polytechnic  College,  and  his  first  employment  was 
with  the  civil  engineering  department  of  the  Erie  Railroad  Company,  and  served  as 
assistant  engineer  until  January,  1892,  when  he  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  road- 
master,  which  he  now  holds.     In  1895  he  married  Miss  Kate  Russell  Burnham. 

Beckwith,  Philo,  born  in  the  town  of  Campbell,  January  25,  1857,  is  the  son  of 
Griffin  Beckwith,  who  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hornby,  December  25,  1825,  and 
grandson  of  Zenith  Beckwith,  who  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  the  town  of 
Hornby.  Griffin  came  to  the  town  of  Campbell  in  1860,  where  he  purchased  the  farm 
now  owned  by  Philo.  He  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Solomon  Gushing,  of  the 
town  of  Dicks,  Schuyler  county,  and  they  have  two  children:  Philo  C,  and  Martha, 
now  Mrs.  Joe  Robinson,  of  Wellesboro,  Pa.  Philo  was  educated  in  the  district  school, 
and  he  has  devoted  his  time  to  farming,  and  has  also  conducted  a  dairy  for  the  last 
five  years.  His  father  died  in  1889,  aged  sixty-four  years;  and  the  mother  in  De- 
cember, 1894,  aged  sixty-three. 

Badger,  Herbert  L.,  son  of  Harvey  P.  and  Louisa  P.  Badger,  was  born  in  Painted 
Post,  and  married  Francis  Tuell,  of  Penn  Yan,  and  they  have  three  sons:  Arthur, 
Fred  and  Allan.  Mr.  Badger  has  a  farm  of  fifty  acres  on  which  he  raises  fruit,  grain, 
and  tobacco.  He  has  held  the  office  of  inspector  of  election  for  many  years.  He 
enlisted  in  the  20th  New  York  Battery,  in  1864,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  was  in  the  detached  service  at  Elmira  under  Col.  Tracy.  He  is  now  commander 
of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  No.  611. 

Bundy,  George  W.,  was  born  in  Cameron,  October  13,  1842,  a  son  of  George  and 
Caroline  (Smith)  Bundy.  George,  sr.,  came  from  Otsego  county,  town  of  Pittsfield,  • 
when  fourteen  years  of  age,  in  1827,  with  his  father,  Nathaniel.  His  wife,  Caroline, 
was  a  daughter  of  Rev.  David  Smith  and  a  native  of  Bath.  Nathaniel  Bundy  was 
a  carpenter  by  trade  and  his  son  George  was  a  farmer.  They  were  both  very  active 
in  the  M.  E.  Church  of  Cameron.  Nathaniel  was  one  of  the  first  of  the  justices  of 
peace  and  was  familiarly  known  as  "Squire  Bundy."  George  Bundy,  jr.,  married 
Mary  J.,  a  daughter  of  Caleb  and  Harriet  (Roosa)  Annable,  by  whom  he  had  three 
children:  Nelson  O.,  Caleb  C,  and  Melvin  G.  Nelson  O.  married  Hattie  Abbott 
and  has  one  child,  Cora.  Mr.  Bundy,  jr.,  has  been  assessor  nine  years  and  highway 
commissioner  seven  years.  He  is  past  master  of  the  Grange  and  has  been  State 
delegate.     He  is  engaged  in  farming  and  owns  a  farm  of  200  acres. 

Brown,  Daniel  F.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hartwick,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  Octo- 
ber 9,  1821.  He  spent  two  years  at  the  Troy  Conference  Academy  at  Poultney,Vt., 
and  afterwards  spent  two  years  at  the  Genesee  Wesleyan  Seminary  at  Lima,  N.  Y. 
He  came  to  Corning  in  1846  and  completed  his  legal  cour.se  in  the  office  of  Hon. 
Thomas  A.  Johnson,  and  was  admitted  in  1850.  He  was  commissioned  first  lieuten- 
ant in  1862  by  Governor  Morgan,  and  served  as  quartermaster  of  the  86th  Regt. 
N.  Y.  Vols,  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  appointed  by  President  Johnson,  in 
1865,  assistant  collector  of  internal  revenue  for  the  fourth  division  of  the  twenty- 
seventh  district  of  the  State  of  New  York,  which  office  he  held  for  nine  years.     He 


8  LA.NDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

was  the  first  police  justice  of  the  village,  and  the  first  recorder  of  the  city  of  Corning. 
With  the  exception  of  the  period  spent  in  the  war,  he  has  practiced  his  profession 
in  Corning  since  1850. 

Blakeslee,  Prof.  D.  A.,  A.M.,  was  born  in  Savona,  vSteuben  county,  in  1837.  He 
is  the  son  of  Lyman  Blakeslee,  who  was  born  in  the  Green  Mountains  of  Vermont, 
moving  with  his  parents  to  Cortland  county  in  or  about  the  year  1813,  thence  to 
Steuben  county  m  1835,  where  he  engaged  in  farming,  which  he  followed  until  ad- 
vancing age  compelled  him  to  retire.  He  now  resides  with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  R.  C. 
Morgan,  of  Hornellsville.  The  boyhood  and  youth  of  Professor  Blakeslee  were 
spent  on  his  father's  farm,  attending  school  in  the  winter,  and,  later,  teaching.  In 
1861  he  entered  Alfred  University,  where  he  appeared  in  a  homespun  suit  of  his 
mother's  own  work,  and  he  gi-aduated  in  1866  with  the  degree  of  A.B.  Later  he  was 
for  eight  years  professor  of  English  in  the  Normal  department  of  his  alma  mater, 
which  indicates  the  confidence  and  appreciation  in  which  he  was  held  by  the  faculty 
and  students  of  that  noted  school.  For  thirteen  years  he  was  principal  of  Grammar 
School  No.  3,  in  Elmira,  for  five  years  principal  at  Wellsville,  and  he  has  also  held 
the  principalship  of  the  Union  School  and  Free  Academy  in  Addison,  which  has 
maintained,  under  his  administration,  its  high  standing  among  the  schools  of  the 
county  and  of  this  part  of  the  State.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  In 
1866  he  married  Miss  Lizzie  La  Force,  of  Wayne,  N.  Y.  They  have  one  daughter, 
Julia  La  Force,  also  a  graduate  of  Alfred  University,  who  is  the  wife  of  Dr. William 
E.  Barron,  a  well-known  and  popular  young  physician  of  Addison.  Professor 
Blakeslee' s  work  has  always  been  of  a  high  order,  being  characterized  by  simplicity 
and  thoroughness,  and  his  administration  has  been  firm  yet  of  such  a  type  as  to 
secure  the  hearty  assent  of  the  students,  and  to  develop  in  them  those  elements  of 
self -direction  that  grow  up  into  the  best  manhood  and  womanhood. 

Bingham,  William  C,  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  April  26  1843.  Chester,  his 
father,  was  a  native  of  New  Hampshire  and  a  merchant  and  farmer.  The  grand- 
father, Jeremiah,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut.  He  was  a  farmer  and  his  father 
before  him.  Chester  removed  to  Boston  about  1830,  where  he  engaged  in  the  mer. 
cantile  business.  He  was  the  father  of  three  children.  WilUam  C,  the  only  son, 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Boston,  Greene  Academy,  and  under  private 
tutors.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  took  up  the  study  of  law  in  the  ofhce  of  the  late 
Hon.  Horace  Bemis,  and  afterwards  with  Judge  Hamilton  Ward,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years.  He  began  practice  at  Belmont,  Allegany 
county,  in  1864,  where  he  remained  until  1871.  He  then  came  to  Hornellsville  and 
entered  into  partnership  with  Homer  Holliday,  which  partnership  existed  until  1887, 
when  Mr.  Holliday  retired  from  active  practice.  Mr.  Bingham  was  the  first  recorder 
for  the  city  of  Hornellsville,  which  office  he  held  for  four  years,  declining  the 
nomination  for  a  third  term.  In  1874  Mr.  Bingham  married  Cornelia  Bush,  of 
Belmont. 

Buvinger,  H.  Edward,  was  born  in  Hanover,  York  county.  Pa.,  August  9,  1825. 
In  1835  his  parents  removed  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  until  the  spring  of 
1847,  when  he  left  the  parental  home  and  came  to  the  State  of  New  York,  residing 
at  Rochester  and  New  York  city.     In  September,  1850,  he  came  to  Hornellsville,  and 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  9 

subsequentry  became  superintendent  of  the  Thos.  Snell  Shoe  Mfg.  Co.,  where  lie  re- 
mained until  185;);  and  then  entered  the  employ  of  the  Erie  Railway  Company  in 
the  machine  shop,  where  he  remained  until  1856,  when  he  was  appointed  ticket  agent 
for  the  same  company,  which  he  held  until  May,  1862,  when  he  was  transferred  to  the 
freight  department  as  chief  clerk  and  cashier,  which  position  he  has  now  held  for 
thirty-three  years,  and  a  continuous  service  of  forty-two  years  at  this  station.  Mr. 
Buvinger  was  married  July  22,  1851,  to  Susan  Kress,  of  Dundee,  Yates  county,  N.Y., 
by  whom  he  had  three  sons-  Darwin  C,  of  New  York  city;  Ernest,  who  died  March 
24,  1874,  aged  nineteen  years;  and  Mark  H.,  who  is  now  residing  with  him.  Mr. 
Buvinger  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  for  forty-nine  years.  He  was 
initiated  in  St.  John's  Lodge  No.  13  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  in  1846,  and  in  1850  affiliated 
with  Evening  Star  Lodge  No.  44,  of  Hornellsville,  N.  Y.  In  1852  Evening  Star 
Lodge  surrendered  its  charter,  and  in  1853  organized  Hornellsville  Lodge  No.  331,  of 
which  he  was  a  charter  member,  and  senior  warden-,  and  master  in  1855  and  1858. 
In  1868  Evening  Star  Lodge  was  reorganized,  of  which  he  was  its  master  three 
years.  He  was  high  priest  of  Steuben  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.,  No.  101,  in  1861,  and  in 
1856  he  joined  De  Molay  Commandery  No.  22,  of  Knights  Templar,  and  was  eminent 
commander  in  1860  and  1861. 

Balcom,  Samuel,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Greene,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  De- 
cember 13,  1822.  The  Balcoms  trace  their  descent  from  Henry  Balcom,  of  Balcombe, 
England,  who  came  from  there  and  settled  in  Boston,  Mass.,  about  1640.  Lyman 
Balcom,  father  of  Samuel  Balcom,  was  associate  judge  of  the  County  Court  of  Steu- 
ben county  from  1840  to  1846,  and  elected  to  the  State  Legislature  in  1867.  He  mar- 
ried Clarissa  HoUenbeck  of  Greene,  Chenango  county,  and  died  in  1881  in  his  eighty- 
second  year.  At  thirteen  years  of  age  Samuel  moved  with  his  father  to  Campbell, 
Steuben  county,  where  the  family  were  prominent  in  the  lumbering  interests.  He 
was  educated  at  Oxford  Academy,  Oxford,  Chenango  county,  where  he  was  married 
in  1866  to  a  daughter  of  Henry  Balcom  of  that  place — Sarah  L.  Foote,  by  whom  he 
had  two  children,  Lillian  Lynn  and  Lyman  Hunnewell,  and  an  adopted  daughter, 
Mary  Banks  Foote.  He  died  at  his  home  in  Bath.  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  September 
23,  1890,  and  was  buried  at  that  place. 

Buck,  Moses  E.,  was  born  in  Connecticut,  June  27,  1833,  son  of  Alva  H.,  who  was 
also  born  in  Connecticut.  Alva  H.  came  to  the  town  of  Bath  about  1840,  where  he 
was  engaged  in  lumbering  up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  married  Lucretia  Ann 
Bailey,  Connecticut,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Moses  E.,  Lucy,  Martha,  Susan, 
and  John.  His  second  wife  was  Miss  Emeline  Carr  and  his  third  a  Miss  Jane  Totten. 
Moses  E.  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  Bath  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  business  he  continued  in  for  twenty  years.  He 
built  the  large  barns  on  the  stock  farm  of  Samuel  I.  Haskins.  He  has  also  been  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  chairs  up  to  within  two  years  ago,  since  which  time  he 
has  been  interested  in  a  grist  mill  at  Avoca.  Mr.  Buck  married  Ellen,  daughter  of 
Henry  Willis,  of  Bath,  by  whom  he  had  these  children :  Harry,  deceased ;  Frances, 
wife  of  Aaron  Shaver;  Fred,  Adella,  and  James,  who  is  a  graduate  of  Miller's  Busi- 
ness College  of  Elmira  and  is  now  in  the  Hallock  Bank  of  Bath.  Mr.  Buck  has  held 
the  office  of  road  commissioner.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Avoca  Lodge 
No.  562.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church. 
b 


10  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Bassett,  Fred  L.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Independence,  Allegan}^  county,  N.  Y., 
August  21,  1855.  Baylis  S.  Bassett,  his  father,  was  born  in  Vermont,  June  9,  1821, 
and  came  to  Allegany  county  with  his  father,  who  purchased  100  acres  of  land. 
Baylis  S.  Bassett  came  to  Bennett's  Creek  in  the  town  of  Canisteo  in  1866,  where  he 
purchased  430  acres  of  land,  which  is  still  kept  in  the  family.  He  married  Ester 
Crandall,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children,  Will  C,  Frank  M.,  Fred  L.,  Byron  S., 
Lottie  M.,  George  C,  and  B.  Shefield.  Fred  L.  is  a  farmer,  and  married  Velma  C. 
Krusen,  daughter  of  Daniel  Krusen,  of  Greenwood,  by  whom  he  had  three  children, 
Lottie  M.,  Ray  L.  and  Earl. 

Bassett,  Will  C,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Independence,  Allegany  county,  June  5, 

1851.  He  is  a  man  of  great  business  ability,  and  at  one  time  was  a  merchant  in 
Canisteo  village ;  running  a  general  grocery  store  for  about  nine  years,  but  of  late 
years  has  devoted  his  time  to  the  manufacture  of  cheese,  and  has  a  factory  from 
which  he  can  produce  about  100,000  lbs.  per  year.  He  married  Emma  E.,  daughter 
of  Henry  Buttles,  of  Pike,  Wyoming  county,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  Lena  E. 
and  Floyd  S.,  and  is  living  on  a  part  of  the  homestead  farm.  Mr.  Bassett  was  as- 
sessor in  the  town  of  Canisteo  for  three  years,  and  is  a  member  of  Morning  Star 
Lodge,  No.  65. 

Bennett,  George,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  February  14,  1836,  son  of  Daniel 
N.  Bennett,  who  was  born  in  Orange  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1793,  and  came  to  the  town 
of  Howard  in  1808.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  resided  in  Howard  four 
years,  was  then  drafted  in  the  war  of  1812,  served  about  three  months,  and  then  re- 
turned to  what  is  now  known  as  Graves  Hill,  run  a  distillery  about  one  year,  then 
moved  to  the  place  where  George  was  born,  where  he  died  in  1875,  aged  eighty-two 
years.  By  his  industry  he  acquired  an  amount  of  property,  which,  at  his  death,  was 
divided  between  seven  children,  each  receiving  about  100  acres  of  land.  He  was 
justice  of  the  peace  and  supervisor  of  the  town  for  four  terms.  Daniel  Bennett  mar- 
ried Clarissa  Dolby,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  four  of  whom  died 
in  infancy:  Merrilla,  Alkali,  Ladoska,  Fidelia,  Albina,  George,  as  above,  and  Betsy. 
At  the  present  time  Fidelia,  Albina,  and  George  are  living.  George  Bennett  has  de- 
voted all  of  his  time  to  farming,  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  340  acres,  and  his  village 
property  consists  of  twenty-five  acres  on  which  are  erected  fine  buildings.  He  mar- 
ried Orilla,  daughter  of  Jason  Ranger  of  Fremont,  and  they  have  four  children: 
Miles,  Erva,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty,  Fay,  and  Bert.  Miles  and  Fay  are  mar- 
ried. Bert  resides  at  home.  Mr.  Bennett  has  been  a  Mason  for  a  number  of  years, 
and  was  supervisor  of  the  town  for  one  year. 

Brickman,  Samuel  H.,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  November  17, 

1852.  Son  of  the  Rev.  Arthur  O.  Brickman,  a  Swedenborgian  minister  and  editor 
of  the  "  Messenger  of  the  New  Church."  He  was  a  native  of  Konigsburg,  Germany, 
and  came  to  this  country  at  the  age  of  twenty.  He  was  a  captain  and  chaplain  of 
the  Third  Maryland  Cavalry,  and  died  January  5,  1886.  Samuel  was  the  second  son 
of  a  family  of  eleven  children,  and  was  educated  in  the  city  schools  and  Baltimore 
Academy,  and  at  sixteen  years  of  age  went  as  clerk  in  his  uncle's  market  at  Oil  City, 
Pa.,  where  he  learned  the  business  and  remained  with  him  until  1882  when,  with  a 
(l^sire  of  bettering  his  position  and  becoming  a  proprietor,  came  to  Hornellsville  and 


t^AMlLY  SKETCHiiS.  11 

established  a  market  at  33  Loder  street.  April,  1SS2,  he  built  his  present  brick  block 
at  13  Loder  street,  where  he  is  now  conducting  the  finest  market  in  this  city.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  for  ten  years,  Evening  Star  Lodge,  No.  44. 
September  3,  1885,  he  married  Matilda  Benzinger,  of  this  city,  by  whom  he  had  two 
children:  Helen  Magdalen  and  Howard  Keller. 

Billings,  Henry  S.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Waterford,  Cumberland  county,  Maine, 
July  9,  1833.  The  third  son  of  a  farmer,  he  was  reared  on  a  farm  with  only  the  ad- 
vantages of  a  common  school  education.  At  twenty  years  of  age  he  started  out 
for  himself  and  was  for  a  while  a  citizen  of  Boston.  He  afterward  removed  to  New 
York  and  entered  the  employ  of  William  R.  Barr,  who  was  the  first  to  introduce  the 
sleeping  car  on  the  Erie  railroad.  In  1865  Mr.  Barr  sold  his  rights  to  the  Pullman 
Co.  and  after  a  short  time  as  a  conductor  for  that  company,  he  was  sent  to  Kent, 
Ohio,  as  superintendent  of  a  division,  and  after  two  years  located  at  Hornellsville, 
where  for  a  short  time  he  had  an  office  and  was  then  made  superintendent  of  the 
New  York  division  with  an  office  in  the  Mills  Building,  which  position  he  held  un- 
til the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  November  7,  1890.  Mr.  Billings  was  for 
twenty  years  in  the  service  of  the  Pullman  Co.  He  was  for  thirty-five  years  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  a  member  of  the  Hornellsville  Lodge  No.  331. 
In  1877  he  he  erected  a  beautiful  home  on  Center  street  where  his  family  still  reside. 
In  1860  he  married  Roxana  Caswell,  a  native  of  Harrison,  Maine,  and  at  that  time  a 
resident  of  Bcston.  An  adopted  daughter,  Maude  S.,  who  is  the  wife  of  Isaac 
Ossoki  of  Hornellsville. 

Barber,  T.  W.,  was  born  in  Wantage,  Sussex  county.  New  Jersey,  October  24, 
1830.  Daniel  Barber,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  the  same  county,  andwas  identified 
as  a  farmer,  and  the  family  were  of  English  descent,  and  among  the  early  settlers  in 
the  State  of  Virginia.  Daniel  Barber  married  Margaret  Montross,  and  they  moved 
into  the  town  of  Starkey,  Yates  county,  in  1835,  and  to  Cameron,  Steuben  county, 
in  1836,  where  he  died  in  1873,  in  his  seventy-first  year.  T.  W.  Barber  was  educated 
in  the  common  school,  and  in  1850  he  learned  the  carpenter  trade,  and  in  1860  en- 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in  St.  Paul,  Minnesota;  and  in  1861  he  returned 
to  Cameron,  and  has  continued  in  the  same  business  at  Bath,  N.  Y.,  from  1867.  In 
1860  he  married  Filinda  A.,  daughter  of  Lewis  Cross,  by  whom  he  had  three  children, 
Bert  G.,  Belle  B.  and  Grace  E. 

Bennett,  Alonzo,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Belfast,  Allegany  county,  October  25, 
1818.  Solomon  Bennett,  his  grandfather,  was  one  of  the  twelve  that  first  purchased 
the  township,  and  was  the  first  man  to  own  and  run  a  grist  mill  in  the  town  of  Can- 
isteo,  and  which  was  burned  by  the  Indians.  William  Bennett,  his  father,  married 
Mary  Vanscoote,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children :  Sarah,  Pamelia,  Thomas,  Martha, 
James,  Alonzo,  William  W.  Nelson,  Mary  J. ,  and  Adeline.  He  was  the  builder  of 
the  old  brick  hotel,  known  as  the  Canisteo  House.  Alonzo  remained  with  his  father 
until  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  bought  the  farm  where  he  now  resides.  He 
married  Christianna,  daughter  of  Esq.  Elias  Stevens,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children : 
Amy,  Amelia,  Adeline,  Annetta,  Ann,  Augustine,  Alonzo,  Eva  and  Mary.  Annetta 
is  the  wife  of  Dr.  Williamson  of  this  village.  Mr.  Bennett  was  for  many  years  a  rep 
resentative  of  the  leading  insurance  companies  of  this  and  other  States,  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Morning  Star  Lodge  of  Masons  No.  65. 


12  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Braack,  Jacob,  was  born  in  the  northern  part  of  Germany,  October  14,  1856,  and 
came  with  his  mother  to  this  country  in  1883.  He  was  first  located  in  Cadillac,  Mich- 
igan, where  he  was  employed  for  a  month  in  butchering  and  was  then  two  mf)nths  in 
a  saw  mill.  He  then  went  to  Grand  Rapids,  following  the  carpenter  trade  for  three 
months  and  then  entered  the  emplo)^  of  the  Voigt  Milling  Company  as  a  miller,  a 
trade  he  had  learned  in  his  native  land.  He  was  employed  there  for  three  years, 
and  then  went  to  Reed  City  where  he  became  associated  with  G.  W.  Morris,  and  was 
foreman  for  him  until  the  destruction  of  the  mill  bj-  fire.  In  1890  he  became  propri- 
etor of  a  mill  in  Dorr,  Allegan  county,  and  continued  there  for  two  years.  In  1892 
he  came  to  Hornellsville  and  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  G.  W.  Morris  &  Co. , 
where  we  now  find  him  at  the  head  of  the  milling  department.  Mr.  Braack  has  been 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity'  since  1892,  now  with  the  Evening  Star  Lodge, 
No.  44. 

Burns,  Capt.  W.  S.,  was  born  in  Geneva,  N.  Y.,  November  24,  1833,  son  of  Andrew 
Burns,  who  came  from  the  North  of  Ireland  in  1806.  and  settled  in  Geneva,  and 
married  Mrs.  Mary  Clarke,  daughter  of  Archibald  McLachlan,  of  Fort  William,  Scot- 
land, and  a  niece  of  Hon.  Dugald  Cameron,  who  came  to  Steuben  county  with  Col. 
Williamson.  Andrew  Burns  died  in  1844,  in  his  fifty-seventh  year.  W.  S.  Burns 
was  educated  at  Hobart  College,  and  then  gave  his  attention  to  practical  engineering 
in  the  United  States  and  Canada.  In  July,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  4th  Missouri 
Cavalrv,  at  St.  Louis,  with  rank  of  second  lieutenant,  and  took  part  in  the  battles  of 
Pea  Ridge,  Fort  De  Russey,  Pleasant  Hill,  Avoyelle  Prairie,  Lake  Chicot,  Tupelo, 
and  the  entire  Red  River  campaign.  Durmg  the  last  fifteen  months  he  served  as 
inspector-general  on  the  staff  of  Gen.  A.  J.  Smith,  commanding  the  right  wing  of  the 
of  the  16th  Army  Corps,  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  In  October,  1864,  he  received  an 
honorable  discarge  with  the  rank  of  captain,  having  served  three  months  over  his 
term  of  enlistment.  In  1868  he  came  to  Bath,  and  entered  the  land  office  of  Hon. 
John  and  Ira  Davenport.  In  1863  Captain  Burns  married  Sophie,  daughter  of  Moses 
B.  Savage,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  three  children:  William  S.,  S.  Fann3\  and 
Edward  B.  They  buried  one  son,  Charles  C.  Mr.  Burns  is  one  of  the  trustees  of 
the  Davenport  Library  and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education.  He  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  G.  A.  R.,  Custer  Post,  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  Tennessee,  and  the  Loyal 
Legion. 

Bradley,  Hon.  George  B.,  was  born  in  Chenango  county,  in  1825  son  of  Orlo  F. 
Bradley  who  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  came  to  Chenango  count}'-  about  1800. 
George  B.  Bradley  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Oswego,  in  1848,  and  began  practicing 
in  Addison,  Steuben  county,  the  same  year,  and  since  1852  has  resided  at  Corning. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  State  Constitutional  Commission  of  1872-73,  and  elected  to 
the  State  Senate  in  1873  and  again  in  1875.  In  1883  he  was  elected  to  the  Supreme 
Bench  from  the  Seventh  District,  and  in  1889  was  appomted  one  of  the  judges  of  the 
second  division  of  the  Court  of  Appeals. 

Burrell,  Alphonso  H.,  was  born  in  Salisbury,  Herkimer  county,  January  8,  1826 
son  of  Samuel  N.,  a  native  of  this  State.  Samuel  N.  was  a  wagonmaker.  He  mar- 
ried Dorothy  Miner,  of  Lansing,  Tompkins  county,  by  whom  he  he  had  eight  chil- 
dren.    Alphonso,  after  coming  to  Canisteo,  in  1837,  worked  on  his  uncle's  (William 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  13 

S.  Thomas)  farm  uiiUl  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  then  learned  the  wagonmaker's 
trade  with  his  father,  at  Covert,  Seneca  county.  He  then  began  business  with  Allen 
M.  Burrell,  a  brother,  in  Greenwood  in  1849,  where  he  remained  until  1865.  Mr. 
Burrell  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  which  office  he  held  for  twelve  years.  He 
was  appointed  postmaster  in  1862,  which  position  he  held  until  1865.  He  then  went 
to  Angelica,  where  he  finished  reading  law  with  Angle  &  Green  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  the  fall  of  1865.  He  then  came  to  Canisteo,  forming  a  partner.ship  with 
William  B.  Jones,  which  partnership  existed  for  two  years.  Wallace  Worth  then 
became  his  partner.  June  18,  1849,  Mr.  Burrell  married  Sarah  C.  Allen,  by  whom 
he  had  four  children:  Marshall  M.,  Marcello  E.,  Fred,  and  Almon  W.,  who  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  June  7,  1894,  having  read  law  with  his  father.  Mr.  Burrell  is  a 
member  of  Morning  Star  Lodge  of  Masons,  No.  65.  He  was  district  attorney  of 
Steuben  county  for  three  years,  succeeding  Butler  in  1874. 

Chumard,  George  W. ,  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  Pa.,  in  1844,  son  of  William  and 
Mary,  who  came  to  Steuben  count)^  in  1861.  After  a  few  months  they  moved  to 
Chemung  count)',  residing  there  till  1864,  when  they  located  in  Caton,  where  the 
parents  died  in  1869  and  1894,  aged  sixty-seven  and  ninety,  respective!}'.  Mr. 
Chumard  is  the  only  child.  In  1875  he  married  Harriet,  daughter  of  Christopher  C. 
Lewis,  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  respected  citizens  of  the  county.  Mr.  Chumard 
has  resided  on  his  present  farm  of  ninety-five  acres  since  1870.  They  have  one  child, 
Ernia  L. 

Conley,  Edward,  was  born  in  Mount  Morris,  N.Y.,  July  7,  1852.  James  Conley,  his 
father,  came  from  Ireland  in  1846,  and  settled  in  Mount  Morris.  He  was  engaged  in 
farming  and  stock  raising,  and  died  in  1870  in  his  seventy-fifth  year.  Edward  Con- 
ley is  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  eleven  children ;  he  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  Mount  Morris;  he  started  to  learn  the  tinner's  trade  with  Bingham  &  Coy 
of  Mount  Morris  in  1871,  and  served  two  years  with  them,  and  April  24,  1873,  came 
to  Bath  to  finish  his  trade  with  E.  H.  Hastings;  his  capital  consisted  of  the  clothes 
he  had  on  and  fifteen  cents  in  cash  when  he  arrived  in  Bath.  He  worked  nine  years 
at  his  trade  for  Mr.  Hastings,  and  then  started  in  business  for  himself,  buying  a  set 
of  tools  and  opening  a  shop  on  Steuben  street  in  Bath,  September  1,  1882.  He  con- 
tinued working  at  his  trade  till  1894,  during  which  time  he  built  up  quite  a  large 
hardware  trade.  In  1894  he  conceived  the  idea  of  adding  other  lines  of  goods  and 
establishing  his  business  upon  a  cash  basis.  Knowing  ones  shook  their  heads  and 
prophesied  his  failure;  but  he  started  in  to  win,  and  judging  from  his  present  stock 
he  has  made  a  success  of  the  cash-before-delivery  plan  of  doing  business ;  he  started 
with  one  man,  and  in  less  than  two  years  had  nine  clerks,  and  a  store  stocked  with 
all  kinds  of  goods.  His  store  on  the  ground  floor  is  25  by  95  feet  and  on  the  second 
floor  25  by  52  feet,  and  his  goods  are  divided  into  the  following  departments:  First 
floor,  jewelry,  dry  goods,  notions,  hardware,  glassware,  crockery,  stationery,  books 
and  tinware;  second  floor,  boots  and  shoes,  clothing,  hats  and  caps,  underwear, 
hosiery,  carpets  and  oil  cloths.  The  store  is  fitted  with  cash  railways  and  electric 
lights,  and  is  in  every  way  an  up-to-date  establishment.  In  1876  he  married  Mary 
Courtney,  by  whom  he  has  had  five  children:  William,  Walter,  Lester,  Lillian  and 
James.  Mr.  Conley  is  a  pusher  and  a  hustler  in  the  front  ranks  of  the  business  men 
of  Steuben  county.     He  is  a  staunch  Democrat,  an  advocate  of  the  spot  cash  system, 


14  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

and  adheres  to  it,  with  a  cast  iron  determination  to  stick  to  it  to  the  end.  He  has  a 
beautiful  home  on  East  Steuben  street  which  he  built  in  1890,  fitted  with  all  modern 
improvements.  He  merits  the  support  of  all  people  in  his  vicinity  as  having  revolu- 
tionized the  mercantile  trade  in  and  around  Bath.  Mr.  Conley  says  a  strict  attention 
to  business  will  always  put  a  man  on  top,  providing  he  has  a  moderate  stock  of  com- 
mon sense. — [Com. 

Chamberlain,  Jesse  Mark,  was  born  on  the  homestead  farm  near  Kanona,  Septem- 
ber 27,  1824.  His  parents  were  Joseph  Chamberlain,  born  at  Wardsboro,  Vt.,  July 
28,  1790,  and  Esther,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  and  Mary  (Josselyn)  Wheeler.  They 
settled  on  the  farm  where  the  siibject  of  this  sketch  and  his  son,  W.  H.  Chamber- 
lain, reside,  in  1810.  Joseph  Chamberlain  fell  fi'om  a  high  beam  in  his  barn  and 
broke  his  back  on  April  26,  1833,  and  died  from  his  injury  June  17,  1834.  Joseph 
Chamberlain's  father  was  also  named  Joseph,  and  was  born  at  Charlestown,  Mass., 
December  27,  1762.  He  married  Lucy,  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Mary  (Cheney) 
Whitney,  of  Milford,  Mass.,  and  removed  to  a  farm  in  Vermont  in  1782  which  had 
been  given  him  as  bounty  for  services  in  the  Continental  army.  His  father  was 
Wilson  Chamberlain,  who  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Joanna  (Call) 
Austin,  of  Charlestown.  Wilson  was  born  September  24,  1724,  and  resided  at  the 
old  home  in  that  town  until  the  spring  of  1775.  At  the  time  of  the  burning  of 
Charlestown  and  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  his  family  fled  with  other  women  and 
children  before  the  invading  enemy.  Wilson  was  also  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution 
and  received  partial  compensation  from  the  Commonwealth  for  the  loss  of  his  house 
and  property  destroyed  June  17,  1775.  He  was  a  son  of  John  and  Thankful 
(Wilson)  Chamberlain,  of  Charlestown.  The  earliest  ancestor  of  the  family  that 
settled  in  this  country  was  probably  Henry  Chamberlain,  who  came  from  Hingham, 
county  Norfolk,  England,  in  the  ship  Diligent,  and  settled  at  Hull,  Mass.,  in  1638, 
bringmg  his  wife,  mother  and  two  sons,  Henry  and  William,  and  was  admitted  free- 
man March  13,  1639.  October  25,  1860,  Jesse  M.,  of  Kanona,  married  Ervilla, 
daughter  of  Isaac  and  Mary  (Lewis)  Ingham,  and  are  the  parents  of  two  sons  and 
one  daughter:  Joseph  Redington,  William  Henry,  and  Lucy  C.  Baker,  of  Springfield, 
Mass.  Joseph  R.  married  Hope  Sommerell  and  resides  at  Raleigh,  N.  C.  Their 
children  are  Mary  Mitchell,  Jesse  Mark  and  Gratia. 

Cook,  DwightS.,  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  N.Y.,  March  14,  1831.  Deacon  Aaron 
Cook,  his  grandfather,  was  born  in  Northampton,  Mass.,  in  1771,  and  came  to  Pratts- 
burg in  1808,  and  took  up  several  hundred  acres  of  land  west  of  the  village.  He 
later  disposed  of  a  considerable  portion  of  this,  owning  at  his  death,  July  31,  1854, 
240  acres.  He  married  Miriam  Munro ;  eight  children  were  born  to  them,  all  of 
whom  lived  to  mature  age.  Quartus  Cook,  father  of  Dwight  S.,  was  born  in 
Northampton,  Mass.,  in  1796,  and  grew  to  manhood  in  Prattsburg,  where  he  died  in 
January,  1863.  He,  like  his  father  was  an  active  member  of  the  Congregational 
church.  He  married  Lucy,  daughter  of  John  Hopkins,  a  pioneer  of  the  town,  by 
whom  he  had  five  children:  Dwight  S.,  Aaron  H.,  Harriets.,  Henry  and  William  N. 
Dwight  S.  has  spent  his  whole  life  on  the  homestead,  a  portion  of  which  he  owns, 
and  where  he  has  devoted  his  life  to  general  farming.  In  1853  he  was  married  to 
Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Armenia  (Seeley)  Frost.  Two  sons  were  born  to 
them:  Floyd  H.,  of  Prattsburg,  and  William  E..  of  Bath. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  15 

Cotton,  Thomas,  was  born  in  Dansville  April  G,  18;51.  Silas  Cotton,  his  father,  was 
born  in  Hartford,  Washington  county,  October  9,  1800,  and  came  to  Steuben  county 
about  1837,  first  settling  in  Dansville,  and  in  1865  came  to  the  town  of  Avoca,  where 
he  remained  up  to  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1871.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion and  married  Lydia  Boyce,  of  Granville,  Washington  county,  by  whom  he  had 
two  children:  EHza  (deceased),  and  Thomas,  who  received  his  education  in  Rogers- 
ville  Seminary,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  over 
200  acres,  located  on  the  Cohocton  River  Road.  He  married  Ann  S.,  daughter  of 
Samuel  H.  Allen,  of  Avoca,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Bayard  T.,  Sarah,  Charles 
()..  and  Eliza.  Mr.  Cotton  is  a  land  surveyor,  has  been  president  of  the  Schad 
Wheel  Factory  for  four  years,  has  been  supervisor  four  years,  and  is  a  memljer  of 
Avoca  Lodge  of  Masons,  No.  673. 

Cook,  James  E.,  was  born  in  Bath,  August  9,  1863.  James  E.  Cook,  his  father, 
was  born  at  Erwin,  and  came  to  Bath  in  early  life.  He  was  a  farmer,  which 
business  he  followed  all  his  life.  He  married  Helen  M.,  daughter  of  John  R. 
Roberts,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  town  of  Avoca,  by  whom  he  had  two  chil- 
dren: Mary  and  James  E.,  who  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Wallace,  after 
which  he  engaged  in  farming  on  the  farm  where  he  was  raised,  and  for  eleven  years 
has  been  working  on  the  railroad — as  operator  at  Bath  one  year,  three  years  at 
Savona,  and  has  been  at  Wallace  four  years  as  station  agent  on  the  D.,L.  &  W.R.R. 
He  married  Alma  M.,  daughter  of  Myron  Jewett,  of  Bradford,  Pa.,  by  whom  he  had 
two  children :   Ida  B.  and  Eva  M. 

Campbell,  Thomas,  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1815.  His  parents,  Alexander  and 
Matilda  Campbell,  settled  near  East  Cameron  and  Mr.  Campbell  was  the  first  post- 
master of  that  town,  holding  office  in  1847.  Their  children  were  George,  Annie, 
Margaret,  Matilda,  Isabelle,  James,  Alice,  John,  all  deceased,  and  Thoma.s.  Thomas 
married  Mary,  a  daughter  of  Adam  and  Rebecca  (Moore)  Wilson,  by  whom  he  had 
these  children:  Margaret,  wife  of  Royal  S.  White;  Annie,  wife  of  John  Smith; 
George;  Adam;  Matilda,  wife  of  John  Hoffman;  Catherine,  deceased;  and  Mary 
Cross,  deceased.  Mr.  Campbell  has  been  highway  commissioner  for  eight  years  and 
is  active  in  educational  aflfairs. 

Chapman,  John  K.,  was  born  in  Friendship,  Allegany  couuty,  October  4,  1836.  He 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Friendship  Academy,  and  at  eighteen  years  of 
age  entered  the  employ  of  the  Erie  Railroad  Co.,  starting  as  a  brakeman ;  M'hich 
business  he  followed  only  two  years  and  then  became  a  fireman,  and  at  the  breaking 
out  of  the  war  he  enlisted  in  the  Ninth  New  York  Cavalry  and  saw  service  with  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  for  three  years.  He  was  in  the  following  battles:  the  Second 
Bull  Run,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg  and  the  Shenandoah  Valley  campaign.  Re- 
turning in  1864,  in  March,  1865,  he  again  entered  into  the  employ  of  the  Erie  Co. 
and  located  at  Hornellsville,  where  he  has  .since  made  his  home.  His  first  engine 
number  eighty-three,  was  one  of  the  ten  wheelers  and  a  wood  burner  of  the  Swine- 
burne  pattern.  He  continued  as  an  engineer  until  February,  1889,  when  he  was 
promoted  to  the  position  of  road  foreman  of  engines,  a  position  requiring  a  general 
supervision  of  the  locomotives,  engineers,  and  firemen  of  the  Western  Division.  He 
has  been  very  fortunate  in  his  experience  of  the  accidents  that  befall  all  railroad  en 


16  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

gineers  and  has  never  been  injured.  He  is  a  member  of  Doty  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  and  a 
trustee.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Order  of  Locomotive  Engineers  since  1866, 
and  has  been  the  representative  to  numerous  conventions.  He  has  held  all  of  the 
offices  of  the  local  branch.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  for 
twenty  years,  Hornellsville  Lodge  33L  He  is  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Railroad  Y. 
M.  C.  A.,  and  has  been  identified  with  the  organization  since  its  founding.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Episcopal  church  and  one  of  the  vestry.  January  5,  1859,  he  married 
Mary  E.  Williams,  of  Horseheads,  Chemung  county.  They  have  one  daughter, 
Sadie,  now  Mrs.  William  O.  Pierce,  of  Hornellsville. 

Clark,  William  W. — Noah  Clark,  great-grandfather  of  William,  came  to  Oneida 
count}'  from  Colchester,  Conn.,  and  took  up  a  farm  of  150  acres,  which  is  still  in  the 
possession  of  the  family.  Martin  Clark,  grandfather  of  William  W.,  was  born  in 
Rome,  Oneida  county,  where  he  died  in  September,  1870,  aged  eighty-one  years. 
De  Marcus  Clark,  father  of  William,  was  also  born  in  Rome,  Oneida  county;  he  died 
at  Clark's  Mills,  N.  Y.,  in  Januar3%  1871,  aged  fifty-three  years.  He,  with  two 
brothers,  built  a  large  cotton  factory,  where  an  extensive  business  was  carried  on  for 
many  years,  now  known  as  Clark's  Mills,  employing  700  hands,  manufacturing  bed 
ticking,  silk  plush,  etc.  His  wife,  Mary  Ella  Walker,  was  a  daughter  of  a  Baptist 
minister  of  Utica.  They  had  three  children :  Anna  L.  married  Robert  G.  Young, 
now  residing  in  Utica,  has  three  children,  Virginia  M.,  Harold,  and  Lester;  Virginia 
W.  married  Samuel  F.  Jerritt,  has  two  children,  Edward  and  Clarence,  residing  in 
Elgin,  111. ;  and  William  W.  William  W.  was  born  in  Elgin,  111.,  February  14,  1858. 
When  an  infant  his  parents  moved  to  Clark's  Mills,  Oneida  county,  where  William 
resided  until  1871,  when  he  left  to  attend  school  at  Whitestown  Seminary,  where  he 
took  a  preparatory  course  and  entered  Hamilton  College  in  1874,  graduating  in  June, 
1878.  He  read  law  in  Utica  for  two  years  while  attending  school,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  at  Utica,  in  April,  1879.  The  same  year  he  came  to  Wayland,  where  he 
has  an  extensive  and  successful  practice.  In  1892,  Mr.  Clark  was  elected  district  at- 
torney by  2,000  majority.  January  1,  1894,  he  took  into  partnership  Mr.  Henry  V. 
Pratt,  and  the  business  is  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  Clark  &  Pratt.  Mr. 
Clark  is  a  member  of  Phoenix  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Dansville,  No.  115,  and  a  char- 
ter member  of  Wayland  Lodge  No.  176,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  Atlanta  Encampment  No. 
67,  I.  O.  O.  F.  September  18,  1879,  at  Forestport,  Oneida  county,  Mr.  Clark  mar- 
ried Hattie  M.,  oldest  daughter  of  General  J.  A.  (a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war)  and  Lucy 
M.  (Richards)  Hill,  of  Rockland,  Maine,  now  residing  in  Powell,  Pa.  Mrs.  Clark 
was  born  in  Stetson,  Maine,  June  25,  1858.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  have  one  child: 
William  H.,  born  in  Wayland,  July  2,  1880. 

Coburn,  L.  D.,  was  born  in  1817,  at  Truxton,  Cortland  county,  son  of  Harvey  and 
Laura  Beecher  Coburn,  natives  of  Connecticut.  The  only  local  residents  of  this 
family  are  Mr.  Coburn,  who  has  been  here  nearly  sixty  years,  and  his  sister,  the 
widow  of  the  late  Col.  J.  W.  Dininny.  L.  D.  Coburn's  boyhood  was  spent  at  Trux- 
ton and  Cortland.  He  was  apprenticed  to  a  harnessmaker  in  Cortland  when  fif- 
teen years  old,  and  in  1836  came  to  Addison,  where  he  engaged  in  the  harness  busi- 
ness, and  erected  one  of  the  first  business  buildings  on  the  south  side  of  the  Canisteo. 
From  1866  to  1872  he  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business.  Mr.  Coburn  was  ap- 
pointed by  Governor  Fenton  as  New  York  State  agent  for  the  care  of  invalid  soldiers 


FAMILY   SKETCHES.  17 

located  at  Annapolis,  Md.  His  connection  with  the  Methodist  church  has  extended 
over  a  longer  period  than  any  other  member  of  the  society,  he  having  been  one  of  its 
organizers,  and  has  held  the  official  position  as  trustee  for  fifty-two  years.  Mr.  Co- 
burn  has  married  three  times.  His  first  wife  was  Harriet  Stebbins,  of  Nelson,  N.  Y., 
the  second,  Harriet  Elay,  of  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  a  son 
and  a  daughter.     In  1859  he  married  his  present  wife,  Marie  L.  Bates,  of  Cazenovia. 

Cornue,  M.  C,  was  born  in  McHenry  county.  111.,  November  6,  1848,  son  of  Daniel 
A.  Cornue,  who  was  born  in  Canajoharie,  and  came  to  Steuben  county  when  thirteen 
years  of  age.  M.  C.  Cornue  was  graduated  from  the  Wol worth  Academy,  in  Wiscon- 
sin, in  1869.  He  then  engaged  in  business  in  the  village  of  Wallace,  in  1888,  open- 
ing a  general  store.  He  married  Anna  Belle,  daughter  of  Charles  Able,  of  Wiscon- 
sin. For  his  present  wife  he  married  Delphina  Hopkins,  daughter  of  Duty  Hopkins 
of  Steuben  county,  and  they  have  one  son,  Claud  C.  Mr.  Cornue  has  been  assessor, 
justice  of  the  peace,  and  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  of  Wallace. 

Conderman,  Dr.  George,  was  born  in  Fremont,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  October 
15,  1868,  and  was  the  youngest  son  of  John  L.  and  Aseneth  Conderman.  In  1874  his 
parents  moved  to  Hornellsville,  N.  Y.,  where  he  received  a  high  school  education, 
graduating  from  the  Free  Academy  when  fifteen  years  of  age.  In  1886  he  entered 
the  office  of  Dr.  C.  S.  Parkhill  and  began  the  study  of  medicine.  In  1887  he  entered 
the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  in  New  York  for  a  three  years'  course  of 
lectures,  and  following  his  second  course  he  took  a  course  of  lectures  at  the  Univer- 
sity of  Vermont,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  in  July,  1889,  thus  by  extra 
work  he  was  enabled  to  cover  the  three  courses  of  lectures  in  two  years.  He  returned 
to  New  York  the  fall  following  his  graduation  and  took  a  post-graduate  course  at  the 
New  York  Post-Graduate  School  and  Ho.spital,  upon  the  completion  of  which  he 
returned  to  Hornellsville  and  entered  general  practice  with  Dr.  C.  S.  Parkhill,  and 
later  with  Dr.  M.  D.  Ellison.  The  fall  and  winter  of  1894  he  spent  in  New  York 
preparing  himself  for  his  specialty,  diseases  of  the  skin,  and  upon  returning  to  Hor- 
nellsville, opened  an  office  at  No.  4  Hakes  avenue.  His  success  has  been  most  grati- 
fying, and  to-day  he  is  the  recognized  head  of  his  specialty  in  that  section  of  the 
State.  Dr.  Conderman  was  for  two  years  Erie  surgeon  at  Hornellsville,  and  is  vice- 
president  of  the  Hornellsville  Medical  and  Surgical  Association,  member  of  the  Steuben 
County  and  New  York  State  Medical  Societies  and  dermatologist  to  the  St.  James 
Mercy  Hospital  and  the  Steuben  Sanitarium. 

Crook,  Andrew,  was  born  in  Piermont,  Grafton  county,  N.  H.,  March  4,  1835. 
John  Crook,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  the  same  town  and  county,  and  served  in  the 
war  of  1812.  Andrew  Crook,  his  grandfather,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary 
war.'  John  Crook  married  Anna,  daughter  of  Joseph  Dutton,  of  Oxford,  N.  H.,  and 
was  identified  through  life  as  a  farmer,  and  died  in  1871  in  his  seventy-eighth  year. 
Andrew  Crook  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  town,  and  at  Kim- 
ball Union  Academy,  Meriden,  N.  H.  At  the  age  of  twenty-four  he  learned  the 
marble  and  granite  business  at  Bradford,  Vt.  In  1867  he  went  to  Geneseo,  N.  Y., 
and  in  1870  he  came  to  Bath  and  established  his  present  business.  In  1870  he  mar- 
ried Caroline  Doty,  of  Geneseo,  by  whom  he  had  two  daughters,  Helen  C,  and 
Marianna.  Mr.  Crook  is  one  of  the  representative  men  of  his  town,  and  always  takes 
an  active  interest  in  educational  and  religious  institutions. 


18  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Cook,  Edwin  Constant,  was  born  in  Liberty  Corners,  now  Cohocton,  Steuben 
county,  October  12,  1838.  Constant  Cook,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Warren,  Her- 
kimer county,  born  November  10,  1797,  and  the  family  trace  their  descent  from  Cap- 
tain Thomas  Cook,  who  came  into  Plymouth  Colony,  Mass.,  in  1637.  Constant  Cook 
married  Maria,  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Hannah  (Taylor)  Whiting,  and  came  to 
Steuben  county  in  the  spring  of  1820  and  settled  in  Cohocton,  and  was  very  promi- 
nent in  the  affairs  of  his  town ;  he  removed  to  Bath  in  March,  1843 ;  he  died  in  1874 
in  his  seventy-seventh  year.  E.  C.  Cook  was  educated  at  Bath,  Utica  and  Auburn, 
and  spent  three  years  at  Walnut  Hill,  Geneva,  and  then  returned  to  Bath  and 
engaged  in  farming,  and  in  1860  entered  the  Bank  of  Bath,  now  First  National  Bank, 
and  with  the  exception  of  four  years  in  Rochester,  has  been  identified  in  the  active 
business  of  the  bank  up  to  1891.  In  1863  he  married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Frederick 
S.  Dewitt,  of  Rochester.  Mr.  Cook  is  one  of  the  progressive  men  of  his  town,  serv- 
ing as  president  and  trustee  of  his  village,  and  was  treasurer  for  seventeen  years  of 
the  Steuben  County  Agricultural  Society. 

Cameron,  Joseph,  was  born  in  County  Wicklow,  Ireland,  November  7,  1848.  John 
Cameron,  his  father,  came  to  this  country  with  his  family,  in  April,  1852.  He  first 
located  in  Wellsville  where  he  remained  for  three  months,  and  then  came  to  Hor- 
nellsville  with  Rev.  Daniel  Moore.  He  was  conductor  of  the  first  St.  Ann's  choir, 
leading  it  with  the  clarionet.  He  was  a  shoemaker  and  was  with  A.  L.  Smith,  and 
later  with  Thomas  Snell.  In  1858  he  started  a  custom  boot  and  shoe  business,  and 
conducted  it  until  1884  when  he  retired  from  business  and  the  affairs  of  the  world, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  Order  of  St.  Francis  at  Allegany,  N.  Y.,  where  he  is  now- 
located.  The  mother  of  Joseph  died  December  30,  1883,  the  result  of  an  accident  in 
falling  down  stairs.  Joseph  was  the  second  son  of  a  family  of  fiifteen  children.  He 
was  educated  in  the  city  schools  and  St.  Ann's  Parochial  School,  and  after  leaving 
school  worked  with  his  father  in  the  shoe  business  until  twenty-three  years  of  age, 
when  in  April,  1872,  he  started  business  on  his  own  account  on  Main  street,  which  he 
conducted  until  May,  1884,  when  he  gave  it  up  to  accept  the  position  of  grand  secre- 
tary of  the  Catholic  Mutual  Benefit  Association,  to  which  he  was  elected  at  the  con- 
vention of  that  association  held  at  Lockport  in  May  of  that  year,  a  position  which  he 
still  holds.  He  held  the  office  of  grand  president  of  the  same  association  from  1882 
to  1884.  In  1888  he  added  fire  insurance  to  his  office  duties  and  removed  his  office  to 
the  Cameron  block,  Loder  street.  He  is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  H.,  and  a  charter 
member  of  Maple  City  Hose  Company  of  Hornellsville,  and  is  now  a  member  of  the 
fire  board.  He  has  been  since  1882,  secretary  of  the  Board  of  Education,  and  is  also 
secretary  of  the  board  of  managers  of  St.  James  Mercy  Hospital.  He  is  a  Democrat 
in  politics,  and  was  town  clerk  of  this  town  for  five  terms  previous  to  the  erection  of 
the  city.  Was  register  of  vital  statistics  from  1887  to  1890.  In  July,  1872,  he  mar- 
ried Mary  A.,  daughter  of  the  late  Michael  Curry  of  this  town,  by  whom  he  has  nine 
children  living. 

Clark,  William  H.,  was  born  in  Corning  in  1840.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company 
F,  10th  N.  Y.  Cavalry.  Was  mustered  out  of  service  January  1,  1863,  at  Camp  Bay- 
ard, Va.,  and  re-mustered  as  first-class  musician  in  the  Brigade  Band.  Was  pro- 
moted April  1,  1863,  to  be  band  master  of  the  First  Brigade  Band,  2nd  Cavalry  Di- 
vision, A-  O.  P.,  .serving  with  Generals  Gregg,  Mcintosh  and  Davies  till  the  expira- 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.'  19 

tion  of  his  term  of  service,  December  18,  1804.  His  band  received  complimentary 
notice  in  the  History  of  the  10th  N.  Y.  Cavalry  as  "the  band  who  played  on  the  line 
at  Todd's  Tavern  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,"  and  were  in  nearly  all  of  the  en- 
gagements with  their  brigade,  losing  in  wounded  and  prisoners  fully  twenty-five  per 
cent  of  their  number,  while  three  died  from  disease  while  in  the  service.  He  spent 
one  season  as  teacher  in  Eastman's  Business  College.  In  May,  1865,  he  returned  to 
Corning,  and  was  in  the  employ  of  Walker  &  Lathrop  until  1891,  when  he  founded 
the  Corning  Lumber  Company,  of  which  he  is  treasurer.  His  father,  Jesse  Clark, 
was  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  Corning. 

Chase,  Thomas  C,  was  born  in  Michigan,  January  11,  1839,  son  of  Nathaniel  B. 
Chase,  who  was  born  in  the  town  of  Cohocton,  Steuben  county,  in  1814,  and  in  1836 
married  Deborah,  daughter  of  Amos  Stiles,  of  Livingston  county,  N.  Y.,  and  they 
had  three  children :  Thomas  C,  Mrs.  Dr.  D.  S.  Allen,  of  Seneca.  Ontario  county,  and 
Ida  Belle,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Chase  died  September  20,  1887,  and  Mrs.  Chase 
on  February  7,  1872.  Thomas  C.  acquired  his  education  in  Prattsburg  and  Lima 
schools,  and  was  agent  for  the  N.  Y. ,  L.  E.  &  W.  R.  R.  Company  for  a  period  of 
thirty  years,  and  in  1889  was  compelled  to  resign  on  account  of  poor  health,  and  at 
present  is  not  actively  employed  in  any  business.  He  married  Mary  Hees,  of  Avoca, 
and  their  children  were  Mary  E.,  Constant  C,  and  Nathaniel  B.  His  present  wii'e 
is  Sabra,  daughter  of  Erastus  Baird,  and  they  have  one  daughter,  Clara  L.  Mr. 
Chase  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 

Clark,  Charles  J.,  was  born  in  Dansville,  Steuben  county,  March,  27,  1865,  the 
youngest  son  of  Lewis  Clark,  a  farmer  of  that  town,  who  died  in  1888.  He  was  ed- 
ucated in  the  common  schools  of  this  county,  Canaseraga  and  Bath  Academy,  and 
three  years  in  Cornell  University.  He  remained  on  the  farm  one  year,  and  in  Jan- 
uary, 1889,  began  the  study  of  law  with  his  uncles,  J.  H.  &  C.  W.  Stevens,  of  Horn- 
ellsville,  with  whom  he  remained  for  two  years  and  then  entered  the  law  office  of 
C.  A.  Dolson.  Admitted  to  the  bar  in  March,  1892,  he  began  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession in  Hornellsville,  where  he  is  still  located.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and 
one  of  the  workers  of  the  party.  The  spring  of  1894  he  was  elected  supervisor  of  the 
4th  and  5th  wards,  and  has  served  his  county  and  constituents  for  their  best  inter- 
ests. In  1892  he  married  Lizzie  M.,  daughter  of  Wesley  Brown,  who  died  February 
28,  1895. 

Campbell,  Hon.  Frank  C,  was  born  in  Bath,  March  28,  1858.  Hon.  Robert  Camp- 
bell, his  father,  was  also  a  native  of  Bath,  and  his  grandfather,  Robert  Campbell,  sr., 
came  frem  Glasgow,  Scotland,  to  Bath  in  1795,  and  was  a  carpenter  and  builder. 
He  married  Martha  McCauley,  and  was  one  of  the  efficient  aids  of  Colonel  William- 
son. His  son,  Robert  Campbell,  married  Frances,  daughter  of  John  Fowler.  Hon. 
Robert  Campbell  was  a  very  prominent  man  in  his  town,  holding  the  office  of  surro- 
gate of  the  county,  was  one  of  the  Regents  of  the  University,  and  was  elected 
lieutenant-governor  in  1858.  Mr.  Frank  Campbell  was  educated  in  Bath  and  at 
Trenton,  N.  Y.,  and  married  Mary  Louise,  daughter  of  Warren  Wilson,  and  in  1891 
was  elected  comptroller  of  New  York  State,  also  appointed  one  of  the  trustees  of  the 
Soldier's  and  Sailor's  Home  at  Bath.  In  1883,  in  connection  with  his  brother,  Clarence 
Campbell,  and  others,  organized  and  founded  the  Farmers'  and  Mechanics'  Bank  of 
Bath. 


20  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Velie,  Franklin,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Orange,  Schuyler  county,  September  5, 
1839.  Jacob  Velie,  his  father,  was  born  in  1800,  in  the  Mohawk  Valley,  and  came  to 
Steuben  county  about  1812.  He  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  but  cleared  land  for 
farming  purposes,  and  remained  on  the  farm  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1847. 
He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Jedediah  Miller,  by  whom  he  had  eleven  children : 
John  W.,  Martha  A.,  Maria,  Elvira  J.,  William,  Mary  T.,  Franklin,  Alma,  Abram, 
George  and  Emma.  Franklin  Velie  was  educated  in  the  town  of  Campbell,  after 
which  he  engaged  in  farming,  with  the  exception  of  three  years  spent  in  the  late  war. 
He  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  107th  N.  Y.  Vols.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Antietam,  Kings 
ton,  Charlesville,  Dallas,  Gettj^sburg,  and  in  mar.  y  others.  He  is  a  member  of  Logan 
Post,  G.  A.  R.  He  married  Emily,  daughter  of  J.  B.  Hollenbeck,  by  whom  he  had 
twelve  children,  four  of  whom  died  in  infancy:  George,  Sherman,  Eliza,  Anna  M., 
Clara,  Grace,  Emma,  and  Sadie.  Mr.  Velie  has  been  assessor  for  three  years, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

Van  Order,  Lyman  H.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard  July  31, 1850,  son  of  Lewis 
Van  Order,  an  old  and  respected  citizen  of  the  town  of  Howard.  Lewis  Van  Order 
came  to  Catlin,  Chemung  Co.,  Irom  Ithaca,  and  later  came  to  the  farm  now  occu- 
pied by  Lyman  H.,  in  the  town  of  Howard,  consisting  of  150  acres.  He  married 
Eunice  Armstrong,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Walter  and  James  (who  died  in 
infancy),  and  Lyman  H.  and  Hattie.  Lyman  H.  is  a  farmer.  He  married  Franc 
McGonegal,  of  Avoca.  They  have  two  children:  Fred  and  Jessie,  Mr.  Van  Order 
is  a  Republican. 

Ranger,  Henry  R.,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Howard,  Steuben  county, 
November  20,  1834,  son  of  Jason  Ranger,  a  native  of  Vermont,  born  in  Rutland 
county,  January  21,  1801,  and  who  came  to  New  York  State  in  1818.  He  was  em- 
ployed on  the  construction  of  the  Erie  Canal,  and  made  his  home  with  a  Mr.  Can- 
field,  who  was  a  resident  of  what  is  now  Fremont.  He  afterward  took  up  farming 
in  the  town  of  Howard,  and  after  a  few  years  moved  on  what  was  BuUard  Hill, 
where  Henry  was  born.  In  1837  he  moved  on  a  farm  on  Big  Creek  where  he  lived 
until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  April  2,  1863.  The  mother  of  Henry  R., 
Miranda  Rice  Ranger,  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts.  She  died  June  11,  1851.  They 
were  the  parents  of  six  daughters  and  four  sons.  Henry,  the  second  son,  was  given 
a  common  school  ediication  and  remained  with  his  parents  until  1853,  and  then  en- 
gaged with  other  farmers  for  five  years.  In  1859  he  bought  a  farm  in  the  town  of 
Howard  which  he  conducted  until  1866,  then  sold  it  and  bought  150  acres  on  Great 
Lot  No.  12  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville.  In  politics  Mr.  Ranger  is  a  Republican,  and 
in  1888  was  elected  assessor,  which  oftice  he  held  two  years.  He  was  married  in 
1859  to  Betsey,  daughter  of  Gen.  Daniel  Bennett  of  Howard.  One  son.  Curt  D., 
was  born  to  them,  who  conducts  the  homestead  farm.  Mrs.  Ranger  died  January 
22,  1882,  at  forty-two  years  of  age.  Curt  D.  was  born  June  5,  1864,  educated  in  the 
common  schools  and  Alfred  University,  and  married,  March,  1886,  M.  Antoinette 
Nicholson.     They  have  two  children:  Frank  E.  and  Harold. 

Davidson,  Adam,  came  to  the  United  States  from  Aberdeen,  Scotland,  in  1870, 
and  was  first  located  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.  He  had  acquired  a  proficiency  in  his  busi- 
ness, and  in  the  spring  of  1877  he  removed  to  Elmira  where  he  was  a  member  of  the 


Family  sketches.  21 

firm  of  Dey  Bros.  &  Davidson  for  five  years.  In  the  spring  of  1881  the  above  firm 
bought  out  the  firm  of  Martin  Adsit  &  Co.,  in  Horncllsville,  and  after  one  year  Mr. 
David.son  bought  out  the  interests  of  Dey  Bros  ,  and  conducted  the  business  alone 
until  1885  when  he  was  joined  by  his  brother,  Alexander  Davidson,  and  the  firm  of 
Adam  Davidson  &  Bro.  is  the  leader  of  the  dry  goods  trade  of  this  city.  Alexander 
came  to  this  country  in  1873,  and  was  employed  in  Rochester  in  the  mercantile  line 
until  the  date  of  his  coming  to  Hornellsville  in  1882.  The  senior  member  of  the  firm 
is  a  member  of  the  First  Pre.sbyterian  Church,  and  is  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Y. 
M.  C.  A.  Adam  is  the  vice-president  of  the  Business  Men's  Association.  Alexander 
is  one  of  the  officers  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Beekman,  Abram,  was  born  in  New  York  city,  December  26,  1829,  and  in  1852  he 
came  to  Steuben  county  and  located  in  Bath  and  established  his  present  busine.s^  of 
manufacturing  sash,  doors  and  blinds,  which  he  has  continued  up  to  the  present 
time.  In  1889  he  was  elected  president  of  the  Farmer's  and  Mechanic's  Bank,  which 
position  he  still  holds,  and  he  is  also  president  of  the  Bath  Loan  Association,  and  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Education  since  its  organization  in  1868.  In  1861  he  mar- 
ried Sarah  McKay,  daughter  of  John  W.  Fowler,  by  whom  he  had  five  children; 
George  N.,  J.  Fowler,  Edgar,  Cornelius,  and  Lydia  Parker. 

Burch,  Orrin  H.,  was  born  in  Andes,  Delaware  county,  N.  Y.,  March  24,  1819,  the 
fourth  son  of  Jesse  Burch  who  was  a  native  of  Vermont  and  died  in  Hornellsville, 
Steuben  county,  and  was  buried  in  Hope  Cemetery,  May  10,  1872,  at  ninety-three 
years  of  age.  Sally  Palmer,  the  mother  of  Orrin,  was  a  native  of  New  York  State, 
and  died  in  1854.  Mr.  Burch  was  educated  in  the  common  school  and  made  his 
home  with  his  parents  until  twenty-two  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  Steuben 
county  and  was  employed  for  three  years  with  Amos  Colwell  of  Hornellsville.  In 
1847  he  bought  seventy  five  acres  on  lot  10,  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville,  which  was 
covered  with  oak  and  pine.  He  has  cleared  this  land  and  added  to  it  until  he  has 
now  125  acres  of  one  of  the  best  farms  of  this  section.  The  principal  products  are 
grain  and  hay.  He  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church  and  has  been  one  of  its  offi- 
cers. In  1843  he  married  Lucy  Dyer  of  this  town,  who  died  in  October,  1861,  by 
whom  he  had  eight  children,  three  of  whom  are  living:  Amasa,  a  manufacturer  of 
Columbus,  Ohio;  Lester,  a  farmer  of  Hornellsville;  and  Rosina  wife  of  Leander 
Nicholson  of  Canandaigua.  Mr.  Burch  married,  second,  Susan  Swarts  Smith,  sister 
of  Ross  H.  Swarts. 

Cleflin,  Edwin  J.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Parishville,  St.  Lawrence  county, 
August  24,  1843,  the  oldest  of  a  family  of  four  children  of  Francis  T.  Cleflin,  a  native 
of  Massachusetts,  who  came  to  this  State  when  a  young  man.  He  was  a  mechanic, 
and  died  October  11,  1855,  in  Canton,  St.  Lawrence  county.  Edwin  was  given  such 
education  as  could  be  obtained  winters  in  the  common  schools,  and  worked  at  farm- 
ing until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  August  11,  1862,  at  the  age  of  eighteen  he 
enlisted  as  Joel  E.  Cleflin,  m  Co.  A  of  the  142d  Regiment  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  sei'ved 
with  Col.  N.  M.  Curtis  until  July  17,  1863,  when  he  was  honorably  discharged  on 
account  of  disability.  While  in  service  and  acting  as  carpenter  he  was  injured  by  a 
stick  of  timber,  and  this  was  followed  by  an  attack  of  typhoid  fever  and  chronic 
diarrhoea,  which  kept  him  from  further  service.     He  returned  to  St.  Lawrence  county 


'22  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

and  was  employed  in  the  door  factory  at  Potsdam  until  1870.  He  spent  the  winter  of 
1870  in  Vergennes,  Vermont,  and  in  the  spring  of  1871  came  to  Almond,  where  he 
remained  until  December,  1871.  He  then  located  in  Hornellsville.  He  was  em- 
ployed with  the  McConnells  about  three  months,  and  then  entered  the  employ  of 
William  Richardson,  with  whom  he  was  engaged  until  1876.  In  1876  he  was  elected 
collector  of  School  District  No.  7,  and  re-elected  for  six  successive  terms.  In  1879 
he  was  elected  town  collector  on  the  Republican  ticket.  His  only  other  office  was 
constable,  one  of  the  first  city  officers  appointed  in  1888.  He  also  served  on  the 
election  board  of  the  Sixth  ward  for  fifteen  years.  In  1888  he  engaged  in  the  gen- 
eral collecting  business  and  added  dealing  in  real  estate  shortly  after.  He  now  de- 
votes his  time  to  court,  real  estate  and  fire  insurance  business.  He  was  married, 
August  31,  1865,  to  Miss  Eliza  J.  Tenny.  They  have  two  children:  Arthur  L.,  stock- 
keeper  in  the  Pullman  service  at  Hoboken,  N.  J.  ;  Elmer  E.  is  a  clerk  in  Davidson 
Brothers'  store  in  Hornellsville. 

Cummings,  Robert  F.,  was  born  in  Williamsport,  Pa.,  in  1847.  Entered  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Fall  Brook  Coal  Company,  at  Fall  Brook,  Pa. ,  when  sixteen  years  of  age. 
Filled  successively  the  positions  of  chief  clerk  in  the  cashier's  oifice,  payniaster,  and 
for  eight  years  was  superintendent  of  the  lumber  department.  In  1886  he  engaged 
in  the  lumber  business  on  his  own  account  as  a  partner  in  the  firm  of  Drake,  Cum- 
mings &  Co.,  with  mills  at  Blossburg,  Pa.,  and  office  at  Corning,  N.Y.  Removed  to 
Corning  in  1889  and  took  the  position  of  lumber  agent  for  the  Fall  Brook  Railway 
Company,  still  retaining  his  interest  in  the  firm  of  Drake,  Cummings  &  Co. 

Carpenter,  Dr.  Edwin  J.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Thurston  in  1864,  son  of  U.  A. 
Carpenter,  of  Bath.  He  obtained  a  literary  education  at  Bath,  and  graduated  from 
Buffalo  University  in  1891,  and  has  been  practicing  in  Corning  since.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  A.  O.  D.  Medical  Society  of  Buffalo,  and  the  Corning  Academy  of  Medi- 
cine. Was  elected  one  of  the  coroners  of  Steuben  county  at  the  fall  election  of 
1894,  for  a  term  of  three  years. 

Cotton,  William  H.,  was  born  in  Hartford,  Washington  county,  July  17,  1833,  son 
of  Thomas  Cotton,  who  was  also  born  in  Hartford  in  1793,  and  was  a  carpenter  and 
joiner  by  trade.  He  married  Clara,  daughter  of  Daniel  Pierce,  and  they  were  the 
parents  of  six  children:  Zina,  Phoebe,  Norman,  Charlotte,  William  H.,  and  Willard 
H.  Mr.  Cotton  cnme  to  the  town  of  Dansville  when  thirteen  years  of  age,  worked 
on  a  farm  for  a  time,  and  then  went  into  the  lumber  business,  which  he  followed  for 
twelve  years;  then  came  to  Avoca  in  1873,  taking  up  farming  again  and  dealing  in 
produce.  He  has  been  postmaster  for  about  a  year  and  a  half,  and  was  appointed 
under  Cleveland.  He  married  Mariett  Lyon,  of  South  Dansville,  and  his  present 
wife  is  Maggie  Rolph,  of  Kanona,  and  they  have  one  daughter,  Clara  Bell.  Mr. 
Cotton  has  filled  the  office  of  highway  commissioner  arid  assessor  for  three  terms, 
and  commissioner  of  excise  for  two  terms.  He  is  a  member  of  Avoca  Lodge  No. 
673,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  also  of  Wallace  Lodge,  I.O.O.F.,  No.  519. 

Cadogan,  Charles,  was  born  in  Canisteo,  September  10,  1838.  He  received  a  com- 
mercial school  education,  and  entered  the  store  of  Ely  &  Brown,  on  the  southeast, 
corner  of  Main  and  Broad  streets,  in  Hornellsville,  devoted  to  the  sale  of  groceries 
exclusively.     Mr.  Cadogan  remained  with  Ely  &  Brown  about  five  years,  then  for 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  23 

twelve  years  he  was  in  tlie  employ  of  the  Eric  Railroad,  most  of  the  time  as  general 
yardmaster  in  the  Erie  yards  at  Hornellsville.  In  the  fall  of  1868  Mr.  Cadogan  asso- 
ciated himself  with  J.  W.  Nicholson  and  succeeded  to  the  business  established  by 
Ely  &  Brown,  and  for  nineteen  years  the  firm  of  Cadogan  &  Nicholson  carried  on  a 
successful  mercantile  business.  In  October,  1887,  Mr.  Cadogan  was  elected  president 
of  the  Citizens'  National  Bank,  which  position  he  now  holds. 

Davison,  William  H.  and  Robert  J.,  are  sons  of  William  Davison,  a  native  of 
county  Cavan,  Ireland,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1846  and  settled  in  P.at]i. 
William  Davison  entered  the  employ  of  Ira  Davenport,  sr.,  being  a  carpenter  and 
joiner  by  trade,  and  for  forty  years  has  been  one  of  the  best  known  contractors  and 
builders  in  Steuben  county.  He  married  Margaret  Dobbin,  by  whom  he  had  seven 
children:  Sarah,  Maggie,  Moses,  Isaac,  James,  William  H.  and  Robert  J.  The  firm 
of  William  H.  and  Robert  J.  Davison  was  formed  in  1883,  taking  up  and  enlarging 
their  father's  business.  They  carry  a  large  stock  of  lumber,  shmgles,  building  sup- 
plies, etc.,  besides  being  contractors  and  builders  of  some  of  the  finest  residences 
and  public  buildings  in  Bath  and  vicinity.  They  have  ever  been  identified  in  ad- 
vancing the  best  interests  of  the  town. 

Downs,  Simon  S.,  was  born  in  Canada,  May  24,  1847,  son  of  William  Downs,  who 
was  a  native  and  always  a  resident  of  Canada.  He  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools,  and  in  1869  he  left  his  native  home  and  came  to  Rochester,  N.  Y. ,  where  he 
made  his  home  for  ten  years.  In  1872  he  located  in  Warren  county,  Pa.,  where  he 
lived  for  ten  years,  engaged  in  lumbering  for  F.  G.  &  D.  D.  Babcock.  In  1882  he 
came  to  Hornellsville  and  was  employed  with  L.  D.  Rice  for  one  year.  In  the 
spring  of  1883  he  bought  of  Mr.  Rice  ninety-three  acres  on  lot  12,  where  he  has  built 
a  beautiful  residence  and  made  many  valuable  improvements.  He  conducts  the 
farm  as  a  dairy  with  twenty-five  head  of  stock,  and  finds  a  market  for  the  product  in 
Hornellsville,  where  he  permanently  conducts  a  milk  route.  August  4,  1875  he  mar- 
ried Laura  E.  Rice,  of  Warren,  Pa.,  and  they  have  two  children,  Efhe  M.  and  Mary 
M.,  both  born  in  Warren,  living  at  home  and  students  in  Hornellsville  Free  Acad- 
emy. 

Dibble,  Mrs.  I.  F. — Ira  F.  Dibble  was  born  in  Courtwright,  Delaware  county,  N.Y. , 
July  3,  1830.  Henry  Dibble,  his  father,  was  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  Courtwright, 
and  in  November,  1796,  he  married  Betsey  Butts,  by  whom  he  had  thirteen  children: 
Mary,  Patty,  Lyman,  Lucy,  Betsey,  Alvira,  Henry  G.,  Moses  B.,  Sallie  A.,  Phebe, 
Harriet,  Christopher  and  William  M.  For  his  second  wife  he  married  Hannah 
Brown,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  Amy,  Laura  Ann,  Cynthia,  Harmon,  Jack- 
son, Ira  Ford,  Hannah  Maria,  and  Harriett  Levantia.  Ira  F.  Dibble  was  educated 
in  the  district  schools  of  Sidney  and  Courtwright,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming, 
and  now  owns  a  farm  of  212  acres  on  the  Mead's  Creek  road.  He  married  Louisa 
W. ,  daughter  of  Richard  Lee,  a  farmer  of  Sidney,  by  whom  he  had  six  children : 
Estella  L. ,  now  Mrs.  Chas.  Smith ;  Ira  Eugene ;  Mary  Ester,  now  Mrs.  Harry  Cham- 
berlain;  Lesley  D.,  Leon  G.,  and  Henry  Ford,  the  last  three  at  home.  Mr.  Dibble 
died  in  1892,  aged  sixty-two  years.     In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat. 

Decker,  George  M.,  was  born  in  Bath,  December  10,  1852.  H.  Decker,  his  father, 
was  a  native  of  Orange  county,  and  came  to  Steuben  county  and  settled  in  the  town 


24  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

of  Bath  in  1842.  He  married  Elizabeth  Jane,  daughter  of  Charles  A.  Smith,  by 
whom  he  had  one  son,  George  M.,  and  through  life  was  identified  as  a  farmer,  and 
died  in  1883,  aged  sixty-six  years.  George  M.  was  educated  in  the  common  schools, 
and  in  1879  married  Mary  M.,  daughter  of  Lyman  Sutliff,  by  whom  he  had  three 
children,  Nora,  Tillie,  and  Jane. 

Dunham,  Dr.  Roy,  was  bom  m  Howard,  July  14,  1864.  The  first  of  this  family  to 
locate  in  New  York  State  was  David  Dunham,  his  grandfather,  who  was  born  in 
New  Jersey  in  1799,  and  came  to  Monroe  county  in  1812,  locating  on  a  farm  with  his 
father.  In  1820  he  moved  with  his  brother  into  the  town  of  Howard  where  he  lived 
uutil  1834,  and  then  moved  to  Fremont  Corners,  which  was  then  in  the  town  of  Hor- 
nellsville,  and  was  then  the  only  house  in  Fremont.  He  was  for  several  years  a  local 
I^reacher  of  the  M.  E.  church  in  Fremont,  and  died  there  in  1883.  He  was  the 
father  of  seven  children,  of  whom  Thomas,  the  father  of  Roy,  was  the  oldest,  and 
was  born  in  Fremont,  August  21,  1827.  In  1844  he  left  his  father's  home  and  in  1846 
entered  Alfred  University,  and  after  his  graduation  he  was  for  a  time  engaged  in 
lumbering,  but  the  greater  part  of  his  life  has  been  spent  on  a  farm.  For  the  last  six 
years  he  has  been  engaged  in  mercantile  business  in  the  village  of  Canisteo.  No- 
vember, 1850,  he  married  Delilah  J.  Dunham  of  Warren  county,  Pa.,  by  whom  he 
had  four  children:  Ralph,  who  is  in  business  in  Canisteo;  Charles,  who  died  m 
March,  1887,  at  twenty-seven  years  of  age ;  Roy,  and  Harold.  The  latter  died  at  the 
age  of  four.  Roy  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  Canisteo  Academy,  and 
Warren  High  School,  Warren,  Pa.  He  followed  various  emplo^mients  for  a  few 
years  and  in  1887  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Ellison  in  Canisteo,  and  the 
same  year  he  entered  University  Medical  College  of  New  York  city,  graduating  in 
March,  1890,  and  while  in  New  York  he  was  for  three  months  under  private  instruc- 
tion of  Dr.  Alfred  L.  Loomis.  He  was  associated  with  Dr.  Ellison  for  six  months 
and  then  hung  out  his  shingle  in  the  town  of  Greenwood;  in  March,  1893,  he  located 
in  Hornellsville  where  he  has  since  conducted  a  very  successful  practice.  He  is  a 
member  of  Steuben  County  Medical  Society,  and  is  the  secretary  of  Hornellsville 
Medical  and  Surgical  Association.  He  is  a  member  of  Sheffield  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F., 
of  Warren  county.  Pa.,  and  a  member  of  Sentinel  Lodge  No.  151,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of 
Greenwood,  N.  Y.  October  28,  1891,  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  J.  J.  Linderman, 
a  commercial  agent  of  Canisteo,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Linderman  Harlow 
Dunham,  now  in  his  third  j^ear. 

Darrin,  Delmar  M.,  is  a  well-known  gentleman  in  Steuben  county,  and  m  referring 
to  men  and  institutions  in  Western  New  York,  much  of  interest  can  be  said  concern- 
ing his  connection  with  the  bar,  and  with  the  advancement  of  the  thriving  village  of 
Addison.  He  was  born  in  Barrington  township,  Yates  county,  N.  Y.,  in  the  year 
1849.  His  grandfather,  Ira;  went  there  from  Elmira  and  afterwards  returned  to  and 
died  in  that  city.  Mr.  Darrin's  father  was  David  Darrin.  The  son  was  educated 
at  Addison  Academy  and  at  Cornell  University,  graduating  in  1872.  He  .spent  three 
years  reading  law  in  the  oflSce  of  Colonel  Dininny,  at  Addison,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1875.  Addison  has  been  his  home  ever  since.  He  has  a  general  law 
practice  and  does  considerable  work  in  the  Surrogate's  Court.  For  several  years  he 
served  as  corporation  counsel  at  Addison,  and  in  legal  affairs  in  general  has  been  for 
years  a  recognized  leader.     For  twenty-three  years  he  has  been  connected  with  the 


FAiMILY  SKETCHES.  25 

local  Board  of  Education,  first  as  clerk,  then  as  trustee,  and  at  present  president.  It 
may  be  of  interest  to  state  here  that  Addison  now  has  seven  hundred  pupils  of  school 
age,  thirteen  teachers,  and  two  fine  new  buildings,  Mr.  Darrin  has  done  much  in 
helping  local  enterprises,  and  was  a  director  in  and  attorney  for  the  Water  Works 
Company.  He  has  been  president  of  the  Baldwin  Hook  and  Ladder  Company,  and 
has  been  connected  with  other  home  organizations.  Mr.  Darrin  has  been  a  member 
of  the  district  committee  of  his  Assembly  district  for  about  eight  years,  aud  in  other 
ways  has  been  an  active  Republican  worker.  In  the  Masonic  fraternity  he  belongs 
to  the  local  lodge  and  chapter,  to  St.  Omer's  Commandery  at  Elmira  and  to  Corning 
Consistory,  where  he  has  taken  thirty-two  degrees.  For  several  years  he  has  been 
vestryman  of  the  Episcopal  Church  of  the  Redeemer  at  Addison.  He  is  one  of  the 
three  trustees  of  the  Addison  Free  Library,  and  is  vice-president  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
Miss  Mary  H.  Lawson,  of  Plainfield,  N.  J.,  was  the  lady  he  married  in  1876,  and  they 
have  a  son  aged  eighteen,  and  two  daughters,  seventeen  and  fifteen  years  old.  Mr. 
Darrin  loves  his  home  and  family  and  is  devoted  to  his  profession.  He  is  one  of  the 
best  lawyers  in  Steuben  county,  and  possesses  legal  ability  of  a  high  order.  He  has 
been  a  good  citizen,  ever  ready  to  do  his  part  in  educational  and  religious  work,  and 
is  a  gentlemen  who  commands  the  respect  of  the  community. 

Drake,  D.  S.,  is  a  native  of  Genesee  county,  and  came  to  Steuben  county  in  ISfil 
or  1862,  and  came  to  Corning  in  1870,  where  he  has  since  been  interested  principally 
in  the  coal  mining  and  lumber  trade.  In  1873  he  married  Mary  Tillotson  of  Delaware 
county,  by  whom  he  had  two  children :  George  Willis,  born  in  1876,  and  Frances, 
born  in  1883.  He  is  a  director  in  the  Corning  stove  works,  was  for  two  years  super- 
visor, aud  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education.  He  is  also  cashier  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Corning. 

Drake,  J.  A.,  president  of  the  First  National  Bank,  was  born  at  Le  Roy,  N.  Y., 
October  30,  1854,  son  of  Franklin  N.  Drake,  who  was  born  in  Vermont  in  1817,  and 
in  1854  purchased  timber  land  in  Cohocton  and  carried  on  an  extensive  lumbering 
business.  He  was  also  largely  interested  in  the  Blossburg  coal  lands,  was  general 
president  of  the  Blossburg  Coal  Mining  Sz  Railroad  Company,  and  president  of  the 
Tioga  Railroad.  He  moved  to  Corning  in  1867  and  organized  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Corning  in  1883,  being  its  president  until  his  death,  when  he  was  succeeded, 
January,  1893,  by  J.  A.  Drake.  Mr.  Drake  is  interested  in  the  lumbering  firms  of 
"  Drake  &  Co.,"  of  Corning,  N.  Y.,  "Drake,  Cummings  &  Co."  and  "Drake,  Lan- 
dus  &  Drake,"  in  Pennsylvania,  and  is  a  director  of  the  Corning  Stove  Works. 

Davenport,  Hon.  Ira,  was  born  in  Hornellsville,  June  28,  1841,  son  of  Col.  Ira 
Davenport,  a  native  of  Spencerport,  Columbia  county,  N.  Y.,  who  came  to  Steuben 
county  in  1815,  and  was  identified  as  a  merchant  at  Hornellsville  for  thirty -two  years. 
In  1847  he  moved  to  Bath,  where  in  1861  he  began  the  erection  of  the  Davenport 
Home  for  destitute  female  orphan  children,  to  which  he  gave  sixty-five  acres  of 
land  and  $100,000,  with  an  endowment  of  $50,000  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  May  3,  1868.  In  1834  Colonel  Davenport  married  Lydia,  eldest  daughter  of 
of  Hon.  Dugald  Cameron,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  two  sons:  John  and  Ira. 
The  latter  has  served  ten  years  in  public  life,  four  years  in  the  Senate,  two  years  as 
comptroller,  and  four  years  in  Congress,  and  was  the  Republican  nominee  for  gov- 


26  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

ernor  in  1885.  In  1887  Mr.  Davenport  married  Katherine  L.,  daughter  of  Gen. 
George  H.  Sharpe.  He  is  one  of  the  founders  and  subscribers  to  the  Soldiers'  and 
Sailors'  Home,  also  the  donor  of  a  public  library  to  the  town. 

Davison,  Lorenzo,  was  born  in  Schuyler  county,  March  23,  1824,  son  of  Lewis,  who 
was  born  in  New  Jersey  and  came  to  the  town  of  Tyrone,  Schuyler  county,  and  en- 
gaged in  farming.  Lewis  Davison  also  lived  in  Howard,  Steuben  county,  for  a 
number  of  years.  He  married  Jemima  Gannon,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children.  Lo- 
renzo was  educated  in  the  district  school  of  his  native  town,  one  mile  and  a  quarter 
from  the  school  house  to  his  home,  on  a  hill,  a  cold  long  road,  attending  school  until 
twenty  years  of  age,  mostly  through  the  winter  season  only.  He  then  learned  the 
carpenter  and  joiner  trade.  At  the  age  of  twenty-six  he  married,  first,  Louisa  Jack- 
son. He  afterward  married  Martha,  daughter  of  Rev.  Chauncey  Carter,  of  Canisteo. 
Mr.  Davison  has  lost  considerable  property  by  fires  and  indorsing  to  help  his  neigh- 
bors, but  still  is  considered  one  of  the  well  to  do  men  of  the  village.  He  has  been 
president  of  the  village,  besides  holding  various  minor  town  offices.  Has  resided  in 
Canisteo  forty-four  years. 

Doud,  John  C,  was  born  in  Truxton,  Cortland  county,  in  1805,  and  came  to 
Wheeler  in  1830,  where  he  was  employed  by  his  brother  George  in  chopping  and 
clearing  land.  Here  he  met  Martha  Olcutt,  born  in  Pompey,  Onondaga  county, 
November  13,  1808,  to  whom  he  was  married,  January  1,  1832.  He  settled  in  the 
southwest  corner  of  Wheeler,  on  a  farm  of  one  hundred  acres,  which  was  then  a 
wilderness;  he  cleared  it  up,  and  resided  there  until  his  death  in  1848.  They  had 
six  children :  Ira  G. ,  Johnnie  E. ,  Rosel  W. ,  Seth  L. ,  Martha  L. ,  and  Eliza  S.  Rosel 
Doud  is  the  owner  of  ninety-eight  acres  of  land.  He  married  Abigail  Hopkins  of 
Avoca,  by  whom  he  had  one  daughter,  Annie  E.,  who  is  the  wife  of  John  J.  Hopf. 

Erwin  W.  Scott,  was  bom  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides,  which  consists  of 
four  hundred  and  thirty-five  acres,  son  of  Arthur  H.,  grandson  of  Samuel,  and  great- 
grandson  of  Arthur  Erwin,  the  first  owner  of  this  town.  Arthur  H.  was  the  father 
of  the  following  children:  Mary,  Eugene  H.,  Emily,  Virginia,  Lizzie,  Clinton,  Anna. 
Arthur  H.  jr.,  who  is  the  present  owner  of  the  old  homestead. 

Everitt.  James  S.,  was  bom  in  Chenango  county,  February  25,  1815,  son  of  Jesse 
and  Polly  (Burdick)  Everitt.  Jesse  Everitt  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey  and  came  to 
Chenango  county  and  thence  to  Steuben  county  in  1841,  settling  in  Troupsburg, 
where  he  and  his  wife  both  died.  James  S.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in 
the  common  schools.  He  came  to  WoodhuU  in  1881  and  now  lives  a  retired  life.  Mr. 
Everitt  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  January  31,  1841,  he  mar- 
ried Jane  Ashcraft,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Henry,  who  married  Clarissa 
Sanford,  of  Troupsburg  Centre,  and  is  a  merchant  and  proprietor  and  manager  of 
the  hotel  and  mills  at  that  place,  also  farm  of  eighty- seven  acres  at  WoodhuU  vil- 
lage; James  S.,  who  was  in  Co.  D,  61st  N.  Y.  Vols,  and  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen; 
and  Mary,  wife  of  Henry  Brady,  of  WoodhuU.  They  have  two  children :  Bertha  J. 
and  James  B. 

Ellas,  Charles  A.,  was  born  in  Bath,  August  28,  1848.  George  S.  Ellas,  his  father, 
was  also  born  in  Bath,  and  his  grandfather,  Simpson  EUas,  M.  D.,  came  to  Bath 


PAMILY  sketches.  27 

from  Watertowu,  Mass  ,  in  ISll,  and  was  a  practicing  physician,  having  to  ride  over 
the  country  on  horseback,  (ieorge  S.  Ellas  married  Amanda  1).,  daughter  of  Judge 
Chester  Loomis,  of  Rushville,  N.  Y.,  and  through  life  was  identified  in  the  mercan- 
tile business,  and  in  advancing  the  best  interests  of  his  town.  He  died  in  1S66,  in 
his  fifty-first  year.  Charles  A.  Ellas  was  educated  in  Bath,  Geneseo,  and  Rochester, 
and  in  1870  established  his  present  business  of  druggist,  and  is  now  carrying  one  of 
the  largest  and  most  complete  lines  of  imported  and  domestic  drugs  in  Steuben 
county.  In  1877  he  married  Jennie,  daughter  of  George  G.  Aber.  Mr.  Ellas  is  one 
of  the  representative  business  men  of  his  town,  serving  as  assessor  for  twelve  years. 

Ellis,  Hiram,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Dansville,  Steuben  county,  August  26,  1857. 
Albert  M.  Ellis,  the  father  of  Hiram,  was  a  native  of  Genesee  county.  When  a  young 
man  he  removed  to  Livingston  county,  and  was  married  in  Hornellsville  and  was 
engaged  on  a  farm  in  Mount  Morris,  and  was  then  in  Burns  a  short  time,  and  about 
1855  located  in  Dansville,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  Hiram  was  the  sixth 
of  a  family  of  ten  children.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  andRogersville 
Academy,  and  remained  with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  reaching  his  majority. 
He  was  for  twelve  years  engaged  in  farming,  and  March  23,  1891,  he  bought  the 
hardware  store  of  Henry  Sharp  in  the  village  of  Arkport  where  we  now  find  him  en- 
gaged in  doing  a  very  successful  business.  He  is  not  only  carrying  a  fine  stock  of 
shelf  and  heavy  hardware  but  is  an  extensive  dealer  in  farming  implements,  fertilizers, 
and  wall  papers.  Mr.  Ellis  is  the  manager  and  owner  of  the  Arkport  Opera  House, 
owner  of  a  farm  of  151  acres  on  the  Burns  Road.  He  was  married  April  16,  1879,  to 
Miss  E.  L.  Evans  of  Dansville.  They  have  five  children :  Ida  Florence,  Edith  May, 
Maggie  Matilda,  Oliver  Hiram,  and  Sophronia  Elnora. 

Edger,  Benjamin  P.,  was  born  at  Geneva,  Ontario  county,  in  1839.  Came  to  Corn- 
ing with  his  father's  family  in  1845,  where  he  has  since  resided.  After  spending  some 
years  upon  a  farm,  he  followed  the  canal,  and  later,  operated  and  conducted  a  dry- 
dock  and  yard  for  the  building  and  repair  of  boats.  He  has  held  the  many  import- 
ant public  offices  of  tax  collector  of  the  town,  collector  of  tolls,  and  assistant  super- 
intendent of  the  Chemung  Canal,  inspector  of  public  work  for  the  State,  and  post- 
master for  many  years.  Upon  the  construction  of  the  D.  L.  &  W.  R.  R.,  in  1882, 
he  purchased  the  Gibson  Hotel,  which  he  has  since  conducted.  In  1892  he  became  a 
member  ot  the  firm  of  Elwood  &  Edger,  dealers  in  Lackawanna  coal  and  has  built 
up  a  prosperous  business.     His  family  consists  of  his  wife,  three  daughters  and  a  son. 

de  Peyster,  Augustus,  was  born  in  New  York  city,  September  6,  183Gs  son  of  Fred- 
eric A.  de  Peyster,  also  a  native  of  New  York  city.  The  family  tr3,ce  their  descent 
from  the  French  Huguenots,  who  were  driven  from  France  at  the  massacre  of  St. 
Bartholomew  in  1572,  escaping  at  Holland.  Johannes  de  Peyster,  the  progenitor  of 
the  family  in  America,  came  to  New  York  in  1645,  married  Cornelia  Lubbertse,  of 
Holland  in  1651.  He  was  prominent  in  public  affairs  from  1655  to  1675  and  was  also 
one  of  the  six  notable  men  to  draw  up  the  charter  of  New  Amsterdam,  now  New 
York.  Frederic  A.  de  Peyster  married  Jane,  daughter  of  Garrett  Gilbert  of  New 
York.  He  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  marine  business  and  retired  from  that  in  , 
1845.  Augustus,  his  son,  engaged  in  the  foreign  importing  business,  residing  much 
of  the  time  in  France.     He  retired  from  business  in  1871,   came  to  Bath,  where  he 


28  LANDMARKS  OF  STEtTBEN  COUNTY. 

married,  in  1873,  Martha,  daughter  of  Alexander  Hess,  of  Bath,  and  they  are  the 
parents  of  one  son,  Frederic  A.  In  1892  he  was  elected  delegate  to  the  General  Con- 
vention of  the  Episcopal  church,  held  in  Baltimore;  has  been  president  of  the  village 
of  Bath,  and  a  member  of  its  Board  of  Trustees.  Is  a  vestryman  of  St.  Thomas- 
church,  Bath,  one  of  the  managers  of  the  Davenport  Free  Library;  and  holds  other 
positions  of  trust  and  responsibility. 

Smith,  Bessie  D. — John  L.  Smith  was  born  in  Bath,  December  31,  1822.  Charles 
A.  Smith,  his  father,  was  the  eldest  son  of  Andrew  Smith,  who  came  to  America 
from  Scotland  and  settled  m  Bath  with  Colonel  Williamson,  in  1793.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Lewis,  and  was  a  prominent  farmer.  Charles  A.  Smith  married  Azilla, 
daughter  of  William  Morgan.  John  L.  Smith  was  educated  in  the  common  school 
after  which  he  taught  school.  He  married  Lois  M.,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Betsey 
Le  Gro,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  Charles  L.,  Betsey  D.,  and  Azilla  M.,  who 
died  in  1890.  He  was  prominently  identified  in  the  leading  events,  serving  as  super- 
visor for  two  terms,  and  other  positions  of  honor  and  tru.st.  He  died  July  26,  1894, 
and  Mrs.  Smith  died  March  26,  1877. 

Nicholson,  J.  Wilham,  was  born  in  Hornellsville,  September  13,  1842.  Jonathan,  his 
grandfather,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  Turnpike  district,  taking  up  land  in  its 
normal  condition  and  with  the  aid  of  his  thirteen  stalwart  sons,  clearing  it  and  mak- 
ing it  into  a  garden.  A  part  of  his  farm  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the  family.  He 
was  a  school  teacher  in  his  native  State,  and  taught  and  preached  in  Chenango 
county,  also  preached  after  coming  to  Steuben  county.  Jonathan,  father  of  J.  Will- 
iam, was  the  sixth  son.  He  engaged  in  farming  and  at  an  early  date  moved  to  Wis- 
consin, where  he  kept  a  hotel  in  Beaver  Dam.  He  returned  to  Steuben  county  in 
1849,  where  he  died  in  1854,  aged  forty  years.  His  wife,  Martha,  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  William  R.  Stephens.  He  died  in  1860,  aged  forty-two  years.  Of  his 
union  eight  children  were  born,  seven  of  whom  are  living.  J.  William,  the  oldest 
living  son,  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  after  leaving  school  he  engaged 
in  farming.  At  the  age  of  twenty-three  he  was  employed  as  a  clerk  in  the  grocery  of 
P.  P.  Houck.  He  took  a  partner  in  1868,  Charles  Cadogan,  and  in  1870  the  firm  be- 
came Cadogan  &  Nicholson,  which  firm  existed  until  1887,  when  the  name  was 
changed  to  Nicholson  &  Williams,  which  firm  existed  until  1892.  In  September-  of 
that  year,  Mr.  Nicholson  entered  into  partnership  with  Charles  A.  Wirt  and  engaged 
in  the  shoe  business  on  Seneca  street,  where  the  store  was  located  until  April,  1894. 
They  then  removed  to  Main  street,  where  they  have  one  of  the  finest  stores  in  the 
city.  Mr.  Nicholson  is  president  of  the  Hornellsville  Savings  &  Loan  Association, 
and  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Hope  Cemetery  Association.  He  is  now  serving  his 
second  term  of  five  years  as  member  of  the  Board  of  Education.  In  1882  he  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  supervisor.  He  served  on  the  Board  of  Trustees  when  Hor- 
nellsville was  a  village.  He  has  been  a  delegate  to  State  conventions  and  a  member 
of  the  County  Committee.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  the  A.  O. 
U.  W.,  and  has  been  an  officer  of  the  Baptist  church  for  about  twenty  years.  In 
1869  Mr.  Nicholson  married  Elizabeth  Walbridge,  of  this  town,  by  whom  he  had  two 
children :  Edith,  a  teacher  in  the  Columbian  School ;  and  J.  Arthur,  bookkeeper  in  the 
Citizens'  Bank,  of  Hornellsville. 


Family  sketches.  ^^ 

House.  Henry,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  March  11,  1831,  son  of  Ansel 
House,  who  was  born  iu  Connecticut,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Howard  in  1828,  and 
settled  near  Howard  Flats.  His  occupation  was  that  of  a  farmer,  and  he  cleared  a 
farm  of  137  acres,  on  which  he  continued  to  live  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1873.  He  married  Julia  Higgins  of  Connecticut,  and  seven  children  wore 
born  to  them:  Josiah,  Eunice,  Henry,  Phebe,  Martha,  Aaron,  and  Juliette.  Five  of 
of  the  above  are  still  alive.  Martha  and  Phebe  live  in  the  town  of  Bath.  Henry 
House  is  a  farmer  and  owns  a  farm  of  sixty-four  acres.  He  married  Jane,  daughter 
of  William  A.  Lowrie,  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  House  came  to  the 
town  of  Howard  in  1848.  Mr.  House  is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Democrat, 

vSmith,  Eugene,  was  born  at  Cooper's  Plains,  January  8,  1858.  S.  S.  Smith,  his 
father,  was  a  native  af  Schuyler  county,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Campbell  with  his 
father,  Barney  Smith.  He  married  Eliza  Everts  of  East  Campbell,  by  whom  he  had 
five  children:  Eugene,  Charley,  Carrie,  Ed,  and  Je.ssie.  Eugene  Smith  has  been  a 
farmer  and  at  present  is  devoting  his  time  to  the  lumber  business.  He  married  Jen- 
nie M  ,  daughter  of  Richard  Lee,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Gertrude  and  Lee. 
He  is  postmaster  at  East  Campbell,  where  he  runs  a  grocery  store.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  church,  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat. 

Mallory,  H.  H.,  was  born  in  Coventry,  Chenango  county,  N.Y.,  February  18,  1827, 
.son  of  Samuel  and  Lucretia  (Davi.s)  Mallory,  both  natives  of  Oxford,  Conn.  He  was 
born  August  9,  1782,  and  she  September  22,  1790.  They  came  to  Chenango  county, 
thence  to  Scio,  and  Wellsville,  and  in  1838  located  at  Greenwood,  where  he  died 
August  19,  1857,  and  she  November  10,  1867.  Politically,  he  was  a  Republican,  and 
was  justice  of  the  peace  for  a  number  of  years  in  Scio.  Mr.  Mallory  was  a  sailor 
from  New  York  to  the  West  Indies  for  many  years  while  young,  but  later  farming 
was  his  principal  vocation.  David  Mallory,  father  of  Samuel,  and  Col.  John  Davis, 
father  of  Mrs.  Lucretia  (Davi.s)  Mallory,  were  soldiers  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and 
both  lived  and  died  at  Oxford,  Conn.  H.  H.  Mallory  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
farming  has  been  his  principal  occupation.  April  10,  1861,  he  married  Betsey, 
daughter  of  John  and  Elsie  (Young)  Wallace,  a  farmer  of  West  Union,  and  they 
have  been  the  parents  of  three  children:  Emma  G.  (deceased),  Marcus  F.  (deceased), 
and  Libbie  L. ,  wife  of  Rotch  Bundy,  a  farmer  on  the  home  farm.  Mr.  Mallory  is  a 
Repviblican,  and  has  been  justice  of  the  peace,  road  commissioner  and  assessor, 
and  was  supervisor  two  terms  and  afterwards  six  years  in  succession.  The  family 
are  Methodists. 

Hamlin,  Jason  B.,  son  of  Amos  Hamlin,  was  born  in  Cortland  county  in  1833  and 
came  with  his  parents  in  1837,  locating  on  his  present  place.  His  parents  died  here. 
Mr.  Hamlin  married,  in  1859,  Melissa  Crawford,  a  native  of  Tioga  county,  N.Y.,  and 
came  to  Steuben  county  with  her  parents  when  two  years  old.  Their  children  are: 
Thurston  J.,  Jesse  L.,  Inez,  and  Cora. 

Farnham,  George. — Perhaps  no  more  conspicuous  name  could  be  selected  from 
among  the  early  annals  of  Addison,  as  a  type  of  all  that  was  best  and  noblest,  than 
that  of  the  late  Col.  George  Farnham.  No  one  man  took  a  more  active  part  in  the 
advancement  of  all  local  interests,  particularly  of  educational  facilities,  than  he,  and 


36  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

his  name  will  ever  suggest  public  spirit  and  manliness.  He  was  born  of  Puritan 
stock  in  1812,  and  perhaps  the  fact  that  he  was  thrown  upon  his  own  resources  while 
yet  a  boy  was  fortunate  in  fuU}^  developing  his  inherent  abilities.  It  was  in  1886  that 
he  came  to  Addison  from  his  early  home  in  Canterbury,  Conn.,  to  make  it  a  perma- 
nent residence  until  his  death  in  1888.  In  his  early  mercantile  life  he  was  asso- 
ciated with  his  brother  Edmund.  The  title  of  colonel  was  acquired  during  militia 
days,  and  he  was  always  recognized  as  a  leader  of  men  and  a  moulder  of  events. 
The  school  children  of  Addison  may  well  revere  his  memory,  for  to  his  untiring  and 
well-directed  personal  effort  is  largely  due  the  superior  advantages  they  enjoy. 
Colonel  Farnham  was  twice  a  nominee  for  senator  on  the  Democratic  platform,  mak- 
ing a  strong  canvass  and  suffering  defeat  from  ulterior  causes  wnth  no  shadow  of  a 
stam  upon  the  name  and  memory  he  bequeathed.  He  left  three  children :  Mrs.  B.  G. 
Stout,  since  deceased;  George  W.,  and  William  H.  Their  mother  was  Julia  J. 
Wormbough.  His  surviving  widow  is  Mary,  daughter  of  Nathan  Reynolds,  of 
Elmira. 

James,  John  P.,  was  born  at  Erwin  in  1860,  and  is  the  sixth  of  nine  children  of 
John  James,  a  native  of  County  Kerry,  Ireland,  who  came  to  the  United  States 
when  twenty-three  years  of  age  and  settled  at  Cooper's  Plains,  N.Y.  His  wife  was 
Ellen  Mulvihill,  who  survives  him  and  lives  wdth  her  son,  John  P.  The  latter  came 
with  his  parents  to  Addison  when  six  years  old,  and  after  attending  the  public  schools 
for  several  years  obtained  employment  in  the  sash  and  blind  factory.  Soon  after  en 
tering  their  employ  he  displayed  progressiveness  and  was  constantly  promoted  until 
he  is  now  the  superintendent  of  the  blind  department.  Mr.  James  has  held  the  office 
of  excise  commissioner,  village  trustee,  and  was  president  of  the  village  in  1898.  de- 
clining to  accept  the  renomination.  He  is  a  firm  Democrat,  deeply  interested  in  the 
growth  and  prosperity  of  the  village  and  is  held  in  high  regard  among  his  asso- 
ciates. 

Foster,  G.  Watson,  was  born  in  Bordentown,  N.  J.,  February  29,  1856.  William 
Foster,  the  father  of  G.  Watson,  also  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  is  a  descendant  of 
Capt.  John  Walker.  He  is  now  a  resident  of  Hornellsville  and  living  retired.  He  is 
now  in  his  seventy-seventh  year.  The  mother  of  G.  Watson,  Mary  A.  Burdick,  was 
a  native  of  this  county,  born  near  Crosby  Creek.  Of  thirteen  children  only  two  are 
living,  Mrs.  Edward  Schofield,  of  Passaic  City,  N.  J.,  and  G.  Watson  Foster,  Mr. 
Foster  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  New  Jersey  and  at  Alfred  University. 
He  served  an  apprenticeship  at  the  machinist  trade  in  New  Jersey,  and  then  took 
up  carpenter  and  joiner  work,  which  he  followed  for  seven  years.  In  1887  he  came 
to  Hornellsville  and  was  six  months  in  the  jewelry  store  of  George  R.  Van  Winkle 
and  after  that  for  fifteen  months  conducted  a  repair  .shop.  In  1889  he  became  en- 
gineer for  the  American  Illuminating  Company  and  was  there  three  years.  In  April, 
1893,  he  took  up  electrical  repair  work  and  lighting,  and  also  does  all  kinds  of  repair 
work.  He  was  married  in  Andover,  November  80,  1876,  to  Miss  EHza  E.  Kennedy. 
They  have  three  children:  WilHam  K.,  a  student  of  the  academy;  George  Leon,  of 
Lincoln  School,  and  Miss  Jessie  Anna,  of  Lincoln  School.  Mr.  Foster  is  the  inven- 
tor of  two  very  useful  articles— an  electrical  furnace  regulator,  and  an  electric  cau- 
tery apparatus  for  controlling  the  power  of  contmuous  electric  currents  for  surgeons' 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  31 

Fox,  Daniel  A.,  was  horn  in  Bath  (now  Avoca),  February  24,  1834,  George  P. 
Fox,  his  father,  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  N.  Y.,  June  10,  1816,  and  came  to 
the  village  of  Avoca  in  1833.  He  was  a  wagonmaker  by  trade,  which  business  he 
followed  to  within  a  year  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1878,  aged  sixty-eight 
years.  He  married  Julia  Ann  Anderson,  daughter  of  Capt.  Daniel  Anderson  of 
Lyme,  Conn.,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  George  N.,  Hezekiah,  who  enlisted 
in  Co.  E,  141st  Regiment  N.  Y.  Volunteers,  who  died  in  November,  1862,  at  Laurel 
Factory,  Md.  ;  Julia  A.,  wife  of  P.  H.  Neil.  Daniel  A.  is  now  engaged  in  farming 
and  owns  a  farm  of  115  acres.  He  married  Dorlisca  Shults  of  Avoca,  by  whom  he 
had  five  children:  Emerson  E.,  Roger  H.,  Clarence  T.,  Langrave  S.,  and  Maude. 
Peter  C.  Fox,  his  grandfather,  came  to  the  town  of  Wheeler  from  Montgomery 
county.  N.   Y.,  in  1833. 

Frost,  Capt.  Frank  Pomeroy,  born  in  Millport,  Chemung  county.  May  5,  1841,  and 
educated  in  the  common  schools.  Enlisting  July  24,  1862,  in  Co.  D,  107th  N.  Y.  Vol. 
Infty.,  attached  to  the  1st  Division,  12th  Corps,  he  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Antie- 
tam,  Chanellorsville  and  Gettysburg.  His  regiment  having  been  tran.sferred  to  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland,  in  the  20th  Corps,  under  fighting  Joe  Hooker,  he  was  en- 
gaged at  Resaca,  Dallas,  Peach  Tree  Creek  and  the  siege  of  Atlanta,  and  was  with 
Sherman  in  his  celebrated  March  to  the  Sea  and  the  campaign  of  the  Carolinas, 
which  ended  with  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Joe  Johnston  at  Raleigh,  N.  C.  He  re- 
ceived an  honorable  discharge  at  Washington  June,  1865,  with  the  rank  of  brevet 
captain,  and  returning  to  Elmira  entered  the  employ  of  the  Erie  Railway  Co.,  where 
he  remained  until  1889,  when  he  was  appointed  quartermaster  in  the  Soldiers'  Home 
at  Bath,  which  position  he  still  holds.  In  1865  he  married  Rhoda,  daughter  of  Elias 
Hutchings,  by  whom  he  has  two  children:  William  P.,  and  Mrs.  John  Underhill. 
Mr.  Frost  is  a  member  of  Chemung  Valley  Lodge  No.  350,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Military  Or- 
der of  the  Loyal  Legion  of  the  \J.  S.,  and  Baldwin  Post,  No.  6,  G.  A.  R.,  Dept.  of 
New  York. 

Faulkner,  Dorr,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Dansville,  July  31,  1838.  John  P. 
Faulkner,  his  father,  was  also  a  native  of  Dansville  and  a  farmer.  He  died  January 
6,  1890.  Dorr  was  the  oldest  son  of  a  family  of  six  and  was  educated  in  Rogersville 
LTnion  Seminary,  and  at  Dansville  Academy,  and  was  engaged  on  his  father's  farm 
until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  September,  1863,  he  enlisted  in  the  136th  Regt. 
N.  Y.  Vols. ,  and  was  with  them  until  December,  1864.  He  was  in  the  battles  of 
Chancellorsville  and  Gettysburg,  besides  many  minor  engagements.  At  the  battle 
of  Gettysburg  he  was  wounded  the  morning  of  the  3d  of  July  by  a  minnie  ball  in  the 
upper  arm,  by  which  he  lost  five  inches  of  the  bone.  He  was  removed  to  the  hos- 
pital at  Broad  and  Cherry  Hill  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  remained  until  November, 
when  he  was  granted  a  furlough,  and  shortly  after  his  return  was  discharged.  He 
remained  on  the  farm  one  year,  and  in  1866  came  to  Hornellsville  and  engaged  with 
R.  K.  Faulkner  in  the  produce  business,  and  then  sold  out  and  engaged  in  the  lum- 
ber business  for  one  year.  In  1869  he  went  to  Owosso,  Michigan,  where  he  was  in  a 
sash  and  blind  manufactory.  In  the  fall  of  1872  he  returned,  and  in  January,  1873, 
went  into  the  railway  mail  service,  filling  a  government  position  for  ten  years. 
March  1,  1882,  he  established  a  furniture  wareroom  and  an  undertaking  establish- 
ment in  the  village  of  Hornellsville,  where  we  now  find  him.     While  his  establish- 


32  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

ment  for  the  first  few  years  was  of  modest  and  unassuming  proportions,  we  find  him 
to-day  the  leading  furniture  dealer  of  this  city,  and  from  his  stock  can  be  selected 
furnishing  for  the  kitchen  or  drawing-room,  and  values  within  the  reach  of  the  purse 
of  all.  He  is  prominently  identified  with  the  Masonic  fraternity,  Hornellsville 
Lodge  No.  301,  Steuben  Chapter,  Hornellsville  Council,  and  De  Molay  Council.  In 
1865  he  married  Letitia  Grover,  daughter  of  E.  C.  Grover,  of  Hornellsville. 

Fuller  Bros.,  George  W.  and  D wight  L..  pi-oprietors  of  the  Dickinson  House, 
which  they  purchased  in  1865,  are  sons  of  Dwight  A.  Fuller,  a  native  of  Cazenovia, 
N.Y.,  who  died  in  1890.  Dwight  A.  Fuller  came  from  New  Woodstock,  Madison 
county,  m  1847  and  was  postmaster  of  Corning  in  1860,  and  was  also  proprietor  of  the 
Terrett  House,  and  later  of  the  Arcade.  The  Dickinson  House  was  built  by  a  com- 
pany and  established  in  1850  and  opened  by  a  man  named  Dennis;  it  is  located  at 
the  corner  of  Pine  and  Market  streets,  and  for  many  years  has  been  the  leading 
hotel  in  Corning. 

Ford,  Benjamin  F.,  was  born  in  Richmond,  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  in  1841,  and  is  the 
seventh  of  fifteen  children  born  to  Simeon  and  Susanna  (Rumsey)  Ford,  the  former  a 
native  of  Michigan,  born  April  29,  1807,  and  the  latter  a  native  of  Sullivan,  Tioga 
county.  Pa.,  born  August  9,  1811.  The  grandparents,  John  and  Dorcas  Ford,  were 
farmers,  who  lived  and  died  in  Michigan.  The  maternal  grandparents,  Noah  and 
Susanna  (Cudworth)  Rumsey,  came  from  the  East  and  settled  in  Tioga  county,  being 
pioneers  of  Rumsey  Hill.  Simeon  Ford  came  from  Michigan  to  Tioga  county,  Pa., 
when  a  young  man,  married,  and  there  lived  and  died.  Mrs.  Ford  was  a  member 
of  the  Close  Communion  Baptist  church,  which  they  attended  and  to  which  they  gave 
their  support.  Mr.  Ford  died  September  6,  1868,  and  Mrs.  Ford,  May  27,  1881. 
Benjamin  F.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  for  twelve  or  fifteen  years  followed  farming, 
and  has  also  been  in  the  mill  and  mercantile  business  at  Troupsburg.  In  1862  he 
married  Christiana,  daughter  of  Robert  A.  and  Malicia  (Williams)  Gitchell,  a  farmer 
of  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  and  granddaughter  of  Eli  and  Polly  (Reed)  Gitchell.  Eli  was 
a  farmer  and  wheelwright  by  trade.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ford  have  lost  one  adopted  son, 
Jesse,  who  died  at  the  age  of  four  and  a  half  years.  They  have  one  adopted  daugh- 
ter, Vinnie,  who  was  born  February  25,  1890.  Mr.  Ford  enlisted  September  30,  1862, 
in  Company  E,  14th  United  States  Infantry,  and  was  honorably  discharged  June  13, 
1865.  He  took  part  in  twenty-six  engagements,  among  which  may  be  mentioned  the 
battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Mine  Run,  Gettysburg,  Wilderness 
and  Spottsylvania,  being  wounded  in  the  last  named  battle.  In  pohtics  he  is  a 
Democrat,  and  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Troupsburg  February  9,  1894.  He  is  a 
member  of  Post  Bailey  No.  351,  G.A.R.,  and  of  Troupsburg  Tent  No.  339,  K.O.T.M. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ford  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church. 

Farley,  Philip,  was  born  in  Ireland  and  came  to  America  in  1849.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  district  schools  of  Schuyler  county,  and  was  a  classmate  of  Governor 
Hill.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Company  L,  5th  N.  Y.  Heavy  Artillery,  serving  until 
1865;  was  mustered  out  at  Harper's  Ferry  and  discharged  at  Sackett's  Harbor.  He 
came  to  Corning  in  1870,  and  purchased  the  Pickwick  Hotel  in  1877,  and  established 
his  wholesale  trade  in  1878.  He  was  one  of  the  first  police  commissioners  of 
Corning. 


FAMILY  SKRTCHP:S.  33 

Ferry,  Adelbert,  was  born  in  Hornellsville,  November  16,  1854.  Salis  Ferry,  his 
father,  was  a  native  of  Almond,  where  for  many  years  he  kept  a  general  store.  In 
1853  he  removed  to  Hornellsville  and  in  eompany  with  a  Mr.  Belden  established  one 
of  the  first  drug  stores  of  this  city,  located  in  the  old  American  House  block.  He 
was  in  those  early  days  prominently  identified  with  political  life.  In  the  latter  years 
of  his  life  he  was  engaged  in  the  wool  business,  buying  wool  and  pelts  in  almo.st  every 
State  in  the  Union,  and  in  farming.  He  died  December  9,  1886,  at  sixty-six  years 
of  age.  The  mother  of  Adelbert,  Cyrena,  was  a  daughter  of  Col.  John  R.  Stephens. 
She  died  July  5.  1887.  Adelbert,  the  only  child,  was  educated  in  the  city  school 
and  select  schools  of  Hornellsville  and  Dwight's  private  seminary  at  Greenville,  Pa. 
After  leaving  school  he  spent  three  years  as  a  clerk,  and  in  1873  took  up  the  study  of 
law  in  the  office  of  Hakes  &  Stevens,  where  he  remained  until  1875.  That  year  he 
entered  the  Albany  Law  School,  graduating  in  1876,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
May,  1876.  In  1878  he  located  at  Dalton,  in  the  town  of  Nunda,  where  he  spent 
one  year  and  then  returned  to  Hornellsville,  where  he  was  in  active  practice  until 
1888.  That  year  he  withdrew  from  the  law  on  account  of  his  deafness,  and  devoted 
his  time  to  real  estate  and  his  farm,  again  opening  an  office  in  December,  1894, 
locating  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Canisteo  streets.  Mr.  Ferry  was  one  of  the 
counsel  of  the  celebrated  Eveland  murder  case  in  Western  New  York,  which  in- 
duced him  to  again  resume  practice.  He  has  held  the  offce  of  town  clerk.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  since  1881,  member  of  Steuben  Chapter 
No.  10:,  and  Hornellsville  Council  No.  35,  and  Hornellsville  Lodge  No.  331.  He  is 
also  a  member  of  the  I.O.O.F.,  Steuben  County  Lodge  No.  331,  and  a  member  of 
Canacadea  Encampment  No.  117. 

Fancett,  James,  was  born  in  Bath,  April  16,  1835.  John  Fancett,  his  father,  came 
to  Steuben  county  and  settled  in  Bath  in  1825,  and  was  identified  as  a  farmer  and 
married  Nancy  Shannon,  dying  in  1885,  in  his  seventy-fifth  year.  James  Fancett 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  in  1860  he  purchased  a  farm.  In  1862  he 
enlisted  in  Company  F,  161st  Regt.  N.  Y.  Vols.,  with  rank  of  second  lieutenant,  and 
took  part  in  the  battles  of  Port  Hudson,  Donald.soiaville,  and  many  others,  receiving 
an  honorable  discharge  in  1864,  with  rank  of  first  lieutenant.  In  1872  he  removed  to 
Bath  and  established  his  present  business  of  dealer  in  coal,  grain,  wood  and  pro- 
duce. In  1872  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Hiram  Brundage,  by  whom  he 
had  three  children:  John  H.,  James  and  William.  Mr.  Fancett  is  one  of  the  repre- 
sentative business  men  of  his  town,  and  also  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  of  his 
county,  owning  the  farm  which  his  father  cleared  up,  and  which  has  been  in  the 
family  for  sixty-five  years ;  he  was  elected  supervisor  for  two  terms  and  has  been 
pre.sident  of  the  village  of  Bath. 

Ferenbaugh,  John  H.,  was  born  in  1831  on  the  home  place  in  Hornby  where  his 
father  located  about  1829.  In  1858  he  married  Juliet  W.  Lewis,  a  native  of  Ontario 
county,  and  their  children  are  as  follows:  Anna  L.,  wife  of  George  Sly,  Augusta  P., 
wife  of  David  Rogers,  Clarence  H.,  and  James  L.,  who  died  in  1895,  aged  twenty- 
one  years  Mr.  Ferenbaugh  has  filled  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  sixteen  succes- 
sive years,  assessor  three  years,  and  supervisor  for  seven  different  years,  and  for 
eighteen  years  has  been  postmaster  of  Ferenbaugh. 


34  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Freeman,  Charles  H.,  was  born  in  Tompkins  county,  in  1840,  and  came  to  Corning 
in  1846.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  D,  141st  Regiment,  N.  Y.  Vols.,  Au- 
gust 14,  1862,  and  in  September  following  was  promoted  to  sergeant.  His  strict  at- 
tention to  duty  and  his  personal  courage  were  rewarded  by  a  lieutenant's  commission 
July  29,  1863,  and  to  first  lieutenant  April  2,  1865.  In  the  May  following  he  was 
commissioned  captain,  and  was  assigned  to  command  Company  K,  from  which  he 
was  honorably  discharged  June  25,  1865.  After  the  war  he  was  elected  captain  in 
the  national  guard,  and  was  discharged  in  1870,  having  served  a  long  term.  The 
141st  Regiment  served  a  portion  of  its  term  of  service  in  the  Department  of  the  South, 
and  lost  heavily  at  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Ga.  On  Sherman's  march  from 
Atlanta  to  the  sea  Captain  Freeman  was  in  command  of  a  foraging  party.  At  the 
battle  of  Resaca  it  fought  so  bravely  as  to  merit  special  attention  in  general  orders. 
He  joined  the  Grand  Army  at  an  early  date,  and  was  from  the  first  prominent  in  its 
affairs.  In  1885  he  was  elected  commander  of  William  W.  Hayt  Post  No.  276,  and 
in  1888  was  elected  senior  vice  department  commander.  In  1890  was  elected  as  mem- 
ber of  the  Department  Council  of  Administration,  and  1891  was  elected  Department 
Commander  of  the  G.  A.  R:,  State  of  New  York.  In  April,  1891,  he  turned  the  first 
sod  for  the  foundation  of  General  U.  S.  Grant's  tomb  at  Riverside  Park,  New  York 
city.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Corning  Consistory,  and  since  1870  has  been  a  leading 
merchant  of  Corning. 

Ferris,  David,  was  born  in  Cortland,  Cortland  county,  N.  Y.,  October  12,  1844, 
is  the  only  survivor  of  four  children  born  to  James  and  Mary  (Slaughter)  Ferris,  he 
a  native  of  Otsego,  and  she  of  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y.  The  grandparents,  Thomas 
and  Mary  Slaughter,  came  from  Esopus  to  Tompkins  county,  where  they  engaged 
in  farming.  The  grandfather,  Zadoc  Ferris,  came  from  the  East  and  settled  in 
Otsego  county  where  he  died.  Both  grandfathers  were  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 
James  Ferris,  when  a  young  man,  enlisted  in  the  regular  army  in  1812.  He  learned 
the  barber  trade,  which  he  followed  in  Cortland,  Corning,  Elmira,  and  Geneva. 
David  Ferris  learned  the  trade  of  his  father,  which  he  has  always  followed,  working 
in  various  places,  and  in  1889  he  located  in  Greenwood.  In  1864  he  married  Ruth, 
daughter  of  Horace  and  Pernilia  Foster  (Central  Bridge,)  of  Schoharie  county,  N. 
Y.,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Maggie,  wifeofVern  Johnson,  a  farmer  of  Green- 
wood, and  Edwin  H.,  who  is  a  barber  in  Greenwood,  also  a  justice  of  the  peace. 
In  January,  1865,  Mr.  Ferris  enlisted  in  the  50th  Engineers,  and  was  in  the  battles 
of  Petersburg,  Appomattox,  and  many  others,  and  was  honorably  discharged  June 
13,  1865.  He  is  a  member  of  William  C.  White  Post,  No.  561  G.  A.  R.,  and  is  its 
present  commander. 

Ferris,  James  M.,  was  born  May  15,  1850.  Alfred  P.  Ferris,  his  father,  was  a 
native  of  Howard,  and  was  a  practicmg  attorney  in  Bath,  a  banker,  and  serving  as 
di.strict  attorney,  loan  commissioner,  and  one  of  the  county  committee  to  raise  troops 
in  the  last  war.  He  married  Catherine,  daughter  of  Captain  James  Read,  and  died 
in  1886  in  his  seventieth  year.  James  M.  Ferris  was  educated  in  Bath,  Canandaigua 
Academy  and  De  Veaux  College,  and  then  traveled  for  twelve  years  as  a  commercial 
traveler.  In  1889  he  established  his  present  business  of  insurance,  carrying  a  full 
line  of  general  insurance.     He  is  one  of  the  conservative  men  of  bis  town,  taking  an 


FAMILY  SKETCH WS.  85 

iutelligent  interest  in  educatioiuil  and  religious  institutions  and  has  ever  received  the 
respect  of  his  associates. 

Gillet,  Charles  W.,  was  born  in  Addison,  Steuben  countj%  iu  1840.  Joel  D.  Gillet, 
his  father,  has  by  his  practical  benevolence  and  praiseworthy  life,  enshrined  his 
memory  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  of  Addison,  where  he  still  lives  at  an  advanced  age. 
It  is  to  his  personal  munificence  that  the  Presbyterian  church  owes  its  material  pros- 
perity ;  and  the  edifice  and  equipment  of  the  local  Y.  M.  C.  A.  was  likewise  his  well- 
timed  and  generous  gift.  The  family  are  descended  from  the  Huguenots  of  France, 
many  of  whom  came,  when  expatriated  for  constancy  to  their  religious  convictions, 
to  Connecticut,  and  Aaron  Gillet  of  Colchester  may  be  considered  the  father  of  this 
branch  of  the  family.  Charles  W.  was  graduated  from  Union  College,  and  became 
a  member  of  the  famous  Union  College  Zouaves,  and  later  an  adjutant  of  the  Steuben 
Rangers,  with  whom  he  served  two  years  with  gallantry  and  distinction  until  he  was 
discharged  for  physical  disability.  He  was  elected  to  the  5  'A  and  i54th  Congresses 
from  the  Twenty-ninth  District,  a  representation  conducted  with  honor  and  dignity. 
He  married  a  daughter  of  the  late  General  Comstock,  and  a  niece  of  Colonel  Hiram 
Bostwick,  who  is  conspicuous  among  the  pioneers  of  Corning. 

Gillette,  William,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Corning,  about  a  mile  from  where  he 
now  lives,  in  1822,  son  of  John,  who  was  born  in  the  town  of  Corning  and  in  1828 
moved  to  the  present  limits  of  Caton  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  hisdays,  being 
prominent  in  the  affairs  of  this  town  and  county.  The  grandfather,  Joseph  Gillette, 
was  one  of  the  very  earliest  settlers  of  this  section  of  the  State,  and  was  prominent 
in  the  affairs  of  his  town  and  county.  Mr.  Gillette  has  always  been  a  farmer,  and 
being  a  natural  mechanic,  he  has  always  followed  the  carpenter  and  builder's  trade, 
more  or  less.  In  1846  he  located  on  his  present  farm.  He  married  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Dr.  Andrews,  formerly  of  Bath.  She  died  in  1870,  leaving  the  following 
children:  Harriet  Josephine,  now  Mr.s.  John  Kiner  of  Michigan;  Ada  Virginia,  the 
wife  of  John  Goodyear,  now  deceased;  Frances  I.,  wife  of  William  F.  Edger,  of 
Corning;  and  Charles  W.,  who  resides  on  the  home  residence.  Mr.  Gillette  has  filled 
various  town  offices. 

Giffin,  James  H.,  was  born  in  New  York  city,  October  16,  1844.  James  Giffin, 
his  father,  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  was  of  English  descent.  He  married 
Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Edward  L.  Carman,  and  was  for  many  years  connected  with 
New  York  city  post-office.  James  H.  Giffin  was  educated  in  New  York  city,  and 
for  five  years  engaged  in  the  insurance  business,  and  in  1867  came  to  Steuben  county 
and  engaged  in  grape  culture.  He  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  for  twelve 
years,  three  years  as  supervisor,  and  in  1892  was  elected  county  clerk  of  Steuben 
county. 

Gillette,  Dr.  Harry  L. ,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Stafford,  Genesee  county,  N.  Y. , 
May  11,  1860,  the  second  of  five  children  of  Charles  Gillette,  a  farmer  of  Batavia. 
The  doctor  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Chamberlain's  Institute  and 
Batavia  High  School.  He  was  connected  with  a  large  lumbering  firm  of  Buffalo  for 
four  years  and  then  took  up  the  study  of  medicine  in  the  Medical  Department  of 
Niagara  University,  from  which  he  graduated  April  25,  1890.  He  was  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  the  profession  with  Dr.  Ingraham  of  Buffalo  for  one  year.     He  then 


36  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

opened  an  office  alone  and  was  engaged  in  that  city  until  the  summer  of  1892.  He 
then  located  in  Arkport,  taking  up  the  practice  of  Dr.  J.  E.  Walker,  and  also  bought 
the  drug  store  at  that  time.  The  spring  of  1894  Mr.  Gillette  organized  the  Acme 
Medicine  Co.,  with  six  different  preparations,  which  are  acquiring  a  fame  that  event- 
■ually  will  be  world  wide.  The  doctor  is  a  member  of  the  Hornellsville  Medical  and 
Surgical  Association.  He  was  married  in  1894  to  Marietta  Winn,  daughter  of 
Chester  Winn,  of  Rochester.     They  have  one  child,  Carohne  Winn  Gillette. 

Green,  Dr.  Charles  O.,  was  born  in  Dansville,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  January  28,' 
1858.  Philip  Green,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Germany,  and  came  to  this  country 
in  1838,  when  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age.  He  settled  first  in  the  town  of 
Wayland  and  made  his  home  there  until  1851,  engaged  in  conducting  the  Patchin- 
ville  Mill.  That  year  he  moved  on  a  farm  in  Dansville  where  he  spent  the  balance 
of  his  life  and  died  there  October  24,  1891.  Elizabeth  Wolfanger,  his  mother,  was 
also  a  native  of  Germany,  coming  to  this  country  in  1828  when  eight  years  of  age, 
and  died  August  28,  1868.  They  were  parents  of  ten  children.  The  doctor  was  the 
seventh  son  and  was  educated  in  Rogersville  Union  Seminary,  and  lived  with  his 
father  until  twenty-six  years  of  age,  when  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  his 
brother,  the  late  Theodore  C.  Green.  In  September,  1887,  he  entered  Bellevue 
Hospital  Medical  College  in  New  York  city  from  which  he  graduated  March  10,  1890. 
He  began  practice  with  his  brother  and  continued  until  the  death  of  the  latter, 
which  occurred  April  21,  1892.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Hornellsville  Medical  and 
Surgical  Association,  the  Erie  Railway  Surgeons'  Association,  and  is  one  of  the  con- 
sulting staff  of  St.  James  Mercy  Hospital,  assistant  surgeon  for  the  47th  Sept.  Com- 
pany, N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.  He  is  also  surgeon  for  the  Erie  Railway  Company.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  since  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age,  and 
a  Knight  Templar. 

Glazier,  Mrs.  Flora  A. — Col.  Samuel  M.  Alley  was  born  in  Almond,  Allegany 
county,  April  19,  1825.  His  father  died  when  he  was  only  four  years  of  age,  and 
being  bound  out,  as  was  the  custom  of  those  days,  his  schooling  was  limited  to  a 
winter  attendance  in  the  district  schools.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  bought  his  time 
and  entered  a  country  store  as  clerk,  where  he  acquired  a  good  knowledge  of  busi- 
ness, men,  and  property.  He  came  to  Hornellsville  in  1848  and  in  company  with 
others  built  a  foundry  and  machine  shop  and  furni.shed  it  with  the  first  steam  engine 
and  first  lathe  for  turning  iron  ever  brought  to  Hornellsville.  He  was  also  for  five 
years  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  trade.  In  1853  he  transferred  his  interests  into 
lumber  and  became  a  large  shipper  of  lumber  and  grain.  In  1857  he  was  elected 
clerk  of  the  county,  and  in  1861  represented  this  district  in  the  State  Legislature. 
Col.  Alley  was  made  a  member  of  the  Central  War  Committee  and  commissioned 
colonel  by  Governor  Morgan,  and  at  the  second  call  for  troops  in  1862  raised  the  141st 
Regt.  N.  Y.  Vols,  in  twenty-one  days.  Political  difficulties  prevented  him  from 
assuming  command  of  the  regiment,  but  he  was  given  charge  of  the  Elmira  rendez- 
vous, and  was  in  command  there  until  relieved  by  his  request.  In  1864  he  trans- 
ferred his  lumber  interests  to  Michigan  and  continued  in  that  business  until  1870. 
He  was  very  active  in  endeavoring  to  build  the  Pine  Creek  Railroad  and  lost  a  large 
amount  of  money  in  the  enterprise.     In  1873  he  was  offered  the  position  of  assistant 


Family  sketched  37 

land  agent  of  the  Erie  Railroad,  and  for  eighteen  years  occupied  a  position  of  great 
trust  in  the  land  and  assessment  departments  of  the  company,  who  appreciated  his 
services,  as  his  resignation  was  repeatedly  declined.  In  1891  he  was  forced  to  give 
up  the  business,  on  account  of  failing  health.  Colonel  Alley  was  identified  with  the 
political,  business  and  social  life  of  this  community  for  over  forty  years,  and  his 
death,  which  occurred  August  i:},  1892,  was  a  severe  loss.  Successful  in  business, 
and  a  leader  in  politics,  in  all  things  he  was  honest,  outspoken,  vigorous,  and  earnest. 
If  his  frankness  sometimes  gave  offen.se,  his  earnest  adherence  to  what  he  believed 
to  be  right  compelled  the  respect  of  all,  while  his  genial  nature  always  won  him 
hosts  of  friends.  He  is  survived  by  his  widow.  Sylvia,  daughter  of  Maj.  Thomas 
Bennett;  Flora,  Mrs.  E.  C.  Glazier;  and  Frank  B. 

Goodsell,  Isaac  P.,  was  born  in  Susquehanna  county,  Pa.,  May  11,  1818,  son  of 
Isaac  and  Anna  Goodsell.  Isaac  was  a  son  of  Jacob,  who  settled  in  Hornby,  then  a 
part  of  Painted  Post,  about  1816.  Jacob's  children  were  Betsey,  Daniel  W.,  Lucena, 
Isaac,  Sally,  Samuel  P.,  Patience,  Henry  L.,  John  G.,  Truman,  Mary  and  Ira. 
Isaac's  children  were  Lewis  H.,  Huldah  Ann,  Eunice  F.,  Isaac  P.,  Hannah,  Sarah 
and  Mary  (twms),  and  Sherman  J.,  who  became  a  Baptist  minister  and  died  in  early 
life.  Isaac  P.  married  Christiana,  daughter  of  Deacon  Jacob  Woodward,  by  whom 
he  had  five  children:  Byron  W.,  Jacob  L.,  Ella  E.,  Dimis  H.,  Normah  O.  Mr.  Good- 
sell  has  been  postmaster  for  a  number  of  years,  justice  of  the  peace,  commissioner, 
and  held  other  offices.  By  trade  he  is  a  blacksmith,  but  followed  farming  until  his 
health  failed.  He  settled  in  the  village  of  Painted  Post  where  he  conducted  a  busi- 
ness in  agricultural  machinery,  hardware,  etc.,  for  a  few  years,  building  some 
houses  and  attending  to  his  farming  interests.  He  was  for  thirty  years  an  active 
member  of  the  Baptist  church,  conducting  many  Sabbath  schools  and  doing  much 
other  religious  work.  He  has  been  for  twenty-two  years  an  official  member  of  the 
M.  E.  church.  A  practical  total  abstinence  man  his  entire  life,  and  doing  work  in 
all  the  various  temperance  orders;  he  had  been  a  radical  Republican  from  the 
organization  of  the  party,  and  before  that  a  Democrat.  He  has  endeavored  to  pur- 
sue an  industrious,  temperate  and  religious  life,  and  has  secured  a  competence  for  the 
responsibilities  of  life,  9,nd  is  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  happy,  pleasant  village  home. 
The  Goodsell  family  is  of  English  descent,  having  settled  in  New  England. 

Gray,  Andrew,  was  born  in  Montgomery  county  in  1827,  and  settled  in  Steuben 
county  in  1854.  He  is  a  son  of  James  and  Mary  A.  Gray,  natives  of  Montgomery 
county,  N.  Y.,  who  settled  in  Jefferson  county,  N.  Y.,  in  May,  1835.  Mr.  Gray  died 
in  April,  1879,  aged  seventy-six  years;  and  Mrs.  Gray  in  1871,  aged  sixty-four  years. 
Andrew  married  Benjamina  D.  Taylor,  and  they  have  the  following  children  living: 
Estella  May,  Mary  G.,  and  Douglas  W.  They  have  lost  one  son  and  two  daughters: 
Alida  E.,  who  died  in  August,  1870,  in  her  seventeenth  year;  Madgie,  who  died  in 
April,  1880,  in  her  eleventh  year;  and  Frank  E.,  who  died  in  July,  1891,  aged  twenty- 
three  years. 

Goff,  Hiram  S.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  April  7,  1841,  .son  of  Pliney  and 
Lana  (Voorhees)  Goff.  He  was  one  of  nine  children:  Finla,  Sidney  C,  Morven, 
Charles  A.,  Mary,  William  S.,  Hiram  S.,  Ira  L.,  and  Luke  R.  Pliney  was  a  mason 
by  trade,  but  in  early  life  he  taught  school.     He  was  a  son  of  Russell  and  Sallie 


38  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

(Calkins)  Goff.  For  his  second  wife  Russell  married  Annie  Pixley,  by  whom  he  had 
four  children:  Henrietta,  Nannie,  Marietta,  and  Eliza.  Russell  moved  to  Youngs- 
town,  O.,  where  he  died.  He  built  a  grist  mill  in  Howard  when  he  first  settled 
there.  Hiram  S.  married  Mary  S..  a  daughter  of  Almond  and  Lola  (Monroe)  Woods- 
worth,  of  Luzerne  county.  Pa  ,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Almon  P..  Nancy  A.. 
George  S.,  Vernon  W.,  Elizabeth  F.,  and  Marion  L.  Hiram  S.  enlisted  in  Co.  K, 
107th  N.  Y.  V.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Antietam,  and  Chancellorsville, 
where  he  was  taken  prisoner  and  held  three  weeks  before  being  exchanged,  and  was 
with  Sherman  on  his  famous  march  to  the  sea. 

Gorton,  William  E.,  was  born  in  Corning  October  19,  1854,  and  was  graduated 
from  the  New  York  Homoeopathic  Medical  College  in  1877,  but  never  practiced.  He 
was  in  the  employ  of  the  Fall  Brook  Railroad  Company  as  assistant  superintendent 
for  ten  years,  and  from  1887  followed  railroad  contracting  in  the  South  for  four 
years.  He  was  also  in  the  drug  business  in  Corning  from  1887  to  1893,  and  has 
been  president  of  the  Corning  Iron  Works  since  they  were  incorporated  in  1893, 
which  works  were  founded  by  him  in  1889.  He  was  the  first  mayor  of  the  city  of 
Corning. 

Greenfield,  Charles  E.,  was  born  in  Corning  in  1846,  where  he  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated, and  January  1,  1884,  accepted  his  present  position  as  station  agent  for  the 
Fall  Brook  Railway  Company. 

Graves,  Edward  P.,  was  born  in  Corning  in  1840,  son  of  Rev.  Frederick  W. 
Graves,  a  native  of  Massachusetts.  E.  P.  Graves  was  educated  in  Corning  and  at 
Williston  Seminary.  He  was  for  a  number  of  years  with  vS.  T.  Hayt  in  the  lumber 
and  flour  business.  In  1862  he  was  mustered  in  the  service  as  lieutenant  and  quar- 
termaster of  the  107th  Regt.,  made  captain  and  A.O.M.U.S.  Vols,  in  1864,  and  brevet 
major  U.S.  Vols.,  and  was  with  the  Twelfth  and  Twentieth  Corps.  At  the  close  of 
the  war  he  was  stationed  at  Mobile  and  Montgomery,  Ala.,  and  came  home  in  April, 
1866.  In  1889  he  was  elected  county  clerk,  serving  three  years,  and  since  1893  has 
been  president  of  the  Corning  Manufacturing  Company. 

Hartrum,  William  L.,  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  December  19,  1827,  is  the  third  of 
six  children  born  to  William  and  EHzabeth  (Stryker)  Hartrum,  of  New  Jersey,  who 
came  to  Greenwood  in  1834,  where  he  died  November  19,  1874,  and  she,  August  18, 
1855.  William  L.  Hartrum  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  educated  at  Alfred,  after 
which  he  taught  school  for  about  fifteen  years,  and  was  justice  of  the  peace  twelve 
years.  In  1864  he  purchased  the  farm  of  182  acres  which  he  now  owns,  and  has 
since  been  engaged  in  farming,  keeping  about  eighteen  cows.  In  1850  he  married 
Sarah  M. .  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Pamelia  Bacus,  of  New  York  city,  by  whom  he 
had  two  children:  Melvin  J.,  cheesemaker  of  Andover,  who  was  educated  at  Alfred, 
after  which  he  taught  school;  and  Frances  E.  (also  educated  at  Alfred)  wife  of  W.  H. 
Bloss,  a  farmer  on  the  homestead. 

Howell,  Christeon  G.,  was  born  in  New  Jersey  in  1822,  aad  came  to  Corning  in 
1845,  where  he  engaged  in  the  merchant  tailor  business  until  1858.  He  spent  one 
year  in  California,  and  then  returned  and  for  four  years  was  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  flour  sacks,  after  which  he  was  in  the  grocery  business  for  nearly  three 
years,  and  for  twenty-four  years  was  engaged  in  the  oil  business,  and  in  1889  he  sold 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  39 

his  interest  to  the  .Standard  Oil  Company.  He  owns  several  of  Coming's  best  busi- 
ness blocks  and  is  considered  one  of  the  substantial  citizens.  He  married  Miss 
Josephine  L.  Walworth,  of  Vermont,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Frank  J.,  of 
New  York  city,  and  Albert  C,  of  Corning,  N.Y. 

Hoffman,  A.  H.,  of  Corning,  was  born  in  Millport,  Chemung  county,  December 
n,  1854,  son  of  Gottlieb  and  Eva  R.  (Groener)  Hofifman,  natives  of  Germany,  who 
in  about  1848  located  in  Chemung  county,  where  they  lived  and  died,  in  1880  and 
1888,  aged  sixty-six  and  seventy-three,  respectively.  Mr.  Hoffman  was  raised  in 
Chemung  county  and  followed  boating  till  1882,  when  he  moved  to  Hornby.  In  1879 
he  married  Aurelia  Pellca,  born  on  Stony  Island,  Jefferson  county,  N.  Y.,  April  3, 
1862.  He  has  175  acres  and  follows  general  farming  and  affiliates  with  the  Demo- 
cratic party. 

Hurlbut,  Myron,  was  born  in  the  old  homestead  within  twenty  rods  of  the  present 
residence,  January  8,  1825,  Christopher  Hurlbut,  the  father  of  Myron,  was  born  m 
Hanover,  Luzerne  county.  Pa.,  December  17,  1794.  His  father,  Christopher,  sr., 
brought  him  here  when  he  was  about  three  years  old,  in  1797.  He  bought  a  large 
tract  of  land,  consisting  of  1,000  acres.  Christopher  Hurlbut,  sr.,  died  in  this  place 
in  1831,  in  the  hou.se  still  standing,  built  in  1805-6.  Christopher  2d  followed  in  his 
father's  footsteps  on  the  old  homestead  farm.  Myron  was  the  oldest  of  a  family  of 
six  children,  three  now  living.  Edmund  is  at  Big  Horn,  Sheridan  county,  Wyoming, 
conducting  a  large  farm.  Lydia  is  the  wife  of  William  Loveland,  of  Kingston, 
Luzerne  county,  Pa.  Myron  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Alfred 
Academy  and  for  five  years  taught  school  in  winter  and  worked  in  summer.  He  re- 
mained on  the  old  homestead  farm  until  1870  and  has  since  been  engaged  on  differ- 
ent farms  until  1875,  when  he  located  on  a  farm  of  seventy  acres  in  the  village  of 
Arkport  He  wrote  the  life  of  Judge  Hurlbut,  contained  in  this  history.  He  was 
married  in  1869  to  Miss  Alice  Stewart,  daughter  of  John  Stewart,  a  retired  real 
estate  speculator  of  Jamaica,  Long  Island.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hurlbut  have  two  daugh- 
ters: Clara  Isabella,  a  graduate  in  the  classical  department  of  the  class  of  1895  in 
the  Buffalo  State  Normal  Scbool,  and  Sarah  Augusta  Stewart  Hurlbut,  a  student  of 
the  common  school. 

Hollenbeck,  George  A.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Campbell,  this  county,  March  27, 
1858.  Abram  Hollenbeck,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Greene,  Chenango  county. 
He  was  born  January  28,  1829,  and  came  to  Campbell  with  his  father,  J.  B.  Hollen- 
beck, who  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers,  and  where  he  lived  for  about  forty  years. 
It  was  a  partial  wilderness  at  that  time,  and  they  cleared  about  300  acres  for  farming. 
Abram  Hollenbeck  married  Mary  L.,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Mary  Velie,  by  whom 
he  had  five  children :  Ruby  A. ,  now  Mrs.  Appleby,  Lydia  M. ,  Esther  E. ,  Clarissa 
C,  and  George  A.,  who  was  educated  in  Curtis  district  school  and  Bath  Academy. 
He  is  a  farmer,  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  eighty-nine  acres.  He  married  Clara  M. 
Ford  of  the  town  of  German,  Chenango  county,  by  whom  he  had  three  children: 
Merle,  Lillian,  and  Anna  Ruby.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  in 
politics  is  a  Republican. 

Hayes,  William,  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  Steuben  county,  May  21,  1819.  Lewis 
Hayes,  bis  father,  was  a  native  of  Orange  county,  N.  Y. ,  and  came  to  Steuben  county 


40  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

when  it  was  a  wilderness,  and  cleared  a  few  acres.  He  married  a  daughter  of  'Squire 
Reynolds  of  Connecticut,  by  whom  he  had  sixteen  children.  William  Hayes  owns  a 
farm  of  174  acres,  one  of  the  best  in  the  town,  and  mostly  all  under  cultivation.  He 
married  Jane,  daughter  of  George  Shaw  of  Troupsburg,  and  his  second  wile  was 
Mrs.  Hester  A.  Talbot,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  L.  Perry,  Charles  B.,  and 
William  Fletcher.  Her  children  were  Jeddiah  F.  Talbot,  Amasa  P.,  and  Collins, 
Fletcher  Hayes  married  a  Miss  Darron,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Ethel. 

Hallock,  William  H.,  was  born  in  Bath,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  November  5,  1856; 
entered  the  bank  of  George  W.  Hallock,  which  his  father  established  in  1849,  known 
as  the  Hallock  Bank,  with  George  W.  Hallock,  president,  and  William  S.  Hubbell, 
cashier.  The  death  of  his  grandfather,  Mr.  Hubbell,  in  1873,  necessitated  a  change, 
and  William  became  associated  with  his  father  in  the  business,  acting  as  cashier. 
George  W.  Hallock  was  born  in  Fishkill,  Dutchess  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1819,  coming  to 
Bath  in  1834,  where  his  father  and  brothers  were  largely  engaged  in  lumber  and 
flouring  mills,  his  son  being  brought  up  in  the  same  Ime  of  business.  They  had  mills 
at  Poughkeepsie,  Lockport,  as  well  as  Bath,  George  managing  the  Belfast  Mills,  a 
mile  west  of  the  village,  on  the  present  Soldier's  Home  grounds;  afterwards  in  the 
days  of  the  issuance  of  State  Bank  notes  he  was  messenger  for  the  Steuben  County 
Bank,  taking  and  receiving  notes  for  redemption  and  delivery  to  Geneva  and  Elmira, 
traveling  by  stage  lines,  a  position  as  responsible  as  the  express  messenger  of  to-day 
and  far  more  hazardous.  In  1847  Mr.  Hallock  married  Mary  H.,  eldest  daughter  of 
the  Hon.  William  S.  Hubbell.  William,  their  only  child,  attended  school  at  Bath 
and  later  at  Trenton,  New  Jersey.  In  1884  he  married  Louise  M. ,  daughter  of  George 
H.  Nowlen  of  Avon ;  they  have  one  son,  William  N.  Hallock.  William,  like  his  father, 
sought  no  political  honors;  serving  two  terms  as  president  of  the  village,  a  short  time 
treasurer  of  the  Agricultural  vSociety,  which  his  father  served  in  that  capacity  for  many 
years,  but  business  elsewhere  required  their  time  and  attention  and  they  could  not  do 
justice  to  both. 

Houghton,  Amory,  jr.,  was  born  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  in  1837,  and  was  educated 
in  Cambridge  and  in  1854  began  his  business  career,  being  in  the  paint,  oil  and  var- 
nish business  in  Boston  for  three  years.  He  then  became  connected  with  the  Union 
Glass  Works  of  Somerville,  Mass.,  which  his  father  had  built  in  1853.  From  1864  to 
1868  he  was  with  the  Brooklyn  Flint  Glass  Works,  which  concern  moved  to  Corning 
in  1868,  his  father,  Amory  Houghton,  being  the  founder.  In  1871  Amory  Houghton, 
jr.,  took  the  management  of  the  business  and  purchased  it  in  1872.  In  1875  an  or- 
ganization was  effected,  with  A.  Houghton,  jr.,  president,  Charles  F.  Houghton,  (a 
brother),  vice-president,  and  H.  P.  Smclaire,  secretary,  which  remains  unchanged  to 
the  present  time.  Amory  Houghton,  the  father,  was  a  native  of  Bolton,  Mass.,  of 
old  English  stock,  and  died  in  1882.  In  1860,  A.  Houghton,  jr.,  married  Ellen  Anne 
Bigelow  of  Cambridge,  Mass.,  by  whom  he  had  five  children.  He  was  a  Garfield 
elector  at  Albany,  and  has  been  vestryman  in  Christ  church  since  1875. 

Hendee,  Clark  L.,  was  born  August  24,  1854.  Charles  Fremont  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 22,  1856,  sons  of  James  B.  Hendee,  who  was  born  in  Dansville,  but  has  resided 
in  Hartsville  for  nearly  fifty  years.  James  B.  Hendee  has  always  been  engaged  in 
farming ;  the  old  homestead,  consisting  of  two  hundred  and  five  acres,  is  now  owned 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  41 

ami  occupied  l)y  Clark  L.  and  Charles  F.  Ileudce.  James  P>.  married  Anseline, 
daughter  of  James  Curry  of  Dansville,  by  whom  he  had  twelve  children,  of  whom 
eight  are  still  living ;  three  are  living  in  Hartsville.  Clark  L.  and  Charles  F.  received 
their  education  in  the  district  schools  of  their  native  town,  but  have  since  followed 
farming.  Clark  married  Lell,  daughter  of  Albertus  Hall  of  Hartsville,  by  whom  he 
has  one  child.  Charles  F.  married  Rettie,  daughter  of  George  Wells,  a  farmer  of 
Potter,  Yates  county.  Mr.  Wells  was  one  of  the  fir.st  settlers  of  that  county.  Mr. 
Hendee  is  at  present  one  of  the  assessors  of  the  town. 

Hadley,  Henry,  was  born  in  Canisteo,  April  15,  1828,  a  descendant  of  the  old  stock 
who  settled  here  a  great  many  years  ago  and  took  up  and  cleared  large  tracts  of  land. 
Henry  Hadley  was  engaged  in  farming  and  carpentry  for  a  number  of  years.  He 
enlisted  in  1861  in  the  86th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  with  whom  he  served  two  years.  He  then 
enlisted  in  the  141st  N.  Y.  and  was  with  them  on  the  march  to  the  sea  under  Sher- 
man. He  served  with  this  regiment  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  discharged  at 
Washington  in  1865.  He  now  receives  a  pension.  He  is  a  member  of  Abraham 
Allen  Post  G.  A.  R. ,  No.  195.  He  is  not  at  present  engaged  in  any  particular'line  of 
business. 

Hutchinson,  Frank  J.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Owego,  Tioga  county,  N.  Y., 
August  13,  1852,  the  second  of  a  family  of  five  sons  and  three  daughters  of  James 
Hutchinson,  who  was  a  merchant  tailor  and  contractor  and  builder  of  Owego  for  a 
great  many  years,  now  having  retired.  Frank  w^as  educated  in  Owego  Academy, 
and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  he  went  as  an  apprentice  in  the  store  of  Hoskins  & 
Isbell,  jewelers.  After  four  years  with  them  he  spent  from  1875  to  1880  with 
Charles  P.  Starr,  of  Owego.  May  10,  1880,  he  came  to  the  city  of  Hornellsville  and 
took  charge  of  a  jewelry  store  for  William  H.  Stephens.  The  following  January  he 
formed  a  co-partnership  with  Henry  N.  Cobb,  which  firm  existed  until  June  1,  1885, 
when  Mr.  Hutchinson  sold  his  interest  to  George  Waldorf,  and  was  out  of  business 
until  September  1,  1885,  when  he  opened  a  store  in  the  Opera  House  block  and  has 
since  been  alone  in  the  business.  April  1,  1890,  he  removed  to  153  Main  street, 
where  he  has  a  store  of  twenty  feet  front  and  one  hundred  feet  in  depth.  Mr.  Hutch- 
inson is  one  of  the  most  extensive  jewelers  of  the  city,  and  is  the  leading  dealer  m 
diamonds,  watches,  sterling  silverware,  bricabrac  and  cut  glass.  He  is  also  selling 
the  Remington,  Stearns,  and  Crescent  bicycles,  which  are  considered  the  best  in  the 
market.  His  brother,  George  W.  Hutchinson,  is  a  graduate  of  the  Houseworth 
Optical  College  and  attends  to  the  eyeglass  department.  He  also  does  the  watch  re- 
pairing for  the  establishment.  F.  J.  Hutchinson  is  a  member  of  the  I.O.O.F.,  of 
which  he  is  past  noble  grand  and  is  the  present  treasurer  of  Steuben  County  Lodge. 
In  1876  he  married  Ida  Watkins,  of  Owego,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  has  four  children: 
James  Lyman,  Edith  L.,  Harry  H.,  and  Alice  Lillian.  Mr.  Hutchinson  has  one  of 
the  most  beautiful  homes  in  the  city  on  Seneca  street,  which  he  erected  in  1885,  and 
can  well  be  proud  of  it,  as  it  is  his  own  design. 

Hartshorn,  Charles  H.,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Hornellsville,  August  11,  1858.     His 

father  was  a  native  of  Madison  county,  born  in  Lebanon  and  came  to  Steuben  county 

about  1838.     He  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering  and  was  one  of  the  leading  men 

of  the  western  part  of  the  town.     He  was  a  Republican  in  politics  and  occupied  the 

f 


42  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

office  of  trustee  of  the  village,  a  member  of  the  School  Board,  and  president  of  the 
Citizens'  National  Bank  for  a  number  of  years.  He  died  August  20,  1887,  at  seventy- 
two  years  of  age.  Cordelia  Hart,  his  mother,  was  a  native  of  Saratoga  county.  She 
is  still  living,  now  in  her  seventieth  year.  Charles  H.  was  the  only  child.  He  was 
educated  in  the  city  schools  and  his  first  occupation  was  with  his  father  on  the  farm, 
and  he  is  now  conducting  a  farm  of  400  acres  one  mile  west  of  the  city,  where  he 
does  quite  extensive  gardening  and  farming,  and  for  a  number  of  years  the  principal 
source  of  supply  for  the  city  residents.  In  the  spring  of  1893  Mr.  Hartshorn  bought 
out  the  firm  of  W.  H.  Belknap  &  Co.,  dealers  in  coal  and  wood,  and  he  has  added  to 
it  the  dealing  in  agricultural  implements,  lime,  cement,  hay,  etc. ,  the  annual  output 
being  about  five  or  six  thousand  tons  per  year,  the  firm  name  being  Hartshorn  & 
Dudley.  The  output  of  coal  is  about  3,500  tons  per  year.  Mr.  Hartshorn  is  a 
partner  in  the  Hornellsville  Ice  Company,  and  is  the  president  of  the  Rural  Cemetery 
Association,  also  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Citizens'  Bank  of  Hornellsville.  He  is 
a  member  of  Arkport  Grange  No.  179.  June  10,  1885,  he  married  Laura  Belknap, 
of  this  city. 

Hinds,  O.  W.,  was  born  at  Exeter,  N.  Y. ,  August  9,  1812.  Lemuel  Hinds,  his 
father,  was  identified  through  life  in  Otsego  county  as  a  farmer,  and  married  Olivia 
Henry,  by  whom  he  had  twelve  children,  five  of  whom  are  now  living.  O.  W.,  the 
oldest  son,  married  Ruth,  daughter  of  Elijah  and  Lucy  Babcock,  and  in  1840  came 
to  Steuben  county  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Cameron,  where  he  bought  100  acres 
of  land,  of  which  he  cleared  up  seventy  acres,  and  in  1869  he  moved  to  the  village  of 
Bath.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hinds  have  four  children:  Almond,  Freeman,  Mrs.  Marietta 
Gardiner,  Mrs.  Annette  Negus.  Mr.  Hinds  is  one  of  the  representative  men  of  his 
town,  serving  as  supervisor  in  1862-63-64,  also  highway  commissioner  for  the  town 
of  Cameron. 

Hoffman,  Rev.  Edwin  S.,  was  born  at  New  Franklin,  a  village  near  Chambers- 
burg,  Franklin  county,  Pa.  His  father  died  when  he  was  a  child  between  three 
and  four  years  of  age  and  his  only  sister  when  he  was  seven,  she  being  five.  His 
childhood  and  youth  were  spent  in  Quincy,  another  village  in  the  same  county.  He 
went  into  one  of  the  village  stores,  when  thirteen,  for  a  few  weeks  or  until  the  regu- 
lar clerk,  who  was  ill,  should  return,  but  where  he  remained  for  more  than  four 
years.  His  father  having  been  a  merchant,  his  purpose  was  to  follow  the  same  busi- 
ness, and  when  fifteen  his  employer  made  a  proposition  to  him,  that,  if  he  would 
remain  with  him  until  he  was  twenty-one,  he  would  make  him  a  partner.  But  the 
death  of  his  mother  in  1876  changed  his  plans.  However,  his  experience  as  clerk 
was  an  excellent  business  training.  He  inherited  some  property  from  his  mother, 
and  in  1878  entered  the  preparatory  department  of  the  Carthage  College,  Carthage, 
111. ,  an  English  Lutheran  institution.  He  entered  the  freshman  class  of  1879,  grad- 
uating Bachelor  of  Arts  in  1883.  He  entered  college  to  prepare  for  the  study  of 
medicine,  but  during  his  junior  year  determined  to  enter  the  English  Lutheran  min- 
istry. He  taught  as  tutor  in  his  college  the  year  after  his  graduation,  also  doing 
some  study  preparatory  to  entering  the  theological  seminary.  He  entered  the 
theological  department  of  Wittenberg  College,  Springfield,  Ohio,  in  1884,  graduating 
as  Bachelor  of  Divinity  in  1885.  His  first  pastorate  was  in  Mount  Morris,  111.,  where 
h?  remained  a  year  and  a  half,   marrying  while  there.     He  then   took  a  country 


FAMILY  SKETCti^JS.  43 

charge  in  Ohio,  west  of  Toledo.  He  found  himself  out  of  sympathy  with  the  teach- 
ing and  church  government  of  the  Lutheran  denomination,  and  in  1887  he  became  a 
postulant  for  holy  orders  in  the  Episcopal  church,  under  Bishop  Bedell.  In  Septem- 
ber, 1887,  he  removed  his  family  to  Gambler,  Ohio,  where  he  was  appointed  tutor  in 
Greek  in  Kenj-on  College,  and  where  he  pursued  theological  studies  in  Bexley  Hall 
preparatory  to  his  canonical  examinations,  which  he  took  in  the  spring  of  1888.  He 
went  to  Youngstown,  Ohio,  as  assistant  minister  to  the  Rev.  Frederick  B.  Avery, 
immediately  following  the  close  of  college  in  June,  and  was  ordamed  deacon  by  the 
Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Peterkin,  of  West  Virginia,  in  August,  and  thi'ee  months  later,  No- 
vember 25,  1888,  two  days  after  his  twenty-ninth  birthday  anniversary,  he  was 
ordained  priest  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Cortlandt  Whitehead,  D.l).,  bishop  of  Pittsburg. 
March  1,  1890,  he  became  rector  of  Christ  Episcopal  church,  Hornellsville,  N.Y., 
where  he  has  remained  to  the  present  time. 

Hurlbut,  William  S.,  was  born  in  the  village  of  Arkport,  February  4,  1820.  The 
ancestry  of  this  family  dates  back  to  English  origin.  ■  Thomas  Hurlbut  was  the 
founder  of  the  family  in  this  country.  Thomas  came  to  this  country  from  England 
about  1630  and  settled  in  Connecticut.  His  successor  was  Samuel,  then  Stephen  and 
John  the  senior,  John,  junior,  who  was  the  father  of  Christopher,  the  first  of  the 
family  to  locate  in  Steuben  county.  Christopher  was  born  at  Groton,  Conn.,  May 
30,  1757.  Served  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  After  the  war  he  settled  in  Wyoming 
Valley  and  remained  there  until  1797,  when  he  located  at  Arkport  at  the  old  home- 
stead, which  is  still  in  the  hands  of  the  family.  John,  the  son  of  Christoj^her,  was 
born  in  Wyoming  Valley  October  21,  1784,  therefore  was  in  his  thirteenth  year  when 
they  came  to  this  town.  He  always  followed  farming  and  was  a  man  who  gave  his 
whole  attention  to  his  personal  interest  and  was  never  prominently  identified  with 
political  and  public  affairs.  He  was  lieutenant  in  a  military  company  and  served  on 
the  Canada  line  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  married,  September  13,  1814,  Priscilla 
Sharp,  a  daughter  of  William  Sharp,  a  native  of  Staten  Island,  who  came  here  in 
1812.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  four  sons  and  four  daughters.  Only 
two  sons  of  the  family  are  living.  William,  the  second  son,  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  of  this  town  and  has  always  followed  farming  as  the  leading  in- 
dustry of  his  life.  At  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  began  teaching  and  for  seven 
years  followed  it,  in  the  winter  season  only.  His  whole  life  has  been  spent  in  this 
town,  and  he  has  been  identified  with  its  growth  and  prosperity.  In  the  winter  of 
1893  he  was  elected  supervisor  and  re-elected  in  1894,  and  is  now  serving  his  third 
year  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  He  was  married  in  1849  to  Miss 
Susan  Cary,  daughter  of  Johnson  Cary,  of  this  village.  Of  their  six  children,  one 
died  in  infancy.  Cary  died  at  the  age  of  fourteen.  Caroline  E.  died  at  the  age  of 
eighteen,  and  Mrs.  Martha  H.  Sewell,  their  oldest  daughter,  died  May  1,  1890,  at 
thirty-five  years  of  age.  Charles  H.  Hurlbut  is  a  resident  of  New  Whatcom,  Wash- 
ington, and  is  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  in  the  law  firm  of  Harris  &  Hurlbut; 
and  Fanny  Bell  is  the  wife  of  A.  H.  Huntley,  a  farmer  of  this  town.  Mrs.  Hurlbut, 
the  beloved  wife  of  William,  was  a  woman  of  great  excellence  of  character;  she  died 
April  2,  1891,  aged  sixty-nine  years. 

Hurlbut,  John,  was  born  in  Arkport,  October  1,  1821.  He  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools.     He  remained  on  the  farm  with  his  parents  and  taught  school  win- 


44  LANDMARKS  OP  STEtJBEN  COUNTY. 

ters  from  eighteen  years  of  age  for  about  five  years.  About  1885  he  added  to  his 
farm  duties  the  dealing  in  farming  implements,  lumber,  coal,  lime  and  salt,  which 
business  is  under  the  managament  of  his  son,  William  M.  He  was  married  in  1851 
to  Miss  Mary  Major  daughter  of  Col.  Thomas  Major,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of 
this  town.  They  are  the  parents  of  three  children:  William  M.  Hurlbut,  one  of 
Arkport's  most  enterprising  men;  John  E.,  died  in  1890  at  thirty  years  of  age;  and 
Mary,  wife  of  E.  D.  Snow  of  Rutland,  Vt.  Mr.  Hurlbut  has  been  a  ruling  elder  in 
the  Presbyterian  church  of  Arkport  for  forty  years,  and  superintendent  of  its  Sun- 
day school  continuously  for  the  same  period.  He  was  the  leading  spirit  in  the 
organization  of  the  "  Hornellsville  Farmers'  Club."  Has  always  been  on  the  Board 
of  Directors  and  served  as  president  three  years. 

Hamilton,  W.  L.,  was  born  in  Campbell,  April  14,  1860.  John  D.  Hamilton,  his 
father,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Dix,  Schuyler  county,  and  came  to  the  town  of 
Campbell  in  1836.  He  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  and  in  1855  established  the  Curtis 
tanneiy.  He  sold  this  business,  and  built  a  tannery  in  Campbell  in  1857.  At  pres- 
ent the  Campbell  tannery  is  abandoned,  and  W.  L.  Hamilton  is  manager  of  the 
Curtis  tanner}^  for  the  United  States  Leather  Company,  whose  office  is  in  New  York 
city.  John  D.  Hamilton  married  Harriet  Lowell,  by  whom  he  had  two  children : 
W.  L.,  and  Sarah,  wife  of  Frank  Pope,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.  W.  L.  Hamilton  was  the 
owner  of  the  Curtis  &  Emporium  tannery  up  to  1893,  also  the  owner  of  an  acid  fac- 
tory and  lumber  interest  located  m  Pennsylvania.  He  married  Mary  E. ,  daughter 
of  C.  F.  Piatt  of  Painted  Post,  by  whom  he  had  one  daughter,  Harriet.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican. 

Hubbard,  Chauncey  G.,  M.D.,  was  born  in  Cameron,  this  county,  October  16, 
1845,  a  son  of  Chauncey  P.,  of  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  who  was  born  in  1803,  and  came  to 
Steiiben  county  in  1828.  He  died  April  10,  1804,  at  Fredonia,  N.  Y.  His  wife  sur- 
vives, in  her  eighty-ninth  year.  Of  their  nine  children  seven  survive,  of  whom 
Chauncey  G.  was  educated  in  Alfred  University  and  Corning  Academy.  In  1869  he 
commenced  the  study  of  medicine,  and  entered  the  University  of  Ann  Arbor,  Mich., 
where  he  attended  lectures  one  year,  and  in  1870  entered  the  medical  department  of 
the  University  of  the  City  of  New  York,  graduating  therefrom  in  1871.  He  was 
appointed  physician  at  Blackwell's  Island  Lunatic  Asylum,  remaining  one  year.  In 
1873  he  located  at  Hornellsville,  where  he  has  ever  since  enjoyed  an  extensive  prac- 
tice. He  was  coroner  six  years,  member  of  the  Board  of  Health  seven  years,  and 
in  1893  was  appointed  surgeon  for  the  Erie  Railroad.  He  is  a  member  of  the  New 
York  State  Medical  Association,  of  the  Steuben  County  Medical  Association,  and 
was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Hornellsville  Medical  and  Surgical  Association,  of 
which  he  was  the  first  secretary.  He  has  been  a  manager  of  the  Hornellsville  Li- 
brary for  twenty  years,  an  elder  of  the  Prsebyterian  church,  a  member  of  the  Y.  M. 
C.  A.,  and  of  various  temperance  organizations.  In  1880  he  married  Florence  N., 
daughter  of  the  late  Henry  Prentice  of  Jasper,  and  they  have  two  sons,  Chauncey 
P.  and  Harold  C.  Before  his  death,  the  father  of  our  subject,  with  his  wife,  cele- 
brated the  sixty-second  anniversary  of  their  marriage. 

Hargrave.  Prof.  James  B.,  was  born  in  Ontario  county,  N.  Y.,  March  16,  1845. 
George  Hargrave,   his  father,  was  a  native  of  England,  and  came  up  the  Hudson 


t'AMlLY  SKETCHES.  45 

River  and  settled  in  Ontario  connty,  and  in  1854  came  to  the  town  of  Cameron, 
Steuben  county,  and  settled  on  land  which  was  left  his  wife  and  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, and  died  in  1886,  aged  eighty-six  years.  He  married  Sophia  Balcomb,  by 
whom  he  had  eleven  children — nine  of  whom  are  living.  Professor  Hargrave's  pre- 
liminary education  was  obtained  at  Woodhull  Academy,  and  in  1868  he  was  chosen 
from  that  institution  to  go  to  Bath,  Steuben  county,  for  examination  for  the  State 
scholarship,  and  in  September  of  that  year  was  appointed,  and  entered  Cornell  Uni- 
versity, where  he  remained  until  1872,  being  the  first  one  from  Steuben  county.  He 
has  been  a  teacher  most  of  his  life,  and  in  1875  he  entered  the  law  department  of 
Union  University  at  Albany,  and  in  1876  graduated  and  taught  one  year,  and  in 

1877  came  to  Canisteo,  were  the  law  firm  of  Sole  &  Hargrave  was  formed.  He 
however  was  induced  to  take  charge  of  the  school  in  that  village,  where  he  has  re- 
mained most  of  his  time  since,  and  at  present  is  principal  of  the  same  school.     In 

1878  he  married  a  teacher  in  the  same  school,  Mary  A.  Forrest  of  Livingston  county, 
who  died  May  2,  1894.  They  have  one  adopted  son  Edward  W.  Hargrave.  Mr. 
Hargrave  was  candidate  for  member  of  assembly  in  1892.  Mrs.  Hargrave  received 
the  largest  number  of  votes  cast  for  the  free  ticket,  offered  by  the  New  York  Press, 
to  the  World's  Fair.  Mr.  Hargrave  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and 
the  Encampment. 

Hicks,  Alfred  E.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Litchfield,  Bradford  county.  Pa.,  March 
25,  1849,  the  second  son  of  Alfred  Hicks,  who  is  a  now  a  resident  of  Osage,  Iowa. 
He  remained  with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  secured  an 
education  in  the  common  schools.  From  sixteen  till  twenty  years  of  age  he  followed 
carpenter  work,  and  in  1869  he  went  prospecting  through  Iowa  returning  in  the  fall 
of  1870.  The  spring  of  1871  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Erie  Railroad  Company; 
starting  as  a  brakeman  in  1876,  he  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  conductor,  which 
position  he  occupied  for  twelve  years,  running  on  the  Susquehanna  Division.  Dur- 
ing this  time  he  was  visited  by  the  smaller  accidents  and  ups  and  downs  of  all  railroad 
men.  From  June,  1871,  until  August,  1889,  he  never  lost  a  day's  work  by  .suspen- 
sion or  discharge.  The  spring  of  1890  he  went  to  work  for  the  Pullman  Company 
as  conductor,  which  position  he  resigned  in  July  of  the  .same  year.  May,  1890,  he 
bought  a  half  interest  in  the  Ford  &  Kingkade  Coal  yard  on  River  street^  and  in 
July  bought  Mr.  Kingkade's  interest  and  has  since  been  the  proprietor  of  this  busi- 
ness. He' was  married  in  1878  to  Miss  Franc  Ferry.  They  have  three  children, 
Charles,  employed  at  the  Fabric  Globe  Works;  Harry,  employed  as  cutter  in  the 
Perry  Knitting  Mills,  Perry,  N.  Y. :  and  Fred  G.  is  a  student  in  Columbia  School. 

Harden,  T.  E. — One  of  the  material  landmarks  of  Addison  village  is  the  old  Amer- 
ican Hotel,  erected  by  James  Van  Vleck,  almost  half  a  century  ago,  and  to-day  the 
leading  hotel  of  the  place.  Its  present  proprietor,  T.  E.  Harden,  purchased  it  in  1877. 
It  was  then  somewhat  dilapidated,  morally  and  materially,  but  has  been  completely 
renovated  and  rehabilitated  by  the  genial  host  and  his  accomplished  wife,  forming 
a  rendezvous  for  Addison's  best  people,  and  for  the  stranger  within  their  gates.  Mr. 
Harden's  experience  as  a  traveling  salesman  for  ten  years,  and  as  clerk  of  the  Globe 
Hotel  at  Syracuse,  well  fitted  him  for  the  position  he  now  fills.  He  was  born  at 
Sandy  Hill,  N.  Y.,  in  1842,  the  son  of  Abner  Harden,  a  farmer  whose  death  in  1854 
threw  him  upon  his  own  resources  at  the  age  of  twelve  years,  and  his  success  may 


46  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTt. 

justly  be  ascribed  to  inherent  ability.  In  1866  he  married  Minnie  M.,  daughter  of 
U.  G.  Bennett,  the  Rushford  miller,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  A.  G.  Harden,  born  in 
1869,  and  who  is  now  located  at  Ontonagon,  Mich.,  associated  with  the  Diamond 
Match  Company  as  inspector.  Mr.  Harden  is  personally  very  popular  in  Addison 
and  elsewhere.  He  is  one  of  the  supporters  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  of  which  his 
wife  and  son  are  members.  Among  the  Masonic  fraternity  he  ranks  high,  having 
climbed  the  ladder  from  Blue  Lodge  to  Consistory,  and  is  a  noble  of  the  Mystic  Shrine 
of  the  Damascus  Temple  of  Rochester. 

Hinman,  John,  was  born  in  Schuyler  county,  in  1837,  son  of  Guy  C.  Hinman,  who 
was  a  prominent  farmer  and  politician.  In  1831  he  married  Phebe  Sherwood,  of 
Fairfield,  Conn.,  and  they  have  been  the  parents  of  six  children.  In  politics  he  was 
a  Democrat,  and  was  one  of  the  three  commissioners  to  form  the  county,  and  has 
been  county  superintendent  of  the  poor.  He  died  in  1874,  aged  sixty-eight  years. 
John  Hinman  left  home  when  but  nineteen  years  of  age,  going  to  Minnesota,  where 
he  taught  school  for  about  two  years.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  late  war  he  was  a  law 
student  at  Wellsboro,  and  promptly  enlisted  at  the  first  call  in  the  6th  Pennsylvania 
Reserve  Corps,  where  he  soon  received  thecommission  of  first  lieutenant.  His  health 
was  greatly  impaired  while  m  the  service.  Until  1874  he  was  associated  with  the 
Fall  Brook  Coal  Company  as  bookkeeper  and  paymaster  attheir  mines,  at  which  date 
he  removed  to  Raleigh,  N.  C,  where  he  spent  six  years  as  a  real  estate  factor.  In 
1880  he  came  to  Addison  and  in  1894  received  his  appointment  as  postmaster.  In 
1865  he  married  Ada  S.  Gibson,  of  Wellsboro,  and  six  children  have  been  born  to 
them,  Guy  O.  Hinman  being  deputy  postmaster. 

Hayt,  Hon.  Stephen  T.,  son  of  Dr.  John  C.  Hayt,  was  born  in  Patterson,  Putnam 
county,  N.  Y.,  June  25,  1833.  In  1833  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Corning,  and  has 
since  resided  here,  being  extensively  engaged  in  mercantile  and  lumbering  interests, 
and  since  1869  has  been  in  the  milling  business,  being  owner  of  the  Southern  Tier 
Mills  having  a  capacity  of  175  barrels  per  day.  He  has  filled  various  town  and  county 
offices,  and  in  1863  and  1865  was  elected  to  the  Senate.  From  1866  he  served  three 
years  as  canal  commissioner,  and  was  a  delegate  to  the  National  Republican  Conven- 
tions that  nominated  Lincoln,  Grant,  Blaine  and  Harrison. 

Hill,  Henry  Franklin,  was  born  in  Geneseo,  Livingston  county,  N.  Y.,  March  17, 
1846,  moved  to  Corning  in  1860,  and  settled  in  this  town  in  1866.  He  is  the  son  of 
Henry  F.  and  Clarissa  Lindsley  Hill,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  seven  children 
beside  him:  Henrietta  (deceased);  Sarah  (deceased),  Harriet,  W.  Harlow,  Arthur  A. 
(deceased),  Elizabeth  (deceased),  and  Charles  P.  Henry  F.  married  Ada,  daughter 
of  William  and  Georgianna  Burr,  residents  of  this  county.  They  have  one  daughter, 
Doris,  and  one  adopted  daughter,  Ella  May.  Mr.  Hill  is  a  successful  merchant  of 
Lindley. 

Hitchcock,  George,  was  born  in  Morris,  Otsego  county,  in  1832.  He  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  county,  and  in  1854  came  to  Bath  where  he  was 
engaged  in  the  hardware  trade.  In  1859  he  came  to  Corning  and  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile business,  which  he  followed  for  eleven  years.  He  was  president  of  the  village 
in  1869,  and  has  held  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  since  1873,  and  was  police  jus- 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  47 

tice  from   1872  until  the  adojjtion  of  the  city  charter,  and  has  been  connected  with  the 
Board  of  Education  as  trustee  and  secretary  of  the  board  from  1868  to  the  preset  time. 

Joy,  Lewis  B.,  was  born  in  BuiTalo,  N.  Y.,  November  28,  1833.  Walter  Joy,  his 
father,  who  moved  to  Buffalo  in  1825  and  was  prominently  identified  with  the  growth 
of  that  city,  was  a  native  of  Onondaga  county,  and  it  was  his  grandfather.  Captain 
Thaddeus  Joy,  who  built  and  conducted  the  first  canal  boat  through  the  Erie  canal , 
his  son,  Walter,  succeeding  in  canal  and  lake  transiiortation.  Lewis  B.  was  educated 
in  Buffalo,  and  in  1858  erected  the  first  oil  refinery  in  that  city,  being  associated  with 
William  T.  Wardwell,  now  treasurer  of  the  Standard  Oil  Company.  The  firm  after- 
ward engaged  in  the  same  business  in  New  York,  disposing  of  their  plant  to  the 
Standard  Oil  Company  in  1864,  when  Mr.  Joy  returned  to  Buffalo,  engaging  in  the 
steamboat  and  railroad  transportation  business  until  1880,  when  he  came  to  Bath 
and  purchased  the  Steuben  mills.  In  1874  he  married  Caroline,  daughter  of  William 
H.  Bull,  by  whom  he  had  one  daughter,  Mary;  Walter,  Mrs.  Jennie  Meeker  and 
Kate  P. ,  are  children  by  a  first  marriage.  Mr.  Joy  is  one  of  the  representative  busi- 
ness men  of  this  county,  identified  in  advancing  its  best  interests  and  in  the  leading 
events  of  the  day. 

Jimerson,  Hibbert  T.,  is  a  native  of  Orange,  Schuyler  county,  formerly  Bradford, 
Steuben  county,  born  in  1847,  son  of  Abram  and  Sally  Ann  Rolfe  Jimerson.  The 
parents  lived  and  died  in  Schuyler  county,  and  Mr.  Jimer.son  was  raised  on  a  farm, 
and  in  1871  married  Bertha  Hendrick  and  located  on  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  eighty  acres.  He  follows  general  farming,  dairying,  and  sheep  husbandry.  He 
was  highway  commissioner  in  1889. 

Jewett,  Amos,  was  born  where  he  resides  in  Hornby,  in  1833,  son  of  Thomas  and 
Sylvia  Haradon  Jewett,  natives  of  Vermont  and  Massachusetts.  The  father  came 
to  Steuben  county  m  1818  locating  first  within  the  present  limits  of  the  town  of 
Campbell,  moving  two  years  later  to  Hornby  and  on  Mr.  Jewett' s  farm  about  1820. 
The  mother  came  with  her  parents  about  1822 ;  they  died  in  1873  and  1877  aged 
seventy-nine  and  seventy-seven,  respectively.  Mr.  Jewett  is  one  of  a  family  of 
seven  children,  six  of  whom  were  raised  to  maturity.  In  1863  he  went  to  the  Pacific 
coast,  prospecting  and  mining  there  till  1867,  when  he  returned  home  and  spent 
about  four  years  here.  He  then  .spent  a  couple  of  years  traveling  through  the  South 
and  then  located  permanently.  In  1868  he  married  Sarah  L.,  daughter  of  Rufus 
Piatt,  a  native  of  the  town  of  Campbell.  They  have  three  children:  Lizzie,  Laura 
L.,  and  Thomas  P.  He  has  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land,  it  being  a  part  of 
the  old  homestead.  He  was  the  candidate  of  his  party  for  the  State  Legislature  in 
1890;  was  president  of  the  Steuben  County  Agricultural  Society  in  1890  and  1891- 
has  represented  his  county  in  some  half  dozen  political  and  agricultural  State  Con- 
ventions, and  has  held  various  other  positions  of  honor  and  trust. 

Kimball,  William  A.,  was  born  at  Methuen,  Mass.,  July  28,  1827.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools  and  remained  with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  eight- 
een years  of  age.  In  1843  he  engaged  in  railroading  for  eleven  months  on  the  track 
of  the  Boston  and  Maine  Railroad,  and  then  engaged  as  fireman,  a  position  which 
he  occupied  only  twenty-two  months.  In  the  sjjring  of  1849  he  was  made  engineer 
of  the  Great  Falls  and  Steamboat  train  running  from  Bangor  to  Boston,  and  re- 


48  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

mained  with  that  company  till  January  1,  1851.  January  15  of  the  same  year  he 
came  to  Hornellsville  on  a  prospecting  tour  of  the  Erie  Railroad.  He  was  given  a 
position  as  engineer  with  the  company,,  and  returning,  sold  his  Massachusetts  prop- 
erty and  brought  his  family  to  this  city.  He  took  the  first  train  out  of  Hornellsville 
February  6,  1851,  on  the  Western  Division,  and  continued  until  May  14,  and  May 
15  he  run  one  of  the  first  trains  over  the  Dunkirk  Division,  with  such  passengers  as 
President  Fillmore,  Daniel  Webster  and  Homer  Ramsdell,  then  president  of  the 
railroad.  He  continued  as  engineer  with  this  company  until  July  1,  1863,  when  he 
was  promoted  to  passenger  conductor,  which  position  he  held  until  January  7,  1888. 
He  was  engineer  of  the  train  that  hauled  the  iron  and  woodwork  for  the  first  bridge 
at  Portage.  He  has  been  employed  under  thirteen  different  superintendents  of  the 
Western  Division.  The  second  day  that  train  No.  3  was  put  on  the  road,  May  2J, 
1851,  a  switchman  threw  the  switch  under  his  train  at  Allegany  station,  and  Mr. 
Kimball  and  his  fireman  received  slight  injuries.  He  has  a  most  remarkable  record 
of  keeping  clear  of  accidents  and  never  had  a  letter  of  reprimand,  but  many  congrat- 
ulatory and  complimentary  letters.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  old  United 
States  Insurance  of  railway  conductors  in  Boston.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity  since  1864,  and  a  Knight  Templar  since  1869.  In  1848  he  married 
Nancy  A.  Morrill  of  Wilmington,  Mass.,  and  they  have  two  sons,  William  Frank, 
now  running  a  locomotive  on  the  Dunkirk,  Allegany  &  Pittsburg  Railroad,  and 
George  L.,  now  employed  in  the  Erie  Railroad  shops  in  this  city. 

Klock,  James  N.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Manheim,  Herkimer  county,  N.  Y., 
March  2,  1840.  Peter  A.  Klock,  his  father,  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1866,  and  set- 
tled at  Coss'  Corners.  He  married  Catharine,  daughter  of  Peter  Woolever,  and  was 
identified  through  life  as  a  farmer,  and  died  in  1874,  aged  seventy-one  years.  James 
N.  was  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  has  made  a  study  of  the  weather  and 
its  changes  since  1859,  and  since  1890  he  has  been  giving  special  attention  to  the 
science  of  Electro-Planetary-]\Ieteorology.  The  basis  of  his  theory  is  in  the  position 
of  the  inferior  and  superior  planets  relatively  to  the  earth  and  its  satellite  and  the 
sun,  of  which  there  are  over  260  different  positions  taken  into  consideration.  At  the 
present  time  he  is  able  to  make  an  accurate  forecast  of  the  coming  changes  of  the 
weather.  In  1860  he  married  Irena,  daughter  of  John  Strough,  by  whom  he  had 
four  children:  John  P.,  N.  Juliati,  Melvin  L.,  and  Mrs.  Olive  C.  Conine. 

Koyle,  Frank  H.,  M.D.,  CM.,  L.  R.  C.  P.  &  S.,  M.  C.  P.  &  S.,  was  born  in  Athens, 
Ontario,  Canada,  April  6,  1864,  a  son  of  Hon.  Turner  Koyle,  inspector  of  public 
works  of  Ontario.  The  grandfather  Koyle  was  a  physician  and  a  judge,  a  soldier 
and  an  officer  of  the  Continental  army  in  the  war  of  1812.  The  maternal  ancestry 
is  Scotch,  the  name  being  Purvis.  The  great-grandfather  was  aid-de-camp  to  Sir 
Isaac  Brook,  commander  of  the  king's  forces  in  Canada.  On  his  death  the  grand- 
father of  our  subject  was  adopted  by  Lord  Simcoe,  governor-general  of  Canada,  and 
lived  with  him  until  he  was  of  age,  and  until  Simcoe  left  for  England.  At  this  time 
hs  owned  abont  one-half  of  what  is  now  the  city  of  Toronto.  He  died  in  1891.  The 
father  of  our  subject  died  January  29,  1895,  Frank  H.  was  educated  in  Athens, 
Cobourg  Collegiate  Institute,  Brockville  Collegiate  Institute,  then  spent  two  years  in 
the  art  course  in  Queen's  University,  Canada,  where  he  took  up  the  study  of  medi- 
cine in  1884,  graduating  with  honors  in  1888,     He  began  practice  in  Lowell,  where 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  49 

he  was  engaged  in  active  work  for  five  years,  then  sjient  three  years  in  New  York 
city,  practicing  in  three  of  the  leading  eye  and  ear  hospitals,  and  taking  private  in- 
struction with  Prof.  Herman  Knapp,  and  with  Prof.  E.  H.  Dench,  also  with  Profess- 
ors Myles  and  Delevan,  on  the  nose  and  throat.  January  1,  1895,  he  located  at  Hor- 
nellsville.     Ur.  Koyle  is  a  Mason  and  a  K.  of  P. 

Kelly,  Dr.  John  G.,  was  born  in  Bergen,  Genesee  county,  N.Y.,  February  1^5,  1857, 
the  third  .son  of  a  family  of  seven  children  of  James  Kelly,  a  farmer  and  stock 
breeder  of  Genesee  county.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  school,  Bergen  High 
School,  and  Brockport  State  Normal  School,  where  he  taught  school  two  terms  in 
the  academic  department.  He  took  up  the  study  of  medicine  in  the  fall  of  1881,  en- 
tering the  medical  department  of  the  university  from  the  Normal  School,  and  grad- 
uating from  that  institution  February  27,  1884.  He  was  interne  in  the  Sisters'  Hos- 
pital of  Buiifalo  the  last  two  years  of  his  school  attendance,  and  in  April,  1884,  came 
to  Hornellsville,  where  he  has  ever  since  been  engaged  in  regular  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession, and  has  won  the  highest  esteem  and  respect  of  his  numerous  friends  and 
acquaintances.  In  1888  he  became  identified  with  the  drug  firm  of  George  T.  Reed 
&  Co.,  now  composed  of  G.  T.  Reed,  Franklin  D.  Sherwood,  and  Dr.  J.  G.  Kelly. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Hornellsville  Medical  and  Surgical  Association,  and  the  New 
York  State  Railway  Surgeons'  Association.  He  is  the  chancellor  of  Branch  38, 
C.M.B.A.,  and  ex-president  of  the  A.O.H.,  and  was  a  delegate  to  the  State  conven- 
tion in  1894.  June  1,  1887,  he  married  Theresa  Henneberg,  of  Port  Jervis,  N.  Y.,  by 
whom  he  has  five  children.  In  politics  the  doctor  is  a  Democrat,  and  represented  the 
Third  ward  in  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  in  1891-92;  was  health  officer  in  1886-87.  He 
is  chairman  of  the  Democratic  City  Committee  at  the  present  time.  He  has  been 
president  of  the  St.  James  Mercy  Hospital  stafl:  of  physicians  since  its  organization; 
also  he  is  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  hospital. 

Kennedy,  John  S.,  was  born  at  Corning,  N.Y.,  in  1868,  son  of  Thomas  Kenned v, 
who  has  charge  of  the  Fall  Brook  freight  house  as  foreman.  He  was  educated  at 
Corning  Free  Academy,  graduating  in  1885.  Mi-.  Kennedy  began  work  in  the  Fall 
Brook  offices  in  1885,  and  since  1881  has  been  claim  clerk  in  the  auditing  department, 
and  was  city  clerk  of  the  city  of  Corning  in  1893-93.  In  1894  he  was  elected  super- 
visor as  a  Republican  in  a  strong  Democratic  district.  He  has  been  city  member  of 
the  Republican  County  Committee  for  the  past  two  years,  and  in  1893  was  a  candi- 
date for  the  Assembly  nomination  in  the  Second  Steuben  District.  He  has  for  six 
years  been  the  Corning  correspondent  of  the  Elmira  Daily  Advertiser,  having  charge 
of  the  Crj'stal  City  news  department. 

Lewis,  Truman  W.,  was  born  in  LTlysses,  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y.,  December  3, 
1819,  and  is  the  fifth  of  thirteen  children  born  to  Abram  and  Hannah  (Frink)  Lewis, 
both  natives  of  Stonington,  Conn.,  who  came  to  Cortland  count}-,  N.Y.,  about  1813, 
being  pioneers  of  the  town  of  Salem.  In  1832  they  came  to  Troupsburg,  where  he 
died  in  1857,  and  she  in  1881.  He  was  a  hatter  by  trade,  but  followed  farming  most 
of  his  life,  and  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  His  grandfather,  Nehemiah  Lewis, 
was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  settled  in  Petersboro,  where  he  died.  In  old  age 
he  drew  a  pension  for  services  rendered  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  The  Frink 
family  were  also  natives  of  Connecticut,  and  settled  in  Cortland  county,  where  they 


50  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

followed  farming.  Truman  W.  Lewis  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  has  also  followed 
farming.  In  1832  he  came  to  Troupsburg,  where  he  still  resides.  In  1890  he  sold 
the  farm  to  his  son  Silas  and  retired,  but  still  lives  on  the  farm.  In  1844  he  married 
Sarah,  daughter  of  Joshua  and  Elizabeth  (Pease)  Sluyter,  early  settlers  of  the  neigh- 
borhood called  Sluyterville.  Mr.  Sluyter  was  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  place, 
and  was  supervisor  and  justice  of  the  peace  for  many  years.  He  built  a  foundry  and 
carding  mill  and  was  an  active  business  man.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lewis  have  been 
born  these  children :  Francis,  born  September  25,  1858,  and  died  June  6,  1859;  Mabel, 
born  December  26,  1862,  and  died  February  22,  1875;  Helen  M.,  born  October  29, 
1846,  wife  of  William  Rutherford,  a  farmer  of  Potter  county,  Pa. :  Emma,  born 
March  1,  1848,  wife  of  Horton  Wood,  a  farmer  of  Brookfield,  Pa.  ;  John,  born  March 

10,  1850,  a  farmer  of  West  Union;  Charles;  born  March  12,  1853,  a  farmer  of  West 
Union ;  Silas,  born  October  3,  1860,  and  Alonzo,  born  December  6,  1862,  farmers  of 
Troupsburg,  Mrs.  Lewis  died  in  1893.  Mr.  Lewis  has  been  assessor  six  years,  and 
in  1863  he  enhsted  in  Co.  A,  184th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  was  honorably  discharged  June 
30,  1865.  He  was  at  Fisher's  Hill,  Cross  Keys,  Cedar  Creek,  and  at  the  siege  in 
front  of  Petersburg. 

Leavitt,  Major  S.  H.,  was  born  in  Jersey  Shore,  Lycoming  county,  Pa.,  February 

11,  1840.  Henry  C.  Leavitt,  his  father,  has  been  identified  with  the  city  of  Elmira, 
and  married  Catharine,  daughter  of  Russell  Thompson,  one  of  the  leading  famihes, 
when  that  city  was  known  as  Newtown.  He  died  there  in  1878.  S.  H.  Leavitt  re- 
ceived a  common  school  education  at  the  old  academy  in  Elmira;  at  the  breaking  out 
of  the  rebellion  he  enlisted  as  a  private,  November  23,  1861,  in  the  86th  N.  Y.  Inf., 
Steuben  Rangers,  and  was  at  once  made  quartermaster-sergeant,  and  after  the 
second  battle  of  Bull  Run,  exchanged  positions  for  that  of  orderly  sergeant  of  Co.  C, 
at  the  request  of  Capt.  J.  H.  Lansing,  afterwards  brigadier-general.  At  the  battle 
of  Chancellorsville,  Va..  May  1,  2,  and  3,  1863,  for  gallantry,  was  promoted  to  second 
lieutenant.  He  was  engaged  in  the  following  battles:  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  Decem- 
ber 14,  1862;  Chancellorsville,  May  1,  2,  and  3,  1863;  Beverly  Ford,  June  9,  1863; 
Gettysburg,  Pa.,  July  2  and  3,  1863;  Wapping  Heights,  July  23,  1863.  In  August, 
1863,  was  put  on  detached  service  and  sent  to  Elmira,  where  he  remained  for  several 
months,  taking  charge  of  small  detachments  of  recruits  to  the  different  departments 
in  the  field.  He  returned  to  his  regiment  .in  February,  1864,  and  took  part  in  the 
Wilderness  campaign,  and  participated  in  the  following  battles:  Wilderness,  May  5 
and  6,  1864;  Po  River,  May  10,  1864;  Spottsylvania,  May  12-18,  1864;  Ander.son 
Farm,  May  19,  1864;  North  Anna  River,  May  23  and  24,  1864;  Tolopotomy  Creek, 
June  4  and  5,  1864;  Cold  Harbor,  June  6-12,  1864;  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  16,  1864; 
continually  engaged  during  the  siege  and  charge  on  works  at  Petersburg,  June  19, 
1864;  Jones  House,  Va.,  June  22,  1864;  Deep  Bottom,  July  27  and  August  8,  1864; 
Hatchers  Run,  October  27,  1864,  and  March  25,  1865;  Five  Forks,  April  1,  1865; 
AmeUa  Springs,  April  6,  1865;  Near  Farinville,  April  7,  1865,  and  at  Gen.  R.  L.  Lee's 
surrender  at  Appomattox,  C.  H.,Va.,  April  9,  1865.  Was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant 
July  19,  1864;  captain,  September  27,  1864;  major,  February  1,  1865.  Was  A.D.C. 
on  the  staff  of  General  De  Trobriand,  and  carried  the  order  of  General  Lee's  sur- 
render to  regimental  commanders  in  the  brigade.  In  1868  he  married  Miss  Jennette 
Ramsdell.  daughter  of  George  F.  Ramsdell,  of  Livonia,  Livingston  county,  N.  Y. 


K\MILY  SKETCHES.  61 

He  was  appointed  adjutant  of  the  N.  Y.  S.  S.  and  S.    Home  in  August,  1887,   which 
position  he  now  holds. 

Lyon,  Reuben  R.,  was  born  in  Bath,  March  2,  1857.  James  Lyon,  his  father,  was 
also  born  in  Bath.  His  grandfather,  Moses  H.  Lyon,  was  a  native  of  Lyons  Farms, 
New  Jersey,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Bath  in  181L  He  was  a  manufacturer  of  har- 
ness, etc.,  and  engaged  in  dealing  in  real  estate.  The  family  settled  in  Prattsburg 
in  1790,  and  were  of  English  descent.  Moses  H.  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  David 
Benton.  James  Lyon  married  Harriet,  daughter  of  Reuben  Robie,  and  has  been 
identified  as  a  farmer  and  dealer  in  real  estate.  Reuben  R.  was  educated  at  Haver- 
ling  Union  School,  and  graduated  from  Hamilton  College  in  1879,  and  also  from  the 
Law  School  in  1880,  and  then  entered  the  law  office  of  Elihu  Root  and  Willard  Bart- 
lett.  In  1882  he  came  to  Bath  and  began  his  present  practice,  in  1886  was  appointed 
loan  commissioner  of  Steuben  county  and  re-appointed  in  1890.  In  1885  he  married 
Emma  L.,  daughter  of  Hon.  William  Kemp  of  Troy,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  two 
children,  William  K.  and  Harriet. 

Looniis,  Frederick  H.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  New  Hudson,  Allegany  county, 
N.  Y.,  February  1,  1843.  Reuben  H.  Loomis,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Tompkins 
county,  and  moved  to  the  western  part  of  the  State  over  sixty-five  years  ago,  locat- 
ing m  New  Hudson,  where  he  spent  the  greater  portion  of  his  life.  He  died  Sep- 
tember 16,  1864,  at  fifty-four  years  of  age.  He  was  town  clerk  for  New  Hudson  for 
twenty-four  years.  He  was  prominently  identified  with  the  Presbyterian  church. 
His  mother,  Lj^dia  M.  Littlejohn,  was  a  native  of  Herkimer  county ;  she  died  Au- 
gust 22,  1880;  they  had  five  children,  three  now  living.  Fred  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  and  at  Rushford  Academy,  and  his  first  employment  was  as  a  clerk 
in  a  dry  goods  store  in  Cuba  at  the  age  of  eighteen.  He,  four  years  later,  engaged 
in  the  hardware  store  of  H.  A.  Mead,  where  he  spent  six  years.  In  1874  he  removed 
to  Hornellsville,  being  offered  a  position  in  a  grocery  house  there,  but  the  house  not 
being  able  to  pay  the  wages  he  could  demand,  he  opened  a  grocery  at  the  corner  of 
Elm  and  Broad  streets.  Three  years  later  he  removed  to  No.  20  Canisteo  street, 
where  he  was  engaged  until  October,  1892,  when  his  health  failed  him  and  he  was 
obliged  to  retire,  and  sold  his  business  to  O.  W.  Dunham.  Mr.  Loomis  is  a  member 
of  the  Knights  of  the  Maccabees.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  a 
trustee  for  over  four  years.  He  was  married  February  22,  1867,  to  Miss  Susie  A. 
Neff,  the  daughter  of  the  late  Joseph  E.  Neff,  the  well  known  landlord  of  the  St.  ■ 
James  Hotel  of  Cuba,  who  died  May  3,  1892.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Loomis  have  two 
children. 

Lyon,  I.  Edward,  was  born  in  York,  Livingston  county,  N.  Y.,  December  5,  1859. 
Ira  G.  Lyon,  his  father,  was  also  born  in  Livingston  county.  He  was  a  farmer,  and 
married  Henrietta  P.,  daughter  of  William  Powders,  by  whom  he  had  four  children : 
C.  P.  Lyon,  manager  of  machine  works  in  Rochester ;  W.  P.  Lyon,  salesman ;  How- 
erd,  who  is  a  professor  in  the  Oneonta  State  Normal  School;  and  I.  Edward  Lyon, 
who  was  a  teacher  for  a  number  of  years,  and  for  four  years  principal  of  the  public 
school  at  Canisteo,  and  for  seven  years  traveled  as  a  salesman,  handling  a  line  of 
school  text  books.  He  was  educated  at  the  Geneseo  State  Normal  School,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1881.     He  married  Lyra  Langley,  July  15,  1885,  who  died  in 


52  LANDMARKS  OP  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

April,  1892,  and  for  his  second  wife  he  married  Annie  W.  Campbell,  of  Cohoes, 
N.  Y.  Mr.  L3^on  is  now  a  dealer  m  coal,  wood,  hay,  etc.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
the  board  of  village  trustees,  and  also  Board  of  Education.  He  is  a  member  of 
Morning  Star  Lodge,  No.  65,  also  of  Mountain  Lodge  of  the  L  O.  O.  F.  No.  503. 

Lane,  Dr.  George  W. .  was  born  in  Schuyler  county,  in  1858,  and  graduated  from 
Buffalo  University  in  1886,  and  since  1888  has  practiced  medicine  at  Corning.  When 
locating  here  he  also  established  himself  in  the  drug  trade,  but  sold  this  interest  in 
1895.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Steuben  county  Medical  Society  and  Corning  Academy 
of  Medicine.  He  has  several  times  been  on  the  Board  of  Education,  and  was  elected 
alderman  in  1894. 

Mead,  Charles  H.,  was  born  in  Canisteo,  December  28,  1867,  son  of  William  H., 
who  was  born  in  Dutchess  county.  William  H.  Mead  was  a  farmer  and  came  to  Can- 
isteo and  bought  what  is  known  as  the  Allison  Flats.  He  married  Dorlesca  Whit- 
wood,  of  Truxton,  Cortland  county.  She  now  lives  with  Charles  H.  Charles  H. 
Mead  has  conducted  one  of  the  leading  groceries  in  the  village  for  five  years,  carry- 
ing a  full  line  of  goods.  He  was  educated  at  the  Canisteo  Academy  and  graduated 
from  Warner's  Business  College  in  1890.  Mr.  Mead  is  a  member  of  Morning  Star 
Lodge  of  Masons,  No.  65. 

Mason,  Phineas  P.,  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives,  November  5.  1854, 
son  of  Enoch  L.  and  Mary  A.  (Richmond)  Mason.  Enoch  was  one  of  four  children 
born  to  Elias  and  Abigail  Mason.  Elias  Mason  was  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  the 
first  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Cameron,  which  ofitice  he  held  for  a  number  of  years. 
Squire  Mason  settled  here  in  the  year  1813,  and  was  a  very  active  worker  in  the  M. 
E.  Church.  Enoch  had  two  children:  Orlim  J.,  deceased,  and  Phineas  P.  Orlim  J. 
married  Margaret  McChesney,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Edward  P.,  Mary  R. 
wife  of  Clayton  McAdam,  and  Grace.  He  was  also  justice  of  the  peace.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  town  and  county  Grange  and  was  master  of  the  lodge  for  a  number  of 
years.  Phineas  P.  married  Mary  E. ,  a  daughter  of  Charles  and  Sarah  (Johnson)  Roosa, 
natives  of  this  town.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mason  have  one  child,  Leila  B.,  wife  of  Thomas 
R.  Campbell.  Mr.  Mason  is  assessor  of  the  town  at  the  present  time.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  town  and  county  Grange  and  has  been  its  secretary  for  a  number  of 
years,  and  was  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Patrons  Fire  Relief  Association  of  Steuben 
and  Livingston  counties  for  three  years. 

McCullough,  Ralph,  was  born  in  Norwich,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  December  21, 
1824,  and  is  the  fifth  of  ten  children  born  to  Alexander  and  Abigail  (Skinner)  Mc- 
Cullough, natives  of  Norwich.  James  McCullough  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in 
Norwich,  where  he  took  up  200  acres  of  land  and  purchased  100  more.  He  was 
justice  of  the  peace  in  the  town  of  Preston  for  many  years,  and  was  four  years  in 
the  Revolutionary  war,  and  was  the  oldest  son  of  James  McCullough.  Alexander 
McCullough  came  to  Addison,  Steuben  county,  about  1830,  where  he  purchased  land 
and  engaged  in  lumbering,  and  in  1832  was  drowned  in  the  mill  pond  while  floating 
logs.  Mrs.  McCullough  died  at  Preston  in  1846.  Ralph  McCullough  was  reared  on 
the  farm,  but  when  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  went  on  the  Susquehanna  River  as 
pilot  in  the  lumber  business,  where  he  remained  fourteen  years.  In  1859  he  came  to 
Troupsburg  where  he  and  his  sisters  have  since  resided.     He  has  made  a  specialty 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  63 

of  dairy  farming-,  but  now  gi\-es  his  attention  to  hay.     He  was  formerly  a  member 
of  Lodge  No.  118,  F.  &  A.  M.  at  Addison. 

Parkhill,  Dr.  Chiir  S.,  was  born  in  Howard,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  November  15, 
1843,  the  youngest  son  of  David  Parkhill.  His  boyhood  was  spent  on  the  homestead 
farm  and  in  attendance  on  the  district  school.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  entered 
Haverling  Union  School  at  Bath.  From  there  he  returned  to  the  farm  and  remained 
there  until  eighteen  years  of  age.  In  the  fall  of  1862  he  entered  Michigan  Univer- 
sity where  he  studied  for  two  years,  and  then  returned  to  his  native  town  and 
entered  Albany  Medical  College,  from  which  he  graduated  December  24,  1866.  He 
began  the  practice  of  the  profession  with  his  brother,  Reuben  F.,  in  the  town  of 
Howard  and  continued  with  him  for  .seven  years.  September,  1873,  he  came  to  Hor- 
nellsville  and  took  up  the  practice  of  the  profession  in  the  city  where  we  now  find 
him  one  of  the  leading  physicians  of  this  county.  The  doctor  is  a  member  of  the 
Steuben  County  Medical  Society,  the  New  York  State  Medical  Society,  is  a  member 
and  has  been  president  of  the  Hornellsville  Medical  and  Surgical  Association,  is  a 
member  of  the  New  York  State  Medical  Association,  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion, the  Erie  System  Association  of  Railway  Surgeons,  is  present  vice-president  of 
the  New  York  State  Kailway  Surgeons'  Association,  member  of  surgical  .section  of 
Medico-Legal  Society  of  New  York  city,  and  is  also  the  company's  surgeon  at  Hor- 
nellsville for  the  N.  Y.  L.  E.  &  W.  Railway.  He  is  president  of  the  medical  and 
surgical  staff  of  the  St.  James  Mercy  Hospital,  and  is  advisory  member  of  the  board 
of  trustees.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  Evening  Star  Lodge,  No. 
44,  and  one  of  the  supporters  of  the  R.  R.  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  and  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian church.  In  1884  he  served  as  president  of  the  village,  and  in  1884  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Education  and  served  four  years,  the  last  its  president.  March 
20,  1867,  he  married  Marjory  P.,  daughter  of  William  Rice  of  Howard,  who  was 
drowned  at  Smith's  Pond  in  Januar\^  1866,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Louise, 
the  wife  of  Blake  B.  Babcock ;  Carrie,  who  died  at  three  years  of  age ;  Walter,  who 
died  at  seventeen  years  of  age;  and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 

McMichael,  Ira,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  west  part  of  the  town  of  Hornellsville, 
May  30,  1854.  Philip  McMichael,  the  father  of  Ira,  was  also  born  in  this  town 
April  16,  1826.  James  McMichael,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  came  to  this  .section 
of  the  country  about  1820,  thus  orignating  the  name  Pennsylvania  Hill ;  and  the 
family  have  ever  since  been  residents  of  this  section.  James  married  Betsey  Kline. 
Philip  wag  the  second  of  three  sons,  and  besides  were  four  daughters.  Philip  mar- 
ried Mary  Hyde,  a  native  of  this  town,  daughter  of  Ira  and  Sally  Cleaveland  Hyde. 
She  died  August  16,  1892.  Ira  was  the  oldest  of  six  children — two  sons  and  four 
daughters,  two  sons  and  three  daughters  of  whom  are  still  living.  Ira  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools  and  Alfred  University.  He  taught  school  winter  terms, 
farming  in  the  summer  for  five  years.  November  1,  1881,  he  bought  the  Burris 
King-Kriddler  farm  of  sixty-eight  acres,  which  he  has  increased  by  purchase  of 
twenty  acres  of  the  Thomas  Bennett  farm.  He  has  cleared  eight  acres  of  land  and 
built  new  out  buildings  and  made  many  valuable  improvements  to  the  property. 
He  was  married  March  15,  1877,  to  Miss  Marcia  Batchelder,  daughter  of  Lowell  and 
Julia  (Peak)  Batchelder  of  Jasper.     They  have  been  the  parents  of  three  children. 


54  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

The  first  one  died  in  infancy;  Ethel  Belle  is  now  in  her  seventeenth  year;  Edwin 
Lee  will  be  ten  June  28,  1895.  Mr.  McMichael  is  the  agent  of  this  section  for  farm- 
ing implements  and  wagons. 

Mead,  W.  F.,  was  born  in  Greenwood,  November  1,  1844,  son  of  Alvin  Mead,  a 
native  of  Connecticut,  who  married  Sarah  Ann  Kruzen  of  New  Jersey,  (born  January 
1,  1806),  by  whom  he  had  seven  children.  Enos  Mead  (born  June  5,  1761,  died  Sep- 
tember 5,  1818),  father  of  Alvin,  came  from  Connecticut  to  Newfield,  thence  to  Green- 
wood in  1838,  being  one  of  the  first  settlers.  His  wife  was  Prudence  Anderson,  born 
January  13,  1763,  and  died  June  9,  1847.  Richard  and  Jennie  Kruzen  also  came  from 
New  Jersey  to  Newfield,  thence  to  Greenwood  in  pioneer  times.  Enos  Mead  and 
Richard  Kruzen  were  soldiers  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Alvin  Mead  (born  January 
5,  1 803,  died  December  25,  1881)  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  W.  F.  Mead, 
where  his  wife  died  on  May  16,  1880.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  was 
postmaster  at  West  Greenwood  twelve  or  sixteen  years,  and  justice  of  the  peace  for 
many  years.  W.  F.  Mead  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  has  always  followed  farming. 
He  has  a  farm  of  150  acres.  In  1875  he  married  Julia,  daughter  of  Albert  and  Lufany 
(Richie)  Pease,  by  whom  he  had  three  children :  Frank  G. ,  Bertha  L. ,  and  Ray  E. 

Miller,  Dr.  L.  D.,  principal  of  Haverling  Free  Academy  at  Bath  for  the  past  twen- 
ty-three years,  was  born  in  Augusta,  Oneida  county,  May  15,  1847.  Curtis  Miller, 
his  father,  was  al.so  of  Oneida  county,  and  their  family  trace  their  descent  from  Ben- 
jamin Miller,  who  came  from  England  and  setted  in  Middletown,  Conn.,  in  1635. 
On  his  mother's  side  Mr.  Miller  is  descended  from  Samuel  Duncan,  wounded  in  the 
battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  and  Peter  Stanhope,  both  of  Massachusetts.  He  spent  his 
boyhood  in  hard  work  upon  the  farm,  attended  the  common  school,  for  the  most  part 
in  the  winters  only,  prepared  for  college  in  Whitestown  Seminary,  and  was  graduated 
from  Hamilton  College  in  1862.  He  then  began  his  life  work  of  teaching,  which  ex- 
tends over  a  period  of  more  than  a  third  of  a  century.  As  prmcipal  of  Medina  Acad- 
emy, Little  Falls  Academy,  Delaware  Academy,  Forestville  Free  Academy  and 
Haverling  Free  Academy,  he  has  shown  himself  an  earnest,  faithful  and  able  worker, 
and  he  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  successful  teachers  in  the  State.  Besides  his 
school  work,  during  the  years  1878-80,  he  read  law  in  the  office  of  the  late  Judge 
Rumsey  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1881.  He  received  the  degree  of  Ph.D.  from 
Hamilton  College  in  1886.  In  1863  Mr.  Miller  was  married  to  Elizabeth  M.  Markham, 
daughter  of  James  Spencer  Markham,  of  Ashtabula,  Ohio,  and  Marietta  Yale,  of 
Vernon,  N.  Y.  On  her  mother's  side,  Mrs.  Miller  is  descended  from  Elihu  Yale, 
governor  of  Connecticut  and  the  founder  of  Yale  College.  Mr.  Miller  has  four  chil- 
dren :  William  W. ,  A.  B. ,  principal  of  the  Monticello  Union  School  and  Academy ; 
Edwin  Stanton,  farmer,  Oneida  county,  N.  Y.  ;  Friend  H.,  A.  B.,  principal  of  Horse- 
heads  Union  School  and  Academy;  and  June  E.,  at  home.  In  addition  to  his  pro- 
fessional work  Mr.  Miller  has  a  great  love  of  agriculture,  and  his  farm  of  nearly  two 
hundred  acres  in  Kirkland,  Oneida  county,  is  the  retreat  in  which  he  finds  health  and 
strength  to  enable  him  to  do  his  professional  work. 

McCormick  Bros. — The  leading  firm  of  general  merchants  in  Kanoua  is  composed 
of  M.  H.  and  J.  D.  McCormick,  natives  of  Bradford  county.  Pa.  Their  father,  James, 
was  a  native  of  Ireland  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1834,   settling  in  Tompkins 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  55 

county.  He  has  since  lived  in  Bradford  county,  Pa.,  and  Steuben  county,  N.  Y., 
where  he  has  been  identified  as  a  merchant  and  farmer.  James  McCormick  married 
Anna,  daughter  of  Matthew  Hill,  and  now  resides  in  Bradford  county,  Pa.  In  1882 
M.  H.  McCormick  was  appomted  to  a  position  in  the  Hornellsville  po.st-ofltice.  In 
1885  he  established  a  drug  and  grocery  business  in  Kanona,  in  partnership  with  Dr. 
F.  H.  Lawrence,  who  retired  in  1888,  when  J.  D.  McCormick  came  intothefirm.  In 
1887  a  general  line  of  dry  goods,  crockery,  boots  and  shoes,  hats,  caps,  etc.,  were 
added  to  the  stock.  McCormick  Brothers  are  among  the  enterprising  and  energetic 
men  of  the  town,  taking  an  active  interest  in  educational  affairs. 

Mosher,  Fred  R.,  was  born  in  Dansville,  Livingston  county,  N.  Y.,  April  2,  18(J6. 
He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  at  sixteen  years  of  age  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Erie  as  telegraph  operator,  working  extra  Buffalo  Division,  and  was  the 
operator  at  Castile  until  1883,  when  he  came  to  Hornellsville  and  was  first  in  the  tel- 
egraph office  and  then  in  the  train  dispatcher's  office.  April  20,  1887,  was  made 
assistant  train  dispatcher,  and  was  regular  dispatcher  September  19,  1887,  holding 
the  office  until  February  12,  1893,  when  he  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  chief  dis- 
patcher, holding  that  position  until  January  1.  1894,  when  he  was  made  train  master 
at  the  death  of  Henry  Frank.  Mr.  Mosher  was  married,  June  28,  1890,  to  Miss 
Matie  Avery,  daughter  of  Mrs.  Julia  Avery  of  Erie  Avenue. 

Marsh,  S.  P.,  was  born  in  the  to\vn  of  Lee,  Oneida  county,  June  14,  1880.  He  was 
a  son  of  Joseph  Marsh,  a  blacksmith,  who  came  to  WoodhuU  from  Oneida  county  in 
1833  when  the  country  was  new  and  wild  beasts  roamed  the  forests.  These  were 
very  hard  times,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  Pultney  estate,  which  furnished  flour  to 
the  settlers,  they  would  have  suffered  for  lack  of  food.  This  flour  was  distributed 
among  the  people  according  to  the  size  of  the  family,  and  the  Pultney  estate  waited 
for  their  pay  until  crops  could  be  raised.  People  in  those  days  workedfor  fifty  cents 
a  day.  On  account  of  the  wolves,  pens  had  to  be  built  near  the  house  to  keep  the 
sheep  in  at  night  so  that  they  might  be  safe.  Joseph  Marsh  afterwards  moved  to 
Jasper, where  he  continued  to  work  at  his  trade  and  farming  until  he  died,  April  1, 
1872,  at  the  age  of  sixty -seven  years.  S.  P.  Marsh  was  the  eldest  of  eight  children, 
and  had  always  been  a  farmer  up  to  the  time  of  the  late  war,  when  he  enlisted,  Sep- 
tember 26,  1864,  in  the  161st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  was  discharged  from  the  service  Sep- 
tember 20,  1865.  He  is  a  member  of  G.  A.  R.,  Post  No.  194.^  In  1859  he  married 
Anstis  E.  Boardman,  by  whom  he  has  two  children :  L.  Gertrude,  stenographer  and 
typewriter  for  Judge  Robinson,  and  Villa  F.,  now  in  Boston  stud3nng  music.  Mr. 
Marsh  has  lived  in  Canisteo  for  thirty-five  years,  and  has  been  chief  of  police  in  the 
village  two  years,  and  deputy  sheriff  under  four  administrations. 

Murdock,  James  B.,  was  born  in  Delaware  county,  N.  Y.,  January  2,  1814,  son  of 
Edward  and  Elizabeth  (Palmer)  Murdock.  After  the  death  of  Mrs.  Murdock,  Edward 
removed  from  Delaware  county  to  Tioga  county,  Pa.,  where  he  died.  Edward  Mur- 
dock was  a  farmer  and  a  Baptist  minister.  James  B.  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  and 
though  his  schooling  was  limited  he  acquired  a  good  education  by  home  reading. 
He  was  engaged  in  teaching  for  nearly  ten  years  and  was  also  interested  in  a  saw 
and  grist  mill  for  a  time.  He  came  to  Troupsburg  in  1843,  where  he  purchased  500 
acres  of  land,  and  in  1847  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  and  is  still  continuing 


56  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

in  the  same.  .April  23,  1837,  Mr.  Murdock  married  Sarah  Wambough,  by  whom  he 
had  nine  children :  Jane  E.,  William,  Edward,  Elizabeth,  Henry,  Martha,  Adeline, 
Mary  and  Emma.  Mr.  Murdock  has  been  supervisor  of  the  town  five  years,  post- 
master almost  continuall)^  since  1850,  and  has  held  other  minor  offices  m  the  town. 
He  represented  his  district  in  the  Assembly  in  1872. 

McKay,  James  S.,  was  born  in  Ireland,  in  1817,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1886.  He  settled  in  Bath  and  learned  the  trade  of  a  miller,  which  business  he  fol- 
lowed up  to  1891,  when  he  was  compelled  to  abandon  it  on  account  of  failing  health. 
He  has  been  superintendent  of  the  poor  for  fifteen  years  and  held  other  prominent 
positions.  He  married  Hester  Hamblin  of  Bath,  by  whom  he  had  four  children.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Mai-k,  Alfred,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Pomfret,  Chautauqua  county,  September  16, 
1831.  Aaron  Mark,  the  father  of  Alfred,  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  came 
to  this  State  when  a  young  man.  He  was  a  resident  of  Rochester  when  it  was  only 
a  small  village.  He  afterward  moved  to  Chautauqua  county  where  he  took  up  farming 
and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Alfred  was  the  second  son  of  a  family  of  seven- 
children.  He  was  given  a  good  common  school  education  and  remained  on  the  farm 
with  his  parents  until  reaching  his  majority.  November  8,  1852,  he  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Erie  R.  R.,  for  the  first  four  months  as  brakeman,  and  from  that  time  as 
fireman  with  H.  G.  Brooks  and  R.  R.  Hamlet,  occupying  that  position  for  two  years 
and  four  months.  August,  1854,  he  was  given  control  of  his  first  engine  which  was 
No.  77  of  the  old  Swinburne  class,  hauling  the  way  freight.  He  run  this  train  until 
the  fall  of  1856  and  then,  October  4,  he  left  the  Erie  R.  R.  to  take  an  engine  on  the 
Ohio  &  Miss.  R.  R.,  where  he  remained  until  1861,  when  the  war  broke  out,  and  then 
came  back  to  Dunkirk.  He  was  then  given  charge  of  engine  51,  the  first  coal  burner 
ever  on  the  Western  Division,  and  the  first  of  that  class  to  enter  the  city  of  Hornells- 
ville.  He  ran  that  for  three  years,  and  then  took  No.  120  on  passenger  service.  He 
was  also  for  years  the  engineer  of  No.  62.  the  engine  that  holds  the  record  of  the 
greatest  number  of  miles  in  the  United  States.  Mr.  Mark  returned  to  Hornellsville 
in  1879  and  has  since  made  this  his  home.  November  15,  1860,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Carrie  Snider  of  Cincmnati,  Ohio.  They  have  two  daughters,  Emma  M.  Mark  of 
Rochester,  and  Lutie  B.,  wife  of  David  E.  Fleming. 

McNamara,  William  P.,  was  born  in  Corning  in  1860,  and  graduated  from  the 
Corning  Free  Academy  in  1875,  and  from  the  Albany  Law  School  in  1884,  having 
won  the  first  honors  of  his  class  in  both  institutions.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
the  latter  year,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  active  practice  of  his  profession  as 
an  attorney  and  counselor-at-law.  He  was  clerk  of  the  old  village  of  Corning  in  1880, 
and  corporation  counsel  in  1885-86.  He  was  a  candidate  for  member  of  assembly  on 
the  Democratic  ticket  in  1885,  and  again  in  1887,  and  spoke  throughout  the  State  in 
the  presidential  campaigns  of  1884-88. 

Miller,  Martin  Rumsey,  was  born  in  Bath,  April  24,  1848.  Rev.  L.  M.  Miller,  D.D., 
his  father,  was  a  native  of  Rochester,  and  was  Presbyterian  minister  for  forty  years 
in  Ogdensburg,  and  fifty  years  in  the  ministry.  He  married  Lydia,  daughter  of 
David  Rumsey.  M.  R.  Miller  was  educated  at  Ogdensburg,  and  graduated  from 
Hamilton  College  in  1868,  and  from  Albany  Law  School  in  1869,  when  he  came  to 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  57 

Hath  and  entered  the  employ  of  D.  i^-  W.  Rumsey  afterwards  the  firm  of  Rumsey  cV 
Miller.  In  1880  he  formed  the  partnership  of  Miller  &  Nichols,  which  still  continues. 
He  was  elected  surroijate  in  1888,  re-elected  in  1894.  In  1876  he  married  M.  Louise, 
daughter  of  Henry  H.  Cook,  of  New  York.  They  have  four  children,  Henry  C, 
Lena  L.,  Louise  and  Janet. 

Minier,  Thornton  F.,  was  born  in  Bradford  county.  Pa.,  December  0,  1824,  son  of 
Gecrge  and  Susan  Minier.  George  Minier  was  in  the  Wyoming  massacre.  His 
grandfather,  Daniel  Minier,  was  an  officer  in  Sullivan's  army,  and  was  in  the  battle 
of  Newtown  August,  1779.  Thornton  F.  is  a  trusted  employee  of  the  Erie  R.  R. 
Co.,  and  has  been  in  continuous  service  since  1852,  and  has  been  agent  at  Painted 
Post  since  1870.  In  early  life  he  was  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Elmira,  and  later 
a  clerk  in  a  wholesale  house  in  New  York  city.  He  is  a  cousin  of  T.  L.  Minier,  who 
was  general  paymaster  of  the  Erie  Co.  in  1850  and  1852,  and  who  represented  the 
district  in  the  State  Senate  in  1870  and  1871.  Thornton  F.  married  May,  daughter 
of  Deacon  John  Watts,  by  whom  he  has  one  child,  Mary  Ida.  Mr.  Minier  is  a  trustee 
of  the  school,  and  takes  great  interest  in  education.  He  delivered  the  historical 
oration  at  the  dedication  of  the  Indian  Memorial  Monument  at  Painted  Post,  June 
21,  1894.     He  is  a  Mason. 

Coss,  D.  M.,  was  born  in  New  Jerse3%  and  came  to  Steuben  county  about  1820  with 
his  father,  William  Coss,  and  settled  at  Coss  Corners,  four  miles  from  Bath.  D.  M. 
Coss  was  engaged  in  lumbering,  stock  dealing  and  farming,  at  one  time  owning  600 
acres  of  land.  He  retired  from  business  in  1868  and  moved  to  the  village  of  Bath. 
John  W.  Moore  was  born  in  Yates  county,  N.  Y.,  March  23,  1835,  'a  son  of  Samuel 
Moore,  a  grandson  of  James  Moore,  who  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Bath,  where  he 
conducted  a  grist  mill  as  early  as  1820.  In  1863  J.  W.  Moore  came  to  Bath  and  was 
married  to  Eliza  A.  Coss,  April  9.  They  have  three  sons:  Edward  S.,  Dan  C.  and 
Charles  H.  For  the  last  twenty-five  years  he  has  lived  on  the  old  homestead,  farm- 
ing and  dealing  in  stock.  For  the  past  seven  years  he  has  been  superintendent  of 
the  Steuben  Agricultural  Societ)'. 

Moore,  Edwin  B.,  was  born  in  Canisteo,  April  2  1,  1822,  and  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools.  He  is  a  farmer  and  lumberman,  and  has  followed  the  latter  busi- 
ness over  fort}' years.  He  married  Helen  L  Bunker,  daughter  of  Warren  and  Sarah 
Bunker,  of  Rensselaer  county,  N.  Y. ,  born  January  7,  1832.  They  have  had  three 
children ;  Joseph  A. ,  born  April  7,  1858 ;  James  W.  (deceased),  born  June  4,  1861 ; 
Edward  B.,  jr.,  born  October  3,  1865,  who  lives  at  home  with  his  parents.  Mrs. 
Moore  is  member  of  the  Christian  church. 

Newman,  Smith  H.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Lima,  Livingston  county,  N.Y.,  July 
27,  1840.  Isaac  Riley  Newman,  the  father  of  Smith,  was  also  a  native  of  Livingston, 
and  he  was  a  son  of  Joel  Newman,  a  farmer  and  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Livingston 
county.  Isaac  Riley  Newman  kept  a  hotel  in  East  Avon,  Livingston  county,  for 
over  thirty  years  and  died  in  Hornellsville  in  1885.  Smith  w^as  the  oldest  of  a  family 
of  three  children.  He  was  given  a  common  school  education,  and  being  reai'ed  in  a 
hotel,  it  was  natural  he  should  take  that  as  an  occupation.  His  first  hotel  business 
was  the  management  of  the  Knickerbocker  Hotel  at  Avon  for  one  .summer,  and 
during  the  war  conducted  a  restaurant  at  Avon  Springs,  and  then  became  proprietor 


58  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEX  COUNTY. 

of  the  American  Hotel  in  Lima  for  four  years;  then  was  landlord  of  the  Wilson 
House  at  Batavia.  and  then  spent  three  years  with  his  father.  In  1876  he  opened 
the  Newman  House  m  Avon  and  conducted  it  for  four  years,  and  in  1880  became  pro- 
prietor of  the  Highland  House  at  Dansville,  which  he  conducted  for  four  years,  and 
in  1884  came  to  Hornellsville,  where  he  took  the  proprietorship  of  the  Osborne 
House,  and  is  now  serving  his  eleventh  year  as  landlord.  He  was  married  in  1861 
to  Miss  Frances  E.   Hall,  of  Avon,  Livingston  county.     They  have  no  children. 

Nixson,  Joseph,  was  born  in  Chemung  county,  N.Y. ,  June  17,  1838,  son  of  James 
Nixson,  a  native  of  Su.ssex  county,  N.  J.,  who  married  Susan  Kimble.  He  died  in 
1846.  in  his  thirty-seventh  year.  Joseph  was  educated  in  Haverling  Academy,  after 
which  he  taught  school  for  some  tmie,  and  then  returned  to  Chemung  county  He 
was  elected  supervisor  in  February,  1865,  and  filled  the  towm  quota  of  eighteen  men 
on  the  last  call  for  recruits,  and  was  re-elected  in  1866,  serving  two  years.  In  1871 
he  came  to  Bath  and  purchased  part  of  the  D.  M.  Coss  property,  to  which  he  after- 
ward added  the  Jonathan  Towle  farm.  In  1860  Mr.  Nix.son  married  Sarah  Gunder- 
man,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  sons:  James  and  William.  He  is  one  of  the 
successful  farmers  of  the  town,  and  has  served  as  assessor,  and  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Auditors. 

Noble,  Martin  W.,  was  born  in  Bath,  August  22,  1828.  Lay  Noble,  his  father,  was 
a  native  of  Otsego  county  and  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1828,  and  the  family  trace 
their  descent  from  Thomas  Noble,  who  came  from  England  m  1632.  Lay  Noble 
married  Lucinda  Brooks,  and  his  life  was  identified  as  a  farmer  and  cabinetmaker, 
and  he  died  in  1879,  in  his  eightieth  j^ear.  Martin  W.  Noble  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools,  and  his  life  has  been  identified  as  a  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  mak- 
ing a  specialty  of  fine  sheep.  In  1854  he  married  Lucinda  J.,  daughter  of  Peter 
Hunter,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Albert,  Clarence,  and  Mary.  Mr.  Noble  is 
one  of  the  representative  men  of  his  town,  holding  several  positions  of  honor  and 
trust,  and  taking  an  intelligent  interest  in  educational  and  religious  institutions. 

North,  Truman  S. ,  was  born  in  Candor,  Tioga  county,  N.Y.,  April  13,  1839,  the 
only  son  of  James  E.  North,  a  blacksmith  and  farmer  of  that  town,  who  is  still 
living  m  his  eighty- first  year.  Truman  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and 
made  his  home  with  his  parents  until  he  was  of  age.  At  the  time  of  the  breaking 
out  of  the  war  we  find  him  clerking  in  a  dry  goods  store.  In  July,  1862,  he  enlisted 
in  the  109th  Regiment,  N.Y.  Vols.,  and  was  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  all 
through  the  war.  Among  the  great  battles,  the  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania,  Cold 
Harbor,  and  Petersburg  are  thoroughly  impressed  on  his  mind.  He  was  also  in 
many  minor  battles.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business  in 
lis  native  town,  and  continued  in  tliat  until  1869.  That  year  he  accepted  a  position 
on  the  platform  of  the  United  States  Express  Company  at  Owego,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
spent  three  years,  and  then  spent  nine  months  with  the  Erie  Railroad  Company. 
Returnmg,  he  went  with  the  Express  Company  at  Penn  Yan  for  twelve  years,  seven 
years  as  clerk  and  in  1880  was  given  the  agency.  In  1886  he  w^as  appointed  the  city 
agent  for  the  United  States  Express  Company  at  Hornellsville,  and  has  ever  since 
occupied  the  position.  Mr.  North  was  married  in  1877  to  Miss  Anna  A.  Weeks,  of 
Owego,  Tioga  county.     Thev  have  no  children. 


FAMILY   SKETCHES.  59 

Nicholson,  William,  was  born  hi  Scotland  in  IS,")!),  and  from  ISTl  to  1873  was  clerk 
for  the  Erie  general  passenger  agent ;  for  the  next  two  years  he  was  clerk  in  the  au- 
ditor's office  of  the  New  York  Central;  then  one  year  secretary  to  assistant  general 
freight  agent,  and  from  1876  to  1883  was  voucher  clerk  in  auditor's  office  of  the  same 
road;  from  January,  1883,  to  the  present  time  he  has  been  auditor  of  the  Fall  Brook 
system.  For  the  past  nine  years  he  has  been  secretary  of  the  New  York  Central. 
Board  of  Auditors,  and  chairman  of  the  Nickel  Plate  Line  Auditing  Committee  and 
is  also  chairman  of  the  Standing  Freight  Committee  of  the  Association  of  American 
Railway  Accounting  Officers.     Was  alderman  of  the  city  of  Corning,  1891  and  1892. 

Nichols,  William  H.,  was  born  in  Hammondsport,  July  (j,  I8i)2.  George  W. 
Nichols,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Yates  county,  where  the  family  were  pioneer 
settlers.  He  married  Claris.sa,  daughter  of  William  Hastings,  whose  ancestors  came 
to  the  United  States  from  England  in  1630.  George  W.  Nichols  was  identified  in  the 
mercantile  business  at  Hammondsport,  and  died  in  1884,  in  his  fifty-ninth  year. 
William  H.  was  educated  at  Lima  Seminary,  and  graduated  from  Rochester  LTni- 
versity  in  1874,  and  then  entered  the  office  of  William  Ramsey  and  M.  R.  Miller.  In 
1879  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  in  1880  formed  the  firm  of  Miller  &  Nichols, 
which  still  continues.  In  1885  he  married  Caroline,  daughter  of  C.  D.  Champlin, 
and  is  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  his  county,  serving  as  supervisor  for  seven 
years,  and  chairman  of  the  board  for  two  years  and  a  member  of  the  Constitutional 
Convention  in  1894. 

Northrop,  W.  H.,  was  born  in  Oswego  county,  N.  Y. ;  came  to  Corning  in  1887, 
and  was  appointed  passenger  agent  for  the  Fall  Brook  Railway  Company  in  1888. 
He  had  previously  been  connected  with  the  Florida  Central  and  Peninsular  Railroad 
of  Florida.  In  1888  he  married  Miss  Frances  Brown,  of  Elbridge,  ( )nondaga 
county,  N.Y. 

Nowlen,  George  F.,  was  born  in  Avon,  N.  Y.,  June  29,  1864.  George  H.  Nowlen, 
his  father,  was  also  a  native  of  Av(mt,  where  his  grandfather,  Capt.  Asa  Nowlen, 
settled  in  1812;  he  was  engaged  in  the  merchant  marine  trade,  and  was  one  of  the 
proprietors  of  the  stage  line  from  Albany  to  Buffalo,  before  the  building  of  the  rail- 
road. George  H.  Nowlen  married  Helen,  daughter  of  J.  W.  Fowler,  and  through 
Ufe  has  been  identified  as  proprietor  of  the  Avon  .  ulphur  Spring.s.  George  F.  was 
educated  at  Avon  and  Rochester,  and  in  1889  came  to  Bath  and  formed  a  partnership 
with  T.  W.  Gould,  plumber,  steam  heating  and  electrical  supplies.  Mr.  Nowlen  is 
one  of  the  representative  business  men  of  his  town,  identified  in  advancing  its  best 
interests  and  in  the  leading  events  of  the  day,  and  having  learned  his  business  of 
Samuel  Sloane,  of  Rochester,  has  made  it  his  life's  study  to  the  exclusion  of  all  other 
interests. 

Olmsted,  Samuel,  was  born  in  Columbia  county,  N.  Y..  December  15,  1829,  the 
youngest  of  six  children  born  to  Samuel  and  Lydia  (Wellman)  Olmsted,  both  natives 
of  Sidney,  Delaware  county,  N.Y.,  born  m  1789  and  1796  respectively.  The  parents 
of  Samuel,  sr.,  were  Samuel  and  Lorena  (Bunce)  Olmsted,  he  a  native  of  East  Had- 
dam,  Conn.,  and  she  of  Columbia  county,  N.Y.  The  great-grandfather  of  Samuel 
(our  subject),  Samuel  Olmsted,  came  to  East  Haddam,  Conn.,  in  1767,  afterward 
settling  in  Columbia  county,  N.Y.,  and  received  a  deed  of  land  from  King  George  of 


60  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

England.  He  was  in  the  French  and  Indian  and  Revolutionary  wars.  The  father 
of  our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm  at  Canaan,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming 
until  1857,  when  he  came  to  Troupsburg,  where  he  died  in  July,  1872.  Mrs.  Olmsted 
died  in  1846.  Samuel,  jr.,  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  was  for  six  years  engaged  in 
railroading,  since  which  time  he  has  followed  farming.  His  farm  consists  of  20 0 
acres  and  he  makes  a  specialty  of  dairying.  In  1859  he  married  Abigail  D., 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Louisa  (Bartow)  Bates,  both  natives  of  Greene,  Chenango 
county,  born  in  1806  and  1810  respectively.  Mr.  Bates  is  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers 
of  Troupsburg,  having  settled  here  in  1835.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Olmsted  have  had  five 
children;  Lydia  L.,  born  October  21,  1859,  and  died  July  3,  1863;  Nettie,  born  Sep- 
tember 10,  1863,  wife  of  G.  H.  Symonds,  a  farmer  of  Troupsburg;  Emily,  born 
March  27,  1865,  wife  of  Millard  M.  Paul,  a  carpenter  of  Woodhull;  Loreno  M.,  born 
January  22,  1874,  and  died  April  19,  1880;  and  Phoebe  D.,  born  November  20,  1877. 
Mr.  Olmsted  has  been  assessor,  and  postmaster  of  East  Troupsburg  for  twenty  one 
years. 

Powell,  Edmund  K.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Chemung,  Tioga  county,  Septem- 
ber 9,  1821,  son  of  Frost  Powell,  who  was  born  in  Dutchess  county.  The  parents 
moved  from  Tioga  county  to  Hartsville  in  1723,  and  settled  near  where  Edmand  now 
lives,  on  what  is  known  as  the  Daniel  Tucker  farm,  clearing  a  space  of  about  100 
acres.  Frost  Powell  married  Rebecca  Gleason,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Caro- 
line, Asa,  William,  Edmund,  Charlotte,  and  Lucy.  At  the  present  time  only  three 
of  the  above  are  living.  Edmund  K.  was  educated  in  the  schools  at  Hartsville,  is  a 
farmer  by  occupation  and  is  the  owner  of  100  acres  of  land.  He  was  married,  first, 
to  Mary  Baird,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  George  R!  Powell,  a  druggist  by  profes- 
sion. The  second  time  he  married  Francis  Baird,  and  they  had  one  daughter,  now 
in  Canisteo.  His  third  wife  was  Sarah  E.  Moore,  and  two  children  were  born  to 
them:  James,  and  Angeline  L.  The  latter  graduated  from  the  Academy  at  Canis- 
teo, and  has  been  engaged  in  teaching.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Powell  are  members  of  the 
M.  E.  Church. 

Paul,  John,  was  born  in  Irwin,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y. ,  June  8,  1829,  and  is  the 
•ninth  of  ten  children  born  to  Ira  and  Mary  (Pierce)  Paul,  both  of  Massachusetts, 
who  came  to  Prattsburg  in  1805,  thence  to  Painted  Post,  and  in  1833  settled  in  Jas- 
per, whence  thej'  removed  to  Erwin  in  1842,  where  he  died  in  18~4,  and  she  in  1850. 
The  maternal  grandfather,  Abner  Pierce,  of  Massachusetts,  settled  at  Prattsburg 
where  he  died.  He  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade.  John  Paul  was  reared  on  the  farm 
.after  which  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  for  seven  j'ears,  but  his  main  occupa- 
tion has  been  dairy  farming.  In  1850  he  married  Almeda  Johnson  of  Oxford,  by 
whom  he  had  eleven  children:  Sarah  S.,  born  February  20,  1851,  wife  of  James  C. 
Ford,  a  machinist  of  Knoxville,  Pa.  ;  Matilda,  born  January  16,  1853,  wife  of  H.  J. 
^Miller  of  Troupsburg;  Frances  R.  born  February  19,  1854,  wife  of  R.  E.  Pruksman  of 
Woodhull;  Millard  W.,  born  April  21,  1858,  a  carpenter  and  joiner;  John  P.,  born 
April  23,  1861;  Charles  A.,  born  February  16,  1864,  a  carpenter  of  Woodhull;  Ida 
J.,  born  April  17.  1866,  died  December  22,  1894,  and  was  the  wife  of  G.  W.  Tisk ; 
Fred  E.,  born  June  26,  1869,  a  teacher  and  scaler  of  logs  in  a  saw  mill  in  Potter 
county,  Pa.  ;  George  P.,  born  May  5,  1873,  and  died  aged  one  year  and  ten  months; 
Arthur  H..  born  Mav  18.  1875,  a  teacher  who  was  educated  at  Woodhull  and   State 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  61 

Normal  School.     Mrs.  Paul  died  August  8.  1894,  and  he  married  the  second  time  in 
April,  1895,  Miss  Rosine  A.  Gridley,  of  Guilford,  Chenango  county. 

Ordway,  Enoch,  came  here  from  New  Hampshire.  His  wife  was  Hannah  Whiting, 
by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Luther,  Charles  and  Enoch.  He  was  a  farmer  in 
the  town  of  Jasper  and  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  there,  devoting  a 
great  deal  of  his  time  to  church  work.  Enoch,  jr.,  married  Hester  A.,  a  daughter  of 
William  and  Sallie  (Travis)  Clark,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Brunette,  wife  of 
Leslie  D.  Whiting;  Minerva,  wife  of  Edson  H.  Prentice,  and,  second,  Byron  PL 
Backus;  and  May,  wife  of  James  B.  Scutt.  Mr.  Ordway  is  engaged  in  farming.  He 
is  an  attendant  of  the  M.  E.  Church  and  is  a  member  of  the  Grange  and  an  ex-gate- 
keeper and  ex-chaplain. 

Peck,  James  Milton,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y., 
March  14,  1833,  son  of  William  R.  Peck,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  who  came  to  New 
York  when  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age.  His  father,  James  Peck,  took  up  a  farm  of 
eighty  acres  in  the  town  of  Howard,  where  he  lived  most  of  his  life.  He  died  in 
1845.  William  R.  bought  a  farm  of  fifty  acres  near  the  homestead  and  later  fifty 
acres  more.  He  died  in  the  town  of  Avoca,  March  16,  1895,  at  eighty-five  years  of 
age.  The  mother  of  James  Milton,  Joanna  Head,  was  a  native  of  Rhode  Island. 
She  died  August  14,  1885,  leaving  three  children.  An  interesting  story  is  told  of 
Mr.  Peck  as  to  how  he  went  to  New  Berlin,  BOO  miles  east,  and  collected  $300  for  his 
uncle  and  got  his  dog,  making  a  successful  journe}^  on  foot  at  an  expense  of  thirty- 
six  cents.  James,  the  eldest  son,  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  followed 
farming  for  nine  years.  November  2,  1866,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Erie  Rail- 
road Company  as  first  watchman,  then  in  the  shop  six  years,  and  four  years  as  fire- 
man. November  4,  1876,  he  suffered  an  accident  in  the  yard  at  Hornellsville,  by 
which  he  lost  his  left  arm,  and  then  was  made  foreman  of  the  transportation  gang, 
remaining  in  their  employ  until  Christmas,  1891.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  on 
the  farm  of  100  acres,  purchased  in  1872,  on  lot  5  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville,  where 
he  now  resides.  In  1880  Mr.  Peck  commenced  raising  Jersey  stock  and  butter 
making,  and  has  made  exhibitions  at  State  and  county  fairs  for  ten  years  and  always 
was  awarded  a  premium,  and  has  been  considered  the  be.st  butter  maker  of  this 
section.  He  has  been  trustee  of  schools  and  road  overseer.  He  has  been  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity  for  twenty  years.  In  1855  he  married  Mary  A.  McCiarv, 
daughter  of  James  McClary,  and  they  have  four  children:  James  R.,  of  Rochester; 
Laderna,  a  boiler  maker  of  Hornellsville ;  Sarah,  wife  of  R.  Hempbell,  a  farmer  of 
Hornellsville;  and  Marcus,  a  fireman  on  the  Erie^ 

Phillips,  W.  H.,  D.D.S.,  was  born  in  Union  Hall,  Franklin  county,  Va.  H.  R. 
Phillips,  his  father,  came  to  Bath  in  1880,  and  engaged  in  the  profession  of  dentistry. 
He  married  Pamelia  A.  Redner,  and  now  resides  in  Penn  Yan.  W.  H.  Phillips  was 
educated  at  Howard  Academy  and  Haverling  Free  School  at  Bath,  and  graduated 
from  Baltimore  Dental  College  in  1888,  and  then  established  his  present  practice  in 
Bath.  In  1886  he  married  Lizzie,  daughter  of  Dr.  James  Black,  by  whom  he  had 
three  children:  William  H.,  Edgar  W.,  and  Leon  R.  William  H.  is  one  of  the 
leading  members  of  his  profession,  serving  as  trustee  of  the  village,  and  taking  an 
intelligent  interest  in  educational  and  religious  institutions,  and  identified  in  ad- 
vancing the  best  interests  of  his  town  and  townspeople. 


62  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Parker,  J.  Elliott,  is  descended  from  an  old  Massachusetts  family  and  a  son  of 
John  A.  Parker,  a  farmer,  who  came  from  Chenango  county  to  Jasper,  Steuben 
count)',  in  1840,  where  he  remained  eight  years.  He  then  went  to  Woodhull,  where 
he  purchased  a  country  hotel  which  he  conducted  for  several  years,  then  built  a 
saw  mill,  but  later  engaged  in  farming.  He  died  in  1893,  six  days  after  his  wife 
passed  away.  She  was  Betsey  M.  Gates,  of  Chenango  county,  whose  father  came- 
from  Vermont.  They  left  three  children :  Horatio,  a  farmer,  of  Rathbone ;  Mary, 
wife  of  John  F.  Dawson,  of  Woodhull ;  and  J.  Elliott.  The  latter  was  born  in 
Woodhull  in  1857.  He  first  engaged  in  farming,  teaching  school  in  the  winter. 
Since  coming  to  Addison  in  1888  he  has  operated  a  hay  pressing  plant  on  Front 
street,  carrying  on  an  extensive  business.  He  uses  steam  power  and  employs  several 
men'.  In  1898  he  established  the  East  end  coal  yard,  which  does  a  good  business. 
Mr.  Parker  married,  in  1883,  LidaA.,  daughter  of  Robert  E.  Harder,  a  farmer,  by 
whom  he  has  three  children:  Eva  May,  Elmer  N.,  and  Reba  M.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  order. 

Patchill,  O.  C.was  born  in  Corning,  educated  there,  and  since  December,  1877,  has- 
been  in  the  employ  of  the  Fall  Brook  Railroad  Company  as  chief  time-keeper  and 
head  clerk.  O.  C.  Patchill,  his  father,  was  born  in  Philadelphia  in  1831,  and  came 
to  Corning  in  1853,  where  he  was  master  mechanic  for  the  Fall  Brook  and  Blossburg 
&  Corning  Railways,  which  position  he  held  until  his  death,  which  occurred  July  13, 
1885. 

Pierce,  William  O.,  was  born  in  Olean,  Cattaraugus  county  N.Y.,  July  31,  18i(), 
the  son  of  William  B.  Pierce,  of  Olean,  who  in  early  life  was  a  mechanic  and  later 
engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits.  William  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and 
his  first  occupation  was  in  connection  with  his  father,  who  was  then  conducting  a 
bakery.  This  was  about  1878  or  1879.  He  remained  with  him  until  1884,  and  the 
firm  was  composed  of  his  brother  and  himself  until  1886;  that  year  they  sold  and 
William  removed  to  Hornellsville,  where  he  established  the  business  which  has 
grown  from  a  very  small  start  to  assume  a  great  factor  in  the  business  enterprise  of 
the  city.  The  Telegram  Bread  is  known  in  every  hou.se  in  this  city  and  is  truly 
celebrated.  He  also  makes  a  specialty  of  salt-rising  bread.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  church.  He  was  married,  June  22,  1882,  to  Sadie,  daughter  of 
John  K.  Chapman.  ,  The}'  have  two  children,  Raymond  Chapman,  now  in  his  eighth 
year,  and  Bernice  Rose,  in  her  fifth  year. 

Preston,  Othaniel,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  Steuben  county,  August  6, 
1850.  The  historv  of  the  life  of  the  above  can  be  found  in  the  chapter  of  manufac- 
turers,  with  which  he  has  been  prominently  identified.  He  was  for  three  years  a 
trustee  of  the  village  before  the  city  was  organized.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Episco- 
pal church.  Was  married  to  Sarah  Elizabeth,  oldest  daughter  of  P.  C.  Hufstader. 
They  have  four  children,  one  son  and  three  daughters.  The  son  bears  the  family 
name  of  Othaniel. 

Phillips,  Mrs.  Margaret. — Libbius  Phillips  was  born  in  Addison,  March  16,  1829. 
In  the  early  part  of  his  life  and  at  the  time  of  his  marriage  in  1855  to  Margaret 
Young,  of  Addison,  he  was  engaged  in  an  extensive  lumber  business  at  Canisteo, 
where  he  achieved  a  great  success  in  this  enterprise  and  acquired  a  considerable  for- 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  63 

tune.  A  little  later  he  was  subjeeted  to  financial  reverses,  but  by  his  integrity  and 
.faithful  dev(jtion  to  his  work  he  promptly  recovered  himself.  For  a  number  of  years 
he  was  a  resident  of  Pennsyhania,  where  he  was  landlord  of  a  hotel  at  Fall  Brook. 
He  was  associated  with  the  Red  Men,  and  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity 
for  nearly  twenty-five  years.  The  last  years  of  his  life  he  was  engaged  in  farming 
and  hotel- keeping.  He  died  in  1^88,  aged  sixty  years.  He  had  one  brother,  Ran- 
som, and  one  sister,  Mrs.  Seth  Mullen,  both  residents  of  Addison. 

Park,  Rufus  C.  was  born  in  Woodhull,  June  12,  1845.  He  was  the  second  of  a 
family  of  nine  children  born  to  Albert  and  Matilda  (Coats)  Park.  Albert  Park  was 
born  in  Binghamton,  March  10,  1817,  and  Mrs.  Park  was  born  in  Manlius,  Onondaga 
<:ounty,  July  28,  1824.  Thomas,  grandfather  of  Rufus  C,  was  a  native  of  Armenia, 
Dutchess  county,  and  one  of  the  leading  farmers,  owning  about  300  acres  of  land. 
He  afterwards  moved  to  Big  Flats,  where  he  died.  Albert  fi.  went  from  Armenia  to 
Connecticut,  where  he  lived  for  a  number  of  years  and  then  came  to  Woodhull, 
settling  on  what  is  now  known  as  the  Holden  place.  He  and  his  brother  Elijah  built 
a,  saw  mill  here.  Albert  then  went  to  Canisteo  and  built  a  saw  mill,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  lumbering  for  twenty  years.  He  afterwards  went  to  Big  Flats,  where 
he  purchased  a  farm  and  lived  a  few  years,  then  moved  to  Lawrence,  Tioga  countv. 
Pa.,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  and  remained  about  five  years.  From  there  he  went 
to  Jasper,  where  he  was  engaged  in  lumbering.  He  then  moved  to  Whitney's  Point, 
where  he  died  in  1890.  His  wife  died  August  16,  1872.  Rufus  C.  was  reared  in  the 
Numbering  business.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Eastman's  Busi- 
ness College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1865.  He  engaged  m  lumbering  for  a 
short  time,  but  in  1880  established  the  Steuben  Sentinel  at  Troupsburg.  In  1881  he 
moved  to  Woodhull,  and  in  1891  changed  the  name  of  the  paper  to  the  Southern 
■Steuben  Republican.  He  owns  the  building  where  he  now  is,  on  the  bank  of  the 
Tuscarora  Creek.  He  is  now  justice  of  the  peace.  He  is  a  member  of  Restoration 
Lodge  No.  777,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Woodhull  Tent  No.,  174,  K.O.T.M.,  and  E.A.U.  No.  26. 
June  19,  1879,  Mr.  Park  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Mary  A.  (Smith) 
Bishop,  of 'I  roupsburg.  They  have  five  children:  Lynn,  horn  November  28,  1883;. 
Earl,  born  August  4,  1885 ;  Frank,  born  February  7,  1889 ;  Luella,  born  December  9, 
1891;  and  Allen  B.,  born  February  6,  1894.  In  connection  with  his  printing  office, 
Mr.  Park  carries  on  a  book  bindery  and  also  has  charge  of  the  N.  Y.  &  P.  A.  Tele- 
phone, and  is  known  as  a  successful,  progressive  business  man. 


De  Merville,  was  born  in  Cohocton,  October  13,  1853.  In  1856  his  parents 
removed  to  the  town  of  Fremont.  Mr.  Page  took  a  preparatory  course  in  the  Rog- 
•ersville  Union  Seminary,  and  graduated  from  Cornell  University  in  1872.  He  studied 
law  with  Hakes  and  Stevens,  and  after  a  course  in  the  Albany  Law  School,  was 
.admitted  to  practice  in  1874,  and  remained  with  Hakes  and  Stevens  until  1879.  In 
1880  the  partnership  of  Hakes  and  Page  was  formed,  and  Milo  M.  Acker  was  admit- 
ted about  1885,  and  the  business  was  afterwards  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of 
Hakes,  Page  and  Acker,  this  firm  continuing  until  January  1,  1891.  Mr.  Page  is  now 
practicing  with  his  brother,  Murray  E.  Page.  When  a  resident  of  the  town  of  ^'ve- 
•mont,  Mr.  Page  represented  that  town  for  one  year  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  In 
1880  he  was  the  Democratic  candidate  for  district  attorney,  and  in  the  fall  of  1890 
•was  the  candidate  of  his  party  for  member  of  congress. 


64  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Pease,  Frank  L.,  was  born  in  Livingston  county  in  1848,  was  raised  in  Allegany 
county,  and  in  1868  came  to  Corning,  clerking  in  a  dry  goods  store  for  three  yeai's, 
and  then  was  on  the  road  as  a  salesman  for  seven  j^ears.  In  1878  he  embarked  in  his 
present  business,  forming  with  M.  Schenck  the  present  firm  of  Schenck  &  Pease. 
He  was  town  auditor  two  terms,  village  clerk  four  years,  and  the  first  city  clerk, 
resigning  after  the  first  year.  In  1878  he  married  Clara,  daughter  of  the  late  Dr. 
Granger,  of  Lawrenceville,  Pa. 

Perine,  H.  W.,  was  born  in  South  Dansville,  June  2,  1821.  William  Perine,  jr., 
was  a  native  of  Livingston  count3^  and  was  the  son  of  William  Perine,  sr.,  who 
came  from  France  about  1750,  taking  an  active  part  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 
William  Perine,  jr.,  married  Abigail,  daughter  of  Colonel  Whiting,  and  was  identi- 
fied as  a  farmer  and  took  an  active  interest  in  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Dansville, 
and  died  in  his  eighty-seventh  year.  H.  W.  Perine  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools,  and  in  1840  entered  the  employ  of  Hon.  William  Hubbell,  of  Bath,  which 
position  he  held  for  five  years,  and  then  entered  the  employ  of  L.  C.  Whiting,  where 
he  remained  for  four  years,  and  in  1846  formed  the  partnership  of  Whiting  &  Perine, 
which  continued  up  to  1850,  when  Mr.  Whiting  retired.  In  1847  he  married  Eliza- 
beth, daughter  of  Captain  James  Read.  Mr.  Perine  is  one  of  the  representative  men 
of  his  town,  having  erected  the  larger  portion  of  the  business  buildings  of  the  town. 

Robbins,  Myron  W.,  was  born  in  Caton  in  1845,  son  of  James  N.  and  Lydia 
(Stilson)  Robbins,  natives  of  Broome  county.  James  N.  Robbins  came  to  Caton 
in  1827,  there  being  then  but  seven  families  residing  in  the  town.  He  was  local 
preacher  and  farmer,  and  died  in  1890,  aged  seventy-two  j^ears.  Mrs.  Robbins  lives 
with  her  son.  Mr.  Robbins  is  the  only  survivor  of  the  family;  a  brother,  Ephrin  L., 
died  in  1889.  He  "married  in  1868,  Emma  J.  Wellman,  who  is  a  native  of  Otsego 
county,  and  came  to  Caton  when  a  child.  Mr.  Robbins  enlisted  in  Co.  G,  150th  N. 
Y.  Vols. ,  and  was  honorably  discharged  at  the  close  of  the  war ;  he  has  served  as 
assessor  one  term,  and  was  elected  supervisor  in  1894.  He  has  three  children,  Adah 
M.,  Bennie  E.,  and  Clarlton  A. 

Rumsey,  Peter  B.,  was  born  in  Delaware  countv,  N.  Y.,  October  y,  1844,  son  of 
Simeon  K.  and  Miranda  (Bogart)  Rumsey,  who  settled  in  Thurston  in  1856.  Peter 
B.  is  one  of  eleven  children,  nine  of  whom  are  residents  of  this  county:  Emily 
I.  Davidson,  Charles  W.,  deceased,  Ann  Eliza  Cleveland,  Hattie  C.  Aldrich,  Peter 
B.,  Addison  J.,  George,  Edward,  and  Sarah  E.  Peter  B.  Rumsey  married  Alice  J., 
a  daughter  of  Asher  and  Catherine  Northup,  of  Thurston,  by  whom  he  has  three 
children  :  Edith,  Claude,  and  Lawrie  P. ,  all  natives  of  Cameron.  Mr.  Rumsey  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge  since  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age.  He  is 
a  charter  member  and  first  secretary  and  second  treasurer  of  the  North  Cameron 
Grange.  He  spent  his  early  life  in  lumbering,  but  is  now  engaged  m  farming,  own- 
ing a  farm  of  145  acres. 

Reznor,  Lot,  was  born  in  Canandaigua,  Ontario  county,  N,  Y.,  November  2,  1888. 
John  Reznor,  the  father  of  Lot,  was  also  a  native  of  Ontario  county.  His  boyhood 
was  spent  in  Canandaigua,  and  became  the  agent  for  the  Hornby  and  Gregg  estates 
when  only  a  young  mari.  In  1862  he  removed  to  Hornellsville,  where  he  had  the 
care  of  their  interests  in  this  section,  and  spent  the  balance  of  his  days  in  this  county. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  65 

Always  interested  iu  sehodl  work  and  a  trustee  of  sehools.  He  died  January  29, 1870. 
Lot  was  the  oldest  son  of  a  family  of  four  children.  He  was  educated  as  were  the 
farmers  of  fifty  years  ago,  attending  the  common  schools  until  ten  years  of  age.  He 
started  on  his  life  of  work,  at  first  employed  in  the  office  of  the  Ontario  County 
Time.s,  occupying  the  position  as  devil  for  one  year,  and  then  spent  five  years  in  the 
commission  business  in  Philadelphia.  He  was  employed  in  a  hardware  store  in  Can- 
andaigua  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  May,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  18th  Regi- 
ment N.  Y.  Yols.,  and  spent  two  years  with  that  regiment  and  two  years  with  the 
loth  Cavalry,  serving  to  the  close  of  the  war.  He  left  the  battlefield  to  locate  in 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  where  he  spent  three  years  in  oil  refining,  and  in  1868  he  located  in 
Arkport,  where  he  established  a  general  store  and  conducted  a  very  successful  busi- 
ness for  eighteen  years. 

Robie,  Reuben  Edward,  was  born  in  Bath,  September  24, 1843,  son  of  Hon.  Reuben 
Robie,  who  was  a  native  of  the  town  of  Corinth,  Orange  county,  Vt.  The  family 
trace  their  descent  direct  from  John  Robie,  of  Castle  Donnington,  Leicestershire, 
England,  who  died  in  1515,  the  first  member  of  the  family  in  this  country  having  been 
Henry  Robie,  who  landed  at  Dorchester,  Mass.,  in  1639,  and  the  same  year  went  to 
Exeter,  N.  H.,  and  afterwards  to  Hampden,  N.  H.,  where  he  died.  Hon.  Reuben 
Robie  came  to  Bath  in  1820,  and  w^as  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  for  over 
fifty  years.  He  was  member  of  congress  in  1851-52,  and  held  numerous  other  offices 
of  public  trust.  He  died  January  21,  1872.  His  wife,  Nancy  Whiting,  whom  he 
married  April  29,  1824,  and  who  died  February  18,  1876,  was  a  descendant  of  the 
Rev.  Samuel  Whiting,  of  Boston.  England,  who  settled  at  Lynn,  Mass.,  in  1636;  her 
father.  Col.  John  Whiting,  came  to  Bath  m  1815  from  the  State  of  Maine.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Robie  had  twelve  childi-en,  five  daughters  and  seven  sons;  Nancy  Jane,  Har- 
riet Alvira,  Lydia,  Olive,  John  Whiting,  Jonathan,  Charles  Henry,  James  Whiting, 
Mary,  Reuben  Edward,  Joel  Carter,  and  James  Lyon.  Four  of  the  sons  and  one  of 
the  daughters  are  now  living.  Reuben  Edward  was  graduated  from  Hobart  College  in 
1864,  then  entered  the  law  office  of  Hon.  David  Rumsey,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
1866,  and  afterwards  entered  into  partnership  with  Hon.  David  Rumsey  and  George 
S.  Jones,  and  later  with  Hon.  William  Rumsey.  February  2,  1881,  he  married  Annah 
Watkins,  daughter  of  Y'illiam  Babeock,  of  Canton,  111.  He  still  practices  his  pro- 
fession at  Bath. 

Reynolds,  H.  J.,  son  of  C.  J.  Reynolds,  who  was  a  native  of  Corning,  a  farmer  and 
rtorist,  and  who  died  in  1891.  Mr.  Reynolds  and  his  mother,  Jennie  G.  Reynolds, 
conduct  the  greenhouse,  which  was  established  by  his  father  in  1872,  and  have  6,000 
feet  of  glass. 

Rockwell.  L.  Wilson,  was  born  in  ()leau,'N.  Y.,  November  2,  1855.  Lemuel  Rock- 
well, father  of  L.  Wilson,  was  a  musician,  and  for  a  number  of  years  a  teacher  of 
the  profession  in  this  city.  He  died  in  1873.  L.  Wilson  was  educated  in  the  city^ 
schools  of  Hornellsville,  where  the  family  removed  m  1861,  and  his  first  <jccupation 
at  thirteen  years  of  age  was  as  a  clerk  in  the  store  of  Adsit  &  Tuttle.  In  1879  the  firm 
of  M.  A.  Tuttle  &  Company  was  organized,  with  Mr.  R.  as  the  companv.  In  1883 
he  removed  to  Wellsville.  organizing  the  firm  of  Rockwell  Brothers,  which  still  ex 
ists;  1886  he  organized  another  firm  of  the  same  name  in  Cortland,  and  in  1889  re- 


66  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEX  COUNTY. 

turned  to  Hornellsville,  and  in  1890,  with  M.  A.  Tuttle,  organized  the  present  firm  of 
Tuttle  &  Rockwell.  In  1890  Mr.  Rockwell  with  Mr.  Merrill,  and  his  brother,  J.  L. 
Rockwell,  organized  the  company  and  founded  the  Merrill  Fabric  Glove  Company,  a 
private  company,  the  firm  being  Rockwell,  Merrill  &  Rockwell.  Mr.  Rockwell  was 
one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Citizens'  National  Bank  of  Wellsville,  and  is  at  present  a 
director  and  one  of  its  largest  stockholders.  He  was  married  in  1884  to  Miss  Lizzie 
Smith  of  Wellsville,  who  died  January  12,  1892,  leaving  one  child,  Robert  F.  Rock- 
well, now  m  his  ninth  year. 

Rogers,  William  Findlay,  was  born  m  Forks  Township,  near  Easton,  Pa.,  March 
1.  1820,  son  of  Thomas  J.  Rogers,  who  came  from  Waterford,  Ireland,  with  his  father. 
Joseph,  who  settled  in  Philadelphia  about  the  year  1786.  Thomas  learned  the  art  of 
printing  and  after  attaining  his  majority,  settled  in  Easton,  where  he  established  a 
weekly  newspaper,  and  compiled  and  published  a  Biographical  Dictionary  for  the 
use  of  public  schools.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Christian  Winters  (;f  Easton. 
He  participated  m  the  war  of  1812  as  an  officer  m  the  Pennsylvania  militia,  in  which 
he  attained  the  rank  of  brigadier-general.  He  represented  the  Tenth  Pennsylvania 
District,  known  as  the  Tenth  Legion,  in  Congress  for  three  terms.  William  F.  also 
learned  the  art  of  printing  and  sought  employment  in  Philadelphia.  In  1846  he  re- 
moved to  Buffalo  and  entered  the  ofhce  of  the  Buffalo  Courier  as  foreman  of  the  com- 
posing room ;  and  also  took  an  active  part  in  the  militia  organizations  of  the  city. 
At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion  he  was  captain  of  Co  C,  T4th  Regiment,  and 
-was  among  the  first  to  volunteer  under  the  first  call  of  the  president  His  company 
•was  mustered  into  the  L^nion  service  for  two  years,  and  with  nine  other  companies, 
rendezvoused  at  Elmira;  and  on  the  organization  of  the  Twenty-first  Regiment  he 
was  unanimously  elected  colonel.  His  regiment  served  in  the  Virginia  and  Mary- 
land campaigns  and  was  mustered  out  in  May,  1863,  when  he  was  appointed  com- 
rnissioner  of  enrollment  and  subsequently  provost-marshal  of  the  Thirtieth  District. 
In  1866  he  was  elected  comptroller  of  Buffalo;  in  1869  mayor,  and  was  one  of  the 
projectors  of  the  magnificent  park  system  of  that  city.  He  appointed  the  first  board 
of  park  commissioners,  and  while  mayor  was  president  of  the  board,  and  at  the  ex- 
piration of  his  term,  was  elected  its  secretary  and  treasurer.  While  in  the  military 
service  of  the  State,  he  was  by  election  promoted  through  all  the  grades  to  that  of 
major-general.  He  was  brevetted  brigadier-general  U.  S.  V.,  served  as  department 
commander  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic;  was  elected  to  Congress  in  1885, 
serving  one  term.  In  1887  he  came  to  Bath  as  superintendent  of  the  New  York  State 
Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Home,  having  been  one  of  the  committee  to  .select  its  location, 
.and  connected  with  it  as  trustee  from  its  organization  in  187^. 

Robinson,  O.  P.,  was  born  in  Otsego  county  in  1847,  and  came  to  Corning  when 
two  years  of  age.  He  began  clerking  when  fourteen  years  of  age,  and  about  1876 
founded  his  present  business  as  dry  goods  dealer,  Mr.  Gamman  becoming  a  member 
of  the  firm  in  1891.  Mr.  Robinson  is  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  vSchool  Board.  He 
married  Mary  L.  Clark  of  Corning. 

Rishel,  Dr.  George  P.,  was  born  in  Millville,  Columbia  county.  Pa..  January  23, 
1849.  His  ancestors  came  from  Alsace-Lorraine  previous  to  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence.    The  greatgrandfather  was  a  Revolutionary   soldier;    the  father  for 


FAMILY   SKETCHES.  07 

more  than  fortv  years  au  eminent  practitioner  of  dentistry,  and  a  resident  of  Illinois 
at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  IST.").  Dr.  Oeorj^e  P.  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  High  Schools  ot  Bloomsburg,  Pa.,  and  Cambridge,  111.,  and  began  the 
practice  of  dentistry  in  1868.  He  i.s  a  graduate  of  the  Philadelphia  Dental  College, 
from  which  he  received  the  degree  of  1).  I).  S.  in  1882;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Seventh 
District  Dental  Society  of  this  State,  and  has  made  some  able  contributions  to  dental 
literature.  Dr.  Rishel  arrived  in  Hornellsville  January  5,  1873,  and  three  years  later 
married  Ada  W.,  daughter  of  Morris  Smith  of  that  city.  He  is  the  inventor  of  the 
■'Truss  and  Cable  Fence  Wire,"  and  of  the  complicated  machinery  employed  in  its 
manufacture,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Truss  and  Cable  Fence  Co.  He  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Sewer  Conmiissioners  since  1892,  and  as  secretary  of  that 
body  has  rendered  valuable  service  in  the  city. 

Reynolds,  Norman,  was  born  in  Marcellus,  Onondaga  county,  November  18,  1825, 
is  the  only  survivor  of  six  children  born  to  John  and  Anna  (Graves)  Reynolds,  he  a 
native  of  Tioga  county,  and  she  of  Marcellus.  John  Reynolds  learned  the  wagon- 
maker's  trade,  but  gave  it  up  for  the  millwright's  trade,  which  he  followed  in  Wayne 
county  for  many  years,  after  which  he  came  to  Allegany  county,  where  he  died  May 
17,  1848.  Mrs.  Reynolds  died  in  Greenwood  in  1870.  Norman  Reynolds  learned 
the  cabinetmaker's  trade,  at  which  he  worked  for  eight  years  in  Greenwood  and 
Rough  and  Ready.  He  was  on  a  farm  five  years  and  m  1884  located  in  Greenwood, 
where  he  still  resides.  October  28,  1849,  he  married  Pheobe  A.,  daughter  of  Orson 
Abbott  of  Wellsville,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  two  children;  Marion  F.,  born  June  22, 
18o8,  died  July  26,  1853;  Norman  A.,  born  February  23,  18ol.  Mrs.  Reynolds  died 
August  26,  1853.  Mr.  Reynolds  married  for  his  second  wife  Martha  A.  Trowbridge 
of  Greenwood,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Helen  M.,  born  February  27,  1855; 
John  W.,  born  July  ol,  1857;  Flora  E.,  born  July  11,  1859;  Rissie  V.,  born  Septem- 
ber 25,  1867;  and  Vera  Belle,  born  March  28,  1877,  and  died  April  11,  1880.  Sep- 
tember 10,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  86th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  was  honorably  discharged 
July  8,  1865.  He  was  in  second  battle  of  Bull  Run,  Fredericksburg,  Gettysburg, 
Wapping  Heights,  and  Wilderness,  where  he  was  wounded  May  10,  1864,  and  was 
also  wounded  in  front  of  Petersburg,  September  18,  1864.  He  is  a  member  of  Will- 
am  C.  White  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  which  he  is  at  present  chaplain. 

Rose,  Walter  G.,  was  born  in  Coventry,  near  Hartford,  Conn.,  October  2,  1814. 
Horace  Rose,  the  father  of  Walter,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  born  m  1788.  He 
was  a  man  of  the  best  education  and  in  his  younger  days  was  a  teacher.  In  1825  he 
moved  to  New  York  State  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Hartwick.  Otsego 
county,  N.  Y.,  where  he  made  his  home  until  the  fall  of  1844,  when  he  brought  his 
family  to  Steuben  county  and  .settled  in  the  village  of  Hornellsville,  and  died  here 
February  8,  1862.  The  mother  of  our  subject,  Marcia  Edgerton,  was  born  in  Con- 
necticut in  1789,  and  died  in  Hornellsville  in  1875  at  eighty-six  years  of  age.  To 
them  six  children  were  born,  all  of  them  gone  but  Walter.  He  was  given  a  good 
common  school  education,  and  his  first  occupation  was  serving  as  an  apprentice 
to  the  tinsmith  trade.  Three  and  a  half  years  later  when  he  was  twenty-one  he- 
started  as  journeyman  and  was  two  and  a  half  years  at  the  bench.  In  1888  he  formed 
a  copartnership  with  his  former  employer  in  Hartwick,  and  was  a  member  of  the  firm 
for  four  years.     He  then  started  for  himself  and  conducted  a  dry  goods  business  un- 


68  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

til  the  emigration  of  the  family  to  this  county.  April  9,  1845,  he  had  his  goods  all 
here  and  ready  to  start  in  business,  where  his  residence  is  now  located.  The  busi- 
ness then  was  the  manufacturing  of  tinware  and  dealing  in  stoves,  which  gradually 
grew  into  the  dealing  in  all  classes  of  hardware  and  farming  implements.  The  busi" 
ness  increasing,  in  1848  Mr.  Rose  removed  to  the  north  side  of  Main  street  where 
their  present  place  of  business  is.  At  that  time  there  were  but  two  stores  on  the 
north  side  of  Main  street,  that  of  Charles  Baldwin,  a  drug  store,  and  one  dry  goods 
store.  INIr.  Rose  has  ever  since  been  engaged  m  business  in  this  city.  He  has  occu- 
pied many  positions  of  honor  and  trust  in  this  town.  He  was  a  director  of  the  Bank 
of  Hornellsville  and  was  nine  years  assessor  and  was  five  years  supervisor  of  the 
town..  About  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Rose  purchased  thirteen  acres  of  farm  land 
on  Canisteo  street,  which  he  opened  up  for  village  residences  and  erected  twenty  to 
twenty-five  buildings.  The  three  beautiful  residences  on  Main  street  and  many  of 
the  stores  of  the  village  have  been  built  by  him.  He  was  married  in  1838  to  Miss 
Glovina  Olendorf  of  Hartwick,  Otsego  county,  who  is  still  spared  to  his  partnership. 
The  three  children  of  this  union  are  John  R.,  a  partner  in  the  store,  and  Charles  O. , 
a  manufacturer.     Annie,  the  only  daughter,  was  drowned  in  1869. 

Sluyter,  Alonzo  F.  M.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Troupsburg,  December  2T,  18 il, 
the  thirteenth  of  a  family  of  fourteen  children  born  to  Joshua  and  Elizabeth  (Pease) 
.Sluyter.  They  came  from  Delaware  to  Troupsburg,  built  a  carding  mill,  and  cleared 
a  farm  near  the  village  of  Sluyterville.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sluyter  both  died  in  southeast 
West  Union,  he  June  7,  1869,  and  she  June  27,  1S81.  The  grandfather,  Allabartus, 
lived  and  died  in  Delaware.  Alonzo  Sluyter  was  educated  in  Troupsburg  and  then 
engaged  in  farming.  In  1861  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Ira  Carr,  by  whom  he 
liad  seven  children;  George  H.,  liveryman,  Harrison  Valley,  Pa.,  born  in  1866; 
Emily,  wife  of  Edward  Dailey,  a  farmer  of  West  Union,  born  August  2,  1868;  I. 
Joshua,  born  November  8,  1870;  Charles  P.,  born  April  28,  1876;  William  O.,  born 
August  19  1878;  Evelyn  C,  born  June  10,  1882,  and  Mary  E.,  born  July  30,  1885. 
Mr.  Sluvter  came  to  West  Union  with  his  parents  in  1861  and  carries  on  a  farm  of 
327  acres.  In  February,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  H,  86th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  was  hon- 
orably discharged  in  October,  1865.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  where 
Tie  was  wounded  and  was  then  transferred  to  the  2d  Battalion  V.  R.  C.  Mr.  Sluyter 
^nd  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church. 

Seeley,  Norris,  was  born  in  Addison,  N.  Y.,  August  14,  1842,  the  .oldest  of  three 
.children  born  to  Stephen  and  Sabra  (Johnson)  Seeley.  Stephen  Seeley  was  born  De- 
cember 22,  1816,  in  Oxford,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  and  his  wife  June  2,  1822,  in 
Otsego,  N.  Y.  She  died  April  26,  1877.  Stephen  was  the  oldest  of  six  children  born 
to  John  and  Susan  (Wells)  Seeley,  natives  of  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts,  respec- 
tively. John  Seeley  settled  at  Oxford,  where  he  died  in  1839  and  Mrs.  Seeley  in 
1859.  Stephen  Seeley  came  to  Troupsburg  in  1855,  where  he  still  resides  on  the 
farm,  having  retired  from  active  business  in  1879.  Norris  Seeley  was  reared  on  the 
farm  and  helped  to  clear  the  farm  he  now  owns,  having  purchased  it  in  18  9.  He 
has  117  acres  and  makes  a  specialty  of  hay  and  dairy  products.  In  1868  he  married 
Lodema  Griffith,  who  was  born  in  Otsego  county,  August  25,  1847.  She  is  a  daugh- 
ter of  Lorenzo  and  Eliza  (Moak)  Griffith,  natives  or  Otsego  and  Schoharie  counties. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  69 

respectivL-Iy.      Mr.  and  Mrs.  Seeley  have  three  chihh-en ;  Stevia  \j.,  l)orn  October  l:^, 
1S?,>;  IdaS.,  born  March  15,  187;");  and  Cassie  V.,  born  July  2,  18H9. 

Stephens,  Adsit  B.,  was  born  in  Canisteo  on  the  farm  he  now  owns,  September  1, 
1857,  son  of  Wilham  B.,  who  was  born  in  this  town  in  1815.  Wilham,  the  grand- 
father, was  born  in  1777,  and  settled  on  what  is  known  as  the  Thomas  Hallett  farm, 
where  he  kept  an  inn.  William  B.  Stephens  married  Lydia  M.  Abbe,  of  Canisteo, 
by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Sophia  A.,  Libbie  M.,  and  Adsit  B.  The  latter 
spent  his  early  life  in  teaching  school  and  working  at  his  trade  in  a  printing  office. 
For  the  last  twelve  years  he  has  devoted  his  time  to  farming,  making  a  specialty  of 
small  fruit  growing.  In  1880  he  married  Clara  B. ,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Knapp,  of 
South  Canisteo,  by  whom  he  has  three  children :  Ross  W.,  aged  tvirelve  years;  Agnes 
May,  aged  eight  years;  and  Vina  Belle,  aged  three  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stephens  are 
members  of  the  M.  E.  church. 

Shannan,  M  E.,  was  born  in  Bath,  December  31,  1849.  Matthew  Shannan,  his 
father,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  in  the  town  of  Bath,  being  identified  as  a  farmer, 
and  married  Martha  Fancett,  daughter  of  Robert  Fancett.  He  died  November  13 
1875,  in  his  seventy-fifth  year,  M.  E.  Shannan  was  educated  m  Bath,  after  which 
he  entered  the  employ  of  James  Fancett,  and  in  1885  he  established  a  grain,  pro- 
duce, coal  and  agricultural  implement  business,  in  which  he  contmued  up  to  1893, 
since  which  time  he  has  dealt  in  real  estate.  Mr.  Shannan  is  one  of  the  representa- 
tive business  men  of  his  town,  serving  as  trustee ^nd  taking  an  intelligent  interest 
in  educational  and  rehgious  institutions,  and  in  advancing  the  best  interests  of  his 
town  and  townspeople. 

vStocum,  John,  was  born  in  Pulteney,  vSteuben  county,  April  37,  1825.  James  Sto- 
cum,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Putnam  county,  and  came  to  Pulteney  about  1810, 
and  followed  farming.  He  married  Catherine,  daughter  of  Samuel  Townsend,  who 
lived  to  be  ninety-seven  years  of  age.  James  ^tocum  was  drowned  in  the  Cohocton 
River  in  1 825.  John  Stocum  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  came  to  Bath 
in  1840,  a  poor,  friendless  boy,  where  he  learned  the  furniture  and  undertaking 
trade,  which  he  has  carried  on  for  fifty  years.  In  1847  he  married  Elizabeth,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Metcalf,  of  Bath,  who  died  in  1858.  In  1860  he  married  Susan  B.,  daugh- 
ter of  Josiah  Townsend  of  Elmira.  In  1861  he  raised  his  first  company,  Battery  E, 
1st  N.  Y.  Light  Artillery,  going  out  as  captain;  he  was  beaten  out  of  this  battery 
through  trickery.  In  1862  he  raised  Co.  F,  61st  N.  Y.  Inf.,  which  at  that  time  pre- 
vented a  draft  being  made  in  the  town  of  Bath;  he  served  a  year,  and  being  invalided 
by  sun  stroke  and  typhoid  fever,  returned  home  September  3,  1864;  he  was  with  this 
company  and  regiment  at  the  siege  and  surrender  of  Port  Hudson.  Upon  his  re- 
turn home  in  1864  he  raised  his  third  and  last  company,  being  Co.  A,  189th  Regt. 
During  his  service  in  this  regiment,  on  January  11,  1865,  Capt.  Burrage  Rice  was 
killed  by  guerrillas ;  it  was  not  long  before  the  long  roll  was  beating  in  the  camp  of  the 
189th ;  after  a  march  of  eight  miles  a  halt  was  ordered  and  Captain  Stocum  deployed 
Co.  A  as  skirmishers,  and  advancing  through  the  woods  for  a  mile,  found  the  body, 
and  after  a  spirited  fight,  with  the  guerrillas,  brought  it  back  to  camp :  it  had  been 
stripped  naked  and  shot  once  through  the  waist  and  twice  through  the  head ;  on  the 
13th  it  was  embalmed  at  City  Point  and  sent  home  in  charge  of  Lieutenant  Warren. 


70  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

On  Sunday,  the  ever  memorable  9th  of  April,  Captain  Stocum,  with  Companies  A 
and  F  on  the  skirmish  line,  drove  into  Appomattox  the  last  rebel  battery  and  picket 
line  General  Lee  sent  out.  Of  all  the  men  in  Steuben  county,  none  did  his  duty 
more  faithfully  and  bravely  than  Captain  Stocum.  He  received  an  honorable  dis- 
charge Ma}^  30,  1865,  with  rank  of  major,  and  returned  to  Bath  and  resumed  his  fur- 
niture and  undertaking  business 

Stephens,  Hiram  A.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Canisteo,  November  28,  1839,  son 
of  J.  H.  M.  Stephens,  who  was  born  in  the  town  of  Addison,  November  13,  1806, 
and  moved  with  his  parents  to  Canisteo  when  eight  years  old.  He  was  a  farmer, 
also  carpenter  by  trade.  He  married  Ermina,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Susanna 
Bennett  of  Howard.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children :  Susanna,  Frazier, 
Hiram  A.,  Henry  M.,  Rachel  E.  (deceased),  Ellen,  Mandane,  Bruce  (deceased),  and 
C.  B.  Stephens,  M.D.  His  parents  both  died  at  the  old  homestead,  his  father  on 
April  6,  1883,  and  his  mother  May  25,  1883 ;  they  were  buried  in  the  cemetery  near 
by  where  many  by  the  name  of  Stephens  are  interred.  A  suitable  monument  has 
been  erected  to  mark  their  last  resting  place.  Hiram  A.  was  educated  in  the  district 
school  in  the  town  of  Canisteo,  attended  school  during  winter  terms,  and  assisted  on 
the  farm  the  remainder  of  the  year,  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-one,  after 
which  he  attended  school  at  Rogersville  and  Prattsburg  Academies.  He  taught 
thirteen  terms,  in  which  profession  he  met  with  good  success.  He  went  to  Michigan 
in  1866  and  spent  five  years  in  the  lumber  business.  He  married  Mrs.  Mary  E. 
O'Hara  of  Wallace,  July  17,  1881.  He  has  kept  a  general  store  at  Wallace  for  fifteen 
years ;  in  this  vocation  he  has  been  successful,  having  built  up  a  large  trade.  Mr. 
Stephens  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternitj^  for  over  thirty  years;  he  was 
made  a  Mason  in  Canisteo  Morning  Star  Lodge  No.  65,  and  is  now  a  member  of 
Avoca  Lodge,  No.  673. 

Stratton,  George  W.,  one  of  nine  children  of  Thomas  and  Clarissa  Stratton,  of 
whom  seven  are  now  living,  was  born  at  Fallsburgh,  Sullivan  county,  in  1840.  Until 
eighteen  years  of  age  his  boyhood  days  were  spent  in  assisting  his  father  on  the 
farm,  and  in  attending  the  common  school  of  Fallsburgh,  where,  as  a  village  stu- 
dent, he  acquired  his  education.  He  then  entered  a  store  in  Tioga,  Pa.,  as  a  clerk, 
and  his  work  there  promised  the  active  business  life  which  has  followed.  At  twenty- 
one  years  of  age  he  enlised  in  Co.  K,  23d  Regt.  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  after  serving  three 
months  with  that  regiment  he  was  discharged  for  disability  and  came  home.  Hav- 
ing recovered  his  health  a  year  later,  his  desire  to  serve  his  country  led  him  to  enlist 
in  Co.  A,  143d  Regt.,  with  which  he  remained  until  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he 
engaged  in  the  tanning  business  here.  He  has  been  a  faithful  worker,  and  for  fifteen 
years  was  proprietor  of  the  Goodhull  Tannery,  and  at  present  is  not  engaged  in  any 
mercantile  business,  but  is  devoting  his  attention  to  his  farm  interests.  Mr.  Strat- 
ton is  a  solid  substantial  citizen,  and  a  Republican,  but  not  a  seeker  for  political 
preferment.  In  1871  he  married  Julia,  daughter  of  Frederick  Thurber.  She  is  a 
descendant  of  Dr.  Sidney  Powers  of  Lawrenceville,  a  widely  known  practitioner. 
She  is  also  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  They  have  two  daughters  to  help 
disburse  the  hospitalities  of  the  handsome,  modern  residence,  erected  in  1891  on 
Front  street. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  71 

Smitli,  Edward  II.,  was  born  in  Warren  county,  N.  V.,  son  of  Ezra  B.  and 
Laura  Smith.  He  married  Ellen  B.,  a  daughter  of  Erastus  Bronson,  and  settled  at 
Painted  Post  m  1857.  Have  had  two  children,  Carrie,  wife  of  Fred  Kingsbury  of 
Corning,  both  now  deceased,  and  Carl  B.  Smith,  M.D.,  of  Binghamton,  N.  Y.  Ed- 
ward H.  was  with  Fo.k,  Weston  &  Co.,  for  twenty-five  years.  He  is  at  present  post- 
master at  Painted  Post.  Has  been  commissioner  of  highways  of  the  town  of  Erwin 
eight  years;  member  of  the  Board  of  Education  twenty-one  years;  trustee  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  twenty  years,  and  is  at  present  an  elder  of  the  same. 

Stevens,  Ralph,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Campbell,  October  5,  1838.  He  is 
the  son  of  Jonas  Stevens,  who  was  born  in  the  town  of  Sangerfield,  Oneida 
county,  March  18,  1803,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Campbell  m  1806,  where  he 
resided  up  to  his  death,  which  occurred  September  25,  1887.  He  married  Eliza- 
beth, daughter  of  Jedediah  Miller  of  Ulysses,  N.  Y. ,  by  whom  he  had  five  children: 
George.  Hannah,  Harmon,  Ralph,  and  Jane.  Ralph  Stevens  was  educated  in 
Campbell,  and  afterward  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering.  In  1862  he  enlisted 
in  the  107th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  about  three  years.  He  was  wounded  in  the 
battle  of  Dallas,  where  he  lost  his  right  leg,  and  returned  home  in  March,  1865,  and 
since  then  has  devoted  his  time  to  farming.  He  married  Margaret  Gilmore  of  Tioga 
couQtv,  Pa.,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Jennie  ]\I.,  William  B.,  Sherman  M., 
Benjamin  J.,  Adaline  R.,  and  Edward  R.  For  his  second  wife  he  married  Miss  Jane 
Jacobus  of  Urbana.  Jlr.  Stevens  has  filled  the  minor  offices  of  the  town,  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Knox  Post,  No.  549,  Mason  Lodge,  No.  755,  and  K.  of  H.  No.  372.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  Republican. 

Scribner,  L.  D.,  was  born  in  Andover,  April  20,  1840,  son  of  Daniel  Scribner,  a 
native  of  Connecticut,  and  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  Andover.  He  spent  his  last 
days  in  Greenwood,  where  he  died  in  1895,  aged  eighty  years.  He  married  Augusta 
Ellis,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  by  whom  he  had  four  children.  L.  D.  Scribner  set- 
tled in  Greenwood  in  1865,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming.  In  1864  he 
married  Lucretia,  daughter  of  William  Young  of  Greenwood,  by  whom  he  had  seven 
children:  Fred  M.,  who  died  March  27,  1874,  aged  eight  years;  Willis  S.,  furniture 
dealer  of  Greew^ood;  Hattie  F.,  wife  of  A.  L.  Rogers,  farmer;  Sidney  A.,  harness 
maker  of  Greenwood;  Dow  L.,  Clayton  and  Ray.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Scribner  are  mem- 
bers of  the  M.  E.  church. 

Smith,  Andy  L.,  was  born  in  Cazenovia,  Madison  county,  N.  Y.,  July  19,  1818. 
The  father  of  Andy,  and  also  Andy  L.  Smith,  was  a  native  of  Vermont,  born  in 
Montpelier  in  1789.  He  was  a  tanner  and  shoemaker  by  trade,  and  went  to  Madison 
county  when  a  young  man,  working  at  his  trade,  and  in  1830  came  to  Hornellsville 
where  shortly  after  he  built  what  is  now  knowm  as  the  O'Connor  tannery,  which  he 
conducted  for  a  number  of  years  and  then  sold.  In  connection  with  the  tannery  he 
established  a  shoe  business  which  the  son  (Andy)  took  up  after  his  death.  Andy  L. 
Smith  died  m  1852.  He  was  the  father  of  four  children,  of  which  Andy  was  the 
fourth  child.  He  was  given  a  good  common  school  education,  and  his  occupation 
was  in  the  shoe  factory  of  his  father,  to  which  he  added  the  dealing  in  dry  goods, 
and  the  first  store  was  on  Main  street  near  his  present  residence,  and  later  m  com- 
pany with  Edward  T.  Young,   built  the  store  now  occupied  by  Stephen  Hollands. 


72  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Latei-  he  bought  the  partner's  interest  and  conducted  it  until  1883,  when  he  retired 
from  business.  Mr.  Smith  is  one  of  the  oldest  representatives  of  the  mercantile 
trade  of  this  city.  He  was  married  in  1839  to  Sarah  M.  Young,  daughter  of  George 
Y'oung,  a  tailor  by  trade  of  the  village  of  Painted  Post.  She  bore  him  three  chil- 
dren, only  one  of  whom  is  now  living,  Carrie,  the  wife  of  Arthur  C.  Van  Scooter,  a 
portrait  painter.  Mrs.  Smith  died  September  23,  18b9,  and  he  took  for  his  second 
wife  Mrs.  R.  M.  Traver,  sister  of  his  first  wife.     They  have  no  children. 

Strack,  Charles  F.,  was  born  in  Wurtemburg,  Germany,  February  11,  1847.  Jacob 
Strack,  the  father  of  the  subject,  came  to  this  country,  bringing  his  wife  and  five 
children,  in  1853.  He  located  in  Buffalo,  N.Y.,  and  it  was  there  that  Charles  F.  was 
reared.  His  mother  died  in  1858.  He  was  the  youngest  of  the  family  and  was 
educated  in  Buffalo.  June  28,  1864,  he  went  to  Batavia,  N.Y.,  as  an  apprentice  to  the 
baker's  trade.  He  spent  two  years  in  that  town  and  then  returned  to  Buffalo,  where 
he  was  employed  in  different  bakeries  until  1869.  He  spent  about  a  year  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  February  22,  1871,  located  in  Hornellsville,  where  he  bought  a  small 
place  on  Loder  street,  and  by  close  attention  laid  a  good  foundation  for  an  extensive 
business.  November,  1873,  he  removed  to  60  Canisteo  street,  where  he  increased  his 
facilities  and  made  many  additions  to  his  establishment.  He  is  one  of  the  directors 
of  the  Citizens'  National  Bank,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
Hornellsville  Lodge  No.  331.  He  is  one  of  the  officers  of  the  German  Lutheran 
church  and  was  the  leading  spirit  in  its  foundation.  He  has  been  its  treasurer  and 
a  trustee  since  it  was  erected  in  1886.  In  politics  Mr.  Strack  has  generally  supported 
the  Republican  ticket,  but  is  not  a  politician  or  seeker  for  office.  He  employs  three 
hands  and  one  team  on  the  road.  April  12,  1871,  he  married  Katherine  Elsheimer, 
of  Suspension  Bridge,  N.Y.,  by  whom  he  has  four  children:  Lily,  who  died  June  5, 
1877;  Carrie,  Amelia  and  Charles  F.,  jr.,  the  last  two  students  of  the  city  schools, 
while  Carrie  is  at  home. 

Shepard,  William  H.,  was  born  in  Albany,  March  16,  1839.  William  S.  Shepard, 
his  father,  was  also  a  native  of  Albany,  and  the  family  were  of  Welsh  descent  and 
early  settlers  m  New  Hampshire.  William  S.  married  Sallie,  daughter  of  Otis 
Everett,  was  identified  in  early  life  with  the  clothing  and  hardware  business  in 
Alban5^  and  died  at  Bath  in  1894,  in  his  seventy-ninth  year.  William  H.  was 
educated  in  preparatory  schools,  graduating  in  1861  from  Williams  College,  also  from 
Albany  Law  School  in  1863,  and  in  the  same  year  came  to  Bath  and  formed  the 
partnership  of  Rumsey,  Jones  &  Shepard.  In  1865  he  returned  to  Albany  and  en- 
gaged in  business.  In  1869  he  returned  to  Bath  and  engaged  in  the  hardware  busi- 
ness, and  in  1884  established  his  present  business  of  fire,  life  and  accident  insurance. 
In  1865  he  married  Adelaide,  daughter  of  L.  V.  Church,  by  w^hom  he  had  six  chil- 
dren, four  of  whom  are  now  living:  Edith,  William  S. ,  Rachel  A.  and  Frederick  H. 
Mrs.  Shepard  died  in  1882. 

Smith,  Enos,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Greenwood,  Steuben  county,  January  30, 
1845.  Jesse  B.,  his  father,  was  born  in  Tompkins  county,  N.Y.,  March  11,  1811,  and 
came  to  the  town  of  Greenwood  in  1829,  where  he  with  his  father,  Enos  Smith,  took 
up  sixty  acres.  He  married  Polly,  daughter  of  Allen  Miner,  who  was  one  of  the 
oldest  settlers  in   that  county,   by  whom  he  had  nine  children:  Augustus,  Lerov, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  73 

Merritt,  Averv,  Enos,  William  J.,  Anna,  Charley  and  Floyd.  Enos  was  educated  in 
the  district  schools  o(  Cauisteo,  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  290  acres,  two-thirds  of 
which  is  under  cultivation.  February  10,  1870,  he  married  Fanny,  daughter  of 
Richard  Coleman,  of  England,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Grace  M.,  Lucy  E., 
Blanche  L.,  Anna  INIabel,  Harry  C,  and   Fred  T. 

Stephens,  Walter  A.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Ilorncllsville,  March  (i,  IS.j:].  He 
was  educated  in  the  city  schools  and  engaged  in  farming  as  an  occupation  In  1878, 
in  ccmipany  with  his  brother,  Christopher  B.,  he  started  a  market  in  the  city  of 
Hornellsville,  which  is  still  known  as  the  Stephens  market,  being  now  conducted  by 
the  father,  Alanson  Stephens,  and  his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Bennett,  Walter  withdraw- 
ing from  the  firm  in  October,  1894,  as  he  had  become  deeply  interested  in  real  estate 
transactions  in  the  south  part  of  the  city.  In  1891  he  bought  a  part  of  the  old  Van 
Scotee  farm,  which  he  has  laid  out  in  lots  and  made  many  valuable  improvements 
and  erected  nine  of  the  most  beautiful  cottages  of  the  city.  On  this  same  property 
there  is  now  being  erected  the  South  Side  M.  E.  church  at  an  expense  of  .$10,000. 
Mr.  Stephens  is  a  member  of  this  church  and  chairmian  of  the  board  of  trustees.  He 
is  a  member  of  Hornellsville  Lodge  No.  B31,  F.  and  A.  M.,  Steuben  Chapter,  the 
Council,  Commandery  and  Consistory.  He  was  married  in  1878  to  Aliss  Dora  M. 
Carroll,  of  Hornellsville. 

Stanton,  Jerome  I.,  was  born  at  Great  Bend,  Susquehanna  county.  Pa.,  on  Novem- 
ber 18,  1841.  It  may  truthfully  be  said  of  him,  "He  bore  the  yoke  in  his  youth." 
Shortly  after  the  removal  of  his  parents  to  Wyoming  county  in  1854  he  was  necessi- 
tated to  begin  his  intimacy  with  hard  work,  which  brought  with  it  the  scanty  wages 
of  six  dollars  per  month.  He  continued  at  work  in  country  stores  until  1862,  when 
he  enlisted  in  the  17th  Pa.  Vol.  Cavalry.  He  bravely  remained  at  his  post  through 
nineteen  engagements,  and  with  the  added  experience  of  prison  life  in  the  winter  of 
1864-0.  On  returning  to  his  regiment  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  sergeant- 
major,  and  only  doffed  his  uniform  for  a  more  peaceful  vocation  when  the  war  had 
closed.  After  his  return  home  he  engaged  as  traveling  salesman  for  a  large  firm,  and 
in  1871  succeeded  his  employers  in  the  business,  with  headquarters  at  Painted  Post, 
N.Y.  In  1879  he  sold  out  to  Fish  &  Holmes,  who  removed  the  business  to  Elmira, 
N.Y.,  after  which  he  purchased  the  planing  mill  property  at  Painted  Post  and  en- 
gaged in  the  lumber  business,  which  he  has  developed  to  large  dimensions,  and  in 
the  same  year  his  conversion  took  place  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  James  Moss. 
In  1888  he  was  elected  as  a  lay  delegate  to  General  Conference,  and  was  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  Prohibition  party  in  New  York  State,  and  is  an  earnest  worker  in 
the  cause.  A  career  so  heavily  handicapped  and  in  its  outgrowth  rising  to  such 
achievements,  combined  as  it  is  with  simplicity  and  piety,  deserves  genuine  ad- 
miration. 

Spencer.  Hon.  George  T.,  was  born  in  Saybrook,  Conn.,  November  G,  1814,  and 
was  educated  at  Lee's  Academy,  Madison,  Conn.,  and  at  Amherst  and  West- 
field  Academies  in  Massachusetts,  and  graduated  from  Yale  in  1837.  He  studied 
law  with  Governor  Ellsworth  at  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  John  G  Forbes,  of  Syracuse. 
and  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1841,  and  has  since  been  practicing  his  profession  in 
Corning.     In  1857  he  was  a  member  of  the  Legislature,  and  in  1867  a  member  of  the 


74  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

State  Constitntional  Convention,  and  from  1872  to  1S78  county  judge  and  surrogate 
of  Steuben  county. 

Sly,  Robert  O.,  was  born  in  the  place  where  he  now  lives  in  1846,  son  of  George 
and  Lovina  Irvin  Sly,  natives  of  Corning  and  Watkins.  The  grandparents  came  from 
Richmond,  Va.,  and  Connecticut,  paternal  and  maternal  respectively.  Mr.  Sly  has 
always  resided  on  the  old  home  place  consisting  of  250  acres  of  the  original  370  acres. 
In  1872  he  married  Sarah  Cutler,  a  native  of  Corning,  and  their  children  are  as  fol- 
lows; George  Elliot,  Mary  Lovina,  Idalia,  Aletha. 

Sharp,  John  G.,  was  born  in  Coxsackie,  July  30,  1825,  son  of  Lawrence  I.  Sharp 
of  whom  an  account  will  be  found  in  this  volume.  He  came  to  his  present  residence 
when  nine  years  of  age.  The  homestead  consists  of  147  acres  of  land.  He  was 
educated  in  the  academy  in  Howard,  and  has  since  devoted  his  time  to  farming.  He 
married  Harriet,  daughter  of  Lott  Forrister,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  town, 
formerly  of  Connecticut.  They  had  two  children,  Floyd  L.  and  Ettie  M.  He  mar- 
ried the  second  time,  Juliet,  daughter  of  Russell  Boughten,  and  they  were  also  from 
Connecticut.  Mr.  Sharp  held  the  offices  of  assessor  six  years,  commissioner  of  high- 
ways six  years,  and  supervisor  two  years.  He  has  been  salesman  for  the  cheese  fac- 
tories twenty-seven  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masons,  Lewis  Lodge  No.  104. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Symonds,  J.  H.,  was  born  in  Oxford,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  April  19,  1841,  and 
is  the  second  of  eight  children  born  to  George  and  Sarah  (Wilson)  Symonds,  both 
natives  of  Chenango  county.  The  grandparents,  John  and  Lucy  Ann  (Chesbro) 
Symonds,  came  from  Hartford,  Conn.,  to  Chenango  county  when  the  country  was 
new,  where  they  engaged  in  farming.  He  died  September  30,  1872,  and  she  De- 
cember 17,  1865.  George  Sj^monds  was  a  stonecutter  and  jobber  in  Chenango 
county,  and  died  April  22,  1892,  and  she  in  January,  1875.  The  maternal  grand- 
father, Daniel  Wilson,  came  from  West  Chester  to  Chenango  county,  where  he  died 
in  1864.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  a  soldier  m  the  war  of  1812.  J.  H. 
Symonds  began  farming  when  eighteen  years  of  age,  which  business  he  has  always 
followed.  In  1866  he  bought  a  farm  in  Chenango  county,  which  he  sold,  and  in  1871 
came  to  Troupsburg,  where  he  now  owns  120  acres  of  land  and  makes  a  specialty  of 
dairy  farming.  In  1864  he  married  Julia  A.,  daughter  of  John  M.  and  Mary 
.< Holmes)  Wilcox,  of  Chenango  county,  by  whom  he  had  these  children ;  Elmer  G., 
born  in  1864,  a  fai'mer  of  Troupsburg;  Martin  J.,  born  February  26,  1868,  who  died 
■in  1878;  Lida  May,  who  died  in  February,  1893,  aged  seventeen  years;  John  Ray, 
who  died  September  21,  1880,  aged  three  months;  Archie  W.,  born  September  15, 
1882;  John  E.,  born  January  20,  1884;  Clifford  E.,  born  August  28,  1890.  Mr. 
Symonds  has  been  highway  commissioner,  and  in  1892  was  appointed  postmaster  at 
East  Troupsburg. 

Stroud,  Jacob  P.,  was  born  in  Sussex  county,  N.  J.,  April  15,  1824,  a  son  of  Jacob 
iind  Mary  (Probasco)  Stroud,  of  Stroudsburg,  Pa.,  the  former  being  named  after 
Colonel  Stroud,  a  brother  of  the  grandfather  of  the  subject,  Samuel  Stroud,  who  came 
from  England  and  finally  settled  in  W^oodhull  in  1826,  where  he  died.  The  father  of 
the  subject  died  in  1877,  and  the  mother  m  1852.  Jacob  P.  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools,  and   followed   lumbering  and  farming.     In  1868  he  engaged  in  the  mer- 


FAMILY   SKETCHES.  75 

cantile  business,  which  he  conlimied  till  1S71,  when  he  returned  to  farming.  A  year 
later  he  rebuilt  the  store,  and  engaged  again  in  business  until  he  was  burned  out, 
then  sold  monuments  for  Field  &  Alden,  of  Hornellsville  until  they  went  to  Roches- 
ter; he  has  been  for  fifteen  years  agent  for  the  Osborne  Company,  manufacturers  of 
agricultural  implements.  Mr.  Stroud  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  for  several  years. 
In  1848  he  married  Sarah  J.,  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  (Cole)  Chase,  of  Addi- 
son, N.  Y.,  and  their  children  are;  Willis  W.,  born  October  5.  1850;  Sarah  A.,  born 
November  17,  1851;  Martin  M.,  born  October  13,  1853;  J.  Frank,  born  January  25, 
1855;  and  Emma    born  March  19,  1859. 

Spoor,  Fred  C,  was  l^orn  in  Luzerne  county,  now  Scranton,  Pa.,  December  10,  1860, 
and  a  son  of  Leman  L.  and  Abigail  Robinson  Spoor,  who  came  from  Pennsylvania 
and  settled  in  the  town  of  Bath  in  1875.  He  then  moved  to  Campbell  and  afterward 
to  the  town  of  Erwin  in  1890.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children:  Henry  W., 
Fred  C,  Carrie,  wife  of  Frank  Thompson,  William  L.,  Lila,  wife  of  Frank  Wilder, 
Annie  and  Mattie.  Leman  L.  is  a  painter  by  trade.  Fred  C.  married  IdaT.,  a 
daughter  of  David  and  Mary  Van  Etten  Dykeman,  who  settled  in  the  town  of  Corn- 
ing in  1853,  and  they  have  three  children  ;  Bernice,  Gertrude  May  and  Dorothy.  Mr. 
Spoor  has  been  connected  with  the  Erie  Railroad  for  the  past  fifteen  years,  twelve 
years  in  the  capacity  of  conductor.  He  is  a  member  of  Montour  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M. 
ko.  168,  also  L  O  O.  F.,  No.  613,  and  of  the  I.  O.  R.  M.,  Al-wa-hee  Tribe,  No.  284. 
He  was  a  charter  member  of  the  I.  O.  R.  M.  and  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  and  his  family  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  church. 

Sherwood,  Micajah  A'.,  was  born  in  Cameron,  this  county,  June  8,  1843,  a  son  of 
James,  who  came  to  Cameron  from  Pulteney  when  a  young  man.  The  latter  was  a 
member  of  the  Freewill  Baptist  church,  and  of  his  ten  children  si.\  reached  maturity, 
of  whom  our  subject  was  the  youngest  son.  He  was  given  a  good  education,  and  his 
first  work  was  at  farming.  The  death  of  his  father  occurred  in  1853,  and  he  contin- 
ued on  the  farm  till  the  age  of  seventeen,  when  he  entered  the  employ  of  his  brother, 
Frankhn  D.,  in  the  general  st(jre,  remaining  till  the  outbreak  of  the  war.  August 
21,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  141st  X.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  during  the  war,  serving 
at  the  siege  of  Suffolk,  Baltimore  Cross  Roads,  Lookout  Mountain,  Wauhatchie 
Valley,  Resaca,  and  many  other  important  and  decisive  battles;  he  was  promoted  to 
first  lieutenant  and  commanded  his  company  from  Atlanta  to  the  end  of  the  war  and 
mustered  them  out.  He  received  an  honorable  discharge  at  Elmira,  June  8,  1865. 
Returning  to  Hornellsville  he  was  for  a  short  time  m  the  store,  and  was  in  1869  ap- 
pointed to  the  railway  mail  .service,  which  position  he  held  till  December  29,  1893, 
when  he  was  injured  in  an  accident  at  Dunkirk,  and  has  since  resided  in  this  city. 
In  1894  he  was  elected  city  chamberlain,  and  he  is  a  Mason  of  prominence  in  his 
lodge.  His  wife  was  Ada  Virginia  Kassick,  of  Michigan,  and  they  have  one  child, 
Walter  V. 

Sims,  William  H.,  was  born  in  Tamaqua,  Schuylkill  county.  Pa.,  June  25,  1853, 
the  second  son  of  a  family  of  six  children  of  John  Sims,  a  painter,  who  died  Novem 
ber  10,  1861.  William  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  at  fifteen  years  of 
age  he  began  an  apprentice.ship  at  the  machinist's  trade  in  the  P.  &  R.  shops,  which 
he  spent  four  years  at  and  then  six  months  was  in  a  shop  at  Williamsport,  and  from 


76  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

there  went  to  Delano  where  he  was  foreman  of  a  department  for  seven  years.  In 
May,  1883,  he  came  to  Hornellsville  and  entered  the  employ  of  the  Erie  R.  R.  Com- 
pany, at  first  as  regular  machinist  and  now  occupies  the  position  of  assistant  foreman. 
Mr.  Sims  was  married  in  1875  to  Miss  Angelina  Jeffery  of  Delano,  Pa.  They  have 
been  the  parents  of  five  children,  One  died  in  infancy.  Harry  W.  is  an  apprentice 
at  the  Times  office.  George  J.  is  a  clerk  in  Epstein's  clothing  store.  Charles  J.  was 
drowned  in  Canisteo  river,  March  11,  1887,  four  years  and  seven  months  old.  Alice 
E.,  the  only  daughter,  was  born  February  17,  1892.  Mr.  Sim's  mother  is  still  living, 
now  in  her  eighty-first  year,  and  has  been  blind  for  forty-five  years,  and  resides  with 
William  H. 

Smith,  Dr.  Lyman  B.,  was  born  in  Masonville,  Delaware  county,  N.  Y.,  May  24, 
1852,  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  five  children  of  Stillman  Smith,  deceased,  a  farmer 
of  that  county;  he  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  county  and  Chic- 
opee  Falls  High  School  of  Massachusetts.  At  twenty  years  of  age  he  took  up  the 
study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Baker  when  he  was  in  Delaware  county,  and  entered  the 
medical  department  of  the  University  of  New  York  in  September,  1872,  and  gradu- 
ated in  February,  1875.  He  first  took  up  the  practice  of  the  profession  until  October, 
1875,  in  his  native  town.  He  then  located  in  Woodstock,  Ulster  county,  where  he 
was  engaged  for  fifteen  )-ears.  He  sold  out  in  the  spring  of  1890,  and  in  the  fall 
entered  the  Polyclinic  Post-Graduate  school  in  New  York  city,  where  he  attended 
lectures  until  January,  1891.  He  then  located  in  Hornellsville  in  partnership  with 
Dr.  M.  J.  Baker,  which  existed  until  Baker's  death  in  December,  1892,  since  which 
time  he  has  been  alone.  In  politics  the  doctor  is  a  Republican,  and  was  supervisor 
of  Woodstock  in  1880.  He  is  the  president  of  Hornellsville  Medical  and  Surgical 
Association.  He  is  one  of  the  house  staff  of  St.  Mary's  Ho.spital.  He  is  also'  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  a  Knight  Templar.  September  15,  1875,  he  mar- 
ried Estella  S.  Brown  of  Masonville,  Delaware  county,  by  whom  he  had  three  chil- 
dren: Milton  Baker,  a  member. of  the  graduating  class  and  president  of  the  class  of 
of  Hornellsville  Academy ;  Lizzie,  and  Edith  Sarah. 

Sanderson,  Rev.  Benjamin  Smith,  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ,  September  2,  1858. 
Sidney  Sanderson,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Middlebury,  Yt.,  but  in  boyhood  moved 
to  New  York  city,  where  fornearty  sixty  years  he  was  actively  engaged  in  mercantile 
pursuits,  having  been  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Produce  Exchange.  He 
married  Mary  Ann,  daughter  of  Capt.  Benjamin  Smith  of  the  mercantile  marine 
service.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  their  youngest  son.  Receiving  his  preparatory 
training  at  the  Brooklyn  Polytechnic  (graduating  in  1875),  he  received  the  degree  of 
B.  A.  from  Amherst  College  in  1879.  His  theological  studies  were  pursued  at  the 
•General  Theological  Seminary  (Protestant  Episcopal),  New  York  city,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  in  1882,  receiving  from  this  institution  two  years  later  (1884)  the  de- 
gree of  Bachelor  of  Sacred  Theology  for  special  excellence  in  his  studies.  In  his 
senior  year  he  also  won  the  Seymour  Prize  for  extemporaneous  speaking.  Ordained 
deacon,  June,  1882,  and  priest  May,  1883,  he  was  from  1882  to  1885  assistant  minister 
in  St.  John's,  Boston,  Mass.,  rectorof  Trinity  church,  Wethersfield,  Conn.,  1885-1886; 
rector  of  St.  Stephen's,  New  Hartford,  N.  Y.,  1886-90,  during  which  time  he  was 
instrumental  in  having  built  in  a  distant  part  of  his  cure,  the  handsome  St.  George's 
vChapel,  a  memorial  of  the  late  Hon.  Geo.  W.  Chadwick.     May   1,  1890,   he  assumed 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  77 

his  present  charge  of  St.  Tliomas'  church  in  Bath,  a  strong  and  influential  parish. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  standmg  committee  of  the  diocese.  In  1887  he  married 
Agnes,  eldest  daughter  of  Wilson  and  Ellen  Dibblce  of  Boston,  Mass.,  by  whom  he 
has  four  .sons. 

Sutton,  Dr.  Orlando  vV.,  was  born  in  Waverly,  N.  Y.,  December  25,  1849.  Edwin 
W.  Sutton,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  was  of  English  descent,  who 
married  Huldah  Hopkins,  and  was  engaged  in  merchant  tailoring;  he  died  in  1887  in 
his  sixty-fourth  year;  his  wife  and  four  sons  survive  him,  of  which  Dr.  Sutton  is  the 
eldest.  He  began  the  study  of  medicine  in  1865  after  serving  eight  years  as  deputy 
postmaster  at  Bath  and  for  two  years  in  the  railway  mail  service.  He  completed  his 
studies  and  graduated  at  the  Eclectic  Medical  College  in  the  citj'^  of  New  York.  He 
is  one  of  the  leading  Republicans  of  the  county,  and  is  secretary  of  the  Republican 
County  Committee,  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  village  of  Bath,  and  a  member  of  the 
State  Board  of  Medical  Examiners;  also  secretary  and  treasurerof  the  Southern  Tier 
Medical  Society.  He  is  serving  his  third  term  as  coroner  of  Steuben  county ;  he  is 
a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Maccabees  organization.  In  1877  Dr.  Sutton 
married  Susan,  daughter  of  Daniel  W.  Coss.  by  whom  he  has  one  child,  Frederic 
C.  He  is  one  of  the  enterprising  men  in  his  profession,  and  during  his  practice  has 
been  very  skillful  and  successful. 

Stanton,  Eunice  M. — Amos  B.  Stanton  was  born  in  June,  1827.  He  was  a  carpen- 
ter by  trade,  which  business  he  followed  until  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  86th  N. 
Y.  Vols.,  and  June  16,  1864,  was  killed  in  the  front  at  Petersburg.  He  held  the  office 
of  first  lieutenant  in  his  company,  and  was  a  fearless  and  true  oflScer  and  soldier, 
always  ready  to  come  to  the  front  in  time  of  battle.  He  married  Eunice  M:,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Cynthia  Crosby,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  Mrs.  Iza  E.  Roosa, 
and  John  Stanton,  who  is  a  prosperous  farmer  in  this  town.  Mrs.  Stanton  has  four 
grandchildren,  Lewis  O.  and  Eloise  Stanton,  and  Lottie  S.  and  vStanton  Roosa. 

Santee,  Jerry  E.  B.,  son  of  the  late  John  Santee,  of  Hornellsville,  was  born  at 
Cameron,  February  28,  1850.  He  attended  the  Alfred  and  Cornell  Universities,  and 
Union  College,  Schenectady,  and  in  1875  graduated  from  the  latter  institution  with 
the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws.  He  studied  law  in  the  office  of  Hakes  &  Stevens, 
and  was  admitted  in  September,  1873.  He  subsequently  practiced  with  Miles  W. 
Hawley,  under  the  firm  name  of  Hawley  &  Santee,  and  later  in  the  firm  of  Dennis, 
Santee  &  Sewell,  the  latter  now  judge  of  Delaware  county.  Mr.  Santee  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  State  Legislature  in  1876  and  1877,  has  held  the  office  of  city  recorder,  and 
for  many  years  has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education,  taking  an  active  part 
in  educational  matters,  and  rendering  valuable  services  in  advancing  the  interests  of 
the  public  school  system  of  the  city.  On  account  of  failing  health  he  was  obliged, 
some  years  since,  to  give  up  the  general  practice  of  law,  and  become  cashier  of  the 
Citizens'  National  Bank  of  Hornellsville,  one  of  the  most  successful  banking  institu- 
tions in  "Western  New  York.  Mr.  Santee  married  Mary  E.  Bently,  of  Westerly, 
R.  I.,  a  lady  descended  from  one  of  the  oldest  Puritan  families  of  New  England. 

vShannon,  Thomas,  was  born  in  Bath,  July  11,  1863.  Mathew  Shannon,  his  father, 
was  a  native  of  Ireland  and  came  to  Bath  in  1827,  and  died  in  1875,  in  his  seventy- 
sixth  year.     Thomas  Shannon  was  educated  in  the   Haverling  Union  School,  and 


78  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

graduated  from  Cornell  University  in  June,  1888,  and  in  the  same  year  began  the 
study  of  law.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1890,  and  has  been  engaged  in  active 
practice  up  to  the  present  time.  He  is  one  of  the  active  men  of  his  profession,  serv- 
ing two  terms  as  village  clerk,  and  in  the  fall  of  1894  was  appointed  clerk  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors,  and  purchasing  agent  of  Steuben  county. 

Saltsman,  Lawrence,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Palatine,  Montgomery  county,  ^larch 
23,  1835.  Hiram  Saltsman,  his  father,  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  June  20,  1808, 
and  came  to  the  town  of  Avoca  in  1856,  where  he  engaged  in  farming,  which  business^ 
he  has  followed  all  his  life,  although  at  present  only  in  a  light  way.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Fox,  of  Montgomery  county,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Lawrence.  Mrs. 
Saltsman  died  in  July,  1842,  and  he  married  for  his  second  wife,  Mary  Nellis,  of 
Montgomery  county,  by  whom  he  had  these  children :  Alonzo  and  Eleanor  (deceased), 
Eli,  Elijah,  William,  and  Irving.  Lawrence  Saltsman  engaged  in  farming  until 
twenty  years  ago,  since  which  time  he  has  been  in  the  produce  business,  also  dealing 
in  hay,  straw,  etc. ,  in  the  village  of  Avoca.  He  married  Caroline,  daughter  of  Solo- 
mon Edwards,  who  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  the  town,  by  whom  he  had  one 
son,  Arnold  E.,  who  was  deputy  sheriiT  under  George  Holands.  Mr.  .Saltsman  has 
held  the  office  of  supervisor  one  term,  assessor  six  years,  and  overseer  of  the  poor 
two  terms.      He  is  a  member  of  Avoca  Lodge  of  Masons  No.  673. 

Sheldon,  John  R. ,  was  born  'n  Hornellsville,  July  6,  1833.  The  father  of  John, 
Orson  Sheldon,  was  a  native  of  Madison  county,  born  in  Lebanon,  and  came  to  this 
county  in  1832,  and  was  engaged  as  a  clerk  with  his  brother-in-law,  Philander  Harts- 
horn. In  1836  he  went  to  Alfred  Centre,  where,  with  Luke  Green,  he  started  a  gen- 
eral store,  conducting  it  for  two  years,  and  then  returned  to  his  native  county  where 
he  remained  untill  1851 ,  when  he  returned  to  Hornellsville,  where  he  spent  the  bal- 
ance of  his  days.  The  winter  of  1858  he  bought  the  hardware  store,  started  in  1852 
by  Nathan  Nichols  Orson  Sheldon  died  early  in  1870.  He  was  a  man  who  devoted 
his  life  to  his  business  and  his  family.  His  onlj-  children  were  the  two  sons  now 
composing  the  firm  of  Sheldon  Brothers.  The  store  started  where  Dorr  Faulkner  is 
now  located,  and  two  years  later,  1859,  removed  to  132  Main  street,  where  they  have 
ever  since  been  located.  John  R.  was  married  January  27,  1862,  to  Miss  Lydia  P. 
Canfield,  of  Elmira.  They  have  been  the  parents  of  two  children:  William  C.  Shel- 
don, who  died  May  18,  1882,  at  eighteen  years,  at  the  time  a  student  of  Alfred  Uni- 
versity; the  daughter,  Mary  J.,  is  the  wife  of  Rev.  Thomas  Stevenson,  formerly  of 
Brooklyn,  now  a  resident  of  Hornellsville.  A  grandchild  is  .Sheldon  Canfield  Stev- 
enson. 

Thompson,  J.  W. — Isaac  Thompson  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  April  7,  1794,  and 
died  in  Caton,  June  3,  1851.  His  first  wife,  Mary  W.,  was  born  in  Chenango  county, 
N.  Y.,  December  4,  1796,  and  died  in  Caton,  July  13,  1843.  Their  children  were; 
Sarah  Jane  Thompson,  born  in  Chenango  county,  January  5,  1824,  died  there  June, 
1893;  Mary  Ann  Stone  Thompson,  born  in  Chenango  county,  July  26,  1826,  died  in 
Caton  November  2,  1888;  Adlard  A.  Thompson,  born  in  Chenango  county,  February 
19,  1835,  died  in  Caton,  November  25,  1873;  Rufus  E.  Thompson,  born  in  Chenango 
county,  June  8,  1828,  and  still  lives  there.  Isaac  Thompson  married,  second,  April 
2    1846,  Elizabeth  Scanlon,  born  in  England,  May  31,  1814,  and  died  in  Caton,  Janu- 


FAMILY  SKETCHER.  79 

ary,  1«90.  His  children  were:  Martha  L.  and  Alice  (twins),  born  in  Caton,  August 
29,  1847;  Alice  died  November  29,  1847.  John  W.  Thompson,  the  subject,  was  born 
in  Chenango  county,  July  2,  1832,  and  was  brought  to  Caton  when  about  four  years 
old,  when  his  father  settled  in  the  untouched  wilderness  on  eighty-three  acres.  After 
the  death  of  his  parents  he  bought  out  the  other  heirs.  In  addition  to  forty-three 
acres  which  his  father  bought  and  added  to  the  original  farm,  he  purchased  fifty  acres 
more.  He  married  in  1864,  Susan  E.  Thurber,  and  they  have  three  sons:  Rufus  J., 
born  January  (J,  1865,  a  farmer;  Monroe  A.,  born  August  14,  1867,  a  plumber  by 
trade,  now  a  resident  of  Iowa;  and  Frank  R.,  born  January  20,  1872,  who  is  living 
at  home.     His  sister,  Martha  L.  Thompson,  resides  with  him. 

Thomas,  Daniel  C,  was  born  at  Bennett's  creek,  Steuben  cmnty,  March  14,  1858. 
William  S.  Thomas,  his  father,  was  one  of  the  old  landmarks  in  that  section,  and  was 
a  man  of  great  bu.siness  ability,  and  through  h'.s  own  efforts  he  acquired  wealth  and 
property,  and  at  his  death  was  the  owner  of  about  400  acres  of  fine  land.  Hedier  in 
1867.  He  married  Fannie  Rogers,  who  died  in  18B0,  and  for  his  second  wife  he  mar- 
ried Estie  Merion,  who  died  in  1846,  and  for  his  third  wife  he  married  Mrs.  Coleman, 
by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Daniel  C,  who,  although  he  owns  the  old  homestead  of 
400  acres,  he  does  not  work  it,  but  lives  retired  in  the  village  of  Canisteo.  He  mar- 
ried Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William  Crawford,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  Mary 
and  Clark. 

Tschachtli,  Rudolph,  son  of  Dr.  Bend,  and  Maria  Tschachtli,  was  born  in  Canton 
Fribourg,  Switzerland,  January  23,  1823,  and  received  a  good  common  school  educa- 
tion. In  1841,  after  the  death  of  his  father,  he  learned  the  upholstering  and  furni- 
ture trade.  In  1848,  working  in  Paris,  when  the  French  Revolution  was  at  the  end, 
he  immigrated  to  this  country  and  found  employment  in  New  York  city.  In  1851  he 
married  Anna  Salmen,  daughter  of  Casper  and  Maria  Salraen  also  from  Switzerland. 
In  1853  he  accepted  the  foremanship  of  Brewster  &  Fenn's  furniture  house,  Roches- 
ter, N.  Y.  In  1866  he  was  associated  with  J.  M.  Deutsch  and  located  in  Hornells- 
ville ;  there  they  opened  a  furniture  store  in  the  building  now  occupied  by  Dorr 
Faulkner.  As  the  demand  for  more  room  increased  they  bought  in  1868  the  western 
half  of  the  Canisteo  block.  In  1871  they  bought  the  sash  and  door  factory  at  the 
corner  of  Main  and  Pardee  streets,  and  converted  it  into  a  large  furniture  factory, 
the  fir::.t  of  its  kind  in  Western  New  York.  In  1881,  for  the  convenience  of  shipping 
their  furniture,  they  rented  their  store  on  Main  street,  and  established  an  office  in  the 
warehouse  at  the  lower  end  of  Pardee  street.  In  1888,  after  fortj'  years  of  hard 
work  in  business,  Mr.  Tschachtli,  feeling  the  need  of  rest,  sold  one  undivided  fourth 
of  his  interest  to  his  nephew,  Julius  Peytrenet,  and  in  1889  sold  out  the  other  un- 
divided quarter  to  J.  F.  Richardson,  which  relieved  him  from  business  cares,  and 
■enabled  him  to  spend  the  balance  of  his  life  in  retirement  and  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his- 
labor. 

Tolbert,  George  W.,  was  born  on  the  Tolbert  homestead,  January  28,  1834.  John 
Tolbert,  his  father,  came  to  Bath  in  1810,  and  in  1812  he  married  Catherine,  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  Trovenger,  and  settled  in  the  village  of  Mud  Creek,  now  Savona,  in 
1805.  They  had  nine  children,  seven  sons  and  two  daughters,  all  dead  but  three. 
He  was  one  of  the  largest  lumber  dealers  in  Steuben  county,  where  he  cleared  many 


80  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

acres  and  was  prominent  in  the  development  of  the  town.  Four  of  his  brothers  came 
with  him  and  settled  five  miles  up  Mud  Creek  at  what  is  now  called  Sonora.  He 
died  December  23,  1834.  His  wife,  Catherine,  died  in  1868,  having  carried  on  a 
large  and  profitable  farm  through  life.  In  1873  George  W.  Tolbert  married  Cath- 
erine, daughter  of  George  W.  and  Eunice  Newman,  and  reside  on  the  old  homestead, 
which  has  been  in  the  possession  of  the  family  since  1812.  The  original  purchase 
was  160  acres,  to  which  the  family  have  added  260  acres. 

True,  George  I.,  was  born  in  Owego,  N.  Y. ,  in  1847.  Jairus  True,  his  father,  was 
a  farmer  and  lumberman  of  Maine,  and  came  to  this  locality  about  1830.  and  married 
Jane  Kimball  of  Enfield,  Mass.,  who  is  now  a  resident  of  Addison,  and  the  wife  of  P. 
C.  Daniels.  There  were  but  two  children:  George  and  Anna;  the  latter  died  un- 
married in  1868.  George  was  educated  in  the  Owego  Academy,  and  in  1868  engaged 
in  business  here  as  a  retail  dealer  of  boots,  shoes,  and  groceries,  under  the  firm  name 
of  Paxton  &  True,  and  continued  it  for  a  quarter  of  a  century,  when  in  1893  the 
present  firm  of  Park,  Winton  &  True  was  formed,  .succeeding  C.  D.  Hill  &  Co.  in 
manufacturing  sash,  doors,  and  blinds  in  large  variety.  In  1872  Mr.  True  married 
Louise  M.  Turner,  of  Addison.  Mr.  True  has  acceptably  filled  many  positions  of 
trust,  being  a  steadfast  Republican,  and  always  identified  with  advancing  the  local 
interests.  He  has  served  as  trustee  of  the  village,  member  of  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion, and  is  treasurer  of  the  Board  of  Trade  and  Corporation.  He  was  charter  mem- 
ber of  Baldwin  Hook  and  Ladder  Compan3^  and  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Asso- 
ciation; this  last  he  has  always  taken  a  special  interest  in,  acting  as  treasurer,  and 
on  finance  committee  since  its  organization. 

Townsend,  Frederick  J.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Erwin  in  1850,  and  is  a  son  of 
Edward  E.  and  Nancy  L.  (Jerome)  Townsend.  Edward  E.  was  a  son  of  Edward 
and  Eliza  (Erwin)  Townsend,  born  at  Athens,  Pa.  Edward  Townsend  was  born  in 
Albany  in  1799,  son  of  Henry  A.  and  Elizabeth  (Moffet)  Townsend.  Henry  A. 
moved  to  Bath  and  was  senator  and  assemblyman  from  that  district,  also  second  and 
fourth  county  clerk  in  Steuben  county.  Eliza  Townsend,  oldest  child  of  Capt. 
Samuel  Erwin,  came  here  with  her  father  in  1803,  when  two  years  of  age,  from 
Easton,  Pa.,  fourteen  years  after.  Col.  Arthur  Erwin  purchased  the  Erwin  township. 
vShe  came  to  this  county  on  horseback,  over  300  miles.  Edward  E.  was  station  agent 
at  Erwin  for  twelve  years  and  was  very  active  in  getting  the  railroad  station  located 
at  that  point.  He  married  Nancy  L.,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Mary  Jerome,  who 
was  born  at  Orient,  Long  Island,  March  12,  1826.  Immediately  after  their  marriage 
in  1848  they  took  up  their  residence  at  what  is  now  Erwin  Station.  In  1889  they 
moved  to  Painted  Pose,  where  they  now  reside.  Their  children  were  Fannie  Jerome 
(deceased),  Frederick  Jerome,  Mary  Mulford  (deceased),  Arthur  Erwin  (who  was 
killed  by  an  Indian  near  Piano,  Tulare  county,  Cal.),  Eliza  Erwin  (deceased),  Richard 
Jerome  (deceased),  Edward  (deceased),  and  Annie  Lawrence  (who  married  Harry  C. 
Hermans,  of  Corning).  These  children  were  all  born  on  the  farm  near  Erwin  Station. 
Frederick  J.  Townsend  and  Viola  E.,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Samantha  C.  (Jone.s) 
Rodman,  who  at  that  time  was  a  resident  of  Piano,  Cal.,  were  married  atVisalia, 
Cal.,  in  1876.  They  spent  four  years  on  the  Pacific  coast,  then  settled  on  a  farm 
near  Painted  Post,  where  they  now  reside  with  their  five  children:  Fannie  Jerome, 
Clarence  Elsworth,  Mary  Lawrence,  Frederick  Augustus,  and  Roy  Rodman.     One 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  81 

son,  Arthur  E.,  is  deceased.  Fannie  J.  was  born  at  Piano,  Cal.  The  others  were 
born  on  the  farm  near  Painted  Post.  The  honor  of  unveiling  the  Indian  monument 
at  Painted  Post  June  21,  1894,  fell  to  Fannie  J.  Townsend.  Mr.  Towe.send  is  at 
present  engaged  in  farming  and  is  also  interested  in  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  an 
implement  for  stretching  fence  wire.  He  is  a  member  of  Montom^  Lodge.  No.  lf>S, 
F.  cK:  A.  M. 

Tubbs,  George  L.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Esperance,  Schoharie  county,  Novem- 
ber 6,  1836.  Jesse  A.  Tubbs,  the  father  of  George,  was  a  native  of  that  county,  born 
April  10,  1810,  and  is  still  living  on  the  farm  just  outside  of  the  above  town.  For 
tifty-five  years  he  has  been  a  prominent  man  of  that  county,  supervisor  during  the 
war  and  holding  many  minor  offices.  The  mother  of  George,  Mary  McDuffy,  also  a 
native  of  that  county,  died  in  the  fall  of  1893  at  eighty-nine  years  of  age.  They 
were  the  parents  of  two  sons.  J.  Nelson  Tubbs,  a  civil  engineer  of  Rochester,  re- 
cently appointed  inspector  of  canals,  and  George  L.  He  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools  and  Fort  Plain  Academy.  He  was  for  six  years  engaged  in  the  hard- 
ware business  in  his  native  town,  and  in  1873  he  went  to  Rochester  where  he  was 
engaged  in  the  building  of  that  city's  water  works.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  en- 
gaged in  similar  work  at  Mount  Morris,  Norwich,  Chenango  county,  Hornellsville. 
and  Cuba,  Allegany  county.  Coming  to  Hornellsville  in  the  spring  of  1883  he  has 
since  made  his  home  here,  and  was  for  five  years  interested  here  in  this  work  Feb- 
ruary 13,  1890,  he  was  appointed  by  President  Harrison  postmaster  of  this  city, 
holding  the  office  until  October  1,  1894.  On  his  retirement  on  that  day  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  the  Board  of  Health  inspector  of  plumbing,  which  he  has  since  held.  Mr. 
Tubbs  was  married  in  18H0  to  Miss  Lma  Uenise.  They  have  one  daughter,  Cora, 
wife  of  Fred  Lockwood.      She  is  now  money  order  clerk  at  the  post-office. 

Thomas,  A.  L.,  was  born  at  Rathboue,  June  23,  1835.  John  Thomas,  his  father, 
came  to  that  town  in  1829,  and  was  for  many  years  a  river  man,  of  wide  renown  for 
herculean  strength  and  energy.  He  died  in  1842,  leaving  a  family  of  five  children. 
Mr.s.  Thomas  died  recentlv  at  Prattsburg,  N.  Y.,  aged  nearly  eighty  years.  Mr. 
Thomas  was  reared  amid  lumber  and  farming  interests,  dependent  upon  his  own 
energy  from  an  earlv  age,  and  when  about  twenty-five  he  came  to  Addison,  and 
was  for  six  years  an  employee  of  McKay  ^:  :Bliss.  In  ISGH  he  opened  a  grocery 
store  at  No.  20  Tuscarora  street,  and  continued  that  business  until  1890,  when  he  re- 
modeled the  building  and  became  a  wholesale  and  retail  dealer  in  liquor  and  cigars. 
October  15,  1871,  he  married  Mrs.  Emily  Harrington,  daughter  of  Daniel  Barber. 

Tadder,  Charles  (deceased),  was  born  in  Nunda,  Livingston  county,  N.  Y..  March 
5,  1834.  James  Tadder,  the  father  of  Charles,  \vas  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  a 
descendant  of  Mayflower  stock,  born  in  1T89,  and  served  as  an  officer  of  the  war  of 
1812  and  sold  his  mihtary  grant  in  one  of  the  Western  States  about  1857.  He  was  one 
of  the  pioneers  of  Livingston  county  and  made  his  home  there  until  1857.  That 
year  he  removed  to  West  L^nion,  where  he  died  in  October,  18(il.  The  mother  of 
Charles,  Margaret  Weedright,  was  a  native  of  Strasburg,  Germany,  and  married 
Mr.  Tadder  in  1827.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  sons  and  one  daughter.  Five 
of  the  sons  did  gallant  service  during  the  war,  and  only  two  of  them  are  living — 
William,  of  Pittsburg,  and  George,  now  a  successful  inventor  of  the  oil  section  of 
k 


82  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Pennsylvania.  Charles  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  being  a  sou  of  a 
mechanic,  he  took  up  mechanic's  and  iron-worker's  trade.  On  September  10,  1872, 
he  moved  to  Hornellsville,  where  he  for  eleven  years  and  four  months  was  superin- 
tendent of  the  moulding  department  of  the  Rawson  foundry.  He  then  went  to 
Corning  with  Rawson  &  Thatcher  and  spent  three  years  in  that  city,  and  it  was  while 
there  he  contracted  a  cold  which  developed  with  most  serious  complications  and 
caused  his  death  September  13,  188T.  He  was  married,  August  24,  185G,  to  Miss 
Kate  O'Donnell,  of  Livingston  county,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  five  children; 
Arthur  Charles,  proprietor  of  the  Parlor  Grocery  of  Hornellsville;  M.  Sophronia, 
wife  of  Andrew  Morris,  of  Hornellsville;  George  William,  a  railroad  man  of  Chicago, 
111.  ;  Ada  Winona,  wife  of  Frank  Allen  Bateman,  who  died  April  11,  1894,  in 
Los  Angeles,  Cal.  The  fourth  child,  David  Le  Mur,  died  February  10,  ISfjS,  at  four 
years  of  age. 

Tuthill,  Henr}'  G.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  East  Otto,  Cattaraugus  county,  NY.,  in 
1888.  Until  nineteen  years  of  age  he  continued  to  reside  in  the  county  and  then 
went  to  Nunda,  Livingston  county,  and  learned  the  trade  of  a  cabinetmaker.  In  the 
fall  of  1856  he  removed  to  Corning,  where  he  became  foreman  in  the  extensive  fur- 
niture establishment  of  W.  F.  Townley  &  Co.  In  1857  he  purchased  a  half  interest 
in  the  business,  and  in  the  same  j'ear  he  married  C.  A.  Townley,  a  sister  of  the  pro- 
jjiietor.  Disposing  of  his  interest  in  the  business,  he  returned  to  Nunda,  and  in 
September,  1861,  raised  a  company  of  volunteers  and  was  elected  captain  of  Co.  A, 
104th  Regiment  N.Y.Vols.  This  regiment  was  assigned  to  duty  in  General  Duryea's 
brigade,  and  was  engaged  in  most  of  the  battles  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  He 
was  severely  wounded  in  the  battles  of  Antietam  and  Gettysburg.  In  September, 
1862,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel  for  bravery  at  the  battle  of 
Antietam.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  brevetted  colonel  of  the  regiment  for  long 
and  meritorious  services,  he  remaining  in  the  service  until  October,  1866.  In  1868 
was  elected  superintendent  of  the  poor  of  Steuben  count}-,  serving  three  years.  For 
.a  number  of  years  he  was  superintendent  of  Walker  &  Lathrop's  extensive  sash,  door 
and  blind  factory,  resigning  his  position  to  engage  in  a  profession  for  which  he  had 
been  preparing  himself  for  a  number  of  years,  that  of  an  architect.  He  is  a  very 
competent  and  thoroughly  practical  architect,  and  a  member  of  the  Western  New 
York  Chapter  of  the  American  Institute  of  Architects,  and  is  achieving  ver}^  gratify- 
ing success  in  his  chosen  profession.  Among  the  notable  buildings  designed  by  him 
iniglit  be  enumerated  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  magnificent  stone  resi- 
dence of  Joseph  A.  Drake,  of  Corning,  N.  Y.  He  is  the  father  of  five  sons,  two  of 
them  being  graduates  of  Cornell  L^niversity,  and  are  filling  responsible  positions  as 
teachers.  In  1869  he  organized  the  first  G.A.R.  Post  in  Corning  and  was  elected  its 
commander.  He  is  a  member  of  various  societies,  among  which  is  Painted  Post 
Lodge  No.  117,  F.  &  A.M.,  Red  Men,  Knights  of  Honor,  A.O.U.W.  and  Knights  and 
Ladies  of  Honor.     His  office  is  in  the  Ansorge  block.  Corning,  N.Y. 

Van  Wie,  Mrs.  Martha. — Jonas  Van  Wie  was  born  in  Montgomery  count}',  N.  Y. , 
April  15,  1881.  John  Van  Wie,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Montgomery,  and  was  one 
of  the  early  settlers  of  that  town.  Jonas  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and 
began  life  as  a  farmer.  In  1858  he  married  Martha,  daughter  of  Ansel  Howse,  of 
Howard,  and  m  1865  he  came  to  Bath  and  engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  after- 


FAMILY   SKETCHES.  83 

wards  manul'aeturintr  cigars,  in  which  he  was  engaged  at  the  time  of  liis  death,  which 
occurred  July  21,  1882. 

X'ickers,  Jacob,  was  born  in  Nova  Scotia,  May  11,  1848,  where  he  resided  until  in 
his  seventh  year,  when  his  father,  who  was  superintendent  of  a  coal  mine  on  Cape 
Breton  Island,  moved  to  the  United  States  and  located  in  Canisteo,  N.  Y.  He  re- 
mained there  about  one  year  and  moved  to  Hartsville,  N.Y.  His  early  life  was  spent 
on  the  farm.  In  April,  1875,  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  that  place. 
Was  also  appointed  postmaster  the  same  year,  which  capacity  he  served  till  1880 ; 
was  supervisor  of  the  town  two  terms.  In  September,  1888,  he  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business  at  Canisteo  and  moved  to  that  place,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
La'=t  January  he  bought  out  the  insurance  business  of  G.  N.  Strong,  to  which  he  at 
present  devotes  his  entire  time,  which  business  includes  the  following  well  known 
companies;  ^Etna  of  Hartford,  Phoenix  of  Hartford,  Continental  of  New  York,  Ger- 
man American  of  New  York,  Orient  of  Hartford ;  al.so  the  Travelers'  Life  and  Acci- 
dent of  Hartford.  April  17,  1879,  he  married  Ida  E.  Whiting,  of  Hartsville,  N.Y. ,  by 
whom  he  has  one  daughter,  Nellie  J,  Mr.  Vickers  is  identified  with  the  Republican 
party,  and  has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  church  and  vSunday  school  work. 

Banter,  i  Hewitt  Clinton,  sou  of  Marcus  Banter,  was  born  in  Wheeler,  Steuben 
county,  N.Y.,  in  May,  1850,  and  at  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  started  in  business  for 
himself,  being  assisted  by  his  father  at  that  time  in  the  purchase  of  his  present  farm 
of  100  acres,  to  which  he  has  since  devoted  his  attention,  has  made  many  essential 
improvements,  and  accumulated  a  good  property.  In  addition  to  his  farm  work  he 
has  developed  an  interest  in  horses,  and  speculated  in  this  stock  successfully  for  a 
number  of  years.  His  special  crop  is  potatoes,  his  farm  being  especially  adapted  to 
the  growing  of  that  vegetable.  In  1871  he  married  Julia,  daughter  of  John  Eckler, 
of  Wheeler,  and  she  died  two  years  later.  In  1875  he  married  for  his  second  wife 
Manetta,  daughter  of  Martin  E.  Hamblin,  of  Fremont,  Steuben  county,  by  whom  he 
had  two  children:   Guy  H.  and  Myrta  Bell. 

McMindes,  Prescott,  was  born  in  Jasper,  April  2(5,  1841,  son  of  Hiram  and  Olive 
A.  (Woodward)  McMindes.  Prescott  McMindes  was  reared  on  a  farm,  after  which  he 
learned  the  carpenter  trade,  which  business  he  followed  for  some  years.  He  now 
owns  a  farm  of  sixty  acres  and  follows  general  farming.  He  is  a  Republican  in 
politics,  and  has  been  constable.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Moses  Dennis  Post  of  Jas- 
per, G.A.R.  In  1869  he  married  Fidelia  Stephens,  a  native  of  Moravia,  N.Y.,  daugh- 
ter of  Marcus  and  Sarah  (Stephens)  Stephens,  who  came  to  Jasper  about  1855,  where 
they  died.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McMindes  have  three  children;  Ida,  Fred  and  Fannie. 
Prescott  McMindes  enlisted,  August  14,  1861,  in  Co.  K,  86th  N.Y. Vols.,  and  served 
three  years.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Second  Bull  Run,  August  oO,  1862;  Fredericks- 
burg, December  11  to  13,  1862;  Chancellorsville,  May,  1863;  Beveriy  Ford,  June  9, 
1863;  Gettysburg,  July  2  and  3,  1863;  was  wounded  on  the  2d  of  July  at  the  latter 
battle  and  sent  to  hospital  at  Baltimore. 

Miller,  William  J.,  was  born  in  Oxford,  Chenango  county,  March  29,  1828.  a  son  of 
William  B.  and  Jane  (Walker)  Miller,  he  a  native  of  Vermont  and  she  of  Oxford. 
The  grandfather,  Josiah  Miller,  came  to  Chenango  county  from  Vermont  at  a  very 
early  date,   and  went  from  there   to  Caton,  Steuben  county,  where  he   died.     The 


84  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

maternal  grandfather,  James  Walker,  was  a  son  of  Samuel  Walker,  a  soldier  in  the 
Revolutionary  war.  William  B.  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1832  and  settled  in  Addi- 
son, but  in  1833  went  to  Troupsburg,  wheie  he  remained  eight  years,  then  came  to 
Woodhull,  where  he  died  in  1881,  aged  eighty-one  years.  His  wife  died  in  1882,  aged 
seventy-five  years.  William  J.  was  reared  on  a  farm  at  Troupsburg  and  educated  in 
the  common  schools.  He  then  engaged  in  farming  and  had  a  saw  mill  in  McKean 
county,  Pa.  He  came  to  Woodhull  with  his  parents  in  1841,  and  when  thirty  j'ears 
old  went  to  Troupsburg,  where  he  resided  for  thirty-six  years.  In  1894  he  returned 
to  Woodhull,  where  he  lives  a  retired  life.  He  owns  a  farm  of  297  acres.  In  Troups- 
burg he  was  justice  of  the  peace,  inspector  of  election,  and  overseer  of  the  poor.  He 
IS  a  member  of  the  Alliance  and  of  the  Grand  Army.  In  1864  he  enlisted  in  Co.  G, 
188th  N.Y.  Vols.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  in  six  battles.  In  1847 
he  married  Cynthia  Harder,  by  whom  he  had  six  children :  Frank  J.,  of  Addison  ; 
Hiram  J.,  of  Troupsburg;  Daniel  (deceased);  Gaylord,  of  Ormo,  Wis.;  Marv  L. 
(deceased),  and  Niles  K.,  of  Troupsburg.  Mrs.  Miller  died  in  1871,  and  Mr.  Miller 
married  Eunice  Moyer,  daughter  of  T.  Jefferson  and  Emily  (Graves)  Thompson, 
natives  of  Massachusetts.  Mr.  Miller  has  been  notary  public  for  a  number  of  years. 
He  never  took  a  chew  of  tobacco,  smoked  a  cigar,  or  drank  a  glass  of  beer. 

Williams,  Alercy  C— D.  B.  Williams  was  born  in  Foster,  R.  I.,  August  14,  1816, 
and  is  the  oldest  of  six  children  born  to  George  and  Amy  Bennett  Williams,  both  of 
Rhode  Island.  In  1831  U.  B.  came  to  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1834  to  Steu- 
ben county,  his  parents  coming  m  1835,  and  settling  in  East  Troupsburg.  George 
Williams  died  in  February,  1864,  and  Mrs.  Williams  in  December,  1876.  The  father 
of  George,  the  Rev.  J.  Williams,  of  Herkimer,  N.Y.,  was  one  of  the  first  to  enlist  in 
the  Revolution  and  served  all  through  the  war.  He  preached  his  last  sermon  after 
he  was  100  years  old.  The  Rev.  John  Williams  was  a  great-grandson  of  Roger 
Williams,  the  founder  of  Rhode  Island.  D.  B.  commenced  farm.ing  in  Troupsburg 
and  in  1852  sold  out  and  went  West,  but  returned  and  bought  a  farm  of  168  acres, 
which  is  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Williams,  and  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  January  16,  1894.  He  \vas  road  commissioner  two  terms,  and  collector  one 
term.  In  1841  he  married  Mercy  C,  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Eunice  Loomis  Bartoo, 
of  Oxford,  Chenango  county.  Mrs.  Williams  was  the  youngest  of  twelve  children. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williams  had  eleven  children;  Alfred,  of  Canisteo;  Jeremiah,  of  Cali- 
fornia: William  H.,  of  Illinois;  Mar\-,  wife  of  J.  Chamberlain;  Elsie  A.,  wife  of 
Curtis  Hubbard,  Potter  county.  Pa.;  Ruth,  wife  of  Nelson  Darrin,  now  deceased; 
Paniel,  jr.,  of  Illinois;  Moses  J.,  a  farmer  of  Troupsburg;  John  C,  of  Denver,  Colo.  ; 
Belle;  and  Lottie,  wife  of  Ralph  Carpenter,  of  Troupsburg. 

Miller,  Charles  L.,  was  born  at  Wellsboro,  Pa.,  in  1860.  Delos  Miller,  his  father, 
led  a  very  active  business  life,  being  a  contractor  and  bookkeeper,  and  at  last  en- 
gaged in  the  mercantile  business.  He  was  a  wagon  master  in  the  civil  war,  enlist- 
ing in  Co.  K,  147th  Regt.  of  Pennsylvania  Vols.,  and  being  in  active  service  for 
three  years.  He  died  in  1868.  He  had  one  other  son,  Archie,  who  died  in  childhood. 
Charles  Miller  was  educated  at  Stony  Fork,  Pa.,  but  before  coming  to  Addison  he 
took  a  course  at  Allen's  Business  College,  Mansfield,  Pa.  He  was  employed  at  West- 
field,  Pa.,  in  1882  as  telegrapher  for  the  Addison  and  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  which 
was  built  that  year,  making  Mr.  Miller  the  first  operator  on  the  road.     He  was  then 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  85 

twenty  two  years  of  age,  but  filled  the  responsible  position  with  rare  ability.  Two 
years  later  he  came  to  Addison  and  has  Ijeen  train  dispatcher  here  ever  since.  In 
188;5  he  married  Lottie  Bartle.  He  joined  Addison  Fire  Department  soon  after  com- 
ing" to  Addison,  and  has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  tire  matters. 

Ordway,  Fi-anklin  I).,  was  born  March  23,  1862.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  ed- 
ucated in  the  common  schools  and  the  Elmira  Academy.  He  now  rents  a  farm  of 
140  acres  and  carries  on  a  general  farming.  July  28,  1886,  Mr.  Ordway  married 
Nancv  M.,  daughter  of  Abram  and  Maria  (Deck)  Walworth,  natives  of  Herkimer  and 
Steuben  counties,  respectively.  They  have  two  children:  Wyan  H.,  born  November 
8,  188t»,  and  A.  Maria,  born  September  20,  1892.  Charles  W.  Ordway,  father  of 
Franklin  I).,  was  born  April  27,  1832,  and  March  31,  1859,  he  married  Serena  Dennis, 
bv  whom  he  had  two  children:  Franklin  D.  and  Ella  G.,  who  was  born  February  27, 
1866,  and  died  March  2,  1881. 

Leach.  Ephraim,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Eaton.  Madison  coimty,  N.  Y.,  Novem- 
ber 13,  1823,  and  is  the  seventh  of  ten  children  born  to  Ephraim  and  Sarah  H.  (Co- 
nant)  Leach,  natives  of  Mas.sachusetts,  who  came  to  Eaton,  Madison  county,  being 
pioneers  there,  and  where  they  died,  he  in  1885,  aged  ninety-four  years,  and  she  in 

1834.  The  paternal  grandfather  Leach  lived  and  died  at  Bridgewater,  Mass.,  where 
he  was  a  farmer.  The  maternal  grandfather,  Oliver  Conant,  also  lived  and  died  in 
Mas'^achusetts.  Ephraim  Leach  settled  on  thefarm  henow  ownsin  the  southw'estern 
part  of  Ti'oupsburg  in  1844,  and,  e.xcepting  one  year  which  he  spent  in  Wisconsin, 
has  resided  there  since.  He  hastw^o  farms,  one  of  112  acres  where  he  resides,  and 
another  near  by  of  108  acres.  He  has  filled  the  office  of  assessor.  He  married  Rox- 
anna  Potter  of  Troupsburg,  who  died,  and  in  1860  he  married  Margaret,  daughter  of 
Alonzo  and  Clarinda  Hendricks,  who  came  from  Greene  to  Chenango  county  where 
they  engaged  in  farming.  Mrs.  Hendricks  died  in  1881,  aged  sixty-eight  years.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Leach  have  one  daughter,  Sarah  H.,  and  one  S(m,  Ephraim,  who  died  in 
1877,  aged  nine  years. 

Baily,  Devoe,  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  in  1848,  and  is  the  sou  of  T.  W.  and  Jane 
(Bishop)  Baily.  The  grandparents,  Stephen  and  Hulda  (Whitney)  Baily,  were  natives 
of  Orange  county.  N.  Y. ,  he  born  January  11,  1765,  and  she  in  1769.  T.  W.  Baily 
was  twice  married,  first  to  Esther  Cole,  by  whom  he  had  three  children.     She  died  in 

1835.  and  in  1839  he  married  Jane,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Betsey  (Harder)  Bishop, 
he  of  Little  Falls,  and  she  from  near  Alban}'.  Stephen  A.  Baily,  brother  of  Devoe, 
was  first  lieutenant  of  Company  H,  86th  N.  Y.  Yols.,  wounded  at  Fort  Steadman, 
front  of  Petersburg,  and  died  in  general  hospital  on  David's  Island,  New  York  Har- 
bor, April  8,  1865,  and  buried  in  Young  Hickory  cemetery.  He  was  twenty-five 
years  of  age,  and  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at  Troupsburg  is  named  in  his  honor.  T.  W. 
Baily  came  to  Barrington,  Yates  county,  and  thence  to  Troupsburg  in  1833  where  he 
died.  He  located  first  at  West  Troupsburg,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  mer- 
cantile business,  and  in  1862  came  to  Young  Hickory  where  he  engaged  in  farming 
and  milling  business,  and  was  also  postmaster  more  than  twenty  years.  He  died  in 
1893,  and  Mrs.  Baily  still  resides  at  Young  Hickory.  Devoe  Baily  was  educated  at 
Troupsburg  Academy,  and  has  always  made  farming  and  milling  his  principal  occu- 
pation.    He  now  works  the  homestead  farm  and  has  the  mill  built  by  his  father.     In 


86  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

1872  he  married  Aurilla,  daughter  of  Randall  and  Olive  (Card)  Cady  of  Troupsburg, 
by  whom  he  had  two  children :  Lela  J.,  of  Knoxville,  and  Minnie  B. ,  wife  of  Silas 
Lewis.  They  also  have  two  adopted  sons,  Fred  and  Willie  D.  Mr.  Cady  died  May 
25,  1888,  and  his  wife  in  185-. 

Brundage,  H.  W  ,  was  born  at  North  Urbana,  October  3,  1843.  James  Brundage, 
his  father,  was  a  native  of  Painted  Post.  He  married  the  daughter  of  Erastus  Fol- 
som,  and  was  identified  as  a  farmer.  He  died  in  April,  1880,  in  his  eight3^-second 
year.  H.  W.  Brundage  was  engaged  in  farming  until  1881,  when  he  moved  to  Bath 
and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  groceries,  crockery,  boots  and  shoes;  in  187& 
he  married  Flora  P.  Warner,  who  for  several  years  was  a  teacher  in  Haverling  school. 
Mr.  Brundage  is  one  of  the  con.servative  men  of  his  town,  elected  county  superinten- 
dent of  the  poor  for  two  terms  of  three  years  each,  and  in  1884  was  elected  village 
trustee  and  in  1895,  mayor. 

Tanner,  John  H.,  was  born  in  Bath,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  February  6,  1851,  and 
is  the  only  living  child  of  Amos  and  Cornelia  Schoonmaker  Tanner,  natives  of  Pulte- 
ney  and  Eastern  New  York.  The  paternal  grandparents,  John  and  Vmnie  Edgett 
Tanner,  were  pioneer  settlers  of  Pulteney,  where  he  lived  and  died ;  Vinnie  died  at 
the  home  of  Amos  in  Bath.  Amos  was  born  in  1804,  and  married  Sallie  Gay,  of 
Pulteney,  and  later  came  to  Bath,  where  Mrs.  Tanner  died.  For  his  second  wife  he 
married  Cornelia  Schoonmaker,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  John  H.  and  Sallie  J. 
Mrs.  Tanner  died  in  1863.  Mr.  Tanner  married  the  third  time,  Mary  Olmstead,  and 
she  died  in  June,  1882,  and  Mr.  Tanner,  in  1877.  Mr.  Tanner  came  to  Troupsburg 
in  1861  and  settled  on  a  farm,  where  he  remained  until  his  death.  He  was  a  strong- 
abolitionist,  and  assisted  in  freeing  the  slaves.  He  was  a  deacon  of  the  church  at 
Towlesville  and  at  Troupsburg  for  a  long  time.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican, 
and  justice  of  the  peace  for  many  years.  John  H.  was  educated  in  Troupsburg  and 
Woodhull  Academies,  and  commenced  his  business  career  as  a  farmer  on  the  home- 
stead, has  been  in  the  stock  business,  and  traveled  two  years  in  the  interest  of  N.  H. 
Miller's  School  of  Commerce,  in  building  up  the  Hornellsville  Branch.  In  1882  he 
bought  a  farm  in  Troupsburg,  where  he  now  resides.  He  rents  the  farm  and  travels 
in  the  interest  of  Victor  Hassher's  Marble  and  Granite  Works,  at  Corning.  Mr. 
Tanner  married,  in  1872,  Mary  E.  Benton,  of  Troupsburg,  and  they  have  four  chil- 
dren: Amos  B.,  Mary,  Lelia,  and  John  H.  jr.  Mrs.  Tanner  died  December  3,  1885. 
For  his  second  wife  he  married  Florence,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Emma  Klice  Ed- 
gett, who  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  N.  Y.,  December  14,  1854,  and  they  have  one 
daughter  Emma. 

Van  Scoy,  Mrs.  Margaret,  is  the  widow  of  the  late  Harrison  Van  Sctjy,  who  was  of 
German  descent,  and  came  here  at  seventeen  years  of  age,  following  the  occupation 
,of  a  lumberman.  He  was  vestryman  in  the  Church  of  the  Redeemer,  a  zealous  and 
faithful  worker  in  all  that  effected  the  upbuilding  of  his  church,  and  much  of  its 
material  prosperity  was  due  to  his  efforts,  which  were  untiring.  In  1851  he  married 
Margaret,  daughter  of  the  late  James  Wilson  of  Binghamton,  who  was  of  Scotch  de- 
scent and  a  farmer.  She  has  no  children,  but  cherishes  the  memory  of  her  beloved 
husband  and  revered  father  who  died  September  17,  1887,  being  taken  ill  while  on  a 
visit  here,  which  was  quite  an  undertaking  for  one  ninety  years  of  age.      Mr.  Van 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  87 

Seoy  dioti  July  4,  189:}.  having  just  completed  his  allotment  of  three  score  years  and 
ten  of  a  life  as  unassuming-  as  it  was  full  of  integrity  and  usefulness. 

Van  Sickle,  John  :\I.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Reddington.  Hunterdon  county, 
New  Jersey,  December  13,  1820.  Andrew  Van  Sickle,  the  father  of  John,  was  also 
a  native  of  New  Jersey,  born  in  the  same  county,  March  23,  1797,  and  took  up  farm- 
ing as  an  occupation.  In  1822  he  emigrated  to  New  York  State  and  located  in  Lan- 
sing, Tompkms  county,  where  he  lived  for  eight  years,  and  in  1830  moved  to  Green- 
wood, Steuben  county,  where  he  had  a  large  farm  of  830  acres,  and  made  his  home 
the  balance  of  his  life,  dying  there.  November  6,  1848.  He  was  a  man  who  devoted 
his  whole  life  to  his  home  and  his  family.  The  mother  of  John,  Ellenor  Melick,  was 
also  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  born  September  12,  1799,  died  April  6,  1867.  They  had 
si.x  children  of  which  John  M.  was  the  second  son,  and  is  the  only  one  living.  He 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Alfred  University,  and  soon  began  to  as- 
sist on  the  homestead  farm.  At  twenty-three  years  of  age  he  bought  a  farm  of  112 
acres  in  the  town  of  Alfred,  where  he  made  his  home  for  twenty  y^ears,  increasing 
his  possessions  by  purchase  until  he  owned  about  350  acres.  In  1864  he  sold  his  farm. 
In  1863  he  removed  to  Hornellsville  where  he  was  enabled  to  have  the  comforts  of  a 
village  and  still  attend  to  his  duties.  He  had  farmed  long  enough,  as  the  sorrows  of 
his  homestead  made  him  desirous  of  getting  away  from  the  associations  that  brought 
them  to  mind.  Since  coming  here  he  has  been  interested  in  the  planing  mill  about 
two  years,  the  grocery  trade  about  one  year,  and  had  a  small  farm  near  here  for  three 
years.  He  has  now  retired  from  all  active  business  and  is  now  taking  the  well  de- 
served rest  his  early  manhood  earned  for  him.  He  was  married  in  Allegany  coiinty, 
N.  Y.,  July  4,  1842,  to  Ethylinda,  daughter  of  Uriah  Nichols  of  Massachusetts.  They 
have  been  the  parents  of  three  children;  Robert  L.  Van  Sickle,  born  July  20,  1843, 
educated  at  Alfred  LTniversity  and  gave  promise  of  being  an  honor  to  the  name,  when 
he  was  called  up  higher,  November  23,  1863.  Charles  A.,  born  May  29,  1848,  is  a 
railroad  man  of  Batavia.  Emma,  the  youngest  child,  was  born  January  18,  1858,  and 
died  August  20,  1863.  Another  bereavement  for  Mr.  Van  Sickle  has  been  added  to 
his  lot,  as  his  partner  of  life's  joj-s  and  sorrows  was  taken  from  him  August  1,  1892, 
leaving  him  to  plod  the  balance  of  life's  journey  alone. 

\Vilcox,  Bradford,  was  born  in  Campbell,  January  1,  1840.  Isaac  Wilcox,  his  father, 
was  born  in  Vermont,  near  the  Green  Mountains,  and  came  to  Chenango  county  in 
1S15,  with  his  father,  Archibald  Wilcox.  He  moved  from  Chenango  county  with 
Culney  Balcom,  when  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  first  settled  in  Curtis.  He  married 
Margaret  Tanner  of  Campbell,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Bradford,  Jane,  and 
John  T.  Mr.  Wilcox  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  Curtis.  He  is  a  farmer 
and  engineer,  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  ninety-three  acres.  He  married  Frances 
Parker,  of  Bridgeport,  Conn.,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Edwin  C.  Wilcox. 

Windsor,  Francis,  father  of  Charles  B.,  was  a  native  of  New  York  city,  and  at 
the  time  ef  his  death  in  August,  1861,  he  was  living  on  his  farm  near  Rahway,  N.  J. 
Charles,  who  was  the  third  son  of  a  family  of  seven  children,  was  educated  by  private 
tutors  and  at  Canandaigua  Academy,  and  after  leaving  school  was  engaged  m  the 
insurance  business  in  Geneva,  New  York  city,  and  later  in  Pittsburg,  going  from 
there  to  Kansas,  in  1872  returning,  and  was  for  a  time  a  resident  of  Canaseraga  and 


88  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

traveling  throughout  the  State  as  a  special  agent  of  insurance  companies.  In  1882" 
he  located  in  Hornellsville  and  established  a  general  insurance  agency,  which  busi- 
ness he  is  still  following.  In  1889  he  married  Grace  A.  Noble,  daughter  of  William 
E.  S.  Noble  of  Prattsburg,  this  county,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Burtis  Noble- 
Windsor,  now  five  years  of  age. 

Wheeler,  Oscar,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Troy,  Bradford  county.  Pa.,  August  10, 
1858.  Oscar  was  the  fourth  son  of  a  family  of  eight  children  of  Stephen  Wheeler,  a 
farmer  of  that  county.  He  was  given  a  common  school  education  which  he  has  im- 
proved by  reading  and  study.  He  remained  with  his  parents  on  the  homestead  until 
eighteen  years  of  age  and  was  then  employed  with  difterent  farmers  until  twenty- 
three,  when  he  was  married.  In  1877  he  came  to  Hornellsville,  and  after  his  mar- 
riage he  rented  the  farm  of  seventy  two  acres  on  Lot  No.  3,  town  of  Hornellsville. 
He  still  rents  the  farm,  and  January  1,  1894,  he  bought  the  Thomas  Bennett  farm  of 
100  acres  on  Lot  No.  3,  twenty  acres  of  which  he  sold  and  the  balance  he  is  conduct- 
ing for  the  production  of  potatoes  principally.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
church  of  Arkport,  also  a  member  of  Arkport  Grange,  No.  179,  of  which  he  is  an 
officer,  and  a  member  of  the  Equitable  Aid  Union.  He  was  married  March  1,  1883,. 
to  Delia,  youngest  daughter  of  John  and  Lovina  Travess  Morgan.  They  have  three 
children:  Sybil,  Carl,  and  Merritt. 

Willis,  William  H. ,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bath,  May  30,  1832,  son  of  Harry  WiUis, 
who  was  born  in  Connecticut,  October  12,  1804,  and  was  the  son  of  William  Willis, 
who  was  also  born  in  Connecticut.  Their  ancestors  lived  on  the  old  Charter  Oak 
farm,  where  the  charter  of  Connecticut  was  hid.  The  family  came  to  Bath  in  1820, 
settling  near  the  town  line  between  Bath  and  Howard,  where  they  cleared  a  farm  of 
270  acres.  The  father  and  grandfather  both  died  on  this  place.  Harry  Willis  mar- 
ried Eunice  Hern,  of  Howard,  and  they  had  eight  children:  Philander  G.,  Leander 
v.,  William  H.,  Henry,  Ellen,  James,  Sophia,  and  George.  At  the  present  time 
only  four  are  living.  William  H.  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  Alfred 
Academy,  and  is  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  has  a  farm  of  100  acres  of  fine  im- 
proved land.  He  married  Nancy,  daughter  of  Major  John  W.  Whiting,  of  Howard.. 
They  had  four  children:  Clarence,  a  lawyer  of  Bath,  who  read  law  with  C.  F. 
King.sley,  of  Bath,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1878,  and  has  been  practicing  ever 
since;  Sarah  W.,  who  married  A.  T.  Abbey  of  Watkins,  and  they  had  one  child; 
John  W.,  who  married  Emma  J.  Wyckoff,  of  Bath,  and  Angeline,  who  married  A.  J, 
McKibbin,  of  Howard.  Mr.  Willis  has  held  the  office  of  supervisor  for  two  years. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.   church.     Mrs.   Willis  died  September  20,  1894. 

Wakeman,  Dr.  Bertis  Rupert,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Hornellsville,  July  12,  1867. 
Bennett  Wakeman,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Harpersville,  Broome  county.  Dur- 
ing the  war,  he  served  in  the  navy  until  1865,  coming  in  the  following  year  to  Hor- 
nellsville, where  he  received  an  appointment  as  fireman  on  the  Susquehanna  Divis- 
ion of  the  Erie  Railway.  After  serving  in  that  capacity  for  six  years  he  was  given 
charge  of  an  engine  and  is  now  one  of  the  leading  engineers  on  the  road.  In  1857 
he  married  Bethiah  M.  Ed.son,  a  native  of  Otsego  county,  and  of  this  union  the 
doctor  is  the  only  living  child.  Young  Wakeman  began  his  education  in  the  Hor- 
nellsville  Academy,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1885,  and   immediately  became  a 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  89 

studeut  at  Cornell  University.  With  a  view  towards  his  subsequent  medical  career, 
he  took  a  scientific  course  and  graduated  with  honors,  obtaining  the  degree  of  B.  S. 
in  1889.  The  following  year  was  .spent  in  Minnesota,  and  was  about  equally  divided 
between  teaching  school  in  a  Scandinavian  district  near  Glencoe,  McLeod  county, 
and  reportorial  work  on  one  of  the  prominent  Duluth  daily  newspapers.  In  the  fall 
of  1890,  he  became  a  medical  student  at  Long  Island  College  Hospital,  Brooklyn, 
from  which  he  graduated  with  the  degree  of  M.D.  in  1893.  Throughout  the  inter- 
vening three  years,  he  was  one  of  the  collaborators  on  the  Foster  Encyclopedic 
Medical  Dictionary,  being  in  charge  of  the  departments  of  comparative  anatomy, 
zoology,  pharmacy  and  chemistry.  After  graduation  he  was  one  of  the  successful 
candidates  in  the'  competitive  e.xamination  for  positions  on  the  house  staff  in  the 
hospital  connected  with  the  college,  and  also  received  the  appointment  of  ambulance 
surgeon  from  the  Brooklyn  Board  of  Health.  In  the  earl}-  part  of  April,  1894,  after 
having  spent  a  year  in  the  above  positions,  Dr.  Wakeman  located  in  Hornellsville, 
where  he  has  built  up  an  extensive  and  succes.sful  practice.  In  June,  1894,  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  attending  staff  of  St.  James  Mercy  Hospital,  and  in  the  fol- 
lowing September  received  the  appointment  as  consulting  surgeon  to  the  Steuben 
Sanitarium.  With  the  beginning  of  1895,  he  was  appointed  surgeon  to  the  Erie 
Railway.  He  is  a  corresponding  member  of  the  King's  County  (N.  Y.)  Medical  So- 
ciety, President  of  the  Steuben  County  Medical  Society,  Fellow  of  the  As.sociation  of 
Erie  Railway  Surgeons,  and  a  member  of  the  Hornellsville  Medical  and  Surgical 
Association. 

Willis,  Clarence,  was  born  in  Howard,  July  ol,  1852.  His  father,  William  H.,  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Bath,  May  30,  1832,  and  his  father,  Harry  Wyllys,  was  a  native 
of  Tolland,  Tolland  county,  Conn.,  and  the  family  trace  their  descent  from  William 
Wyllys,  who  settled  in  Connecticut  in  1650.  William  H.  Willis  married  Nancy, 
daughter  of  Major  John  Whiting,  who  was  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  the  town,  hav- 
ing received  his  commission  as  major  under  Dewitt  Clinton  in  1827.  William  H. 
Willis  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  held  the  offices  of  supervisor  and  assessor. 
Clarence  Willis  graduated  from  Haverling  Academy  in  1871,  then  began  the  study 
of  law  with  Ruggles  &  Little  and  later  with  Charles  F.  Kingsley,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  1878.  In  1881  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  and  in  1890  police 
justice,  which  position  he  still  holds.  In  1890  he  married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Jacob 
Billington.  Mr.  Willis  is  prominently  identified  in  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  A.  P.  D.  D. 
G.  M.  of  Steuben  county.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education  for 
seven  years,  and  is  vestryman  in  the  St.  Thomas  Episcopal  church.  He  received 
the  honorary  degree  of  A.  B.  from  Hobart  College  in  June,  1895. 

Wolcott,  John  E.,  was  born  in  the  old  town  of  Painted  Post,  in  183  ',  son  of  Samuel 
K.  and  Hannah  (McNulty)  Wolcott.  The  father  was  one  of  the  Forty-nmers  who 
went  to  California  and  died  there.  Mr.  Wolcott  has  resided  ac  his  present  place  for 
thirty  years.  He  has  110  acres,  and  makes  a  specialty  of  breeding  and  raising 
horses.  In  1855  he  married  Phoebe  E.  Berry,  who  was  born  on  the  place  where  they 
now  live.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Samuel  F.  Berry  and  a  sister  of  Attorney-General 
Berry  of  Minnesota.  Her  j^arents  were  pioneers  in  the  town  of  Caton,  and  died 
there.     They  have  one  child,  Edward  E.,  who  is  in  business  at  Joilet,  Illinois. 


90  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Willets,  Edward  F.,  was  born  in  Ledyard,  Cayuga  county,  N.  Y.,  January  16, 
1828,  of  Quaker  parentage,  the  youngest  son  of  a  family  of  six  children  of  Abram 
Willetts,  a  native  of  Queens  county,  who  spent  his  last  days  on  his  farm  in  Cayuga 
county;  he  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Poplar  Ridge  Semmary,  and 
his  first  occupation  was  in  mechanical  pursuits,  which  he  followed  for  five  years  and 
then  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Lake  Ridge,  Tompkins  county,  and  later 
in  Fleming,  Cayuga  county.  From  there  in  1857  he  went  to  Angelica,  Allegany 
county,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  lumbering  business,  and  then  in  the  milling 
business  in  Belmont,  both  grain  and  saw  mill,  until  1877,  when  he  went  to  Bradford 
in  the  oil  industry,  and  in  1883  came  to  Hornellsville,  continuing  in  the  oil  business. 
His  political  record  includes  four  years  as  supervisor  of  Amity,  Allegany  county, 
and  four  years  supervisor  in  the  city  of  Hornellsville.  In  1892  he  was  elected  mayor 
of  the  city  of  Hornellsvile,  the  first  Republican  mayor  of  that  city,  and  re-elected  in 
1894,  filling  the  office  with  satisfaction  to  his  friends  and  constituents.  He  has 
always  been  a  Republican,  and  was  revenue  collector  five  years  while  a  resident  of 
Allegany  county.     In  1856  he  married  Amelia  Smith,  of  Ledyard,  Cayuga  county. 

Waters,  Almon,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Horicon,  Warren  county,  N.  Y.,  Febru- 
ary 27,  1827,  and  settled  in  Cameron  in  1858.  He  is  a  son  of  Howard  and  Laurie 
(Putnam)  Waters.  He  married  Agnes,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Marian  (Cuthill) 
Wream,  who  were  natives  of  Scotland  and  residents  of  Schuylkill  county.  Pa.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Waters  have  four  children:  Carrie  A.,  Clayton  H.,  Miriam  L.,  and  Robert 
J.,  all  school  teachers  except  Miriam.  Carrie  A.  attended  school  in  Bath  and  is  a 
graduate  of  Elmira  College.  Almon  Waters  is  an  active  worker  in  the  North  Cam- 
eron Grange  and  was  one  of  its  early  masters,  and  is  at  the  present  time  overseer  of 
the  town  and  county  Grange.  He  has  been  assessor  of  the  town  for  six  years  and 
was  supervisor  in  1891. 

Williams,  Francis  A.,  was  born  at  Prattsburg,  March  25,  1834.  He  graduated 
from  the  University  of  Rochester  in  1860,  then  was  principal  of  the  academy  at 
Wellsville,  N.  Y.,  and  afterwards  of  the  academy  at  Port  Byron,  N.  Y.  In  1863  he 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  the  General  Term  of  the  Supreme  Court  held  at  Roches- 
ter in  December,  1863,  and  commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Corning  in 
January,  1864,  and  is  still  in  active  practice.  In  1865  he  was  elected  justice  of  the 
peace  and  held  that  office  until  January,  1870,  afterwards  he  was  assistant  district 
attorney  of  the  county,  and  in  1889  was  the  Democratic  candidate  for  county  judge 
of  the  county  but  was  defeated  by  Hon.  Harlo  Hakes.  In  1862  he  married  L.  Jane, 
the  daughter  of  Solomon  Clark  of  Hammondsport,  a  graduate  of  the  Mt.  Holyoke 
Seminary,  by  whom  he  has  had  five  children:  Mary,  an  A.  B.,  from  the  University 
of  Michigan,  and  now  a  teacher  in  Lake  Erie  Seminary  at  Painesville,  Ohio;  Francis 
C. ,  a  lawyer  practicing  at  Corning,  and  a  graduate  from  the  University  of  Rochester 
m  1888 ;  Clarke  Benedict,  a  graduate  from  Princeton  in  1890,  a  student  for  two  years 
at  Leipsic,  Germany,  and  now  professor  of  mathematics  at  Kalamazoo  College, 
Michigan;  Jane,  an  A.  B.,  and  graduated  from  Wellesley  College  in  1894,  and  now 
instructor  in  psychology  and  English  at  Lake  Erie  Seminary;  and  Elizabeth,  now  a 
student  at  Lake  Erie  Seminar3^  Painesville,  Ohio. 

Wettlin,  William  A.,  was  born  in  Rochester,  May  14,    1867.     Daniel  Wettlin,  his 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  91 

father,  was  a  native  of  Germany,  coming  to  this  country  with  his  parents  when  a  lad 
of  fourteen  or  fifteen.  His  people  located  in  Rochester  and  Daniel  learned  the 
florist's  trade,  which  he  followed  until  the  last  two  years,  and  is  now  living  retired 
in  Newark,  New  Jersey.  He  removed  to  Hornellsville  in  1879,  when  he  bought  the 
green-house  and  flower  gardens  established  here  by  Lewis  T.  Charles  in  1878. 
William  was  educated  in  the  city  schools  of  Rochester  and  Hornellsville  and  grew  up 
with  his  business.  In  1889  his  father  left  Hornellsville  and  located  in  Newark  and 
William  has  since  conducted  the  business  alone.  The  green-house  of  his  occupation 
has  10,000  square  feet  of  glass  and  forcing  beds  outside.  He  is  the  leading  florist  of 
this  city.  The  last  three  years  Mr.  Wettlin  has  made  many  very  valuable  improve- 
ments and  I'ebuilt  the  whole  establishment.  His  sole  interests  are  with  his  business. 
He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  for  three  years,  and  Hornellsville 
Lodge  No.  331. 

Waldorf,  George  A.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Richmond,  Schoharie  county,  N.  Y., 
April  13,  1853,  the  oldest  son  of  George  E.  Waldorf,  at  that  time  a  farmer  and  deputy 
sheriff  of  Schoharie  county.  George  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  his 
first  occupation  after  leaving  school  was  with  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal  Co. 
Railroad,  as  brakeman  for  two  years,  then  became  baggageman,  and  for  fifteen 
years  as  conductor  on  a  Pullman  car.  In  1874  he  came  to  Hornellsville  to  engage 
with  the  Pullman  Company,  and  on  his  returning  from  railroad  service  he  took  up 
the  business  we  now  find  him  in.  In  1885  he  bought  out  the  interests  of  F.  J.  Hutch- 
inson of  the  jewelry  firm  of  Hutchinson  &  Cobb,  placing  Cobb  in  charge.  The  store 
is  now  located  in  the  old  Crane  Bank  building.  He  was  married  at  the  age  of  seven- 
teen to  Miss  Ella  J.  Slater  of  Schoharie  county.  They  have  two  sons:  Edwin  D. 
Waldorf,  who  is  in  the  store,  and  Milo  W.  Waldorf,  machinist  and  foreman  in  the 
Merrill  Fabric  Glove  Company. 

Westlake,  Harrison,  was  born  at  Horseheads,  N.  Y.,  December  G,  1823,  son  of 
John  E.  Westlake,  the  well  known  lumberman,  and  nephew  of  Col.  Jacob  West- 
lake.  John  E.  came  to  Addison  about  1855,  engaging  in  a  mercantile  business, 
and  was  the  builder  of  the  brick  block  comprising  the  Wyckofl^  Hotel  and 
stores.  Harrison  Westlake  has  now  retired  from  active  life,  having  been  largely  en- 
gaged in  farming  besides  keeping  a  general  store  at  Horseheads  and  Addison,  with 
real  estate  interests.  February  14,  1843,  he  married  Sophia  Humphrey,  of  Horse- 
heads, and  they  have  one  son,  John  A.,  who  was  formerly  a  physician  at  Elmira, 
where  he  held  the  position  of  coroner,  but  is  now  managing  a  sanitarium  near  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Westlake  are  implicit  believers  in  Spiritualism,  and  he 
has  quite  a  local  reputation  as  a  healer  of  disease, 

Waldo,  Lucius  A.,  was  born  in  Otsego  county,  October  34,  1835.  Erastus  G. 
Waldo,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  came  to  this  State  at  an  early 
day  and  settled  in  Otsego  county.  He  died  in  vSteuben  county,  in  Prattsburg,  aged 
eighty-one  years.  He  was  a  merchant,  keeping  a  general  store.  Lucius  A.  Waldo 
was  also  a  merchant,  starting  in  business  at  twenty-four  years  of  age  in  Allegany 
county,  where  he  remained  for  two  years,  and  then  came  to  Canisteo,  where  he  car- 
ried on  that  business  for  twenty-five  years,  and  in  the  meantime  was  conducting  a 
lumber  and  stave  business,  and  at  the  present  time  is  conducting  a  farm  of  163  acres 


92  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

and  lumbering.  March  5,  1851,  he  married  Emeline  M.  Southworth,  who  died  April 
21,  1880,  and  for  his  second  wife  he  married  Jennie  Lewis,  of  Prattsburg,  Steuben 
county,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Lucius  A.  Waldo,  jr.,  who  was  born  March  30, 
1883.  Mr.  Waldo  was  supervisor  of  Canisteo  for  three  terms,  and  was  the  first  presi- 
dent of  the  village  after  it  was  incorporated,  which  office  he  held  for  three  terms. 
He  was  elected  county  clerk  in  1848  for  one  term.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity.  Morning  Star  Lodge  No.  65,  of  Canisteo,  and  was  master  for  nine  years ; 
also  has  been  a  Knight  Templar  for  a  number  of  years. 

Wallace,  Joseph  W.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hartsville,  February  17,  1847,  son  of 
Nathaniel  Wallace.  Joseph  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools.  He  followed  farming  for  some  years;  was  also  engaged  in  buying  and  sell- 
ing stock,  wagons  and  wool.  He  has  traveled  the  Western  States  quite  extensively 
as  salesman ;  spent  about  two  years  in  the  oil  fields  of  Pennsylvania  and  New  York. 
In  1883  he  engaged  in  the  drug  business  at  Jasper,  N.  Y.,  with  Dr.  E.  E.  Wallace, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Dr.  E.  E.  Wallace  &  Bro.,  which  was  continued  for  five 
years,  when  he  purchased  the  doctor's  interest  in  the  business  and  added  a  full  line 
of  dry  goods,  groceries,  boots,  shoes,  etc.  Mr.  Wallace  was  appointed  postmaster 
under  Harrison,  June  15,  1889,  and  resigned  the  office  March  6,  1893.  The  vacancy 
was  filled  November  9,  1893.  Mr.  Wallace  is  a  member  of  the  Morning  Star  Lodge 
No.  65,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Canisteo,  N.  Y.  In  December,  1887,  he  married  Edith  K.  ElHs 
of  Arkport,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  has  one  son,  Sheldon  E.  Wallace,  born  June  4,  1891. 

Lamson,  Leonard  S.,  was  born  in  Jasper,  May  9,  1844.  He  was  the  second  of  a 
family  of  eight  children  born  to  Sylvester  and  Sarah  (Dennis)  Lamson.  Sylvester 
was  born  in  Hadley,  Mass.,  November  10,  1819.  Mrs  Lamson  was  born  in  Han- 
cock, N.  H.,  December  4,  1820.  Charles,  grandfather  of  Leonard  S.,  was  also  a 
native  of  Hadley,  Mass. ,  and  came  to  Jasper  at  a  ver}'  early  date,  where  he  was  engaged 
in  farming.  The  family  is  of  English  descent  and  trace  their  ancestry  back  to 
Thomas  Dennis,  of  Ipswich,  England,  who  came  to  America  in  1638.  Sylvester 
Lamson  was  a  farmer  and  came  to  Jasper  when  six  years  old,  and  lived  and  died  on 
the  farm  his  father  settled  on.  He  died  September  20,  1872,  and  Mrs.  Lamson  now 
resides  on  the  old  homestead  with  her  son,  Arthur  S.  Leonard  S.  was  reared  on  the 
old  homestead  and  educated  at  Alfred  LTniversity.  While  at  school  he  enlisted  in 
the  16th  Heavy  Artillery  in  January,  1864,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He 
was  detailed  as  clerk  at  post  headquarters  under  Gen.  B.  F.  Tracy  at  Elmira,  N.  Y. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  he  engaged  in  farming  and  followed  it  for  twenty  years.  He 
then  came  to  WoodhuU  and  purchased  a  farm  of  180  acres,  and  soon  after  purchased 
the  saw,  planing,  and  feed  mill,  and  has  been  in  partnership  with  George  W.  Bartle. 
Mr.  Lamson  was  assessor  of  Jasper  for  three  years  and  supervisor  of  Woodhull  in 
1890-91.  He  is  a  member  of  J.  N.  Warner  Post  No.  565  and  Woodhull  Tent  No.  174, 
K.  O.  T.  M.  January  23,  1864,  Mr.  Lamson  married  Clara  A.,  daughter  of  Philo  and 
Eliza  Millard,  of  Starkey,  Yates  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Millard  came  to  Woodhull  in 
1850,  where  Mrs.  Millard  died.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lamson  had  four  children:  George 
R. ,  born  June  3,  1869,  graduated  from  Geneseo  Normal  School  in  1894,  now  teaches 
at  Almond,  N.  Y.  ;  Fred  L. ,  born  December  9,  .1870,  educated  in  Rochester  Univers- 
ity, married  Delia  Hathaway,  of  Woodhull;  Anna  E.,  born  February  7,  1874,  a  stu- 
dent at  Rochester  Free  Academy;  and  Clara  L.,  born  August  13,  1883,  now  at  home. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  93 

Heermans,  Harry  C,  was  born  at  Fellowsville,  Preston  county,  West  Virginia, 
June  3,  1853,  son  of  John  Heermans  (now  deceased)  and  Nancy  Heermans,  natives 
of  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  grandnephew  of  Joseph  Fellows.  He  moved 
to  Corning  with  his  parents  in  1865.  in  1870  graduated  from  the  Corning  Free  Acad- 
emy, and  in  1875  from  Wesleyan  University,  classical  course.  In  1875-76-77  he  read 
law  in  the  office  of  Brown  &  Hadden  of  Corning  but  was  never  admitted  to  the  bar. 
In  1876  he  became  identified  with  the  affairs  of  the  Fellows  estate,  acting  as  confi- 
dential clerk  of  his  father  who  was  then  trustee ;  acting  in  this  capacity  for  several 
years  until  the  closing  up  of  its  affairs.  In  1877  with  Thomas  Lawrence  he  secured 
a  thirty  years  lease  of  the  Corning  Water  Works  system,  and  since  that  time  has 
been  a  successful  manager  of  these  works.  In  1882  Mr.  Heermans  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  wholesale  and  retail  drug  firm  of  Heermans  &  Co.,  in  Corning.  Since  1886 
has  been  president  of  the  Ontario  Land  Co.,  of  Minnesota,  which  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful from  its  organization,  and  now  controls  large  properties  in  various  States  of 
the  Union.  In  1886  he  was  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Corning  on  the  RepubHcan 
ticket  and  was  re-elected  in  1887,  acting  as  chairman  of  the  board  for  that  year.  He 
became  identified  with  the  Corning  Fire  Department  in  1881,  and  acted  as  chief  of 
the  department  for  several  years.  Has  been  president  of  the  Corning  Library  As- 
sociation since  1887.  He  has  large  landed  interests  in  the  State  of  Washington  and 
for  several  years  has  spent  a  portion  of  his  time  in  that  State  Since  1893  he  has 
been  president  of  the  Greigsville  Salt  and  Mining  Company  of  Scranton.  Pa.  In 
1878  he  married  Ella,  daughter  of  Abijah  Weston  of  Painted  Post,  N.  Y.,  who  died 
in  1880.  In  1885  he  married  Annie  L.,  daughter  of  Edward  Townsend  of  Erwin,  by 
whom  he  had  four  children:  Ruth,  Joseph,  Jerome,  and  Helen  De  Kay.  In  1876  he 
acted  as  city  engineer  of  the  village  of  Corning,  and  in  1881  was  engaged  by  the  vil- 
lage to  prepare  plans  for  a  complete  system  of  sewers.  Agitation  upon  this  question 
followed,  and  in  1886  appropriations  were  made  for  the  construction  of  a  system  of 
sewers  for  the  village  under  these  plans.  In  1886  he  made  plans  for  the  construc- 
-tion  of  the  Wellsboro,  Pa.,  Water  Works,  and  had  charge  of  the  construction  of 
the  same.  In  1887,  as  village  engineer,  he  had  charge  of  the  plans  and  construc- 
tion of  the  pavements  of  the  village.  He  acted  as  village  engineer  until  1890,  in 
which  year  he  was  absent  in  the  West.  He  was  re-elected  city  engineer  of  Corning 
in  1893,  and  is  now  (1895)  acting  in  that  capacity.  In  1893  he  and  his  partner  con- 
structed a  fine  brick  block  at  the  corner  of  Erie  avenue  and  Pine  street  in  Corning, 
where  the  offices  of  the  Water  Company  are  now  located.  In  1893  Mr.  Heermans 
planned  and  constructed  a  system  of  water  works  for  the  village  of  Westfield,  Pa. 
Politically  Mr.  Heermans  has  been  a  life  long  Republican. 

Bruen,  Arthur  N.,  was  born  at  Rockaway,  Morris  county,  N.  J.,  October  29,  1850, 
son  of  James  H.  and  Emily  T.  (Kel.sey)  Bruen,  he  a  native  of  Madison,  N.  J.,  and  she 
of  Tennessee.  The  grandfather,  Alexander  Bruen,  lived  and  died  in  Madison,  N.  J. 
James  H.  Bruen,  father  of  Arthur  N.,  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  in  early  life  learned 
the  tinsmith's  trade,  and  was  very  successful.  He  retired  from  the  tin  and  hardware 
business  in  April,  1878,  aad  was  succeeded  by  his  elder  son,  James  Wright  Bruen,  in 
company  with  William  E,  Bunnell,  and  the  business  is  now  continued  under  the  firm 
name  of  Bruen  &  Bunnell,  plumbing,  hardware  and  coal  biisiness  being  included. 
He  was   twice  member  of  assembly,    and  the  second   time   was  endorsed  by  both 


94  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

tickets,  being  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  the  village.  He  was  for  many  years 
treasurer  and  trustee  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  later  one  of  the  elders.  His 
wife  was  a  daughter  of  John  B.  Kelsey,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  who  excepting 
four  years  in  California  and  a  short  time  in  Tennessee,  lived  in  New  Jersey,  where 
he  died  at  eighty-eight  years  of  age.  His  wife  was  Delia  Conger,  a  native  of  New 
Jersey,  w^here  she  lived  and  died.  They  had  fifteen  children,  of  whom  thirteen  lived 
to  have  families  of  their  own.  James  H.  Bruen,  father  of  Arthur,  died  in  May,  1885, 
and  his  wife  lives  in  Rockaway.  Arthur  N.  was  reared  in  Rockaway,  and  at  four- 
teen years  of  age  went  to  the  academy  at  Morristown,  was  graduated  from  this  place 
in  1867,  after  which  he  worked  one  year  at  home.  In  September,  1868,  he  entered 
Princeton  College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1872,  after  which  he  entered 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  where  he  remained  until  the  winter  of  1873,  when 
he  went  to  New  York  city  and  engaged  in  work  for  the  American  Tract  Society  until 
July,  1873.  In  September  of  the  same  year  he  re-entered  Princeton  Seminary,  com- 
pleted that  year  and  spent  the  vacation  in  missionary  work  in  Ontario,  Canada,  hav- 
ing charge  of  two  churches,  and  then  went  to  New  York  city  and  entered  the  Union 
Theological  Seminary.  In  February,  1875,  he  went  to  California  with  his  parents 
and  returned  in  August  of  the  same  year  and  was  graduated  from  the  Union  Theo- 
logical Seminary  in  1876.  He  was  invited  to  come  to  Jasper  as  a  candidate  for  min- 
ister in  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  May  21,  1876,  he  settled  in  Jasper  and  took 
charge  of  the  church,  also  of  the  Hedgesville  church  at  at  Talbot  Creek  (North  Jas- 
per). He  remained  in  Jasper  three  years  and  then  located  in  Hedgesville,  and  had 
charge  there  and  at  Elk  Creek  in  Woodhull,  also  had  services  in  Woodhull  village. 
In  1881  he  left  Hedgesville  and  returned  to  Jasper  (but  continued  services  at  Elk 
Creek,  and  during  that  time  a  church,  valued  at  §2,000,  was  built),  where  he  has  since 
lived.  In  1882  he  retired  from  the  ministry  and  had  a  store  in  Jasper  for  about  five 
years.  He  has  dealt  largely  in  real  estate  and  at  present  owns  considerable  in  the 
town.  He  has  been  superintendent  of  the  Presbyterian  Sunday  school  for  six  years. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  A.O.U.W.,  also  of  the  I.O.G.T.  April  7,  1880,  he  married 
Carrie  E.  Metcalf,  a  native  of  Jasper,  and  a  daughter  of  Uri  Metcalf,  and  Mattie  R. 
Drake,  he  a  native  of  Ulster  county,  N.  Y.,  and  she  of  Ja'sper,  N.Y.  He  was  born 
October  21,  1822,  died  July  31,  1865,  and  his  widow  married  Andrew  Murphy,  a  mer- 
chant of  Jasper.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bruen  have  .six  children :  Mattie  E.,  born  June  8, 
1881;  Harvey  M. :  bom  April  26,  1884;  M3'ra  K.,  born  October  18,  1885;  Charles  A., 
born  August  18,  1887;  Hugh  W.,  born  December  6,  1889;  and  Irene  M.,  born  Jnly 
1,  1893. 

Truesdell,  Joseph  R.  (deceased),  was  born  in  the  town  of  Guilford,  Chenango 
county,  N.Y.,  January  24,  1825.  George  A.  Truesdell,  his  father,  was  in  early  life  a 
teacher  and  later  settled  down  as  a  farmer.  Joseph,  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  six 
children,  spent  his  boyhood  on  the  old  homestead  farm,  and  was  educated  in  the 
com.mon  schools  and  Gilbertsville  Academy,  and  was  yet  a  young  man  in  his  teens 
when  he  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  New  York  College.  Graduated  at 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  he  began  the  practice  of  his  chosen  profession  in  Pharsalia, 
Chenango  county,  where  he  remained  until  1848.  That  year  he  removed  to  South 
New  Berlin  and  w^as  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  there  until  1852.  In 
October  of  that  year  he  located  in  Hornellsville   where  he  established  a  practice  that 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  95 

was  destined  to  make  him  one  of  the  leading  practitioners  of  this  county.  In  1859 
lie  retired  from  active  sei'vice  and  became  a  partner  with  Ezra  Bowen  in  a  drug  store 
where  the  store  of  Carney  &  Sharp  is  now  located,  and  about  1868  Mr.  Truesdell 
bought  the  Alley  store,  known  as  the  Blue  Front  store.  The  firm  of  Bowen  &•  Trues- 
dell continued  until  1881,  when  Mr.  Bowen  sold  his  interest,  Mr.  Truesdell  continu- 
ing alone  until  1884,  when  he  sold  to  Kennedy  &  Son.  On  his  retiring  from  the  drug 
store  he  gave  up  all  active  business  and  lived  a  retired  life  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred July  38,  1893.  Mr.  Truesdell  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  a 
man  who  always  commanded  the  utmost  respect  of  the  whole  community.  In  1848 
he  married  Rebecca  Mathewson,  of  South  New  Berlin,  who  died  April  17,  1879, 
leaving  two  daughters.  Ella  M.  and  Josephine  M.,  who  still  occupy  the  old  family 
residence  on  Broad  street. 

Ringrose,  Thomas,  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  December  31,  1837.  John  Ringrose, 
his  father,  was  born  in  England  m  1796,  one  of  three  children.  At  fourteen  years  of 
age  he  was  apprenticed  to  learn  a  trade,  but  at  seventeen  years  he  came  to  the 
United  States,  coming  direct  to  Geneva,  N.Y.,  where  he  worked  on  a  farm  for  three 
years  for  ten  dollars  per  month.  He  then  went  to  Canandaigua,  where  he  lived  until 
1834,  when  he  removed  to  the  town  of  Prattsburg  and  purchased  a  farm  of  170 
acres,  which  he  cleared  and  where  he  lived  until  1870,  when  he  removed  to  the  vil- 
lage of  Prattsburg  and  purchased  a  small  farm  of  forty-five  acres  and  here  sisent  his 
remaining  days.  He  married  Esther,  daughter  of  Dennis  Herrick,  of  New  Eugland, 
by  whom  he  had  four  children :  Thomas,  John,  Lucy  and  Victoria  (deceased). 
Thomas  Ringrose  has  spent  his  life  chiefly  in  the  farming  business;  from  1858  to  1867 
he  spent  his  winters  in  the  lumber  woods  of  Michigan,  on  contract  work,  working  a 
large  crew  of  men,  and  his  summers  were  spent  on  his  father's  farm  in  Prattsburg, 
which  he  rented.  At  his  father's  death  he  came  into  possession  of  both  of  the  home- 
steads, to  which  he  has  added,  and  now  owns  six  farms  of  over  500  acres.  In  1894  he 
erected  and  conducted  a  planing  mill,  and  in  1895  he  added  a  saw  mill.  He  was  one 
of  the  original  stockholders  of  the  Kanona  &  Prattsburg  Railroad,  to  which  he  con- 
tributed several  hundred  dollars.  ,  In  December,  1867,  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of 
John  and  Lucy  Ann  (Allerton)  Koon,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Charles  L., 
John  P.,  Ester  A.,  Thomas  E.  and  Mary  B. 

Miller,  J.  B.,  was  born  in  Addison,  N.  Y.,  April  11,  1849,  son  of  Andrew  and  Orinda 
(Eldredge)  Miller,  .she  of  Nelson,  Pa.,  and  he  of  Oxford,  Chenango  county.  They 
came  to  Addison  about  1848,  and  in  a  few  years  went  to  Woodhull,  where  Mr.  Miller 
died  in  1871,  and  his  wife  in  May,  1893.  J.  B.  Miller  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
educated  in  the  common  schools,  He  is  a  farmer  and  owns  thirty-five  acres  of  land, 
which  he  bought  in  1878.  In  1885  he  built  a  fine  residence,  and  a  barn  in  1889.  He 
is  a  member  of  North  Jasper  Grange  No.  539.  April  8,  1886,  he  married  Catherine 
Walrath,  a  native  of  Jasper  and  daughter  of  Abram  Walrath,  of  Jasper,  N.Y.  By  a 
l^revious  marriage  to  Melissa  Doty  he  has  two  children,  Delbert  and  Elva. 

Waldo,  James  A.,  was  born  in  Prattsburg  in  1830,  son  of  Otis  Waldo,  who  was 
born  in  Bridgewater,  Conn.,  in  1795.  Otis  Waldo  was  the  third  son  and  fourth  child 
of  nine  children  born  to  Deacon  Jesse  Waldo,  of  Massachusetts,  who  settled  in 
Prattsburg  in  1805,  and  here  raised  his  family.     The  seven  oldest  sons  were  farmers 


96  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

by  occupation,  with  farms  adjoining,  and  the  youngest  was  a  minister.  Otis  Waldo 
was  a  farmer  and  lumberman,  and  married  Fannie,  daughter  of  Deacon  and  Miriam 
Cook,  of  Prattsburg,  by  whom  he  had  four  children;  Otis  H.,  deceased,  who  was 
attorney  and  president  of  the  Milwaukee  &  Northern  Railroad;  Martha  M.,  who  died 
in  infancy;  Abigail  F.,  deceased;  and  James  A.,  who  has  spent  all  his  life  in  Pratts- 
burg as  a  farmer,  excepting  four  years  spent  in  Wisconsin  in  the  mercantile  and  grain 
buying  business,  and  for  some  years  he  was  interested  in  the  improvement  of  farm 
stock,  particularly  horses  and  cattle,  and  now  possesses  very  fine  specimens  of  each 
as  the  result  of  his  labors;  and  Mrs.  Waldo  is  much  interested  in  the  production  of 
high  grade  butter.  In  politics  Mr.  Waldo  is  a  Republican  of  pronounced  opinions. 
In  February,  1855,  he  married  Margaret  A.,  daughter  of  John  M.  and  Susan  (Bellows) 
Wheaton,  of  Washington  county.  Their  children  are  Fannie  C,  an  artist  of  con- 
siderable ability;  Mrs.  Anna  M.  Millspaugh,  of  Prattsburg;  Elizabeth,  deceased;  and 
Otis.  Mr.  Waldo  ranks  as  one  of  the  leading  successful  farmers  of  the  town,  owning 
the  homestead  farm  of  200  acres,  and  another  one  of  100. 

Clark,  Almon  P.,  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  N.  Y.,  September  1,  1846,  and  is  the 
youngest  of  four  children  born  to  John  and  Harriet  Perry  Clark.  Mr.  Clark  is  a 
native  of  Madison  county,  N.Y.,  born  May  12,  1803;  and  Mrs.  Clark  of  Troupsburg, 
born  September  1,  1809  The  paternal  grandparents,  Joseph  and  Abigail  Booth 
Clark,  were  pioneers  of  Troupsburg.  He  was  born  June  10,  1772,  and  came  from 
Madison  county  to  Bath  in  1812,  and  to  Troupsburg  in  1823,  where  he  died  Septem- 
ber 8,  1861.  She  was  born  August  18,  1777,  and  died  January  19,  1854.  The  mater- 
nal grandparents  were  Alanson  and  Rachael  Mallery  Perry,  who  were  born  in 
Middletown,  Rutland  county,  Vt.,  he  born  in  1782,  and  she  in  1785.  They  came  to 
the  town  of  Troupsburg  in  1809  and  settled  at  Highup,  where  they  lived  and  died, 
his  death  occurring  March  14,  1849,  and  hers  October  6,  1842.  The  father  of  Alan- 
son,  Eliakim  Perry,  was  born  in  Connecticut  and  went  to  Vermont,  where  he  mar- 
ried a  Miss  Downes.  John  Clark  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  owned  one  in  the  town 
of  Bath,  which  he  traded  for  one  in  the  town  of  Troupsburg,  where  he  came  in  1876. 
He  was  postmaster  at  West  Troupsburg  about  twenty  years.  Mr.  Clark  died  April 
25,  1884,  and  Mrs.  Clark  August  17,  1883.  Almon  P.  was  educated  at  Troupsburg 
and  Alfred  Academies.  In  September,  1874,  he  married  Susan,  daughter  of  Ira  and 
Louisa  Erway,  of  Bath,  and  widow  of  E.  B.  Miller,  by  whom  she  has  one  son,  Ira 
Miller,  a  traveling  salesman  of  Elmira.  The  grandparents  of  Mrs.  Clark,  Peter  and 
Susan  Brown  Monell,  came  from  Schuyler  county,  and  settled  in  Bath,  where  they 
both  died.  Mr.  Clark  has  always  followed  farming,  has  135  acres  of  land,  and 
makes  a  specialty  of  dairying.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  are  members  of  the  Baptist 
church  at  Troupsburg. 

Bower,  Charles  E.,  son  of  John  G.  and  Catherine  (Seibold)  Bower,  is  the  first  in 
order  of  four  children,  namely:  Carrie  M.  (Mrs.  J.  P.  Storch),  John  L.,  and  Nellie  L. 
(Mrs.  Charles  Smith).  His  parents  came  to  this  country  from  Germany  in  1851  and 
settled  in  Southport,  Chemung  county,  where  he  was  born,  January  4,  1856.  In  1879 
he  bought  a  farm  of  150  acres,  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Elzina,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Samuel  Chapman,  of  Bath,  in  1881.  This  union 
was  blessed  with  two  children:  Walter  (deceased),  born  February  28,  1882,  and 
Charles  S.,  born  May  30,  1890.     In  1889  he  erected  a  creamery,  which  business  he  is 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  97 

successfully  carrying  on,  manufacturing  about  00,000  pounds  of  butter  annually.  His 
wife  died  in  1893,  and  in  1895  he  married  Carrie  Morse,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Robert  Mason,  of  Le  Roy,  Pa.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Patrons  of  Industry,  and  of 
the  M.  E.  church. 

Terry,  George  D.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wheeler,  December  16,  1850.  George 
W.  Terry,  his  father,  was  also  a  native  of  this  county,  born  in  Pulteney,  September 
24,  1824.  His  father  was  Rennes  Terry,  a  native  of  Dutchess  county;  the  latter  set- 
tled in  the  town  of  Pulteney  in  1816.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  George  W. , 
James  Sherwood,  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution  and  also  in  the  war  of 
1812.  George  W.  Terry  was  a  butcher  and  dealer  in  stocks  and  a  successful  business 
man.  In  1823  he  moved  to  Hornellsville,  and  was  one  of  the  greatest  benefactors  of 
this  city.  He  had  been  here  only  a  few  years  when  he  bought  four  acres  of  land 
where  Oak  and  John  streets  are  now.  The  tract  was  at  that  time  covered  with  pine 
stumps,  which  he  cleared  out,  and  it  was  throngh  his  effort  the  land  east  of  the 
river  was  opened  up.  He  built  the  first  bridge  across  the  river  on  River  street,  and 
and  at  this  time  being  one  of  the  two  meat  dealers  of  the  town,  conducting  a  very 
successful  business,  his  real  estate  speculations  requiring  the  whole  of  his  atten- 
tion, he  gave  up  that  business  and  devoted  his  whole  time  to  it.  He  bought  four- 
teen acres  of  William  Bennett,  lying  east  of  the  river,  which  he  opened  up  and  laid 
out  in  building  lots,  where  now  is  the  resident  section  of  River  street,  East  Elm  and 
Terrj^  streets.  In  1867  he  bought  with  Alphonse  Hubbard  300  acres  of  land,  a  por- 
tion of  which  now  lies  within  the  city  limits,  and  the  Santee  Pass  saw  mill  being  on 
this  property,  they  continued  the  manufacture  of  lumber  until  the  eighties,  and 
opened  up  about  sixty  acres  of  the  land  for  residence  purposes.  Mr.  Terry  owned 
at  the  time  of  his  death  nearly  1,000  acres  of  land  In  1873  Mr.  Terry  bought  a  half 
interest  in  the  Alley  flouring  and  grist  mills  on  East  Main  street,  and  in  1876  pur- 
chased the  other  half  interest  of  S.  P.  Arnot,  and  owned  it  at  the  time  of  his  death. 
Mr.  Terry  was  one  of  the  early  Masons  of  this  town.  He  was  for  three  years  an 
assessor  of  this  town  and  was  for  seven  years  an  alderman  of  this  city,  elected  for 
four  terms,  and  held  the  office  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  September, 
1884.  The  mother  of  George  D.,  Henrietta  Trenchard,  was  a  native  of  the  town  of 
Wheeler,  she  died  in  1870.  George  was  the  oldest  of  four  children  and  the  only  son 
to  reach  adult  age.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  school.  George  D.  made  his 
home  with  his  parents  until  his  marriage,  which  was  February  7,  1871,  and  was  for 
two  years  engaged  in  farming,  and  in  1873  became  a  partner  with  his  father  in  the 
flouring  mills;  at  his  death  he  became  sole  owner  and  continued  the  manufacture 
until  1892,  turning  out  from  sixty  to  seventy  barrels  per  day.  He  has  been  an  ex- 
tensive dealer  in  flour,  feed,  and  cereals  since  closing  the  mill,  and  is  to-day  the 
leader  of  the  wholesale  market  of  this  city.  He  is  also  extensively  interested  in  real 
estate  and  conducts  the  farm  principally  for  dairy,  furnishing  milk  for  the  city.  He 
is  one  of  the  three  owners  of  the  Underwear  Manufacturing  Co.,  and  one  of  the  man- 
agers of  the  business,  and  has  also  been  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Citizens'  National 
Bank  for  eleven  years.  He  has  been  delegate  to  town  and  county  conventions,  and 
served  as  alderman  for  three  years.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  frater- 
nity for  thirteen  j^ears.  Evening  Star  Lodge  No.  44,  Steuben  Chapter  101,  and  De 
Molay  Commandery  No.  22.     He  was  married  in  1871  to  Miss  Rebecca  Valnett  Ar- 


98  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

wine,  of  this  town ;  they  have  four  children :  Eugene,  associated  with  his  father  in 
business;  Samuel  Arnot,  now  a  student;  Mabel  and  Myrtle.  Mrs.  Terry  died  July 
20,  1893.  Mr.  Terry  was  married  to  his  present  wife.  Miss  Carrie  E.  Myers,  of  Hor- 
nellsville,  N.  Y.,  Jnly  3,  1895. 

Dennis,  Seymour  W.,  was  born  in  Jasper,  on  the  farm  he  now  owns,  September 
30,  1855,  son  of  John  and  Ruth  (Wasner)  Dennis,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  came 
to  Jasper  in  1852,  and  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  his  son,  where  he  died  No- 
vember 8,  1865,  and  his  wife  in  1891.  Seymour  W.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  educated 
in  the  common  schools,  and  after  the  death  of  his  father,  had  the  care  of  the  family 
consisting  of  mother  and  six  children.  He  has  remained  on  the  old  homestead  and 
now  owns  187  acres.  In  1878  he  married  Efifie,  daughter  of  Serl  and  Eliza  (Sharp) 
Taft,  by  whom  he  had  three  children :  Loretta  Maud,  Leon  S. ,  and  Carrie  E. 

Whiteman,  J.  C,  was  born  in  Jasper,  October  24,  1849,  son  of  Henry  and  Martha 
(Sanford)  Whiteman,  natives  of  Jasper  and  Dryden,  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y.,  re- 
spectively. The  grandfather,  Henry  Whiteman,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Jas- 
per, where  he  died  in  1866.  Henry  Whiteman,  father  of  J.  C,  went  to  Brooklin, 
Jefferson  county.  Pa.,  where  he  died  in  June,  1891.  J.  C.  Whiteman  was  reared  on 
a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming  and 
now  owns  a  farm  of  240  acres,  a  part  of  which  was  left  to  Mrs.  Whiteman  by  her 
father.  November  4,  1877,  he  married  Marion,  daughter  of  A.  B.  and  Jane  (Langley) 
Phillips,  natives  of  Otsego  county,  who  came  to  Jasper  in  1843  and  settled  on  the 
farm  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Whiteman,  where  he  died  in  1883,  and  his  wife  in  1880. 
Mr.  Phillips  cleared  his  farm  and  was  a  prosperous  farmer.  He  was  assessor  several 
terms.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whiteman  have  two  children:  Charles  A.,  and  Florence  J. 

Baldwin,  Horace  Dyer,  was  born  at  Sherburne,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y. ,  June  24, 
1838.  Horace  Baldwin,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Goshen,  Conn.,  and  was  a  suc- 
cessful teacher  during  early  manhood,  and  taught  at  Canandaigua,  N.  Y.,  in  1822. 
Later  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Norwich,  N.  Y.,  and  in  November, 
1840,  settled  in  Woodhull  (early  called  Newville),  Steuben  county,  and  was  one  of 
the  first  merchants  in  the  village,  where  he  died  in  1854.  During  his  residence  in 
Norwich  he  married  Penelope  Allen  of  North  Kingston,  Rhode  Island,  by  whom  he 
had  two  children,  Horace  Dyer,  and  Clarendon,  who  is  now  in  Woodhull  and  en- 
gaged in  farming.  Mrs.  Baldwin  died  in  1879,  aged  eighty-three  years,  and  was 
highly  respected,  being  a  woman  of  great  nobility  of  character.  Horace  Dyer  Bald- 
win graduated  from  Alfred  University  in  1863,  and  began  the  study  of  law  with 
Hon.  F.  C.  &  Colonel  J.  W.  Dininny  of  Addison,  N.  Y.,  and  prior  to  entering  college 
had  taught  school  for  several  years,  farming  on  the  homestead  in  the  mtervals  and 
working  out  by  the  day  during  the  season  of  haying  and  harvesting,  for  the  neces- 
sary means  to  aid  in  paying  his  board  and  tuition  while  attending  school.  He  en- 
listed at  Addison,  N.  Y.,  April  27,  1861,  in  Capt.  Henry  Baldwin's  Company  E,  34th 
Regiment  New  York  State  Infantry  Volunteers,  and  was  discharged  at  Seneca  Mills 
on  account  of  disability  incurred  in  the  service. 

Blair,  William,  was  born  in  Greenwood,  N.  Y.,  February  5,  1829,  son  of  William 
M.  and  Celinda  (Wheeler)  Blair,  natives  of  New  England.  The  maternal  grand- 
father was  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.     William  M.  Blair  was  a  farmer  and  came 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  S9 

from  Tompkins  county  to  Greenwood  in  the  early  days.  He  went  to  Michigan  where 
he  died  in  1847.  Mrs.  Blair  lives  at  Litchfield,  Mich.,  aged  ninety-six  years.  Will- 
iam Blair  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  educated  at  Knoxville,  and  in  1849  he  located 
on  the  farm  of  147  acres  which  he  now  owns,  where  he  has  made  a  specialty  of  dairy 
farming.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  was  assessor  for  three  years.  In  1857 
he  married  Eliza,  daughter  of  Hiram  and  Mary  (Terpentine)  Burger,  of  Greenwood, 
bv  whom  he  had  three  children;  Elvie,  who  died  at  the  age  of  nine  years;  Carrie  E. , 
wife  of  Monroe  Tyler,  a  farmer  of  Greenwood;  they  have  one  child,  Rubie;  T,  N. 
Blair,  who  is  a  farmer  on  the  homestead. 

Stickney,  Julius,  was  born  m  Shoreham,  Vt.,  in  1828,  the  eldest  of  a  family  of 
eleven  children.  His  father,  Tyler  Stickney,  was  one  of  the  pioneer  Spanish  Merino 
sheep  breeders  of  the  State,  and  originated  that  famous  strain  of  blood  known  in 
years  after  throughout  the  country  as  the  Rich,  Robinson  and  Stickney  blood.  In 
1855  he  attended  the  first  sheep  show  ever  held  in  the  United  States  at  Bath,  and 
was  awarded  the  first  premium  of  $40  on  a  two  year  old  ram,  and  at  the  end  of  the 
fair  sold  the  ram  for  §350  to  parties  in  Livingston  county.  He  subsequently  spent 
some  time  in  introducing  the  Vermont  Merinos  throughout  the  Western  States.  In 
1857  he  married  Eliza  M.,  daughter  of  Eph.  and  Catharine  (Myrtle)  Aulls,  by  whom 
he  had  these  children:  Eph.  I.,  Timothy,  and  E.  E.,  all  farmers  in  Wheeler;  Cora 
Stickney  Lewis,  of  Prattsburg;  Julius  J.,  Thomas  D.,  Kate  M.,  Emma  A.,  Sarah 
and  Carrie  of  Bath.  His  wife  died  in  1857,  and  he  married  for  his  second  wife  Miss 
Minerva  E.  Brown,  a  native  of  Vermont,  by  whom  they  have  one  son,  Howard  B. 
He  settled  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides  in  1867,  and  has  succeeded  by  unlim- 
ited push  and  perseverance  in  bringing  a  wild  and  unimproved  farm  of  about  450 
acres  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  He  has  served  the  town  as  supervisor  three 
terms,  and  has  held  most  of  the  other  town  offices.  Mr.  Stickney  was  the  original 
director  and  stockholder  of  Wheeler  of  the  K.  and  P.  Railroad,  and  served  as  such 
until  the  road  went  into  the  hands  of  a  receiver, 

Robertson,  S.  C,  was  born  in  Unadilla,  Otsego  county,  N.  V.,  October  18,  1815. 
His  father,  Niel  Robertson,  was  a  native  of  Hebron,  Conn.,  coming  from  that  place 
to  Unadilla  in  1814.  Mr.  Robertson  spent  most  of  his  early  life  in  Unadilla,  coming 
to  Corning  in  1851,  where  he  conducted  a  meat  market  for  several  years,  was  also  a 
general  merchant  a  few  years,  then  purchased  his  farm  in  what  is  now  called  the 
Fifth  ward.  After  a  time  he  laid  out  the  greater  portion  of  his  land  in  building  lots, 
putting  up  houses  for  sale  and  rent,  and  contributing  much  to  the  improvement  of 
the  place.  Mr.  Robertson  has  been  trustee  of  the  schools  in  Corning  for  several 
years,  always  being  interested  in  the  educational  and  religious  welfare  of  the  city, 
and  every  enterprise  tending  to  improve  and  build  up  society,  and  is  possessed  of 
strict  integrity  in  all  his  business  relations.  For  several  years  he  has  been  chosen 
supervisor,  and  has  filled  various  town  offices.  He  has  been  a  member  and  liberal 
supporter  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  for  many  years,  and  always  sustained 
an  official  relation  to  it. 

Bellinger,  George  N.,  was  born  in  Herkimer  county  in  1824.  Andrew  Bellinger, 
his  grandfather,  was  a  native  of  Montgomery  county,  and  when  only  six  or  eight 
years  old,  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  he  and  his  younger  brother  were  captured 


loo  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

by  the  Indians,  and  the  latter  was  killed  by  them  on  account  of  his  crying.  He  was 
held  a  captive  for  six  years,  during  which  time  he  became  a  favorite  of  the  chief  of 
the  tribe,  who  gave  him  a  rifle,  canoe,  and  provisions,  and  with  directions  what 
course  to  pursue,  and  where  to  avoid  other  tribes,  bade  him  good-bye  and  released 
him,  and  he  made  his  way  home  to  his  parents,  who  had  mourned  him  as  dead.  He 
became  a  prosperous  farmer,  was  married  three  times,  and  reared  five  sons  and  four 
daughters,  and  died  at  the  age  of  eighty  years.  Andrew,  his  father,  was  born  in  the 
town  of  Danube,  Herkimer  county,  and  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  having  pur- 
chased part  of  his  father's  farm,  which  he  lost  soon  after.  He  then  engaged  in 
teaming,  and  later  spent  about  three  years  doing  contract  work  in  the  construction 
of  the  Erie  canal,  and  then  returned  to  farming  and  removed  to  Oswego  county, 
where  he  purchased  a  farm  and  resided  two  3'ears,  and  not  being  successful  he  re- 
moved to  Oneida  county,  and  there  rented  land  for  a  time,  when  he  migrated  to  Illi- 
nois, where  he  died  ten  months  later.  His  wife  was  Catherine  House,  of  Montgomery 
county,  and  their  children  were  John,  George,  Nancy,  Catherine,  Jeremiah,  Mary, 
Jacob,  Amanda,  Libby,  Philip  and  Caroline  (twins,  deceased).  His  wife  remamed  in 
Illinois,  where  she  died  in  1885.  George  N.  assisted  his  father  until  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  when  he  began  working  in  Herkimer  county,  in  a  linseed  oil  mill 
for  one  year,  when  he  rented  a  dairy  farm  and  manufactured  cheese  and  butter,  and 
after  four  years  he  returned  to  the  oil  mill.  In  1852  he  removed  to  the  town  of 
Wheeler,  and  bought  a  partially  cleared  farm,  and  eight  years  later  sold  and  removed 
to  the  town  of  Addison  and  bought  seventy  acres  of  timber  land  with  a  saw  mill  and 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  lumber.  In  December,  1863,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
A,  8th  New  York  Heavy  Artillery,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  participating 
in  the  battles  of  Spottsjdvania,  Wilderness,  and  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  received  a 
wound  in  the  foot,  and  was  sent  to  the  Columbia  Hospital,  at  Washington,  and  was 
later  transferred  to  the  Elmira  Hospital,  where  he  received  his  discharge.  In  1866 
he  removed  to  the  town  of  Wheeler  and  purchased  his  present  farm,  and  has  since 
been  .successfully  engaged  in  farming.  In  1845  he  married  Margaret,  daughter  of 
Christjohn  and  Catherine  Bonsted,  and  native  of  Herkimer  county,  and  they  have 
two  children:  Mrs.  Martha  Merrills,  of  Monterey,  and  George.  Mr.  Bellinger  is  a 
member  of  the  Avoca  Grange,  the  P.  of  H  Lodge,  in  which  he  has  held  several  of- 
fices, and  the  Marcy  G.  A.  R.  Post.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  of 
which  he  was  trustee  nine  years. 

McConnell,  Asa,  son  of  Charles  McConnell,  was  born  in  Orange  county,  N.  Y., 
in  1801.  When  he  was  seven  years  of  age  his  father  "  moved  west  "  and  settled  at 
Howard  Flats,  Steuben  county,  on  a  farm  of  160  acres,  then  an  unbroken  forest  and 
the  haunts  of  various  wild  beasts.  He  served  as  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was 
the  father  of  a  large  family.  Asa  being  the  oldest,  and  final  possessor  of  the  farm, 
now  a  beautiful  stretch  of  meadow  and  grain  land ;  the  highway  which  passes  through 
it  being  bounded  by  rows  of  grand  old  maple  trees,  marking  the  spot  where  this  large 
family  was  reared,  but  who  wandered  away  from  farm  life  to  the  manufacturing  in- 
dustries now  so  closely  associated  with  their  name.  Asa  McConnell,  besides  being 
a  farmer,  was  a  politician  and  a  staunch  Democrat.  He  was  an  old  time  lawyer,  and 
filled  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace,  of  supervisor,  and  in  1844  represented  his  dis- 
trict in  the  State  Legislature.     He  was  always  interested  m  public  affairs,  genial, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  lOl 

kind-hearted,  earnest,  industrious,  and  numbered  eighty-seven  years.  In  1867  Mr. 
McConnell  moved  to  Hornellsville  and,  forming  a  partnership  with  his  sons,  bought 
in  1868  of  Morris  Smith  a  small  though  well  established  planing  mill,  sash  and  blind 
factory,  the  beginning  of  the  present  mammoth  plant  of  the  McConnell  Co.  In  1879 
Philo  F.  withdrew  from  the  firm  and  opened  salesrooms  in  London,  England,  where 
he  continues  a  prosperous  business.  The  remaining  members  of  the  firm,  Benton 
and  Floyd  T.,  continued  the  business  under  this  name  until  1891,  when  a  stock  com- 
pany was  formed,  and  a  large  number  of  the  employees  were  given  an  interest  in  the 
now  "McConnell  Manufacturing  Co."  They  carry  from  seven  to  ten  millions  feet  of 
lumber,  employing  some  two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  and  their  trade  extends  over  the 
United  States,  England,  South  America,  South  Africa  and  Australia.  Equipped,  as 
their  factories  are,  with  every  conceivable  convenience  and  with  machinery  of  the 
latest  improved  patterns,  this  industry  is  one  in  which  the  community  justly  takes 
great  pride  as  one  of  the  largest  and  most  complete  of  the  kind  in  the  world. 

Lewis,  Christopher  E.,  was  born  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  in  1838,  son  of  Christopher  D. 
and  Julia  A.  (Murphey)  Lewis,  natives  of  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island,  who,  in 
1842,  came  to  the  present  farm.  C.  D.  Lewis,  the  father  of  C.  E.,  is  now  ninety-one 
years  of  age.  He  came  here  with  Father  Beriah  Lewis  in  1825,  but  did  not  locate 
here  till  1842.  The  mother  of  C.  E.  Lewis  died  in  1885.  Mr.  Lewis  married  Jane 
Thurston,  daughter  of  Alfred  Thurston,  in  January,  1862.  Mr.  Lewis  is  one  of  a 
family  of  four  children,  the  others  being  Julius  M.,  a  resident  of  Iowa;  Julia  E.,  wife 
of  the  late  Wm.  M.  Wolcott;  and  Harriet  L.,  wife  of  George  Chumard.  C.  E.  Lewis, 
who  occupied  the  old  homestead,  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  sheep.  He  has  shorn 
and  put  on  the  market  over  1.000  pounds  of  wool  annually  for  thirty-five  years.  He 
is  a  well  known,  influential  citizen  in  the  town  and  county  whei'e  he  lives,  has  held 
many  important  offices,  and  is  well  up  in  Masonry,  being  a  32d  degree  member. 

Nelson,  Edward  H.,  was  born  in  Owego,  Tioga  county,  N.  Y.,  July  31,  1869,  son 
of  Charles  Nelson,  also  a  native  of  Tioga  county,  who  acquired  a  world-wide  reputa- 
tion as  a  bridge  builder.  He  was  the  foreman  of  the  work  of  building  the  Portage 
Bridge  and  the  Passaic  Draw  Bridge,  and  was  also  the  foreman  in  charge  of  the  erec- 
tion of  the  great  iron  frames  on  the  Centennial  grounds  at  Philabelphia,  in  1876.  In 
1877  he  located  in  Hornellsville,  and  dealt  in  fruit  and  vegetables,  and  in  1881  took 
charge  of  the  Eagle  Hotel,  which  he  conducted  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  September  20,  1889.  His  wife,  Johanna  Whitmire,  was  a  native  of  Germany, 
and  died  March  21,  1890.  They  were  the  parents  of  two  sons  and  two  daughters. 
Edward  H.  was  educated  in  the  city  schools,  and  his  first  occupation  was  in  the  store 
with  his  father,  and  was  then  with  J.  J.  Simmons  for  one  year,  and  afterward  em- 
ployed in  different  stores  until  1886,  when  he  went  into  the  Erie  machine  shop,  four 
years  of  which  time  he  was  traveling  advertising  agent  for  the  Hornellsville  Expo- 
sition. In  the  fall  of  1890 he  established  a  fruit,  confectionery,  tobacco,  and  cigar 
store  at  the  corner  of  Franklin  and  Canisteo  streets,  which  he  has  since  successfully 
conducted.  In  the  spring  of  1893  he  established  a  bottling  works  on  Franklin  street, 
where  he  manufactures  a  full  line  of  soft  drinks  and  conducts  the  bottling  of  ale  and 
lager,  with  a  yearly  output  of  from  six  to  eight  thousand  dollars'  worth,  and  is  also 
the  agent  for  the  Lang  Brewery  of  Buffalo.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  in 
the  spring  of  1895  was  elected  in  the  Fourth  ward,   where  the  Democratic  majority 


102  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

IS  normally  about  sixty,  by  a  majority  of  eighty-four.  He  is  also  one  of  the  council 
committee,  and  is  chairman  of  the  police  and  sewerage  committees.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.     In  1892  he  married  Maud,  daughter  of  J.  R.  Lamphear. 

Covenhoven,  Daniel  R.,  son  of  Peter  Covenhoven,  was  born  in  Hornby,  Steuben 
county,  N.  Y.,  March  28,  1830.  His  father  was  born  in  Root,  Montgomery  county, 
N.  Y.,  April  22,  1803;  in  October,  1823,  he  settled  in  Hornby;  he  married  Sarah  M. 
Rooks  March  28,  1828;  she  was  born  at  Northumberland,  Saratoga  county,  N.  Y.,  in 
1800.  Of  this  union  six  children  were  born,  two  of  whom  are  now  living:  Thomas 
N.,  and  Daniel  R.,  who  are  farmers  in  Hornby.  Daniel  R.  Covenhoven  married 
Nancy  M.  Shults,  March  30,  1859;  she  was  born  at  Palatine,  Montgomery  county, 
January  1,  1847.  Of  this  union  four  children  were  born,  two  of  whom  are  now  living, 
Grace  and  Genoa.  In  1884  Daniel  R.  Covenhoven  located  ononeof  his  farms,  joining 
the  city  of  Corning  on  the  north.  His  mother,  Sarah  M.,  died  May  19,  1863,  aged 
sixty-three;  his  father,  Peter  died  February  12,  1895,  aged  ninety-one;  his  wife, 
Nancy,  died  September  16,  1893,  aged  fifty-two  jrears. 

Brown,  Charles  A.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  December  5,  1829,  son  of 
Thomas  and  Lucinda  (daughter  of  Aaron  Borden)  Brown.  Charles  A.  was  one  of 
twelve  children:  Israel,  Levi,  Charles  A.,  Aaron,  Jane  Chisholm,  Elizabeth  Hunt, 
McCord,  Ezekiel,  Phebe  Merrill,  Electa  Ann  Conners,  Mahala  Miller,  and  Lucinda 
White.  Thomas  Brown  was  a  lumberman  and  farmer  and  in  early  life  was  a  school 
teacher.  Charles  A.  married  Matilda,  a  daughter  of  Abel  White,  by  whom  he  has 
four  children:  Eva  Talbott,  Ella  Dickenson,  Chauncey  E.,  and  Sarah  Jackson.  Mr. 
Brown  is  engaged  in  farming.  He  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church  of  Talbott 
Creek.     He  has  held  several  school  offices. 

McChesney,  Moses,  was  born  in  Bath,  July  4,  1847.  Hugh  McChesney,  his  father, 
was  a  native  of  Ireland  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1841  and  settled  in  Bath, 
where  he  has  been  identified  as  a  farmer  for  fifty-five  years.  He  married  Mary  A., 
daughter  of  Thomas  Davison.  Moses  McChesney  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools,  and  in  1864  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  189th  Regt.  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  took  part  in  the 
battles  of  Hatcher's  Run,  South  Side  Railroad,  Stony  Creek,  Weldon  Railroad,  and 
was  one  of  the  skirmish  line  to  receive  the  flag  of  truce  at  the  surrender  of  General 
Lee  at  Appomattox  Court  House,  Va.,  and  he  received  an  honorable  discharge  in 
1865,  when  he  returned  to  Bath  and  resumed  his  business  as  contractor  and  builder, 
the  firm  of  Clough  &  McChesney  having  erected  several  buildings  at  the  Soldier's 
and  Sailor's  Home,  some  of  the  finest  private  residences  in  Bath,  and  the  New  York 
State  Fish  Hatchery  at  Cold  Spring,  N.  Y.  In  1875  he  married  Maggie,  daughter  of 
James  and  Mary  Kellogg  of  Howard,  by  whom  he  had  one  daughter.  May.  Mr.  Mc- 
Chesney is  one  of  the  leading  men  of  his  town,  serving  as  excise  commissioner  two 
terms,  trustee  two  terms,  and  commander  of  Custer  Post  No.  81. 

Parkhurst,  Hon.  John  F.,  was  born  in  Wellsboro,  Pa.,  February  17,  1843,  son  of 
Dr.  Curtis  Parkhurst,  who  was  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  and  one  of  the  pioneer 
settlers  of  Lawrenceville,  Pa.,  a  member  of  the  Legislature,  and  serving  as  sheriff 
of  his  county.  He  married  Jane  A.,  daughter  of  Ambrose  Kasson,  of  Utica,  N.  Y. 
He  died  in  1872,  in  his  seventy-eighth  year.  John  F.  was  educated  by  private  tutors, 
and  in  1863  began  the  study  of  law  at  Bath  with  Guy  H.  McMaster,  was  admitted  in 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  103 

1865,  and  in  1872  formed  the  partnership  of  McMaster  &  Parkhurst,  which  continued 
up  to  the  time  of  Judge  McMaster' s  death  m  1887,  since  which  time  he  has  carried  on 
the  practice  of  the  firm,  and  since  the  death  of  Harvey  Hull  in  1890  has  found  time 
to  edit  the  Steuben  Courier.  He  is  the  vice-president  and  part  owner  of  the  Farmers' 
and  Mechanics'  Bank  of  Bath,  and  for  the  past  six  years  has  been  chairman  of  the  Repub- 
lican county  committee,  and  for  four  years  a  member  of  the  State  executive  committee. 
In  1888  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  Republican  National  Convention  held  at  Chicago,  and 
in  1892  he  was  chosen  by  the  Republican  State  Convention  alternate  delegate-at-large 
to  the  Republican  National  Convention  held  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.  In  1893  he  was 
elected  State  delegate-at-large  to  the  Constitutional  Convention  for  1894,  and  served 
as  a  member  of  Judiciary  and  Suffrage  committees,  and  was  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee on  county,  town,  and  village  officers.  In  1886  he  married  Alice,  daughter  of 
Judge  Guy  McMaster,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  one  son,  Guy  McM.  Parkhurst. 

Borden,  Aaron  Porter,  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  N.  Y.,  in  1836.  Porter  A.  Borden, 
his  father,  was  born  in  Cayuga  county,  in  1802,  one  of  ten  children,  and  came  to 
Prattsburg  in  1830  and  settled  on  a  farm.  He  was  a  member  of  the  State  militia, 
and  married  Maria  Benenway,  a  native  of  Dutchess  county,  by  whom  he  had  twelve 
children.  He  died  in  1887,  aged  eighty-seven  years,  and  his  wife  in  1861,  aged  sixty 
years.  Aaron  P.  Borden  remained  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  when  he  engaged  in  teaching  school,  which  he  continued  for  a  number  of  years 
during  the  winter,  and  attending  the  Franklin  Academy  during  the  summer.  In 
1867  he  bought  his  present  farm,  which  he  has  since  superintended,  and  in  connec- 
tion with  the  farm  he  carries  on  an  extensive  fire  insurance  business.  He  has  been 
postmaster  of  Lynn  post-office,  in  the  town  of  Prattsburg  since  1882.  In  1865  he 
married  Cynthia  R.  McConnell,  who  was  born  in  Italy,  Yates  county,  a  daughter  of 
Alexander  and  Rosina  (Gillett)  McConnell.  Mr.  Borden  is  a  member  of  Odd  Fellows 
Lodge  No.  538  of  Avoca.  Mrs.  Borden  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church,  Epworth 
League,  and  a  strong  advocate  of  the  temperance  cause.  Jabez  Gillett,  Mrs.  Bor- 
den's grandfather,  was  a  pioneer  in  the  town  of  Prattsburg,  coming  here  in  1817, 
and  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Franklin  Academy  in  Prattsburg. 

Kendall,  Dr.  A.  A.,  was  born  at  Corning,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  was  educated  in 
Corning  Academy.  In  1879  he  graduated  from  the  University  of  Buffalo,  and  spent 
one  year  in  hospital  practice  in  New  York  city,  since  which  time  he  has  been  practic- 
ing in  his  profession  m  Corning.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Steuben  County  Medical 
Society,  and  the  Corning  Academy  of  Medicine. 

Baker,  Dr.  Milton  J.,  was  born  in  Sidney,  Delaware  county,  N.  Y.,  March  30,  1842. 
He  was  the  third  son  of  Milton  Baker,  a  farmer  and  a  native  of  Connecticut.  He 
was  educated  at  Unadilla  Academy  and  at  the  University  of  New  York,  graduating 
with  the  degree  of  C.  B.  in  1860.  He  began  the  study  of  medicine  when  nineteen 
years  of  age  with  Dr.  Sweet  of  Unadilla  and  also  with  Dr.  Beckwith  in  Connecticut. 
He  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  New  York  in  1861,  and 
while  a  student  he,  in  1864,  enlisted  in  the  army  and  was  immediately  made  hospital 
steward  at  Hilton  Head,  South  Carolina.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to 
college  and  finished  his  studies  the  following  year.  He  spent  three  years  in  the  hos- 
pital service,   and  began   the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Masonville,   Delaware 


104  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

county,  where  he  was  engaged  until  1874,  when  he  joined  Dr.  J.  H.  Ripley  in  New 
York  city.  After  spending  two  years  in  the  city,  in  1876  he  located  in  Hornellsville, 
when  he  became  one  of  the  most  prominent  members  of  the  profession,  ile  never 
married.     Dr.  Baker  died  December  21,  1892. 

Luther,  Byron  J.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hartwick,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  June 
9,  1838.  Joseph  B.  Luther,  the  father  of  Byron,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  who 
came  to  Otsego  county  at  a  very  early  age.  As  a  young  man  he  was  a  blacksmith, 
but  on  coming  to  (;tsego  county  he  took  up  farming,  which  he  ever  after  followed 
and  accumulated  an  extensive  property,  owning  at  the  time  of  his  death  seven  farms. 
Of  his  family  of  ten  children,  B.  J.  was  the  seventh  son.  Joseph  B.  Luther  died  in 
1855.  The  mother  of  Byron,  Betsey  Mathewson,  was  a  native  of  Rhode  Island. 
She  died  in  1865.  B.  J.  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  made  his  home  on 
the  farm  until  eighteen  years  of  age.  In  1856  he  went  into  a  dry  goods  and  grocery 
store  as  clerk,  which  position  he  occupied  until  1865  He  was  then  in  business  for 
five  years  with  Boyce  W.  Hawver  in  the  same  line,  and  the  spring  of  1874  he  came 
to  Hornellsville  and  bought  out  the  interest  of  D.  C.  Casterline  in  the  drug  firm  of 
Casterline  &  Robertson,  and  has  ever  since  been  engaged  in  business  in  this  city. 
The  spring  of  1876  they  located  at  No.  9  Opera  House  Block  on  Broad  street,  and  for 
nearly  twenty  years  they  have  been  located  in  this  one  place.  He  was  married  in 
1871  to  Maria  S.  Baker  of  Unadilla,  N.  Y.     They  have  no  children. 

Marlatt,  Charles,  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  N.  Y.,  March  3,  1861,  and  is  the  oldest 
of  two  children  born  to  Henry  O.  and  Eunice  Kettle  Marlatt.  The  grandparents 
were  Gideon  and  Nancy  Stephens  Marlatt.  Gideon  came  from  New  Jersey  at  an 
early  day  and  settled  in  Jasper,  being  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  town,  and  from 
there  he  removed  to  Troupsburg,  where  he  spent  his  last  days.  He  was  a  carpenter 
and  joiner  by  trade.  The  great-grandfather,  Gideon,  sr.,  also  came  from  New  Jer- 
sey and  settled  in  Jasper,  where  he  lived  and  died.  He  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade. 
Henry  O.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  farming  has  been  his  occupation.  Charles  was 
educated  in  the  academies  of  Troupsburg  and  Woodhull,  and  commenced  his  business 
career  as  a  teacher,  and  was  in  the  mercantile  business  for  three  years.  In  1883  he 
married  Jennie  L.,  daughter  of  F.  D.  and  Hannah  Olmsted  Wilcox,  of  Troupsburg, 
and  they  have  two  children :  Harry  and  Cassie.  Mr.  Marlatt  has  been  town  clerk 
for  three  years,  and  supervisor  for  two  years,  and  in  January,  1894,  was  elected 
school  commissioner  of  the  Third  District,  Steuben  county,  which  office  he  now  holds. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Troupsburg  Tent,  No.  339,  K.  O.  T.  M.,  and  the  McClellan 
Lodge,  No.  649,  F.  &  A.  M. ,  at  Troupsburg. 

Allen,  James,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wheeler,  in  1836,  and  has  devoted  his  life 
to  farming,  remaining  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when 
he  started  for  himself,  his  first  purchase  being  forty  acres  of  land,  to  which  he  later 
added  sixty  acres  from  time  to  time.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  141st  N.  Y. 
Vols.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  engaged  in  the  battles  of  Resaca, 
Dalton,  Cassville,  Ga.,  Wahatchie  Valley,  Tenn.,  and  was  with  Sherman  on  his 
famous  march  in  the  Twentieth  Corps.  He  was  sick  in  a  hospital  at  Nashville  .six 
months,  and  upon  his  return  from  the  war  he  engaged  in  clearing  his  land  of  the 
timber  and  stumps,  and  otherwise  improving  his  farm,  and  took  his  parents  to  his 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  105 

home  and  cared  for  them  during  the  last  years  of  their  lives.  Stephen  Allen,  his 
grandfather,  was  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  and  lived  and  died  in  Montgomery  county, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  his  younger  days  were  spent  as  a  sailor  on  a 
coasting  vessel.  He  served  a  short  time  in  the  Revolutionary  war  in  the  place  of  a 
neighbor  who  had  a  leave  of  absence,  he  being  but  a  mere  boy  at  the  time.  He 
reared  eight  children.  Caleb  Allen,  father  of  James,  was  born  in  Montgomery  county 
in  1801,  and  came  to  Wheeler  in  1826,  where  he  settled  in  the  western  part  of  the 
town,  and  cleared  his  farm  from  the  forest.  In  1838  he  returned  to  Montgomery 
county,  where  he  spent  five  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Wheeler  and  spent  his 
remaining  days  in  this  town  and  Avoca.  He  served  as  ju.sti(je  of  the  peace  in  Wheeler 
eight  years,  and  four  years  as  justice  in  Avoca.  He  married  Catherine,  daughter  of 
John  F.  Putman,  a  pioneer  of  Steuben  county,  by  whom  he  had  three  children : 
Catherine,  James,  and  William,  who  died  in  the  army  hospital.  He  had  three  chil- 
dren by  a  former  wife:  John  B.,  deceased,  Jane,  and  Maria.  He  died  in  1888,  and 
his  wife  in  1886.  James  Allen  has  served  his  town  as  assessor  three  years,  commis- 
sioner of  highways  one  term,  and  is  an  active  member  of  the  Avoca  Grange  Lodge, 
P.  of  H.,  of  which  he  has  been  secretary  four  years,  also  master,  lecturer,  gate- 
keeper, etc.,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Marcy  G.  A.  R.  Post  of  Avoca.  In  1867  he 
married  Belinda  M.  Wheeler,  a  teacher  in  the  town  of  Wheeler,  and  daughter  of  Seth 
Wheeler,  by  whom  he  had  children:  Huron,  Homer  G.,  and  Glena.  His  wife  died 
in  January,  1892.  She  was  an  active  and  able  worker  in  the  Grange  Lodge  in 
Avoca,  and  filled  all  the  offices  attainable  by  women  in  that  lodge  from  time  to 
time. 

Silsbee,  George  C,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Avoca,  October  30,  1857.  His  grand- 
father, James  Silsbee,  was  the  first  station  agent  in  the  village  for  N.  Y. ,  L.  E.  &  W. 
R.  R.,  also  established  the  first  gristmill  in  the  town,  and  the  family  date  back  to  the 
first  settlers.  Horace  Silsbee,  father  of  George  C,  was  born  in  Avoca,  and  married 
Ruth,  daughter  of  J.  D.  Griswold,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  George  C,  who  was 
educated  in  the  schools  of  Avoca,  after  which  he  was  clerk  in  the  store  of  Oscar 
Smith,  and  later  became  postmaster  of  the  village,  which  office  he  held  for  six  years. 
In  1889  he  bought  the  plant  of  the  Avoca  Advance,  a  weekly  paper  of  prominence  in 
the  village,  and  he  is  also  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business.  Augu.st  4,  1881,  he 
married  Jennie,  daughter  of  Henry  Burns,  of  North  Cohocton,  by  whom  he  had  one 
daughter.  Mr.  Silsbee  is  at  present  justice  of  the  peace,  serving  his  third  term,  is  a 
member  of  the  Avoca  Lodge  of  Masons,  No.  519,  and  of  Avoca  Lodge  I.  O.  O.  F. 

Rhodes,  Halsey  A.,  was  born  in  Chemung  county  in  1836,  the  following  year 
came  to  Caton  with  his  parents,  Silas  B.  and  Mary  L  (Babcock)  Rhodes,  locating  on 
the  present  home  place  of  Mr.  Rhodes  about  1839,  where  his  father  died  in  1862  aged 
sixty-three  years,  and  his  mother  died  aged  seventy-nine  years.  In  1862  Mr.  Rhodes 
enlisted  in  the  50th  New  York  Engineers,  serving  till  the  close  of  the  war.  After  the 
war  he  married  Mary  A.  Fuller,  who  died  in  1891,  aged  forty-eight  years,  leaving 
three  children,  Nelson  F.,  Frank  H.,  and  Clara  E.  He  afterwards  married  Sarah 
Bowman,  born  Grist,  his  present  wife. 

Brown,  Merwin  E.,  was  born  at  Painted  Post,  Steuben  county,  December  7,  1851. 
Gardner  Brown   his  father,  was  born  in  Waterbury,  Conn.,  and  came  to   Steuben 


106  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

county  about  18S55,  and  settled  in  Painted  Post,  where  he  was  a  carpenter  and  him- 
berman,  which  business  he  followed  up  to  1864.  From  Painted  Post  he  came  to 
Prattsburg,  where  in  engaged  in  farming,  after  which  he  went  to  Bloods,  and  from 
there  to  Cohocton ;  from  there  he  came  to  Wallace,  where  he  died  in  1884  aged  sixty- 
nine  years.  He  married  Dorothea  A.  Marks,  of  Pennsylvania,  by  whom  he  had  ten 
children:  Sanford,  Augustus,  Elvira,  Louisa,  Dora,  Mary,  Henry,  Hattie,  Merwin, 
and  Estella.  Merwin  E.  engaged  in  farming  up  to  1877,  and  since  that  time  has  been 
buying  and  selling  grain,  potatoes,  etc.  He  married  May  E.,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Wilson,  of  Ontario,  Canada,  by  whom  he  had  one  daughter,  Florence.  Mr.  Brown 
has  filled  the  numerous  otiices  of  the  town  and  is  at  present  assessor,  and  is  a  member 
of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Wallace  Lodge  No.  519. 

Sharp,  Andrew,  was  born  in  Columbia  county,  N.  Y.,  November  25,  1829,  .son  of 
Garrett  Sharp,  who  was  born  in  Columbia  county,  a  descendant  of  the  old  Dutch 
pioneers  who  settled  along  the  Hudson  River.  He  came  to  the  town  of  Howard  in 
1841,  where  he  purchased  a  farm,  which  now  belongs  to  Andrew.  At  that  time  it 
was  partly  cleared  and  consisted  of  149  acres,  then  known  as  the  John  Hamilton  farm. 
He  married  Dorcas,  daughter  of  Andrew  Whitbeck,  of  Columbia  county,  and  they 
were  the  parents  of  six  children:  Andrew,  Caroline,  Isaac,  Sarah,  Mary  E.,  and 
Albert.  Isaac  and  Albert  are  deceased.  The  latter  enlisted  in  the  189th  N.  Y.  Vols., 
was  taken  sick  and  died  near  Petersburg.  Andrew  Sharp  was  educated  in  the  town 
of  Howard,  and  has  devoted  most  of  his  time  to  farming.  He  owns  a  farm  of  269 
acres,  and  for  the  last  few  years  made  a  specialty  of  hay  and  dairy  products.  He 
married  Elinor  F.,  daughter  of  Joel  Bullard  of  Howard,  and  they  have  four  children: 
Edward  H. ,  who  married  Kate  McDaniels ;  Emma,  wife  of  Henry  McAdam ;  Albert 
B.,  and  George  I.,  who  remain  at  home.  George  is  a  graduate  of  Haverling  Union 
School.  Albert  is  a  graduate  of  the  School  of  Commerce  at  Elmira.  Mr.  Sharp  was 
supervisor  of  the  town  for  two  years.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  He  has  been 
elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church  for  thirty  years, 

Scott,  Adelbert  A. ,  was  born  in  Columbia  county,  May  26,  1842.  Abraham  H.  Scott, 
his  father,  was  a  native  of  Schoharie  county,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Orange,  now 
Schuyler  county,  after  which  he  came  to  Steuben  county  in  July,  1842,  and  in  1864 he 
came  to  the  town  of  Campbell.  He  married  Samantha  M.  Pitts,  of  the  same  county, 
by  whom  he  had  nine  children.  Adelbert  A.  Scott  is  a  farmer,  and  is  the  owner  of 
the  homestead  farm  of  sixty  acres.  He  married  Calista  A.,  daughter  of  Ellis  Dunk- 
lee,  a  farmer,  and  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  town,  by  whom  he  had  two  children: 
James  W.,  and  Ben  B.,  both  farmers.  Mr.  Scott  has  been  poormaster,  and  has  held 
other  minor  offices.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  also  of  the  K.  of  H. 

Zeilley,  Alex  L. ,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Avoca,  April  18,  1854,  son  of  Oliver 
Zeilley,  who  was  born  in  Palatine,  Montgomery  county,  in  1827,  and  came  to  the 
town  of  Avoca  in  1846,  and  settled  at  what  is  known  as  the  Pond  settlement  on  a 
farm  of  200  acres,  and  retired  from  active  business  in  1876.  He  married  Amelia 
Shults,  of  Avoca,  and  one  son  was  born  to  them,  Alex,  v/ho  was  educated  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  and  the  Gene.see  Wesleyan  Seminary.  In  1891  he  entered  the  milling 
business  at  Cohocton,  and  remained  there  until  1893  when  he  came  to  Avoca,  and 
became  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Avoca  Milling  Company,  now  located  in  the  village 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  107 

of  Avoca,  which  makes  flour  under  the  roller  process,  with  a  capacity  of  200  barrels 
per  day.  Mr.  Zeilley  is  president  and  secretary  of  the  company.  He  married  Libbie, 
daughter  of  William  Vrooman,  and  they  have  two  children:  Willie  D.,  and  Olhe. 
Mr.  Zeilley  held  the  office  of  commissioner  of  highways  in  1878,  since  then  having 
held  the  office  of  trustee  of  the  village,  and  in  1893  was  elected  supervisor,  and 
re-elected  in  1894  on  the  Republican  ticket.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 
No.  538. 

Bozard,  Earle  W.,  was  born  in  Cattaraugus  county,  N.Y.,  January  24, 1862.  Henry 
M.  Bozard,  his  father,  was  born  in  Tioga  county,  N.  Y.,  and  moved  to  Cattaraugus 
county  when  a  boy,  where  he  resided  until  recently,  when  he  removed  to  the  city  of 
Rochester,  N.Y.  He  married  Mary  Barker,  of  Cattaraugus  county,  by  whom  he  had 
four  children:  F.  Adell,  Earle  W.,  Mary  M.  and  Ray  R.  Earle  W.  was  educated  in 
the  Union  Free  School  at  Olean,  N.Y.,  was  two  years  with  Miss  Mary  L.  Pettit  in  a 
private  school,  finishing  at  Franklinville  Academy,  after  which  he  began  reading  law 
in  December,  1882,  with  Hon.  Edwin  Hicks  at  Canandaigua,  N.Y.,  and  was  admitted 
in  January,  1886.  He  moved  to  Avoca  in  December,  1888,  where  he  has  since  been 
in  the  practice  of  law.  He  married  Nellie  W.,  daughter  of  John  F.  Clark,  by  whom 
he  has  had  two  children,  Anna  Mae  and  John  Earle. 

Wakeman,  Rev.  Joel,  was  born  in  Dutchess  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1809,  educated  at 
Franklin  Academy  and  the  Auburn  Theological  Seminary,  and  served  as  pastor  at 
Almond  for  twenty-three  years.  He  recruited  200  men  for  the  army,  and  served  as 
captain  of  Co.  H,  130th  Regiment,  until  discharged  on  account  of  disability.  He  was 
appointed  chaplain  of  the  chapel  at  City  Point  for  invalid  soldiers  during  the  winter 
of  1865.  Dr.  Wakeman  married  Abigail  Judson,  in  1838,  who  died  in  April,  1890. 
May  20,  1891,  he  married  Irene  Coleman.  Dr.  Wakeman  is  the  author  of  a  number 
books.  He  was  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Almond  twenty-three  years,  is 
now  eighty-five  years  old  and  able  to  preach. 

Dunkee.  Ellis,  was  born  in  Vermont,  June  1,  1815.  Eli  Dunkee,  his  father,  was 
also  a  native  of  Vermont,  where  he  died  in  1847.  Ellis  Dunkee  came  to  the  town  of 
Campbell  when  twelve  years  of  age  and  learned  the  carpenter  trade,  which  business 
he  has  followed  for  some  years,  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  100  acres.  He  married 
Lucina  Bixby,  of  Campbell,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children:  Eli.  Melvina,  Emma, 
James,  Lansing,  Parden,  Clare,  and  Calista.  For  his  second  wife  he  married  Mrs. 
Margaret  Havens,  daughter  of  William  McCan,  of  Chemung  county.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  church,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican. 

Robinson,  John,  was  born  in  Minden,  Montgomery  county,  Noveniber  30,  1820, 
son  of  Joseph  and  Nancy  (Walwrath)  Robinson.  Mr.  Robinson  died  in  Cameron, 
Steuben  county,  April  4,  1866,  aged  seventy-two  years,  and  his  wife  died  at  the  same 
place,  October  30,  1862.  John  Robinson  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the 
common  schools,  after  which  he  learned  the  blacksmith  trade,  which  he  followed  until 
the  war  broke  out.  In  1842  he  came  to  Jasper  and  worked  at  his  trade  until  1861, 
when  he  moved  on  to  the  farm  of  142  acres,  which  he  now  owns  and  which  he  cleared. 
He  has  been  commissioner  of  highways  and  poormaster.  July  4,  1843,  he  married 
Margaret  House,  a  native  of  Herkimer  county,  who  came  to  Cameron  with  her 
parents,  George  J.   and  Elizabeth  (Ule)  House,  when  a  child,  by  whom  he  had  eight 


108  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

children:  John,  jr.,  who  was  in  the  late  war,  where  he  lost  his  sight;  A.  Elizabeth, 
Matilda,  Norman  H.,  Frances  A.,  Olive,  Jessie,  and  George. 

Higby,  John  C,  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  N.Y.,  in  Februar}^  1839.  His  great- 
grandfather, John  Higby,  came  from  Lee,  Mass.,  and  settled  i%,  Ballston,  Saratoga 
county,  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  married  Mindwell  Lewis,  by  whom  he 
had  thirteen  children;  and  he  died  in  Ballston,  aged  ninety  years.  Their  son  Lewis 
was  a  sailor  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  was  captured  by  the  Indians  and  tories, 
and  carried  a  prisoner  to  Canada,  where  he  remained  for  nearly  two  years.  The 
mother  and  smaller  children  were  also  captured  by  Indians  and  rescued  His 
grandfather,  Jeduthun  Higby,  was  born  in  October,  1775,  at  Bahston,  N.Y.,  and  in 
Jantiary,  1801,  he  married  Salvia  Strong,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Livy  S  , 
John  L.,  Myron  T.,  Marcus  T.  C,  and  Charles  G.,  also  one  adopted  daughter, 
Sophronia  Kelley.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1813,  ranking  as  lieutenant,  and 
after  the  burning  of  Buffalo  held  a  captain's  commission.  In  1818  he  moved  to 
Prattsburg,  and  settled  on  a  farm  two  miles  west  of  the  village.  He  was  one  of 
the  vestrymen  upon  the  organization  of  the  First  Episcopal  church  at  Auburn,  N.Y. 
He  was  killed  in  the  town  of  Pulteney  in  1820  by  a  tree  falling  across  his  wagon. 
His  wife  died  in  1863.  Charles  G.  Higby,  father  of  John  C,  was  born  in  Brutus, 
Cayuga  county,  in  September,  1812,  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and 
Franklin  Academy,  Beginning  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  he  taught  school  for  six  con- 
secutive winters,  and  in  the  summer  worked  on  the  farm  he  had  purchased.  At 
twenty-four  years  of  age  he  married  Phoebe  Jane,  daughter  of  John  and  Rhoda  C. 
Bramble,  of  Prattsburg,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Jeduthun.  who  died  in  in- 
fancy, John  C,  and  Lydia  L.  He  at  once  settled  on  his  farm,  to  which  he  added 
150  acres  of  timber  land,  and  in  1841  he  engaged  in  the  milling  and  lumbering  busi- 
ness in  connection  with  his  farming.  He  was  school  superintendent  of  the  town 
under  the  old  law  for  many  years,  and  in  1851  was  assemblyman  from  his  district  in 
the  State  Legislature,  and  advocated  the  passage  of  the  free  school  law.  He  was 
also  trustee  of  the  Franklin  Academy  for  many  years.  Mr.  Higby  and  wife  were 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Prattsburg.  For  many  years,  until  the  time 
of  his  death,  he  was  a  trustee  and  elder  of  the  church.  He  died  in  1885.  John  C. 
Higby  was  graduated  from  Hamilton  College  in  the  class  of  '61,  and  then  spent  two 
years  as  teacher  in  Bath,  after  which  he  returned  to  his  farm,  where  he  remained 
most  of  his  time  until  1890,  when  he  moved  to  his  father's  homestead,  where  he  now 
resides.  After  the  war  he  served  one  term  as  justice,  and  from  1871  to  1873  inclusive 
served  as  school  commissioner,  being  the  first  Democrat  elected  to  that  office  in  his 
district.  In  1869  he  married  Lucy,  daughter  of  Rev.  B.  C.  and  Susan  J.  (Ammer- 
man)  Smith,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Charles  G.,  Celia  Jane,  and  Coleman 
Smith.  Charles  G.  Spent  one  year  in  Hamilton  College,  later  assisted  on  the  farm, 
and  is  now  the  able  manager  and  secretary  of  the  Prattsburg  Creamery  Company,  of 
which  he  is  the  largest  stockholder.  Celia  J.  was  teacher  in  Franklin  Academy,  and 
in  June,  1895,  he  was  graduated  from  Olivet  College  Mich.  Coleman  is  now  taking 
a  classical  course  at  the  same  college.     The  entire  family  are  now  Presbyterians. 

Jones,  J.  B.,  was  born  in  Addison  in  1851,  son  of  L.  A.  Jones,  also  a  native  of  this 
place,  where  he  lived  for  nearly  eight  years,  being  engaged  in  farming  and  huuber- 
ing.     He  was  also  a  pilot  on  the  river  in  early  days,  also  a  carpenter  and  joiner 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  109 

by  trade,  and  held  many  prominent  town  offices,  deputy  sheriff  being  one  of  them. 
J.  B.  Jone-s's  boyhood  was  spent  here,  and  he  first  engaged  in  the  market  business, 
but  for  the  past  fourteen  years  has  dealt  in  ice,  and  is  also  chief  engineer  at  the 
Erie  pumping  statiojp,  which  position  he  has  held  since  1887.  He  married  Mary  A., 
daughter  of  Geor^^'W.  Young.  Mr.  Jones  is  a  member  of  the  Maccabees,  and  also 
has  a  membership  in  other  fraternities  and  benevolent  organizations. 

Horn,  Edwin  J.,  was  born  at  Scran  ton.  Pa.,  in  December,  1811,  of  German 
parents,  and  had  only  the  advantages  of  a  limited  common  school  education,  which, 
however,  were  supplemented  by  a  vigorous  intellect  and  persistent  research  in  the 
.several  fields  of  art,  literature  and  mechanics.  He  removed  to  Addison,  N.Y.,  about 
the  j^ear  1846  and  became  associated  with  Capt.  Stephen  Lewis,  in  the  manufacture 
of  steam  engines  and  general  foundry  and  machine  work,  being  very  successful  in 
that  enterprise,  and  in  later  years  owning  and  conducting  the  whole  business,  which 
had  grown  into  proportions  creditable  to  himself,  and  of  great  interest  to  the  village. 
Mr.  Horn  also  took  an  active  part  in  public  affairs  and  held  many  important  offices, 
as  village  trustee,  member  of  the  Board  of  Education,  and  for  several  years  repre- 
sented his  town  in  the  county  legislature.  At  the  commencement  of  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion  he  was  known  as  a  War  Democrat  and  gave  his  whole  influence  for  the 
success  of  the  Union  cause  and  later  allied  him.self  with  the  Republicans  and  re- 
mained a  zealous  worker  in  that  party  till  the  day  of  his  death,  January  19,  1884.  In 
1860  he  married  for  his  second  wife,  Eveline,  daughter  of  the  late  Simon  Brown,  of 
Addison,  who  still  survives  him. 

Wheeler.  Orlando  D.,  was  born  in  Wheeler  in  March,  1853.  Silas  Wheeler,  his 
father,  was  also  born  in  Wheeler  in  1811,  and  died  in  1855.  He  was  an  extensive 
lumberman  and  farmer,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  owned  1,600  acres  of  land.  He 
was  a  man  of  strong  literary  and  scientific  tastes,  and  possessed  a  fine  library.  He 
married  Fidelia  Frisbie,  who  was  born  in  Middleburg,  N.  Y.,  in  1821,  and  died  in 
Wheeler  in  1883.  Their  children  were:  Don  D.,  Myanda,  William  L.,  Grattan  H., 
and  Orlando  D.  Grattan  H.,  grandfather  of  Orlando  D.,  was  actively  identified 
with  the  early  history  of  this  town  where  he  was  an  extensive  lumberman  and 
farmer,  owning  at  one  time  a  tract  of  8,000  acres  of  land,  a  large  portion  of  which  he 
cleared  of  the  timber  which  he  manufactured  into  lumber.  His  father,  Capt.  Silas 
Wheeler,  was  the  first  settler,  and  for  him  the  town  was  named.  He  was  born  in 
Concord,  Mass.,  in  March  1752.  He  was  a  captain  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  at 
one  time  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  English  and  transferred  to  Kmsale,  Ireland.  He 
was  aided  in  his  escape  by  Lord  Henry  Grattan,  who,  when  parting  with  Wheeler, 
asked  him  to  name  his  first  son  after  him.  Orlando  D.  Wheeler  was  educated  at 
Hammondsport  Academy,  Franklin  Academy,  Prattsburg,  and  Lima  Seminary.  At 
an  early  age  he  displayed  unusual  business  ability.  When  but  sixteen  years  of  age 
he  began  business  for  himself,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  various  pursuits  of 
railroad,  merchant,  and  farm  life.  He  has  been  in  business  in  the  West  at  two  dif- 
ferent times,  once  m  Illinois  and  later  in  Kansas.  From  Kansas  he  returned  to 
Wheeler  and  purchased  part  of  the  original  Wheeler  family  estate,  where  he  now 
resides.  Mr.  Wheeler  is  a  man  of  sterling  character  and  a  disposition  that  endears 
him  to  all  who  know  him  well.  His  habits  of  life  are  above  reproach.  In  politics  he 
is  a  staunch  Republican  and  has  always  voted  according  to  his  Republican  principles. 


110  LANDMARKS  OP  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

In  1872  he  married  Minnie  E.,  daughter  of  Richard  Lewis,  a  well  known  resident  of 
Prattsburg.  They  have  one  child,  a  daughter,  Delia  S. ,  who  graduated  at  sixteen 
years  of  age  from  Franklin  Academy,  Prattsburg,  N.Y.  In  June,  1895,  she  graduated 
from  Elmira  College,  receiving  the  degree  of  A.  B.  In  accordance  with  the  prom- 
inent traits  of  her  family,  she  is  a  young  lady  of  scholarly  attainments  and  great 
strength  of  character. 

Wilcox,  Aurin,  was  born  in  Corning,  in  1842,  son  of  Abel  Wilcox,  a  native  of  Otsego 
county,  one  of  the  pioneers,  and  a  wagon-maker  by  trade,  who  lived  and  died  in 
Caton.  Aurvn  Wilcox  is  a  farmer  and  also  learned  his  father's  trade.  In  1874  he 
married  Hattie  Breese,  a  native  of  Caton,  and  daughter  of  A.  B.  Breese,  a  native  of 
Chemung  county,  who  came  to  Steuben  county  at  an  early  day  and  to  Caton  in  1834; 
he  built  the  first  grist  mill  in  Caton  and  died  in  1880;  aged  seventy-two  years;  the 
first  saw  mill  was  built  by  his  father-in-law,  S.  F.  Berry.  A.  B.  Breese  was  twice 
married,  his  second  wife  being  Nancy  H.  Huchins  of  Hartwick,  Otsego  county,  N. 
Y.  NilesD.,  a  soldier  brother  of  Mrs.  Wilcox,  died  in  Salisbury  prison,  N.  C,  an- 
other brother,  N.  Le  Grand,  died  when  twenty-four  years  of  age.  E.  K.  Breese  is  a 
resident  of  Michigan,  Leland  S.  of  Chicago,  Henrietta  M.,  wife  of  B.  Frank  Rhodes 
of  Syracuse,  and  Stella  C.  Hill  of  Corning. 

Pritchard  Hiram,  was  born  in  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  in  1818,  son  of  Calvin  and  Anna 
Kennedy  Pritchard  and  of  Welch  descent.  He  attended  the  district  and  Lawrence- 
ville  schools  till  1833,  spent  one  year  at  Factoryville,  Pa.,  learning  the  miller's  trade, 
continuing  in  that  business  tmtil  1836,  when  he  came  to  Corning  being  employed  by 
Robert  Land  in  the  old  mills,  which  after  a  couple  of  years  he  rented.  In  1843  he 
gave  up  milling  and  opened  a  feed  store,  and  a  year  later  a  general  store,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Clark  &  Pritchard,  doing  a  large  business  for  two  and  a  half  years. 
He  then  entered  Payne  &  Olcott's  foundry,  and  in  1850  went  to  Sinnemahoning,  Pa., 
having  charge  of  a  saw  mill  and  lumbering  business  there  until  1853.  Following 
this  he  was  engaged  in  very  successful  lumbering  interests  at  Middlebury,  a  couple 
of  years,  and  in  1856  began  the  lumber  trade  in  Corning.  In  1863  he  purchased  an 
interest  in  the  above  named  foundry,  which  he  retained  about  five  years.  He  has 
since  this  time  retired  from  active  business  pursuits.  In  1836  he  married  Lucinda 
Searles.  He  was  president  of  Corning  in  1861  and  1862  and  again  in  1886.  During 
his  first  term  of  service  he  succeeded  in  having  the  Erie  Railroad  Company  build  the 
Pritchard  canal,  which  been  a  great  protection  to  the  business  part  of  the  city  from 
the  overflow  of  Monkey  Run  Creek.  His  wife  died  in  1888,  aged  seventy-one,  leav- 
ing three  children:  Truman  S.  Pritchard,  Mary  M.  Sayles  and  Albert  Pritchard. 

Alden,  Mrs.  M.  J. — Dewitt  C.  Alden  was  born  in  Howard  in  1829,  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  same  town;  and  when  a  young  man  came  to  Bath,  where  through  life  he 
was  identified  in  the  mercantile  business.  In  1859  he  married  M.  Josephine,  daugh- 
ter of  Lawrence  V.  Church,  who  was  among  the  pioneers  of  the  village  of  Bath. 
Mr.  Alden  was  a  man  of  high  moral  purpose, taking  an  intelligent  interest  in  educa- 
tional and  religious  institutions,  and  ever  gave  his  influence  towards  advancing  the 
best  interests  of  his  town  and  townspeople.  In  1882  President  Arthur  appointed  Mr. 
Alden  postmaster  at  Bath,  which  office  he  held  four  years,  and  filled  most  accommo- 
datingly and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  its  patrons.     He  died  August  11,  1891. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  Ill 

Gillette,  Herbert  S.,  was  born  in  Jasper,  February  9,  1863,  son  of  Ralph  Gillette, 
who  came  from  Bradford  county.  Pa.,  to  Jasper,  a  dentist  by  profession.  The  family 
are  of  French  ancestry.  Herbert  S.  was  educated  at  Nelson  and  graduated  from 
from  Mansfield  in  1882,  was  valedictorian  of  his  class,  then  studied  medicine  at  Ann 
Arbor,  was  graduated  from  the  Long  Island  College  Hospital  in  1887,  and  began 
active  practice  at  Greenwood,  N.  Y.  In  1890  he  came  to  Savona,  and  in  1894  took  a 
post-graduate  course  at  Post-Graduate  Medical  School  of  New  York  cit3^  In  1884  he 
married  Adeline,  daughter  of  William  Reynolds,  and  they  are  the  the  parents  of  two 
sons  and  three  daughters:  Robert,  Ernest,  Ethel,  Gertrude,  and  Florence.  Dr. 
Gillette  was  elected  president  of  Steuben  Medical  Society  in  1894. 

Keyser,  James  F.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Avoca,  July  9,  1849.  Frederick  Keyser, 
his  father,  was  a  native  of  Montgomery  county,  and  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1840, 
settling  in  Kanona,  and  afterwards  moved  to  Avoca.  He  married  Eveline,  daughter 
of  Benjamin  Dilenbach,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  James  F. ,  Mrs.  Eliza  Wag- 
ner, and  Mrs.  Maggie  Clark.  He  was  one  of  the  best  known  contractors  and  builders 
in  Steuben  county,  and  died  in  1888  in  his  seventy-fourth  year.  James  F.  married 
Nora,  daughter  of  William  Waggoner,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Gertrude.  Mrs. 
Keyser  died  May  16,  1892. 

Jones,  Horatio  E.  and  Horace  D. ,  are  the  sons  of  Edmund  Jones,  who  was  a  na- 
tive of  Greene  county,  and  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1847,  settling  in  the  town  of 
Thurston.  In  1851  he  married  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Aaron  C.  Voss.  Mr.  Jones  de- 
voted his  time  to  farming  and  lumbering.  Horatio  F.  and  Horace  D.  were  educated 
in  Thurston,  and  in  1882  came  to  Bath,  and  in  1885  pui'chased  the  Jerome  Smalledge 
property,  and  since  that  time  have  been  actively  engaged  in  lumbering  and  farming. 
In  1878  Horatio  E.  married  Hattie  M.,  daughter  of  Job  G.  Campbell,  and  they  are 
the  parents  of  one  son,  Raymond  C,  and  one  daughter,  Fannie  D.  In  1881  Horace 
D.  married  Emma,  daughter  of  James  Jack,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren: Ward  E.,  Martina  M.,  and  M.  Frances. 

Brown,  Mrs.  H.  S. — Alva  E.  Brown  was  born  in  Bath,  April  16,  1825.  John  Brown, 
his  father,  was  among  the  early  settlers  in  Bath.  Alva  E.  married  Sarah,  daughter 
of  Major  William  Hamilton,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  Mrs.  Helene  Halsey, 
Mary  Lizzie  and  Margaret.  Mr.  Brown  was  one  of  the  representative  men  of  his 
town,  identified  in  its  progress  and  welfare,  and  serving  as  supervisor  for  three  terms. 
He  was  prominently  identified  in  St.  Thomas  church  and  in  educational  and  tem- 
perance interests.  He  died  in  1868,  in  his  forty  third  year,  the  result  of  a  railroad 
accident. 

Dudley,  Henry  C,  was  born  in  Bath,  December  22,  1837.  Moses  Dudley,  his  father, 
was  a  native  of  Bangor,  Maine,  and  came  to  Bath  in  1814,  and  settled  on  the  farm 
which  is  now  occupied  by  his  descendants,  and  the  family  trace  their  descent  from 
Squire  Jeremiah  Dudley,  who  came  to  Bath  with  a  family  of  seventeen  children, 
sons-in-law  and  grandchildren,  and  who  settled  in  the  woods,  taking  up  a  tract  of 
1000  acres  of  land.  He  died  in  1838.  Moses  Dudley  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Will- 
iam Atwood,  and  through  life  was  identified  as  a  farmer,  dying  in  1871,  in  hissevent}^- 
fourth  year.  Henry  C.  Dudley  married  Rhuetta,  daughter  of  Elijah  Havens,  by 
w"hom  he  had  eight  children,  Plummer  A.,  Egbert  H.,  George,  Frank,  Clay,  Floyd, 
Mrs.  Carrie  Harder,  and  Susan  Dudley. 


112  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Dickey,  Mathew,  his  wife,  Ruth,  and  familj^,  came  to  Cameron  in  1820,  settling  on 
the  Swale  road.  Their  children  were  Erastus,  Samuel,  William,  Amasa,  George, 
Myra,  Sallie,  Ruth,  Harriet,  and  Mary  Ann.  Erastus  married  Elvira,  daughter  of 
Joel  and  Sarah  Clark,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  John,  Mathew,  deceased,  Mel- 
vina,  deceased,  William,  Charles,  and  Mathew,  natives  of  the  town  of  Cameron. 
Mathew  married  Hannah,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Minerva  (Briggs)  Reese,  of  Cam- 
eron. He  is  engaged  in  farming  and  has  cleared  most  of  the  farm  where  he  now 
lives.     He  is  active  in  town  affairs  and  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  assessor. 

Rising,  Isaac  A  ,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Thurston,  December  24,  1846.  William 
Rising,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Herkimer  county,  N.  Y.  Henry  Rising,  his  grand- 
father, was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  county.  William  Rising  came  to  the  town 
of  Thurston  about  1830,  where  he  resided  until  1862,  when  he  was  killed  by  the  fall- 
ing of  a  tree.  He  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Isaac  Adams,  who  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  of  that  town,  by  whom  he  had  four  children  :  Isaac  A. ,  Mary,  Lora  and  Jessie. 
Isaac  A.  Rising  is  a  farmer  and  owns  a  farm  of  100  acres  of  land.  He  married 
Amanda,  daughter  of  Jessie  Everett,  by  whom  he  had  two  children :  Edith,  wife  of 
Miles  Woodward,  and  Everett. 

Clawson,  Jacob,  was  born  in  Southport,  Chemung  county,  January  16,  1827,  son  of 
Ebenezer  Clawson,  who  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  and  came  to  the  town 
of  Campbell  in  1841,  where  he  took  up  land.  He  was  a  wagonmaker  by  trade.  He 
married  Rohamy,  daughter  of  John  McHenry,  of  Chemung  county,  and  they  were 
the  parents  of  three  children :  Jacob,  Betsey,  and  John  M.  For  his  second  wife  he 
married  Loretta  Reed,  of  Potter  county,  Pa.,  and  two  children  were  born  to  them: 
Martha,  now  Mrs.  Thompson,  and  Julia,  now  Mrs.  Williams.  Jacob  Clawson  de- 
voted his  time  to  lumbering  until  1850,  since  which  time  he  has  been  in  the  mercan- 
tile business  most  of  the  time.  He  married  Jane,  daughter  of  Cornelius  Hamilton, 
of  Campbell,  who  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Campbell.  They  have  five  children : 
Sara  G.,  Charles  H.,  Frank  E.,  J.  Louisa,  and  John  L.  Mr.  Clawson  is  a  Republi- 
can, and  has  filled  many  of  the  minor  offices  of  the  town.  He  is  a  member  of  the  K. 
of  H.  In  1850  he  was  employed  in  the  first  general  store  that  was  opened  in  the 
town. 

Lathrop,  Gen.  Austin,  superintendent  of  State  prisons,  was  born  in  Tioga  county. 
Pa.,  in  1839,  received  a  common  school  education  at  Lawrenceville,  Pa.,  and  in  1859 
came  to  Corning.  In  1862  the  firm  of  Walker  &  Lathrop  was  formed,  and  an  exten- 
sive hardware  and  lumber  business  was  carried  on  for  twenty-five  years.  For  nine 
years  he  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Steuben  county ;  in  1882  he 
was  appointed  to  Governor  Cleveland's  staff  as  commissary-general  of  subsistence; 
was  quartermaster-general  under  Hill  in  1885  ;  and  in  1887  appointed  superintendent 
of  State  prisons  by  Governor  Hill,  which  position  he  has  since  held,  being  reappointed 
in  1893  by  Governor  Flower. 

Smith,  Justin  M.,  was  born  in  Delaware  county,  in  1817,  and  at  seventeen  years  of 
age  he  came  to  Painted  Post,  and  from  there  to  Corning  in  1850.  From  1840  to  1846 
he  was  engaged  in  dry  goods  business  at  Painted  Post,  also  went  to  California  in 
1849.  From  1850  to  1852  he  was  bookkeeper  for  a  foundry  firm  in  Corning,  and 
after  that  in  the  employ  of  the  Fall  Brook  &  Blossburg  Railroad  for  one  year.     In 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  113 

February,  1854,  he  went  into  the  dry  goods  business  in  connection  with  the  late 
WilHam  W.  Hayt.  Since  l.S():2  the  firm  was  Smith  &  Waite,  the  oldest  firm  in  con- 
tinual business  in  Corning.  On  account  of  impaired  health  he  sold  his  interest  in  the 
business  to  N.  E.  Waite,  his  partner,  and  T.  W.  Kuger,  who  will  continue  the  busi- 
ness under  the  name  of  Waite  &  Kuger.  He  was  for  thirty  years  trustee  of  the 
Presbyterian  church. 

Robinson,  Hon.  Frank  N.,  who  succeeded  Hon.  Harlo  Hakes  as  county  judge, 
January  1,  1894,  was  born  in  Cuba,  Allegany  county.  May  23,  1855.  His  ability  as 
an  attorney  has  made  him  popular  with  the  people  throughout  the  county.  He 
served  as  district  attorney  for  two  terms  previous  to  his  election  as  county  judge. 
He  read  law  with  Champlain,  Armstrong  &  Russell,  of  Cuba,  finishing  with  Sickles 
&  Miller,  of  Albany.  He  graduated  from  the  law  department  of  Union  University 
in  1876,  and  was  soon  after  admitted  to  the  bar,  settling  in  Canisteo  in  1879.  As  a 
lawyer  Judge  Robinson  ranks  among  the  leading  members  of  the  bar. 

Allen,  Edward,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  Steuben  county,  April  3,  1847. 
J.  W.  Allen,  his  father,  was  born  in  the  same  town  in  1823.  His  grandfather,  Will- 
iam Allen,  was  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  and  when  he  first  settled  in  Howard  the 
land  was  covered  with  large  timber.  He  was  considered  one  of  the  rich  men  in  those 
days,  as  there  were  few  who  were  able  to  even  buy  a  barrel  of  salt,  and  he  used  to 
sell  it  to  the  neighbors  by  the  pound.  He  cleared  165  acres  of  land  for  farming,  and 
later  built  a  hotel  which  he  run  for  a  number  of  years.  J.  W.  Allen  spent  tv^'o  years 
in  Illinois,  farming,  and  in  1865  he  returned  to  Canisteo,  where  he  spent  his  last 
years  and  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-one.  He  married  Jane,  daughter  of  Christo- 
pher Meeks  of  Howard,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children :  Polly,  Edward,  Monroe, 
Ira,  Adelbert,  Martha,  and  Eliza.  Edward  Allen  is  a  farmer,  owning  a  fine  farm  of 
100  acres,  and  makes  a  specialty  of  hay  raising.  He  married  Anna,  daughter  of 
Benjamin  Mericle,  by  whom  he  had  .six  children:  Charley,  May,  Ida,  Fred,  Morti- 
mer, and  William  W. 

Mead,  San  ford,  was  born  in  Greenwood,  July  25,  1885,  the  youngest  son  of  San- 
ford  and  Annie  Everett  Mead,  and  grandson  of  Enos  Mead  (see  W.  F.  Mead  else- 
where). Mr.  Mead  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  went  west  and  settled  in  Michi- 
gan, where  he  died.  Sanford  is  also  a  farmer,  and  owns  a  farm  of  about  203  acres. 
He  is  president  of  the  Farmers'  Alliance  Co-Operative  Insurance  Company,  of  Steu- 
ben county,  and  is  a  member  of  Andover  Tent  No.  57,  K.  O.  T.  M.  In  1856  Mr. 
Mead  married  Elvira,  daughter  of  Solomon  Pingery,  of  Andover,  and  they  have  two 
children :  Ward  B. ,  who  was  a  student  at  Alfred  University  and  a  graduate  of  Eastman 
Business  College,  was  a  teacher  for  a  number  of  years,  and  is  now  a  postal  clerk  on 
theN.Y.,  L.  E.  &  Western  railroad  at  Hornellsville;  and  Mabel,  wife  of  Perry  Stephens, 
a  farmer  of  Greenwood.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mead  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church. 

Atkins,  jr.,  Jesse  T.,  was  born  in  Greenwood  in  1860,  son  of  Jesse  T.  Atkins,  a 
native  of  Enfield,  Tompkins  county,  born  January  29,  1820,  who  married  Harriet 
Scott,  who  was  born  in  Genoa,  Cayuga  county,  December  21,  1836;  by  whom  he  had 
three  children.  The  paternal  grandparents,  William  and  Rosina  (Townsend)  Atkins, 
were  pioneers  of  Greenwood,  where  they  died.  The  maternal  grandparents,  John 
and  Roby  (Baker)  Scott,  were  natives  of  Genoa  and  Connecticut,  respectively.     He 


114  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

died  in  Genoa  in  1839,  and  Mrs.  Scott  came  to  Greenwood,  where  she  died  February 
21,  1876.  Jesse  T.  Atkins  was  one  of  the  most  successful  farmers  and  business  men 
of  the  town  of  Greenwood,  and  died  April  13,  1868.  Mrs.  Atkins  still  resides  on  the 
homestead.  Jesse  T.  Atkins,  jr.,  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  Greenwood,  and  has 
always  followed  farming  and  speculating.  He  has  about  650  acres  of  land,  and  re- 
sides on  the  homestead  which  contains  about  195  acres.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republi- 
can, and  is  a  member  of  Sentinel  Lodge,  No.  150,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Burton,  Lynn  G.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Greenwood,  N.  Y.,  July  6,  1857,  is  the 
second  of  seven  children  born  to  William  and  Lydia  (Stewart)  Burton,  he  a  native  of 
Dryden,  Tompkins  county,  and  she  of  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.  The  grandparents,  William 
and  Elizabeth  (Vankii-k)  Burton,  came  from  Eastern  New  York  to  Dryden,  thence  to 
Greenwood  in  1838,  where  they  died.  He  was  a  farmer  and  hotel-keeper  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Greenwood.  WiUiam  Burton,  jr.,  learned  the  blacksmith  trade  which  he 
followed  in  Greenwood  for  over  forty  years,  and  was  also  deputy  sheriff  for  many 
years.  He  was  a  member  of  Sentinel  Lodge,  No.  151,  F.  &  A.  M.,  at  Greenwood, 
and  was  master  several  years.  He  died  November  24,  1892,  and  Mrs.  Burton  March 
5,  1883.  Lynn  G.  Burton  was  reared  and  educated  in  the  village  of  Greenwood,  and 
learned  the  trade  of  his  father,  in  which  he  has  succeeded  him.  In  1885  he  married 
Hattie,  daughter  of  Jackson  and  Erella  King  of  Greenwood,  by  whom  he  had  two 
children:  Maud  and  Stewart.  Mr.  Burton  was  for  seven  years  justice  of  the  peace 
at  Greenwood,  and  at  the  caucus  of  1893  he  resigned  for  the  nomination  for  super- 
visor, which  office  he  still  holds.  In  the  fall  of  1894  he  has  made  chairman  of  the 
board.  He  is  a  member  of  Sentinel  Lodge,  No.  161,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  which  he  has 
been  master  for  one  year. 

Rodgers,  Thomas  D.,  was  born  in  Tompkins  county,  N.Y.,  June  12,  1840,  is  the 
eighth  of  ten  children  born  to  Levi  F.  and  Elinore  (Davis)  Rodgers,  he  a  native  of 
Orange  county,  N.  Y.,  and  she  of  Wales,  who  came  to  America  with  her  parents, 
David  and  Elizabeth  Davis,  and  settled  in  Sullivan  county,  where  the  father  and 
mother  died.  The  paternal  grandfather,  Benjamm  Rodgers,  was  a  native  of  Orange 
county,  where  he  died.  Levi  Rodgers  was  a  cooper  and  farmer,  and  came  to 
Greenwood  in  1840,  but  removed  to  Andover,  where  he  died  in  May,  1890.  Mrs. 
Rodgers  died  in  Greenwood  in  1859.  Thomas  D.  Rodgers  was  reared  on  a  farm, 
and  in  1861  he  married  Clarissa,  daughter  of  Ames  and  Louisa  (Jones)  Spicer  of 
Allegany  county,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Ames  L.,  born  August  22,  i860, 
and  educated  at  Alfred  Business  College,  and  is  a  farmer  in  Andover;  Vanie,  born 
November  3,  1866,  educated  at  Alfred,  and  is  the  wife  of  Oliver  Whitcomb,  farmer 
and  well-driller  of  Scio,  Allegany  county;  E.  Park,  born  October  6,  1876;  and  T. 
Clark,  born  August  25,  1878.  Mr.  Rodgers  has  been  justice  of  sessions  two  years 
and  justice  of  the  peace  twenty  years.  He  is  director  of  Farmers'  Alliance  Co-Oper- 
ative  Insurance  Company,  Steuben  county,  and  is  also  a  member  of  Lodge  558,  F.  & 
A.  M.,  at  Andover,  and  the  K.  O.  T.  M.  of  Andover. 

Lane,  A.  Eugene,  was  born  in  Hornby  m  1856,  and  is  a  son  of  David  H.  and 
Mianda  C.  Weed  Lane,  who  came  from  Erie  county.  Pa.,  about  1860.  The  father 
died  in  1857,  aged  forty,  the  mother  resides  with  A.  Eugene.  In  1880  he  married 
Lottie  Thomas  of  Schuyler  county,  and  in   1883  located  where  he  now  lives  on  the 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  115 

farm  of  IBO  acres.     In  connection  with  farming  he  follows  bridge  building  for  the 
Vulcan  Road  Works.     His  children  are:  Norma  S.,  Ray  T.,  and  Ralph  D. 

Smith,  D.  D.,  born  m  the  town  of  Lodi,  Seneca  county,  N.  Y.,  August  23,  1842,  is 
the  oldest  of  eleven  children  born  to  Elijah  and  Elsie  Ann  Dilts  Smith  both  of 
Seneca  county,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Smith  died  June  28,  1887.  Mrs.  Smith  is  still  living  in 
the  town  of  Sweden,  Pa.  The  grandparents,  Elijah  and  Abigail  Wilson  Smith, 
came  from  the  town  of  Greenwood  to  West  Union  about  1840.  He  was  a  sculptor 
and  mason  by  trade,  and  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812  He  died  in  Bradford  and 
she  in  Fremont.  Both  were  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  David  D.  was  reared 
on  a  farm  and  settled  in  the  town  of  West  Union  in  1868  where  he  has  since  resided. 
In  1868  he  married  Amelia  N.,  daughter  of  J.  W.  and  Sallie  Young  Barber,  farmers 
of  West  Union.  He  died  May  2,  1894,  aged  seventy  nine.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith 
were  born  five  children :  Ada,  born  November  20,  1868,  wife  of  George  Sluyter,  a 
liveryman  of  Harrison  Valley;  Jay  Hile,  born  March  7,  1871,  a  farmer;  Bertha,  born 
September  10,  1872,  wife  of  Grant  Brownell,  of  Troupsburg;  Mable,  born  April  21, 
1878;  and  Sarah  Edith,  born  August  21,  1889,  and  died  April  24,  1890.  D.  D.  Smith 
enlisted  in  Company  C,  67th  New  York  Volunteers,  April,  1861,  and  was  honorably 
discharged  October,  1862.  He  was  at  Little  Bethel,  Williamsburg,  and  wounded  by 
gun  shot  at  Fair  Oaks,  May  30,  1862.  Mr.  Smith  is  now  excise  commissioner.  He 
is  a  member  of  William  H.  White  Post,  No.  561,  G.  A.  R. ,  at  Greenwood.  His  farm 
consists  of  145  acres,  and  he  makes  a  specialty  of  dairy  farming.  Jay  Hile  Smith 
married  Miss  Eva  Myrtle  Sherman  of  Troupsburg,  March  7,  1894. 

Dutcher,  James  R.,  was  born  at  Penn  Yan,  May  23,  1851.  Henry  Dutcher,  his 
father,  was  born  in  Schoharie  county,  N.  Y. ,  May  9,  1827.  He  was  a  machinist  by 
trade  and  later  became  the  owner  of  a  farm  in  Yates  county.  He  married  Sophia, 
daughter  of  Adonijah  Kirkham  of  Schoharie  count^^  by  whom  he  had  these  chil- 
dren :  George  of  Corning,  William  also  of  Corning,  Mrs.  Kenfield  of  Avoca,  Delia  of 
Dundee,  and  Charles,  present  residence  unknown.  James  R.  was  educated  in  Penn 
Yan,  Dundee  and  Hammondsport,  graduating  from  the  High  School  of  Penn  Yan. 
He  was  engaged  in  the  railway  mail  service  for  twenty-one  years,  apprenticed  in 
1874,  and  still  continues  in  the  service,  and  prior  to  that  time  was  in  the  post-office 
in  Avoca.  He  married  Ida  A. ,  daughter  of  Clark  Charlesworth  of  Avoca,  by  whom 
he  had  these  children:  Charles  A.,  Oliver  C,  and  Clarence  C,  deceased.  Mr. 
Dutcher  is  a  member  of  Avoca  Lodge  of  Masons,  No.  673. 

Pierce,  Byron,  was  born  in  the  home  he  now  owns,  which  was  built  by  his  father, 
April  15,  1839.  Alson  Pierce,  his  father,  came  to  the  town  May  23,  1815,  and  settled 
on  the  place  which  is  now  occupied  by  his  son.  He  cleared  sixty  acres  where  at  one 
time  the  old  Williams  Hotel  stood.  The  family  dates  back  to  Capt.  Michael  Pierce, 
of  England.  Alson  Pierce  married  Silvia  Corbin  of  Vermont,  by  whom  he  had  four 
children:  Benjamin  C,  born  in  1820,  died  1844;  Mary  A.,  born  May  21,  1823;  Mar- 
tha A.,  born  October  25,  1825.  Byron  was  educated  in  the  district  school,  and  at 
eighteen  years  of  age  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Floyd  Morse  of 
Painted  Post,  and  graduated  from  the  Buffalo  Medical  College  in  1860.  In  June, 
1862,  he  entered  the  service  as  assistant  surgeon,  where  he  remained  for  six  months, 
when  his  business  called  him  home,  and  he  resumed  his  practice,  farming  and  manu- 


116  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

facture  of  lumber,  and  at  present  is  out  of  practice.  In  1870  he  married  Sophia  E. 
Stilson  of  Delaware  county,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Lucia  S.,  born 
bom  October  11,  1871;  Helena  E.,  born  March  29,  1873;  Benjamin  S.,  born  May  14, 
1874;  Frank  F.,  born  March  11,  1876;  Alfred  C,  born  March  22,  1878;  Clarence  J., 
born  December  31,  1888.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  in  politics  is  a 
Republican. 

Ackerson,  David  H.,  was  born  on  Wheeler  Hill,  in  February,  1838,  son  of  Henry 
Ackerson,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  born  in  1792,  who,  when  a  young  man,  came  to 
the  town  of  Pulteney,  bought  a  tract  of  land  in  the  woods,  and  cleared  him  a  farm. 
He  later  removed  to  the  town  of  Wheeler,  and  some  years  later  removed  to  the  town 
of.  Prattsburg,  where  he  remained  five  years,  continuing  his  farixiing,  then  retired  to 
the  village  of  Bath  where  he  spent  his  remaining  days.  He  served  for  a  short  time 
in  the  1812  war.  He  married  Lydia  Uptigrove,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  by  whom  he 
had  these  children:  Mary  A.,  Catherine,  Eliza,  Martha,  Charles,  and  David  H.  The 
latter  was  educated  in  the  common  school :  his  mother  died  when  he  was  fourteen 
years  of  age,  and  he  then  began  life  for  himself  at  farm  work,  and  from  that  time 
has  led  an  active,  energetic  life.  When  twenty-four  years  of  age  he  purchased  a 
farm  in  Pulteney,  thence  he  removed  to  Starkey,  Yates  county,  where  he  conducted 
a  large  stock  farm  for  Clark  Bell  for  two  years,  when  he  moved  to  Wheeler  and  some 
years  later  to  the  village  of  Bath,  to  educate  his  children  in  the  school  at  that  place. 
He  again  returned  to  Starkey  and  bought  a  fine  farm,  but  sold  it  and  returned  to 
Bath,  and  in  the  fall  of  1886  returned  to  Wheeler  and  purchased  a  farm  of  300  acres 
near  the  village,  where  he  has  since  resided.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was  an  ex- 
tensive sheep  grower,  and  also  interested  in  raising  fine  horses.  Mr.  Ackerson  is  a 
member  of  the  Steuben  County  Agricultural  Association,  in  which  he  has  held  offi- 
cial positions.  In  1860  he  married  Sarah  D. ,  daughter  of  Ephraim  Aulls,  who  occu- 
pied and  spent  his  life  on  the  homestead  now  owned  by  David  H.,  and  Mr.  Aulls 
was  for  forty  years  poormaster  in  the  town  of  Wheeler.  Thomas  Aulls,  his  father, 
came  to  the  town  of  Urbana  with  his  father,  William  Aulls,  in  1793,  and  in  1800  came 
to  Wheeler  and  settled  in  the  forest.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ackerson  have  two  children: 
Herbert,  who  is  head  accountant  in  the  office  of  Bacheller,  Johnson  &  Bacheller,  in 
New  York  city;  and  Mrs.  Kate  M.  Allen  of  New  York  city.  Mr.  Ackerson  also  owns 
a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  the  town  of  Bath. 

Shader,  William  Henry,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wheeler  on  the  farm  he  now 
owns,  January  13,  1862.  John  Shader,  his  grandfather,  was  a  native  of  Massachu- 
setts, born  in  1803,  in  early  life  was  a  shoemaker,  and  came  to  Steuben  county  about 
1840,  and  to  the  town  of  Wheeler  in  1845,  where  he  spent  his  remaining  days  as  a 
farmer.  He  married  Mary  Drum,  who  was  born  in  Columbia  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1802, 
daughter  of  Nicholas  and  Margaret  (Houk)  Drum,  by  whom  he  had  these  children: 
Adam,  James,  Clara,  Caroline,  David,  and  William.  He  died  in  May,  1885 ;  his  wife 
died  October,  1877.  Adam  Shader,  father  of  William  Henry,  was  born  in  Columbia 
county  in  1829.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  about  1853,  in  partnership  with  a  brother, 
James,  purchased  a  farm  of  110  acres  in  Wheeler,  and  later  added  thirty-five  acres, 
which  they  paid  for  after  years  of  energetic  toil.  He  married  Elsie  M.  Smith,  July 
4,  1858,  who  was  born  in  Ohio,  daughter  of  George  W.  Smith,  by  whom  he  had  one 
child,  William   Henry,  and  Mrs.  Shader  died  November  4,  1862,  when  he  was  nine 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  117 

months  old.  Mr.  Shader  died  April  9,  1876,  and  from  that  time  William  Henry  was 
obliged  to  care  for  himself.  When  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  purchased  his  step- 
mother's portion  of  the  farm,  where  he  has  since  resided.  In  April,  1884,  he  married 
Sarah  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Otis  Smith  of  Savona,  now  of  Hornellsville,  by  whom 
he  had  one  child,  Floyd,  born  October  31,  1887. 

Fox,  Oliver  R.,  was  born  in  that  portion  of  the  town  which  was  later  called  Avoca, 
in  1835.  Joseph  Fox,  his  grandfather,  was  born  of  German  parents.  He  was  a 
farmer  and  a  prominent  man  in  his  town,  much  interested  in  public*  affairs,  and 
filled  many  town  offices.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  spent  most  of  his 
life  in  Montgomery  county,  where  he  reared  seven  children.  Peter  Fox,  father  of 
Oliver  R.,  was  born  in  Montgomery  county  in  1808.  He  is  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and 
came  to  the  town  of  Wheeler  in  1834,  and  purchased  a  tract  of  wild  timber  land 
where  he  plied  his  trade  at  one  dollar  per  day,  hired  men  to  chop  and  clear  his  land 
for  fifty  cents  per  day,  and  thus  cleared  his  first  farm  of  ninety  acres,  which  he  later 
sold,  and  in  1856  purchased  his  present  farm  of  150  acres  where  he  has  since  resided. 
He  served  as  poormaster  many  years,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Grange  Lodge  at 
Avoca.  He  married  Lany  Shaut,  who  was  born  in  Herkimer  county,  a  daughter  of 
Jabob  Shaut,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Almira,  Chauncy,  Oliver  R.,  Mary  J., 
Harvey,  and  John,  all  dead  except  Oliver  and  Harvey.  His  wife  died  in  1893,  aged 
eighty-three  years.  Ohver  R.  has  spent  his  whole  life  with  his  father,  assisting 
him  in  clearing  and  paying  for  the  farm ;  he  now  assumes  full  charge  and  operates 
the  farm  and  cares  for  his  aged  father.  For  many  years  he  raised  sheep  and  cattle, 
later  years  his  chief  crop  has  been  potatoes.  He  has  served  as  justice  of  the  peace 
continuously  for  twenty  years,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Grange  Lodge  in  Avoca,  in 
which  he  has  served  in  several  official  capacities.  In  1864  he  married  Eliza  Graves, 
who  was  born  m  Prattsburg,  a  daughter  of  the  pioneer,  Almeron  Graves,  by  whom 
he  had  one  son,  John.     She  is  also  a  member  of  the  Avoca  Grange  Lodge. 

Olmstead,  James  E.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wheeler,  on  the  farm  he  now  owns, 
in  1845.  Erastus  Olmstead  his  grandfather,  was  born  in  Connecticut,  and  later 
moved  to  Montgomery  county  where  he  devoted  his  life  to  farming.  He  was  a 
prominent  Mason,  and  held  many  offices  in  his  lodge.  He  married  Jane  Coven- 
hoven,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children,  all  of  whom  lived,  except  one,  aged  sixty- 
six,  to  be  over  seventy  years  of  age.  He  died  about  1852,  aged  eighty-six  years, 
and  his  wife  about  1865,  aged  eighty-nine.  James  F.,  father  of  James  E.,  was  born 
in  Montgomery  county  in  1798,  and  in  the  fall  of  1820  he  moved  to  Wheeler  where 
he  took  up  land  which  was  then  a  forest.  The  following  year  he  and  his  brother 
John  took  up  100  acres  and  worked  together  several  j^ears,  and  later  James  added 
sixty-three  acres.  Their  first  autumn  in  the  town  they  cut  two  acres  of  timber  and 
boarded  four  miles  from  their  work.  He  assisted  in  the  building  of  the  Lutheran 
church  of  Avoca,  in  which  tie  was  later  made  deacon ;  he  also  filled  other  offices  in 
the  church.  He  married  Harriet,  daughter  of  Emanuel  Gunsolous,  by  whom  he  had 
these  children:  Jane,  Elizabeth,  Hannah,  Dimis,  Sarah,  who  died  at  eighteen  years 
of  age,  and  James.  He  died  in  August,  1883,  and  his  wife  in  February,  1884.  James 
E.  has  spent  his  life  on  the  homestead,  which  he  now  owns,  and  cared  for  his  par- 
ents. During  the  year  1875,  in  connection  with  his  farming,  he  run  a  grocery  wagon 
through  the  country,  and   for  scmie  time  later  engaged  in  buying  and   butchering 


118  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

cattle  and  supplying  Hornellsville  market  from  one  to  two  tons  of  meat  a  week.  He 
has  been  elected  overseer  of  the  poor  for  three  terms.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity,  Avoca  Lodge,  No.  673,  and  was  the  organizer  of  the  Avoca  Grange 
Lodge,  P.  of  H.  in  1876,  of  which  he  was  the  first  master,  to  which  office  he  was 
elected  several  years.  In  1868  he  married  Dema,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Jane 
(Fero)  Voorhees,  pioneers  in  Steuben  county,  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Elmer 
H.,  Hattie  J,,  who  died  at  nineteen  years  of  age,  James  B.,  and  lona.  The  Olm- 
stead  family  is  traced  back  in  America  to  1632,  when  James  and  Richard  Olmstead 
came  from  England  on  the  ship  Lion. 

Hall,  Royal  A.,  was  born  in  Corning,  N.  Y.,  September  1,  1841,  and  is  a  son  of 
George  H.  and  Mary  J.  (Spaulding)  Hall.  George  H.  was  born  in  1811  and  died  m 
Troupsburg  in  February,  1887.  Royal  A.  was  educated  at  the  Troupsburg  and 
Alfred  Academies,  and  was  then  engaged  in  teaching  for  a  while.  He  has  since 
followed  farming.  In  1866  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Hon.  J.  B.  Murdock 
(mentioned  elsewhere),  by  whom  he  has  three  children :  Emma  E. ,  wife  of  Ira  Miller, 
of  Elmira;  W.  B.,  of  Syracuse,  who  married  Anna,  daughter  of  Rev.  A.  J.  Hurd; 
and  Mazie,  who  is  at  home.  Mr.  Hall  settled  on  the  farm  he  now  owns  in  1867.  It 
consists  of  175  acres,  and  he  carries  on  general  farming,  January  1,  1864,  he  enhsted 
in  Co.  H,  96th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  was  discharged  February  6,  1866.  He  was  clerk  in 
the  post-office  department  for  three  months.  He  went  to  Yorktown  and  joined  the 
Butler  expedition  up  the  James  River  to  City  Point,  and  was  wounded  at  Drury's 
Bluff,  May  16,  1864,  and  was  in  the  hospital  until  February,  1865.  Mr.  Hall  is  a 
memljer  of  Post  Bailey  No.  361,  G.  A.  R.,  and  McClellan  Lodge  No.  649,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Cooley,  Charles,  was  born  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  July  31.  1820.  He  was  the  second 
son  of  Hanan  Cooley,  a  furnace  man  and  moulder  of  the  New  England  States,  who 
moved  from  there  to  Rochester,  where  he  built  the  first  foundry  of  that  city.  Charles 
learned  the  moulders'  trade  and  followed  it  all  his  life.  He  was  engaged  in  many 
different  cities  until  1870,  when  he  came  to  Hornellsville  and  took  charge  of  the  iron 
moulding  in  the  Erie  shops.  He  died  September  29,  1887.  He  was  married  January 
18,  1840,  to  Miss  Lucy  Louisa  Martell,  of  Canada,  and  they  have  been  the  parents  of 
nine  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living:  Mrs.  J.  W.  Corbin,  of  Friendship,  N.  Y. ; 
Mrs.  L.  D.  Hazard,  of  Hornellsville,  N.  Y. ;  Mrs.  Isaac  Carley,  of  Galeton,  Potter 
county.  Pa. ;  Mrs.  Frank  McPhee;  Edmund  C.  Cooley,  a  machinist  of  Dunkirk,  N. 
Y. ;  Charles  H.  Cooley,  a  machinist  of  Brockville,  Pa.  ;  and  Walter  M.  Cooley,  an 
engineer  of  Alaska,  now  engaged  in  the  gold  mines  of  that  country.  Edmund  C. 
Cooley  bought  the  Wright  farm  of  forty  acres  in  the  spring  of  1886,  now  occupied  by 
Mrs.  Cooley.  Frank  C.  McPhee  was  born  in  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  January  17,  1854. 
Daniel  McPhee,  the  father  of  Frank,  was  a  farmer.  He  was  for  a  few  years  a  resi- 
dent of  South  Addison,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.  Frank  was  the  fifth  of  a  family  of 
eleven  children.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  has  been  for  twenty- 
one  years  a  sash  cutter  of  McConell  Mills  in  Hornellsville.  He  was  married  March 
14,  1881,  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Cooley,  daughter  of  the  late  Charles  and  Lucy  Louisa 
(Martell)  Cooley.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McPhee  have  one  son.  Nelson  Lawrence,  now  in  his 
fourteenth  year,  a  student  of  Hornellsville  Academy. 

Bentley,  John  L.,  was  born  in  Elmira,  September  24,  1829,  a  son  of  Darius,  a  native 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  119 

of  Rensselaer  county,  who  came  to  Chemung  in  1814,  and  owned  a  large  tract  in  what 
was  then  a  part  of  Elmira.  He  was  prominent  in  town  and  county  affairs,  and  was 
known  as  Judge  Bentley.  He  died  at  the  age  of  ninety-four.  Of  his  six  surviving 
children  John  L.,  the  third  son,  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  by  private 
teachers,  and  his  first  occuption  was  on  a  farm.  His  father  was  a  surveyor,  and  John 
did  considerable  work  in  that  line  of  business.  He  was  one  of  the  civil  engineers  of 
the  Canandaigua  and  Niagara  Railroad  at  the  age  of  twenty-five.  He  then  engaged 
in  railroading,  and  for  seventeen  years  was  conductor  on  the  western  division  of  the 
N.  Y.,  L.  E.  &  W.  R.  R.  In  1873  he  formed  a  partnership  with  George  Griswold, 
which  lasted  a  year,  and  in  1874  the  store  was  burned,  and  afterwards  our  subject 
continued  the  business  alone.  Mr.  Griswold  rebuilt,  and  Mr.  Bentley  moved  mto 
his  store,  which  he  conducted  until  1875,  then  sold  out  to  Mr.  Griswold,  and  bought 
the  store  of  Seymour  &  Davis,  and  in  1888  removed  to  his  present  location,  91  Main 
street,  conducting  a  grocery  and  crockery  store.  He  served  as  alderman  for  five 
years,  and  also  as  assessor,  and  was  city  engineer  for  two  years.  For  thirty  years  he 
has  been  a  prominent  Mason,  and  has  passed  the  chairs  of  the  Blue  Lodge,  Council 
and  Commandery.  In  1855  he  married  Jane  Shute,  of  Horseheads,  and  their  children 
are  Edward  S,,  a  clerk,  and  Harry  S,,  a  partner  in  the  business. 

Bowlby,  George  K.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bath,  June  15,  1855,  son  of  James 
N.  W.  Bowlby  and  Emily  King  Bowlby.  James  N.  W.  Bowlby,  a  native  of  Dryden, 
Tompkins  county,  N.  Y.,  who  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1837  with  his  parents, 
James  and  Catherine  Bowlby.  George  K.  was  educated  at  Haverling  Academy.  In 
1878  he  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Edward  S.  Hardenbrook,  of  Bath ;  they  are  the 
parents  of  three  sons,  James  Edward,  George  Albert,  and  Charles  Ernest.  Mr. 
Bowlby  was  elected  assessor  in  1895. 

Burt,  John  M.,  was  born  in  Warren  county  in  1831,  son  of  Amasa  Burt,  who  came 
from  Warren  county  to  Chemung  county  in  1845,  and  to  Steuben  county  in  1854, 
where  he  died  in  1875,  aged  seventy-five  years.  He  married  Sarah  Ward,  who  died 
in  1878,  aged  seventy-one  years.  In  1851  John  M.  Burt  went  to  Minnesota,  where  he 
engaged  iti  the  mercantile  business  until  1858,  and  has  since  resided  on  the  farm. 
While  in  Minnesota  he  was  clerk  of  the  House  of  Representatives.  He  has  105 
acres  in  his  home  place  and  also  owns  a  farm  of  140  acres  in  Chemung  county,  and 
has  real  estate  interests  in  Minnesota.  He  has  never  married.  His  sister.  Miss 
Cordelia,  lives  with  him,  while  another  sister,  Mrs.  Lucius  Tuttle,  lives  on  an  ad- 
joining farm. 

Stuart,  Morey,  was  born  in  Cameron  and  married  Jane,  a  daughter  of  George  and 
Martha  Punches.  Their  children  are  daughter  Frances  and  son  Winfred.  Mr. 
Stuart  is  a  school  teacher,  having  taught  for  thirteen  years.  He  is  also  engaged  in 
farming.  He  is  excise  commissioner  of  the  town,  justice  of  the  peace,  etc.,  having 
been  in  office  most  of  the  time  since  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  His  father, 
Girdon  Stuart,  married  for  his  first  wife  Katie  Leach,  by  whom  he  had  two  children : 
Malissa  and  Amos.  October  9,  1841,  he  married  Sarah  Winship,  by  whom  he  had 
eleven  children:  John,  George,  Henry,  Norman,  James,  Kate,  Amelia,  Samuel, 
Dewitt,  Morey,  and  Lula.  Girdon  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  He  was  a 
carpenter  and  builder  in  early  life,  but  was  engaged  m  farming  the  latter  part  of  his 
life. 


120  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Angel,  Prentis,  settled  in  Urbana  with  his  wife  (Dollie  Mitchell)  and. family  of  nine 
children:  Sylvester,  Silas,  Lucy,  Thomas,  Betsie,  Hannah,  Calvin,  Prentis  and 
Abner.  Thomas  married  Axie  Pope,  by  whom  he  has  seven  children:  Almira, 
Alonzo,  Edwin,  Julia,  5-arah.  James,  and  Prentis.  Thomas  married  Elma  Stratton 
(deceased),  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Helen,  Abner,  Mary,  Isabelle,  and  Fanny. 
Prentis  married  Lois,  a  daughter  of  Silas  and  Lucetta  Babcock,  by  whom  he  had  five 
children:  Ray,  Fred,  Bert,  Floyd,  and  Walter.  Mr.  Angel  followed  railroading  in 
early  life,  but  is  now  engaged  in  farming  on  a  farm  of  104  acres. 

Heseltine,  Eugene  A.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Independence,  Allegany  county, 
N.Y.,  October  18,  1843.  Ezekiel  Heseltine,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, born  September  30,  1799,  in  the  town  of  Dairyfield,  now  the  city  of  Manches- 
ter. He  came  to  New  York  State  in  the  fall  of  1816  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Middle- 
sex, Yates  county;  then  went  to  Independence  in  1821,  and  to  Hornellsville  in  1860. 
His  death  occurred  December  31,  1886.  Harriet  E.  Allen,  mother  of  Eugene  A.,  was 
a  native  of  Barnstable,  Mass.  She  died  October  20,  1848.  They  also  had  one  other 
son,  Leonidas  B.,  who  was  shot  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  10,  1863,  and 
died  June  9.  He  was  a  member  of  Co.  D,  86th  N.Y.Vols.  Eugene  was  educatedin 
the  common  schools  of  his  native  county,  and  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  was  one 
of  the  early  volunteers  for  his  country's  service  August  29.  1861,  he  enlisted  in 
Co.  D,  under  Captain  Ellsworth,  in  the  86th  N.Y  S.Vols  ,  and  was  with  this  regiment 
three  years.  He  was  at  Bull  Run,  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  and 
in  all  the  engagements  under  General  Grant  from  May  to  September,  1864,  and 
Colonel  Lansing  has  written  on  his  discharge,  which  is  dated  September  4,  1864, 
that  he  was  a  good  soldier,  always  willing  and  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties. 
Returning  home,  he  was  made  adjutant  of  the  tOth  Regt.,  N.Y.  S.  M.,  and  was  also 
given  a  commission  by  Governor  Fenton  as  brevet  second  lieutenant,  N.  Y.  Vols. 
After  the  war  he  came  to  Hornellsville  and  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business 
about  seven  years,  after  which  he  became  interested  in  farming.  In  1876  he  bought 
a  farm  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville.  to  which  he  has  added  until  now  he  has  157  acres 
handsomely  located  on  the  line  of  the  Hornellsville  and  Canisteo  Electric  Railway. 
July  16,  1873,  he  married  Olive  P.,  daughter  of  Rev.  E.  P.  Huntington,  then  of 
Phelps,  N.Y.  Mr.  Heseltine  was  the  founder  of  the  New  York  State  Breeders'  Asso- 
ciation, organized  in  February,  1891,  of  which  he  is  vice-president.  He  was  also 
the  first  owner  in  this  county  of  the  imported  Percheron  horse,  and  of  Red  Polled 
cattle. 

Barrett,  William  W.,  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  January  13,  1838,  son  of  John  and 
Mary  (Westervelt)  Barrett,  who  settled  in  Bath  in  1842  and  had  four  children:  Julia, 
John  W.,  Mary,  all  deceased,  and  William  W.  Wihiam  W.  married  Lovina  J.  Niles 
and  has  two  children:  Moses  J.,  who  married  Eva  Jackson;  and  Jerome  W.,  who 
married  Fannie  Parker  and  has  two  children:  Clarence  and  Blanche.  Moses  J. 
Barrett  has  three  children  Pearl,  Lawrence,  and  Ethel.  William  W.  is  an  active 
temperance  advocate  and  is  a  member  of  the  Good  Templars,  also  the  Town 
Grange. 

Brewster,  C.  A. — Gilbert  Brewster,  his  father,  was  born  at  Red  Creek,  N.Y.  sixty- 
six  years  ago,  of  old  English  ancestry,  and  came  to  Addison  soon  after  attaining  his 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  121 

majority.  He  was  by  trade  a  machinist  and  farmer,  and  married  Martha,  daughter 
of  the  late  Wilham  Wombough,  by  whom  he  had  four  children,  of  whom  Charles  and 
Gilbert  are  the  only  survivors.  She  died  in  1886.  William  Wombough  occupied  a 
central  position  in  the  early  annals  of  Middletown,  now  Addison,  having  been  not 
only  one  of  the  first  comers  here,  but  a  man  of  wonderful  energy  and  character,  and 
at  one  time  owned  nearly  2,000  acres  of  land  in  and  about  Addison.  He  built  grist, 
carding  and  saw  mills  in  the  vicinity,  and  it  is  related  that  in  order  to  equip  his  first 
mill  with  machinery,  he  made  a  trip  to  Philadelphia  with  a  team,  and  he  thought 
little  of  an  overland  trip  to  Syracuse  for  a  load  of  salt.  C.  A.  Brewster,  a  grandson 
of  William  Wombough,  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Cornell  University, 
after  which  he  occupied  a  clerical  position  in  the  Baldwin  Bank,  until  the  formation 
of  the  firm  of  Brewster  Brothers,  dealers  in  hardware,  etc.  In  1890  the  firm  dis- 
solved, and  Mr.  Brewster  thenceforward  devoted  his  time  and  attention  to  his  whole- 
sale lumber  business  at  Corning  and  Painted  Post.  He  has  served  his  town  as  village 
trustee,  and  in  other  positions,  which  he  filled  with  great  credit. 

Zeliff,  Samuel  J.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Burns,  Allegany  county,  N.Y.,  June  16, 
1833,  and  is  the  son  of  Joseph  Zeliff,  who  was  born  in  France,  and  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1812,  when  a  young  man.  Settled  in  Pennsylvania,  then  near  Ark- 
port,  Steuben  county,  they  took  up  land  for  a  farm  consisting  of  108  acres,  where 
they  remained  until  a  few  years  ago.  The  homestead  is  known  as  the  Albert  Ellis 
farm.  The  antecedents  of  Samuel  J.  have  always  followed  farming.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  district  schools  of  South  Dansville,  but  has  greatly  improved  his  educa- 
tion by  his  judicious  reading.  Mr.  Zeliff  for  a  time  was  engaged  in  dealing  in 
agricultural  implements,  but  now  devotes  his  entire  time  to  farming,  owning  a  farm 
of  155  acres  mostly  of  improved  land.  Mr.  Zelifl:  married,  first,  Theoda,  daughter  of 
Sidney  Frisbey,  of  Hartsville,  who  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  that  town.  They 
had  one  daughter,  Emma  D.,  who  married  Milton  Grey,  of  Hammondsport,  N.  Y. 
Mr.  Zeliff  married,  .second,  Ann  K.,  widow  of  George  O.  Henry,  of  Hartsville,  by 
whom  he  had  two  children :  Clayton  and  Merton,  both  living  at  home.  Mr.  Zeliff 
has  served  as  highway  commissioner,  excise  commissioner,  and  assessor.  The  heads 
of  the  family  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church. 

Morgan,  S.  Maurice,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Lindley,  November  6,  1839,  son  of 
Aliaert  C.  and  Catherine  Barnard  Morgan,  who  settled  in  Lindley  in  1828  and  1830. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morgan  were  the  parents  of  five  children:  Harriet  A.,  Sarah  E., 
Nellie  A.,  Catherine  A.,  and  S.  Maurice.  The  latter  was  married  to  Helen  B. 
Williams,  and  they  have  one  child.  Rose  W.  S.  Maurice  enUsted  in  Co.  F,  86th  N.Y. 
Vols.,  September,  1861,  and  was  commissioned  first  lieutenant,  Co.  F,  86th  N.Y. Vols.  ; 
May,  1862,  was  appointed  aide-de  camp  to  John  C.  Robinson  in  Kearney's  Division, 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  afterwards  served  in  First  Division,  Third  Army  Corps,  also 
Second  Division  of  First  Army  Corps,  and  February,  1864,  was  appointed  assistant 
adjutant-general,  U.S.  Vols.,  and  was  assigned  to  the  Second  Division  of  Fifth 
Army  Corps,  was  appointed  adjutant-general  in  First  Army  Corps  in  May,  1864.  He 
was  captured  May  30,  1864,  at  Cold  Harbor,  and  confined  in  Libby  Prison,  Rich- 
mond, Va.,  Macon,  Ga.,  Charleston,  S.  C,  and  Columbia,  S.  C,  and  was  paroled  for 
exchange  from  Columbia.  Escaped  from  Columbia  prison  and  was  free  fourteen 
days.  He  holds  a  commission  as  brevet  lieutenant-colonel,  given  by  President 
P 


122  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Lincoln  for  meritorious  services  in  the  field.     He  is  now  commander  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
Post  at  Lawrenceville,  Pa. 

Putnam,  Aaron  H.,  was  born  in  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  July  3,  1838.  He  is  the 
son  of  Aaron  V.  and  Mary  Putnam,  and  grandson  of  David  Putnam,  of  Holland 
descent,  who  came  from  that  country  with  his  family  and  settled  in  Montgomery 
county,  N.Y.  He  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier  and  noted  Indian  fighter  iinder  Gen- 
eral Van  Rensselaer.  After  his  return  from  the  war  he  was  captured  by  Indians, 
killed  and  scalped.  Aaron  V.  was  born  in  Montgomery  county  in  1790.  He  was  a 
soldier  in  the  war  of  1813,  and  married  Mary  Rose  in  1830.  To  them  was  born 
twelve  children.  He  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  in  1833  came  to  Prattsburg  and 
settled  on  a  farm  where  he  plied  his  trade  in  connection  with  his  farming,  they  re- 
maining on  the  farm  they  settled  in  Prattsburg  until  their  death,  both  living  to  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-four  years.  Aaron  H.  Putnam  was  the  eighth  of  this  family 
of  children  and  remains  on  the  homestead  farm  of  130  acres,  to  which  he  has  added 
175  acres.  Politically  Mr.  Putnam  is  a  Democrat  and  has  always  adhered  to  the 
principles  of  that  party.  He  has  held  the  office  of  commissioner  of  highways,  and 
assessor  at  different  times.  In  1866  he  married  Ada,  daughter  of  Dwiglit  Graves,  of 
Prattsburg,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children :  Cora,  Ella,  Mae,  Arthur,  Lillie,  Aaron, 
Clara,  and  Dwight,  all  living  except  Clara,  the  youngest  daughter,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  four  years.  The  girls  are  school  teachers,  and  the  boys  remain  at  home  on 
the  farm.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Putnam  are  both  members  of  the  Ingleside  Grange,  in 
which  they  have  both  held  offices. 

Stewart,  George  Edmund,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard  in  the  place  known  as 
Dublm,  February  30,  1854,  son  of  George  W.  Stewart,  who  was  born  in  Ireland,  and 
came  to  the  LTnited  States  when  about  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  became  a  farmer. 
He  married  Sarah  A.,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Adonijah  Ford  of  the  town  of  Howard, 
and  they  were  the  parents  of  five  children:  George  E.,  A.  F.,  Abby  L.,  Sarah  M., 
and  Eugene,  all  of  whom  live  in  the  town  of  Howard  except  A.  F.,  who  lives  in  Hor- 
nellsville.  George  Edmund  was  first  a  teacher,  and  afterwards  worked  for  the  N.Y., 
L.  E.  &  W.  R.  R.  Company  as  car  repairer,  but  for  many  years  has  devoted  his  time 
to  farming.  He  acquired  his  education  in  the  district  schools  and  was  also  in  the 
Haverling  Academy  for  three  years.  He  married  Lydia  Jane,  daughter  of  Orren 
W.  Emerson,  a  farmer  of  Bath.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stewart  have  one  daughter,  Nora 
Irene,  aged  fifteen  years.  She  is  now  attending  the  district  schools.  Mrs.  Stewart 
died  November  6, 1893,  aged  forty-one  years. 

Olmsted,  Milton,  was  born  in  Avoca  March  18,  1843.  John  Olmsted,  his  father, 
was  born  in  Connecticut,  February  33,  1800.  In  childhood  he  came  with  his  parents 
to  Montgomery  county,  N.  Y.,  and  when  twenty-one  years  of  age  came  with  his 
brother  James  to  Avoca,  Steuben  county,  and  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  his 
son,  which  was  then  a  wilderness.  He  bought  land  and  cleared  the  farm  on  which 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  and  on  what  has  since  been  known  far  and  wide 
as  Olmsted  Hill.  He  afterwards  purchased  two  different  farms  in  the  same  locality 
which  has  since  been  owned  by  his  sons.  He  married  Amanda  Edwards,  formerly 
of  Montgomery  county,  but  who  came  to  Avoca  with  her  people  some  years  later 
than  the  Olmsteds,     She  died  in   1863,  after  which  he  married  Lucinda  Van  Wie, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  123 

widow  of  the  late  John  Van  Wie  of  Howard.  She  died  in  1881.  He  lived  to  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  eighty-eight  years,  and  died  July  6,  1888.  The  result  of  the  former 
marriage  was  ten  children,  of  which  Milton,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the 
eighth.  Three  died  in  childhood;  the  remainder  grew  to  manhood  and  womanhood, 
and  si-x  are  still  living.  Milton  Olmsted  received  the  education  and  common  school 
training  common  to  farmers'  sons  of  that  time,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming 
which  business  he  has  followed  all  his  life.  In  1868  he  was  married  and  went  to 
Schuyler  county,  where  he  resided  until  1886..  when  he  returned  to  Avoca  and  came 
into  possession  of  the  homestead  farm  and  cared  for  his  invalid  father  until  the  latter 
died  two  years  later.  He  married  Esther  S.,  daughter  of  Isaac  W.  Fero  of  Beaver 
Dams,  Schuyler  county,  and  grandfather  of  the  late  Chester  Knowlton  of  Hornby. 
(Both  pioneers  of  Hornby,  Steuben  county,  the  former  assisting  his  parents  to  locate 
and  clear  land  in  what  was  at  that  time  Hornby,  but  now  Orange,  Schuyler  county). 
The  fruits  of  this  marriage  were  two  daughters:  Alida  T.  and  Iva  Viola.  The  old- 
est (Alida)  is  now  a  nurse  in  the  hospital  at  the  Soldiers'  Home  at  Bath.  The  young- 
est is  with  her  parents  at  their  home  on  Olmsted  Hill.  Mr.  Olmsted  is  a  member  of 
the  Grange  and  a  Knight  of  the  Maccabees  and  politically  is  a  Prohibitionist. 

Bennett,  Oscar  F.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  September  3,  1832,  on  the 
farm  he  now  owns  and  occupies.  He  is  a  son  of  Benjamin  B.  Bennett,  who  was  a 
descendant  of  Jacob  Bennett,  who  settled  in  this  town  in  1808,  in  what  is  known 
as  the  Howard  Flats,  and  was  the  seventh  settler  of  the  township,  which  at  that  time 
comprised  a  great  part  of  Fremont,  and  a  portion  of  Hornellsville  and  Avoca.  This 
family  are  extensive  land  owners.  Benjamin  Bennett  married  Mariette  Mapes,  and 
no  children  were  born  to  them.  He  married  the  second  time,  Mary  A.  Armstrong, 
and  seven  children  were  born  to  them:  David,  Adelia,  Amanda,  Oscar  F.,  as  above, 
Asenith,  Omer,  and  Mary.  The  occupation  of  Oscar  F.  has  been  farming  with  the 
exception  of  two  years  when  he  was  proprietor  of  the  Lyman  Jones  hotel  in  Howard 
Flats.  He  married  Maria  Huganer  of  Fremont,  and  they  had  one  son,  William,  who 
married  Maud  Burleson,  and  they  have  one  daughter,  Neola.  Mr.  Bennett  was 
.supervisor  of  the  town  in  1883-4,  being  elected  over  a  Republican  majority  of  nearly 
100.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Masons,  Lewis  Lodge,  No.  104. 

Wagner,  Hiram  R.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wheeler  February  22,  1847.  Ingle- 
hardt  Wagner  was  a  native  of  Montgomery  county,  and  came  to  Wheeler  in  1818 
when  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  took  100  acres  of  land  in  the  normal  condi- 
tion, which  he  cleared  of  wood  and  made  a  farm,  and  made  his  home  there  the  bal- 
ance of  his  days.  He  died  in  April  1865.  His  mother  was  Christina  Collier;  she 
died  when  Hiram  was  only  old  five  years  of  age.  Hiram  was  the  next  youngest  son  of 
a  family  of  ten  children  that  reached  adult  age.  He  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools,  and  his  first  occupation  was  a  clerk  in  the  law  office  of  C.  F.  Kingsley  at 
Bath,  where  he  was  employed  eighteen  months.  In  1870  he  came  to  Hornellsville 
and  was  employed  with  his  brother  in  the  hotel  business.  In  1873  he  engaged  in  the 
insurance  business,  which  he  followed  for  two  years,  and  was  two  years  with  Miles 
W.  Hawley,  and  was  then  for  thirteen  years  bookkeeper  and  superintendent  of 
Terry's  flouring  mill.  In  1892,  in  partnership  with  Edgar  Boynton,  he  bought  out 
the  Loucks  bakery  and  grocery  store,  at  the  corner  of  East  Washington  and  North 
Church  streets,  where  the  firm  of  Wagner  &  Co.  is  still  engaged.     Mr.  Wagner  in 


124  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY.      • 

early  life  was  a  Democrat,  but  now  a  strong  Prohibitionist.  In  tlie  city  election  of 
1895  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  excise  commissioner,  the  first  member  of  temper- 
ance principles  ever  elected  in  this  city.  He  also  filled  the  office  of  collector  in  1883 
and  1887  and  was  two  years  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Health.  He  has  passed  all  of 
the  chairs  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  been  three  times  elected  delegate  to  the  Grand 
Lodge.  He  was  married  in  1873  to  Celestia  Snell  of  Avoca.  They  have  one  child, 
Floyd,  a  student  of  Hornellsville  Graded  Department.  Mr.  Wagner  has  been  a 
member  of  East  Avenue  church  for  seven  years  and  five  of  that  time  a  trustee,  and 
is  the  present  supenntendent  of  the  Sabbath  school. 

Young,  Benjamin  F.,  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  September  27,  1822.  His  father, 
William,  was  a  native  of  London,  England,  who  moved  to  Halifax,  Novia  Scotia, 
then  came  to  the  LTnited  States,  settling  at  Geneva.  Here  he  entered  the  employ  of 
Sir  William  Pulteney's  estate  in  the  Geneva  Land  Office.  From  Geneva  he  came  to 
Bath  in  1850,  at  which  time  the  two  land  offices  were  consolidated.  In  1862  he 
was  succeeded  by  his  son,  Benjamin  F.  Young,  who  still  remains  in  charge. 
William  Young  married  Jane  T.  Brabiner  of  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia.  Entering  the 
land  office  as  a  clerk  he  was  subsequently  made  agent  with  full  power  of  attorney  of 
the  Pulteney  estate  with  Joseph  Fellows.  He  died  at  his  son's  home,  Ontario,  N.  Y., 
aged  seventy-one  years.  In  1845  Benjamin  F.  Young  married  Helen  A.,  daughter 
of  Elisha  Johnson,  of  Rochester,  N.Y.  They  had  three  sons  and  five  daughters: 
WilUam  H.,  Frank  J.,  Joseph  F.,  Mrs.  Emily  H.  Thorp,  Mrs.  M.  Lillian  Chitry, 
Helen  B.,  Ada  L.,  and  Elizabeth  J.  Mrs.  Helen  Young  died  in  November,  1878. 
In  1882  Mr.  Young  married  Lucy  L.,  daughter  of  the  late  Daniel  Knight,  of  Bath, 
by  whom  he  has  one  son,  Daniel  K,  Mr.  Young  is  one  of  the  leading  business  men 
in  Bath  and  has  been  an  officer  in  the  Episcopal  church  for  nearly  fifty  years. 

Young,  Peter,  was  born  at  Rathbone,  in  1833,  son  of  Martin  B.  Young.  He  first 
engaged  in  lumbering  and  farming  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Ostrander,  of  Penn  Yan,  Yates  county.  Martin  B.,  who  was  born  in  a  log  house  in 
Addison,  m  1804,  and  died  at  the  home  of  his  son  Peter  in  1885,  was  of  German  descent, 
his  father  coming  here  at  an  early  age.  Mr.  Young  devoted  his  time  to  lumbering 
and  speculating  and  was  financially  successful.  In  1827  he  married  Martha  Craw- 
ford, of  Rathboneville,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  five  children :  Sarah,  widow  of 
the  late  Harvey  Burgett,  and  resides  in  Sayre,  Pa. ;  William,  a  farmer  of  Rathbone ; 
Margaret,  widow  of  the  late  Libbius  Phillips,  of  this  place;  Mary,  widow  of  the  late 
John  Kinneley,  and  resides  at  Elmira;  and  Peter. 

Foster,  Mrs.  E.  L. — Eddy  L.  Foster  was  born  in  the  town  of  Barrington,  Yates 
county,  m  1848.  William  Foster,  his  grandfather,  a  native  of  England,  came  to 
America  in  1770,  and  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution.  During  his  younger  days  he 
was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  but  devoted  the  latter  part  of  his  life  to  farming  in  Yates 
county  and  Wheeler,  to  which  place  he  removed  in  1805.  Lindley,  the  father,  was  a 
carpenter  and  farmer,  and  spent  his  life  in  Yates  count3^  When  eighteen  years  of 
age  he  purchased  a  farm,  which  he  owned  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1888.  He  married  Betsey  Mapes,  of  Dutchess  county,  and  their  children  were 
Jeremiah,  Marilla,  William,  and  John.  For  his  second  wife  he  married  Abigai  1 
Campbell,  by  whom  two  children  were  born:  Mary  J.  and  Lindley.     The  third  time 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  125 

he  married  Margaret  Eddy,  and  to  this  union  were  born  five  children:  Hulda,  Eddy 
L.,  Frank,  Charles  M.,  and  Minor.  His  wife  survives  him  and  resides  on  the  home- 
stead in  Yates  county.  Eddy  L.  remained  with  his  father  until  twenty-five  years  of 
age  when  he  engaged  in  the  vineyard  and  farming  business,  and  in  1876  came  to  the 
town  of  Campbell,  where  he  purchased  a  farm,  and  thirteen  years  later  removed  to 
the  town  of  Wheeler.  In  1891  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of  260  acres,  it  being 
the  original  Grattan-Wheeler  homestead.  For  a  number  of  years  he  followed  the 
lumbering  business  in  connection  with  farming,  and  for  the  past  twelve  years  was 
successfully  engaged  in  buying  and  shipping  cattle  and  sheep.  Mr.  Foster  was  a 
Republican,  and  held  the  office  of  assessor,  and  for  some  time  was  a  member  of  the 
Grange.  In  1873  he  married  Lola  Straight,  who  was  born  in  Bradford,  Steuben 
county,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sally  Straight.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Foster  had  these 
children:  Minor,  Burr,  Belle,  Edna,  Charles,  Flossie,  and  Eddy  W.  On  May  30, 
1895,  Mr.  Foster  was  accidentally  drowned  while  in  bathing  in  a  creek  that  flowed 
through  his  farm. 

Soule,  Eli,  was  born  in  Euclid,  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y.,  January  20,  1829.  His 
father's  family  resided  in  the  city  of  New  York  before  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 
His  father,  Lambert  Soule,  removed  from  Orange  county  to  Tompkins  about  June, 
1820,  and  married  his  mother,  Catherine  Rickey,  in  1827,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  the 
town  of  Euclid  the  next  year,  where  he  resided  till  his  death  in  1880.  Eli  Soule  spent 
his  minority  on  his  father's  farm,  was  a  student  of  law  in  the  office  of  Boardman  & 
Finch  at  Ithaca,  N.Y.,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1860,  commenced  practicing  at 
Canisteo  in  1863,  where  he  yet  remains.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Jane  Ferris  of 
Galesburg,  111.,  in  1871. 

Smith,  Mrs.  Zidaua. — The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  September  18,  1827,  on 
the  homestead  farm,  which  was  settled  by  his  grandfather,  Andrew  Smith,  who  had 
come  to  this  country  from  Scotland  in  1791,  and  who  was  associated  with  Captain 
Williamson  in  the  clearing  of  land  for  cultivation,  and  the  construction  of  roads. 
Jackson  Smith  was  the  son  of  Charles,  the  second  son  of  the  early  pioneer.  His  early 
life  was  passed  at  home  on  his  father's  farm,  during  which  time  he  spent  several 
months  at  Lima  Academy  (Livingston  county),  where  he  learned  the  science  of  land 
surveying.  This  art  he  put  into  practice  a  great  deal,  and  a  very  large  number  of 
the  roads  and  boundary  lines  of  the  surrounding  country  were  laid  out  by  him.  In 
1858  he  married  Zidana,  the  daughter  of  Samuel  Le  Gro.  Mr.  Le  Gro  was  a  ship 
carpenter  in  Maine  in  his  younger  days,  but  had  come  to  Bath  in  1814,  where  he 
helped  erect  some  of  the  first  houses  in  the  village.  He  married  Betsey,  daughter  of 
Jeremiah  Dudley  for  his  first  wife,  by  which  union  seven  children  were  born,  Mrs. 
Smith  being  the  third  eldest.  For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Le  Gro  married  Almira  Tiff- 
any. To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  were  born  nine  children,  seven  of  wnom  are  living: 
Mrs.  Jeannie  A.  Downing,  William  C,  Sherman  T.,  Hoxie  W.,  Fred  D.,  Nellie  L., 
J.  Lee.  In  1863  Mr.  Smith  purchased  the  Alexander  Freeman  property,  a  few  miles 
below  Bath  and  adjoining  the  old  homestead  farm,  where  he  passed  the  remainder 
of  his  life,  engaged  in  the  occupation  of  farming.  Besides  adding  many  acres  to  his 
original  purchase  he  expended  a  large  portion  of  his  income  and  wealth  in  the  edu- 
cation of  his  children,  five  of  whom  have  graduated  from  Cornell  University.  He 
was  a  man  of  a  very  quiet  and  reserved  disposition,  caring  nothing  for  public  office 


126  LANDMARKS  OP  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

or  public  mention.  He  believed  in  training  his  sons  and  daughters  by  his  own  ex- 
ample of  hard  labor,  strict  honesty  in  all  dealings  and  charity  to  the  poor,  and  realized 
that  he  could  leave  them  no  more  valuable  legacy  than  these  traits  and  a  thorough 
education.  Though  directly  connected  with  no  religious  circle,  he  always  had  a  strong 
leaning  towards  the  Universalist  faith,  trusting  fully  in  the  kindness  and  mercy  of 
his  Maker  and  believing  that  "  by  your  works,  ye  shall  bejudged."  In  his  home  and 
family  circle,  only,  was  he  satisfied  to  be,  and  although  he  took  no  part  in  public 
affairs,  yet  he  was  well  read  and  conversant  with  the  topics  of  the  day,  being  always 
found  on  the  side  of  Americanism  and  temperance.  In  politics,  he  was  a  Republican, 
having  always  voted  with  the  party  of  his  first  belief.  He  died  of  strangulated  her- 
nia, November  26,  1889,  in  his  sixty-third  year. 

Davis,  Edwin  F.,  a  native  of  Caton,  who  is  the  state  electrician,  is  the  son  of  Dan- 
iel and  Bates  Davis,  natives  of  Massachusetts,  who  were  married  there  and  settled 
in  the  town  of  Caton  in  1844,  where  they  are  stil  residing.  Mr  Davis  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one  went  to  Massachusetts  a  short  time,  and  was  then  in  the  milling  business 
in  Pennsylvania  one  or  two  years,  also  following  the  carpenter's  trade  about  ten  years 
in  the  Fall  Brook  shops.  He  then  followed  photographing  about  three  years  in 
Corning  and  had  the  telephone  exchange  in  his  gallery,  by  which  he  became  interested 
in  electricity.  He  was  afterward  with  the  Edison  Electric  Company  during  the  New 
Orleans  Exposition  and  continued  with  them  several  years,  after  which  he  went  with 
the  Westinghouse  Company  about  three  years,  contracting  and  establishing  plants 
all  over  the  country.  He  put  in  the  electrical  plant  for  three  State  jarisons,  Sing  Sing, 
Auburn,  and  the  Clinton  Prison,  and  has  since  had  charge  of  them. 

Bailey,  John  S. ,  was  born  in  Urbana,  N.  Y.,  June  8,  1826.  His  grandfather  Bailey 
was  a  native  uf  England,  and  came  to  Philadelphia  about  1774,  and  during  the  Rev- 
olutionary war  he  aided  very  materially  the  American  cause  by  furnishing  the  sol- 
diers with  provisions.  His  son  Barila  was  an  officer,  connected  with  William  Henry 
Harrison  on  the  frontier.  Nicholas  Bailey,  father  of  John  S.,  was  born  in  Philadel- 
phia in  1778,  one  of  nine  children,  and  at  fourteen  years  of  age  he  was  apprenticed 
to  learn  the  wheelwright  trade,  and  served  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age. 
He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  ranked  as  corporal,  often  detailed  to  hunt  desert- 
ers, and  after  the  war  he  plied  his  trade.  In  1821  he  moved  to  Urbana,  Steuben 
county,  and  from  then  until  his  death  he  followed  the  carpenter's  trade  and  saw  mill 
building.  He  sold  his  soldier's  land  for  thirty  dollars  and  took  his  pay  in  sole  leather 
and  built  the  first  store  in  Hammondsport.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Thomas  Perry  of  New  Jersey,  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Lewis,  Sarah,  Nelson, 
John,  Artemas,  Edwin,  Bradley  and  Margaret.  Mrs.  Bailey  died  in  September, 
1885,  aged  eighty-five  years.  John  S.  Bailey  remained  with  his  father  until  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  when  he  engaged  work  on  the  canal,  and  a  year  later  purchased  a 
small  tract  of  land,  farming  summers  and  Inmbering  winters.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in 
Company  A,  161st  Regt.,  but  was  discharged  soon  after  on  account  of  sickness.  In 
July,  1863,  he  was  drafted,  paid  his  draft,  and  in  1864  he  again  enlisted  in  Company 
C,  188th  Regt.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  at  the  battles  of  First 
and  Second  Hatcher's  Run,  Weldon  Raid,  and  received  a  flesh  wound  in  the  leg  at 
Hatcher's  Run.  In  the  spring  of  1865  he  was  detailed  to  drive  and  care  for  the  tent 
and  provision  wagons  of  General  Gregory,  and  in  1867  he  purchased  his  present  farm. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  127 

He  married  Eveline,  daughter  of  John  Clark,  a  pioneer  ofPulteney,  by  whom  he  had 
these  children:  Arvesta,  Franklin,  Hettie  who  was  drowned  when  nineteen  years 
of  age,  Bandis,  Eva,  Chauncy,  and  Georganna. 

Campbell,  William  M.,  was  born  in  Bath,  May  19,  1822;  he  was  the  youngest  child 
of  Robert  Campbell,  who  was  a  native  of  Scotland  and  came  to  Bath  in  1795.  Will- 
iam M.  was  married  in  1846  to  Francis  Miller,  daughter  of  Samuel  Miller  of  Williams- 
ville,  Erie  countj^  N.  Y. ,  by  whom  he  has  four  children,  two  sons  and  two  daughters. 
He  has  always  followed  the  occupation  of  farming,  and  still  lives  on  the  home  he 
made  fifty  years  ago. 

Minard,  J.  H.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Locke,  Cayuga  county,  November  4,  1842, 
and  is  the  fourth  of  six  children  born  to  Henry  T.,  and  Annie  (Hill)  Minard,  both  of 
Cayuga  county,  and  who  came  to  Troupsburg  in  1846  and  settled  on  the  State  road, 
where  they  died,  he  April  22,  1867,  and  she  July  3,  1848.  The  grandfather,  Henry 
Minard,  died  in  Locke.  The  paternal  grandfather,  Thomas,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Rev- 
olutionary war.  J.  H.  Minard  has  always  followed  farming,  and  now  owns  a  farm 
which  he  bought  in  1881.  In  1866  he  married  Cornelia,  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Julia 
(Martin)  Olmstead,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Lewis  H.,  who  bought  the  Clark 
farm,  which  joins  the  homestead,  which  he  works  in  connection  with  the  home  farm  ; 
Gertie,  wife  of  George  Fox,  who  died  July  25,  1886;  and  Lizzie  E.,  wife  of  Bradshaw 
White.  Mr.  Minard  enlisted  September  17,  1861,  in  Company  E,  75th  N.  Y.  Vols., 
and  was  honorably  discharged  November  25,  1864.  He  was  Port  Hudson,  all  through 
the  Red  River  campaign,  and  was  wounded  at  Winchester  by  a  minnieball,  Septem- 
ber 19,  1864,  and  prior  to  this  was  on  duty  every  day.  He  is  a  member  of  Post 
Baily  No.  351,  G.  A.  R. 

Emery,  Frank  H.,  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives  in  the  town  of  Horn- 
ellsville,  January  19,  1859.  James  P.  Emeiy,  the  father  of  Frank  H.,  was  also  born 
in  this  town.  The  grandfather  of  Frank,  Wm.  Emery,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  came  to  this  country  about  1824.  James  P.  Emery  was  a  farmer  and  March  17, 
1§52,  bought  a  farm  of  103  acres  on  lot  28,  where  he  spent  the  balance  of  his  days  and 
died  November  12,  1870.  He  was  twice  married,  first  to  Elizabeth  who  bore  him  two 
children,  neither  of  whom  is  now  living.  His  second  wife  and  mother  of  Frank  H. 
Emery,  Mary  C.  Labour,  was  the  mother  of  three  sons.  Eugene  and  Albert  both  died 
in  infancy.  Frank  H.  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  attending  in  summer  tilj 
fifteen,  and  the  winter  time  until  nineteen.  He  has  always  been  a  farmer,  and  was 
the  manager  for  his  mother  until  twenty-one  years  of  age;  he  then  bought  the  in- 
terest of  his  half  sister's  children  in  the  farm,  and  is  now  the  proprietor  of  seventy 
acres  in  his  own  name  and  his  mother's  one-third  interest.  His  principal  product  is 
potatoes ;  he  also  conducts  a  dairy  of  seven  cows.  He  has  always  taken  an  active 
interest  in  the  success  of  the  Democrat  party  and  its  principles.  He  has  made  many 
valuable  improvements  to  the  property  since  coming  into  possession,  and  has  one 
of  the  finest  properties  of  the  town.  February  29, 1894,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Clara 
Oliver,  daughter  of  the  late  Horatio  Oliver  of  Almond. 

Richardson,  C.  W.,  was  born  in  Bath,  May  7,  1848.  John  Richard.son,  his  father, 
was  also  born  in  Bath.  John  Richardson,  sr.,  his  grandfather,  came  from  Maryland 
to  Bath  in  1808,  and  was  head  miller  for  Mayor  William  Helm    and  was  afterwards 


128  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

identified  as  a  farmer.  John  Richardson,  jr.,  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Oxx,  and  followed  in  his  father's  footsteps,  making  farming  his  life  work.  He  died 
in  1893,  in  his  sixty-sixth  year.  C.  W.  Richardson  was  educated  at  Haverling  Acad- 
emy, and  for  eleven  years  gave  his  attention  to  the  manufacturing  business,  and  in 
1887  invented  the  celebrated  loose  bottom  tins,  now  so  widely  known  as  the  "  Per- 
fection CakeTins,"and  at  once  began  their  manufacture,  which  he  is  now  carrying  on, 
together  with  a  large  line  of  housefurnishing  specialties,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Richardson  Manufacturing  Co.  In  1875  he  married  Delia,  daughter  of  R.  W.  Davis, 
by  whom  he  had  two  children. 

Ross,  Emmett  B.,  was  born  in  Springfield,  Bradford  county.  Pa.,  January  20,  1853. 
Andrew  J.  Ross,  his  father,  was  born  in  Burlington,  Bradford  county.  Pa.,  in  1826, 
and  came  to  Steuben  county  in  the  spring  of  1868,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Camp- 
bell, on  the  Mead's  Creek  road.  In  1850  he  was  married  to  Mara  Grace,  of  Spring- 
field, Bradford  county.  Pa.,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  John  W.,  Emmet  B., 
Dallas  F.,  Bruce  E.,  Olin  and  Andrew.  The  two  last  named  died  in  infancy.  Em- 
met B.  remained  at  home,  attending  the  public  schools  at  Burlington,  Pa.,  Cooper's 
Plains  and  Painted  Post,  N.  Y.,  and  the  Susquehanna  Collegiate  Institute  atTowanda, 
Pa.,  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age,  when  he  began  teaching,  which  vocation 
he  followed  for  three  years.  In  the  spring  of  1873,  when  he  was  twenty  years  of  age, 
he  commenced  reading  law  with  Messrs.  Bradley  and  Kendall,  in  Corning,  N.  Y., 
remaining  with  them  until  the  spring  of  1876,  when  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  after 
successfully  passing  the  required  exammations  before  the  General  Term  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  then  sitting  at  Rochester,  N.  Y.  After  his  admission  to  the  bar  he 
practiced  law  at  Corning,  N.  Y.,  until  1882,  when  he  located  at  Campbell  village, 
where  he  has  since  remained  in  the  active  practice  of  his  profession.  In  the  fall  of 
1876,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Alice  Palmer,  daughter  of  Joseph  G.  Palmer  of  Cooper's 
Plains,  N.  Y.,  bywhom  he  has  three  children:  Raymond  C,  Vance  O.,  and  Glenn 
P.  In  politics  Mr.  Ross  is  a  Democrat.  He  has  twice  been  honored  by  the  voters  of 
Campbell  with  an  election  to  the  supervisorship  of  the  town  by  handsome  majorities, 
although  the  town  has  a  large  Republican  majority.  In  1887  he  was  the  candidate 
of  his  party  for  member  of  assembly  m  the  First  district  of  Steuben  county.  For 
several  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education  at  Campbell,  and  is 
now  the  postmaster  there. 

Beckerman,  Herman  D.,  was  born  Ankum,  Hanover,  Germany,  in  1834.  Herman 
H.,  his  father,  was  an  only  son,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  who  married  Marie  Kock, 
by  whom  he  had  these  children :  Herman,  Dietrich,  Margaret,  Anna,  Arnold,  Eliza- 
beth, and  Minnie,  all  of  whom,  including  the  father,  came  to  America,  but  the 
father  returned  to  Germany  after  two  years'  residence  here.  Herman  D.  landed  in 
New  York  in  1854,  when  twenty  years  of  age,  and  was  married  three  days  after  his 
arrival  to  Mary  Krumpleman,  who  came  over  on  the  same  ship  from  Germany.  He 
engaged  employment  in  a  sugar  refinery,  where  he  remained  for  three  years,  when 
he  went  to  Illinois  and  engaged  in  farming,  having  purchased,  through  his  brother, 
160  acres  of  his  land,  and  two  years  later,  having  found  the  title  to  the  land  worth- 
less, he  returned  to  New  York  where  he  again  engaged  in  the  sugar  refinery  at  an 
advanced  salary  and  with  a  better  position,  where  he  remained  four  years  longer. 
The  next  seven  years  he  spent  as  cartman,  when  he  purchased  a  team  and  engaged 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  129 

ill  the  business  for  himself,  and  being  successful  in  this,  he  purchased  more  teams 
and  went  in  more  extensively  for  seven  years,  and  while  thus  engaged  he  purchased 
a  tract  of  112  acres  of  heavily  timbered  land  in  Wheeler,  where  he  now  resides,  and 
in  1875  removed  to  this  place  and  began  clearing  and  farming.  He  has  added  to  his 
original  purchase  from  time  to  time,  and  now  owns  358  acres  of  fine  farm  land, 
one  farm  of  154  acres  lies  in  the  town  of  Avoca,  and  on  his  home  farm  he  has 
made  many  improvements,  and  erected  buildings  essential  to  a  well  equipped  farm. 
He  has  received  several  injuries  from  vicious  horses,  at  one  time  having  an  arm 
broken,  and  at  another  seven  ribs  and  both  collar  bones,  yet  he  recovered  and 
attends  actively  to  his  business.  His  wife  died  in  April,  1869,  before  he  left  New 
York.  Their  children  are  Elizabeth,  wife  of  T.  P.  Sharer  of  New  York,  Peter, 
Jacob,  and  Anna,  who  died  when  twenty-two  years  of  age.  Peter  resides  on  the 
Avoca  farm,  is  married  and  has  five  children.  Jacob  resides  on  the  home  farm,  is 
married  and  has  one  son. 

Everett,  Charles  H.,  was  born  in  1859,  in  Wheeler,  on  the  farm  which  was  known 
in  the  early  days  of  this  country  as  the  Wheeler  deer  lick,  where  the  old  hunters 
used  to  go  to  hunt  deer.  His  grandfather,  Jesse  Everett,  was  born  in  Massachu- 
setts, in  April,  1784,  a  cousin  of  Edward  Everett,  and  came  to  Wheeler  about  1815, 
and  settled  in  the  forest.  He  was  a  great  hunter,  and  as  the  country  became  more 
settled,  he  moved  farther  into  the  wilds  and  settled  on  the  farm  on  West  Creek  which 
is  now  owned  by  Charles  H.  He  cleared  a  great  deal  of  land  in  this  town,  and 
reared  si.K  sons.  Levi  Everett,  father  of  Charles  H.,  was  born  in  Wheeler  in  1817, 
where  he  spent  his  life  as  an  active  and  successful  farmer.  He  married  Miss  Caro- 
line Sampson,  daughter  of  Christian  and  Catherine  Bonstead  of  Herkimer  county, 
by  whom  he  had  these  children :  Mrs.  Alida  Billings  of  Wheeler,  and  Charles  H. 
Mrs.  Everett  had  one  daughter  by  her  first  husband,  Ellen  Sampson,  now  Mrs. 
Castor  of  Avoca.  Charles  H.  Everett  has  spent  his  life  thus  far  on  the  farm  of  160 
acres,  which  he  came  into  possession  of  after  the  death  of  his  father,  and  which  he 
ably  and  successfully  operates.  He  takes  much  interest  in  the  breeding  of  fine 
grade  Jersey  cattle,  and  chickens;  the  latter  he  raises  in  large  numbers.  In  1884  he 
married  Carrie  A.  Smith,  a  music  teacher  of  Campbell,  and  daughter  of  Silas  S.  and 
Eliza  (Everett)  Smith,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Nellie.  Her  grandfather,  Barna- 
bas Smith,  was  a  pioneer  settler  in  the  town  of  Campbell,  and  the  Everett  family  is 
noted  for  their  interest  in  the  temperance  cause. 

Thacher,  T.  J.  O. — Nathaniel  Thacher,  the  grandfather  of  the  present  generation, 
was  a  native  of  Rhode  Island  and  came  with  his  family  to  Troupsburg  about  1807. 
He  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade.  Judge  Otis  Thacher,  the  father  of  the  present  gen- 
eration, was  born  in  Gloucester,  R.  L,  August  6,  1800.  Otis  Thacher  suffered  all  the 
hardships  of  the  early  pioneers.  He  took  up  farming,  and  his  father  first  owned  the 
Hart  farm,  coming  here  in  1810.  Nathaniel  Thacher  conceived  the  idea  of  moving 
to  the  West,  and  going  through  the  south,  died  at  Florence,  Alabama,  August  24, 
1824.  Judge  Otis  Thacher  was  a  self-educated  man.  He  was  only  twenty-five  years 
of  age  when  he  bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  acres,  where  the  first  ward  of  the  city 
of  Hornellsville  is  now.  He  was  appointed  as  associate  judge  of  the  county  in  1840, 
and  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Presbyterian  society  of  this  county,  and  the 
prime  mover  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  was  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  Masonic 
q 


130  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

fraternity  of  the  county  until  the  Morgan  excitement,  when  he  withdrew  from  the 
organization,  He  was  always  foremost  in  educational  institutions  and  was  one  of 
the  trustees  and  the  procurer  of  the  charter  of  Alfred  University.  He  was  an  old- 
time  Whig,  and  was  the  census  taker  of  eight  towns  in  1851.  He  continued  in  farm- 
ing the  whole  of  his  life,  but  in  1860  built  what  is  now  the  Valley  Roller  Mills.  He 
died  March  14,  1868.  He  was  a  wise  counselor  and  an  impartial  judge.  He  mar- 
ried Hannah  K.  Graves  at  the  age  of  twenty-six,  when  she  was  twenty-three.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  Deacon  Amos  Graves,  the  owner  of  the  large  farm  in  what  is  now 
the  second  ward.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  sons  and  two  daughters,  only  three 
now  living:  Judge  Solon  C.  Thacher,  of  Lawrence,  Kansas,  who  represented  this 
•district  in  the  Legislature  for  one  term  in  1857,  and  moved  to  the  West  the  year  fol- 
lowing and  has  since  been  candidate  for  United  States  senator  two  terms,  governor 
one  term,  and  has  filled  the  position  of  State  senator,  and  is  now  district  judge.  T. 
Scott  Thacher,  the  next  youngest  living,  was  born  July  29,  1833,  and  has  always 
made  his  home  here ;  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Alfred  University,  and 
following  farming  until  1856  when  he  took  charge  of  the  mill,  conducting  it  until 
1872,  since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  mowers  and 
reapers  now  located  in  Corning.  He  has  always  been  prominently  identified  with 
church  work  and  has  been  a  deacon  for  thirty  years.  He  was  unfortunate  in  being 
injured  in  the  mill  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight,  but  it  has  not  deterred  him  from 
being  one  of  the  most  active  business  men  of  this  county.  He  has  always  been  char- 
itable to  a  fault  and  has  an  unlimited  number  of  friends.  Mr.  Thacher  tells  of  buy- 
ing two  hundred  bushels  of  wheat  in  1866,  for  which  he  paid  $3.60  per  bushel.  No- 
vember 16,  1875,  he  married  Sarah  M.,  daughter  of  Charles  N.  Hart,  by  whom  he 
had  four  children.  Theodore  J.  O.  Thacher,  the  youngest  son  of  Judge  Otis,  was 
born  November  15,  1844.  Educated  at  Alfred  University  and  Union  College,  and 
has  been  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  most  of  his  life.  From  1869  to  1876  he  was 
on  a  ranch  in  Kansas.  The  latter  year  he  returned  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  brick.  In  1882  he  bought  back  the  old  Thacher  mill,  conducting  it  until  1891, 
when  he  exchanged  with  George  W.  Morris  for  farm  land  in  Michigan.  After 
spending  one  year  in  that  State  he  returned  to  his  native  town,  and  in  November, 
1894,  opened  a  real  estate  oflSce  in  Hornellsville.  Mr.  Thacher  was  alderman  for 
the  First  ward  for  five  years.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Hartshorn  Pres- 
byterian church,  and  Sabbath  school  superintendent  for  fifteen  years.  While  a 
member  of  the  City  Council  he  was  the  first  to  agitate  the  question  of  pavements. 
In  1873  he  married  Agnes  M.  Goodwin  of  Michigan,  who  died  December  1,  1883, 
leaving  one  son,  W.  F.  Goodwin  Thacher,  now  in  his  sixteenth  year  and  a  student 
of  Alfred  University. 

Ackerson,  Charles  N.,  was  born  in  Pulteney,  February  25,  1826.  Henry  A'ckerson, 
his  father  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey  and  came  to  Steuben  and  settled  in  the  town 
of  Pulteney  in  1813,  and  his  life  was  spent  as  a  farmer;  he  was  a  man  who  took  an 
active  interest  in  school  and  church  matters  and  in  the  development  of  his  county. 
He  married  Lydia  Updegraff  of  Orange  county,  and  died  in  1866,  in  his  seventieth 
year.  Charles  N.  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  in  1854  he  married 
Ruth,  daughter  of  Sherman  H.  Rose,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Frank  H., 
Burton  S.,  and  Mrs.  Helen  Beekman.     Charles  N.  is  one  of  the  representative  busi- 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  131 

ness  men  of  Steuben  county,  taking  an  intelligent  interest  in  educational  and  relig- 
ious institutions,  serving  as  general  superintendent  of  Steuben  County  Agricultural 
Society  for  eighteen  years,  and  vice-president  for  one  year,  and  has  ever  been  ready 
to  advance  the  best  interests  of  his  town. 

Kilbury,  Eli  C,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Fremont,  June  29,  1823.  His  grand- 
father, Robert  Kilbury,  a  farmer  in  Vermont,  removed  to  the  town  of  Fremont,  Steu- 
ben county,  about  1823,  and  thence  to  Indiana  in  1838,  where  he  spent  his  remaining 
days.  In  politics  he  was  a  Whig.  Robert  2d,  Eli's  father,  was  born  in  Vermont,  in 
May,  1796,  and  in  1820  came  to  the  town  of  Fremont.  He  was  a  millwright  by 
trade,  and  also  conducted  a  farm,  being  ably  assisted  by  his  wife,  who  took  charge 
of  the  farm  during  his  absence  while  plying  his  trade,  and  for  many  years  he  also 
owned  and  operated  a  distillery  and  potash  factory  on  his  farm.  His  wife  was 
Eunice  Carrington,  whom  he  married  in  March,  1821.  She  was  born  in  Washington 
county,  in  January,  1804,  and  was  one  of  thirteen  children  born  to  Capt.  Eli  Car- 
rington, who  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812.  He  settled  in  the  town  of  Dansville, 
and  died  in  Cohocton,  at  the  residence  of  one  of  his  children,  aged  100  years.  To 
Robert  and  his  wife  were  born  eight  children;  Mrs.  Sarah  Faulkner,  Eli  C,  Edwin, 
Mrs.  Phcebe  Gates,  of  Iowa,  Smith,  Joel,  Mary,  and  Andrew,  all  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing. Eli  C.  worked  in  a  saw  mill  for  a  short  time,  and  later  followed  the  canal,  and 
in  1845  went  to  the  town  of  How-ard,  where  he  purchased  a  farm.  Two  years  later 
he  removed  to  Bath,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  for  twelve  years,  and  then  re- 
moved to  the  town  of  Wheeler  and  purchased  his  present  farm  of  two  hundred 
acres.  He  has  raised  many  fine  Durham  cattle,  and  also  Jersey.  In  1894  he 
erected  a  saw  mill  and  box  factory,  which  he  operates.  In  1848  he  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  Alexander  Gilchrist,  of  Howard,  and  they  have  had  one  child.  La  Fay- 
ette, who  grew  to  manhood,  and  was  killed  on  the  railroad.  Mrs.  Kilbury  died  in 
1849.  For  his  second  wife  he  married  Isabel  Gilchrist,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife,  and 
they  were  the  parents  of  one  son,  who  grew  to  maturity,  and  was  also  killed  on  the 
raailroad.  His  wife  died  in  1854.  For  his  present  wife  he  married  Jane  Blakely, 
who  was  born  in  Gorham,  Ontario  county,  in  July,  1830,  daughter  of  William  and 
Maria  De  Goff  Blakely,  and  they  have  had  the  following  children:  Robert,  Eli,  de- 
ceased, Mrs.  Mary  McGlynn  of  Avoca,  Frank,  Mrs.  Eunice  Mattice  of  Bath,  Joel, 
deceased,  and  Smith.  The  latter  married  Clara,  daughter  of  Daniel  Morgan,  and 
they  had  one  daughter,  Lena.  His  wife  died  in  1892.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republi- 
can, and  served  two  terms  as  constable,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Kilbury  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  The  grandchildren  are  as  fol- 
lows: Fred  Kilbury;  William,  Lafayette  and  Eli,  sons  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McGlynn; 
Bertha,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frank  Kilbury ;  Jennie  and  Lottie,  daughters  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leonard  Mattice. 

Gardner,  William,  was  born  in  Wheeler,  Steuben  county,  N.Y.,  May  25,  1834,  and 
has  spent  his  whole  life  thus  far  on  the  farm  on  which  he  was  born,  and  of  which  he 
became  the  possessor  after  the  death  of  his  father.  To  the  original  farm  of  170 
acres  he  has  added  twenty-seven  acres,  and  akso  owns  another  farm  of  eighty  acres, 
and  in  connection  with  his  farming  for  some  years  he  did  an  extensive  lumbering 
business.  He  has  filled  nearly  all  the  town  offices,  and  in  1874-75  served  on  the 
Board  of  Supervisors,  and  at  different  times  was  sent  as  county  committeeman.     He 


i3^  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

stood  the  draft  during  the  war,  and  contributed  liberally  to  the  support  of  soldiers  and 
their  families  in  his  town,  and  for  which,  to  them,  his  memory  will  ever  be  dear.  In 
1863  he  married  Emma,  daughter  of  William  and  Polly  (Seager)  Rice,  by  whom  he 
had  three  children :  Delia,  wife  of  M.  C.  Myrtle,  of  Wheeler ;  Mittie,  wife  of  Frank 
Hathaway,  of  Wheeler;  and  Sarah  Edith.  Firman  Gardner,  father  of  William,  was 
born  in  Albany  county,  N.Y.,  in  1793.  He  was  an  only  son,  left  an  orphan,  and  was 
brought  to  the  town  of  Wheeler  when  seven  years  of  age  by  Capt.  Silas  Wheeler 
(this  town  was  named  in  honor  of  him),  with  whom  he  lived  until  he  reached  his  ma- 
jority, when  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Philip  Myrtle,  of  Wheeler,  by  whom 
he  had  eight  children.  Pie  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  his  son,  which  was 
then  covered  with  forest,  which  he  cleared  and  made  a  farm  of  170  acres,  where  he 
died  June  6,  1856,  and  his  wife  in  1885,  aged  eighty-five  years.  He  was  a  soldier 
during  the  war  of  1813. 

Tuthill,  David,  was  born  in  Romulus,  Seneca  county  county,  N.  Y.,  October  11, 
1819.  His  great-grandfather,  John  Tuthill,  was  a  great-grandson  of  John  Tuthill, 
only  son  of  John  Tuthill,  the  Pilgrim,  who  was  one  of  the  colony  of  twelve  families 
that  came  from  England  to  America  on  account  of  religious  persecution,  and  settled 
on  the  east  part  of  Long  Island,  N.Y.,  in  1640,  and  founded  the  town  of  Southold. 
He  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  at  one  time  was  detailed  with  four 
other  resolute,  adventurous  soldiers  to  skirmish  among  the  islands  of  Long  Island 
Sound.  They,  "with  each  a  good  rifle,  ran  a  boat  to  Long  Island  and  other  islands, 
wherever  they  could  get  the  advantage  of  the  British,  and  annoyed  them  so  much 
that  they  offered  thirty  guineas  a  head  for  them,  dead  or  alive ;  but  they  got  none  of 
them."  After  the  war  he  moved  to  Westminster,  Windham  county,  Vt,  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  days.  David's  grandfather,  John  Tuthill,  was  born  on 
Plumb  Island,  June  30,  1766.  He  went  to  Otsego  county  when  it  was  a  wilderness 
and  took  up  land  in  the  town  of  Maryland,  where  he  spent  his  days  clearing  up  and 
tilling  his  farm.  He  was  a  man  of  influence,  and  served  his  town  many  years  as 
justice  of  the  peace.  He  married  Lucy  Fuller  of  Westminster,  Vt.,  and  his  oldest 
son,  John,  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812;  was  taken  prisoner  during  the  battle  of 
Lundy's  Lane,  and  it  is  not  known  what  became  of  him.  David's  father,  Tyrus 
Tuthill,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Maryland,  Otsego  county,  March  30,  1794.  When 
twenty-two  years  of  age  he  went  to  the  town  of  Romulus,  Seneca  county,  N.Y.,  and 
engaged  in  teaching  school,  which  he  followed  there  for  three  or  four  years.  In  the 
mean  time  he  and  Elizabeth  Brown  were  married,  and  in  ^the  spring  of  1820  they 
moved  on  to  the  wilderness  farm  in  the  town  of  Pulteney,  where  they  continued  to 
live  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  For  a  few  years  his  only  business  was  clearing  up 
his  farm,  though  his  service  as  school  teacher  was  frequently  applied  for,  and  after 
a  number  of  years  he  engaged  in  the  business  and  taught  several  winter  terms  in 
different  districts  in  the  town  of  Pulteney.  He  was  a  man  of  strong  religious  and 
political  convictions,  and  one  who  had  the  courage  to  announce  them ;  and  was  ever 
ready  to  render  a  reason  for  the  faith  that  was  in  him,  whether  religious  or  political. 
He  was  much  opposed  to  slavery,  a  staunch  advocate  of  the  right  as  he  saw  it,  and 
an  occasional  newspaper  correspondent.  Their  family  of  children  were  Mandeville, 
David,  Phoebe,  Harriet  M.,  Lucy,  Cynthia  and  Charles,  of  whom  only  David  is  now 
living.     He  died  in  1892,  nearly  ninety-eight  years  old,  having  lived  under  the  ad- 


Family  sketches.  1.33 

ministration  of  every  president  of  the  United  States.  His  wife  died  in  1884,  aged 
over  ninety-one  years.  David  Tuthill  received  his  education  in  the  common  school 
in  the  school  district  in  which  his  father  lived  and  at  the  Franklin  Academy.  In 
1844  he  married  Annis  H.,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Mary  Stewart  Francis.  The 
names  of  their  children  are  John  M.,  deceased;  Mary  E.,  deceased;  Mandeville  E., 
Spencer  F.,  and  Harriet  M.,  wife  of  Alfred  Brown.  From  1846  to  1852  he  lived  in 
the  town  of  South  Bristol,  Ontario  county ;  from  1852  to  1866  in  the  town  of  Bath, 
Steuben  county,  since  which  time  he  has  resided  in  Prattsburg.  In  politics  Mr. 
Tuthill  was  first  a  Whig,  and  a  Republican  since  the  organization  of  the  Republican 
party.  His  occupation  through  life  has  been  farmmg,  in  connection  with  which,  in 
his  younger  days,  he  taught  school  thirteen  wmter  terms  in  school  districts  adjacent 
to  the  different  localities  in  which  he  lived.  By  giving  his  undivided  attention  to 
business  he  has  been  fairly  successful.  His  brother  Charles  enlisted  in  the  fall  of 
1863,  was  in  Wilson's  raid  in  Virginia,  taken  prisoner  by  the  rebels  and  sent  to 
Andersonville  prison,  where  he  died  from  exposure,  inhuman  treatment  and  starva- 
tion. 

Dygert,  Peter,  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  December  20,  1824  George 
Dygert,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  the  county,  where  the  family  came  at  a  very 
early  date  and  formed  a  settlement  known  as  the  Dygert  settlement,  before  the 
Revolutionary  war.  Peter  Dygert  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1859  and  settled  in  the 
town  of  Wheeler,  and  in  1867  came  to  Bath  and  bought  the  Jason  Stone  farm,  where 
he  now  resides.  In  1845  he  married  Rosa  Van  Evera,  who  died  in  1846  and  by 
whom  he  had  one  child,  George;  and  in  1858  he  married  Susan  Wagner,  by  whom  he 
had  one  child,  James. 

Tolbert,  John  F.,  was  born  in  Savona,  July  3,  1823,  son  of  John  Tolbert,  who  came 
to  Steuben  county  in  1809  and  devoted  his  time  to  lumbering  and  farming.  He  mar- 
ried Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Henry  Trovenger.  John  F.  Tolbert  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools.  In  1860  he  married  Mary  R.  French,  who  died  in  1871.  For  his 
second  wife  he  married  Sarah  A.  Tillott,  and  they  have  one  son,  James.  Mr.  Tol- 
bert is  one  of  the  conservative  men  of  the  town,  identified  as  a  contractor,  builder, 
and  farmer,  and  taking  an  active  interest  in  school  and  church  work. 

Quigley,  James,  was  born  'n  of  Magherafelt,  County  of  Londonderry,  :reland, 
February  7,  1853.  His  grandfather,  William  Quigley,  was  a  man  of  wealth  and  in- 
fluence, a  33d  degree  Mason,  a  sturdy  Presbyterian,  and  took  an  active  part  as  a 
volunteer  and  yeoman  with  the  EngUsh  government  in  assisting  the  Protestants  in 
the  North  of  Ireland  in  their  terrible  struggle  for  religious  peace  and  liberty  from 
1790  to  1803,  durmg  which  period  occurred  the  Rebellion  to  overthrow  the  act  of  union 
between  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  the  outcome  of  which  was  its  firm  establishment. 
He  also  took  part  in  the  establishment  of  the  public  school  system  of  that  country. 
His  wife  was  Jane  Campbell,  who  was  born  in  Glasgow,  Scotland,  and  they  were  the 
parents  of  six  sons  and  three  daughters.  He  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years,  and 
his  wife  lived  to  be  one  hundred  and  one  years  old.  John  Quigley,  father  of  James, 
was  the  youngest  of  the  family,  and  also  did  much  toward  establi.shing  free  public 
schools  in  Ireland,  and  was  a  high  Mason.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Ben- 
jamine  and  IMartha  Ellison   Booth.     Mr.  Booth  was  of  English   parentage,  a  high 


134  LANDMARKS  OP  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Mason,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Established  church,  and  lived  to  be  one  hundred 
and  three  years  old.  James,  who  was  the  oldest  of  the  family,  which  consisted  of 
five  sons  and  one  daughter,  remained  with  his  parents  until  May  13,  1873,  when  he 
emigrated  to  America,  coming  direct  to  Geneva,  N.Y.,  where  he  soon  found  employ- 
ment in  the  nursery  business  with  T.  C.  Maxwell  &  Bros.,  where  he  remained  seven 
years,  when  he  resigned  and  removed  to  Prattsburg  where  he  spent  five  years  in 
farming,  after  which  he  became  engaged  in  the  general  freighting  business  between 
Kanona  and  Prattsburg,  prior  to  the  construction  of  the  Kanona  and  Prattsburg  rail- 
road. In  1890  he  engaged  in  carrying  the  U.  S.  mail  between  Prattsburg  and  Pulte- 
ney,  which  was  a  new  route  recently  established.  Politically  he  is  a  staunch  Repub- 
lican, and  in  1890  was  nominated  and  elected  constable  of  his  town,  being  the  only 
Republican  candidate  elected  in  the  town,  and  since  then  has  been  elected  to  that 
office  for  four  consecutive  years.  In  January,  1892,  he  was  appointed  deputy  sheriff 
under  Holland,  and  again  in  1895  under  L.  D.  Whiting,  the  present  sheriff,  and  in 
the  past  two  years  has  succeeded  in  bringing  to  justice  several  criminals,  five  of 
whom  were  sent  to  State's  prison,  and  to  him  is  credited  the  arrest  and  conviction  of 
the  notorious  forgers,  William  J.  Daniels  and  Edward  R.  Folsom  of  Hammondsport, 
N.Y.,  for  which  they  were  sentenced  fourteen  years,  and  ten  years,  respectively. 
He  was  united  in  marriage,  September  5,  1873,  by  the  Rev.  William  Hogarth,  of 
Geneva,  N.Y.,  with  Esther  Love,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Jane  Love,  who  were  old 
neighbors  of  Mr.  Quigley's  in  County  Londonderry,  they  having  crossed  the  Atlantic 
together.  Their  children  are  William  H.,  who  is  an  employee  of  the  K.  &  P.  R.  R., 
Samuel  J.,  John  C,  Thomas  L.,  Benjamine  H.,  Anna  and  Florence  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Quigley  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Peck,  George  L.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Canisteo,  January  27,  1864.  Samuel  B. 
Peck,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Cameron  in 
18:^1.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  by  trade  a  mason,  which  business  he  followed  in  con- 
nection with  his  farm  work.  He  married  Jane  E.  Merrell  of  Cameron,  by  whom  he 
had  nine  children:  Joseph,  Mattie,  Emma,  George  L  ,  Julius,  Julia,  Lottie,  Albert, 
and  Minnie.  Joseph  and  Emma  are  dead.  George  L.  has  for  many  years  been  one 
of  the  leading  men  in  his  trade  as  a  carpenter,  and  is  now  devoting  his  time  and  at- 
tention to  a  farm  of  ninety  acres,  which  he  owns.  He  married  Alice,  daughter  of 
Mark  Jones  of  Canisteo. 

Carpenter,  William,  was  born  in  Oxford,  Chenango  county,  N.Y.,  July  26,  1827, 
second  of  a  family  of  ten  children  born  to  James  and  Elizabeth  (Dodge)  Carpenter. 
James  was  born  in  Otsego  county  in  1800,  and  Mrs.  Carpenter  was  born  in  Preston, 
Chenango  county,  in  1802.  The  grandfather,  Joseph,  spent  his  life  in  Otsego  county, 
where  he  died  in  1808.  The  maternal  grandfather,  Peter  Dodge,  was  born  in  Che- 
nango county,  and  died  in  East  Troupsburg.  James  Carpenter  was  a  farmer  and 
came  to  East  Troupsburg  in  1831,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years.  His 
wife  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-nine  years.  William  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  was 
educated  in  the  district  schools  He  remained  at  home  until  he  reached  his  majority, 
when  he,  with  his  brother  Willis,  took  up  a  farm  of  100  acres  in  Troupsburg,  which 
he  soon  sold  and  purchased  another  farm  of  100  acres,  where  he  lived  for  twelve 
years.  He  then  bought  and  sold  various  farms  until  coming  to  WoodhuU,  where  he 
owns  a  fine  farm  of  300  acres.     The  year  1876  was  spent  in  Tioga  county,  Pa.     Mr. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  135 

Carpenter  lived  on  his  farm  at  WoodhuU  until  1885,  when  he  came  to  the  village  and 
now  lives  a  retired  life.  In  1853  he  was  poormaster  in  Troupsburg,  1858-59,  high- 
way commissioner,  and  in  1862,  supervisor.  He  was  supervisor  of  Woodhull  in  1878, 
'74,  '75,  road  commissioner  in  1869,  and  justice  of  the  peace  for  eight  consecutive 
years.  He  has  been  trustee  of  the  academy  for  nine  years.  November  19,  1850,  he 
married  Miriam  Pease,  by  whom  he  had  six  daughters  and  one  son :  Susan,  wife  of 
J.  Edwards;  Huldah,  wife  of  R.  L.  Symonds;  Delphian,  wife  of  E.  Bats;  Jennie, 
wife  of  William  Cook ;  Lydia,  wife  of  J.  C.  Husted ;  Jessie,  and  W.  G.  Carpenter. 
On  the  4th  day  of  July,  1894,  William  Carpenter  was  chosen  president  of  the  day, 
and  here  is  his  opening  speech:  "  Friends,  we  have  met  here  to-day  to  celebrate  the 
day  that  was  created  117  years  ago  to-day.  On  the  4th  day  of  July,  in  the  year 
1776,  my  friends,  we  ever  must  revere.  Our  fathers  took  their  muskets  then  to  fight 
for  freedom  dear.  We  had  Green,  Gates  and  Putnam  to  manage  in  the  field,  a  gal- 
lant train  of  heroes,  who  rather  die  than  yield.  Then  you  remember  the  battles 
which  were  fought:  The  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  the  battle  of  Lexington,  the  battle  of 
Trenton,  and  finally  the  battle  of  Yorktown,  where  the  American  Independence  was 
gained.  'Twas  then  and  there  the  brave  old  soldiers  said  '  King  George,  we  do  not 
fear  the  rattling  of  your  thunder  nor  lightning  of  your  spear.'  In  a  few  months 
after  that  peace  was  declared,  and  we  became  a  great  nation.  Friends,  what  do  we 
see?  Then  we  see  the  emigrants  coming  to  our  shores;  they  come  from  every  nation  ; 
they  come  from  every  way ;  they  come,  they  come  to  the  '  Land  of  the  free  and  the 
home  of  the  brave.'  Then  these  emigrants;  some  go  to  the  northward,  some  go  to 
the  southward,  but  the  great  majority  go  westward,  westward  the  star  of  the  Empire, 
the  star  of  Liberty,  until  we  have  sixty-five  millions  of  free  and  happy  people. 
Friends,  lest  I  weary  you,  in  conclusion  would  say,  I  am  proud  of  our  country;  I  am 
proud  of  these  old  soldiers  sitting  here ;  I  am  proud  of  these  gentlemen  sitting  at  my 
right;  and  above  all  I  am  proud  of  that  old  flag;  long  may  it  wave.  '  Long  may  it 
wave,  o'er  the  land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave.'  We  are  a  great  nation, 
indeed  who  has  a  better  right  to  celebrate? " — Com. 

Starr,  Clarence  L.,  M.D.,  was  born  in  Georgetown,  County  Halton,  Ontario,  Can., 
July  1,  1867.  Milton  H.,  his  father,  is  a  physician  in  Whitby,  Canada,  a  graduate  of 
Bellevue,  New  York  city,  class  of  '66.  He  was  the  father  of  two  sons:  Frank  H.,  in 
practice  with  his  father ;  and  Clarence  L.  The  latter  was  educated  in  the  Whitby 
Collegiate  Institute  and  in  1885  entered  the  University  of  Toronto,  taking  the  art 
course  the  first  year,  and  then  in  1886  entering  the  medical  department,  from  which 
he  graduated  with  the  degree  of  M.D.,  June  10,  1890.  The  following  fall  he  went  to 
New  York  and  after  one  session  at  Bellevue,  from  which  he  graduated  in  March,  1891, 
he  entered  the  New  York  Hospital  for  the  Relief  of  the  Ruptured  and  Crippled, 
where  he  spent  one  year  and  four  months.  He  was  then  for  six  months  with  Dr. 
Powers  as  as.sistant  for  the  out-door  charitable  practice.  The  doctor  also  holds  a 
certificate  from  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  Ontario.  In  March,  1892, 
he  was  offered  the  position  of  surgeon  to  the  HornellsviUe  Sanitarium,  which  posi- 
tion he  accepted,  and  has  since  been  a  resident  of  Steuben  county.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  HornellsviUe  Medical  and  Surgical  Association.  In  November,  1892,  he  mar- 
ried Annie  L.  Dryden,  of  Whitby,  Canada.  They  have  one  child,  Marion  Gertrude. 
Mrs.  Starr  is  daughter  of  Hon.  John  Dryden,  minister  of  agriculture  of  the  Provin- 
cial Legislature  of  Ontario. 


136  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

McGuire,  Charles  F.,  was  born  in  Hornellsville,  June  22,  1853.  Michael  McGuire 
his  father,  was  a  native  of  Fermanaugh  county,  Ireland,  and  came  to  this  country  in 
1847,  and  was  in  various  places  in  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  until  the  spring  of 
1850.  His  location  here  was  an  accident.  He  had  been  in  Saratoga  and  in  the  spring 
of  1850  he  heard  they  were  going  to  build  a  railroad  in  this  section,  and  arriving  here 
in  April  of  that  year,  he  worked  for  Judge  Thatcher  for  the  first  month  and  then  fol- 
lowed it  up  by  helping  him  repair  his  residence,  The  winter  of  1850  and  '51  he  was 
employed  as  a  carpenter  at  bridge  building  on  the  Erie  Railroad,  and  the  next  spring 
took  up  general  jobbing  in  carpenter  work,  and  then  became  a  contractor;  one  resi- 
dence on  Elm  street,  John  Carry's  residence  on  Jane  street  were  his  labor,  and  he 
also  built  Hilton's  house  on  the  corner  of  Oak  and  Elm  streets,  and  did  much  work 
on  the  Prindle  tannery.  He  is  an  enthusiastic  Republican  and  was  for  three  years 
assessor  of  the  town  and  three  years  an  auditor.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
Catholic  church  and  has  always  been  one  of  its  warmest  supporters.  He  is  a  man 
who  came  to  the  town  with  very  small  possessions  and  who  by  industry  and  perse- 
verance has  become  one  of  the  representative  men  of  the  town.  He  is  now  in  his 
si.\ty-ninth  year.  In  1851  he  married  Catherme  Pardon  of  Andover,  who  died  in 
1878,  leaving  seven  children,  five  now  living.  The  block  now  occupied  by  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  as  a  hardware  store  and  plumber  shop  is  the  McGuire  block  erected  in 
1874.  Charles  served  an  apprenticespip  at  the  tmner  trade,  and  in  in  1870  went  with 
Vanetten  &  Smith  to  learn  the  tinner' strade.  When  he  had  served  his  time  he  went 
in  business  for  himself,  and  by  close  attention  he  became  a  professional  mechanic 
and  a  practical  plumber,  and  has  established  a  rejjutation  for  first  class  work.  He 
located  in  his  present  quarters  in  1875  and  employs  from  two  to  five  men  as  the  times 
demand.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  thorough  protectionist,  and  held  the 
office  of  city  treasurer  in  1878.  He  also  served  three  terms  as  the  representative  of 
the  Third  ward  in  the  Common  Council.  He  is  one  of  the  Board  of  Examiners  of 
plumbers,  and  supervisor  of  plumbing  for  the  city,  appointed  by  the  mayor  in  1893 
as  "master plumber."  In  1878  he  married  Catherine  Biggins,  a  native  of  Ireland, 
of  this  city,  by  whom  he  had  six  children,  four  living  now. 

Wakeley,  Dr.  Benjamin  C,  was  born  in  New  Hudson,  Allegany  county,  March  7, 
1854.  Hiram  Wakeley,  his  father,  was  a  farmer,  who  is  well  known  as  one  of  the 
leading  Republicans  of  that  county,  having  served  in  the  Lower  House  of  the  State 
Legislature  for  two  terms,  also  as  supervisor  of  his  town  for  a  number  of  years.  He 
is  still  livmg  and  is  about  seventy  years  old.  Benjamin  C,  the  only  son  of  a  family 
of  three  children,  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  Belfast  Academy,  and  Ten 
Broeck  Free  Academy  at  Franklinville,  N.Y.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  entered  a 
drug  store  at  Cuba,  N.  Y.,  where  he  spent  two  years.  Later  he  was  under  the  in- 
struction of  William  M.  Smith,  health  officer  ot  the  port  of  New  York,  with  whom  he 
remained  four  years  at  Angelica  until  1873.  He  graduated  from  the  medical  depart- 
ment of  the  Buffalo  LTniversity  in  1876.  Dr.  Smith  was  appointed  health  officer  in 
1880  and  Dr.  Wakeley  took  up  the  practice  left  open  by  him.  In  1891  he  removed  to 
Hornellsville,  where  he  has  established  a  successful  and  extensive  practice.  Shortly 
after  coming  here  he  entered  into  partnership  with  Dr.  Joseph  S.  Dolson,  which 
partnership  existed  until  the  failing  health  of  the  latter  compelled  him  to  retire 
from  the  profession.     The  doctor  is  a  member  of  the  Hornellsville  Medical  Associa- 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  137 

tion  aud  of  the  New  York  State  Medical  Association.  In  1893  Dr.  Wakeley  was 
elected  coroner  for  a  term  of  three  years,  and  in  1892  was  appointed  city  physician 
and  has  been  reappointed  each  successive  year.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
order  and  is  the  surgeon  of  the  Central  New  York  &  Western  Railroad.  In  1878  he 
married  Miss  Mary  Schofield  of  Angelica,  by  whom  he  has  two  children:  Josephine 
and  Martha. 

Ayers,  Nelson,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hector,  January  24.  1824,  son  of  Daniel  B. 
Ayers,  who  lived  and  died  in  the  town  of  Ulysses.  Nelson  was  given  a  common 
school  education,  which  he  improved  by  good  reading  and  careful  study.  He  re- 
mained with  his  father  until  twenty-three  years  of  age,  and  then  bought  a  farm  in 
the  town  of  Enfield,  where  he  spent  seven  years,  and  then  returned  to  Ulysses, 
making  his  home  there  till  the  spring  of  1868,  when  he  came  to  Steuben  county  and 
bought  the  Dyke  farm  of  160  acres,  where  he  has  made  many  valuable  improve- 
ments. He  is  a  Democrat  and  is  now  serving  his  fourth  year  as  one  of  the  assess- 
ors. In  1845  he  married  Maria  S.  Van  Kirk  of  Ulysses,  and  three  children  were 
born  to  them,  none  of  whom  is  living.  Mrs.  Ayers  died  in  1864.  The  present  Mrs. 
Ayers  was  Sarah  E.  Curry,  sister  of  Dr.  Silas  T.  Curry,  and  widow  of  Chester  L. 
Francis.  An  adopted  daughter,  Margaret  Francis,  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Edgar 
Beach,  and  forms  part  of  Mr.  Ayers's  family.  She  has  two  children:  Maria  Louise, 
now  in  her  sixth  year,  and  Sophia  Cora  in  her  fourth  year. 

Palmer,  Dr.  William  Everett,  was  born  m  Truxton,  Cortland  county,  N.  Y.,  June 
30,  1838,  the  second  son  of  Norman  Palmer,  a  farmer  of  that  town.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  Milton  College,  Wisconsin,  and  after  twelve  years  spent  in  teaching  he  took 
up  the  study  of  medicine.  He  was  for  four  years  principal  of  public  schools  in 
Salem,  N.  J.  His  first  study  of  medicine  was  with  Dr.  John  D.  Kenyon  of  Westerly, 
R.  I.,  and  he  then  entered  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  New  York, 
graduating  May  2,  1882.  He  began  practice  with  Dr.  Daniel  Lewis  in  New  Y^ork 
city,  and  the  fall  of  1882  located  in  Hornellsville,  where  we  now  find  him  with  one  of 
the  most  extensive  circle  of  friends  of  any  member  of  the  profession.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Steuben  County  Medical  Society,  and  Hornellsville  Medical  and  Surgical 
Association.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  a  supporter  of  the  Seventh  Day 
Baptist  church.  He  has  also  been  prommently  identified  with  many  of  the  insurance 
and  benefit  organizations.  In  1864  he  married  Maggie  C  Noble  of  Shiloh,  N.  J.,  by 
whom  he  had  three  children :  Ivie  J.,  a  graduate  of  Alfred  and  one  of  the  musical 
experts  of  Hornellsville;  Jessie  M.,  a  student  of  the  academy,  and  Everett  C,  also 
a  student. 

Spink,  William  H.,  was  born  in  Geneva,  Ontario  county,  June  10,  1852.  John 
Spink,  the  father  of  William,  was  a  native  of  England,  ccime  to  this  country  in  1844 
and  located  in  Geneva,  where  he  followed  his  trade  of  tailor.  He  removed  to  Hor- 
nellsville in  1854,  and  it  was  here  William  was  reared  and  educated  in  the  common 
schools.  His  first  occupation  was  in  the  mercantile  line,  and  at  about  eighteen  years 
of  age  he  began  an  apprenticeship  as  carpenter  and  builder,  where  there  were  fifteen 
men;  in  less  than  seven  years  they  were  working  for  him.  In  1876  he  began  taking 
contracts  for  the  erection  of  buildings.  His  first  contract  was  the  residence  of  Dave 
Carl,  although  he  was  foreman  builder  of  the  Dr,  Robinson  block  at  the  corner  of 


138  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Main  street  and  Haker  avenue.  Since  that  time  he  has  erected  some  of  the  finest 
places  of  this  city,  viz.,  Columbia  School  building,  rebuilt  the  Lincoln  School,  Pres- 
ton's and  Hutchinson's  residences,  the  McDougal  and  Smith  buildings  on  Broad 
street,  Nellie  McDonald's  building,  O.  W.  Pratt's  residence,  and  Schaul  Bro=.,  Frank 
Bennett's  house,  and  many  other  of  the  fine  residences  of  the  city;  also  a  large  block 
of  seven  houses ;  he  built  fourteen  houses  in  one  season.  He  was  married,  May  7, 
1874,  to  Miss  May  Whiting,  daughter  of  Oliver  Whiting,  a  farmer  of  Hartsville,  who 
died  January  17,  1894.  They  have  five  children:  Belle,  Mark  W.  of  the  academy, 
Frank  G.,  Bertha  M.,  and  Florence  E. 

Huntley,  Seth  M.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Avon,  Livingston  county,  N.  Y.,  Sep- 
tember 30.  1840.  Albert  G.  Huntley,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  native  of  Mich- 
igan and  became  a  resident  of  Steuben  county  about  1850,  locating  at  Corning.  He 
was  in  early  life  a  farmer,  afterward  a  lumberman  and  mill  owner,  and  the  later 
twenty-five  years  of  his  life  he  conducted  hotels  in  Corning  and  Pennsylvania.  He 
died  in  1863.  Of  his  seven  children,  Seth  was  the  third.  He  had  the  advantage  of 
a  common  school  education,  and  was  only  in  his  eleventh  year  when  he  left  the 
paternal  roof  and  began  his  life  work  on  a  farm.  He  was  employed  with  his  uncle 
in  the  town  of  Burns,  Allegany  county  until  twenty-two  years  of  age.  In  1862  he 
leased  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Burns  and  in  1868  in  partnership  with  his  father-in-law, 
he  bought  the  Tom  Bennett  farm  of  seventy-five  acres,  three  miles  north  of  the  city 
of  Hornellsville,  where  he  has  ever  since  been  located.  Mr.  Huntley  has  made  the 
farm  a  garden,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  most  prosperous  farmers  of  this  section. 
He  was  married,  October  13,  1862,  to  Miss  Cornelia  L.  Downs,  daughter  of  Alan.son 
W.  Downs,  a  prominent  farmer  of  Hornellsville.  Thej'  have  been  the  parents  of  two 
children:  Alanson  Hart  Huntley,  who  is  with  his  father  on  the  farm,  and  Arthur 
Albert,  student  of  Baltimore  Medical  College  of  the  class  of  1896.  Mrs.  Huntley  died 
October  29.  1886;  a  true  Christian  and  a  devoted  wife  and  loving  mother,  her  family 
will  never  cease  to  mourn  her  loss. 

Powers,  Edward,  was  born  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  November  8,  1857.  John  Powers, 
the  father  of  Edward,  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1847.  He 
learned  the  trade  of  tailor  in  his  native  land,  and  was  located  in  Newark  until  1868. 
That  year  he  removed  to  Dunkirk,  where  he  entered  the  employ  of  Mead  McCamp- 
bell  &  Co.,  and  continued  in  such  for  about  one  year,  when  the  firm  went  out  of  ex- 
istence. He  then  moved  to  Corning,  Steuben  county,  where  he  entered  the  employ 
of  Sam  Wellington.  Young  Edward  about  this  time  started  to  learn  the  business  of 
his  father,  under  whose  careful  training  he  became  an  expert  tailor,  and  in  1875  he 
came  to  Hornellsville  where  he  entered  the  employ  of  Lehman  &  Ryan,  and  after- 
wards with  Adsit  &  Son.  He  spent  one  year  in  Ithaca,  and  returning  to  Hornells- 
ville in  1881,  he  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Ryan  &  Powers,  which  existed 
about  two  years.  After  this  venture  Mr.  Powers  kept  a  small  concern  on  Main  street 
until  his  present  venture,  which  he  started  in  1887.  Mr.  Powers  is  the  leading  tailor 
of  the  city  and  commands  a  large  portion  of  the  trade  of  the  surrounding  country; 
he  employs  from  fourteen  to  eighteen  hands  in  his  shop,  which  is  over  his  spacious 
store  on  Broad  and  Canisteo  streets.  Mr.  Powers  has  always  taken  an  active  inter- 
est in  politics,  and  although  being  a  strong  Republican  he  has  been  twice  elected  to 
represent  his  ward — the  third — which  is  Democratic,  as  alderman.     He  was  married 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  139 

in  1879  to  Miss  Rose  O'Connor  of  Hornellsville,  by  whom  he  had  five  children,  three 
of  whom  are  living:  Anna,  a  student  at  St.  Ann's  Academic  School;  Mary  and 
Frances;  John,  who  died  in  1887  at  the  age  of  six;  and  Edward  Early,  who  died  in 
1891,  being  only  one  year  old. 

Smith,  Thomas  N.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Pulteney,  August  6,  1844.  His  father, 
Philip  T.  Smith,  was  a  native  of  Putnam  county,  son  of  Thomas  Smith,  and  grand- 
son of  Philip  Smith,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Philip  T.  came  to 
Steuben  in  1840,  settling  in  Pulteney,  and  married  Aner,  a  daughter  of  Niles  Dean, 
whose  ancestors  came  from  England  in  the  "Mayflower."  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  had 
but  one  child,  a  son,  Thomas  N.  In  1858  they  moved  to  Bath,  and  in  185-J  to  the 
farm  near  Kanona.  Before  coming  to  Steuben  county,  Mr.  Smith  was  engaged  in 
contracting  and  building;  but  after  coming  here  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  died 
in  1886,  aged  eighty- four  years.  Mrs.  Smith  died  in  1895,  aged  seventy-five  years. 
Thomas  N.  was  educated  at  Bath,  Painted  Post  and  Prattsburg,  and  has  made  an 
intelligent  and  scientific  study  of  farming,  breeding  short-horn  cattle  and  Chester 
White  swine.  For  the  past  three  years  Mr.  Smith  has  served  as  treasurer  of  the 
Steuben  County  Agricultural  Society,  and  in  the  fall  of  1894  was  the  Democratic  can- 
didate for  county  treasurer,  but  was  defeated  by  his  Republican  rival. 

Prentice,  Jonathan  R.,  was  born  in  Hancock,  New  Hampshire,  in  1795,  and  came 
to  Steuben  county  in  1823  with  his  father,  Henry  Prentice,  and  bought  land  in  the 
town  of  Jasper.  They  returned  to  New  Hampshire,  and  the  following  spring  he, 
with  his  brother,  William,  returned  on  foot.  They  cleared  ten  acres  of  land  and 
sowed  wheat.  They  owned  together  160  acres,  but  Mr.  Prentice  sold  his  interest 
and  moved  on  to  another  section  in  the  valley,  where  he  spent  the  balance  of  his  life. 
He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  township,  and  was  for  a  number  of  years  the 
supervisor.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church  of  the  town, 
and  was  clerk  of  the  school  district  for  a  great  many  years.  He  reared  a  family  of 
three  children:  Henry  C,  who  went  to  Kansas,  where  he  died  in  1887,  at  the  age  of 
fifty-eight;  Mrs.  George  D.  Woodward,  of  Greenwood,  N.  Y.,  and  William  R.  The 
latter  was  educated  at  Alfred  University  and  remained  on  the  farm  until  twenty-one. 
He  was  three  years  in  the  army  as  a  member  of  the  161st  Regt.  N.  Y.  Vols.,  enlist- 
ing as  a  private  and  rising  to  first  lieutenant,  and  then  captain  of  Co.  H.  After  the 
war  closed  he  was  engaged  in  mercantile  business  for  eight  years,  then  took  up 
teaching,  first  at  Alfred,  and  then  three  years  as  principal  of  a  grammar  school  at 
Elmira,  N.  Y.  In  1887  he  was  engaged  to  fill  the  position  of  superintendent  of 
schools  and  principal  of  the  academy  of  Hornellsville,  which  position  he  has  since 
occupied. 

White,  William  W.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Ossian,  Livingston  county.  May  27, 
1842.  James  G.  White,  his  father,  was  a  farmer,  and  of  his  family  of  ten  children, 
William  W.  was  the  sixth.  He  was  given  an  education  in  the  common  schools  and 
at  fourteen  years  of  age  entered  Rogersville  Seminary,  where  he  took  up  the  study 
of  medicine  with  some  of  the  most  noted  physicians  of  Steuben  and  Livingston  coun- 
ties. He  taught  school  for  nine  years  in  different  towns  in  Livingston  and  Steuben 
counties,  and  was  also  one  year  a  teacher  in  Michigan.  He  also  spent  some  time 
lumbering  on  the  Allegany  River  and  then  started  a  market  in  Dansville,  Livingston 


140  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

county,  which  he  conducted  a  year,  and  then  went  to  Canaseraga  where  he  engaged 
in  the  same  business.  Tne  reason  we  do  not  find  Mr.  White  in  the  medical  profes- 
sion was  that  at  the  time  of  the  first  diphtheria  epidemic  he  was  one  of  the  afflicted 
ones,  and  by  that  prevented  from  entering  Ann  Arbor  University.  About  this  same 
time  he  was  married,  and  the  cares  of  having  a  family  were  all  he  could  carry. 
November,  1870,  he  moved  to  Hornellsville  and  established  a  sewing  machine  and 
organ  agency,  in  which  he  was  engaged  for  about  three  years.  His  first  experience 
in  real  estate  business  was  in  Canaseraga  about  two  years,  and  he  continued  it  after 
locating  in  Hornellsville.  About  1878  he  was  elected  constable  on  the  Democratic 
ticket,  and  held  the  office  about  twelve  years.  He  has  been  twelve  years  conducting 
a  real  estate  business  in  this  city,  and  in  1887  added  insurance  and  an  employment 
agency  to  his  alreadj'  extensive  business.  He  has  always  been  a  general  dealer  in 
all  kinds  of  real  estate,  especially  Southern;  has  been  notary  public  for  about  eight 
years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  retired  member  of  other  organiza- 
tions. March  6,  1861,  he  married  Harriet  Scherer  of  Dansville,  by  whom  he  had  one 
child,  William  W.  White,  jr.,  now  in  his  twenty  first  year,  a  student  of  Hornellsville 
Business  University.  An  adopted  son,  John  Acker,  in  his  thirtieth  year,  an  em- 
employee  of  the  Richardson  Shoe  factory,  was  for  many  years  a  member  of  his 
family.     He  is  also  an  artist  of  more  than  usual  ability. 

Pierson,  Horace  G.,  was  born  m  Canoga.  Seneca  county,  N.Y.,  September  24,  1858. 
Jesse  B.  Pierson,  his  father,  was  in  early  life  interested  with  his  father  in  wagon  and 
carriage  manufacturing,  and  was  afterward  interested  in  the  Cayuga  Lake  Bending 
W^orks,  of  which  he  was  superintendent.  He  has  now  retired  from  active  busi- 
ness. Simeon,  the  grandfather  of  Horace,  was  a  native  of  Morristown,  N.  J.  The 
family  originally  were  of  English  stock.  In  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century  a 
certain  Abraham  Pierson,  a  preacher  of  the  gospel,  joined  a  party  of  Hollanders  then 
about  to  embark  for  America.  In  1650  the  little  band  landed  in  New  Jersey  and 
called  their  new  home  Newark,  in  remembrance  of  the  old  home  of  their  pastor.  Rev. 
Pierson.  Thomas  Pierson,  son  of  Abraham,  was  born  October  10,  1667,  and  received 
his  early  education  from  his  father,  afterwards  going  to  Europe  to  complete  his 
studies.  When  he  returned  to  America  he  became  the  first  president  of  Yale  College. 
His  statue  may  now  be  seen  on  the  college  campus.  It  is  through  his  son  Timothy 
that  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  descended.  The  ancestors  of  this  family  are  fitly 
represented  in  the  present  day  by  Horace  G.  Pierson.  When  a  man  of  such  ex- 
emplary habits,  business  ability,  and  a  mind  for  the  good  things  of  this  life  is  found 
in  these  days,  it  is  pleasant  to  trace  those  points  of  character  most  to  be  admired  in 
the  training  and  natural  tendencies  of  the  early  man,  to  the  line,  who  have  long 
passed  away,  but  who  have  left  behind  them  that  which  is  more  lasting  than  earthly 
wealth.  The  maternal  ancestors  of  Horace  G.,  by  name  Mandeville,  have  long  been 
residents  of  Seneca  county,  and  the  mother  is  still  living.  Horace  is  the  oldest  of  a 
family  of  three  sons.  He  was  educated  in  the  Union  Springs  High  School,  and 
afterwards  attended  the  William  Business  College  at  Rochester,  from  which  he  grad- 
uated in  1877.  He  was  for  a  short  time  with  his  father,  and  then  went  as  clerk  in 
the  drug  store  of  E.  M.  Hart,  at  Union  Springs,  remaining  there  for  two  years,  he 
then  went  with  Heermans  &  Co.,  at  Corning,  and  was  in  their  employ  over  five 
years.     In  November,  1883,  he  was  married  to  Julia  Alexander,  niece  of  Mrs.  Alonzo 


FAMILY   SKETCHES.  141 

Gorton  of  Corning.  In  January,  1886,  he  came  to  Hornellsville  and  bought  the 
Truesdell  drug  store  on  Main  street,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged.  He  has 
made  many  improvements  in  the  store ;  with  a  discarding  of  all  the  old  stock  and 
thoroughly  filHng  the  store  with  late  pharmaceutical  products,  Pierson's  Pharmacy 
is  to-day  the  headquarters  of  everything  generally  carried  in  a  first-class  drug  store. 
December  1,  1893,  he  bought  the  drug  store  at  144  Canisteo  street,  which  he  has  fitted 
up,  and  made  the  pride  of  the  people  of  the  south  ^^ide.  Mr.  Pierson  has  been  one  of 
the  benefactors  of  Hornellsville  by  investing  in  building  and  improvements  in  the 
residence  portion  of  the  city.  His  social  interests  are  with  the  First  Presbyterian 
church. 

Higgins,  Justin  Y.  R.,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville,  December 
29,  1854.  Russell  Higgins,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  native  of  Otsego  county. 
When  he  came  to  Steuben  county  he  located  in  the  town  of  Howard  and  made  his 
home  there  until  about  1850.  He  then  located  on  a  farm  en  Penn  Hill,  where  he 
spent  the  balance  of  his  days,  and  died  there  in  1855.  Justin  was  the  youngest  of  a 
family  of  seven  children,  all  living  to-day.  He  was  given  a  common  school  educa- 
tion, and  remained  with  his  mother  on  the  old  homestead  farm  until  1860.  Mr. 
Higgins  then  bought  the  Ward  farm  of  twenty  acres,  and  later  bought  additional 
land  and  has  increased  the  farm  to  115  acres,  on  which  he  raises  principally  potatoes 
and  grains.  Mrs.  Higgins  died  the  spring  of  1891.  Justin  was  married  in  1879  to 
Miss  Mary  Ellis,  daughter  of  Albert  Ellis  of  South  Dansville.  They  have  one  child, 
Florence  E.,  now  in  her  fifteenth  year.  A  son  of  his  brother,  John  Ellis,  Roy,  forms 
a  part  of  Mr.  Higgins's  family. 

Woodruff,  John  B.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Allegany,  Cattaraugus  county,  N.  Y., 
October  10,  1838.  Charles C.  W.,  the  father  of  John,  was  a  native  of  Orange  county, 
born  near  Graycourt,  May  24,  1802.  and  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade;  after  he  was 
of  age  he  came  to  East  Bloomfield,  where  he  married  Caroline  Reynolds  of  Spring- 
water.  They  went  from  there  to  Cleveland,  O.,  and  from  there  came  to  Cattaraugus 
county,  where  he  died,  August  16,  1879.  Mrs.  Woodruff  died  November  6,  1879. 
They  were  the  parents  of  six  children.  The  three  living  are  Clinton  D.,  a  farmer 
and  mechanic  of  Cattaraugus  county;  Mrs.  Mary  Pierce  of  Cattaraugus  county,  and 
John  B.,  our  subject.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  his  first  occupa- 
tion was  lumbering  and  farming,  which  he  followed  until  the  breaking  out  of  the 
war.  August  21,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  5th  N.Y.  Cavalry  and  served  until  Decem- 
ber 16,  1863,  then  re-enlisted  in  the  same  regiment,  serving  until  July  19,  1865.  This 
regiment  was  in  171  engagements,  and  was  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  At  the 
close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  the  home  of  his  parents,  and  November  12,  1865,  he 
removed  to  the  town  of  Hornellsville  and  was  employed  in  working  a  farm  on  shares 
until  April  25,  1872,  when  he  bought  the  William  McMichael  farm  of  fifty  acres,  to 
which  he  has  added  twenty  acres,  now  having  a  fine  farm  of  seventy  acres.  He  was 
married  March  27  1864,  to  Miss  Louisa  A.  Weatherby,  daughter  of  Richard 
Weatherby,  a  farmer  and  pump  manufacturer  of  Wirt.  Mrs.  Woodruff  died  Sep- 
tember 23,  1894,  at  fifty-two  years  of  age,  leaving  four  children:  Miles  S.  Woodruff, 
a  farmer;  Miss  Minerva  E.,  Laura  C,  and  Charles  F.,  who  assist  m  the  conducting 
of  the  homestead  farm. 


142  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Parker,  Prof.  Z.  L.,  was  born  February  10,  1819,  in  Charlemont,  Franklin  county, 
Mass.  Capt.  James  Parker,  his  father,  was  a  farmer.  He  married  Lucretia  Fales, 
daughter  of  Jeremiah  Fales,  and  died  at  eighty-seven.  Zenas  L.  was  the  youngest 
of  a  family  of  six  bovs  and  four  girls.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and 
academy  of  Massachusetts,  and  after  teaching  in  his  native  State  for  eleven  years,  he 
came  to  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  and  taught  five  years  in  the  public  school.  In  1856  he 
came  to  C  irning,  where  he  remained  as  principal  of  the  public  schools  until 
1865,  when  he  came  to  Bath  and  had  charge  of  the  public  school  for  four  years.  The 
Corning  and  Bath  schools  became  union  schools  during  his  administration.  He  then 
engaged  in  fire  and  life  insurance  and  built  up  a  good  business.  He  was  school  com- 
missioner of  the  First  District  of  Steuben  county  from  1870  to  1873.  In  1888  he  was 
elected  to  the  responsible  office  of  treasurer  of  Steuben  county  for  three  years,  and 
re-elected  to  the  same  office,  and  upon  his  retirement  in  1894,  complimentary  reso- 
lutions were  passed  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors  in  recognition  of  his  long,  honest 
and  efficient  service  to  the  county.  In  1852  he  was  married  to  Nancy  J.  Warfield, 
daughter  of  Job  Warfield,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons,  George  H.  and  Eugene  F. 
Mr.  Parker  has  attained  prominence  as  a  poet.  In  1892  he  was  the  unanimous  choice 
of  the  literary  committee  to  deliver  the  poem  at  the  Centennial  Celebration  of  the 
foundation  of  the  village  of  Bath,  and  for  many  years  he  has  written  a  poetical 
resume  of  the  events  of  the  ending  year,  which  have  always  been  received  with 
favor.  Many  are  the  events  and  occasions,  the  history  of  which  he  has  reduced  to 
verse,  long  to  be  remembered  by  the  present  generation  and  which  will  make  his 
name  lasting  to  the  generations  to  come.  In  early  life  Mr.  Parker  became  active  in 
church  work,  and  from  1857  to  the  present  time  has  been  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian 
church,  first  in  Corning  and  for  the  last  twenty-five  years  in  Bath,  where  his  religious 
character  and  his  able  advocacy  of  temperance,  morality  and  religion,  have  given 
him  a  wide  and  lasting  influence. 

Jack,  Allan  T.,  was  born  March  15,  1831,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Hannah 
(Giffe)  Jack,  who  came  to  Thurston  from  Maryland  in  1820.  They  were  the  parents 
of  nine  children:  James,  William,  John,  Harvey,  Allan  T.,  Christie,  Mary  Barrett, 
Rachel  Rumsey,  and  Harriet  Martin.  William  Jack  in  early  life  was  a  cooper,  but 
he  afterwards  became  a  farmer.  Allan  T.  married  Loranah,  a  daughter  of  George 
W.  Lane,  by  whom  he  has  four  children:  Harvey,  who  graduated  from  Baltimore 
Medical  College  and  practices  in  Canisteo;  George  N.,  a  graduate  of  the  Buffalo 
Medical  College,  practicing  in  Depew,  N.  Y.  ;  Griff e  W.,  a  farmer;  and  Lucile,  de- 
ceased. Allan  T.  is  engaged  in  farming  and  owns  about  100  acres  of  land.  In  early 
life  he  followed  lumbering  and  railroading. 

Schutz,  William,  was  born  January  1,  1842,  Daniel  Schutz,  father  of  William,  was 
born  in  Germany  in  1802.  In  Germany,  March  1,  1838,  he  married  Catherine 
Leibenguth,  who  was  born  in  Germany,  in  1807,  and  they  emigrated  to  America  in 
the  same  year  and  settled  in  Wayland  on  the  place  where  his  son  now  resides.  He 
was  a  glazier  by  trade  but  followed  farming  in  Wayland.  They  had  four  children: 
Daniel,  who  was  born  January  3,  1839;  Margaret,  who  was  born  July  25,  1840,  wife 
of  Frederick  Wagner,  and  resides  in  Ossian.  They  have  eight  children:  Peter, 
Catherine  (deceased),  William,  John,  Fred,  Daniel,  Margaret,  and  Emma;  Wjlliam, 
as  above;  and  Jacob,  who  was  born  April  15,  1844,  and  resides  in  Naples.     William 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  143 

Schutz  received  a  common  school  education  and  has  been  a  great  reader  of  current 
literature.  He  engaged  in  farming  until  1863,  when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  B  (Captain 
Parsons),  97th  Regt.  N.  Y.  Vols.  (Col.  Charles  C.  Whelock,  of  Oneida  county).  He 
took  part  in  the  following  battles:  Wilderness  and  all  the  battles  of  Army  of 
Potomac  to  Lee's  surrender,  siege  of  Petersburg,  and  Appomattox,  where  Lee  sur- 
rendered. Mr.  Schutz  has  held  several  town  offices,  and  has  held  the  office  of  justice 
of  the  peace  fourteen  years,  elected  the  fourth  term.  He  is  a  member  of  Wayland 
Lodge  No.  176,  I.O.O.F,,  also  a  member  of  Theodore  Schlick  Post,  G.A.R.,  No.  814. 
February  6,  1868,  at  Wayland,  N.Y.,  he  married  Louisa  Folts,  who  was  born  in  Way- 
land,  May  10,  1847,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children:  Katie,  born  December  3,  1868, 
and  married  William  J.  Brown,  jr.,  they  have  one  child.  Pearl;  William,  born  May 
22,  1870;  Lizzie,  born  January  1,  1872;  John,  born  September  28,  1873;  Louisa,  born 
March  26,  1875;  Daniel,  born  June  14,  1878;  Herman,  born  April  4,  1881;  and 
Amelia,  born  April  23,  1885. 

Bardeen,  Jennie,  was  born  September  17,  1846.  Her  father,  Simeon  Clark,  was 
born  in  Genoa,  Cayuga  county,  in  1820.  He  moved  to  Ohio,  then  returned  east  and 
settled  in  Howard,  where  he  died  June  21,  1873.  He  married  Adaline  Davy,  who 
was  born  September  3,  1825.  Jennie  Bardeen  was  educated  in  Hornellsville, 
and  July  30,  1865,  she  married  George  Bardeen,  who  was  born  at  Prattsburg, 
August  11,  1834,  and  died  February  1,  1892.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  but  fol- 
lowed farming  as  a  business,  and  had  a  farm  of  100  acres,  located  on  Big  Creek.  His 
father,  Lybbyna  Bardeen,  was  born  in  Otsego  county,  and  came  to  Prattsburg, 
thence  to  Kanona,  and  from  there  he  located  on  a  farm  at  Big  Creek.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bardeen  had  eight  children:  Minnie  B.,  born  November  26,  1866;  Addie,  born  May 
12,  1868;  Myrtle  born  July  17,  1869,  and  died  Januaay  8,  1870;  Lybbyna,  born 
August  26,  1873;  Earl,  born  April  14,  1875,  and  died  June  12,  1876;  Deatton,  born 
July  13,  1879;  Leon,  born  September  25,  1881;  and  Glenn,  born  April  21,  1885.  Mr. 
Bardeen's  first  wife  was  Eliza  Leonard,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  William,  who 
was  born  in  Howard. 

Nold,  George,  was  born  in  the  province  of  Fulda,  Germany,  January  19,  1850, 
where  he  attended  the  schools  for  seven  years.  At  eighteen  years  of  age  he  emi- 
grated to  this  country  and  settled  in  Perkinsville,  town  of  Wayland,  where  he  worked 
at  shoemaking  for  John  Ritz  for  four  years,  having  previously  worked  at  the  trade 
for  four  years  in  the  old  country.  In  1872  he  rented  the  Zimmerman  store  on  Naples 
street,  employed  two  men,  and  carried  on  business  there  for  two  years.  In  1874  he 
bought  the  store  on  East  Naples  street,  which  he  now  occupies,  of  Ira  Bush,  for 
S!1,000,  and  employed  from  two  to  four  men  for  nine  years,  when  the  building  burned, 
and  he  erected  the  first  brick  building  in  Wayland,  and  carried  on  the  boot  and  shoe 
business.  In  1884-85  he  held  the  office  of  town  clerk,  was  again  elected  in  1893,  and 
again  in  1894  for  a  term  of  two  years.  He  has  been  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Way- 
land  Union  School  for  three  years,  is  a  member  of  the  C.  M.  B.  A.,  Branch  No.  101, 
and  has  been  president  of  the  Wayland  Dime  Saving  &  Loan  Association,  which 
was  incorporated  March,  1888,  with  assets  of  $80,000,  for  seven  years.  At  Perkins- 
ville, June  4,  1871,  he  married  Mary  Ritz,  who  was  born  June  4,  1853,  in  Perkinsville, 
y  whom  he  had  these  children:  Anna,  who  was  born  May  1,  1873;  Maggie,  who 
was  born  November  20,  1874;  Joseph,  who  was  born  January  16,  1876;  Katie,  who 


144  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

was  born  July  3,  1878;  Ida,  who  was  born  April  3,  1881;  Lena,  who  was  born  May 
21,  1883;  and  Edward  who  was  born  September  1,  1885.  Joseph  works  at  the  trade 
with  his  father  Mrs.  Nold  died  July  10,  1893,  and  he  married  second  Frances  E. 
Bick,  born  September  6,  1852,  daughter  of  Valentine  and  Mary  Bick.  Her  parents 
kept  the  Bick  House  and  for  some  time  the  Exchange  Hotel.  At  the  time  of  her 
marriage  Mrs.  Nold  was  employed  at  the  Jackson  Sanitarium,  Dansville. 

Northrup,  Alfred,  was  born  in  Newton,  Sussex  county,  N.  J.,  January  2,  1826.  He 
was  a  son  of  Joseph  Northrup,  born  near  Newton  in  1801,  and  grandson  of  Moses 
Northrup,  who  was  born  in  Connecticut  and  came  to  New  Jersey  where  he  died. 
Joseph  Northrup  married  Alice  Van  Sands,  of  Connecticut,  coming  to  Rathbone  in 
1826.  The  journey  was  made  in  a  heavy  two  horse  wagon,  taking  fifteen  days;  when 
they  reached  the  Canisteo  river,  at  a  place  called  Sanders,  there  they  took  off  half 
the  load  and  with  a  man  at  each  wheel  with  a  hand-spike  to  hold  the  wheels  so  the 
horses  could  rest  every  few  minutes,  and  the  mother  walking  and  carrying  the  child 
Alfred,  thej'  started  up  the  hill.  After  going  about  six  miles  over  terrible  rough  and 
muddy  roads,  they  arrived  at  the  door  of  the  only  house  on  the  hill,  where  lived  a 
Mr.  Finch.  The  house  was  of  logs,  the  floor  was  of  split  logs,  but  there  was  a  glow- 
ing fire  on  the  hearth,  and  warm  hearts  and  loving  hands  to  minister  to  the  needs  of 
the  now  fainting  mother.  Here  they  remained  until  they  could  put  up  a  house  for 
themselves.  The  next  year  Thomas  Allen,  wife  and  four  children,  Elexander  Camp- 
bell, wife  and  four  children,  John  Hull,  wife  and  two  children,  also,  two  hired  men, 
came  from  New  Jersey,  and  in  Mr.  Northrup' s  house  of  two  rooms  they  all  lived  for 
more  than  three  weeks,  while  they  built  for  themselves  homes  in  the  wilderness.  It 
was  twenty  miles  to  the  ne.arest  flouring  mills,  and  the  forests  abounded  in  deer,  bear, 
wolves,  wild-cats  and  rattle-snakes.  The  children  of  to-day  can  scarcely  realize  what 
privations  and  hardships  their  ancestors  had  to  endure  in  order  to  leave  them  homes 
of  comfort  and  even  luxury.  Joseph  Northrup  remained  for  ten  years,  then  returned 
to  New  Jersey,  where  he  died  thirty-two  years  later,  after  accumulating  a  handsome 
property.  He  sold  his  farm  in  Rathbone  to  his  brother,  Benjamin,  of  New  Jersey. 
Alfred  was  ten  years  old  when  he  returned  to  New  Jersey  with  his  father,  but  when 
twenty-six  years  old  returned  to  Rathbone  and  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  his 
widow,  consisting  of  212  acres.  Here  Mr.  Northrup  died  September  28,  1891.  De- 
cember 12,  1852,  he  married  Lucy  J.,  daughter  of  Zachariah  and  Anna  (Wadsworth) 
Cutting,  natives  of  Onondaga  county,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Cutting  came  to  Cameron  in  1846, 
where  he  died.  His  wife  died  in  Rathbone  in  1877.  Nine  children  were  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Northrup;  Joseph,  of  Cameron;  Clara  D.,  wife  of  Willard  Talbot,  of  Rath- 
bone; Alice  v.,  wife  of  Willie  A.  Allen,  of  Cameron;  Annie  W.,  at  home;  Benjamin 
A.,  at  home;  Lucy  J.,  at  home  ;  and  three  who  died  in  infancy. 

Dean,  William  G.,  was  born  in  Pulteney  in  1868.  Dr.  William  N.  Dean,  his  grand- 
father, was  a  native  of  Dutchess  county,  and  came  to  Pulteney  when  a  yonng  man, 
where  he  practiced  medicine  until  his  death.  He  married  Polly  Terry,  by  whom  he 
had  five  children.  George  R.  Dean,  father  of  William  G.,  was  born  in  Pulteney  in 
1832,  and  in  1853  journeyed  to  California,  via  the  Isthmus  of  Panama,  and  spent 
thirteen  years  in  the  gold  regions  of  the  western  coast,  and  after  his  return  he  en- 
gaged in  farming  until  1887,  when  he  moved  to  the  village  of  Prattsburg,  where  he 
served  in  many  official   capacities.     He  married  Jennie  Godfrey,  by  whom  he  had 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  145 

five  children.  William  G.  was  educated  in  Franklin  Academy,  from  which  institution 
he  graduated  in  887.  At  fourteen  years  of  age  he  left  home  to  live  with  his  grand- 
father, Harry  Godfrey,  whom  he  assisted  in  his  bookkeeping  and  the  management  of 
his  business,  and  in  a  few  years  became  general  manager.  Sine  the  death  of  his 
grandfather  in  1887  he  has  had  the  entire  charge  of  his  large  estate.  He  has  served 
several  years  as  police  justice  in  Prattsburg,  being  twice  elected.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Odd  Fellows  of  Prattsburg,  of  which  he  is  a  past-master.  In  August,  1894, 
he  married  Grace  Conine  of  Bath. 

Flaherty,  James,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Prattsburg,  June  10,  1868.  His  father, 
John  O.,  was  a  farmer  and  twenty  years  of  his  early  life  were  spent  on  the  farm  and 
attending  school  alternately.  In  1888  he  graduated  from  Franklin  Academy,  Pratts- 
burg, N.  Y. ,  and  then  took  up  the  study  of  law.  In  ]  871  he  received  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Laws  at  Cornell  University,  and  in  January,  1893,  was  admitted  to  the 
bar.  In  the  Cleveland  and  Harrison  campaign  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Demo- 
cratic campaign  committee,  and  made  an  extensive  stumping  tour  through  the 
State,  demonstrating  himself  a  strong  and  effective  speaker.  In  1893  he  opened  an 
otfice  at  Prattsburg  where  he  has  since  practiced  his  profession.  In  August,  1893, 
he  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Prattsburg  and  is  the  present  incumbent  of  the  office. 

Graves,  Hart  D.,  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  N.  Y.,  January  22,  1843.  Israel  Graves, 
his  grandfather,  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  January  17,  2785,  and  came  to  Pratts- 
burg about  1810,  where  he  settled  in  the  forest,  cleared  him  a  farm,  and  engaged  in 
farming  and  lumbering.  He  married  Zama  Nims,  who  was  born  in  Massachusetts, 
in  March,  1788,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children.  Israel  Dwight  Graves,  father  of 
Hart  D.,  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  September  21,  1807,  and  grew  to  manhood  in 
Prattsburg,  where  he  spent  his  life  farming  and  lumbering.  He  married  Samantha 
Curtis  of  Massachusetts,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  Charles  D.  and  Joel  C.  His 
first  wife  died,  and  in  March,  18;;9,  he  married  for  his  second  wife,  Clarissa  Weld, 
a  native  of  Delaware  county,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children:  Ada,  Hart  D.,  Adelia, 
Weld  and  Willard  (twins),  Hannah,  Bradley,  Isadore,  and  Ithel.  He  died  in  1867, 
and  his  wife  May  10,  1895.  Hart  D.  Graves  began  life  as  a  farmer,  and  at  twenty- 
one  years  of  age  started  for  himself,  and  in  connection  with  his  farming  has  for  many 
years  dealt  extensively  in  stock,  and  since  1875  has  added  to  his  other  interests  the 
breeding  from  Lexington  stock  thoroughbred  race  horses.  He  and  his  wife  now 
own  three  large  farms,  and  in  1880  he  moved  with  bis  family  to  the  village  of  Prattb- 
burg,  where  he  purchased  a  residence  and  retired  from  his  more  active  life,  attend- 
ing to  his  business  interests  in  the  village.  In  1865  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of 
Josiah  and  Mary  E.  (Williams)  Putnam,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Carrie  L., 
wife  of  Geo.  W.  Howe  of  Prattsburg,  Lina  C,  Mrs.  (3Jella  Cook,  of  Prattsburg, 
Dwight  W.,  and  H.  Dana. 

Clark,  John  J.,  was  born  in  Wheeler,  in  July,  1837.  John  Clark,  his  grandfather, 
was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  came  to  Wheeler  in  1806  and  settled  on  a  tract  of 
200  acres  of  land,  for  which  he  paid  in  part  by  cutting  a  road  six  miles  through  the 
forest,  and  later  he  cleared  this  land.  He  reared  a  family  of  six  children,  and  died 
at  seventy-five  years  of  age.  John  Clark,  his  father,  was  born  in  Wheeler,  on  the 
homestead,   in  1809,   where  he  devoted  his  whole  life  to  farming,  and  accumulated 


146  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

some  property.  He  was  eccentric,  but  kind  and  generous  to  the  poor  and  needy. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  State  militia,  and  was  openly  opposed  to  secret  societies. 
He  married  Phoebe  Upthegoes,  by  whom  he  liad  two  children :  Anna,  deceased,  and 
John  J.  He  died  in  1884,  and  his  wife  in  1847.  John  J.  began  life  as  a  farmer  on 
the  farm  on  which  both  he  and  his  father  were  born,  which  he  conducted  for  twenty 
years,  and  also  had  charge  of  farms  in  Wheeler  and  Prattsburg,  and  in  1886  he  moved 
to  his  Prattsburg  farm.  He  has  for  many  years  been  interested  in  the  breeding  of 
horses,  and  still  owns  the  homestead  farm.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fratern- 
ity, Prattsburg  Lodge,  No.  583.  In  1858  he  married  Persis,  daughter  of  Darwin  and 
Mary  (Archibald)  Cheeney,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Anna.  Mrs.  Clark  was  a 
member  of  the  Star  Masons,  in  which  she  took  an  active  interest.     She  died  in  1891. 

Hopkins,  Mark  H.,  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  in  March,  1855. 
His  great-grandfather,  Capt.  Consider  Hopkins,  was  born  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  in 
1723.  He  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  and  died  in  1795.  He  was  a  descendant  of 
one  of  two  brothers  by  name  of  Hopkins,  who  came  from  England.  His  grandfather, 
Mark  Hopkins,  was  also  born  in  Hartford,  and  removed  to  Oneida  county,  thence  to 
Prattsburg  in  1806,  and  settled  on  the  farm  which  is  still  owned  by  the  family,  where 
he  built  a  log  house,  and  in  1814  erected  the  frame  house  which  is  now  occupied  by 
Mark  H.  and  his  mother.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Franklin  Academy  and 
one  of  the  trustees  for  many  years.  He  married  Lydia  Merrill,  by  whom  he  had  two 
children:  Elisha  and  Lydia.  Mrs.  Hopkins  died  in  1794,  and  in  February,  1802,  he 
married  for  his  second  wife,  Sarah  Kellogg,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children :  Ralph, 
Erastus,  Eliza  C,  Emily  M.,  Ralph  W.,  Joseph  Mark,  and  Hiram.  He  died  in  1843, 
and  his  wife  in  1852.  Joseph  Mark  Hopkins,  father  to  Mark  H.,  was  also  born  on 
this  farm  in  Prattsburg,  April  19,  1815.  He  received  a  fair  education  in  the  common 
schools  and  at  Franklin  Academy  where  he  taught  one  term,  and  for  many  years 
after  reaching  his  majority,  on  account  of  ill  health,  he  spent  but  little  time  on  the  farm. 
He  was  early  identified  with  the  society  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  was  district  deputy 
grand  master  in  1853-54,  and  visited  officially  the  various  lodges  of  the  county,  and 
prior  to  that  time  had  represented  the  society  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Northern  New 
York  several  times.  March  30,  18:4,  he  married  Laura  A.,  daughter  of  Henry  G. 
and  Laura  (Hopkins)  Linsley  of  Prattsburg,  who  was  born  October  26,  1831,  and  by 
whom  he  had  three  children:  Mark  H.,  Charles  E.,  of  Syracuse,  and  Harriet  E.  In 
July,  1860,  he  became  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  in  Prattsburg,  and  for 
ten  years  following  the  death  of  his  father  he  was  trustee  of  Franklin  Academy,  and 
took  much  interest  in  educational  matters.  He  was  prominently  identified  with  the 
Prattsburg  Grange  Lodge  from  time  to  time  since  its  organization  in  1874,  was  for 
several  j-ears  elected  master,  and  was  worthy  master  of  Steuben  County  Council. 
In  January,  1879,  also  in  1880  he  was  elected  president  of  the  Steuben  County  Agri- 
cultural Society,  and  a  few  years  later  he  was  elected  an  honorable.  He  died  Feb- 
ruary 10,  1893.  Mark  H.  Hopkins  continued  to  conduct  the  large  farm  of  over  200 
acres,  where'  he  has  spent  his  life,  with  the  exception  of  some  little  time  spent  in 
traveling  in  the  Southern  and  Western  States.  He  is  one  of  the  charter  members  of 
the  Prattsburg  Grange,  of  which  he  was  for  ten  years  secretary,  and  is  past-master, 
and  in  1888  was  vice-president  of  the  Steuben  County  Agricultural  Society. 

Drake,  M.  L.,  was  born  in  Jasper  December  23,   1852,  son  of  Allen  and  Lucinda 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  147 

(Andrew)  Drake,  he  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  born  March  3,  1810,  and  she  of  Steuben 
county.  The  grandfather,  Peter  Drake,  came  to  Jasper  in  1829,  where  he  died  in 
1862,  aged  sixty-five  years.  Allen  Drake,  father  of  M.  L.,  was  a  farmer  and  owned 
700  acres  of  land,  and  was  an  extensive  wool  dealer.  He  died  February  27,  1884,  and 
his  wife  survives  and  resides  with  her  son.  M.  L.  Drake  was  reared  on  a  farm,  ed- 
ucated in  the  common  schools  and  WoodhuU  Academy,  after  which  he  engaged  in 
farming.  He  now  owns  200  acres  of  land,  a  part  of  the  old  homestead,  and  follows 
general  farming.  He  is  a  member  of  Jasper  Tent  No.  100,  K.  O.  T.  M.  December 
31,  1873,  he  married  Emma  Wycoff  of  Jasper,  by  whom  be  had  three  children:  Eddie 
A.,  Blanche,  and  Farley  W. 

Dennis,  Andrew  F.,  was  born  in  Jasper,  N.  Y.,  March  21,  1847,  son  of  Franklin 
and  Martha  (Lamson)  Dennis.  Andrew  F.  w-as  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in 
the  common  schools  and  Hammondsport  Academy.  He  followed  farming  and  lum- 
bering, but  is  now  engaged  in  farming,  and  owns  500  acres  of  land.  He  makes  a 
specialty  of  stock  raising  and  hay  and  has  about  120  sheep.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Banner  Lodge  of  North  Jasper,  No.  539.  In  1870  he  married  Clara  Crossman  of 
Cameron,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Clarabell,  born  October  28.  1871; 
Anna  Dell,  born  November  28,  1872;  and  Oscar  Ray,  born  May  15.  1882. 

Dearlove,  Charles  Wilber,  was  born  in  Italy.  Yates  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1845,  son  of 
William  Dearlove,  a  native  of  Yorkshire,  England,  born  in  1789,  who  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1816  and  settled  in  Geneva.  In  1847  he  located  in  Steuben  county, 
where  he  spent  his  last  days.  He  was  a  Republican  and  Abolitionist  and  interested 
in  the  underground  railway.  His  wife  was  Sarah,  daughter  of  William  Swales,  of 
England  who  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  on  what  is  now  the  "Experi- 
mental" farm  at  Geneva,  N.  Y.  Their  children  were  William,  George,  Mary,  John, 
Charles,  and  Annie.  He  died  in  1888,  aged  90,  and  his  wife  in  1891,  aged  80.  Will- 
iam and  Charles  are  the  only  surviving  members  of  this  family.  Mr.  Dearlove's  first 
occupation  was  as  a  fireman  in  a  saw  mill,  and  two  years  later  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, to  which  he  has  since  devoted  his  time.  He  now  owns  his  father's  homestead  and 
the  farm  on  which  he  resides,  and  he  makes  a  specialty  of  a  large  variety  of  pota- 
toes, on  which  he  has  established  a  State  reputation,  taking  the  first  premiums  at 
many  of  the  fairs  on  both  quality  and  variety.  He  is  a  Prohibitionist,  and  in  1893 
was  appointed  county  statistician,  which  office  he  now  holds.  In  1866  he  married 
Erva,  daughter  of  George  Barnes,  and  their  children  are:  John,  Leona,  Erva, 
George,  and  Bessie.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dearlove  are  members  of  the  Prattsburg  P.  of 
H.,  No.  112,  of  which  he  has  been  master  for  several  years.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
the  I.  O.  G.  T.  Their  son  John  has  taught  school  during  the  winter  terms  for  the 
past  eight  years,  is  an  active  worker  in  the  temperance  cause,  and  is  county  chief  of 
the  I.  6.  G.  T. 

Orcutt,  James  D.,  senior  partner  of  the  drug  firm  of  Orcutt  &  Loomis,  was  born  in 
the  town  of  Erwin,  July  24,  1853.  His  father,  Daniel  Orcutt,  established  the  drug 
business  in  Painted  Post  in  the  year  1856,  and  was  doing  a  thriving  business  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  under  the  name  of  D.  Orcutt  &  Son.  James  D.  continued  the 
business  after  the  death  of  his  father,  and  in  1883  admitted  Mr.  Fred  H.  Loomis  in 
partnership,  since   which  time  the  firm  has  been  known   under  the  name  Orcutt  & 


l48  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Loomis.  Since  early  manhood  Mr.  Orcutt  has  been  identified  with  all  the  move- 
ments for  the  advance  of  the  affairs  of  the  town  and  village,  holding  from  time  to 
time  various  offices  of  honor  and  responsibility. 

Harris,  Joseph,  of  the  firm  of  J.  Harris  &  Sons,  composed  of  Joseph,  Marcus,  and 
H.  T.  Harris.  J.  Harris  came  to  Hornellsville  in  1869.  He  is  a  native  of  Krakau, 
Austria,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1852  when  thirtj^-one  years  of  age.  He  was  first 
located  in  New  Orleans,  from  there  going  to  Corning,  N.  Y. ,  where  he,  together  with 
B.  Erlich,  established  a  dry  goods  store  under  the  firm  name  of  Harris  &  Erlich,  and 
in  1868  they  removed  to  Elmira  in  the  same  business.  In  1869  the  partnership  was 
dissolved,  Mr.  Harris  coming  to  Hornellsville  and  establishing  a  store  at  the  location 
now  occupied  by  F.  B.  Alley  for  cafe.  The  business  was  continued  at  this  location 
until  February,  1890,  when  it  was  moved  to  the  brick  and  brown-stone  block  on  the 
south  side  of  Main  street,  which  was  built  specially  for  the  firm's  occupancy,  and 
which  is  at  present  the  largest  and  finest  store  building  in  the  city.  In  1858  Joseph 
Harris  was  married  to  Eliza  Erlich,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children.  On  the  other 
two  members  of  the  firm  the  management  of  the  business  now  largely  devolves. 
Both  are  members  of  Fraternal  Societies;  Mr.  H.  T.  Harris  being  present  master  of 
Evening  Star  Lodge  No.  44  F.  &  A.  M.,  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  State. 

Brown,  William  H. — John  H.  Brown  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wheatland,  Monroe 
county,  March  8,  1823.  James  W.  Brown,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Tyrone,  Ire- 
land, and  came  to  the  United  States  in  the  memorable  year  of  1812,  and  was  an  eye- 
witness of  the  battle  between  the  Constitution  and  Guerriere.  He  first  settled  in 
Monroe  county,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  as  a  miller,  which  business  he  followed 
all  his  life,  and  where  he  died  in  1834  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years.  He  married  Jane 
Hughey  of  Cavan  county,  Ireland,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  Susan,  Will- 
iam, John,  Mary,  James,  Robert,  and  Joseph.  John  H.  Brown  is  a  farmer  and  lum- 
berman, and  married  Anna  E. ,  sister  of  Dr.  Jamison  of  Hornellsville,  by  whom  he 
had  six  children,  Marianna,  John  D.,  Minnie,  William  H.,  Jennie,  and  Laura.  Will- 
iam H.  is  the  owner  of  the  homestead,  and  married  Annetta  Farnham,  by  whom  he 
had  six  children:  Goldy,  Rebecca,  Ira,  Anna,  Ruth,  and*  Harry.  John  H.  Brown 
has  filled  the  office  of  supervisor  for  two  terms,  and  served  several  terms  as  highway 
commissioner  and  justice  of  the  peace. 

Olmsted,  Hiram,  was  born  in  Masonville,  Delaware  county,  N.  Y. ,  March  29,  1827, 
and  is  the  seventh  of  twelve  children  born  to  William  R.  and  Elizabeth  (Holmes) 
Olmsted;  he  a  native  of  Sidney,  Delaware  county,  N.  Y.,  and  she  of  Chenango 
county.  William  R.  was  a  farmer  and  lumberman  and  settled  in  Addison  in  1831, 
and  in  Troupsburg  in  18  58,  where  he  died  in  March,  1867,  and  his  wife  in  March, 
1873.  Hiram  Olmsted  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  assisted  his  father  in  the  lumber 
business  while  young,  but  has  always  made  farming  his  principal  occupation,  hav- 
ing made  a  specialty  of  sheep  raising  and  dairy  farming.  In  1862  he  married  Laura, 
daughter  of  William  and  Olive  M.  (Bartoo)  Tenbroeck,  both  of  Chenango  county, 
who  came  to  Troupsburg  in  1840  where  they  engaged  in  farming.  Later  they  re- 
moved to  Moreland,  Schuyler  county,  where  Mrs.  Tenbroeck  died  in  1881.  Mr.  Ten- 
broeck now  resides  in  Corning,  N.  Y.  By  patient  industry  and  prudent  living  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Olmsted  have  made  a  success  of  their  chosen  occupation,  and  are  now  well- 


J'AMILY  SKETCHES.  U^ 

to-do  and  ver}^  highly  respected  by  all  who  know  them.  Mr.  Olmsted's  great -great- 
grandfather fought  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  was  made  a  commissioned 
officer  because  of  the  valiant  service  he  rendered  his  country.  Mr.  Olmsted  comes 
naturally  by  a  strong  national  spirit,  having  inherited  it  from  his  ancestors  who  par- 
ticipated in  the  struggle  for  national  freedom.  He  has  always  been  a  strong 
believer  in  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party,  and  was  supervisor  of  his  town  in 
1889-90,  filling  this  as  well  as  other  positions  of  trust  with  entire  credit  to  himself. 
Mr.  aud  Mrs.  Olmsted  have  two  children:  Albert  H.,  who  is  in  business  in  Rochester, 
N.  Y..  and  Mary,  who  is  a  successful  teacher.  Albert  H.  was  married  in  1894  to 
Sarah  Grace,  daughter  of  Marcus  MarceUus  and  Sarah  Adelia  (Hurd)  Cass  of  Wat- 
kins,  Schuyler  county,  N.  Y. 

Gorton,  WiUiam,  son  of  Silas,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Corning,  in  1823.  The 
grandfather,  Peleg  Gorton,  was  one  of  the  original  six  purchasers  of  the  town;  he 
resided  in  Rensselaer  county  and  w^as  killed  by  a  runaway  team  before  he  could 
move  here.  William  has  always  been  a  farmer,  and  since  1881  has  owned  and  re- 
sides on  what  is  known  as  the  old  Gibson  farm.  In  1863  he  married  Helen  Thomp- 
son, also  a  native  of  Steuben  county,  and  they  have  had  five  children  :  William  H. 
Clay,  who  died  in  1880,  aged  sixteen  years;  Robert  L. ;  Silas;  Wesley;  and  Agnes. 

Walker,  J.  E.,  i\I.D.,  only  surviving  son  of  H.  L.  Walker,  formerly  farmer  and 
brick-maker  of  Nunda,  N.  Y.  Received  a  common  school  education,  subsequently 
attended  State  Normal  School  at  Geneseo.  Commenced  teaching  at  sixteen,  en- 
tered the  office  of  Dr.  A  V  Walkins  as  medical  student  at  eighteen  years  of  age. 
Graduated  from  Cincinnati  Medical  College  in  1876.  Commenced  practice  in  Ark- 
port  immediately  after.  Spent  the  winter  of  1883  and  1884  in  New  York  in  post- 
graduate work.  Did  an  extensive  general  practice  until  1892,  when  he  sold  out  his 
drug  store  and  business  and  went  to  Buffalo.  Was  physician  at  the  Sterlingworth 
Sanitarium  for  a  j^ear.  Went  abroad  for  special  work  in  1893.  Took  courses  in 
bacteriology  and  microscopy  in  King's  College,  London,  also  worked  in  the  Bromp- 
ton  Hospital,  for  diseases  of  the  chest,  for  some  time.  Visited  the  hospitals  of  Paris 
and  Cologne.  Spent  a  short  time  in  Berlin,  going  from  there  to  Vienna,  where  he 
remained  some  months  doing  special  work.  Was  made  a  member  of  the  Interna- 
tional Medical  Congress  at  Rome  in  1894.  Returning  home  he  made  a  tour  of  the 
United  States,  going  through  nearly  every  State  in  the  Union  and  visiting  all  the 
health  resorts  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  studying  the  climatology  of  each.  He 
is  now  superintendent  of  the  Steuban  Sanitarium  of  Hornellsville  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Hornellsville  Medical  and  Surgical  Association,  Steuben  County  Medical 
Society,  New  York  State  Medical  Association,  also  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion, a  member  of  Hornellsville  Lodge  F.  and  A.  M.,  Steuben  Chapter,  Demolay 
Commandery,  and  a  noble  of  Ismalia  Temple,  Buffalo. 

Hill,  H.  B.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Fleming,  April  20,  1837,  and  is  the  third  of 
seven  children  born  to  Cyrus  B.  and  Candace  (Bierce)  Hill;  she  of  Delaware  and  he 
of  Cayuga  county,  N.  Y.  The  grandparents,  James  and  Phoebe  (Spencer)  Hill,  came 
from  Cayuga  county  to  Troupsburg  when  the  county  was  new.  He  spent  his  last 
days  in  Canisteo  where  he  died  in  1871 ;  shs  died  in  Troupsburg  in  1859.  He  was  a 
soldier  in  1812.     The  great-grandfather,  Eleazer  Hih,  came  from  the  east  and  was  a 


150  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

pioneer  of  Caj'uga  county.  Cyrus  B.  Hill,  father  of  H.  B.,  came  to  Troupsburg  in 
1843,  and  settled  on  a  farm,  He  spent  his  last  days  with  his  son,  where  he  died  in 
September,  1889.  Mrs.  Hill  died  in  1875.  H.  B.  Hill  has  always  followed  farming, 
and  now  owns  a  farm  of  fifty-one  and  one-half  acres.  In  1846  he  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  Ambrose  and  Caroline  E.  (Bonney)Conkey,  by  whom  he  had  one  daugh- 
ter, Armie  M.  The  grandfather,  Luke  Bonney,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Bon- 
ney  Hill  which  was  named  for  him.  Ambrcse  Conkey  was  a  physician  and  notion 
peddler.  Mr.  Hill  enlisted  April  39,  1861,  in  Company  L  19th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  which 
regiment  was  transferred  to  the  3d  N.  Y.  Artillery,  June  2,  1863.  He  was  at  Wash- 
ington, Wilhamsport,  Harper's  Ferry,  and  Fredericksburg,  taking  part  in  the  en- 
gagements at  Fort  Macon,  Goldsboro,  Whitehall,  and  many  other  skirmishes.  He  is 
a  member  of  Post  Bailey,  No.  351,  G.  A.  R. 

Dillenbeck,  Stephen,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Stark,  Herkimer  county,  March  2, 
1830.  Jonas  M.,  his  gi-andfather,  a  farmer,  whose  parents  were  from  Holland, 
reared  six  sons  and  four  daughters:  Isaac,  Jacob,  Abraham,  Jonas,  Moses  and  Solo- 
mon, Betsey,  Mary,  Susan,  and  Laura.  Isaac,  his  father,  was  born  in  Herkimer 
county,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Wheeler  in  1841,  where  he  purchased  a  partly 
cleared  farm,  on  which  he  lived  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  church.  He  married  Anna,  daughter  of  Peter  House,  who  was  a  soldier 
m  the  Revolution,  and  their  children  were  Alexander,  Mary,  Aaron,  Peter.  Stephen, 
Catherine,  Lana  Ann,  Cornelius  and  Isaac.  He  died  in  1880,  aged  eighty-two,  and 
his  wife,  in  1866,  aged  sixty-six  years.  Stephen  engaged  in  farm  work  when  eight- 
een years  old,  which  he  followed  for  several  years,  and  in  1860  he  purchased  his 
present  farm  of  eighty  acres,  which  at  that  time  was  thickly  covered  with  heavy 
timber,  but  which  he  has  since  cleared  and  cultivated.  In  August,  1862,  he  enli.sted 
in  Co.  I,  161st  New  York  Vols.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  having  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  Mansfield,  Pleasant  Hill,  and  Cane  River,  and  several  minor 
engagements,  and  during  the  siege  of  Port  Hudson  he  was  doing  detail  duty  at  Ba- 
ton Rouge.  He  lay  sick  with  the  typhoid  fever  in  the  United  States  hospital  at 
New  York  for  three  months,  and  suffered  with  other  ailments  while  in  the  South. 
After  his  return  from  the  war  he  devoted  his  attention  to  farming,  and  since  1886 
has  raised  many  fine  grade  Jersey  cattle.  He  is  a  member  of  Marcy  G.  A.  R.  Post, 
at  Avoca,  of  which  he  has  been  chaplain  six  years.  He  is  now  a  member  of  the 
Avoca  Methodist  church,  but  for  thirty  j^ears  or  more  has  been  an  official  member  of 
Wheeler  church.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Henry  J.  Eckles,  a  native  of 
Herkimer  county,  January  22,  1856,  and  their  children  are  George  F.,  who  was  a 
teacher  in  the  country  and  village  school  but  is  now  a  farmer;  Rose  Ellen;  Henry 
I.,  a  widower,  having  one  son  and  two  daughters;  Bertha  J.  ;  Charles  G.  ;  and  John 
C.     Mrs.  Dillenbeck  is  also  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist  church. 

Cole,  Hiram  L.,  was  born  in  Greenwood,  in  July,  1856,  son  of  David  D.  Cole  of 
Howard,  who  came  to  Greenwood  in  1853,  where  he  resided  until  1894.  He  mar- 
ried Harriet  Bunker  of  Tompkins  count}-,  in  1852,  who  died  in  1892,  by  whom  he  had 
four  children.  He  married  for  his  second  wife,  Mrs.  Barbar,  widow  of  John  Barbar 
of  Fremont,  and  now  resides  at  Fremont  on  a  farm  of  100  acres.  He  also  owns  188 
acres  in  Greenwood.  Hiram  L.  Cole  has  always  been  engaged  in  farming  and  deal- 
ing in  fast  horses,  and  has  owned  Lemington,  Lady  Proctor,  Nina,  and  many  others. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  151 

In  1880  he  married  Cora  Case,  who  died  in  1887,  by  whom  he  had  one  daughter, 
Hattie.  He  married  for  his  second  wife  Octavia  Cole  of  Wellsville  by  whom  he  had 
one  son,  Lloyd,  born  June  4,  1889.     Mr.  Cole  is  a  Democrat. 

Cameron,  Rev.  Duncan  Cameron,  the  present  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of 
Canisteo,  was  born  Pictou  county.  Nova  Scotia,  November  30,  1855.  He  was  edu- 
cated at  Pictou  Academy,  N.  S.,  Wabash  College,  Indiana,  Dalhousie  College, 
Halifax,  N.  S.,  and  Auburn  Theological  Seminary,  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  where  he  grad- 
uated in  1884.  After  his  graduation  he  spent  three  years  in  missionary  service  in 
South  America.  On  his  return  in  1878  he  settled  in  Canisteo.  In  February,  1888,  he 
was  married  to  Frances  A.,  daughter  of  the  well-known  Prof.  Mortimer  L.  Brown 
of  Auburn,  who  founded  and  conducted  the  Young  Ladies'  Institute  of  that  city  for 
over  thirty  years. 

Webster,  George  M.,  was  born  in  Owego,  Tioga  county,  N.  Y.,  October  3,  1855, 
and  is  the  youngest  of  five  children  born  to  M.  L.  and  Elizabeth  A  (Johnson) 
Webster;  Charles  L.  who  was  a  member  of  Co.  K,  52d  Mass.  Vol.  Militia,  F.  S. 
Greenleaf,  commanding  officer,  and  died  at  Baton  Rouge  July  19,  1863;  Mary  E., 
Sarah  M.,  Odell  G.,  and  George  M.  M.  L.  Webster  was  a  contractor  and  builder  in 
Owego,  N.Y;  was  born  in  Vermont,  February  28,  1802;  died  March  26,  1881.  Ehza- 
beth  A.  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York,  August  31,  1816.  George  M.  was  reared 
in  Owego,  N.  Y.,  obtained  his  education  in  the  Owego  Academy,  and  here  com- 
menced his  business  career  as  assistant  bookkeeper  in  the  hardware  store  of  Houk, 
Dougherty  &  Truesdell,  after  which  he  was  bookkeeper  for  Keeler  &  Houk,  contrac- 
tors and  builders.  He  was  then  in  the  Tioga  county  clerk's  office  for  six  years,  then 
for  eighteen  months  in  the  china  store  of  Sweet  &  Wilson,  representing  Mr.  Wilson 
in  settling  up  the  business.  He  was  next  bookkeeper  for  the  wholesale  house  of 
Thompson  &  Parkhurst  of  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  for  which  firm  he  traveled  for  two  years. 
In  May,  1886,  he  bought  out  G.  D.  Woodward  of  Greenwood  and  has  since  been  en- 
engaged  in  general  mercantile  business.  Is  also  interested  in  farming.  Mr.  W.  is  a 
member  of  Sentinel  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  151,  also  of  Tent  No.  110,  K.  O.  T.  M. 
On  January  7,  1886,  he  married  Mary  A.,  oldest  daughter  of  John  apd  Laura  A. 
(Osborn)  Davis.  John  Davis  was  born  in  Dryden,  N.Y.,  October  10,  1824.  Laura  A. 
was  born  in  Owego,  N.Y.,  November  13,  1830,  died  July26,  1889.  He  came  to  Green- 
wood with  his  father,  Levi,  in  1825,  when  he  grew  up  and  became  the  foremost  man 
of  the  town.  He  was  a  Democrat  and  though  in  a'  Republican  town,  he  was  super- 
visor for  eleven  years  and  in  1870  was  elected  member  of  assembly.  He  died 
October  25,  1883.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Webster  have  two  children:  George  D.,  born  March 
28,  1889,  and  Clarence  L.,  born  June  19,  1890. 

Huber,  Rev.  Aloysius  L.,  born  in  Zeilarn,  Bavaria,  Germany,  May  9,  1862.  He 
studied  a  classical  course  at  Passau  for  seven  years,  in  a  Koenigl.  Studienanstalt,  a 
royal  institution  of  the  city  of  Passau,  where  he  remained  until  1883.  At  twenty-one 
years  of  age  he  emigrated  to  America  and  finished  his  theological  studies  in  St.  Vin- 
cent's Seminary,  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.  In  1889,  when  he  was  ordained  priest, 
he  acted  as  assistant  priest  for  one  year  and  three  months  m  St.  Boniface  church, 
Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and  was  rector  of  three  different  missions:  Strykersville  one  year, 
Bennington   Center  and   East  Bennington   for  one  year.     January  14,  1893,  he  was 


152  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

appointed  by  the  bishop  as  rector  of  the  Sacred  Heart  church  of  Perkinsville,  N.  Y. 
This  village  is  named  after  Mr.  Perkins,  the  first  settler  of  the  place,  which  is  hoped 
to  be  progressing  on  account  of  the  new  Portland  Cement  Works. 

Park,  John  M.,  was  born  in  Broome  county,  February  7,  1826,  son  of  Henry  and 
Ann  (Holden)  Park,  he  a  native  of  Dutchess  county,  and  she  of  England.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Park  both  died  in  Broome  county,  aged  sixty-one  and  fifty-five  respectively. 
The  grandfather,  Rufus  Park,  was  a  native  of  Dutchess  county,  but  died  in  Broome 
county.  Henry  Park  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  John  M.  was  reared  on  a  farm 
and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  was  engaged  in  lumbering  for  ten  years, 
but  for  the  last  ten  years  has  lived  in  Woodhull.  He  lived  in  Addison  and  Rathbone 
before  coming  to  Woodhull.  In  1855  Mr.  Park  married  Sarah  A.,  daughter  of  Jacob 
and  Arvilia  (Nichols)  Cole,  he  a  native  of  Washington  county,  and  she  of  Oneida. 
They  came  to  Addison  at  an  early  date  and  died  in  1873  and  1867  respectively.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Park  have  two  children :  Emma,  a  stenographer  of  Harrisburg,  Pa.;  and 
Henry,  who  married  Mary  Youngs,  of  Rathbone,  by  whom  he  has  one  son,  Harry. 

Brasted,  Orlando  W.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard  on  the  farm  he  now  owns 
and  occupies,  January  30,  1853,  son  of  Levi  W.  Brasted,  who  was  born  in  the  town 
Howard  on  the  farm  owned  by  his  father,  John  C.  Brasted,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers 
of  the  town.  John  C.  Bra>^ted,  born  in  1801,  came  from  the  State  of  New  Jersey  to 
Tompkins  county  when  ten  years  of  age,  where  he  resided  until  he  was  twenty-one. 
He  married  Julia,  daughter  of  James  M.  Armstrong  of  that  county.  They  came  to  the 
town  of  Howard  with  the  parents  of  John  C.  Brasted  in  1822,  where  they  lived  on 
adjoining  farms.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children:  Cordelia,  Lewis,  a  Baptist 
minister,  deceased;  Nicholas,  a  farmer;  Levi  W.,  a  farmer;  John,  a  farmer,  de- 
ceased; Bethuel,  a  Baptist  minister  in  Minneapolis,  and  a  college  graduate ;  Madison, 
a  farmer;  William,  also  a  farmer,  who  occupied  the  homestead  for  years  with  his 
father,  who  lived  to  be  eighty-eight  years  of  age ;  Juliaette,  wife  of  Alex  Pruttsman 
of  Troupsburg ;  and  Maryette,  wife  of  George  Shell  of  Howard.  Levi  W.  married 
Lucinda  Kimball  of  Chemung  county,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  four  children: 
P.  O.  Brasted,  Orlando  W.,  Nancy,  and  H.  K.  Brasted,  a  physician  in  Colorado. 
Mr.  Brasted  married  the  second  time,  Lydia  A.  Kimball,  a  cousin  of  his  first  wife, 
from  Chemung  county,  and  their  children  are:  L^lysses  G. ,  Mina  and  Clio  May. 
Orlando  W.  was  a  harnessmaker  for  ten  5-ears,  and  was  in  the  grocery  business  for 
several  years,  but  for  the  past  eight  years  has  devoted  his  time  to  farming.  He  owns 
a  farm  of  about  160  acres.  He  married  Edith  E. ,  daughter  of  Daniel  Hamilton,  who 
died  in  the  late  war.  His  mother  was  the  daughter  of  Daniel  Bennett,  better  known 
as  General  Daniel  Bennett  of  Howard.  They  have  one  son,  Daniel  Iv.,  who  is  on 
the  farm  with  his  father.  Orlando  W.  Brasted  and  family  are  members  of  the  Bap- 
tist church,  and  Orlando  W.  of  the  Grange. 

Pepper,  George,  was  born  in  Germany  and  came  to  New  York  city  with  his  father, 
Jacob  Pepper  (spelled  Feffer  in  German),  a  sister,  Margaret,  and  two  brothers,  John 
and  Valentine,  when  about  five  years  of  age.  He  left  his  father  in  New  York  and 
came  to  Lindley  when  about  eleven  years  of  age.  George  Pepper  lived  with  Joseph 
Rorabaugh  until  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  married  Mary  E.,  daughter  of 
Jared  and  Hannah  (Marks)  Upham  of  this  county.     They  had  four  children:  John  J., 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  153 

Gertrude  Manley,  William  H.,  and  George  M.  Mr.  Pepper  was  engaged  in  lumber- 
ing with  Fox,  Weston  &  Co.  for  thirty-five  years  He  is  now  engaged  in  farming  and 
owns  335  acres  of  land,  seventy-five  of  which  is  improved. 

Scott,  John,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Sempronius,  N.Y.,  March  20,  1832,  and  is  the 
sixth  of  thirteen  children  born  to  Samuel  and  Parmelia  (Clark)  Scott,  he  a  native  of 
Pompey  Hill,  N.  Y.,  born  June  3,  1791,  and  she  a  native  of  Sempronius,  born  March 
10,  1800.  The  grandfather,  Joseph  Scott,  came  from  Ireland  and  settled  in  Pompey, 
being  a  pioneer  of  the  town,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  where  he  died.  The 
maternal  grandfather,  Cyrus  Clark,  settled  in  Sempronius  and  from  there  went  to 
Indiana,  where  he  died.  He  was  also  a  farmer.  Samuel  Scott,  father  of  John,  and 
his  brothers,  John  and  Jonathan,  settled  in  what  has  been  since  called  Scott,  Cort- 
land county,  where  they  were  the  first  settlers  and  built  the  first  machine  in  the  town. 
Samuel  was  a  lumberman  and  farmer,  and  died  February  6,  1878  and  his  wife  March 
31,  1871.  John  Scott  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  helped  his  father  in  the  saw  mill, 
but  farming  has  always  been  his  occupation.  March  13,  1859,  he  married  Martha 
McCray,  who  was  born  April  16,  1834,  daughter  of  George  and  Sarah  McCray, 
natives  of  Oil  Creek,  Pa.,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  William  A.,  a  farmer  of 
Troupsburg;  Dorr,  also  a  farmer  of  Troupsburg ;  Minnie,  wife  of  John  Paul,  jr.,  of 
Troupsburg;  and  Ella  M.,  teacher,  who  was  educated  at  Canisteo,  N.  Y.  Mr. 
McCrary  was  a  farmer  and  died  in  1862,  aged  fifty-eight  years,  and  his  wife  Febru- 
ary 6,  1885,  aged  seventy-five  years.  Mr.  Scott  enlisted  in  Co.  H,  16th  N.  Y.  Heavy 
Artillery,  in  December,  1863,  was  in  service  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  in 
active  service  all  the  time.  He  has  been  poormaster  of  the  town  for  .seven  years,  and 
is  a  member  of  McClellan  Lodge  No.  649,  F.  &  A.  M.,  also  Post  Bailey  No.  351, 
G.  A.  R.,  of  Troupsburg. 

Brozitsky,  E.,  was  born  in  Poland,  along  the  German  line,  August  15,  1857,  and 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1872,  and  first  settled  in  Prattsburg,  where  he  remained 
one  year,  and  since  1874  has  been  in  the  town  of  Avoca.  At  present  he  is  a  farmer 
and  stock  dealer,  and  owns  a  farm  of  eighty-eight  acres.  He  married  Christianna, 
daughter  of  James  Holland,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Anna,  and  lola.  Mr. 
Brozitsky  is  a  member  of  Avoca  Lodge  No.  673,  also  of  the  Royal  Arcanum. 

Hutchinson,  C.  G.,  was  born  in  Francistown,  Hillsboro  county,  N.  H.,  June  24, 
1834,  son  of  Osgood  and  Abigail  S.  Pratt  Hutchmson,  natives  of  New  Hampshire, 
who  came  to  Greenwood  in  1846,  and  soon  after  to  Jasper,  and  several  years  after 
went  to  Ohio,  and  died  there.  His  first  wife  died  in  New  Hampshire,  and  he  mar- 
ried for  his  second  wife  Harriet  M.  Knapp.  He  was  a  carpenter.  His  grandfather, 
Osgood  Hutchinson,  lived  in  New  Hampshire  until  1857,  when  he  came  to  Jasper  and 
afterwards  went  to  Kansas  and  died  there,  aged  ninety  seven  years.  C.  G.  Hutchin- 
son was  reared  in  Peterboro,  and  Nashua  City,  N.  H.,  until  thirteen  years  of  age, 
when  he  came  to  Steuben  county,  where  he  has  practically  resided  ever  since.  In 
1856  he  married  Lucy  Olin  of  Woodhull,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  who  died  in 
infancy.  His  wife  died  in  1858,  and  he  married  for  his  second  wife  Helen  C.  Van 
Orsdaleof  Jasper,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  namely:  Luella  H.,  AbelW.,  who 
married  Bertha  Drake  and  had  two  children,  Eva  and  Flossie.  He  is  a  blacksmith 
by  trade,  and  has  been  constable;  Harlow  W.,  who  married  Nellie  Osterhoudt  and 
t 


154  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

had  one  child,  Blanche.  He  is  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  is  a  motorman  on  the 
electric  street  railway  at  Glean.  Mr.  Hutchinson  learned  the  blacksmith  trade  in 
Corning.  Since  living  in  Jasper  he  has  been  constable  seven  years  in  succession, 
collector  at  the  close  of  the  war,  and  overseer  of  the  poor  for  several  years.  In  1886 
he  was  elected  superintendent  of  the  poor  of  Steuben  county,  and  again  in  1887  was 
re-elected  and  held  the  office  six  years.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  I.O  O.F.  and 
Sons  of  Temperance,  and  for  several  years  has  been  trustee  and  treasurer  of  the 
Jasper  Cemetery  Association.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
for  several  years  and  treasurer  of  the  society  and  one  of  the  ruling  elders  since 
1882.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  is  at  present  one  of  the 
assessors  of  his  town.     Mrs.  Hutchinson  died  April  9,  1891. 

Feenaughty,  William  O.,  was  born  in  Howard,  May  5,  1864,  son  of  James  Fee- 
naughty,  who  was  born  in  Ireland,  May  24,  1833.  He  came  to  this  country  in  1847, 
and  at  fourteen  years  of  age  Was  employed  as  principal  of  a  Boston  city  school,  a 
position  for  which  he  was  fully  competent  This  seems  strange,  but  for  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  fact  that  he  was  educated  for  the  priesthood  and  that  only  boys  of  rare 
intellect  and  ability  are  given  that  opportunity.  Later  he  became  a  lumber  dealer 
in  the  towns  of  Canisteo  and  Howard,  wherq  he  married  Mary  J.  Alger  in  1852.  He 
died  July  22,  1874,  at  the  premature  age  of  forty-one  years,  leaving  five  sons  and 
one  daughter,  the  latter  now  deceased.  "William  O.  was  the  second  younger  of  the 
sons,  and  was  educated  at  Canisteo  Academy,  where  he  graduated  as  president  and 
valedictorian  of  the  class  of  1884.  He  engaged  in  farming,  teaching  school  the  winter 
terms.  He  was  married  September  15,  1887,  to  Mary,  daughter  of  William  Jamison 
of  Canisteo.  He  came  to  Addison  in  May,  1889,  and  purchased  his  present  grocery 
business,  making  specialties  of  potatoes  and  eggs.  Mrs.  Feenaughty  is  past  grand 
of  the  Odd  Fellows,  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  a  supporter  of  the 
Baptist  church. 

Stewart,  George  W. — John  Stewart,  his  wife  Cynthia  and  family,  came  to  the 
town  of  Cameron  from  Yates  county  about  1835.  Their  children  were  Lydia  Jack- 
son, Rev.  Jacob  Stewart,  Nancy,  Girden  Mary  Dj'ke,  Zeri,  John  Stout,  Rebecca 
Andrus,  and  Abraham,  all  deceased  with  the  exception  of  Abraham.  Girden  first 
married  Catherine,  daughter  of  Elisha  Leach,  by  whom  he  had  two  children: 
Melissa  Thomas  and  Amos.  He  afterwards  married  Sarah,  a  daughter  of  Nehemiah 
Winship,  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  John  (deceased),  George  W.,  Henry 
(deceased).  Norman,  James.  Catherine  Walton,  Amelia  (deceased),  Samuel,  Dewitt, 
Mory,  and  Lucilla  Wambald.  Amos,  George,  and  Henry  enlisted  in  Co.  G,  141st 
Regt.  N.  Y.  Vols.  George  was  transferred  to  Hancock's  Veteran  Reserve  Corps, 
145th  Independent  Co.  Amos  died  at  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  and  Henry  at  Yorktown,  of 
camp  fever.  Norman  enhsted  in  Co.  A,  189th  Regt.  N.  Y.  Vols.  George  W.  mar- 
ried Jane  S.,  a  daughter  of  Richard  Wood,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Annie 
Day,  Jennie  Jackson,  Clarence,  and  George  H.  (deceased).  Mr.  Stewart  afterward 
married  Hannah,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  Tailor,  by  whom  he  had  four  chil- 
ren:  Sarah  J.,  George  T.,  Lizzie  C,  and  James  G.  George  W.  is  a  farmer  and  owns 
about  eighty  acres  of  land.  In  early  life  he  worked  at  carpentry.  He  has  been  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  church  for  twenty-five  years  and  is  past  junior  vice  in  the 
Cameron  Post.  Girden  Stewart  was  very  active  in  church  work  and  was  a  local 
preacher. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  155 

Roberts,  Amos,  was  born  at  Glens  Falls,  Warren  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1843,  and  re- 
ceived a  common  school  education,  after  which  he  commenced  to  learn  the  mysteries 
of  printing  with  Hiram  M.  Harris  of  the  Glens  Falls  Republican,  a  rank  Democratic 
paper,  and  finished  his  trade  in  the  job  and  composing  rooms  of  the  Atlas  and 
Argus,  now  Albany  Argus,  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  and  after  spending  a  number  of  years 
at  work  at  his  trade  in  nearly  all  the  large  cities  in  the  United  States,  soon  after  the 
civil  war,  he  purchased  of  E.  N.  Johnson  a  half  interest  in  the  Addison  Advertiser, 
and  run  a  Republican  paper  and  did  a  successful  business  up  to  the  Greeley  cam- 
paign, when  he  went  for  Greeley  and  "got  left."  Soon  after  he  sold  the  establish- 
ment to  G.  H.  Hollis,  who  immediately  turned  it  into  a  rank  Democratic  sheet,  and 
after  drifting  around  for  a  short  time  he  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  Cortland 
County  Democrat,  published  at  Cortland,  N.Y.,  and  there  in  partnership  with  Daniel 
S.  Lamont,  now  secretary  of  war  in  President  Cleveland's  cabmet,  he  did  a  success- 
ful business  for  a  short  time,  until  Lamont  was  appointed  private  secretary  to  Gov- 
ernor Tilden,  when  they  sold  out,  and  Mr.  Roberts  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the 
Waverly  Enterprise,  located  at  Waverly,  N.  Y.,  which  was  soon  after  consumed  by 
fire  He  then,  in  company  with  his  old  partner,  E.  M.  Johnson,  who  was  then  chief 
clerk  in  the  New  York  State  Assembly,  established  the  Cobleskill  Herald,  a  nine- 
column  Republican  paper,  at  Cobleskill,  Schoharie  county,  N.  Y.,  where  the  Demo- 
crats had  more  majority  than  the  Republicans  had  votes,  and  did  a  fair  business  for 
three  years,  when  they  sold  out,  and  Mr.  Roberts  purchased  the  Addison  Advertiser, 
and  again  enlarged  it  to  a  nine-column  paper,  and  associated  the  principles  of  the 
G.  O.  P.,  where  it  still  exists. 

Baker,  John  K.,  was  born  in  Southport,  Chemung  county,  N.  Y.,  May  14,  1824, 
son  of  Lsaac  Baker,  and  grandson  of  Isaac,  who  was  one  of  the  prominent  millers 
of  Philadelphia  in  1812,  and  moved  to  Southport,  N.Y.,  now  a  portion  of  the  city  of 
Elmira,  where  he  took  charge  of  a  mill  for  John  Knapp.  Isaac  Baker,  jr.,  married 
Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Samuel  Giles.  He  engaged  in  lumbering  and  milling  at 
Southport,  and  then  in  Covington,  Bradford  county.  Pa.,  and  in  1855  came  to  Steu- 
ben county,  still  engaged  in  the  same  business.  He  returned  to  Elmira,  where  he 
died  in  1866.  John  K.,  also  a  miller,  was  engaged  in  milling  in  Elmira  and  Athens, 
Pa.,  for  several  }-ears  afterwards,  went  to  Hornellsville  and  started  the  Alley  & 
Bennett  mills.  In  1857  he  came  to  Bath  and  run  the  Belfast  mills,  located  at  that 
time  un  the  present  Soldiers'  Home  property;  spent  one  year  and  a  half  at  the 
Howard  mills,  and  April  1,  1865,  bought  the  Kanona  mills  which  he  runs  at  the 
present  time.  In  1856  he  married  Lucretia,  daughter  of  Hon.  Joseph  Powell,  sr., 
and  sister  of  Hon.  Joseph  Powell,  who  is  a  member  of  the  44th  Congress.  Mrs. 
Baker  died  in  1881,  leaving  two  sons,  Edward  P.  and  Charles  D.  In  1885  he  mar- 
ried Janet,  daughter  of  A.  Larue,  of  Wheeler,  N.Y. 

Beckwith,  Mrs.  C.  K. — Chester  K.  Beckwith  was  born  in  Steuben  county,  May  23, 
1835,  son  of  Zenas  Beckwith,  who  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  the  county. 
Chester  K.  Beckwith  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  Hornby,  after  which 
he  was  employed  as  fireman  on  the  N.  Y.,  L.  E.  and  W.  Railroad  until  1863,  when  he 
enlisted  in  the  97th  N.  Y.  Vols,  and  served  two  years ;  after  which  he  was  employed 
as  engineer  by  the  N.  Y.,  L.  E.  and  W. ,  and  the  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  and  Phila.  Railroads 
until  1880,  when  he  was  engaged  by  the  pipe  line  of  the  Standard  Oil  Co.  for  two 


156  LANDMARKS  OF  STEtJBEN  COUNTY. 

years.  He  then  commenced  farming,  which  he  followed  up  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  January  4,  1891,  aged  fifty-five  years.  He  married  Martha  L.  Doud, 
b}-  whom  he  had  three  children:  Herbert  C,  Addie  E.,  the  wife  of  George  W. 
Thompson,  and  Martha  A.  Mr.  Beckwith  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
also  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers.     In  politics  he  was  a  Republican. 

Kingsley,  Charles  F.,  was  born  in  the  towm  of  Urbana,  September  29,  1835.  His 
father,  Flavius  J.  Kingsley,  was  born  in  Nelson,  Madison  county,  N.  Y.,  December 
10,  1805,  and  moved  to  the  town  of  Urbana  in  this  county  in  1811,  and  married 
Minerva,  daughter  of  Albertus  Larrowe  of  Wheeler,  N.  Y. ,  on  the  27th  day  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1828,  and  through  life  was  identified  as  a  farmer,  and  died  July  25,  1893,  a  man 
who.se  judgment  was  sought  aud  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  His  mother  was 
born  on  August  28,  1806,  at  Reading,  N.  Y.,  and  died  August  31,  1866.  Stephen 
Kmgslev,  his  grandfather,  was  born  at  Wyndham,  Conn.,  June  3,  1768,  and  died  in 
Urbana,  February  28,  1844.  Charles  F.  was  educated  in  the  district  school  of  Urbana 
and  at  Genesee  Wesleyan  Seminary  at  Lima  in  1852  to  1855.  In  1855  he  began  the 
study  of  law  with  Clark  Bell  at  Hammondsport,  N.  Y. ,  and  was  admitted  to  practice 
in  all  courts  of  this  State  December  8,  1857,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  dis- 
trict court  of  the  United  States  in  May,  1867.  In  November,  1860,  he  came  to  Bath 
and  commenced  to  practice  law,  and  has  devoted  himself  exclusively  to  his  profession 
ever  since,  and  has  never  held  any  civil  office.  On  the  2d  day  of  June,  1864,  at  Bath, 
N.  Y.,  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  RSuben  Robie,  by  whom  he  had  three  children, 
James  Robie,  Charles  La  Rue,  and  Carter  Robie  Kingsley.  Mr.  Kingsley  has  always 
held  a  prominent  position  in  his  profession  and  has  been  selected  to  act  as  referee  in 
a  great  many  important  cases,  and  is  regarded  as  a  safe  and  reliable  counselor  and 
an  able  lawyer.  He  has  been  the  secretary  of  Board  of  Education  of  Bath  for  twenty- 
three  years,  and  for  about  the  same  length  of  time  a  vestryman  of  St.  Thomas' 
church. 

Ferenbaugh,  Willis  S. ,  was  born  in  Hornby  in  1849,  son  of  Benedict  and  Eliza 
Ferenbaugh.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Germany,  and  located  in  Corning  with  his 
parents  about  1827,  and  came  to  Mr.  Ferenbaugh's  present  place.  The  father  died 
in  1892,  aged  eighty-five.  Mr.  Ferenbaugh  has  two  sisters  who  reside  with  him  on 
the  home  place,  their  names  being  Sarah  A.  and  Delle.  They  have  205  acres, 
including  the  old  homestead.  Mr.  Ferenbaugh  follows  general  farming,  stock  rais- 
ing and  bee-keeping. 

Ball,  Edward  J.,  was  born  in  Pulteney  in  1849,  and  educated  in  the  common  schools. 
His  early  life  was  spent  at  the  carpenter's  trade.  Later  he  engaged  in  farming  and 
grape  growing,  which  business  he  still  follows.  In  1877  he  married  Clara,  daughter 
of  William  H.  Clark,  of  Pulteney,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  William,  and  Julian 
(deceased).  Mr.  Ball  afterwards  married  Anna,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Sul- 
livan) Gibson,  of  Pulteney.  Their  children  are  Clifford,  Helen,  Marjory,  and  Julia. 
Mr.  Ball  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge  of  Prattsburg.  Nathaniel  Ball,  his 
grandfather,  was  born  in  Herkimer  county  m  1788,  and  in  1815  came  to  Pulteney, 
where  he  resided  for  many  years.  He  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade.  He  died  in 
Auburn,  N.  Y.,  in  April,  1871.  His  wife,  Lucinda  Pelton,  was  born  in  Connecticut 
in  I7i)0,  and  died  in  Auburn  in  1874.     Their  children  were  Emma,  Lucy  A.,  Sher- 


1 


FAMILY   SKETCHES.  157 

wood,  and  Nelson.  Nelson,  the  father  of  Edward  J.,  was  born  in  Pulteney  in  1815. 
He  was  a  blacksmith  and  farmer  by  occupation.  His  first  wife  was  Julia  Pinkerton, 
by  whom  he  had  two  children,  Helen  and  Esther.  His  second  wife  was  Experience 
Benton,  by  whom  he  had  six  children :  George,  killed  at  the  battle  of  City  Point,  aged 
nineteen  years;  Edward,  Julia,  Sherwood  (deceased),  Elliott,  and  Harrison. 

Shults,  Arnold,  was  born  at  Palatine  Bridge,  January  34,  1841.  Conradt  Shults, 
his  father,  was  a  native  of  the  same  town,  and  the  family  were  among  the  early  set- 
tlers in  Montgomery  county.  Conrad  married  Catharine,  daughter  of  Peter  W. 
Saltsman,  and  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1842  and  settled  near  Avoca,  and  in  1844 
came  to  Bath  where  the  family  now  reside.  He  died  February  6,  1866,  aged  forty- 
six  years.  Arnold  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  in  1869  married  Ella 
Gray,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Clara  G.,  Fanny  E.,  Frank  A.,  William  S.,  and 
Lydia  E.  She  died  in  1878,  and  for  his  second  wife  he  married  Anna  Buck,  who 
died  in  1882,  and  for  his  third  wife  he  married  Rachel  Adams,  by  whom  he  had 
three  children;  Daniel  C,  Edward  P.,  and  Grattan  B.  Mr.  Shults  is  one  of  the 
largest  farmers  in  the  town  of  Bath,  and  was  elected  highway  commissioner  in  1884. 

Cone,  Eleazer  T.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  New  Lisbon,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y., 
June  24,  1835,  son  of.  Naaman  Cone,  also  a  native  of  Otsego  and  a  farmer.  He  came 
to  bteuben  county  in  1852  and  located  in  Hornellsville,  conducting  a  saw  mill  and 
brick  yard,  and  continuing  in  that  business  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  October  29,  1855,  at  the  age  of  fifty-four.  He  was  poormaster  at  that  tmie. 
Mr.  Cone's  mother,  Joanna  Warner,  was  a  native  of  Otsego  count5%  and  she  died  in 
1858.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cone  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  five  of  whom  are  still 
living.  Eleazer  was  given  a  good  education,  and  was  in  business  with  his  father 
at  the  time  he  came  to  Hornellsville.  In  1861  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Erie 
Railroad  Company,  and  for  two  years  was  foreman  of  fence  building  on  the  Buffalo 
Division.  The  fall  of  1862  he  went  into  the  shops  and  was  engineer  of  the  station- 
ary engine.  In  1873  he  bought  a  farm  of  125  acres  on  lot  11,  which  he  uses  for  dairy 
purposes,  grain  and  vegetables.  He  has  erected  many  buildings  and  made  improve- 
ments on  the  farm,  which  is  now  known  as  "  Pleasant  Valley"  dairy  farm.  He  is  a 
Republican  and  has  been  trustee  of  District  No.  5.  In  1862  he  married  Mary  E., 
daughter  of  Job  and  Rosilla  Hanks  Goff.  Mr.  Goff  was  also  a  native  of  Otsego 
county,  coming  to  Goff's  Mills  in  the  town  of  Howard  in  1812,  and  to  Hornellsville 
in  1854.  He  died  in  1886,  eighty-two  years  of  age.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cone  have  five 
children:  Nellie  A.,  wife  of  Fred  W.  Mcintosh  of  this  town;  Burton  E.,  who  is  an 
employee  of  McConnell's  Mill  in  Hornellsville;  N.  Warner,  who  is  un  a  farm  in  the 
town  of  Almond;  Willard  R.  at  home;  and  Fannie  F. ,  a  teacher. 

Kellison,  Robert  N.,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville,  April  23, 
1844,  son  of  James  Kellison,  a  native  of  Lycoming  county.  Pa.,  born  August  5,  1815, 
and  brought  here  by  his  parents  in  1823.  His  father,  Robert  KelHson,  took  up  a 
tract  of  100  acres  on  lot  No.  11,  and  always  made  his  home  there,  engaged  in  lum- 
bering most  of  the  time.  He  died  in  1842,  leaving  two  sons  and  two  daughters.  His 
sons  are  John  D.,  and  James.  John  D.  is  still  living,  now  in  his  sixty-eighth  year; 
James  followed  various  employments  and  has  always  lived  in  this  neighborhood 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  years  spent  in  Howard.     He  is  now  in  his  eightieth  year. 


158  LANDMARKS  OP  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

The  mother  of  Robert  N.,  Elizabeth  Meeks,  was  born  in  Milo,  Yates  county,  N.  Y., 
in  1825,  and  she  is  still  living.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  three  of 
whom  are  living:  Robert  N.,  James  L  ,  a  gardener  of  this  town,  and  Charles,  a 
lawyer  of  Plymouth,  Ind.  Robert  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  his  first 
occupation  was  with  other  farmers  and  in  saw  mills  until  1869,  when  he  bought  a 
farm  of  120  acres  on  lot  10,  which  he  has  cleared  off  and  on  which  he  has  erected 
buildings  and  made  many  improvements,  and  it  can  truly  be  said  "From  the  wilder- 
ness a  garden  now  blooms  "  October  6,  1869,  he  married  Mattie,  daughter  of  Hiram 
Warner,  a  farmer  and  carpenter  of  Urbana,  and  they  have  been  the  parents  of  five 
children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  The  remaining  three  are,  Bertus,  who 
assists  in  conducting  the  homestead  farm,  Cleveland,  a  student  of  district  No.  4 
school,  and  Millie  now  in  her  third  year. 

Prentiss,  Harvey,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Tyrone,  now  Schuyler  county,  April  27, 
1835.  Watson  Prentiss,  the  father  of  Harvey,  was  a  native  of  Vermont,  born  in 
Brattleboro.  He  came  to  New  York  State  when  a  young  man  and  located  in  Tyrone. 
He  was  a  farmer,  contractor  and  lumberman  for  a  number  of  years.  At  the  time 
of  the  building  of  the  Erie  Railroad  he  had  a  contract  for  clearing  land  for  them, 
and  in  1850  removed  to  Hornellsville,  and  after  the  completion  of  the  road  had  a 
contract  for  furnishing  wood  to  them  both  here  and  Canisteo.  He  bought  a  farm  of 
183  acres  south  of  the  city,  only  five  acres  of  which  was  cleared,  and  he  cleared  the 
balance  and  furnished  the  product  for  the  railroad  for  lumber  and  wood.  He  was  a 
true  Christian  and  for  many  years  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church.  He  died  in 
1872.  The  mother  of  Harvey,  who  was  Susannah  Price,  was  a  native  of  Schuyler 
county.  She  died  in  March,  1877.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  daughters  and 
five  sons,  of  whom  four  are  still  living:  Albert,  a  farmer  of  Allen,  Hillsdale  county, 
Mich.;  George  W.,  a  contractor  of  Hornellsville;  Anson,  a  conductor  on  the  Erie 
Railroad,  and  Harvey.  The  latter  was  educated  in  the  common  school  and  re- 
mained with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  reaching  his  majority.  In  1857  he  was 
elected  constable  and  held  the  office  for  twelve  years,  and  during  that  time  for  eight 
years  was  deputy  .sheriff.  In  the  meantime  he  held  many  other  offices;  was  trustee 
of  the  village  for  two  years,  and  was  street  commissioner  for  the  village  of  Hornells- 
ville, and  detective  and  officer  for  the  Railroad  Co.  He  was  an  assessor,  and  a 
number  of  years  inspector  of  election.  In  1893  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  super- 
visor of  the  Fourth  and  Fifth  wards  of  this  city.  In  1870  he  purchased  the  home- 
stead farm,  and  still  owns  the  most  of  it,  which  he  has  laid  out  into  building  lots  for 
the  improvement  of  the  city,  and  bought  until  he  has  about  the  same  acreage.  He 
has  dealt  extensively  in  real  estate  and  built  a  number  of  houses.  He  was  mariied 
in  1857  to  Miss  Osie  M.,  daughter  of  Christopher  Doty,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  this 
section,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Edward  A.,  who  died  Marcn  2,  1864,  at  six 
years  of  age;  Ada  Osie,  wife  of  George  Gill  Fowler,  a  merchant  of  Dansville,  Liv- 
ingston county;  and  Miss  Grace  Isabelle,  a  graduate  of  Hornellsville  Academy,  liv- 
ing with  her  parents. 

Rial,  John,  is  a  son  of  Simon  S.  Rial,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  who  came  to  Seneca 
county  in  1812,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming,  and  in  1838  came  to  Erwin  and 
settled  near  Painted  Post,  where  John  received  his  educatian.  In  1856  Mr.  Rial  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  the  northeast  corner  of  Addison,  where  he  died  in  1860,  aged  fifty- 


FAMILY  SKETCnES.  159 

seven  years,  leaving  six  sons  and  two  daughters.  He  was  a  Democrat,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  church.  John  Rial  has  always  been  engaged  in  farming  and 
moved  on  the  farm  which  he  now  owns  in  1865.  He  makes  a  specialty  of  haying 
and  dairying,  July  4,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  33d  Regt.  N.  Y.  Vols,  for 
two  years,  during  which  time  he  was  taken  prisoner  at  Fredericksburg  and  confined 
thirty  days.  In  1864  he  married  Louisa  Kent,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  two 
children:  Fred,  an  active  farmer  of  Addison,  twenty-eight  years  of  age  and  Lizzie. 
Mr.  Rial  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been  school  trustee  for  many  years. 

Wheeler,  John  D.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Cameron  in  1845,  and  is  a  son  of  James 
B.  and  Malinda  G.  (Willard)  Wheeler,  who  settled  here  in  1815,  when  James  B.  was 
seven  years  old.  John  D.  married  Adelle,  a  daughter  of  Jessie  and  Susanna  Santee, 
of  Hornellsville.  They  have  one  child,  Charles  J.  Mr.  Wheeler  has  been  town 
clerk  of  Cameron  for  eight  consecutive  years  and  has  several  times  refused  the  nomi- 
nation for  supervisor.  He  is  a  member  of  Cameron  Mills  Lodge  No.  542  F.  &  A.  M., 
and  has  been  commander  of  Hallett  Post  G.  A.  R.  for  five  years,  He  enlisted  in 
1863  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  in  the  16th  N.  Y.  Artillery  and 
was  afterwards  made  captain  in  106th  Regt.  N.  Y.  S.  Nat.  Guards.  Mr.  Wheeler 
was  engaged  in  farming  and  milling  until  1880,  when  he  engaged  in  the  general 
merchandise  business,  which  he  still  follows. 

Wheeler,  R.  M.,  was  born  in  Cameron,  February  2,  1848.  His  father,  James  B. 
Wheeler,  who  was  a  farmer  and  lumberman  in  Cameron  for  many  years,  was  a  na 
five  of  this  county,  born  in  1809.  He  was  married  to  Melinda  Willard,  a  native  of 
Massachusetts,  in  1833.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children  that  reached  adult 
age.  Mrs.  Wheeler  died  March  16,  1889,  at  seventy-six  years  of  age.  Gratton  H. 
Wheeler,  the  oldest  son,  was  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  Cameron.  Robert,  who 
was  the  fifth  son,  was  given  a  common  school  education.  His  father  having  owned 
both  saw  and  grist  mills,  he  was  then  engaged  in  farming  and  in  the  mills  until 
eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  learned  the  carriage-maker's  trade  in  Bath  and  fol- 
lowed it  for  ten  years.  He  was  then  for  eighteen  months  in  a  store  at  Cameron  with 
his  brother,  J.  D.  Wheeler,  who  is  in  business  there  still.  In  1886  he  came  to  Hor- 
nellsville and  took  up  building,  working  for  a  while  at  the  trade,  and  a  year  later 
began  taking  contracts  for  the  erection  of  buildings,  and  is  now  one  of  the  leading 
contractors  of  the  city.  He  was  married  December  25,  1877,  to  Louise  Scarwell, 
daughter  of  Henry  Scarwell  of  Bath,  who  was  first  sergeant  in  Battery  E,  of  the  1st 
N.  Y.  Artillery,  in  the  late  war,  after  which  he  soon  died  from  wounds  received 
while  in  the  service.  They  have  one  daughter,  Nina  L.,  a  student  of  the  Hornell 
Academy. 

Houghton,  C.  F.,  w^as  born  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  in  1846,  and  was  educated  at 
Ellington,  Conn.,  and  Cambridge,  Mass.  He  became  connected  with  the  "Union 
Glass  Works"  of  Somerville,  Mass.,  established  by  his  father — later  with  the  "  South 
Ferry  Glass  Works"  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  owned,  and  operated  by  his  father,  and 
came  to  Corning  on  their  removal  here.  He  has  been  vice-president  since  1882.  In 
1878  he  married  Helen  Hall  of  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  and  was  a  member  of  Assembly  in 
1874. 

Metz,  William,   was   born  in  Nescopeck,   Luzerne  county.   Pa.,   August  30,  1820, 


160 


LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 


the  oldest  of  three  children  born  to  John  and  Ann  (Moore)  Metz.  The  paternal 
grandparents  were  William  and  Margaret  (Larkin)  Metz,  and  came  from  New- 
Jersey  to  Nescopeck,  where  they  died.  The  maternal  grandparents  were  Will- 
iam and  Mary  (Coates)  Moore.  William  Moore  was  six  years  and  nine  months 
in  the  Revolutionary  war.  WiUiam  Metz,  jr.,  was  reared  by  an  uncle,  and  at  the  age 
of  twenty  engaged  in  farming.  In  1847  he  settled  on  a  farm  of  120  acres,  and  re- 
tired from  active  business  in  1883.  Mr.  Metz  was  twice  married,  first  in  1846  to  Ade- 
line Uunton,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Clark  D.  They  also  reared  an  adopted 
daughter,  Marcia  Reynolds,  now  the  wife  of  Warren  Gleason,  who  works  the  farm. 
Mrs.  Metz  died  December  20,  188  .  Mr.  Metz  then  married,  January  19,  1883,  Fin- 
etta  Pettibone  Saunders.  She  was  born  June  2,  1831,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and 
Mary  T.  (Parcels)  Pettibone,  of  Hartsville,  Steuben  county.  Her  grandfather,  Dan- 
iel Pettibone,  was  a  silversmith  and  invented  many  useful  things.  Jonathan  Petti- 
bone was  born  July  31,  1796,  and  Mary,  his  wife,  was  born  March  2,  1806.  She  died 
in  1832  and  he  in  1876.  He  was  a  fisherman  when  young  but  was  afterwards  engaged 
in  farming.  In  1846  Finetta  Pettibone  married  Charles  Saunders,  afarmer  of  Alfred, 
who  died  in  1877.  They  had  these  children:  Charles  R.,  George  W.,  William  C, 
Prudence  L.,  and  Finetta,  wife  of  Luther  Skinner,  of  Troupsburg.  Mr.  Metz  was  a 
Prohibitionist  and  belonged  to  the  M.  E.  church.  Mrs.  Metz  is  a  Seven  Day  Baptist. 
William  Metz  died  May  19,  1895. 

Maltby,  Jerome  B.,  was  born  in  Schuyler  county,  in  1841,  where  his  early  days 
were  passed,  at  Monterey,  N.  Y.  In  1862  he  migrated  to  the  west,  crossing  the  plains 
on  horseback  to  the  Pacific  coast;  forming  part  of  the  escort  guard  to  emigration 
wagon  trains.  During  186J  he  worked  the  California  gold  mines  and  in  1865  came 
to  Corning,  where  he  has  since  been  a  member  of  the  firm  of  C.  R.  Maltby  &  Brother, 
the  only  exclusively  wholesale  grocery  house  in  Corning.  He  served  as  trustee  dur- 
ing two  terms  and  was  twicj  treasurer  of  the  village.  Curtis  Maltby,  his  father,  is  a 
native  of  Tompkins  county,  and  resides  with  him. 

Hartrum,  John  S.,  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  May  4,  1823,  son  of  William  and 
Elizabeth  Hartrum,  mentioned  elsewhere.  John  S.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  edu- 
cated at  Alfred  University,  and  has  taught  school  over  thirty  years,  and  for  nine  years 
has  been  town  superintendent  of  schools.  He  has  also  been  engaged  in  farming  on 
a  farm  of  187  acres,  keeping  about  twenty  cows.  In  1872  he  married  Belinda, 
daughter  of  Lorenzo  and  Julia  Ann  Ward  Orcutt,  of  Savona.  Mr.  Orcutt  was  a  shoe- 
maker, tanner,  and  currier.  He  died  in  March,  1894,  and  Mrs.  Orcutt  in  1868.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hartrum  have  had  three  children:  William  W.,  deceased,  Elizabeth  I.,  wife 
of  Lewis  Osmin,  a  farmer  of  West  Union,  and  Mary  E.  Mr.  Hartrum  is  a  Republi- 
can, and  has  been  road  commis-sioner,  assessor,  and  supervisor  of  Greenwood.  They 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  church. 

Merrill,  Levi,  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  Addison,  is  a  descendant  of  a  Massachu- 
setts family,  a  son  of  Clark  Merrill,  who  came  from  that  State  in  1828,  and  .settled  in 
New  York.  He  died  at  Cooper's  Plains  in  1877,  aged  seventy  years.  Levi  was  born 
in  the  town  of  Campbell,  Steuben  county,  in  the  year  1835,  coming  here  about 
forty  years  ago,  and  by  occupation  a  farmer  and  engaged  in  lumbering,  and  also 
running  a  saw  mill.     In  1859  Mr.  Merrill  married  Diantha,  daughter  of  Isaac  Brisso, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  161 

of  Campbell,  who  died  in  1890,  leaving  one  son,  Lorenzo,  who  married  Lizzie  Andrus 
in  1888.     He  was  drafted  in  July,  1863. 

Stewart,  Oliver  Dwight,  was  born  in  Schoharie  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1846,  son  of  Will- 
ard  Stewart,  now  a  farmer  of  Rathbone.  Oliver  came  to  Horuellsville  in  1853,  where 
he  received  his  education,  and  m  1859  he  removed  to  Addison,  buyiug  a  farm  of  one 
Hundred  and  fifty  acres,  and  making  a  specialty  of  raising  choice  sheep.  In  1863  he 
enlisted  in  Company  B,  107th  N.  Y.  Volunteers,  and  took  part  in  several  severe  bat- 
tles during  his  two  years'  service;  was  in  Sherman's  army  all  the  time.  In  1872  he 
married  Sarah  Sizer  of  Rathboneville,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  three  children : 
Charles  A.,  Gertrude,  and  Bertha. 

Wagner,  Anton. — Edward  Streebeck,  of  German  descent,  was  born  in  New  York 
city,  and  in  1858  came  to  Steuben  county,  where  he  has  since  resided  in  the  town  of 
Caton.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  141st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  was  married  in  Philadelphia  to  Ann(Behler),  who  died  in  1894. 
He  has  two  children:  Alvena,  wife  of  Anton  Wagner,  a  native  of  Germany,  who  re- 
sides on  the  home  place,  which  he  manages;  and  Augusta,  wife  of  Frederick  Keller 
of  Chemung  county. 

Sutton,  W.  R.,  was  born  in  Bradford,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  May  17,  1852,  a  son 
of  E.  W.  Sutton,  who  was  born  in  Waverly,  Tioga  county,  and  came  to  Steuben 
county  in  1850.  E.  W.  Sutton  was  a  tailor  by  trade,  which  business  he  followed  for 
many  years.  Later  he  engaged  with  H.  W.  Ferine  as  salesman  in  the  general  mer- 
chandise business,  which  he  continued  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  May  26,  1887.  He 
married  Hulda,  daughter  of  Samuel  Hopkins,  of  Steuben  county,  by  whom  he  had 
seven  children,  of  whom  Dr.  O.  W.  Sutton,  of  Bath;  W.  R.  Sutton,  of  Avoca;  Dr. 
L.  Sutton,  of  Canisteo;  and  C.  E.  Sutton,  of  Palisades,  N.  Y.,  are  now  living.  W. 
R.  Sutton  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  Cooper's  Plains,  then  entered  the 
store  of  Ferine  at  Bath,  where  he  remained  nineteen  years.  March  21,  1885,  he  es- 
tablished a  general  merchandise  business  in  the  village  of  Avoca  and  is  now  one  of 
the  leading  business  men  of  the  town.  Mr.  Sutton  married  Ada,  a  daughter  of  M. 
C.  Furdy,  a  painter  of  Bath,  by  whom  he  has  five  children:  Edwin  R.,  Walter  L., 
Lawrence,  Furdy,  and  Florence.  He  is  a  member  of  Avoca  Lodge  No.  666  of 
Masonry,  K.  of  H. 

Northrup,  Jesse  D.,  was  born  in  Greenwood,  March  9,  1859,  the  only  child  of  Ebe- 
nezer  and  Hannah  Elliott  Northrup.  Ebenezer  was  left  an  orphan  when  very  young 
and  was  brought  up  by  an  uncle  in  New  Jersey,  where  he  learned  the  blacksmith's 
trade,  at  which  he  worked  a  number  of  years.  April  8,  1858,  he  settled  on  a  farm  in 
Greenwood,  where  he  resided  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  April  8, 
1873.  Mrs.  Northrup  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  Ingraham  Elliott,  who 
came  from  New  Ashford,  Mass.,  to  Allegany,  N.  Y.,  at  an  early  day.  Mr.  Elliott 
was  a  rope  maker  by  trade,  but  the  latter  part  of  his  life  was  spent  on  a  farm.  He 
died  in  1878.  and  Mrs.  Elliott  in  1874.  In  politics  Mr.  Northrup  was  a  Republican, 
and  for  a  number  of  years  was  magistrate  of  Greenwood.  They  are  members  of  the 
Baptist  church.  Jesse  D.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  after  his  father's  death,  which 
occurred  when  he  was  but  fifteen,  took  charge  of  the  homestead  farm  which  he  has 
carried  on  successfully  to  the  present  time.     He  is  a  Republican,  and  at  present  one 


1G2 


LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 


of  the  assesors  of  the  town.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Sentinel  Lodge,  No.   151,    F.   & 
A.  M.,  of  Greenwood,  of  which  he  is  master. 

Baldwin  Family,  The. — The  family  of  Baldwinsis  descended  from  Henry  Baldwin, 
who  came  from  Buckingham,  England,  about  1627.  He  settled  in  Woburn,  Mass. 
His  son,  Benjamin,  the  youngest  of  twelve  children,  moved  to  Canterbury,  Conn., 
about  1700.  Rufus  Baldwin,  father  of  James  and  Henry  Baldwin  of  Addison,  was 
born  in  Canterbury,  Conn.,  in  1795.  In  1812  he  was  connected  with  the  Light  Guards 
and  gained  the  title  of  major.  In  1821  he  came  to  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  purchased 
some  1,000  acres  of  timber  land  on  the  Cowanesque  River,  and  engaged  extensively 
m  the  manufacture  of  lumber.  In  1825  he  married  Pamelia  Wombough,  daughter  of 
Wm.  Wombough,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Addison.  In  1834  he  removed  to 
Addison  and  settled  upon  a  farm  about  one  mile  east  of  the  village,  where  he  lived 
until  1851,  in  which  year  he  moved  into  the  village  of  Addison  and  retired  from  the 
active  duties  of  life.  He  w-as  one  of  the  pioneer  movers  in  the  founding  and  erection 
of  the  Addison  Academy  in  1848.  Through  his  efforts  the  first  sash  and  blind  factory 
was  built  in  Addison.  He  was  one  of  the  projectors  and  stockholders  of  the  plank 
road  from  Addison  to  Elkland.  Major  Baldwin  was  chosen  to  several  important 
places  of  trust  by  the  citizens  of  Addison.  He  was  interested  in  every  enterprise  that 
had  for  its  object  the  improvement  of  his  town  or  the  benefit  of  society.  He  was  a 
man  of  strict  business  integrity,  and  was  genial  and  sociable.  He  died  in  1883;  his 
wife  died  in  1866. 

Baldwin,  Henry,  son  of  Rufus  Baldwin,  was  born  in  1831 ;  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
1853,  and  was  supervisor  of  Addison  from  1859  to  1861.  In  1861  he  raised  a  company 
and  as  captain  joined  the  34th  Regt.  N.  Y.  Vols.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Ball's 
Bluff,  Yorktown,  Fair  Oaks,  Seven  Pines,  Antietam,  and  Fredericksburg.  He  was 
chairman  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  in  1876;  was  elected  colonel  of  the  106th  Regt. 
N.  Y.  S.  militia  in  1869;  was  elected  sheriff  of  Steuben  county  in  1885.  He  was 
married  in  1856  to  Bella  Bliss  of  Hornellsville;  she  died  m  1863.  Henry  Baldwin  has 
always  been  identified  with  the  improvements  of  Addison.  Through  his  efforts  the 
Addison  and  Northern  Pennsylvania  Raili'oad  w-as  constructed.  At  present  he  is 
largely  interested  in  farming. 

Baldwin,  James,  son  of  Rufus  Baldwin,  was  born  in  1834.  After  leaving  Lima 
Seminary  in  1853,  he  settled  upon  a  farm  about  two  miles  west  of  Addison,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  woolen  goods  and  farming.  In  1855  he  married 
Emma  L.  Cowley  In  1857,  having  sold  his  farm  and  timber  lands  to  Hon.  F.  C. 
Dininny,  he  moved  to  Woodhull,  where  he  built  a  steam  grist  and  saw  mill,  and 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business.  In  1866  he  returned  to  Addison,  and  soon  after 
commenced  the  banking  bnsiness,  in  which  he  is  still  engaged.  He  has  been  from 
the  organization  of  the  party  a  prohibitionist;  has  been  a  candidate  on  the  State 
ticket  for  treasurer,  and  also  for  congressman  in  his  district.  He  has  one  son,  born 
in  1857,  who  is  a  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  living  about  two  miles  from  Addison. 

Carter,  jr.,  George  W.,  was  born  May  30,  1872.  George  W.  Carter,  his  father,  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Greenwood,  January  24,  1833.  His  grandfather  was  a  native  of 
Vermont,  and  was  born  October  19,  1787,  and  married  Rachel  Tetter  of  Tompkins 
county.     Anthony  Carter  was  the  next  youngest  son  to  settle  in  Greenwood  in  1830, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  163 

where  he  resided  for  nine  years,  then  came  to  Canisteo,  to  what  is  known  as  Ben- 
nett's Creek,  and  purchased  1,038  acres  of  land,  which  is  most  all  in  the  hands  of  some 
of  the  family  yet.  George  W.  married  Cynthia,  daughter  of  James  Cross,  of  Canis- 
teo, by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Cassica  A.,  Mary  A.,  Lura  T.,  Flora  G.,  and 
George  W.,  jr.,  who  is  working  a  part  of  the  homestead  farm,  which  was  given  him 
by  his  father. 

Waldorf,  William  E.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Richmondville,  Schoharie  county, 
N.  Y.,  March  20,  1860.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Utica  Business 
College.  His  first  occupation  after  leaving  school  was  bookkeeper  for  Bacon  & 
Pillmore,  of  Rome,  N.  Y.,  which  position  was  held  by  him  for  several  years.  In  1885 
he  became  one  of  the  proprietors  of  a  general  store  in  the  village  of  New  York  Mills, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Wilson  &  Waldorf.  After  conducting  this  business  for  two 
years,  he  sold  out  his  interest  and  entered  the  employ  of  the  Pullman  Palace  Car  Com- 
pany, where  he  remained  one  year.  After  leaving  the  Pullman  Company  he  ac- 
cepted a  position  as  cashier  for  the  Wells,  Fargo  Express  Company,  at  Hornellsville, 
N.  Y.  The  spring  of  1891  he  resigned,  to  accept  a  position  as  bookkeeper  with  the 
Hornellsville  Water  Company.  In  June,  1893,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  board 
of  directors,  and  made  superintendent,  which  positions  he  now  holds.  He  has  been 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  since  1890,  Hornellsville  Lodge  331,  F.  &  A.  M.  ; 
Steuben  Chapter  101,  R.  A.  M.  ;  Hornellsville  Council  35,  R.  and  S.  M. ;  DeMolay 
Commardery  22,  Knights  Templar;  and  has  for  the  past  four  years  acted  as  organist 
for  all  the  Masonic  lodges  in  the  city  of  Hornellsville ;  also  is  recorder  of  Hornells- 
ville Council  35,  R.  and  IS.  M.,  and  DeMolay  Commandery  22,  Knights  Templar;  a 
member  of  Orient  Tent  21,  K.  O.  T.  M.  ;  Samuel  Campbell  Council  1090,  Royal  Ar- 
canum;  and  Park  Methodist  Church.  February  10,  1S86,  he  married  Lizzie  J. 
Hughes,  of  New  York  Mills,  by  whom  he  has  three  children:  William  Edward,  jr., 
Walter  H.,  and  Mable  Edna. 


5,  Ebenezer,  was  born  in  the  town  of  vScio,  Allegany  county,  N.  Y  ,  December 
19,  1847,  the  oldest  son  of  Charles  and  Matilda  Mayeron  Page,  a  farmer  and  now  a 
resident  of  Hornellsville.  Ebenezer  was  given  a  common  school  education,  and  be- 
came a  farmer  by  occupation.  In  his  twenty-second  year  he  bought  the  old  home- 
stead farm  in  West  Almond,  and  conducted  that  until  January,  1879,  when  he  ex- 
changed it  for  one  half  of  the  old  McBurney  farm  of  165  acres,  and  has  added  to  this 
by  the  purchase  of  the  John  Santee  farm  of  100  acres,  and  also  owns  100  acres  pur- 
chased of  the  Hartshone  estate  in  the  fall  of  1894.  In  June,  1889,  he  bought  sixty- 
two  acres  of  the  Jeff  McGee  farm  on  lot  10,  and  also  owns  100  acres  on  Crosby  Creek, 
purchased  of  the  Oliver  Cleveland  estate.  Mr.  Page  has  always  conducted  a  dairy 
farm,  and  now  has  fifty-eight  head  of  stock,  besides  nine  horses.  He  conducts  a 
milk  route  in  Hornellsville.  Mr.  Page  was  married  three  times,  first,  to  Clara,  a 
daughter  of  Oliver  Cleveland,  who  died  in  May,  1876.  His  second  wife  was  Elethra 
Cleveland,  sister  of  his  first  wife,  and  her  death  occurred  March  26,  1892.  The  pres- 
ent Mrs.  Page  was  Mary  L.  Orvis,  daughter  of  Daniel  H.  Orvis,  of  this  town.  He 
has  two  children:  Clara  A.,  a  student  of  Hornellsville  Academy,  and  Frederick,  a 
student  of  Bryant  School. 

Durnian,  Richard,  was  born  in  Tyrone,  Ireland,  April  13,  1835,  and  came  to  the 


l64  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

United  States  in  1850  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Bath.  In  1860  he  married  EHzabeth 
L.,  daughter  of  James  T.  Stewart,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  A.  C,  and  Adelle. 
In  1857  he  bought  the  Dunsmore  lot,  in  1861  the  Amos  Tanner  lot,  and  in  1878  the 
Jesse  S.  Aber  farm,  having  155  acres  of  farm  land,  and  making  a  specialty  of  raising 
stock,  and  buying,  feeding,  and  shipping  same  to  New  York.  Mrs.  Durnian  died  in 
1890,  and  for  his  second  wife  he  married  Rosamond  M.,  daughter  of  Isaac  Ross. 

Fancett,  Samuel  R.,  was  born  in  Bath,  September  15,  1856.  His  father,  Richard, 
was  born  December  8,  1809,  in  County  Mayo,  Ireland,  and  came  to  Bath  in  18B8.  He 
married  Fannie,  daughter  of  Robert  S.  Fancett,  December  29,  1842.  He  was  a  farmer 
by  occupation  and  greatly  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  died  August  3,  1888, 
aged  seventy-nine  years.  September  29,  1886,  Samuel  R.  married  Emma,  daughter 
of  John  Hall,  by  whom  he  has  two  daughters,  Florence  D.  and  Mabel  B.  Mr.  Fan- 
cett is  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  the  town. 

Rosa,  Andrew  Yates,  was  born  Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  in  1828,  son  of  John  Rosa,  born 
in  1808,  a  contractor,  who  built  considerable  of  the  Erie  Canal.  He  built  the  old 
basin  at  Schenectady  and  assisted  in  building  the  New  York  Central  Railroad.  He 
married  Mary  Eliza,  daughter  of  Andrew  Yates,  of  Glenville,  Schenectady  county, 
and  their  children  were  Andrew,  Deborah,  Harriet  (deceased),  J.  E.  and  John  Rosa. 
He  died  in  1841,  and  his  wife  in  1866.  Andrew's  grandfather,  James  Rosa,  a  native 
of  Schenectady,  was  a  stage  superintendent,  and  in  later  years  became  assistant 
superintendent  of  the  Albany  and  Schenectady  horse  railroad.  He  took  charge  of 
buying  the  horses  and  hiring  the  men.  Andrew  has  led  an  active  life,  having  been 
for  twenty- eight  years  a  locomotive  and  steamboat  engineer,  and  engineer  in  Sacra- 
mento valley  in  California.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  entered  the  Thomas  Rogers 
locomotive  works,  at  Paterson,  N.  J.,  where  he  served  his  apprenticeship,  since 
which  time  he  has  served  in  the  shops  of  the  New  York  Central  Railroad,  also  as 
engineer,  and  later  as  engineer  on  the  Michigan  Southern  &  Northern  Indiana  Rail- 
roads, and  numerous  other  roads.  During  1865-66  he  was  engineer  on  the  steam 
propeller,  James  McBride  Davison,  which  plied  between  Wilmington  and  Fort  Fisher 
and  Cape  Ann  River  for  the  government.  In  1867  Mr.  Rosa  journeyed  to  California 
via  Panama,  where  he  engineered  and  served  for  a  time  as  foreman  of  railroad  shops 
stationed  at  Wadsworth,  Nevada.  In  1869  he  returned  to  Schenectady  as  engineer 
on  the  New  York  Central,  and  in  1871  came  to  Prattsburg  and  located  on  his  present 
farm,  but  was  called  to  engineer  on  the  Midland  River  Railway,  where  he  spent  three 
years,  thence  to  Missouri  for  a  time.  He  then  returned  to  Prattsburg  where  he  has 
devoted  his  attention  to  general  farming,  and  the  breeding  of  Jersey  cattle  and  fine 
driving  horses.  In  1862-63  he  owned  boats  on  the  Erie  Canal.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Odd  Fellows  Lodge  in  New  Albany,  Ind.  In  1870  he  married  Mary  Jane  Brown, 
of  Schenectady. 

Stephens,  Joshua  Chapman,  was  born  in  Canisteo,  May  30,  1816.  Nathan  Stephens, 
his  father,  was  born  December  8,  1783,  and  May  11,  1790,  came  with  his  father, 
Jedediah  Stephens,  to  Canisteo  and  settled  on  a  farm  of  400  acres.  He  married 
Rachael,  daughter  of  Elisha  Gilbert  of  Addison,  by  whom  he  had  five  children, 
Elisha  G.,  Jedediah,  H.  M.,  Ebenezer  C. ,  and  Franklin.  He  lived  on  a  farm,  known 
as  lot  No.  10,  1st  division,  until  his  death,  which  occurred  April  4,  1862.     August  3, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  165 

1845,  Joshua  C.  married  Hannah,  daughter  of  Harris  Abbe  of  Canisteo,  by  whom  he 
had  seven  children:  Ira  G.,  James  A.,  Harris  M.,  Nathan  J.,  Rachel  J.,  Emma  H., 
and  Mary  M.  Three  of  the  sons  are  carpenters  and  joiners,  and  James  A.  is  at 
home  on  the  farm.  A  fact  worthy  of  notice  is  that  not  one  of  the  sons  weighs  less 
than  200  lbs.,  and  is  said  to  be  the  strongest  and  most  robust  family  in  the  town. 
Mr.  Stephens  has  held  the  office  of  supervisor  and  other  minor  offices,  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Morning  Star  Lodge  of  Masons,  No.  65,  also  of  Steuben  Chapter. 

Hall,'  Alexander,  was  born  in  Camijbellford,  Ontario,  June  21,  1862,  the  son  of 
James  Hall,  a  farmer  of  that  town.  Alexander  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
his  native  town,  and  after  spending  a  short  time  on  the  farm  and  as  a  maker  of 
cheese,  he  took  up  the  study  of  dentistry  in  the  fall  of  1889  in  the  Ohio  College  of 
Dental  Surgery,  at  Cincinnati,  graduating  from  there  with  the  degree  of  D.  D.  S. 
March  9,  1892.  He  first  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  his  home  in  Ontario, 
where  he  remained  until  May  5,  1893,  on  which  date  he  located  in  Hornellsville 
where  he  established  an  office  at  59  Main  street,  where  he  has  made  rapid  advance- 
ment in  the  good  will  of  the  people  and  a  rapidly  increasing  practice  proves  his 
ability  as  an  honored  member  of  the  profession.  He  was  married,  December  21, 
1892,  to  Miss  Nettie  McCann.  They  have  one  child,  Mary  Lewella  Hall  in  her  sec- 
ond year.  The  winter  of  1893-94  Dr.  Hall  spent  at  the  Ohio  Medical  University  as 
general  demonstrator  on  operative  and  posthetic  dentistry. 

Mackie,  Frank  G.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Avoca,  July  15,  1855,  son  of  Robert 
Mackie,  who  was  born  in  Glasgow,  Scotland,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1820, 
and  first  settled  with  his  father,  William  Mackie,  in  Paterson,  N.  J.,  and  in  1824 
came  to  Avoca,  Steuben  county,  where  he  has  since  resided  on  a  farm  of  320  acres, 
his  principal  crops  being  potatoes,  barley,  rye,  and  oats.  Robert  married  Jane 
Howard,  and  thej' have  two  children:  Sophia  and  Frank  G.  The  latter  was  edu- 
cated in  the  town  of  Avoca,  and  is  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  married  Hannah, 
daughter  of  Joseph  Eells,  of  Avoca.  Mr.  Mackie  has  filled  the  office  of  assessor  for 
one  term. 

Cram,  Mrs.  Permelia. — The  late  Simon  B.  Cram  was  a  native  of  Chenango  county, 
son  of  Isaiah  Cram,  and  was  raised  on  a  farm  in  Caton.  He  served  three  j'ears  in 
the  50th  New  York  Regt.  In  18T0  he  married  Permelia  Whitmore.  a  native  of  the 
town  of  Hornby.  He  died  in  1886,  leaving  five  children:  May,  Jennette,  Roscoe, 
Preston,  and  Bertrand.     They  have  a  well  improved  farm  of  126  acres. 

Davis,  Daniel,  one  of  West  Caton' swell  known  and  oldest  citizens,  vvasborn  in  Massa- 
chusetts in  1816,  and  in  1838  went  to  New  Orleans,  locating  in  Southern  Mississippi, 
where  he  followed  the  trades  of  carpenter  and  builder.  He  then  came  to  Steuben 
county,  locating  on  his  present  place,  known  as  the  Pail  Factory  place,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  Dexter  Davis,  a  brother,  had  come  here  a  year  before  to  manufacture 
lumber  and  wooden  pails,  purchasing  lots  number  1  and  24;  another  brother,  Norris, 
came  with  Daniel  in  1843,  and  the  three  continued  the  business  of  manufacturing 
pails  for  five  or  six  years,  when  Mr.  Davis  succeeded  to  the  ownership  of  the  entire 
place,  which  he  still  possesses,  excepting  forty-five  acres.  In  1844  he  married  Ruth 
Bates,  of  Massachusetts,  and  they  have  three  children:  Edwin  F.,  Lucy  E.,  and 
Mary  E.     Mr.  Davis  was  justice  of  the  peace  previous  to  1880  for  sixteen  years. 


166  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Lawrence,  F.  H. ,  M.  D. ,  son  of  Hiram  Lawrence,  who  was  a  native  of  Rochester 
and  one  of  the  first  merchants  of  Hornellsville,  was  born  in  Arkport,  April  14,  1858. 
His  father,  Hiram,  married  Jane,  daughter  of  James  Hill  of  Bradford  county,  Pa., 
removed  to  Arkport  and  died  in  1867  in  his  fifty  second  year.  F.  H.  Lawrence  was 
educated  at  Rogersville  Seminary,  was  graduated  from  Alfred  University  in  1878, 
and  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  J.  E.  Walker,  of  Arkport  N.  Y.  In  1881  he  was  grad- 
uated from  Cincinnati  Medical  College  and  located  in  Kanona,  N.  Y.,  making  a 
specialty'  of  hernia.  In  1893  he  married  Jessie,  daughter  of  John  Bonney.  Dr.  Law- 
rence has  held  the  office  of  postmaster,  and  is  at  present  a  member  of  the  United 
States  Pension  Board  located  at  Bath,  N.  Y. 

Wilkes,  Harriet  M. — Robert  B.  Wilkes  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1830,  and  came  to 
the  United  States  in  the  following  year  with  his  parents,  Bartholomew  and  Ann, 
who  settled  in  Bath.  Robert  was  educated  in  Bath,  and  in  1860  married  Harriet  M., 
daughter  of  General  F.  E.  Erwin,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children:  Sophia,  Mrs. 
Anna  Hunter,  Robert  B.,  H.  Jane,  Francis  E.,  James  S.,  Mary  E.,  and  Samuel  E. 
Robert  B.  was  one  of  the  representative  farmers  of  his  town,  identified  in  promoting 
its  best  intersts  and  the  welfare  of  the  people,  and  was  elected  president  of  the  Steu- 
ben County  Agricultural  Society.     He  died  in  1876. 

Burrell,  Allen  M.,  was  born  in  Lansing,  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y.,  April  8,  1828. 
He  spent  his  early  life  on  a  farm  in  Greenwood,  Steuben  county,  but  later  engaged 
in  carriage  building  with  his  brother  in  the  village  of  Greenwood,  which  business 
they  conducted  for  seven  years;  during  this  time  he  read  law  with  Hon.  Martin 
Grover  and  Lewis  Simons,  who  at  that  time  were  practicing  law  at  Angelica,  Alle- 
gany county,  and  in  the  fall  of  1854  he  came  to  Hornellsville  in  the  office  of  Hon. 
John  K.  Hale,  who  was  then  practicing  at  that  place,  and  in  December  of  the  same 
year  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Rochester.  In  June,  1855,  Mr.  Burrell  married  Mary 
A.  McClay,  whose  father  conducted  a  large  dairy  in  West  Greenwood,  and  on  May 
10,  1860,  moved  to  Canisteo,  where  he  still  practices  his  profession.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Burrell  have  had  seven  children,  two  of  whom  died  when  small,  and  five  are  now 
living:  Glen,  a  hardware  merchant;  Harry,  a  farmer;  Ella,  their  only  daughter, 
married  Fred  C.  Goff,  who  is  now  a  stockholder  and  general  manager  of  a  shoe  fac- 
tory at  Racine,  Wis. :  William  is  engaged  in  said  factory,  and  Charles  is  now  study- 
ing law  with  his  father. 

Stone,  James  D.,  was  born  on  the  farm  he  now  owns  and  on  which  he  resides  in 
1826.  James  Stone,  his  grandfather,  was  a  volunteer  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and 
took  part  in  a  battle  in  which  the  Tories  were  routed,  and  during  which  conflict  he 
was  wounded  in  the  hand  by  a  bayonet.  Before  the  war  he  was  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation, residing  in  Montgomery  county,  and  later  located  in  Northumberland 
county.  Pa.,  and  in  1804  removed  to  Yates  county,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1810  settled  in  Pulte- 
ney,  where  he  and  his  sons  cleared  a  farm  of  160  acres.  His  wife  was  Tamer 
Davis,  and  they  reared  six  sons  and  two  daughters.  Mr.  Stone  died  in  1832,  aged 
seventy-eight,  and  Mrs.  Stone  in  1833.  Thomas  Stone,  the  father  of  James,  was 
born  in  Montgomery  county  in  1790,  and  came  to  Pulteney  with  his  father.  He 
served  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  fought  at  the  battle  of  Queenstown.  For  some  time, 
while  a  young  man,  he  cut  wood  for  the  salt  works  at  Liverpool,   Onondaga  county, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  167 

and  finally  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  James  D.,  which  was  then  a  wilder- 
ness. For  many  years  he  was  a  deacon  in  the  Freewill  Baptist  church.  In  1830 
he  marrried  Betsey,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Lydia  Stewart,  who  were  pioneers  in 
Pulteney.  He  died  in  1870,  and  his  wife  in  1881.  James  D.  has  always  devoted  his 
time  to  farming,  and  has  made  many  improvements  on  the  homestead,  and  also 
owns  another  farm  and  vinej'ard  of  several  acres,  and  for  several  years  was  inter- 
ested extensively  in  breeding  and  dealing  in  sheep.  January  24,  1850,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Jane  daughter  of  John  and  Martha  Harwood,  of  Prattsburg,  and 
their  children  are  George,  of  Syracuse,  who  is  in  the  steam  fitting  business,  Emmet, 
a  farmer  in  Pulteney ;  Flora,  wife  of  Charles  Hill  of  Pulteney ;  and  Satie,  wife  of 
John  McConnell  of  Pulteney.  They  are  members  of  the  Freewill  Baptist  church,  of 
which  Mr.  Stone  is  deacon,  and  Mrs.  Stone  is  a  member  of  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society, 
of  which  she  is  secretary  and  treasurer.  In  politics  Mr.  Stone  is  a  Democrat  and 
has  served  his  town  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  supervisors,  constable,  collector, 
and  overseer  of  the  poor. 

Bradley,  Thomas,  was  born  in  Hammondsport  in  1850.  He  learned  the  stone  and 
brick  mason's  trade  with  his  father  and  located  in  Corning  in  1885.  Among  the 
many  prominent  buildings  which  he  has  built  may  be  mentioned  the  new  City  Hall, 
Episcopal  church,  the  Drake  block  of  Corning,  and  Col.  John  Magee's  residence  at 
Watkins  Since  181:)0  he  has  also  had  all  the  stone  and  bridge  work  of  the  Fall  Brook 
Railroad.  Patrick  Bradley,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  located  in  Steu- 
ben county  in  1844  at  Hammondsport,  and  died  in  1890. 

Barney,  Richard  W.,  was  bom  in  Mount  Morris,  Livingston  county,  August  24, 
1834.  George  W.  Barney,  his  father,  a  direct  descendant  of  Commodore  Barney, 
of  Revolutionary  fame,  was  a  native  of  Herkimer  county,  and  came  to  Livingston 
county  about  1830  and  established  a  mercantile  business  in  Mount  Morris  which  he 
conducted  a  great  many  years.  The  later  years  of  his  life  he  held  the  office  of  post- 
master, made  such  by  Lincoln  and  served  under  Johnson.  He  was  for  twelve  years 
superintendent  of  the  poor  and  insane  of  Livingston  county.  He  died  in  June,  1884, 
at  seventy- six  years  of  age.  Mary  Peterson,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  was  of 
Holland  descent  and  a  native  of  Cayuga  county,  was  born  in  Scipio,  February  28, 
1814,  and  is  still  living  in  Mount  Morris.  Of  the  six  children  that  reached  adult  age 
from  this  union  Richard  was  the  oldest  son.  He  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  and  Genesee  Wesleyan  Seminary  at  Lima,  now  known  as  the  Lima  Univer- 
sity. After  finishing  his  education  he  spent  two  j'ears  in  his  father's  store,  and 
then  was  engaged  in  the  same  business  in  the  wholesale  department  in  New  York 
city  for  five  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Mount  Morris,  where  he  spent  two 
years  as  a  law  student  in  the  office  of  Hastings  &  Bingham  as  a  means  of  recreation. 
The  early  days  of  the  war  he  was  with  Scott's  Band  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
and  in  1862  became  a  regularly  enlisted  member  of  Co.  I  of  the  136th  N.  Y.  Vols., 
going  as  quartermaster- sergeant.  He  was  transferred  to  the  17th  Vet.  Reserves  in 
1864,  and  served  at  headquarters  with  Col.  A.  J.Warner  till  the  close  of  the  war,  when 
he  was  discharged  under  general  orders.  Returning  to  his  native  town  he  remained 
only  a  short  time  and  then  went  to  Ottawa,  Kansas,  where  he  engaged  in  real  estate 
dealing  until  1873,  when  he  returned  to  New  \ork  State  and  took  up  the  study  of 
dentistry  with  Dr.  DaboU  of  Buffalo,  N.  Y.     In   1876  he  began  the   practice  of  the 


168  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

the  profession  at  Owasco,  N.  Y.,  and  in  the  spring  of  1878  he  located  in  Hornells- 
ville,  where  he  has  ever  since  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  the  profession  with 
continued  success  and  a  constantly  increasing  practice.  He  is  the  inventor  of  an 
automatic  dental  vulcanizer  which  is  a  great  improvement  in  the  vulcanizing  of  den- 
tal plates.  He  is  also  interested  in  farming  in  Moi:nt  Morris,  N.Y.  In  1867  he  mar- 
ried Fannie  Thomas  of  Rockland,  Me.,  who  lived  but  two  years  after  marriage.  His 
present  wife  was  Clara  M.  Bacon  of  Princeton,  Ills. 

Peet,  Rev.  Wilbur  O.,  traces  his  ancestry  back  for  two  generations.  His  paternal 
grandfather  was  Hiram  Peet,  who  lived  for  many  years  in  Penfield,  Monroe  county, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  died.  He  married  Eunice  Mason,  of  Penfield,  by  whom  he  had 
three  children:  Sophronia,  wife  of  Norman  C.  Peet,  now  ling  in  Penfield;  Deborah, 
wife  of  H.  W.  Sherburne,  of  Rochester,  N.  Y.  ;  and  Silas  C,  father  of  Wilbur  O., 
who  was  born  in  Penfield  in  1821  and  died  January  4,  1891.  He  lived  and  died  on 
the  same  farm.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  West  Webster  M.  E.  church,  of 
which  he  was  a  member  and  officer  for  many  years.  He  married  Eliza  Jane  Sim- 
kins,  who  was  born  in  Eastern  New  York,  and  still  lives  in  West  Webster,  N.  Y. 
Their  children  were  Prof.  Hiram  L.,  born  March  10,  1848,  superintendent  of  the  city 
schools  of  Yankton,  South  Dakota;  Rev.  Wilbur  O.,  born  in  Webster,  N.Y. ,  Septem- 
ber 9,  1850;  R.  A.,  M.D.,  born  in  West  Web.ster,  N.Y.,  January  23,  1853,  died  March 
30,  1882;  J.  C,  business  manager  of  Green's  Fruit  Grower,  a  horticultural  magazine, 
published  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  born  February  25,  1855;  and  Mrs.  E.  G.  Dickinson, 
born  November  19,  1858,  of  East  Saginaw,  Mich.  Wilbur  O.  spent  three  years  in  the 
Genesee  Wesleyan  Seminary,  where  he  prepared  for  college.  He  spent  three  years 
in  Genesee  College,  Lima,  N.Y.,  the  fourth  year  being  spent  in  Evanston,  111.,  at 
Northwestern  Universitj^  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1872.  He  graduated 
from  the  theological  seminary  known  as  Garrett's  Biblical  Institute,  same  place,  in 
1874.  He  joined  the  Genesee  Conference  and  in  October,  1876,  was  ordained  deacon 
in  Rochester  by  Bishop  Ames.  Two  years  later  he  was  ordained  elder  by  Bishop 
Merrill  in  Jacksonville,  111.  Aside  from  three  years  between  1877  and  1880,  when  he 
was  a  member  of  the  Illinois  Conference  Mr.  Peet  has  always  been  a  member  of  the 
Genesee  conference.  During  the  three  years  spent  in  Illinois  while  pastor  of  the 
M.  E.  church  of  Petersburgh,  he  met  and  married  E.  Jenny  Frackelton,  who  was 
bom  in  Petersburgh,  October  9,  1853.  They  have  three  children:  James  Clinton, 
born  November  25,  1880;  Mary,  born  January  28,  1889;  and  Robert  Leslie,  born 
March  5,  1891. 

Rauber,  Jacob  N.,was  born  in  Wayland,  N.  Y.,  November  22,  1856.  His  father, 
Mathias  Rauber,  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  in  1816,  emigrated  to  the  LTnited 
States  in  1852,  and  settled  in  Wayland.  He  is  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  in  1841 
he  married  Margaret  Brick,  who  was  born  in  Prussia,  by  whom  he  has  these  chil- 
dren: Catherine,  born  December  14,  1843,  and  married  Philip  Conrad,  deceased; 
Nicholas,  born  March  5,  1845;  Mariah,  born  August  20,  1847,  and  married  Oris. 
Klein  of  Wayland;  Lizzie,  born  February  25,  1850;  Peter,,  born  January  28,  1852; 
Jacob  N.,  born  November  22,  1856;  and  Margaret,  born  May  1,  1859,  and  married 
Nicholas  Schu,  jr.,  and  resides  in  Wayland.  Jacob  N.  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  Wayland,  after  which  he  engaged  in  the  hotel  business,  and  run  the  Way- 
land  House  for  three  years.     In  April,   1890,  he  bought   the  old  Chase   property. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  169 

situated  on  East  Naples  street,  where  he  erected  the  building  which  he  now  occupies. 
In  connection  with  the  hotel  business  he  also  runs  a  bottling  business.  He  has  been 
a  member  of  the  Wayland  Hook  and  Ladder  Company  for  ten  years,  and  is  now  an 
honorary  member.  At  Perkinsville,  May  25,  1886,  he  married  Elizabeth  Gross,  who 
was  born  in  Wayland,  February  15    1868. 

Shults,  Gertrude. — Philetta  Jane  Bush,  widow  of  the  late  Ira  Bush,  was  born  in 
Prattsburg,  NY.,  April  3,1826.  Ira  Bush  was  born  at  Milton,  Saratoga  county, 
N.Y.,  October  1,  1818,  and  died  at  Wayland,  September  9,  1876.  He  was  of  Dutch 
and  French  descent,  and  settled  in  Wayland  in  December,  1866,  where  he  carried 
on  a  mercantile  business  for  about  three  years,  when  he  retired  from  business.  He 
was  a  broker  for  several  years  before  his  death.  At  Prattsburg,  N.Y.,  November  12, 
1845,  he  married  Philetta  Jane,  one  of  a  family  of  five  daughters  and  one  son  of 
Rogers  and  Lydia  Abel  Smith.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bush  had  four  children:  Gertrude, 
who  was  born  at  Wheeler,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  December  14,  1846,  and  married 
Alonzo  Shults,  January  15,  1868.  They  have  two  children:  I.  J.,  who  was  born  May 
25,  1870,  school  secretary  of  the  New  York  State  Reformatory  at  Elmira,  and  is  a 
graduate  of  Buffalo  Normal  School;  Clyde  E.,  who  was  born  April  12,  1876,  a  grad- 
uate of  Geneseo  Normal  School,  and  is  engaged  in  Alley's  store  in  Hornellsville. 
Anna  Amelia,  who  was  born  at  Wheeler,  N.  Y.,  July  23,  1849,  and  September  26, 
1871,  married  Everett  M.  Fowler,  who  died  February  24,  1894;  Ira  Eugene,  who  was 
born  at  Prattsburg,  N.Y.,  February  21,  1859,  and  died  December  9,  1863;  and  Frank 
Adsit,  who  was  born  at  Bath,  October  1,  1860,  and  died  June  14,  1866.  Peter  Bush, 
father  of  Ira  Bush,  was  born  July  19,  1785.  He  is  of  French  and  Dutch  descent.  In 
Dutchess  county,  N.Y.,  June  29,  1806,  he  married  Elizabeth  Dubois,  who  was  born  in 
Dutchess  county,  September  24,  1788,  and  died  March  3,  1871,  by  whom  he  had 
eleven  children:  Abram,  born  September  22,  1808,  and  died  in  Illinois  in  1889; 
Amelia,  born  September  22,  1810,  and  died  January  18,  1818;  Jane  Ann,  born  July 
14,  1812,  and  died  September  15,  1841 ;  Gideon,  born  June  3,  1814,  and  died  in  Bath 
March  15,  1840;  Mary,  born  July  1,  1816,  and  resides  at  Cohocton,  wife  of  Levi 
Mallette;  Ira,  as  above;  Elizabeth,  born  February  2,  1820,  and  resides  in  Hazelton, 
Iowa;  Margaret,  born  January  6,  1823,  and  died  January  9,  1823;  Abigail,  born 
January  30,  1824,  and  resides  in  Warsaw,  Ind.  ;  Alfonzo,  born  March  15,  1826,  and 
resides  at  Beatrice,  Neb.  ;  and  Elenore  Ann,  born  August  25,  1828,  and  died  April 
29,  1848.  Mr.  Bush  died  at  Avoca,  N.Y.,  August  19,  1866.  Elizabeth  Dubois,  grand- 
mother of  Ira  Bush,  was  born  March  10,  1759. 

Stewart,  Richard  F.,  was  born  in  Pulteney  in  1819.  Joseph  and  Lydia  (Stuart) 
Stewart,  his  grandparents,  were  born  in  Litchfield  county.  Conn.,  of  Scotch  parents 
from  the  North  of  Ireland,  where  they  grew  to  maturity'-  and  were  married,  thence 
they  removed  to  Whitestown,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1810  came  to  Pulteney  and  settled  at 
what  is  now  known  as  Stewart's  Corners,  and  cleared  a  large  farm.  They  had 
fifteen  children ;  Joseph,  William,  John.  Lyman,  Spencer  (who  died  at  twenty-two 
years  of  age),  Selden,  Lydia,  Eliza,  Hannah,  Betsey,  Rhoda,  Polly,  Statira,  Harriet, 
and  Arnold,  who  died  at  two  years  of  age.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary 
war,  and  lived  to  be  over  eighty  years  of  age.  Selden  Stewart,  father  of  Richard  F. , 
was  born  in  Whitestown,  N.  Y.,  in  September,  1782.  He  came  to  Pulteney  in  1811 
and  took  a  100-acre  farm  adjoining  his  father's  farm,  which  he  cleared  of  the  timber. 


170  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

where  he  spent  his  life.  He  married  Polly  Parker,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children: 
Julia  Ann,  Melinda,  Louisa,  Elsie,  Richard  F.,  Lyman,  George,  and  Jane.  He  died 
in  September,  1843.  Richard  F.  remained  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  and  at  twenty-two  years  of  age  he  began  lumbering  and  farming  sum- 
mers, and  for  several  winters  was  engaged  by  contract  in  hewing  ship  timbers.  In 
1860  he  engaged  in  the  grape  culture,  which  business  he  has  successfully  followed  to  the 
present  time.  He  was  a  member  of  the  State  militia,  first  elected  as  fourth  corporal, 
and  promoted  along  the  line  to  that  of  captain,  which  office  he  held  when  it  dis- 
banded. In  politics  Mr.  Stewart  is  a  Republican,  and  has  held  the  office  of  constable 
ten  years,  collector  two  years,  and  overseer  of  the  poor  fourteen  years.  In  1845  he 
married  Sarah  Ann,  daughter  of  John  Francisco,  who  was  born  in  Middlesex,  Mass., 
by  whom  he  had  two  children :  Olive  who  died  at  four  years  of  age ;  Viola,  wife  of 
Farcelles  Mothersell,  of  Urbana.  His  wife  died  in  1885,  and  he  married  for  his 
second  wife  Mrs.  Charlotte  (Nichols)  Camp,  of  Seneca  Falls. 

Horton,  Menzo  L.,  was  born  in  Pulteney,  December  16,  1873,  son  of  Philetus  O., 
who  was  born  in  Pulteney  in  1852.  Philetus  O.  was  a  son  of  Richard  F. ,  born  in 
Pultney  in  October,  1825,  son  of  William,  who  was  born  in  Orange  county,  N.  Y.,  in 
1795,  one  of  six  sons  and  two  daughters  born  to  Thomas  Horton,  who  was  of  English 
descent,  a  descendant  of  a  Horton  who  settled  on  Long  Island  in  the  latter  part  of 
the  sixteenth  century.  He  came  to  Pulteney  in  the  early  days,  settled  in  the  forest, 
and  cleared  a  300  acre  farm.  William,  great-grandfather  of  Menzo  L.,  devoted  his 
life  to  farming  in  Pulteney,  and  was  school  superintendent,  assessor  of  the  town,  etc. 
His  wife,  Eliza,  was  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Lydia  Stewart,  of  Pulteney,  and  they 
reared  six  sons  and  two  daughters.  He  died  in  1888  and  his  wife  died  in  1878. 
Richard  F. ,  grandfather  of  Menzo  L. ,  has  devoted  his  life  to  farming  in  Pulteney  and 
from  1883  to  1887  ran  a  mail  route  from  Hammondsport  to  Penn  Yan.  His  wife  was 
Philena  Lincoln,  of  South  Bristol,  Ontario  county,  whom  he  married  in  1849,  and 
their  children  are  Lucius,  Philetus,  and  Ada.  He  has  served  as  assessor,  collector, 
and  commissioner  of  highways.  Philetus  O.  at  the  age  of  eighteen  learned  the 
painter's  trade,  w^hich  he  has  since  followed.  He  has  a  pleasant  home  in  Pulteney 
and  conducts  a  five  acre  vineyard.  He  has  served  as  collector  for  two  terms  and  has 
been  one  of  the  Town  Board  since  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  At  the  age  of 
twenty  he  married  Irene,  daughter  of  James  Brush,  of  Pulteney,  and  their  children 
are  Menzo  L.,  Le  Verne,  Linn  D.,  and  Claire.  Menzo  L.  was  educated  in  Pulteney 
and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  began  teaching  school.  The  year  1892-93  he  spent  in 
teaching  near  Lincoln,  Nebraska,  and  from  1883  to  1895  he  taught  at  Catawba.  Mr. 
Horton  is  a  young  man  of  enterprise  and  public  spirit,  with  indications  of  a  bright 
and  successful  future. 

Merring,  Henry  C,  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  November  28,  1852,  son  of  Peter  and 
Elizabeth  (Crossman)  Merring,  natives  of  Sussex  county,  N.  J.,  who  came  to  Rath- 
bone  and  settled  the  farm  Henry  C.  now  owns.  Here  they  lived  until  1886,  when 
Mrs.  Merring  died  and  he  went  to  Arnot,  Tioga  county,  Pa. ,  to  live  with  his  daugh- 
ter, where  he  died  January  12,  1887.  Henry  C.  was  educated  in  the  WoodhuU  Acad- 
emy, then  taught  School  for  five  terms.  He  has  also  followed  lumbering  and  is  now 
engaged  in  farming,  owning  ninety-one  and  one-half  acres  of  land.  He  has  sei'ved 
his  town  as  constable,   inspector  of  elections,   and  collector.     He  is  a  member  of 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  171 

Hedgesville  Tent  No.  277  K.  O.  T.  M.  April  5,  1887,  Mr.  Merring  married  Addie, 
daughter  of  George  C.  Lloyd,  of  Rathbone,  by  whom  he  has  had  two  children :  Har- 
rison L.  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr  Merring  is  interested  in  breeding  Berk- 
shire hogs  and  Bronze  turkeys. 

Faulkner,  Robert  K.,  the  son  of  William  and  Sarah  J.  Faulkner,  was  born  October 
6,  1843,  at  South  Dansville,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.  William  Faulkner,  the  father, 
was  a  native  of  Steuben  county  and  was  born  October  1,  1818,  at  South  Dansville, 
and  died  January  12,  1875.  Sarah  J.  Killbury,  his  wife,  a  native  of  South  Dansville, 
is  living  at  the  age  of  seventy-four,  a  woman  of  decided  character,  and,  from  her, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  inherited  his  rare  force  and  executive  ability.  They 
were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  eight  of  whom  are  still  living.  Robert  K,,  the 
oldest  son,  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  at  Ames's  Business  College  at 
Syracuse;  he  followed  farming  for  about  two  years  in  South  Dansville,  and  in  1867 
removed  to  Hornellsvills  where  he  engaged  in  the  flour  and  feed  business.  He  soon 
after  became  associated  with  W.  H.  Willett,  under  the  firm  name  of  Faulkner  & 
Willett,  in  the  wholesale  and  retail  grocery  business ;  the  firm  having  a  wide  and  favor- 
able reputation  in  this  business  and  as  proprietors  of  an  extensive  creamery  establish- 
ment. Mr.  Faulkner  also  owned  and  managed,  during  the  latter  years  of  his  life,  a 
valuable  farm,  and  dealt  in  live  stock.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
and  for  several  years  chief  of  the  Hornellsville  fire  department.  He  took  a  decided 
interest  in  public  affairs  and  was  prominent  in  local  and  county  politics,  and  was  one 
of  the  acknowledged  leaders  of  the  Republican  party  in  his  section.  In  1883  and 
1884  he  was  president  of  the  then  village  of  Hornellsville,  and  in  1886  he  was  elected 
county  clerk  and  served  for  three  years,  and  at  his  death  he  was  president  of  the 
Hornellsville  city  sewer  commission.  He  died  April  23,  1892,  leaving  his  forceful 
stamp  on  these  offices.  In  1865  he  married  Celia  E.,  daughter  of  J.  B.  and  Eliza  J. 
Phelps.  Mr.  Phelps  was  a  native  of  South  Dansville  and  was  a  farmer  by  occupation. 
He  was  born  June  27,  1815,  and  died  February  13,  1887.  Eliza  J.  Haskins,  wife  of 
J.  B.  Phelps,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Galway,  Saratoga  county,  N.  Y.  Her  father, 
Samuel  Haskins,  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1827.  Mrs.  Robert  K.  Faulkner,  who  is 
now  living  in  Hornellsville,  is  the  only  surviving  child  of  this  union,  a  son,  Joseph 
W.  Phelps,  having  died  October  27,  1886,  at  thirty-four  years  of  age,  leaving  a  widow 
and  one  child,  Gertrude. 

Fults,  Henry,  was  born  in  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  January  7,  1849,  a  son  of  Nel- 
son and  Mary  E.  (Brown)  Fults,  natives  of  Herkimer  county,  N.  Y.,  and  Connecticut, 
town  of  Brookline,  respectively.  The  grandfather,  Jacob  Fults,  was  a  native  of  Ger- 
many and  came  to  Herkimer  county  in  the  early  days,  where  remained  until  1829, 
when  he  removed  to  Morris,  Otsego  county,  where  he  died.  The  maternal  grand- 
father, Rufus  Brown  was  a  native  of  Connecticut  and  died  in  Otsego  county,  N.  Y. 
His  wife,  Mary  Williams,  was  also  born  in  Connecticut.  The  maternal  grandfather 
of  Mary  E.  Fults,  William  Williams,  was  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence. Nelson  Fults  settled  and  cleared  the  farm,  where  Henry  now  lives, 
dying  there  June  27,  1885.  Henry  Fults  was  educated  in  the  WoodhuU  Academy. 
His  first  wife  was  Rachel  Sanford,  who  died  in  January,  1880,  leaving  one  child.  May 
C,  born  in  1876.  In  November,  1883,  Mr.  Fults  married  Bertha  Anna  Dorathy,  of 
Wayne,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.     She  was  a  daughter  of  M.  J.   and  Mary  (Sullivan) 


172  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Dorathy,  natives  of  Canada  and  Ireland,  respectively.  Mr.  Dorathy  served  three 
years  in  the  late  war  and  was  wounded ;  and  died  in  a  few  weeks  after  being  dis- 
charged from  disease  in  1864.     His  widow  now  resides  in  Canisteo. 

Bill,  Christian  C,  was  born  August  1,  1859.  John  Bill,  his  paternal  grandfather, 
was  born  in  Germany,  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1834,  and  settled  in  Rochester, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  two  years.  In  1836  he  moved  to  Wayland  and  purchased 
ninety  acres  of  land.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  town  of  Wayland.  He  had 
but  one  son,  John  N. ,  who  died  April  17,  1893,  father  of  Christian  C,  who  was  born 
in  Germany  in  1831,  and  emigrated  to  this  country  at  three  years  of  age.  He  sub- 
sequently owned  his  father's  farm.  In  March,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  179th  N.  Y. 
Vols.,  and  was  discharged  in  June,  1865.  In  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  in  1849  he  married 
Louisa  Bauer,  who  was  born  in  Germany  in  1833,  and  emigrated  to  this  country 
when  thirteen  years  of  age.  They  had  seven  children:  Catherine,  Louisa  M.,  John, 
deceased,  Christian  C,  Henry  J.,  Juha  M.,  and  William,  deceased.  Christian  C. 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Wayland,  and  was  graduated  with  the  Ham- 
ilton College  law  class  of  May  27,  1881.  He  studied  with  W.  W.  Clark  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  the  spring  term  of  1881.  He  has  an  office  in  Wayland  where  he 
has  practiced  for  fourteen  years.  He  has  been  village  treasurer  of  Wayland  for  one 
year,  and  has  been  delegate  to  the  Republican  nominating  convention,  district  and 
county,  numerous  times.  He  is  a  member  of  the  J.  F.  Little  Camp  Sons  of  Veter- 
ans, No.  195,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  organizers.  At  North  Cohocton,  September 
23,  1883,  he  married  Ida  L.  Wilson,  who  was  born  in  Naples,  April  2,  1863,  by  whom 
he  has  one  child,  Florence  Pearl,  who  was  born  December  31,  1884. 

■  Souerbier,  Albert. — His  father,  Casper  J.,  was  born  in  Hesse,  Germany.  He  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Lam,  a  native  of  Germany,  in  1834;  to  them  were  born  two  sons, 
Albert,  in  1836,  and  Julius,  in  1^38.  Albert's  mother  died  in  Germany  in  1839,  and 
his  father,  Casper  J.,  married  again  in  1841,  Elizabeth  B.  Greg,  also  a  native  of  Ger- 
many, to  whom  were  born  nine  children:  Sawbinnia,  Theresa,  Adam,  Joseph,  Mary, 
Frederick  B.,  George,  John,  and  Clara.  Casper  J.  emigrated  to  this  country  with  his 
family  in  1846,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Dansville  on  ninety  acres  of  land  that  he 
purchased.  He  sold  his  farm  in  1866,  and  moved  to  the  town  of  Cohocton,  where  he 
died  November  5,  1875,  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years.  His  second  wife  now  resides 
at  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  at  the  age  of  eighty -two.  Albert  commenced  life  for  himself 
when  but  seventeen  j^ears  of  age  by  working  in  the  lumber  woods,  till  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion  in  1861,  when  he  enlisted  December  13,  1861,  in  Co.  D,  104th  N.  Y. 
Vols.,  known  as  General  Wadsworth  Guards,  for  the  term  of  three  years.  He  was 
discharged  December  9,  1864,  on  Recount  of  a  gun  shot  wound  in  the  right  foot  re- 
ceived at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  2,  1863.  After  his  return  home  from  the 
service  he  located  at  the  village  of  Wallace,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y. ,  where  he  married 
Anna  Mary  Myers,  daughter  of  John  and  Helen  Myers,  January  3,  1865,  who  was 
born  in  Bavaria,  June  30,  1844,  by  whom  he  has  seven  children:  Frank  G.,  born 
February  9,  1867;  John  B.,  January  28,  1869;  Lewis  J.,  October  3,  1870;  Frederick 
K.,  August  1,  1873,  who  died  April  1,  1874;  William  A.,  born  February  8,  1872; 
Helen  T.,  January  17,  1876;  and  Julia  A.,  March  21,  1880.  Albert  moved  to  the 
village  of  Wayland  in  1869,  where  he  engaged  in  the  bu.siness  of  keeping  a  saloon 
and  restaurant,  which  business  he  has  followed  ever  since  in  the  village  of  Wayland. 


Family  sketches.  173 

He  has  held  the  office  of  village  treasurer  for  two  years,  treasurer  of  the  Champion 
Hook  and  Ladder  Company  for  seven  years,  and  quartermaster  of  Theo.  Schlick 
Post,  No.  314,  G.  A.  R.,  for  the  last  eight  5-ears,  of  which  he  is  a  member.  His  son, 
Frank  G.,  is  employed  by  the  Wells,  Fargo  Express  of  Jersey  City,  N.  J.,  and  has 
been  for  the  last  eight  years,  and  his  son,  Lewis  J.,  is  employed  by  the  same  com- 
pany and  in  the  same  office,  and  has  been  for  the  last  five  years.  His  son,  John  B., 
IS  now  and  has  been  for  the  last  eight  years,  assistant  train  dispatcher  on  the  Erie 
Railroad  at  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  and  his  son,  W.  A.,  has  been  for  the  last  two  years  and 
now  is  employed  by  the  same  company  as  telegraph  operator  at  Kanona,  N.  Y. 

Angst,  Lorenz,  was  born  in  Tioga  county.  Pa. ,  February  28,  1858,  son  of  Charles 
and  Catherine  (Weber)  Ang.st,  both  natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to  Tioga  county. 
Pa.,  he  in  1855  and  she  in  1852,  where  they  were  married  July  4,  1855,  and  came  to 
Campbell  in  1859.  He  worked  in  the  tannery  for  J.  D.  Hamilton  &  Co.  twenty-one 
years.  He  moved  his  family  to  the  town  of  Thurston  in  1875,  where  his  widow  and 
family  have  a  farm  of  eighty-four  acres.  Lorenz  Angst  was  reared  in  Campbell  and 
educated  in  the  common  schools  and  the  Union  Graded  school  of  Campbell.  He  has 
clerked  in  Rismgville  and  has  also  clerked  in  Campbell  for  some  years,  and  is  also 
engaged  in  farming;  he  is  a  Populist  in  politics,  and  in  1894  was  elected  on  the  Dem- 
ocratic ticket  for  town  clerk. 

White,  Royal  S.,  was  born  in  Cayuta,  Schuyler  county,  April  30,  1832,  son  of  Hiram 
and  Cornelia  White,  who  had  eleven  children,  six  daughters  and  five  sons,  Roj'al  S. 
being  the  youngest  except  one  daughter,  Adelia.  Hiram  White  emigrated  from 
Connecticut,  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  Cayuta,  then- known  as  Pony  Hollow, 
which  derived  its  name  from  being  a  wind-fall  where  General  Sullivan,  in  his  march 
from  Ithaca  to  Elmira,  pastured  hishorses.  Cayuta  at  that  time  was  in  Tioga  county, 
afterwards  Chemung  county,  now  Schuyler  county.  The  parents  of  Cornelia  Van 
Etten,  mother  of  R.  S.  White,  came  from  Germany  and  were  the  first  settlersin  Van 
Ettenville,  Chemung  county,  from  whom  Van  Ettenville  takes  its  name.  Royal  S. 
in  early  life  was  a  lumber  inspector  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  but  since  1865  has  been  en- 
gaged in  farming.  He  enhsted  in  Chicago,  111.,  September  16,  1861,  under  Capt. 
Wm.  Medill,  brother  of  Joe  Medill,  editor  of  the  Chicago  Tribune,  in  Co.  G,  8th  111. 
Cavalry,  and  was  in  the  following  engagements:  Rappahannock  Station,  Beverly 
Ford,  Williamsburg,  Hanover  Court  House,  Mechanicsville,  Beaver  Dam  Creek,  Cold 
Harbor,  White  Oak  Swamp,  St.  Charles  Court  House,  Malvern  Hill,  South  Moun- 
tain, Antietam,  Gettysburg,  Snicker's  Gap,  besides  a  great  many  skirmishes.  He 
was  taken  prisoner  in  the  fall  of  1861  near  Snicker's  Gap  on  the  Shenandoah  River, 
taken  to  Libby  prison,  where  he  remained  most  of  the  wmter  of  1861-62  until  ex- 
changed. He  was  mustered  out  of  service  in  June,  1865.  He  married  Margaret, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Wilson)  Campbell  of  the  town  of  Cameron,  by  whom 
he  had  four  children,  two  sons  and  two  daughters,  now  living.  He  has  been  super- 
visor of  Cameron  three  terms  and  assessor  for  twelve  consecutive  years.  He  is  a 
member  of  Hallett  Post  of  Cameron,  and  the  F.  &  A.  M.  lodge  at  Cameron  Mills. 

Coston,  N.  E.,  was  born  December  26,  1851,^  in  the  town  of  Greenwood,  and  lived 
on  a  farm  until  1883,  when  he  opened  a  store  in  the  village  of  Greenwood,  where  he 
is  now  located.     Mr.  Coston's  paternal  grandfather,  John  G.  Coston,  was  a  native  of 


174  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Tompkins  county,  but  in  later  life  removed  to  Greenwood,  where  he  died;  his  son, 
Hiram  A.,  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  was  married  to  Mary  E.  Jameson,  of 
Livingston  county.  He  died  April  27,  1875,  leaving  five  children  surviving  him- 
Mrs.  F.  A.  Robinson,  N.  Emmet,  Mrs.  Mary  Williamson,  Charles  A.,  and  Hart  A. 
N.  E.  Coston  was  married  in  1882  to  Addie,  daughter  of  Elias  and  Olive  (Miner) 
"Williamson  of  Greenwood ;  they  have  three  children :  Glen  M. ,  Pitt  V. ,  and  Mary. 
Mr.  Coston  has  always  been  a  Democrat;  he  was  supervisor  two  terms,  from  1888  to 
1890,  and  has  served  as  postmaster  several  years  under  President  Cleveland's  ad- 
ministration. 

Murray,  William  H.,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Hornellsville,  July  26,  1854.  John  F. 
Murray,  the  father  of  William,  was  a  native  of  Ireland  and  came  to  this  city  about 
1851  at  the-building  of  the  Erie  Railway.  He  was  formerly  a  resident  of  Massa- 
chusetts and  came  with  the  contractors  who  were  building  the  railroad,  and  was  the 
superintendent  of  pile  driving  for  all  bridges  between  here  and  Attica.  He  died 
December  8,  1868.  William  was  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  eight  children.  His  ad- 
vantages of  .securing  an  education  were  limited,  but  he  attended  the  city  schools 
and  the  parochial  school.  The  death  of  his  father  placed  the  burden  of  the  support 
of  the  large  family  on  him,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  he  went  on  the  railroad,  rapidly 
rising  in  the  shops  and  yard,  becoming  yard  master,  which  position  he  occupied  for 
three  years.  January  1,  1883,  he  was  appointed  deputy  sheriff  under  Sheriff  Page, 
which  he  occupied  for  six  years,  being  reappointed  by  Baldwin.  In  1888  and  1891 
he  was  the  Democratic  nominee  for  sheriff  of  Steuben  county.  On  the  erection  of 
the  city  of  Hornellsville,  March  1,  1889,  he  was  appointed  chief  of  police,  which 
office  he  resigned  to  accept  the  position  of  postmaster,  to  which  he  was  appointed  by 
President  Cleveland  October  1,  1894,  and  which  position  he  still  holds.  Mr.  Murray 
was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Fire  Department  of  this  city,  was  for  several  terms 
its  chief  engineer,  and  is  still  on  the  active  roll  of  his  company.  He  was  married  in 
1876  to  Miss  Catherine  Magnor  of  this  city.     They  have  five  children. 

Pipe,  James  B.,  was  born  in  Seneca,  Ontario  county,  in  1853.  James  Pipe,  his 
grandfather,  was  a  laboring  man  and  reared  two  sons  and  two  daughters.  Samuel 
Pipe,  father  of  James  B.,  was  the  eldest  child,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  who  came 
from  England  to  the  United  States  in  the  spring  of  1851,  and  landed  in  Castle  Gar- 
den, coming  direct  to  Geneva,  N.  Y.,  where  he  lived  for  twenty  years,  and  in  1871 
came  to  Prattsburg,  where  he  purchased  600  acres  of  land.  Ten  years  later  he 
moved  to  Ingleside,  and  in  1894  he  came  to  Waterloo,  where  he  has  for  many  years 
devoted  his  time  to  the  practice  of  veterinary  medicine.  He  married  Lois  Mamby, 
who  died  in  August,  1894,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Maria,  wife  of  Uriah  F. 
Probasco  of  Ingleside;  Samuel  W.,  James  B.,  and  Mrs.  Emma  L.  Castor  of  Pratts- 
burg. He  is  the  only  one  of  the  farpily  who  came  to  America.  James  B.  Pipe  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  remained  with  his  father  until  1873,  when  he 
purchased  190  acres  of  his  father's  farm,  on  which  he  has  since  resided,  and  where 
he  has  been  actively  and  successfully  engaged  in  farming  and  potato  growing.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Lynn  M.  E.  church  in  Prattsburg.  He  served  the  M.  E.  church 
of  Wallace  as  pastor  two  years,  receiving  his  license  as  local  preacher  in  1881,  and 
also  served  the  Wheeler  charge  one  year.  In  February,  1873,  he  married  Harriet 
Carhart,  a  well-known  teacher  in  the  Prattsburg  district  schools,  who  was  born  in 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  175 

Syracuse,  a  daughter  of  Hachaliah  and  Elizabeth  (Shults)  Carhart  (both  deceased),  by 
whom  he  had  five  children:  Alnara,  wife  of  L.  C.  Cook  of  Avoca;  Hart  C,  Elma, 
Frank  B.,  and  Inez.  Mrs.  Pipe  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church,  and  the  W.C.T.U. 
Mr.  Carhart  was  a  carpenter  and  cooper,  and  the  last  twenty  years  of  his  life  was 
spent  in  farming,  and  he  came  to  Prattsburg  in  1857. 

Capron,  W.  W.,  son  of  Sylvester  Capron.  was  born  at  Springwater,  February  6, 
1839,  where  he  attended  school,  and  afterward  took  a  course  of  instruction  at  Genesee 
Wesleyan  Seminary  at  Lima,  N.  Y.,  for  two  years.  He  commenced  business  for 
himself  when  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  engaged  in  farming  for  three  years,  and 
then  became  a  partner  with  George  A.  Pierce  in  the  dry  goods  business  at  Spring- 
water,  where  he  remained  one  year.  He  then  traded  the  stock  of  goods  for  a  half 
interest  in  two  flour  mills  at  Springwater,  and  later  traded  the  same  for  the  Perkins- 
viUe  flour  mill  and  timber  lot  of  fifty  acres,  but  afterward  sold  the  latter  and  moved 
to  Wayland  and  in  1868  became  a  produce  dealer.  Mr.  Capron  was  elected  super- 
visor of  Wayland  in  1889,  and  has  been  trustee  of  the  village  for  two  years.  Febru- 
ary 27  he  was  appointed  port  warden  of  the  port  of  New  York  by  Governor  Morton 
and  entered  upon  his  duties  March  16,  1895.  He  married  Emily,  daughter  of  John 
Wiley,  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature  of  New  York  State  during  the  Civil  war. 
Her  mother  was  Julia  B.  Hyde,  born  in  Granville  county,  North  Carolina.  They 
have  one  son,  W.  W.  Capron,  jr.,  born  October  31,  1869.  He  attended  Lima  Sem- 
inary one  year,  aad  Aurora  Military  Academy  for  three  years,  where  he  was  grad- 
uated. Mr.  Capron  is  a  member  of  the  Phoenix  Lodge  No.  115,  and  of  F.  &  A.  M. 
of  Dansville. 

Wolfe,  Anton,  was  born  in  Germany,  January  2,  1854.  John  J.  Wolfe,  father  of 
Anton,  was  born  in  Germany,  and  died  in  Wayland,  N.  Y.,  October  14,  1878,  aged 
sixty-five  years.  He  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1856,  and  settled  at  Buffalo,  N.Y., 
where  he  remained  for  over  two  years,  when  he  moved  to  Savona,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
remained  for  .seven  years.  In  1867  he  moved  to  Wayland,  where  he  was  employed 
by  the  Erie  Railroad,  for  whom  he  worked  twenty-one  years.  While  in  Germany  he 
married  Mary  Ann  Dassing,  who  was  born  in  Germany  and  died  in  Wayland,  N.  Y., 
March  22,  1883,  aged  fifty- four  years.  They  had  these  children:  Anton,  as  above, 
and  three  who  were  born  in  this  country:  Frank  L.,  who  was  born  May  25,  1857, 
and  resides  in  Wayland;  Mary  ChrLstina,  who  was  born  October  14,  1860,  wife  of 
William  Mead,  and  resides  at  East  Aurora,  N.  Y. ;  and  Helen  Frances,  who  was  born 
in  1863,  wife  of  Otta  F.  Leader,  and  resides  at  Wayland.  Anton  Wolfe  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  of  Wayland,  and  attended  the  German  school  at  Perkinsville 
one  year.  He  worked  at  farming  in  his  younger  days  after  which  he  was  engaged 
as  engineer  of  stationary  engines  for  seven  years.  He  worked  at  Baltimore, 
Md.,  one  year,  after  which  he  returned  to  Wayland  and  run  the  engine  in  the 
Kimmel  &  Morris  mill  for  seven  years.  He  worked  in  the  sash,  door  and  blind  fac- 
tory of  George  Deitzel  for  three  years,  after  which  he  bought  a  half  interest  in  the 
Kimmel  &  Morris  mill,  Jacob  Shafer  owning  the  other  half,  which  they  run  under  the 
firm  name  of  Shafer  &  Wolfe,  doing  custom  sawing,  planing  and  matching,  and  re- 
tail lumber,  shingles,  lath,  paints  and  oils.  He  has  been  village  collector  two  terms. 
At  Wayland,  June  27,  1876,  he  married  Caroline  Barbrich,  who  was  born  in  Ger- 
many, October  29,  1852,  by  whom  he  has  six  children:  John  A.,  who  was  born  in 


176  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Wayland,  March  24,  1877;  Helen  F.,  who  was  born  March  22,  1878;  Frederick  Wil- 
helm,  who  was  born  April  24,  1880;  William,  who  was  born  July  12,  1881;  Joseph 
Anton,  who  was  born  July  29,  1883;  and  Anna  Louise,  who  was  born  April  5,  1886. 

Yocum,  Nicholas,  was  born  in  Germany,  March  1.  1825,  son  of  John  Yocum,  who 
was  born  in  Germany  in  1800,  emigrated  to  America  in  1851,  and  settled  in  Way- 
land,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  at  East  Wayland  and  there  died  in  April,  1882. 
He  married  Margaret  Shults,  who  was  born  in  Germany  in  1802.  and  who  died  in 
1870.  They  had  eight  children:  John,  who  resides  in  Indiana;  Nicholas,  who  was 
born  in  Germany,  March  1,  1825;  Christian;  Barbara,  wife  of  Anthou}'  Marks; 
John,  who  resides  at  Dansville;  Catherine,  wife  of  Cris  Crine;  Peter,  who  resides 
at  Dansville ;  Matthew,  who  followed  lumbering  for  fifteen  years,  then  purchased  a 
farm  and  followed  farming.  In  1854  Nicholas  married  Lena  Holzer,  by  whom  he 
had  four  children:  Barbara,  Frank,  Nicholas,  and  Lena. 

Comstock,  Charles,  was  born  in  Allegany  county,  N.Y.  May  13,  1854,  and  was  the 
son  of  Martin  Luther  Comstock,  who  was  born  in  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.  He  came  to 
Allegany  county  in  1835,  where  he  followed  his  trade  of  wagon  and  carriage  builder. 
He  married  Naomi  Adams  of  Vermont  and  they  had  ten  children :  Luisa,  Thomas, 
James,  Lillian,  Frank,  Nancy.  Etta  and  Charles.  Charles  Comstock  is  a  blacksmith 
by  trade,  and  at  present  is  the  owner  of  two  farms  in  the  town  of  Hartsville.  He 
married  Charity  E.,  daughter  of  John  Oaks  of  Hartsville,  who  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  in  that  towm.  They  had  two  children:  Clara  and  Daniel.  In  politics  Mr. 
Comstock  is  a  Repiiblican. 

Burdm,  James  Henry,  was  born  in  Madison  county,  N.Y.,  October  13,  1834,  son  of 
John  Burdin,  who  was  born  in  one  of  the  Eastern  States,  and  came  to  the  town  of 
Hornellsville  in  1835.  He  was  a  farmer  and  dealt  in  cattle.  He  married  Betsey, 
daughter  of  Daniel  Ackley,  of  Connecticut,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  the  county, 
and  they  had  four  children:  Spencer  D.,  James  Henry,  Timothy  D.,  and  Julia  A. 
Spencer  and  Julia  are  deceased.  James  H.  is  a  farmer,  owns  a  farm  of  ninety  acres, 
He  married  Sallie  A.,  daughter  of  Abel  H.  Baldwin,  of  Howard,  one  of  the  first 
settlers  of  the  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baldwin  lived  to  be  nearly  100  years  old.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  James  H.  Burdin  were  the  parents  of  three  children;  Scott  K.,  John  A., 
and  Ida  M.  Scott  K.  married  Charlotte  Rankin,  of  Canada;  John  A.  married  Emma 
Bennett;  and  Ida  married  H.  E.  Brown,  of  Howard.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  of  Howard,  and  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Democrat. 

Van  Wie,  Alonzo,  was  bom  in  the  town  of  Palatine,  Montgomery  county,  Novem- 
ber 30,  1837.  His  father,  John  Van  Wie,  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  a  native 
of  the  same  county.  For  more  than  twenty  years  he  had  occupied  the  same  farm 
upon  which  Alonzo  was  born.  His  wife,  Susanna,  was  the  daughter  of  Henry 
Nehre,  and  to  them  were  born  fourteen  children,  seven  of  whom  are  still  living: 
John,  Catherine,  Nancy  Gertrude,  Elizabeth,  Alonzo  and  Henry.  Thinking  that  he 
could  better  his  condition  by  moving  westward,  he  sold  his  farm  in  Montgomery 
county,  and  moved  to  Howard,  Steuben  county,  where  he  bought  a  farm  of  200 
acres,  located  a  short  distance  south  of  the  village  of  Howard,  where  he  resided  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  February  3,  1892.     The  last  twenty  years  of  his  life  were 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  177 

spent  with  his  son  Alonzo  on  a  portion  of  the  old  homestead,  one-half  of  which  is  now 
owned  by  his  son  Henry.  Alonzo  attended  the  district  schools,  taught  school  several 
terms,  and  in  1860  was  graduated  from  Franklin  Academy.  He  enlisted  in  the  189th 
N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  never  off  duty  for  a  day 
during  his  army  service.  In  May,  1863,  he  married  Sarah  E.,  daughter  of  Elias 
Wygant,  a  native  of  Orange  county,  but  who  moved  to  Prattsburg,  Steuben  county, 
in  1835.  She  has  in  her  possession  statistics  of  her  ancestors  as  far  back  as  1754, 
when  her  great-grandfather,  Thomas  Wygant,  was  born.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Van  Wie 
have  one  son,  Frank  E.,  who  was  born  December  29,  1868,  and  who  is  at  present  a 
member  of  the  senior  class  in  Hamilton  College.  Mr.  Van  Wie  is  a  Republican  and 
has  always  taken  a  keen  interest  in  politics,  and  for  three  consecutive  terms  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  supervisor  of  the  town.  For  thirty-four  years  he  has  been 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  of  which  he  is  one  of  the  ruhng  elders. 

Roberts,  Joseph,  was  born  in  Sparta,  N.  Y.,  January  26,  1838.  His  grandfather, 
John  Roberts,  was  born  in  Sparta,  Livingston  county,  N.  Y.,  and  died  in  1852,  aged 
seventy  years.     He  had  three  children:   Daniel,  Elias,  and  Rufus,     Ruf us  Roberts, 

father  of  Joseph,  married  Elmira ,  who  was  born  in  Sparta,  N.Y.,  and  died  in 

1867,  aged  fifty-three  years.  They  had  these  children:  Joseph,  as  above;  Amanda, 
widow  of  Mr.  Wiley;  Lyman,  deceased,  aged  fifty-three  years;  Jane,  wife  of 
Lafayette  Carney;  James;  and  Benjamin,  who  died  aged  about  thirty  years.  Joseph 
Roberts  attended  the  public  schools  of  Springwater,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, which  he  has  always  followed.  In  1878  he  bought  the  farm  of  fifty  acres,  where 
he  now  resides.  He  was  a  member  of  Phoenix  Lodge  No.  115,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Dans- 
ville,  N.  Y.  At  Dansville,  N.Y.,  he  married  Sophia,  daughter  of  Valentine  and  Mar- 
garet (Cremp)  Beck.  Mr.  Beck  died  May  16,  1883,  aged  eighty-six  years,  and  Mrs. 
Beck  died  July  1,  1893,  aged  ninety  years.  They  had  eight  children,  six  of  whom  are 
living:  Mary  Wolf,  Maria  Jacobs,  Margaret  Young,  Sophia,  who  was  born  August 
12,  1838;  Catherine  Hoffman,  and  Helen  Smith.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roberts  have  eight 
children:  Henry,  born  March  26,  1859;  Mary  Shaver,  born  January  8,  1861;  Jacob, 
born  June  1,  1864,  and  married  Florence  Glover;  Rosa  Flashman,  born  December  12, 
1866;  Maggie,  born  Augu.st  11,  1869;  Fannie  Shaver,  born  April  9,  1872;  Melvin, 
born  January  17,  1874;  and  Charles,  born  June  5,  1879. 

Morsch,  John  P.,  was  born  in  Germany  in  1847.  His  father,  Peter  Morsch,  was 
born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1850,  and  settled  in  Perkins- 
ville,  where  he  died  in  1880,  aged  fifty- six  years.  His  wife  Mary  died  at  Perkinsville 
in  1870,  aged  thirty-eight  years.  They  had  two  children:  John  P.,  as  above;  and 
Michael,  who  was  born  in  1849,  and  resides  in  Perkinsville.  John  P.  emigrated  to 
this  country  with  his  parents  wdien  three  years  of  age.  He  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  of  Perkinsville,  also  attended  the  Catholic  school,  where  he  learned 
English  and  German.  At  fourteen  years  of  age  he  started  for  himself  by  working  in 
the  flouring  mill,  where  he  remained  for  two  years,  thence  to  Hemlock  Lake,  where 
he  engaged  m  the  same  business  for  one  year.  He  then  went  to  Honeoye,  where  he 
worked  over  five  years,  after  which  he  went  to  Patchinsville,  where,  in  company  with 
Joseph  Tompkins,  they  run  a  mill  one  year,  thence  to  Perkinsville,  where  they  rented 
a  mill,  which  they  run  ten  years,  after  which  they  dissolved  partnership  and  Mr. 
Morsch  run  the  mill  for  two  years.     In  1887  he  bought  the  Patchinsville  mill,  which 


178  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

was  the  first  flouring  mill  in  the  county,  erected  by  Dr.  Warren  Patchin,  one  of  the 
first  settlers,  moved  there,  and  run  the  same  until  1889,  when  it  burned.  He  moved 
back  to  Perkinsville  and  run  that  mill  in  partnership  with  E.  M.  Fowler  for  one  year, 
after  which  he  built  a  new  mill  at  Patchinsville,  which  he  has  run  to  the  present  time. 
It  is  now  a  roller  mill.  In  1886  Mr.  Morsch  was  elected  supervisor  of  the  town  of 
Wayland,  on  the  Republican  ticket,  and  was  re-elected  in  1887.  In  1894  he  was 
elected  to  the  same  office  for  a  term  of  two  years.  In  1881  he  married  Mary  Bricks, 
of  Perkinsville,  where  she  was  born  in  1854,  by  whom  he  has  six  children;  Katie, 
John  S.,  Lizzie,  Stephen,  Anna,  and  Mary. 

Gofif,  Lucian  H.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  October  18,  1840,  son  of  Jacob 
M.  Goff,  also  a  native  of  Howard  and  now  living  in  Canisteo.  Asa  Goflf,  his  father, 
was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  town  of  Howard.  Lucian  was  the  olde-st  of  a  family 
consisting  of  four  daughters  and  two  sons.  He  was  given  a  common  school  educa- 
tion until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age  but  his  real  education  has  been  derived  from 
the  hard  school  of  practical  experience.  At  the  age  of  twenty-eight  he  was  married, 
and  the  same  j-ear  he  bought  a  farm  of  145  acres  in  the  town  of  Jasper,  where  he 
made  his  home  for  seven  j'ears  and  then  spent  four  j^ears  farming  on  the  eastern 
shore  of  Mar3'land.  Returning  he  bought  his  old  farm  and  two  years  later  bought 
the  Alexander  H.  Stephens  farm  in  Greenwood  of  150  acres,  which  he  conducted  five 
years.  In  the  spring  of  1891  he  sold  and  bought  the  Judge  Thatcher  farm  of  140 
acres  on  lot  3  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville,  where  he  has  since  devoted  his  time  and 
attention  to  the  production  of  vegetables,  poultry  and  dairy  products.  In  politics 
Mr.  Goff  has  always  supported  the  cause  of  temperance  and  is  now  a  worker  of  the 
Prohibition  part3\  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  two  years  with  Oasis 
Lodge  No.  251.  He  was  married  in  1868  to  Irene  Coston  of  Canisteo;  and  they  have 
five  children:  Adele,  John  H.,  Lessie,  L.  Preston,  and  Robert  C. 

St.  John,  Dr.  Northrup  N.,  was  born  in  Webster,  Monroe  county,  N.  Y.,  Novem- 
ber 26,  1829.  His  grandfather,  Northnip  St.  John,  was  born  in  Danbury,  Fairfield 
county,  Conn.,  and  died  in  Webster,  Monroe  county,  N.  Y.  Niram  St.  John,  father 
of  Northrup  N.,  was  born  in  Danbur3%  Conn.,  October  18,  1804,  and  died  in  Spring- 
water,  August  3,  1882.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  married  Hannah  M. 
Stratton,  who  was  born  in  Catskill,  N.  Y.,  April  2,  1805,  and  died  February  25,  1895. 
They  had  three  children:  Rosalia  J.,  who  was  born  December  14,  1825,  and  died 
June  14,  1846;  Northrup  N..  as  above;  and  Huldah  A.,  who  was  born  February  27, 
1833.  Northrup  N.  attended  the  common  district  schools  of  Webster,  and  afterwards 
moved  to  Springwater,  N.  Y.,  where  he  attended  school  for  a  time.  He  studied 
medicine  with  Dr.  Hiram  Hess,  in  Wayland,  for  one  year,  when  he  took  a  medical 
course  at  Buft'alo  Medical  College,  and  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Spring- 
water,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  about  ten  years.  He  practiced  m  Atlanta,  N.  Y., 
for  six  years,  after  which  he  moved  to  Wayland,  where  he  has  practiced  his  profes- 
sion continuously  for  twenty  years.  At  Springwater,  in  1848,  he  married  Ann 
Howell,  who  was  born  November  22,  1828,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Ella  R. ,  who 
was  born  July  8,  1854,  married  Austin  Salter,  and  resides  m  Springwater;  they  have 
one  child,  Minnie  L.  March  16,  1866,  Mr.  St.  John  married  for  his  second  wife, 
Lucretia  Ashley,  who  was  born  July  23,  1848,  by  whom  he  had  three  children :  Verne 
A.,  who  was  born  April  25,  1871;    Byrd  E.,  who  was  born  April  25,  1875;    and  Clare 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  179 

A.,  who  was  born  March  21,  1881.  Verne  A.  and  Byrd  E.  are  teachers,  now  attend- 
ing tbe  Geneseo  Normal  School,  of  Geneseo,  N.  Y.  Mr.  St.  John  has  been  president 
of  Wayland  eight  years,  and  trustee  two  years. 

Millard,  Morgan  R.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Cameron,  November  2,  1824.  Reuben 
W.  Millard,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Onondaga  county,  N.  Y.,  and  came  to  Steu- 
ben county  in  1804.  He  married  Sallie  A.  Hooker,  of  Providence,  R.  I.,  by  whom 
he  had  five  children.  Morgan  R.  is  a  lumberman  and  farmer,  owner  of  a  saw  mill 
and  manufacturer  of  lumber  and  shingles ;  has  been  justice  of  the  peace  twenty  years 
in  his  town,  and  practices  law  to  some  extent.  He  married  Mary  J.  Fulton,  of  Can- 
isteo,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  John  H.,  who  died  at  twenty-four  years  of 
age,  and  Mrs.  A.  E.  Waight,  of  Jasper.  Mr.  Millard  is  a  member  of  Morning  Star 
Lodge  of  Masons  No.  65,  and  is  and  always  was  an  abolition  protectionist.  In  1888 
his  wife,  Mary  J.,  died,  and  in  1893  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Shell,  then  a  widow. 

Northup,  Norman,  was  born  in  Franklin,  Sussex  county,  N.  J.,  son  of  Benjamin 
D.  and  Sarah  (Perry)  Northup,  both  natives  of  New  Jersej^  who  came  to  Rathbone 
in  1835,  settling  on  the  farm  his  brother  had  cleared  ten  years  previously.  Here  he 
lived  and  died.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  East  Cameron  Baptist  church. 
He  died  June  10,  1874,  and  Mrs.  Northup  September  7,  1877.  The  grandfather, 
Moses  Northup,  lived  and  died  in  Sussex  county,  N.  J.  Norman  was  ten  years  of 
age  when  he  came  to  Rathbone  with  his  father  and  helped  to  clear  the  old  home, 
which  he  owned  and  worked  until  1892,  when  he  sold  fifty  acres  and  retired  from 
active  business.  In  1852  he  married  Marilla,  daughter  of  John  and  Martha  H.  Har- 
wood,  of  WoodhuU,  by  whom  he  has  five  children:  Walter,  a  machinist  in  Utica; 
Amelia,  wife  of  Burr  Willard,  a  druggist  of  Campbell;  Hattie,  widow  of  Dr.  Garret, 
formerly  of  Woodhull,  but  died  in  Alaska,  Mich. ;  Alma,  wife  of  R.  O.  Demun,  a 
farmer  of  Rathbone;  and  Arthur,  a  farmer  of  Rathbone,  who  married  in  1892,  Lou 
Sanford,  and  has  one  child,  Isabella.  Mr.  Northup  has  been  assessor  and  was  super- 
visor of  Rathbone  for  five  years. 

Reynolds,  Chauncey  E.,  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  February  2,  1853,  and  is  the 
third  of  nine  children  born  to  William  and  Ruth  (Metz)  Reynolds,  he  a  native  of 
Troupsburg,  and  she  of  Pennsylvania.  The  paternal  grandparents  were  Frederick 
S.  and  Betsey  Reynolds ;  Frederick  R.  came  from  Massachusetts  with  his  parents. 
Squire  and  Patty  (Rice)  Reynolds,  to  Troupsburg  at  an  early  day,  and  here  the  old 
people  lived  and  died.  Squire  Reynolds  was  born  in  Middlebury,  Mass  ,  Februarv 
21,  1761.  Frederick  Reynolds  followed  farming  in  Troupsburg,  and  spent  his  last 
days  in  Jasper,  where  he  died  in  1876.  Mrs.  Rejmolds  died  in  1863.  William  Rey- 
nolds, father  of  Chauncey  E.,  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  always  followed  farming. 
He  died  in  July,  1892.  Chauncey  E.  Reynolds  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  for  eight- 
een years  followed  farming.  In  1893  he  entered  in  partnership  with  Mr.  Fitch  in  the 
mercantile  business  at  Troupsburg,  under  the  firm  name  of  Fitch  and  Reynolds.  In 
1875  Mr.  Reynolds  married  Ella,  daughter  of  John  and  Minerva  Fitch,  of  Brookfield, 
Pa.,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Olive,  Fitch,  Verna,  infant,  Harry,  and  Chauncy. 
Verna  died  at  the  age  of  ten  months;  infant  at  two  months. 

Marvin,  Albert  C,  can  trace  the  genealogy  of  the  Marvins  back  to  1636,  when  Rey- 
nold Marvin  settled  at  Lynn,  Conn.,  the  family  being  of  English  origin.     Mathew, 


180  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTV. 

his  grandfather,  was  the  eighth  son  of  Thomas,  who  was  born  at  Sahsbury,  Conn. 
June  7,  1854,  and  married  Mary  Weed,  of  New  Canaan,  Conn.,  by  whom  he  had  six 
children:  Abigail,  born  August  5,  1785,  died  at  Lansingburg,  N.  Y.,  March  4,  1788; 
Joseph,  born  May  1,  1787,  at  Lansingburg,  died  at  Hamden,  N.  Y.,  in  1820;  Jared, 
Thomas,  William  W.,  and  Lewis.  In  1819  Joseph  Marvin  married  Polly  Tiffany, 
who  was  born  December  17,  1801,  at  Walton,  N.  Y.,  and  they  had  one  child,  Albert 
C,  as  above,  who  was  born  Februar}^  4,  1820.  He  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  and  Delhi  Academy,  and  afterward  taught  school  in  Hamden  and  Meredith, 
and  for  the  pa.st  thirty  years  has  been  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering.  He  has 
held  the  office  of  assessor  for  three  terms,  and  was  a  member  of  the  L  O.O.  F.  In 
1849  Mr.  Marvin  married  Amarilla  C.  Stetson,  of  Wayland,  and  they  are  the  parents 
of  five  children:  Melvin  Knox,  born  March  8,  1850;  Anna  Amanda,  born  March  21, 
1851,  died  March  19,  1852;  Curtis  F.,  born  February  25,  1853,  died  April  12,  1854; 
Eleanor  Augusta,  born  March  20,  1856;  and  Francis  E.,  born  December  4,  1864,  who 
resides  in  Howard.  Melvin  Knox  married  Marj''  C.  Vogle,  who  was  born  Januarj^  1, 
1851,  by  whom  he  had  the  following  children:  Genevieve,  born  March  14,  1872; 
Albert  Curtis,  born  September  18,  1873,  died  April  24,  1874 ;  Anna  Augusta,  born 
February  12,  1875,  died  February  6,  1876 ;  Nettie  Adell,  born  Augu.st  24,  1876,  died 
July  19,  1881;  Katie,  born  June  15,  1878;  Archibald  Knox,  born  June  24,  1880; 
Lorinda,  born  March  20,  1882;  Clarence,  born  January  14,  1884;  Bell,  born  January 
25,  1887;  Lizzie,  born  December  30,  1888;  and  Flossie  Helen,  born  July  15,  1894. 
Eleanor  Augusta  married  Jacob  Mehlenbach,  of  Salamanca,  and  they  have  three 
children:  Nellie,  Ethel,  and  Iva.  Francis  E.  married  Ada  Hoag  and  have  one  child, 
Edith. 

Gottschalk,  Christian  Lewis,  married  ]\Iary  Elizabeth  vShafer;  both  were  born  in 
Prussia.  Mr.  Gottschalk  was  a  foreman  in  a  coal  mine  there,  and  came  to  America 
in  1833,  moved  to  Pennsylvania  and  stayed  one  year,  and  then  came  to  Dansville 
and  bought  a  farm  on  Sandy  Hill  in  1834,  but  was  obliged  to  forego  a  settlement 
there  until  the  next  year  on  account  of  cholera,  which  was  raging  there  at  that  time. 
Mr.  Gottschalk  died  April  1,  1849,  aged  sixty  years.  Family  Record  of  Christian 
Lewis  Gottschalk:  Lewis,  Conrad,  William,  Louisa  Losey,  Mary  Foltz,  Valentine, 
John,  Frederick,  Ehzabeth  Zoldoske,  August,  all  deceased.  Henry  lives  in  Missouri; 
and  Christian  resides  on  the  Sandy  Hill  farm  in  the  town  of  Wayland.  Christian 
Gott.schalk  was  born  in  1832  and  married  Maria  E.  Weber  February  2,  1862.  Maria 
E.  was  born  in  1839.  Christian  Gottschalk's  Family  Record:  William,  born  Novem- 
ber 13.  1863,  and  died  September  10,  1892;  Mary  Wenz,  born  September  26,  1865; 
Lewis  C,  born  November  2,  1867;  Rose  Amelia,  born  April  26,  1869;  and  Henry 
Alonzo,  born  June  13,  1864. 

Smith,  Charles  R. ,  was  born  in  Starkey,  Yates  county,  N.  Y. ,  September  3,  1829, 
son  of  Tolman  and  Eliza  Ann  Hathaway  Smith,  he  a  native  of  Niagara  counter,  N.Y., 
and  she  a  native  of  Newtown  (now  Elmira).  Charles's  grandfather,  Russel  Smith, 
lived  and  died  in  Niagara  county.  When  a  small  boy,  Tolman  was  bound  out  to 
John  Bordman,  by  whom  he  was  cruelly  treated,  and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  he  left 
Mr.  Bordman  and  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade.  He  afterward  learned  and  worked 
at  the  carpenter's  trade.  In  religion  he  was  a  Methodist.  He  died  in  1867,  and  Mrs. 
Smith  in  1893.     The  maternal  grandparents  were  David  and   Elizabeth  Demeress 


Family  sketches.  i8i 

Hathaway.  Charles  R.  Smith  followed  the  carpenter's  trade  until  1891,  when  he 
engaged  in  small  fruit  growing,  and  has  been  located  in  the  town  of  Wayne  since 
1850.  In  1854  Mr.  Smith  married  Sarah  J.,  daughter  of  Moses  and  Sarah  Crooslon, 
and  to  them  have  been  born  six  children:  Amasa  C, William  H.,  died  April  22,  1874, 
aged  seventeen  years;  Horace,  died  January  29,  1875,  aged  ten  years;  Moses  T., 
Sarah  Ann,  wife  of  Henry  Slater,  and  Charles  F.  In  religion  they  are  Methodists. 
Mrs.  Smith  died  December  2,  1878. 

Northup,  Asher  S.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Barrington,  Yates  county,  N.  Y. , 
March  7,  1827,  son  of  Eli  and  Phoebe  Osborn  Northup,  who  came  to  Cameron,  this 
county,  in  1830.  He  died  in  Bath,  in  April.  1878,  and  his  wife,  September  3,  1873,  in 
Yates  county.  Asher  S.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools. 
He  spent  one  year  in  the  oil  regions,  and  lived  in  Cameron  until  1855,  when  he 
bought  the  farm  he  now  owns.  September  3,  1849,  he  married  Catherine  E. 
Allen,  who  was  born  in  Howard,  February  8,  1823,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Char- 
lotte Shoals  Allen.  Mr.  Allen  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  In  1813  he  came 
from  Amsterdam,  N.Y,,  to  Howard  on  foot  with  a  change  of  clothes  and  an  ax.  He 
died  in  Avoca,  aged  eighty-eight  years,  and  his  wife,  aged  sixty-two  years.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Northup  have  two  children:  Alice  J.,  wife  of  Peter  B.  Rumsey  of  Cameron, 
and  they  have  three  children:  Edith  E.,  Claude  B.,  and  Laura  P.;  and  Bvron  A., 
who  was  graduated  from  the  school  at  Bath  and  Poughkeepsie  Business  College,  and 
first  clerked  in  Elmira  and  was  then  engaged  for  three  years  as  clerk  at  $1,000  a  year 
in  the  government  Arsenal  at  St.  Louis,  and  afterwards  in  the  mercantile  business 
at  Rockford,  111.,  and  was  also  with  a  Chicago  Brush  Company  for  three  years,  and 
for  four  years  has  represented  the  firm  of  Strong,  Cobb  &  Co.,  of  Cleveland,  at  a 
salary  of  $17,000.  He  married  Laura  Warner  of  Rockford,  III.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Asher 
Northup  are  members  of  the  First  Christian  church  of  Cameron,  N.  Y. 

Dean,  William  D.,  was  born  in  Tyrone,  Schuyler  county,  N.  Y. ,  August  19,  1829, 
son  of  Horace  and  Euphemia  (Doty)  Dean.  The  maternal  grandparents  came  from 
the  East  and  settled  in  Seneca  county,  where  they  died.  Horace  Dean,  father  of 
William  D.,  was  reared  in  Tyrone  and  followed  shoemaking.  In  politics  he  was  first 
a  Democrat  afterward  a  Republican,  and  was  assessor  many  years.  He  was  a 
member  of  Tyrone  F.  &  A.  M.  He  died  in  1879,  and  his  wife  in  1876.  William  D. 
was  reared  in  Tyrone,  and  commenced  for  himself  as  a  carpenter,  which  business  he 
followed  fifteen  years.  He  came  to  Wayne  in  1865  and  settled  on  the  farm  of  100 
acres  he  now  owns,  where  he  carries  on  general  farming.  In  1852  he  married  Anna 
M.,  daughter  of  Rev.  Jonathan  Ketchum  of  Barrington,  Yates  county,  by  whom  he 
had  four  children :  Carrie,  who  died  at  nine  years  of  age;  Fred  C,  editor  and  pro- 
prietor of  the  "Portland  Enterprise,"  Portland,  Pa.  ;  Stella,  wife  of  F.  A.  Loveridge, 
a  vineyardist  and  liveryman  of  Cuba,  Allegany  county,  N.  Y. ;  and  Grace,  who  re- 
sides at  home.  In  politics  Mr.  Dean  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  a  member  of  Pleasant 
Valley  Grange. 

Huganir,  Charles,  was  born  May  11,  1846.  His  father,  Adam  Huganir,  located  on 
the  Brayton  farm  in  the  town  of  Howard,  and  which  is  now  owned  by  his  son,  to 
which  he  has  added  until  he  now  owns  258  acres,  January  29,  1826,  he  married 
Catherine  Voorhees,  a  native  of  Herkimer  county,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  ten  chil- 


182  .  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

dren:  David,  born  January  13,  1828;  Jane  Ann,  born  November  18,  1839;  Voorhees, 
born  August  4,  1831;  Barbara,  born  July  26,  1833;  Maria,  born  June  9,  1835;  Han- 
nah, born  April  31,  1837;  Elizabeth,  born  August  10,  1839;  Leonard,  born  Septem- 
ber 3,  1841;  Pamelia,  born  March  1,  1843;  and  Charles,  as  above,  who  was  educated 
at  Rogersville  Seminary,  and  has  alwaj-s  followed  farming.  At  Howard,  N.Y.,  May 
2,  1882,  he  married  Etta  Saxton,  who  died  January  11,  1894,  by  whom  he  had  two 
children:   Lena  L.,  born  November  9,  1886,  and  Guy  C,  born  March  12,  1889. 

Olcott,  Marvin,  dealer  in  real  estate,  was  born  at  Corning  in  1858,  and  graduated 
from  Yale  College  in  1881.  At  the  death  of  his  father,  Alexander  Olcott,  in  1887,  he 
took  up  his  real  estate  business  which  he  conducted  successfully  for  several  years. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  police  commissioners,  and  has  been  for  two  years  president 
of  the  fire  department.  He  married  Fanny  F.  Cook  of  Albany.  His  father  came 
from  Albany  to  Corning  in  1848,  and  was  in  the  Assembly  for  two  terms. 

Osborn,  A.  D..  was  born  December  1,  1835.  His  father,  Lewis  Osborn,  was  born 
in  Scipio,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1837  he  came  to  Dansville  and  settled  on  a  farm  of  150  acres. 
He  was  a  mason  by  trade.  He  married  Samantha  Gates,  who  was  born  May  20, 
1812,  and  died  in  July,  1866,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  A.  D.,  as  above;  and  L. 
M.,  who  was  born  August  31,  1837.  A.  D.  Osborn  received  a  common  school  educa- 
tion, and  has  always  been  a  farmer,  and  owns  a  farm  of  eighty-nine  acres.  He  is  a 
member  of  Stephens  Mills  Grange,  No.  308.  He  has  visited  a  number  of  the  West- 
ern States,  and  at  one  time  lived  in  Hartsville.  January  3,  1858,  he  married  Caro- 
line, daughter  of  John  Ingles,  who  was  born  in  New  Hampshire,  October  3,  1832,  by 
whom  he  had  five  children:  Frances  V.,  who  was  born  January  1,  1859,  and  died 
October  20,  1869;  Willis  L.,  who  was  born  December  24,  1863,  and  died  October  31, 
1869;  Albert  A.,  who  was  born  January  21,  1872;  and  Clara,  who  was  born  May  29, 
1873. 

Overhiser,  Andrew  Peck,  was  born  in  Wheeler,  August  14,  1833.  Conrad  Over- 
hiser,  his  grandfather,  was  a  farmer  and  came  with  his  wife  Mary  from  Chittenango, 
Onondaga  county,  to  Wheeler,  about  1833,  where  he  died  in  1840,  and  his  wife  in 
1843.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1813,  and  reared  nine  children,  all  of  whom 
grew  to  maturity  and  ranged  in  age  at  their  deaths  from  sixty  to  ninety-five  years. 
John  C.  Overhiser,  father  of  Andrew  Peck,  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  April 
1,  1782.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  came  to  Wheeler  about  1816,  and  settled  on  a  tract  of 
150  acres  of  land  on  West  Creek,  which  was  then  covered  with  forest,  and  after  many 
years  of  hard  toil,  with  the  assistance  of  his  sons,  he  clearedthe  entire  farm,  cr.uing 
the  timber  and  burning  it.  He  was  twice  married.  By  his  first  wife  he  had  three 
children,  two  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  a  son  who  lived  to  be  seventy  years  of  age, 
and  a  daughter  who  lived  to  be  ninety-seven  years  of  age,  and  one  died  in  infancy. 
He  married  for  his  second  wife  Ruth  French,  by  whom  he  had  eighteen  children, 
fourteen  of  whom  are  still  living.  He  died  May  13,  1871,  aged  ninety  years,  and  his 
wife  in  1855,  in  the  sixtieth  year  of  her  age.  Andrew  Peck  Overhiser  was  born 
August  14,  1823,  and  remained  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-six  years  of  age, 
when  he  purchased  a  farm  of  ninety  acres  with  no  buildings  and  little  improved,  and 
to  which  he  has  added  forty  acres,  paid  for  the  whole  farm,  erected  suitable  build- 
ings, and  made  many  other  necessary  improvements.     For  some  years  he  has  raised 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  183 

a  great  many  sheep.  He  has  served  as  commissioner  of  highways,  and  many  other 
minor  offices.  In  December,  1S47,  he  married  Eliza,  daughter  of  Henry  Ackerson, 
of  Pulteney,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Lydia  Ann,  wife  of  Henry  Miller. 

Alderman,  J.  M.,  was  born  in  Schuyler  comity,  N.  Y.,  January  28,  1847,  son  of 
O.  P.  and  Martha  M.  Conklin,  a  distant  relative  of  Roscoe  Conklin,  he  a  native  of 
Con'.;ecticut,  and  she  of  New  Jersey.  They  both  came  to  Schuyler  county  in  1830, 
and  were  married  at  Altay,  where  J.  M.  was  born.  He  came  to  Thurston  in  1850, 
where  he  has  since  lived.  His  father  has  been  a  member  of  the  Christian  church, 
and  organized  and  built  the  Merchantville  church,  of  which  he  was  pastor  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Blue  Lodge  in  Risingville,  and  Bath  Chapter, 
R.  A.  M.  He  and  his  wife  are  now  living  on  a  farm  in  Thurston,  aged  seventy-six 
and  seventj'-five,  respectively.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  common  schools, 
Sonora  Academy,  and  Starkey  Seminary,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  enlisted  in  Capt. 
William  H.  McLain's  company,  5th  United  States  Cavalry.  On  account  of  his  age 
his  father  had  him  withdrawn,  but  at  the  age  of  sixteen  he  enlisted  again  in  Co.  K, 
4th  New  York  Artillery,  and  served  two  years  and  six  months.  He  was  in  the  battle 
of  the  Wilderness  and  under  fire  until  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  where  he  was 
severely  wounded  in  his  right  elbow,  and  was  then  placed  in  the  Veteran  Reserve 
Corps,  being  unfit  for  field  duty,  and  was  then  detached  as  orderly  for  Gen.  Thomas 
H.  Neill,  who  was  president  of  the  board  of  examiners.  Mr.  Alderman  has  been  in 
the  insurance  business  at  Merchantville  for  some  j'ears,  and  was  general  agent  in 
Pennsylvania  for  a  Philadelphia  company  in  1870  anu  1871.  He  was  in  the  mercan- 
tile business  at  Hedgesville  four  years,  and  manager  of  a  lumber  company  near 
Canisteo  for  four  years,  and  has  held  his  present  position  five  years.  He  was  also  in 
the  employ  of  a  lumber  company  in  Texas  for  three  years.  He  is  a  Republican  and 
has  represented  Woodhull  and  Thurston  in  county  conventions  and  was  census 
enumerator  in  1890.  He  is  a  member  of  Loga  Post  No.  469,  G.  A.  R.,  and  Subor- 
dinate Union  No.  272,  E.  A.  U.  October  20,  1868,  he  married  Mary  L.  Masters, 
daughter  of  Lewis  Masters  of  Thurston,  and  they  have  had  one  child.  Burr  W.,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  seven  months.  Mr.  Alderman  has  been  assistant  postmaster  at 
Merchantville  for  about  four  years.     Is  now  a  merchant  at  Thurston,  N.  Y. 

Burdin,  T.  D. — Hisgrandfather,  James  Burdin,  was  born  in  Madison  county,  N.Y., 
and  came  to  the  town  of  Howard,  where  he  located  and  followed  farming.  He  died 
October  11,  1848,  aged  sixty-nine  years,  and  his  wife  Mary  died  January  23,  1860. 
The  father  of  our  subject  was  John  Burdin,  who  was  born  in  Madison  county,  N.Y., 
in  180b,  and  died  December  5,  1861.  His  wife  Betsey  A.  died  December  30,  1882, 
aged  seventy-four  years.  While  he  lived  in  Madison  county  he  was  a  section  boss 
on  the  Cherry  Valley  Turnpike,  but  he  located  on  a  farm  when  he  came  to  Hornells- 
ville  in  1835.  They  also  kept  a  temperance  hotel  on  Big  Creek,  four  miles  east  of 
Hornellsville.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burdin  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 
They  were  the  parents  of  four  children:  Daniel  S.,  who  died  in  1860,  James  Henry, 
Timothy  Dwight,  and  Julia  Ann,  died  October  8,  1847.  T.  D.  Burdin  was  born  in 
the  town  of  Hornellsville,  May  13,  1838,  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools. 
He  drove  on  the  stage  route  between  Bath  and  Hornellsville  for  five  years,  and  has 
since  followed  farming.  He  was  elected  assessor  two  terms,  and  was  poormaster 
three  terms,     He  is  a  member  of  the  United  Workmen  No.  249,  also  of  Big  Creek 


184  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Grange  No.  324.  August  25,  1861,  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Cornelius  Fisher 
of  the  town  of  Fremont,  and  they  have  two  children:  Julia  May,  born  December  22, 
1862,  wife  of  Charles  A.  Stillman,  who  works  his  father-in-law's  farm,  and  is  a 
pattern  maker  by  trade;  and  Oris  E.,  born  June  21,  1867,  and  died  at  the  age  of 
twenty-two  years. 

Brush,  Morton  L.,  was  born  in  this  town,  March  4,  1853.  Thomas  Brush,  his 
grandfather,  was  a  shoemaker  who  came  to  Pulteney  in  1819,  and  later  purchased  a 
tract  of  timber  land,  which  he  and  his  sons  cleared.  He  was  the  son  of  Jacob  and 
Anna  Green  Brush,  whose  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Albert, 
the  father  of  Horton  L. .  was  born  in  Pulteney,  in  July,  1820,  and  has  devoted  his 
time  to  farming  since  lie  became  thirteen  years  of  age,  and  when  eighteen  he  worked 
out  and  earned  the  last  one  hundred  dollars  which  finished  paying  for  his  father's 
farm ;  his  time  was  then  given  him  and  he  began  for  himself,  purchased  his  first 
farm  when  twenty-two  and  now  owns  105  acres.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican  and 
served  as  assessor  two  terms,  and  is  a  deacon  in  the  Baptist  church.  His  wife  was 
Lydia  Horton,  who  was  born  in  Pulteney,  and  their  children  were  Harmon  M., 
Thomas,  who  died  in  1846,  and  William,  died  in  1879,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  late 
war  and  fought  in  the  battle  of  Appomattox,  and  Marion  S.  Horton  L.  was  the 
youngest  son,  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  while  a  young  boy  engaged 
as  engineer  in  a  saw  mill,  and  when  fifteen  years  of  age  took  charge  of  a  vineyard, 
which  position  he  kept  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age,  when  he  spent  two  win- 
ters in  Michigan  as  engineer  in  a  mill.  He  then  engaged  in  buying  fruit,  spent  three 
seasons  in  a  commission  house  in  New  York  city  and  spent  one  year  each  in  the  em- 
ployment of  the  Adams  and  United  States  Express  Companies  on  Lake  Keuka.  He 
has  studied  electricity  for  several  years,  and  since  1891,  in  connection  with  his  fruit 
growing  and  commission  business,  he  has  dealt  in  telephones,  constructing  them 
himself.  In  1881  he  married  Lilly  I.,  second  daughter  of  William  E.  and  Nancy 
Bancroft  Horton,  who  was  born  in  the  town  of  Cameron.  She  is  a  member  of  and 
teacher  of  the  Baptist  Sunday  school,  and  they  are  both  members  of  the  Baptist 
church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  Prattsburg  Lodge  No.  583,  of 
which  he  has  been  chaplain  and  junior  deacon.  He  is  now  treasurer  of  the  Yates 
Baptist  Association,  having  been  elected  for  three  j^ears. 

Hoag,  Perry  C,  was  born  June  2,  1838.  His  father,  Nathan  Hoag,  was  born  in 
Wayland,  and  died  in  1842,  from  injury  received  in  a  flour  mill  in  Dansville.  He 
married  Susan  Bowdish,  who  was  born  in  Wayland,  and  died  in  1882,  aged  sixty-five 
years.  They  had  six  children:  Martha  Warring;  Margaret,  deceased;  Susan  Wells; 
Perry  C,  as  above;  Nathan;  and  Harriet  Roberts.  Perry  C.  Hoag  has  followed 
farming  for  many  years.  When  four  years  of  age  his  father  was  killed  and  his 
mother  lived  with  her  children  among  the  Shakers  at  Mount  Morris,  Livingston 
county,  and  she  finally  married  Ira  Sherman,  of  Naples,  N.  Y.  Perry  C.  enlisted  in 
Co.  D,  188th  N.  Y.Vols.,  October  5,  1864.  He  took  part  in  nine  battles,  and  was  dis- 
charged in  July,  1865.  He  is  a  pensioner.  He  is  a  member  of  Theodore  Schlick 
Post,  G.A.R.,  of  Wayland.  At  Springwater,  October  27,  1861,  he  married  Emeline 
Haight,  who  was  born  in  Springwater,  November  6,  1844,  by  whom  he  has  four  chil- 
dren: Herman,  born  September  18,  1862;  Arthur,  born  January  8,  18G5,  and  died 
December  27,  1891;  Idella  Warring,  born  January  7,  1867;  and  Addie  Marvin,  born 
March  14,  1871. 


i 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  185 

Lake,  Charles  G. — His  grandfather  was  Robert  Lake,  who  died  at  sixty  years  of 
age.  Israel  Lake,  father  of  Charles G.,  was  born  in  Hector,  Schuyler  county,  N.Y. ,  in 
1818,  and  died  at  seventy-three  years  of  age.  He  has  always  followed  farming,  and 
was  a  member  of  Big  Creek  Grange  No.  324.  He  married  first  Clarissa  White,  by 
whom  he  had  these  children:  Martin  (deceased),  Mary,  Martha,  Miranda,  Maria, 
Estella,  Hubbard  M.,  and  Melvin.  He  married  second  Christian  N.,  daughter  of 
John  Wanner,  of  the  town  of  Sparta,  and  had  one  son,  Charles  G.,  who  attended 
school  at  Hornellsville,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  now  owns  a  farm  of 
ninety-one  acres  on  Big  Creek.  He  is  a  member  of  Big  Creek  Grange  No.  324.  His 
mother's  first  husband  was  William  Magee,  and  with  tliis  union  there  were  six  chil- 
dren: Worden,  born  June  15,  1851 ;  Sheldon,  born  July  11,  1852,  who  was  killed  by  a 
train  at  Groveland,  November  1,  1890;  Frank,  born  October  17,  1853,  and  died  at 
Stockton,  Cal.  ;  Sarah,  born  June  26,  1856;  Maggie,  born  June  28,  1860;  and  Idell, 
born  June  12,  1862.  Mr.  Magee  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  Rebellion,  enlisted  in  the 
161st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  Co.  C,  and  died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  June  1,  1863. 

Retan,  Nelson,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Pulteney  in  July,  1837.  His  grandfather, 
Barnett  Retan,  was  born  in  March,  1790,  and  he  married  Sallie  Drew,  who  was  born 
in  November,  1789,  and  their  children  were  John,  born  June  23,  1809;  Almeron, 
born  in  September,  1811;  Gilbert,  born  in  October,  1813;  Hannah,  born  in  Novem- 
ber, 1815;  Susan,  born  in  January,  1818;  Rachel,  born  in  Februarj-,  1820;  Barnett, 
born  in  December,  1822;  Ebenezer,  born  in  January,  1825;  David,  born  in  March, 
1827;  Sally  Ann,  born  in  July,  1829;  and  Eliza,  born  in  January,  1830.  They  were 
farmers  and  came  to  Pulteney  with  their  family  in  1818,  cleared  a  farm,  on  which 
they  spent  their  remaining  days.  John,  father  of  Nelson,  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion. In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat  and  served  several  years  as  a  commissioner  of 
highways.  He  married  Rachel  Smart,  who  was  born  September  11,  1811,  and  their 
children  are  Susan,  born  in  September,  1831 ;  Jeptha,  born  in  July,  1835;  Nelson,  as 
above;  Sylvester,  born  in  July,  1840;  Anson,  born  in  April,  1842,  killed  in  the  siege 
of  Port  Hudson  in  1863;  Sylvina,  born  in  March,  1844;  Olney,  born  in  February, 
1846;  and  Cynthia,  born  in  October,  1849.  Their  deaths  occurred  April  29,  1870,  and 
February  17,  1884,  respectively.  Nelson  was  educated  in  the  district  schools,  and 
began  life  for  himself  as  a  farmer.  In  August,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  161st  N.Y. 
Vols.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  having  participated  in  the  sieges  of 
Mobile  and  Blakely.  In  1866  he  purchased  his  first  farm,  and  in  1884  he  engaged  in 
manufacturing  lumber,  boxes,  and  grape  baskets  in  the  village  of  Pulteney.  this  being 
the  largest  establishment  of  the  kind  in  the  count}'.  In  1886  he  purchased  a  resi- 
dence in  the  village,  where  he  removed.  In  1892  his  mill  and  factory  were  burned, 
but  the  same  year  he  rebuilt  on  a  larger  scale,  which  buildings  were  burned  in  June, 
1895.  He  again  rebuilt  and  commenced  work  in  August  of  the  same  year.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  manufacturing  interests,  Mr.  Retan  owns  several  small  farms,  to  which  he 
attends.  In  1860  he  married  Esther  S.,  daughter  of  Nelson  and  Julia  Pinkerton  Ball, 
and  their  children  are  Alice,  born  in  August,  1863,  wife  of  Clarence  Fox  of  Pulteney; 
NeUie,  born  in  June,  1867,  died  in  January,  1871 ;  and  Anna  May,  born  in  May,  1880. 
Mr.s.  Retan  died  July  13,  1889.  For  his  second  wife  he  married  Helen  Ball,  in  De- 
cember, 1890.  Her  father.  Nelson  Ball,  was  born  in  Pulteney  in  1815,  and  died  in 
1871,  and  was  a  blacksmith  bv  trade.     Mr.  Retan  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows 


186  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Lodge  of  Pulteney,  the  Pleasant  Valley  Grange  of  Urbana,   and  of  the  Henry  C. 
Lyon  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  535  of  Pulteney. 

Rex,  Charles  N.,  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  N.  Y. ,  December  11,  1845.  Jacob 
Rex,  his  father,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  in  1817,  and  moved  to  the  town  of  Way- 
land  in  1850,  and  settled  on  the  farm  now  known  as  the  Saxton  farm.  He  is  still 
living  in  the  town  of  Cohocton.  In  1838  he  married  Olive  Hall,  who  was  born  in 
Savannah,  Wayne  count5%  N.  Y.,  in  1813,  and  died  in  April,  1895.  They  had  three 
sons:  William  H.,  born  in  Wayne  county,  March  22,  1843;  Charles  N.,  born  in 
Wayne  county,  December  11,  1845;  and  John  W.,  born  in  Wayne  county,  November 
9,  1848.  Charles  N.  was  brought  up  on  a  farm  and  has  always  followed  that  busi- 
ness. In  1815  he  purchased  the  farm  where  he  now  resides.  At  Conesus,  N.  Y., 
March  17,  1869,  he  married  Weltha  A.  Heath,  who  was  born  in  Conesus,  N.  Y. ,  De- 
cember 2,  1846,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Myron  E.,  born  September  28,  1873, 
and  graduated  at  the  Hornellsville  Business  and  Shorthand  College  in  ]\Iarch,  1893, 
and  Bertha  M.,  born  October  4,  1875. 

Schwingle,  John  A.,  was  born  m  Germany,  in  the  Rhine  province,  in  1829,  and  at 
eighteen  years  of  age  emigrated  to  America,  and  settled  in  Buffalo  with  his  uncle, 
Frederick  Schwingle,  where  he  remamed  for  three  months  workmg  for  him.  He 
then  went  to  Dansville,  where  he  worked  by  the  month  for  two  years,  thence  to 
Wayland,  where  he  worked  by  the  month  until  1852,  when  he  purchased  a  house  and 
a  lot  of  fifteen  acres,  his  first  home  in  America.  In  1850  he  married  Louisa  Schwingle, 
who  died  in  1851,  aged  twenty-five  years.  They  had  one  child,  Louise  who  was 
born  June  28,  1851,  and  who  is  now  the  wife  of  Fred  Sorge,  and  resides  at  Dansville. 
They  have  five  children:  William,  Inez,  Edward,  Rosa  and  Clarence.  In  1855  Mr. 
Schwingle  married  Mary  Miller,  who  was  born  in  Illinois,  August  29,  1836,  by  whom 
he  had  these  children:  H.  Franklin,  born  January  18,  1856;  Frederick  William,  born 
December  26,  1857;  George  J.,  born  February  3,  1860;  Mary  B.,  born  January  24, 
1863,  died  April  9,  1887;  Amanda  S.,  born  November  21,  1867,  died  March  23,  1869; 
Edward  C,  born  July  13,  1865;  John  A.,  born  October  3,  1869;  Ida  A.,  born  Decem- 
ber 29,  1871;  WilHam  M.,  born  June  13,  1874;  Albert  E.,  born  August  19,  1876;  and 
Emma  C.  E.,  born  March  26,  1879.  These  children  are  all  well  educated,  two  of 
whom  are  teachers.  Mr.  Schwingle  has  owned  152  acres  of  land,  and  in  1893  sold 
105  acres  to  his  son.  He  has  held  the  office  of  as.sessor  three  years,  and  is  now  over- 
seer of  the  poor.  He  was  a  member  of  Dansville  Lodge,  No.  123,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is 
now  a  member  of  Wayland  Lodge,  No.  176,  joined  by  permit  from  the  Dansville 
Lodge.  Mr.  Schwingle's  married  children  are  as  follows:  Frank,  who  married  Laura 
Hilts,  lives  in  East  Sparta,  and  has  one  son,  Philip;  Frederick  W.,  who  married 
Maggie  Lander,  and  resides  on  a  farm  near  Loon  Lake;  George  J.,  who  married 
Sophrona  Totten,  and  has  two  children.  Jay  and  Emma,  and  resides  in  Wayland 
village;  Edward  C,  who  married  Mary  Kramer,  who  has  one  daughter,  Margaret, 
and  resides  in  Dansville,  where  he  owns  and  runs  a  hardware  store,  and  is  the  in- 
ventor of  the  Schwingle  Potato  Hiller,  Coverer  and  Furrower. 

Wallace,  Dr.  Edwin  E.,  was  born  in  Hartsville,  N.  Y.,  August  7,  1852,  son  of 
Nathaniel  and  Eunice  (Davis)  Wallace,  both  natives  of  Livingston  county,  N.  Y. 
The  grandfather,    Abner  Wallace,   spent  most  of  his  days  in   Livingston  county. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  187 

Nathaniel  Wallace,  father  of  Edwin  E.,  first  came  to  Canisteo,  where  he  remained  a 
year,  thence  to  Hartsvillein  1840,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  finally  removed 
to  Hornellsville.  He  died  March  8,  1887,  and  his  widow  resides  in  the  town  of  Cone- 
sus,  Livingston  county-  Edwin  E.  Wallace  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in 
Canisteo  Academy.  He  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Picket  of  Canisteo 
and  Dr.  Joseph  W.  Robinson  of  Hornellsville,  and  graduated  from  the  medical  de- 
partment of  the  University  of  New  York  City  m  1879,  and  made  his  own  way  through 
college,  teaching  for  several  terms,  and  was  awarded  the  prize  for  the  best  examina- 
tion in  materia  medica,  and  therapeutics.  In  April,  1879,  he  came  to  Jasper,  where 
he  has  since  had  a  very  successful  practice.  In  1887  Dr.  Wallace  took  a  post- 
graduate course  in  the  New  York  Post-Graduate  School.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Morning  Star  Lodge,  No.  65,  F.  &  A.  M.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  New  York 
State  Medical  Society.  January  5,  1881,  he  married  Myra  Metcalf,  of  Jasper,  by 
whom  he  had  two  children :  Allen  M.  and  Maud  E. 

Zimmerman,  Sylvanus  A.,  was  born  in  Bradford,  June  20,  1831,  and  is  the  fifth  of 
seven  children  born  to  John  and  Elizabeth  Stocum  Zimmerman.  John,  who  was  a 
native  of  Austria,  was  taken  from  his  bed  at  midnight  by  the  Austrian  army  and 
pressed  into  service,  and  being  taken  prisoner  by  the  French  army,  he  fought  under 
Napoleon.  He  was  afterward  taken  prison  by  the  English  and  sent  to  Canada  to 
serve  in  the  British  army,  and  in  1812  he  was  sent  out  to  look  for  a  deserter,  and  he 
came  to  the  United  States.  At  Buffalo  he  received  a  pass  to  Canandaigua  from 
General  Brown,  and  from  there  he  made  his  way  to  Bartle  Hollow,  now  Bradford, 
and  engaged  with  Mr.  Bartle  in  the  distilling  business.  He  soon  went  to  Lancaster, 
Pa.,  and  engaged  in  the  same  business,  being  very  successful.  He  finally  returned 
to  Bradford  where  he  built  and  run  a  distillery.  He  died  in  1862,  aged  eighty-two 
years,  and  Mrs.  Zimmerman  died  in  1880.  Sylvanus  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  and  the  Dundee  Academy,  and  in  music  at  Reading,  Mass.,  and  has  been  a 
music  teacher  the  most  of  his  life.  In  1878  he  married  Maggie  Houck,  by  whom  he 
has  three  children  Mary  E.,  Sylvanus  A.,  jr.,  and  Hattie.  August  29,  1862,  Mr. 
Zimmerman  enlisted  in  Co.  G,  23d  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  until  May,  1863,  when  he 
was  transferred  to  Co.  B,  80th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  sent  to  provost-general's  headquar- 
ters, where  he  had  charge  of  the  commissary  department  under  Capt.  H.  P.  Clinton, 
where  he  remained  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is  a  member  of  Lamoka  Lodge,  F. 
&  A.  M.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat  and  has  been  justice  of  the  peace  for  eight 
years  and  is  now  notary  public,  and  in  1892  was  elected  supervisor,  which  office  he 
still  holds. 

Hall,  Jeremiah,  was  born  in  Urbana,  April  22,  1842.  Thomas  Hall,  his  father,  was 
born  at  Williamsport,  Pa.,  August  1,  1813.  He  was  a  farmer  and  came  to  Urbana 
about  1834,  and  later  came  to  Bath,  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  October,  1893.  He  married  Emily  Douglass  of  Steuben  county,  by  whom  he  had 
these  children :  Mary,  Almira,  Jeremiah,  Ary,  Ann,  and  Frank.  Jeremiah  was  first 
engaged  in  farming,  after  which  he  worked  at  the  blacksmith  trade,  which  business 
he  followed  for  twelve  years.  He  was  postmaster  of  Avoca  under  Harrison  for  four 
and  a  half  years,  and  since  1893  has  been  in  the  clothing  business  in  the  village.  He 
enlisted  in  the  107th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  in  August,  1862,  and  served  for  a  term  of  three 
years,  returned  unharmed  in   poor  health.     He  owned  and  conducted  a  hardware 


1^8  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

business  in  Avoca  from  1882  to  1891.     Mr.  Hall  was  supervisor  one  term.     He  is  a 
member  of  Avoca  Lodge  of  Masons,  No.  673,  also  of  Morey  Post,  507. 

Hardenbrook,  George  H.,  was  born  in  Lodi,  Seneca  county,  N.  Y.,  Ma}'  15,  1837. 
Richard  Hardenbrook,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Hunterdon  county,  N.  J.,  and  mar- 
ried Catherine,  daughter  of  Nathan  Smith,  of  Georgetown,  Queen  Anne  county,  Md., 
and  was  a  manufacturer  of  boots  and  shoes  in  Seneca  county  until  1844,  when  he 
came  to  the  town  of  Bath  and  engaged  in  farming.  In  1850  he  moved  into  the  vil- 
lage of  Bath,  as  superintendent  of  the  Whiting  &  McCass  foundry,  and  afterwards 
purchased  the  business,  being  associated  with  William  Sedgwick.  In  1857  the  plant 
was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  Richard  Hardenbrook  8c  Sons  purchased  the  old  Steuben 
county  foundry  of  Biles  &  Owens,  which  is  now  run  by  his  son,  George  H..  making 
a  specialty  of  agricultural  implements,  mill  machinery,  and  building  and  repairing 
engines.  In  1862,  with  Captain  Mowers,  he  raised  Co.  F,  78th  N  Y.  Vols.,  and  took 
part  in  the  battles  of  Bull  Run,  Cedar  Mountain,  Antietam,  and  numerous  others, 
receiving  an  honorable  discharge  in  1865,  with  rank  of  acting  captain,  and  in  the 
same  year  married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  John  McKenzie,  of  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  by 
whom  he  had  two  children,  Katherine  and  M.  Aldine. 

Olmsted,  John  E.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Avoca,  August  27,  1853,  son  of  Erastus 
Olmsted,  who  was  born  in  the  town  of  Avoca,  March  6,  1830,  and  grandson  of  John 
Olmsted,  who  was  born  in  Montgomery  county  and  settled  in  this  town  where  he 
bought  land  and  cleared  a  farm  of  100  acres.  October  27,  1852,  Erastus  married 
Margaret,  daughter  of  William  P.  Bellenger,  of  Montgomery  county,  who  was' among 
the  first  settlers  of  this  county.  They  have  one  son,  John  E.,  who  was  educated  in 
the  town  of  Avoca.  He  was  in  the  mercantile  and  produce  business  from  1876  to 
1888  in  the  village  of  Wallace,  since  which  time  he  has  devoted  his  time  to  farming 
and  to  the  sale  of  agricultural  implements.  He  married  Estella  M.  Tripp,  of  Cohoc- 
ton,  and  they  have  one  daughter,  Bulah  M.  Mr.  Olmsted  has  filled  the  offices  of 
assessor  and  highway  commissioner.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  of 
Avoca,  No.  673,  and  Wallace  Lodge,  No,  519.  I.  O.  O.  F. 

Peck,  George  W.,  was  born  in  Lansdown,  February  18,  1854.  Rev.  J.  B.  Peck, 
his  father,  was  a  native  of  England  and  settled  in  Jefferson  county  in  1840,  and  for 
thirty-five  years  has  been  engaged  in  the  ministry  of  the  M.  E.  church,  the  larger 
portion  of  his  work  being  in  Steuben  county.  George  W.  began,  at  the  age  of  four- 
teen, to  learn  the  hardware  business,  entering  the  employ  of  Powers  &  Wagoner  m 
1870.  In  1875  he  formed  the  partnership  of  Wagoner  &  Peck,  and  in  1876  purchased 
Mr.  Wagoner's  mterest,  and  in  1880  he  removed  to  Prattsburg  and  purchased  the 
hardware  stock  of  George  H.  Look.  In  1883  he  established  a  branch  store  at  Pulte- 
ney,  and  in  1886  purchased  the  Harris  stock  at  Cohocton.  In  1888  he  purchased  the 
stock  of  Hodgman  &  McNamara  of  Bath,  and  in  1893  established  a  branch  store  at 
Bradford,  N.  Y. ,  and  in  1894  the  business  was  put  into  a  stock  company,  under  the 
name  of  the  George  W.  Peck  Hardware  Co.,  starting  in  1875  with  yearly  sales  of 
$4,000,  m  1894  the  aggregate  amount  was  $150,000.  In  1884  he  married  Flora, 
daughter  of  B.  Griswold,  by  whom  he  had  four  children,  George  G. ,  J.  Arthur,  War- 
ren B.,  and' Flora  M. 

Raymond,  Joel,  and  his  only  son  Orville  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  the  town 


1 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  189 

of  Wheeler,  clearing  and  occupying  a  farm  near  Wheeler  Center  until  their  deaths, 
now  owned  by  Elder  J.  W.  Raymond,  eldest  son  of  Orville.  Joel  Raymond  died  of 
an  injury  received  by  accident  at  town  meeting  February  12,  1850,  in  his  seventy- 
seventh  year.  His  wife,  Lydia,  died  August  28,  1854,  in  her  eighty-third  year.  To 
them  were  born  three  children :  Hannah,  Orville  and  Tryphena.  Hannah  married 
Jacob  Thompson  of  Wheeler,  January  1,  1823.  To  them  were  born  six  children: 
Lydia,  Calvin,  Catherine,  Orville,  Joel,  and  John,  all  of  whom  are  now  living  except- 
ing Calvin  and  Crville,  Calvin  having  died  December  5,  1863,  in  his  thirty- seventh 
year,  and  Orville,  April  30,  1895,  in  his  sixty-fifth  year.  Jacob  Thompson  died  May 
9,  1868,  aged  seventy-four  years.  Hannah,  his  wife,  died  July  20,  1880,  aged  eighty- 
seven  years.  Orville  Raymond,  son  of  Joel,  married  Caroline  Smith  of  Nelson, 
Madison  county,  February  17,  1834.  To  them  were  born  five  children:  John  W., 
Nehemiah  S. ,  Harriet,  Mary,  and  Amasa  C. ,  all  of  whom  are  living  except  Mary, 
who  died  April  3,  1851,  in  her  eleventh  year.  Orville  Raymond  died  July  19,  1880, 
in  his  eightieth  year.  Caroline,  his  wife,  died  November  25,  1885,  in  her  eighty- 
fourth  year.  Tryphena,  daughter  of  Joel  Raymond,  died  October  26,  1876,  aged 
seventy-one  years.  John  W.  married  Sarah  Jayne  of  Barrington,  Cook  county.  111., 
by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Mary  C,  Silas  C,  and  Hattie  O.  (twins),  and  Daniel 
A.  Silas  C.  married  Carrie  Kelley,  by  whom  he  has  two  children,  John  W.  and 
Emma  L.  Mar}^  C.  married  Dixie  Martin  of  Kanona,  Steuben  county.  Nehemiah 
S.  married  Ophelia  Lanphear  of  Nile,  Allegany  count}-,  and  is  a  farmer  in  Wheeler. 
Harriet  married  Micliael  Jones,  who  is  also  a  farmer  in  Wheeler.  Amasa  C.  mar- 
ried Emma  Robinson  of  Pulaski,  Oswego  county,  and  is  a  farmer  of  South  Richland, 
Oswego  county.  John  W.  is  engaged  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  being  a  member 
of  the  Seventh-day  Adventist  denomination.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Conference  of  said  order  for  fourteen  years,  and  president  of  the  conference 
for  the  last  five  years  of  his  connection  therewith.  January  1,  1893,  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  New  York  Conference  of  said  denomination,  of  which  he  is  now  a  mem- 
ber and  minister. 

Avery,  Chauncy,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Steuben  county.  He  was  born  June 
28,  1798,  in  the  State  of  Connecticut.  He  came  to  New  York  and  married  Emaline, 
a  daughter  of  William  Van  Brunt  of  Bj-ron.  They  were  the  parents  of  thirteen 
children.  He  died  May  18,  1876;  his  wife  died  October  19,  1870.  They  were  pio- 
neers in  the  -Christian  church  of  which  they  were  members.  Their  children  were 
Chauncy  Stillman,  born  May  7,  1825:  Gilbert  Franklin,  born  January  15,  1828;  Cla- 
rissa M.,  born  October  29,  1832;  she  married  Warren  Northrop;  he  was  killed  in  the 
Wayland  tragedy  January,  1871,  by  Mrs.  Mary  Hess;  Simon  G.,  born  December  13, 
1834,  died  March  20,  1893;  Rose  C,  married  Horace  Avery,  lives  in  Pennsylvania; 
William  H.,  born  December  13,  1837,  died  October  7,  1877,  leaving  a  wife  and  four 
children  in  Florida;  Nancy  M.,  born  April,  1840,  died  May,  1848;  Charles  F.,  born 
November  24,  1842,  died  March  20,  1895;  John  H.,  born  March  2,  1849,  married  Anna 
Hayward ;  they  have  three  sons  and  a  daughter.  The  others  all  died  in  infancy. 
Chaunc}'  S.  married  Mary  Jane,  a  daughter  of  Augustus  Mathers,  who  was  one  of 
the  old  pioneers  of  Cohocton  (now  Wayland);  she  died  August  4,  1866.  They  had 
three  daughters.  Maryette,  now  Mrs.  Abram  Van  Riper,  of  Cohocton  ;  Frank  M.,  now 
Mrs.  Robert  Cole  of  Hornellsville;  and  Harriet  A.,  now  Mrs.  George  Pierce  of  South 


190  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Dansville.  His  second  wife  was  Lucinda  R.,  a  daughter  of  Zina  Tripp.  In  1873  he 
purchased  the  Avery  homestead  near  the  D.  L.  and  W.  depot,  where  he  still  resides. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  and  also  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Lodge  176,  in  Way- 
land.  Four  of  the  Avery  brothers  enlisted  in  the  United  States  service  in  our  late 
Civil  war.  Chauncey  S.  and  Simon  were  in  the  last  year  and  took  part  in  a  number 
of  hard  fought  battles;  assisted  in  tearing  up  the  Weldon  Railroad,  and  were  pres- 
ent at  General  Lee's  surrender  and  witnessed  the  stacking  of  the  Rebel  arms.  Gil- 
bert enlisted  in  1862,  was  in  General  Bank's  division  in  Louisiana.  Charles  F.  en- 
listed in  the  beginning  of  the  war  and  was  a  soldier  until  its  close.  He  received  a 
bad  wound  in  the  face,  the  ball  entering  just  below  the  left  eye  and  coming  out  just 
below  the  ear,  destroying  the  sight  and  hearing  of  that  eye  and  ear.  Besides  a  com- 
mon school  education  he  graduated  from  the  Poughkeepsie  Commercial  College 
since  the  war.  He  went  to  Florida  and  was  twice  elected  by  the  Republicans  to  the 
Legislature  of  that  State.  He  died  of  consumption  March  8,  1895.  Zina  Tripp, 
born  April  3,  1789,  in  Washington  county.  N.  Y.  He  married  Ruth  Baudish.  She 
died  in  June,  182U.  They  had  five  children  ;  none  of  them  ever  lived  in  this  county. 
His  second  wife  was  Parthiana,  a  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Bennett,  of  Waterloo,  N.Y. 
Their  two  oldest  children  died  in  infancy ;  names  of  the  other  five  were  Harriet 
Eliza,  born  April  26,  1825,  died  in  1848;  Lucinda  Ruth,  born  December  21,  1828, 
married  C.  S.  Avery;  Catherine  M.  died  in  Wayland,  September  7,  1884.  Nathaniel 
Bonnell,  born  November  9,  1833,  was  lost  in  the  woods  May  8,  and  found  dead  May 
11,  1837.  Christopher  Columbus,  born  April  19,  1836,  married  Rachel  Pierce;  they 
were  married  in  March  and  he  enlisted  in  the  United  States  service  the  next  Sep- 
tember, 1862.  He  was  in  General  Banks's  division  and  in  his  expedition  up  Red 
River  in  Louisiana  was  in  two  hard  fought  battles  when  our  army  lost  near  four 
thousand  and  the  enemy  nearly  as  many.  On  the  retreat  down  Red  River  Admiral 
Porter's  fleet  got  stuck  and  could  not  get  down  over  the  falls  at  Alexandria  and 
Grand  Ecore  when  our  boys  had  to  work  building  dams  to  raise  the  water.  Christo- 
pher was  among  the  number  working  in  the  water  up  to  their  waists  and  often  up  to 
their  necks.  After  the  gunboats  were  oif  and  safe  he  had  to  march  on  a  forced 
march  from  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  until  two  o'clock  the  next  morning.  This 
broke  his  constitution  and  he  was  sick  after  it  as  long  as  he  lived.  He  was  home  on 
furlough  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  September  20,  1864.  His  captain 
said  he  was  a  brave  and  faithful  soldier.  He  was  converted  before  the  war  and  his 
chaplain  said  he  was  a  faithful  soldier  of  the  Cross.  Zina  Tripp  and  his  wife  were 
both  converted  years  ago,  but  they  never  united  with  any  church,  but  their  wives 
were  like  the  Quakers,  not  believing  in  a  water  baptism  or  vocal  prayer,  but  in  a  life 
hid  with  Christ  in  God.  He  died  September  27,  1859;  his  wife  died  August  30, 
1870. 

Sherer,  Sylvester. — In  the  year  1826,  Robert  Sherer  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth  Smith, 
having  then  only  one  child,  Louisa,  a  year  and  a  half  old,  found  their  way  westward 
through  the  then  almost  unknown  wilderness,  to  the  place  now  known  as  Sherer's 
Corners,  though  then  miles  from  any  road.  Here  they  cleared  a  spot,  constructed  a 
cabin  and  established  a  home,  which  they  occupied  till  removed  by  death.  In  the 
years  that  followed  there  were  born  to  them  seven  either  children:  Mary,  Sarah,  who 
died  in  infancy,    Lewisa,  Daniel,    Robert  and   Betsey  (twins),  and  Sylvester.     Soon 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  191 

after  the  birth  of  the  last  child  the  wife  and  mother  died,  but  the  father  lived  to  see 
the  seven  children  grown  to  manhood  and  womanhood,  himself  surrounded  by 
grandchildren,  the  wilderness  turned  into  orchard  and  garden,  and  "  made  to  blos- 
som as  the  rose.'  At  present  there  are  only  three  of  the  immediate  family  living — 
Louisa,  Robert,  and  Sylvester,  who  owns  and  occupies  the  homestead,  he  havmg 
married  Mary  Jane  Irvin,  after  serving  his  country  nearly  three  years,  during  the 
Civil  war.  He  enlisted  in  the  141st  Regt.  N.  Y.  State  Vols.,  and  was  with  them  in 
each  of  the  fifteen  actions  in  which  they  were  engaged.  Some  of  the  most  noted 
were  Lookout  Mountain,  Missionary  Ridge,  Culp's  Farm,  and  Peach  Tree  Creek,  in 
which  he  was  wounded  on  July  20,  1864.  On  July  20,  1895,  a  reunion  was  given  to 
the  survivmg  members  of  Co.  H,  of  the  141st  Regt.  of  which  Mr.  Sherer  was  a  mem- 
ber, by  himself  and  family  consisting  of  his  wife  and  daughter,  Bettie,  they  having 
buried  their  son  Irvin  in  the  year  1878,  at  the  age  of  eleven  years.  Mr.  Sherer  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Abram  Allen  Post  No.  194  Ca- 
nisteo,  N.  Y.,  and  with  the  family  belongs  to  the  M.  E.  church.  In  the  winter  of 
1860-61  a  religious  revival  swept  this  part  of  the  country  with  the  result  of  the  form- 
ing of  the  2d  M.  E.  Society  of  the  town  and  the  erecting  of  a  church  edifice,  which  m 
1890,  was  remodeled  and  enlarged.  It  stands  upon  ground  contributed  to  the  societv 
by  Robert  Sherer  who  also  paid  largely  toward  the  first  erection,  and  is  connected 
with  tine  cemetery  grounds  also  donated  by  him  to  the  society  and  where  his  remains 
now  rest. 

Rider,  Myron  H.,  was  born  in  Fremont,  N.  Y.,  May  18,  1848.  His  grandfather 
was  born  in  Massachusetts  in  1766,  and  moved  to  Dutchess  county,  N.  Y.,  thence  to 
Saratoga  county,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1811  he  came  to  what  is  now  Fremont,  where  he  was 
one  of  the  oldest  settlers.  He  died  in  1863.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  in 
Saratoga  county,  N.  Y.,  and  came  to  Fremont  with  his  father  in  1811.  He  was  a 
mechanic,  but  his  principal  occupation  was  farming.  He  has  a  good  common  school 
education,  and  has  held  the  office  of  assessor  of  the  town.  He  was  also  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  at  Howard.  He  married  Eliza  Mosher,  by  whom  he  had 
three  children:  Harriet  A.,  who  was  born  in  September,  1831;  Orrin  L.,  who  was 
born  in  1833;  and  Samuel  E.,  who  was  born  in  1836.  His  wife  died  in  1836,  and  in 
1838,  he  married  Elizabeth  Connor,  who  was  born  in  Saratoga  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1811, 
by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Myron  H.,  as  above,  who  received  a  common  school  edu- 
cation, after  which  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  126  acres  near 
Haskinsville.  At  Howard,  N.  Y.,  April  26,  1869,  he  married  Eliza  J.  Cornue,  who 
was  born  October  11,  1845,  in  Prattsburg,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Archie  C, 
who  was  born  May  24,  1878;  Derry  S. ,  who  was  born  April  5,  1882:  and  Carrie  S., 
who  was  born  July  26,  1884.  Samuel  E.  Rider,  brother  of  our  subject,  served  in  the 
Rebellion,  in  the  141st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  died  in  the  service. 

Patchin,  Ira,  was  born  in  1812.  His  grandfather,  Walter  Patchin,  was  born  at 
Ballston  Spa,  Saratoga  county,  N.  Y.,  and  settled  in  Wayland  about  18l4.  He  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  land  at  Patchin sville.  He  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier  and  pen- 
sioner. He  died  in  1855  aged  ninety  years,  and  is  buried  at  East  Wayland.  Warren 
Patchin,  father  of  Ira,  was  born  in  Ballston  Spa,  Saratoga  county,  in  1785,  was  in  the 
War  of  1812,  and  settled  in  East  Wayland  in  1817,  and  died  in  1872.  He  was  the 
most  noted  doctor  in  this  locality,  having  a  ride  of  over  fifty  miles.     He  owned  700 


192  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

acres  of  land  at  one  time.  In  1803  he  married  Ruth  Cartwright,  who  was  born  at 
Catskill,  Greene  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1783,  and  died  in  1853,  by  whom  he  had  six  chil- 
dren: Warren,  who  was  born  in  1804,  and  died  in  18T9;  Jabez,  who  was  born  in 
1806,  and  died  in  1825;  Harriet,  who  was  born  in  1808;  Ira,  as  above;  Cameron,  who 
was  born  in  1820;  and  Minerva,  who  was  born  in  1826.  Ira  Patchin  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools  and  attended  the  Prattsburg  Academy.  He  was  a  clerk  in  the 
store  of  J.  Hess  &  Co.,  of  Dansville,  for  six  years,  and  previously  clerked  in  the  store 
of  J.  L.  Monier,  of  Patchinsville  for  six  years.  In  1855  he  purchased  the  farm  where 
he  now  resides.  At  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y. ,  in  1852,  he  married  Elizabeth  M.  Ellis,  who 
was  born  in  Madison  county,  N.  Y. ,  in  1825,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Carrie 
Elizabeth,  who  was  born  in  1858,  wife  of  Eugene  Wilhelm,  and  resides  in  Michigan. 
They  have  two  children:  Eugene  B. ,  who  was  born  in  1886,  and  Philip,  who  was 
born  in  1890;  and  Sprague  Ellis,  who  was  born  in  1861;  and  married  Amelia  C. 
Hurzler,  who  was  born  at  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.,  in  1867,  by  whom  he  had  two  children- 
Merton  H.,  who  was  born  in  1890,  and  Ira  J.,  who  was  born  m  1893. 

Day,  Paul  E.,  and  Polly  Blodgett,  his  wife,  moved  from  Bennington,  Vt. ,  in  the 
winter  of  1814,  to  Genesee  county,  two  and  one-half  miles  west  of  Le  Roy;  in  the 
spring  of  1819  moved  to  Seneca  county;  left  there  the  following  year  for  Cohocton, 
Steuben  county,  now  Patchinsville ;  in  the  spring  of  1824  moved  to  the  farm  now 
owned  by  Charles  F.  Day.  The  children  of  Paul  E.  Day  were  Franklin  E.,  born 
in  1810;  Washington  W.,  born  1812;  William  P.,  1814;  Jackson  J.,  born  1816;  Cal- 
phurnia,  born  1819;  Mary  J.,  born  1821;  Jonas  B.,  born  1823;  Laura  L.,  born  1825; 
Riley,  1828.  Franklin  E.  Day  married  Matilda  Chase,  daughter  of  Thomas  Chase 
of  Cohocton,  January  2,  1836,  and  came  into  possession  of  the  property  at  Patchms- 
ville  in  the  spring  of  1838,  where  he  resided  until  the  .spring  of  1868,  when  he  moved 
to  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  where  he  now  resides.  His  family  consisted  of  two  children, 
Orleans  W.,  born  October  30,  1838,  died  March  21,  1887;  Mary  M.,  born  February  5, 
1841 ;  she  married  David  M.  Stuart,  a  Presbyterian  clergyman,  and  resides  at  Na- 
tional City,  Cal.  ;  Orleans  W.  married  Julia  A.  Mather,  who  was  born  at  Geneseo, 
N.  Y. ,  January  2>^,  1836 ;  he  was  engaged  in  mercantile  business  several  years,  sub- 
sequently moved  on  to  the  farm  where  our  subject  resides  taking  charge  of  it  and 
the  saw-mill.  The  first  clothing  mill  was  built  by  Paul  E.  Day  in  1826,  and  rebuilt 
by  Franklin  E.  Day  in  1833;  first  saw  mill  built  by  him  in  1841,  rebuilt  in  1853.  Or- 
leans Day's  children  were  Charles  Franklin,  born  January  2,  1862;  William  W. ,  born 
July  31,  1869,  and  resides  in  Rochester,  being  corresponding  clerk  for  Eastman's 
Kodak  Works;  Mary  E.,  born  May  12,  1872,  wife  of  William  Faulkner  of  Wayland 
Harry  W. ,  born  April  29,  1876,  who  is  a  student  in  the  Medical  College,  Buffalo 
Amelia  M.,  born  August  25,  1879,  a  student  at  Rochester  Free  Academy.  Charle: 
Y.  Daj'  married  Addie  H.  Nichols,  daughter  of  Edward  Nichols  of  Batavia,  Decem- 
ber 11,  1884.  He  is  the  present  owner  of  the  farm  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and 
the  lumber  business. 

Hedges,  Benjamin  Y.,  was  born  in  Bradford,  N.  Y.,  July  15,  1843,  and  is  the 
eighth  of  ten  children  born  to  Caleb  S.  and  Nancy  (McDowell)  Hedges,  who  came 
from  Barrington  to  Cameron  in  1830,  and  in  1838  came  to  Bradford,  where  they  en- 
gaged in  farming.  He  died  December  19,  1884,  and  his  wife  in  Mav,  1883.  The 
grandfather,   Isaac  Hedges,  was  a  blacksmith,  and   lived  and  died  in  Yates  county. 


Family  sketches.  193 

Benjamin  Y.  has  always  followed  farming  and  lumbering;  he  cleared  sixty  acres  of 
land  where  he  now  lives.  He  has  been  a  hard  working  man  ;  in  clearing  up  his  land 
he  has  burned  log  heaps  all  night  and  for  many  nights  till  past  midnight.  He  now 
owns  152  acres  of  land.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  been  assessor  of 
Bradford  for  six  years.  In  1864  he  married  Eliza  J.,  daughter  of  Isaac  Sutiin  of 
Tyrone,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Marj'  A.,  who  died  in  infancy;  Cora,  who 
married  David  Whitehead,  a  farmer  of  Bradford;  and  Hila,  who  married  N.  Van 
Curen,  a  farmer  of  Schuj-ler  county,  N.  Y. 

Schoeffler,  Henry,  was  born  in  Deidesheim  Rhein  Baiern,  Germany,  in  1840. 
Martin  Schoeffler,  father  of  Henry,  was  born  in  October,  1799.  He  was  a  soldier  for 
six  years  in  the  Bavarian  army.  He  married  Susan  Glasser,  who  was  born  in  1805, 
and  died  in  1880,  by  whom  he  had  four  children,  Martin,  Thomas,  Henry  and 
Thekla.  Henry  Schoeffler  came  to  America  in  1867,  landing  in  New  York  on  New 
Years'  day,  with  but  three  cents  in  his  pocket.  He  borrowed  twenty  dollars  and 
went  to  Chicago,  111.,  where  he  worked  two  months  at  gardening,  thence  to  Urbana 
where  he  spent  three  years  in  a  vineyard,  thence  to  Indiana,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming  three  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Urbana  and  spent  three  years  more 
in  a  vineyard.  In  1874  he  purchased  his  present  tract  of  thirty  nine  acres,  seventeen 
of  which  he  cleared  of  timber  and  of  all  the  stumps  and  stones  and  made  twenty-five 
acres  of  it  a  vinej^ard,  and  has  erected  large,  first-class  buildings.  In  1870  he  mar- 
ried Johannah  Poelhuis,  who  was  born  in  St.  James,  Ind.,  in  1855,  daughter  of  John 
B.  and  Mary  (Tevogt)  Poelhuis,  both  of  Holland,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children : 
Anna  Mary,  Helena,  Susanna,  Martin  A.,  George  H.,  Randolph  J.,  and  J.  Apolonia. 
Dr.  Schoeffler  is  a  member  of  the  C.  M.  B.  A.  of  Hornellsville. 

Lattimer,  John  C,  was  born  in  Pike  county,  Pa.,  July  15,  182;^,  son  of  John  and 
Dorothy  (Van  Ettan)  Lattimer,  who  came  to  WoodhuU  in  1826,  where  they  lived  and 
died,  he  in  1858,  and  she  in  1844.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  also  kept  a  hotel  in  early 
life.  John  C.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  has 
since  followed  farming  and  now  lives  on  the  homestead  farm  of  120  acres.  January 
1,  1847,  he  married  Charlotte,  daughter  of  Edward  L.  and  Almira  (Gurnsey)  Stroud, 
he  born  in  New  Jersey,  and  she  in  Connecticut,  and  they  came  to  Woodhull  about 
1820,  where  he  died  May  18,  1873,  and  his  wife  in  1885.  He  was  a  Republican  in 
politics,  and  held  minor  offices. 

Gilmer,  Joseph  B.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bath,  N.  Y.,  October  9,  1828,  son  of 
William  and  Eunice  (Benedict)  Gilmer,  he  a  native  of  North  Hector,  born  in  1803, 
and  she  of  the  town  of  Lodi,  N.  Y. ,  born  in  1804.  The  paternal  grandfather,  James 
Gilmer,  was  a  farmer  in  North  Hector,  where  he  died  September  15,  1830,  agedsixty- 
.seven  years.  William  Gilmer  settled  in  Bath,  three  miles  east  of  Savona,  in  1825, 
and  lived  there  until  the  time  of  his  death  in  1877,  and  Mrs.  Gilmer  died  in  1865.  He 
was  a  deacon  in  the  Baptist  church  for  a  great  many  years.  Joseph  B.  was  reared 
on  a  farm  and  for  six  years  taught  school  winters  and  farmed  summers.  In  1851  he 
married  Melinda,  daughter  of  Rev.  J.  D.  Carr,  of  Bradford,  by  whom  he  had  three 
children:  Rose;  Charles  W.  ,a  farmer  and  vineyardist  on  the  old  homestead  in  Bath; 
and  Ray  C,  a  farmer  in  the  town  of  Bradford.  In  1864  Mr.  Gilmer  settled  on  the 
farm  of  100  acres,  where  he  still  resides.  Mrs.  Gilmer  died  January  2,  1895. 
y 


194  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Rogers,  Frederick  S.,  was  born  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  May  21,  1847,  and  is  a  son  of 
Henry  T.  Rogers,  who  came  to  this  city  from  London,  England,  at  an  early  day,  and 
died  here  in  1878,  his  trade  being  that  of  a  carpenter  and  builder.  Frederick  S.  was 
educated  in  private  schools.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  entered  the  establishment  of 
the  Evening  Express,  where  he  remained  about  six  years,  having  charge  of  the  mail- 
ing department.  About  1S68  he  entered  the  hardware  store  of  his  father  and  his 
brother,  James  H.,  which  was  known  as  Rogers  &  Son,  and  later  he  was  associated 
with  Pollock  &  Weaver  in  the  same  business.  In  1877  he  became  bookkeeper  and 
financial  man  for  the  late  John  Siddons,  manufacturer  of  and  dealer  m  roofing  mate- 
rials and  general  iron  work.  In  1889  the  John  Siddons  Company  was  incorporated, 
with  John  Siddons  as  president  and  treasurer;  Chai'les  Vogei,  vice-president ;  John 
O.  Vogel,  superintendent;  and  Mr.  Rogers,  secretary.  Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Sid- 
dons in  1890  the  officers  were  Charles  Vogel,  president;  John  C.  Vogel,  vice-president 
and  superintendent ;  and  Frederick  S.  Rogers,  secretary  and  treasurer.  In  1895  thej' 
were  changed  to  Charles  Vogel,  president  and  superintendent;  Fredeiick  S.  Rogers, 
vice-president,  secretary  and  treasurer;  and  T.  J.  Vogel,  assistant  superintendent. 
Mr.  Rogers  is  a  trustee  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  of  which  the  firm  is  a  member, 
and  he  is  also  a  member  of  Valley  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Hamilton  Chaper,  R.  A.  M., 
of  Doric  Council,  R.  &  vS.  M.,  of  Monroe  Commandery  No.  12,  K.  T.  ;  also  Monroe 
Commandery  Drill  Corps,  of  Lalla  Rookh  Grotto,  and  of  Damascus  Temple,  Mystic 
Shrine 

Van  Keuren,  James,  was  born  May  14,  1856.  His  grandfather,  Philip  Van  Keuren, 
was  born  near  Newburg,  N.  Y.,  and  went  to  Groton,  Tompkins  county,  thence  to 
Smith  Valley,  Schuyler  county,  and  finally  located  in  Fremont,  Steuben  county, 
where  he  died  in  1862.  Tcherick  P.  Van  Keuren,  father  of  James,  was  born  near 
Newburg,  N.  Y.,  in  1815,  and  died  February  11,  1883.  He  came  to  Fremont  in  1856 
and  located  on  a  farm  one-half  mile  north  of  Big  Creek  post-office,  where  he  engaged 
in  farming  and  teaching  school.  He  taught  school  twenty-five  years,  and  held  the 
office  of  justice  of  the  peace  sixteen  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  P.  of  H.,  No. 
324.  In  1852  he  married  Elenore  B.  Spaulding,  who  was  born  in  1825,  and  died 
August  29,  1893.  By  this  union  he  had  five  children:  Mary  F.,  born  September  6, 
1854,  and  married  George  R.  Burdett,  December  31,  1878;  James,  as  above;  George 
S.,  born  August  4,  1858;  Frank  G.,  born  June  1,  1860,  and  died  December  5,  1884; 
and  Fred,  born  March  26,  1865.  James  Van  Keuren  received  a  liberal  education  at 
Howard  public  school,  and  located  on  and  owns  the  old  homestead  of  150  acres,  where 
he  is  engaged  in  farming.  He  is  a  member  of  the  P.  of  H.,  No.  324,  Big  Creek. 
March  20,  1891,  he  married  Alice,  daughter  of  Harrison  Russel.  George  S.  Van 
Keuren  owns  a  farm  of  ninety-six  acres  adjoining  the  old  homestead.  He  was  edu- 
cated at  Canisteo  Academy,  and  has  taught  school  ten  terms,  and  has  also  held  the 
office  of  supervisor  two  terms.  He  is  a  member  of  the  P.  of  H.,  No.  324.  December 
24,  1892,  he  married  Minnie,  daughter  of  Eli  T.  Weld,  by  whom  he  has  one  child, 
Fremont  W.,  born  October  29,  1893.  Fred  Van  Keuren  owns  a  farm  of  seventy-five 
acres  one-half  mile  south  of  Big  Creek  post-office.  He  was  educated  at  Canisteo 
Academy,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  teaching  school.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
the  P   of  H.,  No.  324,  Big  Creek. 

Marlette,   P.   W.,  was  born  at  Girard,   Pa.,  in   1833.     The   family  are  of  French 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  195 

descent.  His  father,  William  J.  Marietta,  was  born  in  Schoharie  county,  and  died 
in  Schenectady  May  4,  1870,  aged  seventy-four  years.  He  was  a  contractor  on  public 
works,  railroad,  canal,  etc.  He  married  Lucy  Ann  Balch,  who  was  born  in  Connec- 
ticut, and  died  in  Iowa  in  1865,  aged  67  years.  They  had  eight  children:  Maria 
Birchard,  deceased;  James  J.,  deceased;  Seneca  H.  ;  Lucy  A.  Chamberlain;  and 
P.  W.,  as  above,  who  received  a  common  school  education,  and  afterwards  attended 
the  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  Gymnasium  for  some  time.  When  twenty-one  years  of  age  he 
was  a  brakeman  on  the  W^iUiamsport  &  Elmira  R.  R. ,  where  he  remained  for  six 
years,  and  was  then  conductor  on  the  same  road  and  on  the  A.  &  G.  W.  R.  R.  six 
years,  after  which  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  as  bookkeeper  for  Hunt's 
Run  Lumber  Co.,  at  Cameron,  Pa.,  for  fourteen  years.  In  1877  he  bought  the  farm 
at  East  Wayland,  where  he  now  resides.  At  Bradford  county,  Pa.,  in  1864,  he  mar- 
ried Julia  B.  Glines,  born  in  that  county  November  29,  1835.  Her  father,  Winthrop 
G.  Glines.  was  born  m  Massachusetts  in  1803,  and  died  April  23,  1870.  He  married 
Harriet  M.  Beeman,  who  was  born  in  Connecticut  in  1809,  and  died  in  January,  1864, 
by  whom  he  had  these  children :  Merritt,  born  in  January',  1830;  Harriet  M.,  born 
in  December,  1832,  and  married  Dr.  Patchin ;  Julia  B.,  wife  of  P.  W.  Marlette; 
Winthrop  Y.,  jr.,  born  in  January,  1836;  and  Zina,  born  in  September,  1840. 

Sanford,  William  R.,  was  born  in  Dryden,  Tompkins  county,  X.  Y.,  March  18, 
1831,  son  of  Peter  and  Mary  L.  Gray  Sanford,  she  a  native  of  Lansing,  Tompkins 
county,  and  he  of  Vermont.  Peter  Sanford  came  to  Cameron  in  1842,  where  he 
resided  the  greater  part  of  his  life,  and  later  moved  to  Addison,  where  he  died  May 
8,  1888.  Mrs.  Sanford  died  in  December,  1890.  William  R.  was  reared  on  a  farm 
and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  has  followed  farming  as  an  occupation,  and 
owns  two  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Cameron  and  Woodhull.  November  6,  1894,  he 
came  to  Hedgesville,  where  he  lives  a  retired  life.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been 
assessor  of  Cameron  for  nine  years  in  succession.  July  19,  1854,  he  married  Sarah 
Morgan,  a  native  of  Tompkins  county,  and  daughter  of  Richard  and  Elizabeth  Ozman. 
Morgan  Sanford's  grandfather,  Evan  Morgan,  came  to  Lansing,  Tompkins  county, 
at  an  early  date,  where  he  died.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sanford  have  been  born  three 
children:  Charles,  who  died  in  infancy;  Morgan  R.,  born  February  12,  1862,  edu- 
cated in  Addison  Union  School,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1884,  and  was 
graduated  from  Syracuse  University  in  1888,  and  is  at  present  a  teacher  of  natural 
science  in  Wilbraham,  at  the  Wesleyan  Academy;  he  married  Orinda  Sexsmith,  of 
Syracuse;  and  Edwin,  born  February  12,  1864,  who  was  educated  in  Addison  Union 
School,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1883,  and  was  also  graduated  from  Syracuse 
University  in  1889.  He  is  now  a  teacher  of  Latin,  elocution,  and  English  at  Cayuga 
Lake  Military  Academy. 

Houck,  Alonzo,  was  born  in  Orange  county,  N.  Y. ,  August  1,  1849,  son  of  Henry 
and  Belinda  Houck.  He  has  always  resided  on  the  homestead,  of  which  he  now 
owns  seventy  acres,  and  carries  on  general  farming  and  grape  growing.  He  is  a  very 
successful  vineyardist,  and  has  about  thirteen  acres  of  grapes.  In  1881  he  married 
Margaret  Louise,  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Margaret  Dunn,  by  whom  he  had  two 
children:  Harry  A.,  who  was  born  January  16,  1887;  and  Ethel  M.,  who  was  born 
July  21,  1895.  Mr.  Houck  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  his  wife  of  the 
Episcopal  church. 


196  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Lilly,  Willis  S.,  was  born  in  Hornby,  where  he  now  resides,  in  1843,  son  of  Samuel 
and  Elizabeth  Wolever  Lilly,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  They  located  on  Mr.  Lilly's 
present  farm  in  1820.  The  parents  died  in  1882  and  1865,  aged  eighty-nine  and 
sixty-five.  In  September,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  188th  N.Y.Vols.,  serving  till  the 
close  of  the  war.  In  1866  he  married  Cynthia  Buck,  a  native  of  Schuyler  county, 
and  they  have  two  children:  Cassin  G.,  and  Roy  O.  He  is  serving  a  second  term  as 
justice  of  the  peace,  and  has  also  filled  the  office  of  assessor. 

Shauger,  Andrew,  was  born  in  Sussex  county,  N,  J.,  March  4,  1832,  son  of  George 
W.  and  Mary  (Dobbins)  Shauger,  she  a  native  of  Haverstraw,  N.  Y.,  and  he  of 
Morris  county,  N.  J.,  and  who  died  in  Sussex  county,  N.  J.  The  grandfather  of  our 
subject,  Leopold  Shauger,  lived  and  died  in  New  Jersey.  His  father  was  a  native  of 
Germany.  The  maternal  grandfather,  George  Dobbins,  was  of  Irish  descent,  and 
lived  and  died  in  Morris  county,  N.  J.  Andrew  Shauger  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  worked  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  at  farming  and  burning  charcoal.  In  1858  he  came  to  Thurston  and 
began  working  by  the  month.  August  14,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  86th  N.Y.Vols., 
and  served  until  June  4,  1864.  He  was  at  second  battle  of  Bull  Run,  Fredericks- 
burg, Chancellorsville,  Brandy  Station,  and  Gettysburg,  and  he  lost  his  left  leg 
below  the  knee,  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  May  6,  1867,  he  married  Hannah 
(Sutton)  Yost,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  George  P.,  who  married  Lelia  M.  Jessup, 
and  they  have  one  daughter,  Georgia  L.  He  is  a  farmer  and  resides  with  his 
parents.  He  is  a  member  of  Loga  Post  No.  469,  G.  A.  R.  Andrew  Shauger  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  has  been  collector  five  years  and  highway  commissioner 
for  one  year.     He  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Shults,  Conrad  D.,  was  born  July  22,  1860.  John  Shults,  his  grandfather,  was  born 
in  Germany,  June  24,  1T99,  emigrated  to  America  in  1849,  and  purchased  the  farm  of 
90  acres  where  Conrad  was  born  and  where  he  now  resides.  He  died  in  1881,  aged  83 
years.  Peter  Shults,  father  of  Conrad  D.,  was  born  in  Germany,  December  4,  1829, 
and  married  Elizabeth  Graff,  who  was  born  in  Germany  and  died  April  P,  1892,  aged 
sixty-five  years.  They  had  six  children  :  John  F.,  Maggie  L.,  wife  of  Nicholas  Hogg; 
Conrad  D.,  born  July  22,  I860;  Andrew  L. ,  Peter,  deceased;  and  Mary,  wife  of 
Martin  Kimmel,  jr.  Conrad  D.  Shults  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  at- 
tended the  German  school  of  Perkinsville  for  two  years,  after  which  he  engaged  in 
farming.  He  is  a  member  of  Wayland  Champion  Hook  and  Ladder  Company  No.  1. 
He  married  Elizabeth  Pirrung,  who  was  born  in  Germany,  December  7,  1865,  by 
whom  he  had  four  children:  Fronia  E.,  born  November  10,  1889;  Peter  J.,  born 
February  10,  1892;  Anna  K.,  born  September  20,  1893;  and  William  C,  born  No- 
vember 15,  1894. 

Walling,  Edgar  L.,  was  born  in  Bradford,  August  12,  1853,  the  youngest  of  five 
children  born  to  Asa  and  Sarah  Walling.  The  other  children  were  Thomas,  Daniel, 
Charles  A.,  and  Delia.  Asa  Walling  came  to  Bradford  in  1845  and  took  up  alwut 
200  acres.  Edgar  L.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He 
now  owns  100  acres  of  land  and  follows  general  farming.  September  23,  1883,  he 
married  Melissa,  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Catherine  Jacoby,  of  Schuyler  county, 
now  deceased,  he  dying  in  1883,  and  she  in  1890.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walling  have  one 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  197 

child,  Thomas  E.,  born  September  25,  1890.  They  also  have  an  adopted  daughter, 
Delia.  Mr.  Wallini;-  has  been  collector  and  is  a  member  of  Farmers'  Alliance,  and 
has  been  deputy  sheriff  of  Steuben  county. 

Swarthout,  Minor  E.,  was  born  in  Wayne,  N.  Y.,  and  is  the  only  son  of  William 
B.  and  Helen  M.  (Ellis)  i^warthout,  he  a  native  of  Wayne,  and  she  of  Harrington. 
The  grandparents,  Asa  and  Maria  (French)  Swarthout,  were  both  natives  of  Wayne, 
where  he  lived  and  died.  In  18o7  William  B.  Swarthout,  father  of  Minor  E., 
located  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  his  son.  In  1858  he  married  Helen  M.,  daughter 
of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  Ellis.  Mr.  Ellis  was  born  in  in  1795.  and  Mrs.  Ellis,  De- 
cember 31,  1789.  Mr.  Swarthout  died  in  1888,  aged  sixty-one  years.  Minor  E. 
Swarthout  has  always  followed  farming,  and  now  owns  110  acres  of  land  and  is  en- 
gaged in  general  farming  and  fruit  growing.  In  1882  he  married  Frank,  daughter 
of  Dr.  Allison,  of  Wayne.  She  died  November  13,  1891,  and  January  31,  1894,  he 
married  for  his  second  wife  Lulu,  daughter  of  Marcenus  and  Elizabeth  (Quacken- 
bush)  Mothersell.of  Tyrone,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Minor  Swarthout,  jr.,  who  was 
born  December  6,  1894.  Mr.  Swarthout  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  been 
assessor  six  years  and  collector  three  years. 

Zimmerman,  Peter  H.,  was  born  in  1857.  His  paternal  grandfather,  Henry  Zim- 
merman, was  educated  in  Trevis,  German}',  where  he  was  afterward  a  teacher  in  the 
university  for  many  years,  and  where  he  died  in  1894.  His  family  consisted  of  two 
daughters  and  three  sons,  two  of  whom  emigrated  to  this  country:  Michael,  who  was 
interested,  in  copper  mining  in  Wisconsin,  where  he  died,  and  Nicholas,  Peter's 
father,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1848.  He  settled  at  Dansville,  where  he 
engaged  in  mercantile  business  for  a  time,  and  then  moved  to  Perkinsville,  where  he 
kept  a  general  store  for  a  number  of  years,  and  was  there  elected  justice  of 
the  peace,  and  was  for  a  time  a  teacher  in  the  German  school,  being  a  man  of 
fine  education,  having  graduated  from  the  Trevis  University  in  German  and  Latin. 
Later  he  moved  to  Wayland,  where  he  owned  a  hotel  and  continued  in  office  of 
justice  of  the  peace  for  a  number  of  years,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Catholic 
church,  to  which  he  gave  liberally.  He  married  Anna  Hoffman,  of  Perkinsville,  and 
their  children  were  Nicholas,  deceased;  Peter  H.,  C.  Nicholas,  who  was  born  in  1859, 
and  was  station  agent  at  Perkinsville  seven  years  and  now  is  billing  clerk  for  the 
D.,  L.  &  W.  R.  R,  at  Buffalo;  and  Emanuel,  who  died  January  1,  1885,  aged  twenty- 
three.  Mr.  Zimmerman  died  at  Wayland,  in  April,  1875.  Peter  H.  was  educated 
under  tutorship  of  his  father  and  in  the  common  schools  of  the  town  and  the  Ger- 
man school.  His  first  occupation  was  as  a  clerk  in  Wayland,  and  then  went  to  Car- 
bondale,  111.,  where  he  was  billing  clerk  in  the  railroad  office  of  the  Illinois  Central, 
and  later  came  to  Wayland,  and  attended  school  one  year,  and  in  1878  became  con- 
fidential clerk  for  Capron  &  Fowler,  produce  dealers,  which  place  he  now  holds.  He 
has  held  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  since  January  1,  1885,  and  in  1887  was 
appointed  notary,  which  office  he  now  holds.  He  took  the  federal  census  of  Way- 
land  in  1880,  and  in  1893  was  appointed  special  examiner  of  mortgage  indebtedness 
of  the  Twenty-ninth  Congressional  District,  and  in  1894  was  elected  justice  of 
sessions  of  Steuben  county.  In  1883  he  married  Emilia  Conrad,  who  was  born  in 
1861,   and  they  have   five  children:  Victor,  born  September  17,  1884;  Emanuel  N., 


198  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

born  October  2,  1886;  Madge,  born  September  19,  1888;  Beatrice,  born  February  14, 
1892;  and  Harold,  born  May  30,  1894. 

MacDowell,  Sidney  Darrin,  was  born  at  Bradford,  N.Y.,  in  1858,  of  Scotch  descent, 
and  a  son  of  Mathew  D.  MacDowell,  a  wagonmaker,  who  married  Mary  D.  Darrin, 
and  by  whom  he  had  five  children.  In  1849  Sidney  came  to  Addison,  where  he  re- 
ceived his  education,  and  in  1887  purchased  the  furuitiire  and  undertaking  business 
with  a  partner  who  had  only  a  nominal  interest,  Mr.  MacDowell  always  conducting 
the  business  himself,  of  which  for  the  last  three  years  he  has  been  sole  proprietor. 
In  1885  he  married  Mabel,  daughter  of  John  Brundage,  of  Urbana,  by  whom  he  had 
four  children:  Roy  Brundage,  born  April  2,  1887;  Matthew  D.,  born  January  27, 
1889;  Lucy  Shepard,  born  April  28,  1892;  and  Sidney  Monroe,  born  December  6, 
1893.  Mr.  MacDowell  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Health,  is  registry  clerk,  also  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  « 

Mullen,  Seth,  was  born  in  Waterford,  Pa.,  in  1826,  and  was  a  posthumous  child  of 
John  Mullen.  He  is  a  genial,  unassuming,  self-made  man,  who  never  went  to  school 
a  day  in  his  life,  but  was  taught  by  his  pet  daughter  to  read  and  write,  and  is  con- 
sidered a  fairly  well  educated  man.  Previous  to  his  coming  to  Addison  in  1840  he 
worked  by  the  month,  running  lumber  down  the  Susquehanna  River,  after  which  for 
twentj^-one  years  he  was  employed  on  the  Erie  Railroad,  as  a  foreman  of  construc- 
tion works,  and  was  afterward  engaged  in  farming,  but  is  now  retired  from  activity. 
When  he  came  to  Addison  there  were  only  three  houses  on  the  upper  side  of  the 
river,  and  he  has  done  much  toward  the  promotion  of  his  town,  filling  the  office  of 
highway  commissioner  with  credit  for  many  years,  where  he  has  laid  out  the  princi- 
pal roads  and  superintended  the  building  of  many  fine  bridges.  He  was  street  com- 
missioner when  the  village  was  first  incorporated,  and  has  been  town  assessor  for 
nine  years.  In  1845  he  married  Betsy  M.,  daughter  of  .Thomas  Phillips,  by  whom 
he  had  three  children,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy ;  Alice,  who  died  in  1890,  mar- 
ried Ross  Jones  of  Addison,  leaving  one  son,  Ray  S.  The  other  daughter,  Nellie 
M.  Cowley,  resides  in  Findlay,  Ohio,  where  her  husband  is  United  States  express 
agent. 

Finch,  John  M.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville,  January  29,  1841.  His 
father,  Nathaniel  Finch,  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  widely  known  citizens 
of  the  county.  He  was  born  in  Greenwich,  Conn.,  in  1798,  and  for  several  years 
prior  to  moving  to  Hornellsville,  was  engaged  in  surveying  public  lands  in  Tennessee 
and  Mississippi.  In  1837  he  located  on  a  farm  just  east  of  the  present  city  of 
Hornellsville,  and  in  1845  he  moved  into  the  then  small  village,  where  he  continued 
to  reside  until  his  death  in  1866.  When  it  was  an  open  question  whether  the  Erie 
Railroad  should  be  located  through  the  Cohocton  or  the  Canisteo  valley,  Nathaniel 
Finch,  with  other  residents  of  the  Canisteo  valley,  interested  himself  to  secure  its 
location  through  the  latter  valley,  and  was  largely  instrumental  in  bringing  about 
that  result.  The  acquaintance  he  then  formed  with  the  officials  of  the  Erie  road  led 
to  his  being  employed  by  that  company,  and  until  his  death — for  a  period  of  over 
twenty-five  years — he  occupied  the  highly  important  position  of  attorney  and  gen- 
eral land  agent  of  the  company.  John  M.  Finch  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  Hornellsville,   and  at  the  old  academy  in  Nunda,  N.  Y.     At  the  age  of  eighteen 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  199 

years  he  entered  into  the  service  of  the  Erie  Raikoad  Company,  under  his  father  as 
clerk,  and  later,  as  assistant  to  his  father.  To  fit  himself  more  fully  for  the  particu- 
lar service  that  he  was  engaged  in,  he  studied  law  and  civil  engineering,  and  at  the 
age  of  twenty-two  years  was  admitted  to  practice  as  an  attorney.  His  duties  were 
mostly  in  connection  with  the  company's  real  estate  and  taxes,  and  upon  the  death  of 
his  father  in  1866,  he  succeeded  him  as  attorney  and  general  land  agent.  Soon  after, 
the  work  of  the  office  was  divided  and  Mr.  Finch  continued  as  general  land  agent 
until  1891,  having  been  in  the  service  of  the  company  for  nearly  a  third  of  a  century. 
Mr.  Finch  has  engaged  in  several  enterprises,  nearly  all  of  which  have  contributed 
to  the  building  up  and  improvement  of  his  native  place.  The  beautiful  cemetery,  of 
which  Hornellsville  is  justly  proud,  is  the  work  chiefly  of  Mr.  Finch,  and  to  him  and 
Andy  L.  Smith  all  the  credit  is  due  for  its  present  favorable  condition.  The  organ- 
ization of  the  Hornell  Library  was  the  result  of  Mr.  Finch's  suggestion,  and  he  was 
the  fir.st  contributor  to  it,  and  its  first  elected  member.  The  finst  real  government 
the  village  of  Hornellsville  had  was  when  Mr.  Finch  was  one  of  the  village  trustees, 
and  under  a  new  charter  drafted  by  him,  which  continued  with  little  change  until  the 
city  was  organized.  He  has  been  vice-president  of  the  Citizens'  National  Bank  since 
its  organization,  in  which  he  took  an  active  part.  He  is  manager  and  treasurer  of 
the  James  Alley  Real  E.state  and  Building  Company.  He  is  president  of  the 
American  Illuminating  Company,  and  secretary  of  the  Allegany  Gas  Company. 
During  the  war  he  was  an  ardent  Republican,  but  since  has  shown  a  leaning  toward 
Democratic  principles. 

Gillmor,  James  M.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bath,  August  31,  1838,  son  of  William 
and  Eunice  (Benedict)  Gillmor.  William  Gillmor  was  born  at  North  Hector  (now 
Schuyler  county)  in  1803;  his  wife  in  Lodi,  Seneca  county,  1804.  William  Gillmor 
came  to  Bath  in  1824,  purchased  a  farm,  cleared  the  land,  built  a  log  house,  went 
went  back  to  Lodi,  married  and  brought  his  wife  to  Bath  in  March,  1825,  where  they 
both  died.  The  farm  is  now  owned  by  his  grand.son.  Mr.  Gillmor  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  South  Bradford  Baptist  church  and  was  deacon  for  many  years. 
James  M.  was  reared  on  the  old  farm  and  has  always  been  a  farmer.  He  came  to 
Bradford  in  1857,  and  settled  on  the  farm  he  now  owns  of  100  acres.  He  has  all  the 
modern  improvements  and  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  sheep.  January  16,  1856,  he 
married  Maria  Ann,  daughter  of  David  and  Anna  Dennis  of  Bradford.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Gillmor  have  three  children:  Sarah  E.,  wife  of  D.  L.  Walling  of  Bradford; 
Arthur  W.,  of  Bradford;  Albert  D.,  of  Weston,  N.  Y.,  both  farmers.  He  was  super- 
visor in  1875-76,  and  has  served  his  town  as  commissioner  of  highways,  assessor 
and  bond  commissioner.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Grange  at  Savona.  He,  his  wife 
and  daughter  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church  at  South  Bradford. 

Kent,  Henry  F.,  was  born  in  Woodhull  on  the  farm  he  now  owns,  November  30, 
1833,  son  of  Stephen  and  Caroline  Kent  he  a  native  of  Jerusalem,  N.  Y.,  born  May 
8,  1803,  and  she  of  Middlesex  county,  born  May  11,  1812.  The  grandfather  was 
John  Kent,  a  native  of  Tioga  county,  and  a  son  of  John  Kent  who  was  drowned  in 
the  Chemung  River.  He  came  to  Woodhull  in  1820,  from  Yates  county,  and  settled 
on  a  farm  of  190  acres,  and  he  assisted  in  clearing  the  farm  owned  by  Henry  F.  He 
died  in  1879,  and  his  wife  died  April  28,  1887.  He  was  supervisor  four  years  in  suc- 
cession, and  also  served  as  justice  of  the  peace.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kent  were  members 


200  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

of  the  Baptist  chuich,  and  his  father  was  the  first  to  preach  the  Baptist  doctrine  in 
Woodhull.  Mr.  Kent  and  son  with  eighteen  others  organized  the  first  church  there, 
known  as  AVoodhull  Regular  Baptist  church.  Henry  F.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Troupsburg  Center  Acadeni}-.  He  is  a  farmer 
by  occupation,  owning  a  farm  of  228  acres,  and  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  tobacco. 
In  1856  he  married  Anna  M.  Reynolds,  daughter  of  Harry  B.  Reynolds,  one  of  the 
most  prominent  men  of  Troupsburg  Center.  Mr.  Kent  enlisted,  August  21,  1862,  in 
Co.  H,  161st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  three  years  and  two  months.  He  is  a  member 
of  J.  W.  Post,  No.  565,  G.  A.  R.,  and  was  one  of  the  charter  members.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Henry  F.  Kent  have  had  two  children :  Ida,  who  died  in  infancy;  and  Willie  J., 
now  on  his  father's  farm  in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  who  married  Minnie  Hober 
of  Troupsburg  Center,  and  they  have  had  two  children:  Anna,  and  one  who  died  in 
infancy.  The  maternal  grandparents  were  Caleb  and  Deborah  Sj^lsby  Tyler,  he  born 
April  15, 1779,  and  died  December  18, 1863 ;  and  she  was  born  January  10, 1781,  and  died 
March  15, 1847.  Harry  B.  Reynolds  was  born  December  22, 1800.  in  Massachusetts,  and 
came  to  Troupsburg  with  his  parents,  when  nine  years  of  age,  Squire  and  Patty  P. 
Rice  Reynolds,  he  a  native  of  Middlebury,  Mass.,  born  February  21,  1767,  and  died 
in  Troupsburg  Center  November  29,  1824,  and  she  died  August  7,  1853.  Mr.  Rey- 
nolds was  a  miller,  and  also  owned  a  saw  mill,  and  about  200  acres  of  land.  Politi- 
call)^  he  was  a  Democrat,  and  was  justice  of  the  peace.  He  died  April  28,  1884. 
His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Rebecca  Martin,  was  born  June  29,  1801,  and  died 
Februarys,  1851,  Her  father,  George  Martin,  was  born  October  10,  1766,  and  died 
June  4,  1834;  and  his  wife,  Chloe  Martin,  was  born  March  15,  1766,  and  died  Janu- 
ary 19,  1851. 

Orcutt,  George  N.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Troy,  Orleans  county,  Vt. ,  July  18, 
1856.  The  family  for  many  generations  both  in  the  paternal  and  maternal  lines  were 
natives  of  New  England.  His  father.  Dr.  Hiram  C.  Orcutt,  who  died  at  Hornells- 
ville,  October  25,  1884.  was  a  type  and  product  of  the  early  New  England  civiliza- 
tion. Success  attended  him  in  all  his  relations  in  life,  a  success  due  to  his  energy, 
self-reliance  and  Yankee  shrewdness,  aided  by  a  rigid  morality  and  a  mode  of  life 
that  reflected  in  simplicity  the  teachings  of  his  Quakeress  mother.  Mr.  Orcutt' s 
mother,  born  Helen  M.  George,  has  contributed  prose  and  verse  to  magazines,  some 
of  which  have  been  deemed  worthy  of  preservation  in  published  collections.  Mr. 
Orcutt  attended  the  Franciscan  College  at  Allegany,  N.  Y.,  and  from  1873  to  1877, 
was  a  student  in  the  classical  course  at  the  University  of  Michigan,  ^rom  which  he 
graduated  in  the  latter  year,  receiving  the  degree  of  B.  A.  He  was  one  of  the  eight 
honor  graduates  in  a  class  of  seventy-seven,  one  of  the  speakers  at  the  commence- 
ment exercises,  and  the  historian  of  his  class.  He  studied  law  with  Horace  Bemis 
at  Hornellsville,  attended  the  Columbia  College  Law  School  in  New  York,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  June,  1879.  He  was  immediately  received  in  equal  partner- 
ship with  Mr.  Bemis  which  continued  until  the  latter's  death.  In  politics  Mr.  Orcutt 
is  a  Democrat,  earnest  and  active  in  maintaining  the  principles  of  his  party.  He 
was  married  in  June,  1882,  to  Fannie  Pardee,  of  Hornellsville.  Their  children  are 
Helen  R.  Orcutt  and  Russell  P.  Orcutt. 

Hall,  John  H.,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  is  the  oldest  of  nine  children  born 
to  Richard  H.  and  Eliza  Jane  (Reed)  Hall,  natives  of  Tomjikins  county,  N.  Y.,  and 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  201 

Pennsylvania,  respectively.  The  paternal  grandfather,  John  W.  Reed,  was  a  car- 
penter in  Pennsylvania,  who  spent  his  earl}'  days  in  Minnesota.  He  was  a  soldier  in 
the  war  of  1812.  Benjamin  Hall,  the  maternal  grandfather,  was  a  farmer  in  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  died.  Richard  H.  Hall  came  to  Wayne  in  1847  and  engaged  in 
farming,  buying  a  farm  of  167  acres.  He  died  in  1893,  and  Mrs.  Hall  is  still  living 
at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  John  H.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  has  followed 
farming  and  lumbering.  He  began  to  run  a  saw  mill  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years. 
He  and  his  brother  Charles  now  own  the  homestead.  In  1866  Mr.  Hall  married 
Matilda  J.  Silvernail,  by  whom  he  has  one  daughter,  Ella,  wife  of  Benjamin  House, 
a  farmer  of  Bradford.  They  have  one  son,  Harrison  House.  Mr.  Hall  is  a  member 
of  North  Urbana  Lodge,  No.  387,  K.  O.  T.  M.  He  and  his  family  attend  the  M.  E. 
church. 

Jamison,  D.  Stearns,  was  born  in  Canisteo,  May  9,  1860.  Daniel  Jamison,  his 
father,  was  also  born  in  Canisteo,  on  the  farm  where  they  now  live.  He  is  a  de- 
scendant of  the  family  of  Jamisons  who  are  so  widely  known  in  that  town,  and  who 
were  early  settlers.  He  married  Rosina,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Towner,  a  Baptist 
minister,  by  whom  he  had  six  children,  Hugh,  D.  Stearns,  Carrie,  Mitchell,  Anna, 
and  Benjamin.  Hugh  and  Benjamin  are  in  the  gold  and  silver  mines  in  the  West. 
D.  Stearns  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  Canisteo,  and  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  J.  C.  Stephens,  one  of  the  first  families  of  the  town,  whose  history  dates 
back  to  the  days  when  the  Indians  were  in  possession,  and  by  whom  he  had  two 
children,  Carrie  and  Marion.  "Sir.  Jamison  was  elected  in  1894  as  collector  of  the 
town,  which  office  he  now  holds. 

Castle,  Eri,  was  born  in  Whitestown,  N.V.,  March  13,  1813,  son  of  Philo  and  Mary 
(Lockwood)  Castle,  she  a  native  of  Chatham,  N.  Y.,  and  he  of  Connecticut.  The 
grandfather,  Abisha  Castle,  died  in  Connecticut.  The  maternal  grandfather,  James 
Lockwood,  died  in  Columbia  county.  Philo  Castle,  father  of  Eri,  came  to  Whites- 
town,  N.  Y.,  where  he  died  in  1814,  and  his  wife,  in  1836.  Eri  Castle  was  reared  on 
a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  .schools.  He  came  to  Woodhuil  in  1861,  and 
purchased  seventy-five  acres  of  land,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  was  a  Repub- 
lican, but  is  now  a  Prohibitionist,  and  was  postmaster  of  East  Woodhuil  for  twelve 
years.  He  married  Olive  Gould,  daughter  of  Samuel  Gould,  mentioned  in  this  work. 
She  died  in  1882,  and  in  1883  Mr.  Castle  married  Mary  A.  Warn,  a  native  of  Chenango 
county,  and  daughter  of  Augustus  F.  and  Lucy  A.  (Ferris)  Warn,  by  whom  he  had 
nine  children :  Philo  S.,  deceased;  Eri  H.,  deceased;  Rachel  H.,  deceased;  MaryE., 
deceased;  Philo  B.,  deceased;  Olive  A.  ;  Arnold  G  ,  deceased;  Mary  E.,  and  Charles 
S.,  who  married  Dora  Edwards,  by  whom  he  had  three  children :  Gertrude,  deceased, 
Fred,  and  Ina.  His  wife  died  in  1889,  and  he  married  for  his  second  wife,  in  1890, 
Kittle  Olin,  by  whom  he  has  two  children :  Nellie  and  Fannie.  Olive  A.  is  the  wife 
of  Horatio  Parker,  and  they  have  four  children:  Harry,  Hattie,  Mary,  and  Amenzo. 
Mary  E.  is  the  wife  of  James  Trenchard.     No  children. 

Deck,  Hiram,  was  born  in  Jasper,  October  26,  1813,  son  of  Urial  and  Elizabeth 
Deck.  Hiram  was  reared  on  a  farm,  educated  in  the  common  schools,  after  which 
he  followed  farming  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  eighty-two  acres  where  he  resides,  also 
one  of  fifty-four  acres.     In  1850  he  married  Julia  V.  Robinson,  a  native  of  Otsego 


202  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

county,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  three  children;  William;  Andrew,  who  married 
Olive  Vanskiver,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Stella ;  and  Cora,  wife  of  Jerry  Davis, 
they  have  three  children,  William,  Damon,  and  Clarence.  Mrs.  Hiram  Deck  died 
December  22,  1894,  aged  sixty-four  years. 

Talbot,  Lorenzo  S.,  was  born  in  Jasper,  April  29,  185  J,  son  of  Jarvis  and  Fidelia 
(Dennis)  Talbot,  both  natives  of  New  Hampshire,  who  came  to  Jasper  when  quite 
young.  The  grandfather,  Jedediah  Talbot,  came  to  Jasper  m  1823,  and  settled  on 
Talbot  Creek,  where  he  died  December  25,  1870.  Jarvis  Talbot,  father  of  Lorenzo 
Talbot,  was  a  farmer,  and  died  March  12,  1869,  and  his  wife  in  March,  1894.  Lorenzo 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  educated  in  the  common  schools,  after  which  he  engaged  in 
farming,  and  now  owns  105  acres  of  the  old  homestead  on  which  he  built  a  good  resi- 
dence in  1894.     In  1878  he  married  Eva  Brown  of  Canisteo,  N.  Y. 

Shults,  Mrs  R. — Horatio  Nellis  Shults  was  born  in  Avoca,  on  the  farm  Mrs.  Shults 
now  owns,  April  9,  1846.  Josiah  Shults,  his  father,  was  born  in  Montgomery  county, 
N.  \  .  He  was  a  hotel  keeper,  also  a  tanner,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Avoca  in  1840, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  He  married  Catherine  Nellis  of  Montgomery  county, 
N.  Y.,by  whom  he  had  six  children.  Horatio  Nellis  Shults  v.'as  educated  in  the 
town  of  Avoca,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  married  Rebecca,  daughter 
of  David  Garlock  of  Tonawanda,  N.  Y. ,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Lee  N  ,  who  is 
now  fourteen  j^ears  of  age.  Mr.  Shults  died  in  1892,  with  consumption,  and  for  two 
years  before  his  death  was  a  great  sufferer. 

Daniels.  P.  C. — Prominent  among  the  familiar  personal  landmarks  of  this  vicinity 
is  Mr.  P.  C.  Daniels,  a  resident  of  Addison  since  1863,  and  for  more  than  a  quarter 
of  a  century  local  representative  of  standard  and  reliable  insurance  companies.  Mr. 
Daniels  was  born  March  2,  J 820,  at  Gorham,  Ontario  county.  His  years  rest  lightly 
upon  him,  so  correct  has  been  his  life,  and  so  pure  the  blood  bequeathed  him  from 
his  English  ancestry.  He  is  one  of  a  family  which  once  comprised  thirteen  children, 
of  whom  but  two  survive.  The  ancestors  of  Mr.  Daniels,  especially  on  the  paternal 
side,  were  somewhat  noted  for  longevity,  and  his  own  father,  Amasa  Daniels, 
reached  the  age  of  ninety-three.  Mr.  Daniels  received  but  a  common  school  educa- 
tion, but  has  by  close  observation  and  personal  research  acquired  wide  range  of  in- 
formation, and  has  kept  wholly  in  touch  with  men  and  events.  His  first  wife  was 
Sarah  Wolverton  of  Owego,  and  at  her  death  in  1853  she  left  two  children:  Mrs. 
Catherine  Dawson,  of  Toledo,  O. ;  and  Sarah,  who  died  in  infancy.  In  1854  he  mar- 
ried his  present  wife,  Mrs.  Jane  True.  Mr.  Daniels  early  gave  his  allegiance  to  the 
Republican  party  and  holds  it  unshaken  and  with  unswerving  fidelity.  He  is  now 
filling  his  second  term  as  justice  of  the  peace.  He  is  a  pillar  of  the  local  Baptist 
church,  having  been  a  member  of  that  society  from  its  organization,  and  a  member 
of  the  denomination  for  fifty-four  years,  and  for  twelve  years  a  member  of  the  board 
of  directors  of  the  Baptist  Missionary  Convention  of  the  State  of  New  York. 

Cotton,  Samuel  S. ,  was  born  September  20,  1831.  His  grandfatner,  Daniel  Cotton, 
was  born  in  Washington  county,  N.  Y.,  where  he  died  while  quite  a  young  man. 
Henry  Cotton,  father  of  Samuel  S.,  was  born  in  Washington  county,  N.  Y.,  June  22, 
1802.  He  married  Elmira  Martin,  who  was  born  in  Washington  county,  N.  Y. ,  in 
1804,  by  whom  he   had  five  children:  Silas;  Lydia  Ann   Collins,  who  was  born  in 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  203 

1837;  Samuel,  as  above;  Daniel,  of  Rochester;  and  Julia  Rowen,  who  was  born  in 
1843.  He  came  to  the  town  of  Howard  (now  Fremont)  in  1819,  and  engaged  in 
farming  and  buying  stock.  He  has  held  the  office  of  assessor  in  the  town  of  Howard 
for  three  years.  He  died  in  the  town  of  Fremont,  March  4,  1884,  and  his  wife  died 
in  March,  1854.  Samuel  S.  Cotton  was  educated  in  Alfred  Academy,  after  which  he 
engaged  in  farming  and  has  bought  a  great  many  cattle  and  sheep.  He  owns  166 
acres  of  land  in  the  town  of  Fremont  and  250  acres  in  Indiana.  He  has  been  super- 
visor of  the  town  of  Fremont  for  five  ^^ears.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Hornellsville 
chapter  No.  101,  F.  and  A.  M.,  also  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  No.  144,  of  Wallace. 
At  Beachville,  in  April,  1851,  he  married  Sarah  Carrington,  who  was  born  in  South 
Dansville,  May  23,  1832.  She  has  been  a  teacher  in  the  common  schools.  Her 
father,  Joel  Carrington,  was  born  in  Washington  county,  N.  Y.,  and  died  in  Avoca. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Legislature  two  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cotton  have  two 
children :  Cameron,  who  was  born  September  8,  1852.  He  married  Cornefia  Miller, 
and  they  are  hving  in  Bath,  where  he  is  running  a  machine  shop,  and  has  held  the 
office  of  game  protector;  and  Josephine  Hamilton,  who  was  born  October  8,  1854, 
and  lives  in  Howard. 

Bronson,  James  S.,  was  born  November  14,  1822.  His  grandfather,  Solomon 
Bronson,  was  born  in  Oneida  county,  and  came  to  Wayland  and  settled  near  Loon 
Lake,  where  he  took  up  1,200  acres.  He  was  a  Methodist  minister,  and  also  followed 
farming  some.  He  died  at  sixty-five  years  of  age.  James  Bronson,  father  of 
James  S.,  was  born  in  Oneida  county,  and  came  to  Steuben  county  with  his  father 
when  nineteen  years  of  age.  He  was  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Conference  about  forty 
years,  and  in  connection  with  his  ministry,  he  farmed  it  and  dealt  in  lumber,  and 
also  was  the  owner  of  a  store.  He  was  a  member  of  the  F.  and  A.  M.  He  married 
Lida  Pierce,  who  was  born  in  Otsego  county,  and  died  at  seventy-five  years  of  age, 
by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Maria,  Lida  Ann,  Jane,  James  S.,  Levi  C,  and 
Julyann.  Mr.  Bronson  died  at  eighty-four  years  of  age.  James  S.  Bronson  was 
educated  at  Dansville.  He  has  owned  two  saw  mills  and  followed  farming  on  a  farm 
located  near  Haskinville;  he  has  been  a  correspondent  to  seventeen  different 
editors'  papers,  and  has  been  justice  of  the  peace.  He  married  Hannah,  daughter  of 
Hon.  William  C.  Rogers  of  South  Dansville.  She  was  a  teacher  in  the  public  school, 
and  died  November  18,  1889. 

Hathaway,  James  V.,  was  born  in  Chemung  county  in  1833.  He  married  there 
and  about  1858  came  to  Corning  and  has  since  resided  in  Steuben  county.  He  fol- 
lowed canal  boating  for  eighteen  years  and  in  1880  located  on  his  present  farm  in 
Hornby.  He  has  110  acres  and  follows  general  farming.  In  politics  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. In  September,  1856,  he  married  Sophia  Hoffman,  of  Millport,  Chemung 
county. 

Easterbrooks,  Samuel,  of  Painted  Post,  was  born  in  Otsego  county  in  1816,  and 
came  to  his  present  farm  in  1821  with  his  parents,  WiUiam  and  Mary  Amy  Easter- 
brooks. natives  of  Rhode  Island  and  New  York.  The  parents  died  here  in  1854. 
Mr.  Easterbrooks  has  always  resided  here  since  1821.  In  1842  he  married  Catherine 
Stanton,  who  died  the  same  year.  In  1844  he  married  Polly  Underwood,  his  present 
wife.     They  have  two  children:   Edwin  J.,  and  Samuel  M.     Mr.  Easterbrooks  has 


204  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

filled  the  offices  of  assessor  and  supervisor,  the  former  office  six  years,  the  latter  four 
years.  He  has  the  original  home  place  of  forty-nine  acres,  to  which  he  has  added 
eighty-nine  acres. 

Hyna,  Samuel,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Avoca,  April  15,  1848.  Enoch  Hyna,  his 
father,  was  born  in  Germany  in  1808  and  came  to  America  when  a  young  man  and 
began  farm  work,  working  out  by  the  month.  Later  he  settled  in  Avoca,  then 
moved  to  Wheeler,  where  he  remained  for  over  thirty  years,  when  he  retired  to  the 
village  of  Avoca.  He  married  Christana  Wenno,  bj-  whom  he  had  six  children : 
Maria,  George,  John,  Peter,  William,  and  Samiiel.  The  latter  was  educated  in  the 
district  schools  and  remained  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  twenty -three  years  of 
age,  when  he  rented  a  farm,  later  buying  one  of  100  acres,  to  which  he  has  since 
added  seventj'^-five  acres.  He  has  bred  many  fine  horses  and  sheep  and  has  taken 
special  interest  in  breeding  Palon  China  hogs.  He  was  one  of  the  first  men  to  grow 
large  quantities  of  potatoes  in  Wheeler,  growing  5,000  bushels  in  one  year.  He  was 
an  active  member  of  the  West  Creek  Grange  until  its  disbandment  in  1876.  Mr. 
Hyna  married  Alice,  daughter  of  Simeon  Wagener,  of  Wheeler.  Their  children  are 
Elmer,  Clara,  wife  of  William  Early  of  Prattsburg,  who  has  one  son,  Deyo  S.  E. 
Early;  and  Nellie.     Mrs.  Hyna  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Deyo,  Alonzo,  one  of  the  well-known  influential  citizens  of  Caton,  was  born  in 
Newfield,  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1835.  He  came  to  Caton  in  1847,  locating  on 
his  present  place,  where  he  now  owns  sixty-six  acres  of  well-improved  land.  He  also 
has  other  real  estate  interests  in  the  county.  He  served  as  supervisor  of  the  town  of 
Caton  during  the  years  of  1875-77,  during  which  time  he  was  appointed  sole  com- 
mittee on  county  poorhouse  investigation,  and  was  again  elected  to  the  same  office 
in  1893,  which  he  still  continues  to  fill.  His  report  and  the  consequent  action  of  the 
Board  resulted  in  a  vast  improvement  in  the  management  of  the  poor  affairs  of  the 
county,  and  a  complete  change  in  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  county  poor  build- 
ings, besides  the  saving  of  thousands  of  dollars  to  the  tax  payers  of  Steuben.  Mr. 
Deyo  has  spent  seventeen  years  of  his  life  in  teaching,  and  has  also  served  twenty- 
eight  years  in  continuous  action  as  justice  of  the  peace,  and  M'as  re-elected  at  the  last 
town  meeting  for  four  years  more.  For  many  years  he  has  been  foremost  as  legal 
adviser  and  counsellor  in  the  town,  and  his  practical  judgment  and  sound  sense,  com- 
bined with  a  degree  of  legal  knowledge  not  often  attained  by  men  outside  the  pro- 
fession, eminently  qualify  him  for  this  position,  and  his  irreproachable  character  and 
high  sense  of  moral  integret\^  fit  him  most  admirably  for  the  many  private  offices  of 
trust  which  he  is  so  often  called  upon  to  fill.  He  married  Charlotte  ]\Iaria,  daughter 
of  Anson  and  Betsey  (Caulkins)  Cooper  of  Caton,  who  was  born  in  Corning,  May  13, 
1842,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  Viola  Eunice,  born  May  3,  1861,  wife  of  Will- 
iam H.  Scott,  of  Elmira;  Minnie  Elnora,  born  April  21,  1864;  Bessie  Chloe,  born 
November  7,  1867,  wife  of  Willard  P.  Smith,  of  Corning ;  Mary  Delphine,  born  De- 
cember 26,  1872,  wife  of  Samuel  Wilson  Adams,  of  Caton ;  Willie,  bom  October  8, 
1879;  Frank,  bom  November  18,  1882,  and  died  September  25,  1884;  and  Lottie  M., 
born  June  23,  1884. 

Clawson,  John  M.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Southport,  January  30,  1831,  son  of 
Ebenezer  Clawson,  who  for  the  last  twenty  years  of  his  life  was  a  hotel  proprietor 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  205 

of  Campbell  village,  and  married  Rohanna  McHenry,  by  whom  he  had  three  chil- 
dren :  John  M. ,  Jacob,  and  Betsey.  For  his  second  wife  he  married  Loretta  Reed, 
by  whom  he  had  two  children :  Martha  and  Julian.  John  M.  Clawson  has  spent  the 
most  of  his  life  in  Campbell  in  the  tannery  for  J.  D.  Hamilton.  In  1862  he  enlisted 
in  107th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  as  a  private,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war;  he  was  pro- 
moted to  second  lieutenant  May  25,  1865.  He  married  Lucinda  R.,  daughter  of 
Philip  and  ]\Iaria  Drake,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Charlie  D.  Clawson,  a  merchant 
in  Pennsylvania.  He  is  a  member  of  Knox  Post  No.  447,  and  in  politics  is  a 
Republican. 

Buck,  Herman  E.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Farmington,  Washington  county, Wis., 
May  14,  1847.     His  father,  Benjamin  F.  Buck,  was  born  in  Bradford  county.  Pa.,   in 

1823,  moving  to  Wisconsin  in  1846,  returning  to  Bradford  county  in  1848,  and  now 
resides  in  the  State  of  Washington.  Herman  E.  Buck  enhsted  in  1862,  in  the  75th 
N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  one  year  and  a  half,  when  he  was  honorably  discharged  on  a 
surgeon's  certificate  of  disability.  In  1869  Mr.  Buck  came  to  Hornellsville,  and  to 
Canisteo  the  following  year,  where  he  has  since  remained,  and  at  the  present  time  is 
conducting  the  retail  boot  and  shoe  business.  In  1872  Mr.  Buck  was  married  to 
Elbertine  Shuart  of  Pennsylvania.  They  have  two  children  living,  Gertrude  S.  and 
William  E.  Mr.  Buck  has  been  supervisor  of  the  town,  a  member  of  the  Legislature, 
and  has  held  various  minor  town  offices,  and  at  present  is  president  of  the  village  of 
Canisteo.  He  is  a  member  of  Morning  Star  Lodge  No.  65,  F.  and  A.  M.,  of 
which  he  is  a  past  master;  he  is  also  a  member  of  Abram  Allen  Post  No.  194, 
G.  A.  R. 

Carman,  Alexander,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hector,  N.  Y.,  November  19,  1829, 
son  of  Abraham  and  Elizabeth  Horton  Carman,  both  of  Ulster  county,  N.  Y.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Carman  came  to  Hector  about  1826,  and  in  1836  moved  to  Bath,  where  they 
spent  the  remainder  of  their  days.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  died  April 
3,  1876,  and  his  wife  in  1864.  Alexander  Carman  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  contin- 
ued farming  and  lumbering  until  about  1870,  when  he  commenced  working  at  car- 
penter work,  which  business  he  followed  until  about  1881,  when  he  purchased  the 
farm  where  he  now  resides  and  engaged  in  farming.  In  1859  he  married  Melissa, 
daughter  of  Stephen  and  Jane  Horton,  of  Bath,  by  whom  he  had  two  children  ;  Rosa, 
who  married  James  Stinson,  a  farmer;  they  have  three  children:  Emma,  William 
and  Alexander;  and  Emrtia,  widow  of  Charles  De  Waine,  who  died  January  8,  1893, 
and  she  now  resides  with  her  father,  Mr.  Carman.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  De  Waine  had 
three  children:  Rosa,  Ray  and  Melissa.  In  October,  1862,  Mr.  Carman  enlisted  in 
Co.  D,  161st  N.  Y.  Vols.  ;  he  was  at  the  siege  of  Port  Hudson  and  a  number  of  other 
engagements,  and  was  wounded  on  Cox's  plantation,  July  13,  1863,  and  was  honor- 
ably discharged  October,  1865.  Mr.  Carman  is  a  member  of  Knox  Post  No.  549,  G. 
A.  R. 

Stedge,  Harrison,  was  born  in   the  town  of  Hector,  Schuyler  county,  October  4, 

1824,  and  is  the  seventh  of  eight  children  born  to  Peter  and  Betsey  Rorabuck  Stedge, 
both  of  New  Jersey.  The  grandfather,  William,  was  a  tanner  and  currier  in  New 
Jersey.  Peter  learned  the  tanner  and  shoemaker  trades,  at  which  he  worked 
throughout  his  life.     He  came  from  New  Jersey  to  Chemung  county,  and  then  went 


206  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

to  Schuyler  county,  and  died  at  Beaver  Dam,  aged  seventy-two  years.  He  was  a 
soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  In  1842  Harrison  Stedge  married  Fairmenia  Rhodes,  of 
North  Hector,  Schuyler  county,  and  they  have  had  six  children :  Laura,  wife  of  W. 
O.  Preston,  a  carpenter  of  Elkland,  Pa. ;  Mary,  wife  of  Jack  Gordon,  a  mason  at 
Flint,  Mich.  ;  Catharine,  wife  of  James  Randall,  a  carpenter  of  Watkins;  Delia,  wife 
of  Henry  Crandall,  a  mason  by  trade,  and  a  farmer  of  Cattaraugus  counter;  William, 
of  Corning;  and  Ernest,  a  farmer  of  Bradford.  Mrs.  Stedge  died  in  1860.  For  his 
second  wife  Mr.  Stedge  married  Abigail  Chandler,  and  they  have  one  son,  John,  who 
is  a  hardware  merchat  of  Harvard,  111.  Mrs.  Stedge  died,  and  he  married  for  his 
third  wife,  Susan  M.  Pickley  Benette,  widow  of  Hiram  Benette.  Mr.  Stedge  came 
from  Hector  to  Campbell  in  1863,  and  to  Bradford  in  1870,  where  he  has  a  farm  of 
eighty  acres,  and  carries  on  general  farming  and  a  dairy,  making  a  specialty  of 
thoroughbred  Durham  cows.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been  assessor. 

McDougall,  John,  was  born  in  Paisley,  Scotland,  July  25,  1833.  When  eighteen 
years  of  age  he  arrived  in  this  country  an  almost  penniless  and  inexperienced  lad. 
His  first  year  in  America  was  spent  in  Brooklyn,  and  the  next  in  Syracuse.  He  sub- 
sequently removed  to  Oswego,  wnere  he  entered  into  partnership  with  a  Mr.  Avery, 
a  partnership  that  continued  for  nearly  thirty-five  years.  The  firm  built  several  gas 
works,  among  them  the  one  at  Hornellsville,  which  was  built  in  .1861,  and  Mr.  Mc- 
Dougall was  a  resident  of  Hornellsville  from  that  date  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
November  2,  1888.  He  was  not  only  one  of  the  best  known  citizens  of  Hornellsville, 
but  his  reputation  extended  throughout  the  States,  both  in  political  and  business 
circles,  his  frank  and  honorable  nature,  coupled  with  great  energy  and  sagacity, 
making  him  a  valuable  factor  in  both.  He  possessed  all  the  characteristics  of  the 
hardv,  energetic  race,  whence  he  sprang.  The  impress  of  Mr.  McDougall's  energy 
and  intellect  was  left  upon  every  j-ear's  growth  of  Hornellsville,  from  the  time  he 
became  a  resident  here  until  his  death.  Besides  his  many  local  enterprises,  he  was 
interested  in  chemical  works  in  Allegany  with  Messrs.  Hilton  &  Sherwood,  at  Hilton- 
ville.  He  formed  another  partnership  with  Mr.  Keery,  of  Hancock,  and  erected  at 
that  point  one  of  the  largest  acid  works  in  the  country,  known  as  the  Cadosia  Chem- 
ical Works.  Mr.  McDougall  was  first  president  of  the  R.,  H.  6c  L.  R.  R.,  and  was 
deeply  interested  in  every  public  enterprise,  to  which  he  lent  his  influence  and  con- 
tributed generously  of  his  means.  The  "Hornellsville  Tribune,"  in  an  editorial  on 
the  occasion  of  his  death,  says:  "  Here  we  take  opportunity  to  pay  the  parting 
tribute  to  the  memory  of  a  personal  friend,  and  to  a  citizen  whose  every  heart-throb 
beat  for  the  prosperity  of  the  people  with  whom  he  had  cast  his  fortunes,  and  for 
whom  he  had  always  a  fervent  and  sincere  regard  and  an  honest  desire  for  their 
prosperity  and  success.  The  one  overwhelming  desire  of  his  heart  was  the  growth 
and  progress  of  our  beautiful  city.  Poor  in  all  material  wealth,  became  to  Hornells- 
ville and  has  grown  rich  in  the  esteem,  the  love  and  heartfelt  respect  of  his  neighbors. 
With  open  hand  and  energy  of  spirit  he  has  embarked  in  every  enterprise  that  prom- 
ised to  aid  in  the  rapid  development  of  our  city,  and  every  enterprise  that  felt  his 
vigor  behind  it  went  on  to  assured  success." 

Peterson,  Jeremiah  M.,  was  born  in  Potter  county.  Pa.,  April  26,  1851.  Jacob  D. 
Peterson,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Avoca  in  1854. 
He  was  an  architect  and  millwright,  which  business  he  followed  for  many  years,  and 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  207 

if  now  residing  in  the  town  of  WoodhuU,  Steuben  county,  at  the  ripe  age  of  ninety 
years.  He  married  Sarah  A. .  daughter  of  William  and  Harriet  AViley,  by  whom  he 
had  nine  children:  Jeremiah  M.,  Jacob  D.,  Amenial,  Orin  J.,  Lorevo,  Henry  O., 
Mary  M.,  Cynthia,  and  Emma.  Jeremiah  M.  was  a  head  sawyer  for  twenty-five 
years,  and  since  then  has  been  a  general  jobber  and  dealer  in  lumber.  He  married 
Ora  Adelia,  daughter  of  Ezra  and  Margaret  Strong,  by  whom  he  had  four  children  : 
Dora  L. ,  Gay  B.,  Adelbert  J.  D.,  and  Fay.  He  was  elected  highway  commissioner 
.in  1894,  on  the  Republican  ticket,  and  is  a  leading  member  in  Mountain  Lodge  No. 
503,  of  L  O.  O.  F.,  also  of  the  Canton  Loyal,  No.  43,  of  Hornellsville. 

Piatt,  Francis  C. ,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Erwin  in  1866,  son  of  C.  F.  Piatt,  who  was 
born  in  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  and  settled  in  Erwin  about  1845.  Francis  C.  married 
Jennie,  daughter  of  Henry  P.  Faulkner,  January  7,  1895.  Mr.  Piatt  is  owner  of  the 
Evans  Farm  dairy,  the  largest  one  in  the  valley. 

Erwin,  Francis,  was  born  in  Erwin  in  1834,  is  a  son  of  Gen.  Francis  E.  Erwin, 
who  was  born  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Francis.  General  Erwin  was  a  grandson 
of  Col.  Arthur  Erwin,  who  was  the  first  owner  of  this  town.  Francis  married  a 
daughter  of  Bradford  Campbell,  and  granddaughter  of  Archibald,  and  they  have  two 
children;  Sophia  H.,  and  Arthur  B.  Mr.  Erwin  has  held  the  office  of  town  clerk, 
was  supervisor  seven  years,  and  justice  sixteen  years. 

Covert,  Reuben,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Greenwood,  June  9,  1843,  is  the  sixth  of 
nine  children  born  to  Smith  and  Mahitable  (Luce)  Covert,  he  a  native  of  Holland,  N. 
Y.,  and  she  of  Long  Island.  The  paternal  grandparents  were  natives  of  Ireland  and 
settled  at  Harlem,  N.  Y.,  where  they  died.  The  maternal  grandfather,  David  Luce, 
came  from  Long  Island  and  settled  in  Greenwood  where  he  died.  Smith  Covert 
worked  in  woolen  mills  in  his  younger  days  and  then  followed  farming  in  Greenwood 
where  he  settled  about  1839,  and  died  in  1869.  Mrs.  Covert  died  in  1885.  Reuben 
Covert  followed  farming  until  June  19,  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  67th  N.Y. 
Vols.,  and  was  honorably  discharged  July  4,  1864.  He  was  in  thirty-two  hard  fought 
battles,  among  which  were  Fair  Oaks,  Malvern  Hill,  Chancellorsville,  Fredericks- 
burg, Antietam,  Gettysburg,  Cold  Harbor,  Wildnerness,  Cedar  Creek,  etc.  Mr. 
Covert  spent  eight  years  in  Michigan  farming,  and  in  1882  settled  in  Greenwood. 
In  1849  he  married  Erselia,  daughter  of  Jackson  King  of  Greenwood,  by  whom  he 
had  five  children :  Norman,  Dever,  Mary,  Mahaly,  and  Andrew  J.  Mr.  Covert  is  a 
member  of  William  C.  White  Post,  No.  161,  G.  A.  R. 

Goff,  Robert  H.,  is  a  resident  of  New  York  city  but  his  summer  home  has  been  in 
Painted  Post  for  the  past  twenty-one  years.  He  married  Mary  C. ,  daughter  of  Free- 
man Campbell,  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Charles  C,  Clarence  (deceased), 
Adele,  Freeman  C,  Robert  H.,  jr.,  and  Wallace  C.  Mr.  Gofi"  has  been  senior  war- 
den of  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Apostles  of  New  York  for  more  than  twenty  years. 
In  early  life  he  was  interested  in  the  mercantile  business  and  was  of  the  firm  of 
Wagstaff  &  Goff.  He  has  a  farm  of  1,000  acres  in  Tuscarora,  near  Addison,  and 
also  owns  the  Erwin  homestead,  where  he  now  resides.  He  is  also  mterested  in  the 
real  estate  business. 

Tucker,  vSmith,  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides,  June  19,  1825. 
Eleazer  Tucker,  his  father,  was  born  in  Connecticut,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Avoca 


208  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

about  1820,  where  he  took  up  land  and  cleared  a  farm  of  150  acres  -He  was  a  mill- 
wright by  trade,  and  came  two  j-ears  in  advance  of  his  family  and  built  a  saw  mill 
on  what  is  called  Twelve  Mile  Creek.  He  later  built  a  mill  at  Blood's  Corner,  from 
there  he  went  to  Texas,  returned,  and  at  seventy  years  of  age  returned  to  Texas  and 
the  family  have  never  heard  from  him  since.  He  married  Elizabeth  Wt)od  of 
Dutchess  county,  by  whom  he  has  these  children:  Harriet,  Ira,  Phoebe,  Amos,  Smith, 
and  Elizabeth.  Smith  Tucker  was  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering  for  nine 
years,  and  since  that  time  has  devoted  his  time  to  farming.  He  married  Hannah 
Folwell  of  Avoca,  by  whom  he  had  these  children :  Bayard  T.  and  Gaylord  C.  Mrs. 
Tilcker  died  in  1859,  and  he  married  for  his  present  wife,  Jemima  R.  Roberts  of 
Avoca. 

Shults,  Elias,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bath,  March  3,  1842,  son  of  George  H.  Shults, 
who  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  and  was  a  farmer  and  hotel  keeper.  He  came 
to  Steuben  county  in  about  1841,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Bath,  where  he  pur- 
chased land  and  cleared  a  farm,  which  is  now  owned  by  the  State  for  the  Soldiers' 
Home.  He  married  Betsey,  daughter  of  Aaron  Brown,  of  Montgomery  county,  and 
they  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children:  Betsey,  John,  Aaron,  Margaret,  David, 
Jeremiah,  Ezeriah,  George,  Elias,  Levi,  Amanda,  and  William.  Elias  is  a  black- 
smith by  trade,  which  business  he  has  followed  all  his  life  with  the  exception  of  a 
few  years  spent  in  the  war.  He  enlisted  in  the  22d  New  York  Cavahy.  He  married 
Emma,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Decker,  of  Hammondsport,  and  they  have  had  two 
children:  Herbert  and  Elizabeth.  For  his  present  wife  he  married  Maggie,  daugh- 
ter of  Peter  Watson,  of  Painted  Post,  and  the}'  have  two  children:  Violetta  and 
Daniel,  who  is  a  student  in  the  Bath  Academy.  Mr  Shults  is  a  member  of  the 
Morey  Post,  No.  507,  G.  A.  R. 

Stowell,  Henry,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Afton,  Chenango  county,  July  17,  185H, 
son  of  Richard  S.  and  Almira  Vinton  Stowell,  who  settled  in  Lindley  in  1871.  He 
married  Alice,  daughter  of  Theron  and  Mary  Wheat  Harris,  and  they  have  four 
children:  Claude,  Burt,  AUie,  and  Richard.  Mr.  Stowell  is  a  dairy  and  tobacco 
farmer.  He  has  been  justice  of  the  peace  for  three  terrris.  He  is  a  member  of  Law- 
rence Lodge,  No.  913  of  L  O.  O.  P.,  and  Encampment,  No.  227,  of  Lawrenceville, 
Pa.,  has  passed  the  chairs  in  the  subordinate  lodge  and  was  selected  as  past  grand 
to  represent  the  lodge  at  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  held  in  Philadelphia,  May 
21,  1895,  at  the  tim.e  of  dedication  of  the  Odd  Fellows'  Temple.  Mr.  Stowell  is  in- 
terested in  the  Lindley  Fairview  Cemetery  Association,  having  been  its  president 
since  its  organization. 

Jacobus,  Henry,  was  born  in  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  May  4,  1824,  son  of  John  and 
Sarah  (Bennett)  Jacobus.  John  Jacobus  came  from  Orange  county  to  Steuben  county 
when  a  young  man,  and  there  spent  most  of  his  life  on  a  farm.  He  finally  settled  on 
Mt.  Washington,  Urbana,  where  he  died  in  1870.  He  gave  five  sons  to  the  LTnion 
ranks  to  save  the  life  of  the  nation;  Henry,  Jesse,  Obedias,  Bert  and  Sam.  Jesse 
was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks.  Mrs.  Jacobus-died  in  1835.  Henry  Jacobus 
has  always  followed  the  trade  of  painter.  In  1850  he  married  Sarah  Scofield,  of 
Urbana,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  one  daughter,  wife  of  Manley  Crookston,  who  is  a 
son  of  Nelson  and  Sarah  (Wixson)  Crookston  of  Wayne.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crookston 


Family  sketches.  209 

have  four  childreu :  Envin  II.,  Lela  May,  Rena  S.,  and  Carrie  E.  Mr.  Crookston 
has  the  liomestcad  farm  of  seveuty-four  acres  and  a  vineyard  of  five  acres.  He  is 
also  working  the  farm  of  Mr.  Jacobus,  which  he  purchased  in  1874,  and  deeded  to  his 
daughter  in  1892,  and  on  which  he  has  since  resided.  Mrs.  Jacobus  died  in  1854.  In 
1861  Mr.  Jacobus  enlisted  in  Co.  I,  o4th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  was  honorably  discharged 
in  1803.  He  was  a  Democrat  until  1860,  when  he  became  a  Republican,  but  is  now 
a  Prohibitionist. 

Stephens,  Emmett  L  ,  was  born  January  10,  1848,  at  Bennett's  Creek,  on  a  farm 
which  was  owned  in  his  lifetime  by  Joshua  Stephens,  who  was  killed  by  the  Indians. 
De  Witt  C.  Stephens,  his  father,  married  Amanda  M.,  daughter  of  John  Hamilton, 
one  of  the  oldest  families  in  the  town  of  Howard,  by  whom  he  had  live  children: 
John  D.„  Joshua  B.,  Emmett  L.,  Henry  L.,  and  Anna.  Emmett  L.  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools  of  Canisteo,  and  was  a  farmer  and  lumberman,  and  later  he  be- 
gan the  study  of  law  with  A.  I.  Parkhill  of  Cohocton,  then  with  William  B.  Jones, 
also  with  Eli  Soule,  and  later  with  A.  M.  Burrell.  In  February,  1890,  he  was  elected 
justice  of  the  peace  of  the  town  of  Canisteo  and  re-elected  in  1894,  which  office  he 
now  fills.  He  married  Etta,  daughter  of  Delevan  Stephens  of  Hornellsville,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 

Porter,  William  Gordon,  was  born  in  Woodhull,  October  29,  1849,  son  of  William 
G.,  who  was  born  in  Connecticut  and  came  to  Woodhull  in  1-830.  William  G.,  the 
father,  first  settled  in  Woodhull,  engaging  in  the  mercantile  business,  but  moved  to 
Greenwood  when  William  Gordon  was  si.x  'months  old.  William  Gordon  learned  the 
tinsmith's  trade.  In  1871  he  married  Sabra  H.,  daughter  of  Alexander  H.  Stephens, 
one  of  the  old  pioneer  families.  William  Gordon  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  for  ten  years,  then  moved  to  Iowa,  intending  to  engage  in  business  with  his 
wife's  brother.  iVt  the  death  of  this  brother  he  moved  to  Canisteo  and  in  1883  the 
private  banking  business  was  started  by  Porter  &  Davis,  which  is  still  conducted  in 
the  village.  Mr.  Porter  has  been  president  of  the  village,  trustee  of  the  academy, 
and  held  other  minor  othces.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Morning  .Star  Lodge  of  Masons, 
No.  6."). 

Nichols,  Samuel  K.,  was  born  in  Tuscarora,  N.Y.,  December  15,  1861,  son  of  Will- 
iam Ira  and  Ann  (Kemp)  Nichols,  he  born  in  Tuscarora,  N.  Y.,  July  16,  1825,  and 
she  in  Lawrenceville,  Pa.,  October  16,  1827.  William  Ira  Nichols  started  a  poor 
man  and  became  one  of  the  wealthiest  men  of  the  town,  and  owned  430  acres  of  land. 
He  died  September  6,  1893.  The  grandfather,  Alfred  Nichols,  was  born  in  Rhode 
Island,  in  1802.  He  married  Sallie  Baxter,  who  was  born  in  Smithiield,  in  1805.  He 
settled  in  Tuscarora  in  1825,  where  he  died  September  8,  1881.  He  was  a  Democrat 
in  politics,  and  was  assessor  and  collector.  Samuel  K.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
educated  in  the  common  schools  and  graded  school  of  Nelson,  Pa,,  after  which  he 
engaged  in  teaching  for  ten  years,  but  now  follows  farming,  and  owns  eighty  acres 
of  land.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  been  inspector  one  year.  September 
30,  1891,  he  married  Amandar  Aldrich,  born  December  19,  1866,  in  Tuscarora,  N.  Y. 

Oldfield,  Thomas,  was  born  in  Hornby  in  1831,  son  of  .Samuel  and  Harriet  Hurd 
Oldfield,  natives  of  New  Jersey  and  Connecticct.  The  father  came  to  Hornby  about 
1820  and  married  here.     The  parents  died  in  1867  and  1839,  aged  sixty-eight  and 


210  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

thirty-eight,  father  and  mother,  respectively.  When  Mr.  Oldfield  was  seven  years 
old  he  came  with  his  parents  to  his  present  farm,  where  he  has  since  resided.  At  the 
age  of  twenty-one  he  purchased  the  place,  consisting  of  169  acres.  In  1853  he  mar- 
ried Phoebe  M.  Gould,  a  native  of  New  Jersey.  They  have  five  children:  Gideon 
G.,  Samuel,  Hattie,  Ann  May,  and  Sarah  G.  Hattie  is  the  wife  of  J.  W.  Bucher; 
Ann  May  is  the  wife  of  E.  L.  Townley;  Sarah  G.  is  the  wife  of  L.  H.  Ferenbaugh. 
Five  children  are  deceased,  all  under  the  age  of  ten  years.  Mr.  Oldfield  has  filled 
the  offices  of  assessor,  justice  of  the  peace,  and  supervisor. 

Hall,  Daniel  B.,  was  born  in  Dansville,  N.  Y. ,  February  26,  1857.  His  grand- 
father, William  Hall,  was  a  native  of  Vermont,  and  died  April  28,  1871.  He  settled 
in  Dansville  abotit  1833,  and  purchased  and  cleared  the  farm  where  Daniel  B.  now 
resides,  and  was  finally  the  owner  of  400  acres  of  land.  He  married  Diana  Gris- 
wold  of  Vermont,  who  died  June  8,  1885,  aged  seventy-six  years,  by  whom  he  had 
six  children.  William  H.,  father  of  Daniel  B.,  was  born  December  8,  1830.  He 
married  for  his  first  wife  Mary  E.  Blank,  who  died  November  11,  1861,  by  whom  he 
had  two  children:  Daniel  S.,  as  above,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  In  1872  he 
married  for  his  second  wife,  Ann  Driesbach,  who  died  in  1875,  by  whom  he  had  two 
children:  Bertha,  deceased,  and  Willie,  who  is  a  farmer  and  the  largest  land  owner 
in  town.  Daniel  B.  Hall  received  a  common  school  education  and  took  a  short  course 
in  the  Dansville  High  School.  He  is  a  farmer  by  birth  and  occupation,  also  a  pro- 
duce buyer.  At  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  November  12,  1879,  he  married  Ann  Acomb,  who 
was  born  in  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  April  21,  1858,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Effie 
L..  born  April  4,  1881 ;  Ida  M.,  born  February  20,  1883:  and  Daniel  R.,  born  October 
3,  1884. 

Kershner,  Mrs.  E.  L.,  is  the  widow  of  the  late  B.  F.  Kershner,  who  was  born  in 
Dansville,  N.  Y.,  September  15,  1829,  and  died  March  14,  1887.  He  was  a  repre- 
sentative citizen  of  Dansville  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  represented 
the  town  of  Dansville  on  the  Board  of  Supervisors  two  terms,  and  highway  com- 
missioner two  terms.  He  was  a  member  of  Phoenix  Lodge  No.  116,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and 
was  buried  with  the  Masonic  ceremony.  In  1834  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  the 
place  now  occupied  by  his  widow,  at  the  time  when  the  cholera  was  raging  in  that 
locality.  Mr.  Kershner  was  educated  at  the  old  academy  of  Dansville,  and  was  a 
great  reader.  His  father,  Philip  Kershner,  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Md. , 
and  in  1812,  when  28  years  of  age,  he  came  to  Genesee  county  when  it  was  a  wilder- 
ness, in  company  with  Nathaniel  Rochester  and  Leonard  Coon.  He  was  one  of  the 
first  settlers  of  Dansville,  and  purchased  the  place  now  occupied  by  his  son's  wife, 
which  was  at  that  time  occupied  by  an  Indian  encampment.  He  died  October  12. 
1850.  His  wife.  Mary  Knappenberg,  was  born  in  Northumberland  county.  Pa.,  and 
died  in  1879,  aged  eighty-five  yeans.  Thej'  had  six  children:  Elizabeth  M.,  born 
October  13,  1815;  Nathaniel  D.,  born  May  8,  1817;  Henry  A.,  born  March  26,  1820; 
Joseph,  born  June  22,  1822;  Mary  C,  bom  January  3,  1825;  and  Benjamin  F.,  born 
September  15,  1829,  and  on  December  4,  1854,  he  married  Eliza  L.  Southmayd, 
who  was  born  in  Ossian,  N.  Y.,  in  1831,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Rosa  A., 
born  September  27,  1856,  and  died  February  8,  1864;  Lilla  Clare,  born  April  6,  1867, 
married,  August  27,  1895,  Charles  S.  Browning  of  Bay  City,  Mich.,  born  in  1866;  and 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  211 

Mamie  Peck,  born  November  9,  1800,  and  married  George  E.  Walter,  who  was  born 
December  21,  1857. 

Bill,  G.  Jacob,  was  born  June  27,  1845,  son  of  George  C.  Bill,  who  was  born  m 
Germany,  emigrated  to  America  in  1847,  and  settled  in  Wayland,  where  he  pur- 
chased the  farm  of  180  acres,  where  his  son  now  resides.  He  married  Mary  D. 
Drekmer,  a  native  Germany,  by  whom  he  had  these  children;  Mary  Catherine,  born 
April  14,  1825;  Mary  E.,  born  October  22,  1826;  John  C,  born  August  29,  1828; 
Nicholas,  born  February  12,  1834;  Mary,  born  April  22,   1886;  Charlotte,   born  June 

7,  1838 ;  John  Conrad,  born  February  22,  1841 ;  John  Nicholas,  born  June  6,  1843 ; 
George  Jacob,  born  June  27,  1845;  and  John  Adam,  born  December  11,  1848.  He 
was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  also  a  farmer.  He  died  in  Wayland  in  1881,  aged 
seventy-nine  years,  and  his  wife  June  7,  1862,  aged  fifty-two  years.  George 
Jacob  attended  the  commoii  schools,  also  the  German  Lutheran  school,  where 
he  was  confirmed  July  17,  1859.  He  has  always  followed  farming  and  now  owns 
the  farm  where  his  father  settled  about  1848.  He  is  a  member  of  Wayland 
Lodge  No.  176,  L  O.  O.  F.  He  married  Mary  C.  Kausch  at  Dansville,  N.  Y., 
who  was  born  in  Wayland  in  1848,  daughter  of  Valentine  Kausch  of  Wayland,  by 
whom  he  has  these  children:  J.  William,  born  January  8,  1867;  Delia  Dora  born 
October  26,  1871;  Amelia,  born  March  13,  1875;  Charles  Sylvester,  born  November 

8,  1877.  and  died  October  II,  1889;  and  Lena  Mary,  born  April  17,  1879.  Mrs.  Bill 
died  November  14,  1887. 

Crosby,  Hiram. — Nathan  Crosby  was  born  at  Canisteo,  March  26,  1815.  Richard 
Crosby,  his  father,  was  born  in  the  Eastern  States,  and  came  to  Canisteo  with  his 
father,  Benjamin  Crosby,  first  settling  in  Bath,  then  moving  to  Canisteo.  Benja- 
min Crosby  was  one  of  the  twelve  purchasers  of  the  township,  owning  640  acres  of 
what  is  now  Hornellsville.  Richard  Crosby  was  the  owner  of  1,200  acres  in  Canis- 
teo, and  this  land  they  cleared,  and  the  family  is  known  through  this  section  as  one 
of  the  first  of  the  town.  He  married  Hatinah  Thomas,  who  was  a  descendant  of 
one  of  the  first  families  of  the  town,  and  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Nathan, 
Ulysses,  Mary,  and  Robert.  Nathan  Crosby  is  a  farmer,  and  married  Nancy, 
daughter  of  Elijah  and  Elizabeth  Moore  Hallett,  by  whom  he  had  four  children: 
Hiram,  Byron,  Lewis,  and  Elizabeth.  The  sons  are  farmers,  owning  a  farm  of  800 
acres  in  Canisteo.  Byron  is  living  in  the  town  of  Jasper,  a  farmer  and  general 
shipper  of  cattle,  sheep,  etc.  He  married  Sylvia,  daughter  of  A.  Travis  of  Canis- 
teo, b}'  whom  he  had  one  daughter,  Florence.  Hiram  Crosby  is  the  oldest  son,  and 
is  living  on  the  homestead.  He  enlisted  in  the  85th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  going  out  with 
Captain  Bennett,  where  he  served  three  years,  and  was  in  the  Second  Bull  Run 
battle.  Battle  of  the  Wilderness,  Cold  Harbor,  and  Gettysburg,  and  SjDOttsylvania, 
and  was  discharged  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  in  Septembei-,  1864.  He  has  a  watch  which 
once  saved  his  life,  and  which  shows  the  mark  of  the  bullet  by  which  it  was  struck 
while  in  his  vest  pocket.  In  1865  he  married  Julia,  daughter  of  William  Ordway, 
by  whom  he  had  four  children;  William,  Mary,  George,  and  Myron  Clark.  Mary  is 
the  wile  of  Martin  Wallace  of  Canisteo.  Hiram  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post 
No.  97.  Lewis  Crosby  is  the  youngest  son  and  lives  on  an  adjoining  farm,  and  is 
known  as  one  of  the  leading  farmers  in  the  town  of  Canisteo,  owning  450  acres  of 
land.     He  married  Ellen,  daughter  of  L.  P.  Holmes  of  Troujjsburg,  Steuben  county, 


212  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

by  whom  he  had  two  sons,  George  and  Marshall.     Nathan  Crosby  was  one  of  the 
charter  members  of  Morning  Star  Lodge  No.  65  of  Canisteo. 

Hopkins,  Daniel  C,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Almond.  Allegany  county,  February 
18,  1853,  son  of  Elias  Hopkins,  a  native  of  Luzerne  county,  Pa.,  who  came  to 
Allegany  when  a  young  man  and  engaged  in  farming.  Daniel,  the  youngest  of  a 
family  of  three  children,  was  educated  in  the  common  school.  Almond  Academy  and 
Alfred  University  and  taught  three  terms  after  finishing  his  education.  He  engaged 
in  farming,  fruit  growing  and  the  nursery  business,  remaining  on  the  homestead 
farm  of  190  acres  until  1886,  when  he  built  a  new  home  and  established  a  nursery 
office  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville,  near  Almond.  He  is  now  extensively  engaged 
in  growing  all  kinds  of  fruit  and  ornamental  trees,  shrubs  and  plants,  being  the  only 
general  nurseryman  in  Steuben  or  Allegany  counties.  He  employs  a  large  number 
of  agents,  besides  help  to  take  care  of  his  nursery  and  fruit  and  vegetable  farm. 
Mr.  Hopkins  served  two  years  as  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Almond,  was  elected 
justice  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville  and  nominated  for  supervisor  in  1895.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Order  of  Maccabees  and  Protective  Legion.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
the  Arkport  Grange  No.  179,  and  clerk  of  the  joint  school  district  No.  5.  He  has 
been  called  "Father"  of  the  tree  or  Arbor  Day  in  this  part  of  the  State;  was  the 
first  to  start  the  call  for  the  well  known  Hornellsville  Farmers'  Club  and  has  been 
connected  with  several  other  public  enterprises.  He  was  married,  July  16,  1891,  to 
Sarah,  youngest  daughter  of  Henry  W.  Crandall  of  Almond,  and  they  have  one 
child,  Carl  Crandall  Hopkins 

Bennett,  Hiram,  a  native  of  Hornellsville,  was  born  September  1,  1815.  He  was  a 
son  of  the  late  Major  Thomas  Bennett,  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  this  valley,  and 
a  grandson  of  Solomon  Bennett,  who  came  to  this  region  from  Wyoming  before 
Judge  Hornell  settled  here.  Having  been  born  in  Hornellsville,  he  was  naturally  in 
its  earlier  history  thoroughly  identified  with  the  town  and  its  interests.  He  began 
his  education  in  Howard  Academj',  then  a  school  of  some  local  note.  He  subse- 
quently went  to  Lima,  where  he  completed  his  preparatory  course,  and  afterward 
entered  Union  College,  where  he  graduated  with  honor  in  1839.  He  was  Hornells- 
ville's  first  college  graduate.  Returning  to  Hornellsville  he  became  the  teacher  of 
the  village  school,  serving  in  that  capacity  with  great  acceptance.  He  shortly  took 
up  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  the  late  Hon.  John  K.  Hale,  in  this  place,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  about  1843,  when  he  began  practicing.  Although  a  man  of 
thorough  education  and  unusual  attainments  he  did  not  find  the  practice  of  law 
suited  to  his  tastes,  and  never  took  the  position  at  the  bar  which  he  might  have  won 
if  the  profession  had  enlisted  his  enthusiasm.  Mr.  Bennett  held  several  local  public 
offices  during  his  lifetime.  From  1841  to  1845  he  was  town  clerk,  and  held  the  office 
of  justice  of  the  peace  for  twenty-five  years,  beginning  about  1845.  He  was  once 
president  of  the  village  and  was  a  village  trustee  for  a  number  of  years.  He  ran  for 
member  of  assembly  many  years  ago  as  the  candidate  of  the  Democracy — the  party 
to  which  he  gave  allegiance  throughout  his  life.  He  was  defeated  bj'  the  town  of 
Reading,  then  a  part  of  Steuben  county,  for  his  known  desire  to  divide  the  county. 
He  never  after  sought  political  honors.  He  was  a  school  trustee  and  clerk  of  the 
Board  of  Education  for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  also  president  of  the  Hornell 
Association.     He  was  at  one  time  judge  advocate  on  Gen.  P.  Hartshorn's  staff,   the 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  213 

only  military  office  he  ever  accepted.  He  was  also  one  of  the  early  surveyors  of  the 
town.  He  died  December  8,  1883.  He  was  married  in  1850  to  Miss  Eliza,  daugh- 
ter of  Christopher  Doty,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Steuben  county.  They  were  the 
parents  of  one  child,  Frank  H.  Bennett.  An  adopted  daughter,  M.  Estelle,  is  now 
the  wife  of  Addison  J.  Sutfin,  of  Hornellsville.  Frank  H.  Bennett,  his  son,  w^as 
born  in  the  city  of  Hornellsville,  November  27,  1858.  He  was  educated  in  the  city 
schools  and  in  1879  he  entered  Pennsylvania  Military  College,  Chester,  Pa.,  grad- 
uating with  the  degree  of  C.  E.  m  1883.  He  also  entered  the  Philadelphia  Commer- 
cial College,  but  was  obliged  to  leave  on  account  of  his  father's  health  He  was 
secretary  of  the  Hornell  Library  Association  for  a  number  of  years,  and  was  also 
assistant  chief  engineer  of  the  Hornellsville  Fire  Department.  He  has  devoted  his 
time  to  the  real  estate  business  since  leaving  school  and  was  the  originator  of  the 
William  street  property,  placing  over  forty  building  lots  within  reach  of  the  city 
residents,  and  has  taken  an  interest  in  literary  work.  He  was  the  founder  and  also 
the  publisher  of  the  popular  club  and  society  journal,  "New  York  City  Life,"  with 
Richard  O.  Shaut,  who  still  conducts  it.  Mr.  Bennett  severed  his  connection  with 
the  enterprise  in  the  spring  of  1893  and  has  since  devoted  his  whole  attention  to  his 
real  estate  business. 

Elyea,  John  H.,  was  born  in  Urbana,  N.  Y.,  July  22,  1836.  When  a  young  man  he 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  has  been  his  principal  occupation.  He  spent 
four  years  in  Michigan,  and  owns  a  farm  of  124  acres  in  Wayne,  which  he  purchased 
in  1868,  and  upon  which  he  has  resided  since  1872.  In  August,  1861,  Mr.  Elyea  en 
listed  m  Co.  A,  89th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  was  honorably  discharged  February  14,  1863. 
January  4,  1864,  he  re-enlisted  in  Co.  M,  50th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  He  participated  in  Burnside's  Campaign,  in  North  Carolina,  and  was 
with  Grant  through  the  Wilderness,  the  Siege  of  Peliersburg,  etc.  He  is  a  Democrat 
in  politics,  has  been  assessor,  and  was  elected  justice  but  declined  to  serve,  but 
served  as  commissioner  of  highways.  He  was  a  member  of  Jersey  Lodge,  No.  668, 
F.  &  A.  M. 

Elyea,  William  H.,  was  born  in  Orange  county,  N.  Y.,  August  3,  1828,  and  is  the 
oldest  of  four  children  born  to  Peter  and  Mary  (Campbell)  Elyea,  both  natives  of 
Sussex  county,  N.  J.,  who  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1834,  being  pioneers  of  Brad- 
ford. He  died  in  1855  and  his  wife  died  in  1876.  The  grandfather,  Henry  Elyea, 
lived  and  died  in  West  Jersey.  The  family  are  of  Huguenot  origin,  but  were  several 
generations  in  New  Jersey.  William  H.  engaged  in  farming  and  was  in  a  saw  mill, 
and  was  also  engaged  in  teaching  school.  In  1862  he  married  Catherine,  daughter 
of  William  and  Hannah  (Sanford)  Fuller  of  Bradford,  by  whom  he  had  two  children: 
Frank,  who  is  a  farmer  at  home,  and  married  Mary  Stinson ;  and  Cora,  wife  of  Glen 
Earl,  a  farmer  of  Orange,  and  they  have  one  daughter,  Carrie.  Mrs.  Elyea  died  in 
1888.  Mr.  Elyea  located  on  the  farm  he  now  owns  in  Bradford  in  1856.  In  1890  he 
retired  and  his  son  now  runs  the  farm.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  been 
assessor  three  terms,  also  justice  of  the  peace.  He  is  a  member  of  Jersey  Lodge 
No.  668,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Havens,  James,  was  born  in  South  Bradford,  March  7,  1860  son  of  Lurenzo  and 
Annie  E.  (Hallock)  Havens.     Lurenzo   Havens  came  to  the  town  of  Bradford  with 


•214  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

his  father,  John  F.,  about  1843.  He  was  one  of  seven  children:  Lurenzo,  James, 
Ann  Eliza,  Dewitt,  Alonzo,  George,  and  Lamenta.  John  F.  was  a  stone  mason  by 
trade  and  was  also  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  justice  of  the  peace  fifteen  years 
in  Bradford.  Lurenzo  Havens  had  two  children:  James  and  Mina  E.  '  He  followed 
farming  until  he  came  to  Painted  Post  in  1867,  whejn  he  engaged  in  butchering. 
James  Havens  married  Mary  J.  Wheeler,  now  deceased.  His  second  wife  is  Edith 
Gertrude  Stickler.     Mr.  Havens  is  a  machinist  by  trade. 

Saltsman,  G.  E.,  was  born  in  Ridgeway,  Elk  county.  Pa.,  June  23,  1862.  His 
father,  Reuben,  was  engaged  in  the  lumber  business.  He  married  Prudence  Brown. 
The  family  trace  their  descent  from  German  ancestors  who  settled  in  the  Mohawk 
Valley  at  a  very  early  date.  G.  E.  Saltsman  was  educated  in  the  common  schools, 
and  in  1889  came  to  Kanona  and  engaged  in  the  hardware  business,  carrying  a  full 
line  of  stoves,  wagons,  agricultural  implements,  etc.  In  1885  he  married  Hattie  E., 
daughter  of  C.  W.  Mason,  by  whom  he  has  four  daughters:  Anna  P.,  Clara  E.,  Sue 
A.,  and  Abbie.  Mr.  Saltsman  is  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  town.  He  is  a  stew- 
ard of  the  M.  E.  church. 

Van  Delinder,  Martin  O. — William  Van  Delinder  was  born  in  Holland  in  1786,  and 
removed  with  his  parents  to  Saratoga  county,  N.  Y.,  at  the  age  of  eight  years,  where 
he  resided  until  about  1820,  when  he  removed  to  the  town  of  Howard,  Steuben 
county.  At  that  time  he  bought  100  acres  of  land  that  was  covered  with  valuable 
timber  for  two  dollars  per  acre.  He  was  considerable  of  a  speculator,  and  was  con- 
sidered one  of  the  wealthiest  men  of  the  town  at  his  death,  which  occurred  Decem- 
ber 16,  1868.  His  wife  was  Elizabeth  Cochran,  who  died  April  9,  1868.  They  were 
the  parents  of  two  children,  one  son  and  one  daughter,  Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Thompson  of 
Harwood,  and  Martin  O.  Martin  was  given  a  common  school  education,  and  worked 
on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  the  latter's  death,  and  for  two  years  succeeding  ■ 
conducted  it  for  himself.  He  was  interested  in  stock  buying  from  the  time  he  was 
eighteen  years  old,  and  in  1870  removed  to  Canisteo  where  he  became  deeply  inter- 
ested in  real  estate,  and  built  eighteen  or  twenty  houses  and  eight  stores,  during 
which  time  he  became  interested  in  mercantile  business,  and  drifted  from  a  grocery 
into  a  general  store  which  he  conducted  for  nine  years,  at  the  same  time  continuing 
in  speculation.  In  1892  he  became  interested  in  Hornellsville  property,  and  in  1893 
he  removed  to  that  city,  where  he  bought  the  beautiful  home  erected  by  Thomas 
Snell  about  1882.  He  still  continues  the  real  estate  business,  and  has  now  eleven 
houses  in  the  city.  He  is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  Lodge,  and  is  connected  with 
the  Park  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Hornellsville.  He  was  married  February  3, 
1864,  to  Catherine  M.  Cochran  of  Sullivan  county,  N.  Y.  They  have  one  child,  Mr.s. 
John  B.  Wilson  of  Hornellsville. 

Avery,  John  D.,  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  N,  Y.,  November  1,  1845,  reared  on  a 
farm,  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  At  nineteen  years  of  age  he  learned  the 
carpenter's  trade,  and  in  the  fall  of  1864  he  enlisted  in  Co.  A.  1st  N.  Y.  Dragoons, 
and  was  injured  while  going  into  battle  at  Winchester,  by  his  leg  being  caught  on  a 
snag.  He  also  participated  in  the  battle  of  Strausburg,  and  was  sent  home  on  a 
parole,  and  a  year  passed  before  he  recovered  from  the  effects  of  his  mjurv.  In 
1866-67  he  engaged  in  farming  in  the  town  of  Wayne,  after  which   he  returned   to 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  215 

Prattsbur,^,  and  for  three  years  worked  at  the  carpenter  trade  with  his  father.  He 
then  engaged  in  the  blacksmith  business,  which  he  followed  for  fifteen  years,  and  in 
connection  with  this  bu.siness  he  added  a  stock  of  hardware,  later  dropping  the 
l)lacksmithing,  and  since  1888  has  carried  a  general  merchandise  stock,  his  wife  con- 
ducting the  store,  while  his  attention  is  given  to  his  farm  of  147  acres.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican,  and  for  three  terms  serving  as  overseer  of  the  poor,  and  in  1888 
was  appointed  postmaster,  which  office  he  held  for  five  years.  In  1866  he  married 
Sarah  A.,  daughter  of  Major  L.  Fox  of  Wayne,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Mrs. 
Anna  Dell  Simons  of  Prattsburg,  and  Delos  Lee,  who  is  a  member  of  the  Chicago 
Board  of  Trade.  He  also  has  an  adopted  daughter.  May  Eldred.  John  Avery,  his 
grandfather,  was  born  in  Massachusetts  about  1800,  and  was  one  of  six  children.  He 
removed  to  Chenango  county  where  he  was  a  distiller  for  some  years,  and  in  1828 
moved  lo  Prattsburg  where  he  engaged  in  farming  a'nd  lumbering  the  remainder  of 
his  life,  also  owned  and  conducted  a  steam  saw  mill.  He  married  Ruby  Spencer,  by 
whom  he  had  eight  children:  Mary,  John,  Sarah,  Densmore,  Emily,  Samuel  C. 
Daniel,  and  Orson.  Samviel  Avery,  father  of  John  D.,  was  born  in  Chenango 
county  in  1824,  and  has  followed  the  carpenter  trade  all  his  life,  doing  a  great 
amount  of  contracting  and  building  in  his  town  and  adjoining  towns,  and  has  spent 
his  whole  life  in  the  town  of  Prattsburg.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  has 
served  in  nearly  all  the  town  offices  at  various  times.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Ingle- 
side  Grange  Lodge.  In  1841  he  married  Samantha,  daughter  of  Israel  Graves  of 
Prattsburg,  by  whom  he  had  five  children :  Mary  E. ,  deceased,  Delos  L. ,  Clark  D. , 
John,  and  Valvaria,  deceased.  All  three  sons  served  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion, 
and  he  was  drafted  but  discharged.     Mrs.  Avery  died  January  16,  1895. 

Honness,  James  E.,  a  native  of  Tompkins  county,  born  in  1822,  came  to  Caton,  in 
1853  with  his  brothers,  Benjamin  and  Joseph,  buying  171  acres  where  he  has  since 
resided.  Joseph  died  herein  1888,  and  Benjamin  in  1893.  Mr.  Honness  is  a  staunch 
Republican.  Benjamin  F.  Honness  was  in  his  early  days,  and  for  a  number  of  years 
after  moving  to  Caton,  engaged  in  teaching ;  his  success  and  prominence  as  such 
gave  him  a  standing  and  influence  to  that  extent  that  he  was  elected  to  the  office 
of  superintendent  of  schools  in  the  town  where  he  had  for  many  years  served  as 
teacher.  His  counsel  was  much  sought  after  on  all  questions  of  importance  where 
educational  matters  were  in  question,  and  freely  given  when  desired.  His  death 
was  a  great  loss  to  the  community  where  he  lived. 

Ross,  Lyman  A.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Canisteo  January  28,  1852,  the  second 
son  of  James  Ross,  a  farmer,  who  died  in  1863.  He  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  and  followed  farming  until  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  left  home  at  sev- 
enteen years  of  age  and  has  ever  since  shifted  for  himself.  The  fall  of  1873  he  went 
as  an  apprentice  at  the  blacksmith  trade  in  partnership  with  Alonzo  Solnave  at  No. 
1  Dennis  avenue.  He  had  a  partner  only  one  year,  and  has  since  been  alone  in  the 
business,  conducting  a  wagon  building  and  repairing  shop  and  horseshoeing.  He 
was  married  to  Ella  V.  Dutcher  of  Hornellsville,  November  24,  1877.  They  have 
two  children,  Maude  M.  and  Maebell. 

Brown,  Anthony  W.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Almond,  Allegany  county,  July  23 
1867,  and  came  to  Hornellsville  in  1875.     He  was  educated   at  Alfred   University, 


216  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Chamberlain  Institute  and  Riverside  Seminary.  After  leaving  school  he  was  em- 
ployed for  two  years  with  Brown  Bros.  Lumber  Co.,  at  Rhinelander,  Wis.  Return- 
ing in  1890  he  became  bookkeeper  for  Sheldon  Bros.,  with  whom  he  remained  until 
1891,  when  he  left  them  to  engage  in  the  real  estate  business,  in  which  business  he  is 
still  engaged. 

Mather,  B.  S.,  was  born  in  Monroe  county,  N.  Y.,  January  11,  1826,  son  of  Buckley 
and  Experience  (Spencer)  Mather,  natives  of  Massachusetts  and  New  York,  respect- 
ively, who  came  to  Tuscarora  in  1836,  where  they  died.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation, and  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  but  became  a 
Republican  when  that  party  was  organized.  B.  S.  Mather  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  is  now  engaged  in  farming  and  owns  102  acres 
of  land.  October  20,  1850,  he  married  Louisa  Blend,  of  Tuscarora,  by  whom  he  had 
six  children :  Vernum,  Ida,  Charles,  Carrie,  Esther,  and  Kate. 

Williams,  John  J.,  was  born  in  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  October  23,  1841.  His  grand- 
father, John  Williams,  was  born  in  Pownal,  Vt.,  March  19,  1781,  and  took  up  the 
farm  of  175  acres  a  portion  of  which  is  now  occupied  by  our  subject,  about  1821. 
March  24,  1805,  he  married  Lucy  Card,  who  was  born  in  Pownal,  Vt.,  November  17, 
1788,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children:  Jotham  T.  born  in  Smithfield,  N.  Y.,  June  6, 
1806,  and  died  in  Dansville,  March  1,  1866;  Semantha,  born  in  Nelson,  N.  \.,  May 
13,  1809;  Sophina,  born  in  Lenox,  N.  Y.,  July  24,  1812;  Laura,  born  in  Lenox,  Au- 
gust 22,  1814;  Huldah  C,  born  in  Nelson,  August  8,  1816;  Sally,  born  in  Lenox. 
October  26.  1818;  Joseph  C,  born  in  Lenox,  January  14,  1821:  Hannah,  born  in 
Dansville,  April  17,  1823;  John  F.,  born  in  Dansville,  October  12,  1825;  and  James, 
born  in  Dansville,  January  30,  1827.  Mr.  Williams  died  in  Dansville,  May  7,  1852. 
November  3,  1829,  Jotham  T.  Williams,  father  of  John  J.,  mkrried  Lovenia  Jones, 
who  was  born  May  6,  1810,  and  died  July  3,  1858,  by  whom  he  had  six  children: 
Charles,  born  in  Burns,  N.  Y.,  February  3,  1830,  and  died  February  4, 1830;  Philander 
H.,  born  in  Dansville,  March  1,  1832;  Shepard  J.,  born  in  Dansville,  March  23,  1835; 
John  J.,  as  above;  Jotham  H.,  born  in  Dansville,  March  20,  1844;  and  Lucy  Elvira, 
born  in  Dansville,  Febi-uary  4,  1847,  and  married  H.  C.  Royer,  January  23,  1867, 
and  resides  in  California;  they  have  two  childi'en,  Herbert  and  Effie.  Mr.  Williams 
was  a  farmer,  school  teacher,  and  constable.  October  19,  1858,  he  married  for  his 
second  wife,  Matilda  Robertson,  who  died  in  1880,  aged  eighty-two  years.  John  J. 
attended  the  common  schools,  and  Dansville  vSeminary  three  terms,  and  has  always 
followed  farming.  August  9,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  130th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  afterwards  re- 
organized and  called  the  1st  N.  Y.  Dragoons,  and  was  discharged  Juh^  13,  1865. 
He  took  part  in  the  battle,  Deserted  House,  and  was  wounded  in  action  at  the  siege 
of  Suffolk,  Va.,  April  30,  1863,  and  in  the  battle  of  Trevillian  Station,  Va.,  June  11, 
1864.  On  February  3,  1865,  he  was  transferred  to  the  19th  Regt.  Veteran  Reserve 
Corps,  at  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  and  discharged  July  13,  1865.  He  is  a  member  of  Seth  N. 
Hedges  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Dansville.  At  Savona,  N.  Y.,  September  19,  1867,  he 
married  Martha  A.  Tyler,  who  was  born  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  December  24,  1842,  by 
whom  he  had  five  children :  Lottie  M.,  born  in  Dansville,  September  20,  1869,  and 
died  January  20,  1870;  Vinnie,  born  November  24,  1870,  and  died  February  26,  1873; 
Minnie  and  Menzc,  twins,  born  July  8,  1873,  at  Savona,  and  Minnie  died  at  Dans- 
ville October  29,  1873;  and  John  Tyler,  born  May  24,  1875. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  217 

Fritz,  Elias,  was  born  at  Sugar  Loaf,  Columbia  county,  Pa.,  November  9,  1821. 
His  grandfather,  Philip  Fritz,  was  born  on  the  River  Rhine,  Germany,  and  emigrated 
to  this  country  and  settled  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  was  a  mail  carrier  between 
Philadelphia  and  Baltimore,  traveling  on  horseback.  He  subsequently  settled  at 
Sugar  Loaf  township,  Columbia  county.  Pa.,  where  he  taught  school.     He  was  a  fine 

scholar  in  both  English  and  German.     He  married Greiner,  by  whom  he  had 

eight  children:  Charles,  Philip,  Henry,  John,  George,  Samuel,  Betsey  Kyle  and 
Maria  York.  George  Fritz,  father  of  Elias,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Septem- 
ber 4,  1793,  and  in  the  spring  of  1825  he  settled  in  Dansville,  at  Doty's  Corners, 
where  he  purchased  100  acres  of  land,  and  subsequently  was  possessed  of  350  acres. 
He  married  Catherine  Kile,  who  was  born  February  2,  1792,  and  died  IMay  16,  1887, 
by  whom  he  had  ten  children:  Wesley,  born  March  6,  1819,  and  died  April  1,  1889; 
Maria  Baily,  born  March  8,  1820;  Elias,  as  above;  Hiram,  born  July  7,  1823,  and 
resides  in  California;  G.  W.,  born  May  26,  1825;  Matilda  Munday,  born  in  Dansville, 
Aprils,  1827;  Betsey  Ann  Wood,  born  April  9,  1829,  and  died  December  15,  1875; 
Lewis,  born  September  8,  1831 ;  Phidelia  McLain,  born  June  25,  1835,  and  died  July 
21,  1857;  and  Lucius  P.,  born  August  13,  1837.  and  died  January  31,  1866,  a  soldier 
in  the  civil  war.  ]\Ir.  Fritz  died  March  3,  1868.  Elias  Fritz  received  his  education 
in  the  common  schools,  and  has  always  followed  farming.  He  is  a  member  of  Oak 
Hill  Grange,  one  of  the  charter  members  and  first  overseer.  At  Conesus,  N.  Y.,  he 
married  Lucretia  S.  Flint,  who  was  born  December  20,  1828,  by  whom  he  had  five 
children;  Southwick  E. ,  born  June  21,  1849;  Leora  G.,  born  January  26,  1852,  and 
died  May  8,  1863;  Grata  L.  Dick,  born  November  2.  1857;  Cassius  J.,  born  April  9, 
1868;  and  Adelbert,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Perr3%  William,  was  born  m  Prattsburg,  July,  1842.  vSolomon  Perry,  his  father, 
was  a  native  of  Delaware,  and  came  to  Prattsburg  in  1825  where  he  took  up  wild  land 
and  cleared  him  a  farm.  He  married  Eva  Huff,  bj'  whom  he  had  ten  children:  Mrs. 
Mary  A.  Johnson  of  Pi-attsburg,  Mrs.  Wigdon  of  Prattsburg,  deceased,  Mrs.  Cather- 
ine Pickett,  deceased,  Eli,  of  California,  Mrs.  Juliette  Johnson,  deceased,  Solomon, 
deceased,  Mrs.  Louisa  Washington,  of  Bath,  William  P.,  John  of  Butte,  Mont.,  and 
Mrs.  Emily  Clark,  deceased.  He  died  in  1863,  aged  sixty-six  years,  and  his  wife  in 
1887.  William  Perry  remained  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-one  j^ears  of  age, 
when  he  started  for  himself  as  a  farmer,  which  vocation  he  has  followed  ever  since, 
and  in  1886  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of  eighty- six  acres  where  he  has  since 
resided.  He  was  the  first  of  thirteen  colored  men  to  offer  his  services  to  the  Union 
army  from  the  town  of  Prattsburg,  N.  Y.,  and  as  this  State  did  not  acknowledge  a 
colored  man  at  that  time,  he  was  obliged  to  go  to  Rhode  Island  to  enlist,  where  in 
1863  he  enlisted  in  Co.  K,  14th  R.  I.  Heavy  Artillery,  and  served  two  years,  being 
sent  to  the  Gulf  department  below  New  Orleans,  where  their  fighting  was  chiefly 
with  guerrillas,  and  of  the  thirteen  colored  soldiers  from  this  town  he  is  the  only 
surviving  member.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Gregory  G.  A.  R.  Post,  No.  649  of  Pratts- 
burg. His  life  as  a  soldier  was  a  highly  honored  one,  and  during  his  service  he  was 
promoted  from  the  first  office  to  that  of  assistant  sergeant,  often  filling  the  office  of 
first  sergeant,  the  highest  office  obtainable  by  colored  men  at  that  time,  and  which 
office  he  was  offered  but  declined  to  accept.  In  1865  he  married  Catherine  Johnson, 
a  native  of  Allegany  county  and  a  daughter  of  John  and  Samantha  (Huft)  Johnson, 


218  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Mrs.  Maud  Wigdon  of  Prattsburg,  Charles,  deceased, 
Leonard,  and  Mrs  Emily  Walker  of  Naples.  Leonard  resides  at  home  and  assists 
his  father  on  the  farm. 

Hollands,  George,  was  born  in  Sussex  county,  England,  on  January  9,  1841.  His 
parents,  William  and  Charlotte  Hollands,  with  a  family  of  six  children,  came  to  this 
country  in  the  year  1850.  Soon  after  their  arrival  they  found  their  way  to  Mansfield, 
Tioga  county,  Pa.,  where  they  have  since  resided.  Four  more  children  were  born 
to  them  after  their  arrival  to  this  country.  They  are  still  living  and  enjoying  reason- 
ably good  health  and  in  their  eighty-fourth  and  eighty-first  years  of  age  respectively. 

George  Hollands,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  at  the  age  of  eleven  years  found  a 
home  with  a  respectable  farmer,  with  whom  he  was  to  live  until  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  with  the  understanding  that  he  was  to  receive  a  good  common  school  education 
and  when  he  became  of  age  he  was  to  have  a  good  suit  of  clothes  and  §100  m  money. 
Before  arriving  at  the  age  of  maturity,  however,  the  war  broke  out,  and  in  Septem- 
ber, 1861,  he  left  the  farm  and  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  101st  Pa.  Vols.,  and  served  in  the 
army  for  the  period  of  three  years  jind  ten  months,  during  which  time  he  was  en- 
gaged in  many  important  battles.  He  was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks  on 
May  31,  1863,  and  was  taken  prisoner  at  the  surrender  of  Plymouth   N.   C.  April  '20, 

1864.  He  was  an  inmate  of  Andersonville  and  Florence  prisons  until  the  following 
December,  and  has  never  recovered  from  the  exposure  and  suffering  of  that  terrible 
summer. 

He  was  shipwrecked  in  the  Potomac  River  while  on  his  way  to  join  his  regiment 
in  April,  1865,  and  was  only  saved  from  a  watery  grave  by  clinging  to  the  mast  of 
the  ship  all  night  where  he  was  picked  up  in  an  exhausted  condition  by  a  United 
States  gunboat,  the  following  morning.     He  was  discharged  from  the  service  in  July, 

1865,  having  risen  from  a  private  to  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant.  Soon  after  the  close 
of  the  war  he  embarked  in  the  grocery  business  at  Hornellsville,  under  the  firm  name 
of  Hollands  &  Fletcher,occupying  what  was  then  known  as  the  old  "  Mamouth  Store," 
opposite  the  Park.  On  January  2,  1866,  he  married  Lydia  Bailey  of  Mansfield,  Pa. 
Five  children  were  to  them,  viz.,  Minnie  now  the  wife  of  Charles  A.  Smith  of 
Middletown,  N.  Y. ;  EvaandRobert,  who  died  of  diphtheria  in  October,  1876;  George 
Hollands,  jr. ,  who  was  born  in  November,  1875,  and  who  is  now  at  the  age  of  twenty 
years,  carrying  on  an  extensive  grocery  business  in  the  village  of  Bath,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Geo.  Hollands,  jr.,  &  Co.  ;  and  Burr  R.  Hollands,  who  was  born  in  June, 
1878,  and  is  now  being  educated  as  a  pharmacist.  Mr.  Hollands  is  an  enterprising  ■ 
citizen,  a  man  of  sober  and  industrious  habits  and  a  prominent  member  of  the  First 
M.  E.  Church  of  Hornellsville.  He  has  always  been  aprominent  and  active  member 
of  the  Republican  party  and  has  had  the  honor  of  representing  his  ward  as  village 
trustee  for  six  years  prior  to  the  organization  of  the  city.  In  1879  he  was  elected  to 
the  important  office  of  county  superintendent  of  the  poor,  serving  as  such  for  three 
years.  In  1886  he  very  ably  represented  the  town  of  Hornellsville  on  the  Board  of 
Supervisors.  He  was  commander  of  Doty  Post  No.  266,  G.  A.  R.,  for  two  years, 
1889  and  '90.  He  was  one  of  the  incorporators  of  the  Hornellsville  Sanitarium  Co. 
and  for  several  years  a  director  and  treasurer  of  said  company.  In  the  fall  of  1891 
he  was  elected  sheriff  of  Steuben  county,  which  office  he  very  satisfactorily  filled  for 
the  term  of   three  years.     A  few  months    after   his   retirement   from    the    office  of 


FAMILY  SKETCEIES.  219 

sheriff  he,  iu  company  with  Mr.  L.  O.  Thompson,  purchased  the  interest  of  J.  W. 
Bachman  of  Horuellsville,  N.  Y.,  in  the  drug  business,  and  at  the  present  are  carry- 
ing on  a  very  prosperous  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Thompson  &  Hollands. 

Clark,  A.  B.,  was  born  in  Allegany,  N.  Y.,  in  1844,  son  of  Henry  and  Susan  (Coon) 
Clark,  who  lived  and  died  in  Allegany  county.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  Mr.  Clark 
moved  to  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  where,  in  1867,  he  married  Loretta  Swinley.  He  re- 
sided there  till  1878,  then  purchased  and  located  on  his  present  farm  of  110  acres,  in 
the  town  of  Caton,     Their  children  are  Archie  E.,  Gertrude  A.,  and  J.  Leland. 

Bromley,  Frank,  was  born  in  Bradford  county,  Pa.,  in  1833.  His  father,  Jonathan 
Bromley,  was  born  in  New  London  county.  Conn.,  in  1806,  and  in  1826  married  Polly 
C.  Ray,  of  New  London  county,  Conn.,  by  whom  he  had  six  children,  two  of  whom 
died  in  infancy;  Frank,  Elizabeth,  Charlotte,  and  Mira  reached  maturity.  Mr. 
Bromley  moved  to  Bradford  countv.  Pa.,  with  his  wife  about  1827,  thence  to  Tioga, 
N.  Y.,  some  ten  years  later,  and  in  1853  he  came  to  Steuben  county,  with  his  wife 
and  four  children,  and  settled  m  the  town  of  Addison  (since  Rathbone)  where  he  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  was  very  successful.  He  was  much  interested  in  educational 
and  political  affairs,  and  was  one  of  the  first  assessors  of  the  town  of  Rathbone,  and 
was  several  times  re-elected;  this,  with  frequent  terms  as  school  trustee  and  commis- 
sioner of  excise,  comprised  his  official  life.  He  met  his  death  by  accident  when 
eighty-five  years  of  age,  while  still  remarkably  vigorous.  His  second  wife  and  two 
children,  Frank  and  Elizabeth,  survive  him.  Frank  Bromley  was  educated  at  Owego, 
N.  Y.,  after  which  he  engaged  in  teaching,  and  was  also  a  carpenter  and  a 
farmer.  In  1853  he  came  to  Steuben  county  and  engaged  in  farming.  In 
1861  he  married  Jane  A.  McDowell,  by  whom  he  has  three  sons:  Charley  F.,  A. 
R.,  and  Melvin  J.  In  1863  Mr.  Bromley  enlisted  in  the  2d  Regt.  N.  Y.  Veteran  Cav- 
alry, was  discharged  in  November,  1865,  and  returned  to  farming  which  ill-health 
compelled  him  to  abandon  last  year  (1894).  Elizabeth  Bromley  married  William  M. 
Wood,  and  they  had  several  children,  of  whom  but  two  are  living.  Mr.  Wood  served 
during  the  entire  war  and  took  part  in  the  more  severe  battles.  He  met  his  death 
by  accident  after  his  return.  Elizabeth  remarried  and  is  again  a  widow  and  resides 
with  her  sons  in  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y.  Charlotte  died  m  Missouri  about  1888, 
and  two  sons  survive  her.  Mira  married  Rev.  A.  G.  Cole,  and  they  had  two  children, 
both  of  whom  survive  her. 

Bull,  George  R.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bath,  in  1840.  Epharas  Bull,  his  grand- 
father, was  from  the  Mohawk  Valley,  born  in  1780,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  who 
came  to  Steuben  county  about  1812,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Prattsburg,  where  he 
cleared  a  portion  of  a  farm,  and  later  removed  to  the  town  of  Bath,  where  he  owned, 
at  different  times,  several  farms,  which  he  cleared  himself  During  his  earlier  days 
he  was  obliged  to  go  manj^  miles  by  a  path  through  the  wood  to  the  mill,  carrying 
his  corn  on  his  back.  He  died  in  1860.  Harvey,  George's  father,  was  born  in  the 
town  of  Bath,  in  1816,  and  was  a  farmer  and  carpenter  by  trade.  His  wife  was  Lu- 
cinda  Towle,  and  their  children  were  George  R.,  Henry  G.,  who  died  in  an  army 
hospital  during  the  Rebellion,  Robert  C,  and  Mary  F.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bull  were 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows.  He 
died  February,  1894,  and  his  wife  survives  him.     George  R.  began  life  for  himself  as 


220  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

a  farmer  when  twenty-two  years  of  age,  in  the  town  of  Bath,  and  in  1871  he  removed 
to  the  town  of  Wheeler,  where  he  operated  a  farm  for  a  few  5'ears,  and  in  1873  pur- 
chased his  present  farm,  where  he  has  since  paid  considerable  attention  to  the  breed- 
ing of  fine  grade  Short-horn  cattle,  and  in  1894  he  introduced  to  his  ilock  the  Herford 
breed.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  having  been  commissioner  of  highways  and  has 
also  held  other  minor  offices.  He  was  one  of  the  original  organizers  of  the  Grange 
Lodge  and  Patrons  of  Husbandry  at  Bath,  in  which  he  held  official  positions,  and 
later  was  instrumental  in  the  organization  of  P.  of  H.  Lodge,  of  which  he  was  mas- 
ter. In  1861  he  married  Loui.sa,  daughter  of  Charles  Wagoner  of  Bath,  and  they 
have  three  children:  Ida  E.,  wife  of  George  Morgan,  of  Urbana,  George  H.,  and 
Charles  W. 

Young,  Christopher,  was  born  in  Corning,  N.  Y.,  July  17,  1836,  son  of  William 
Young,  a  tailor  in  that  place.  Christopher  was  educated  at  the  district  school  in 
Ulster,  Bradford  county.  Pa.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  learned  the  blacksmith  and 
carriage  trade,  serving  an  apprenticeship  of  three  years.  He  then  started  in  busi- 
ness in  Hammondsport,  N.  Y.,  but  in  1863  he  enlisted  in  the  22d  N.  Y.  Cavalry  and 
served  to  the  end  of  the  war,  participating  in  nineteen  engagements,  some  of  which 
were  the  battles  of  the  Wilderness,  White  Oak  Swamp,  the  Wilson  raid,  Winchester, 
Cedar  Creek,  and  others.  In  1859  he  married  Mahetabel  Sweezey,  born  in  Rhode 
Island  in  1841.  Of  this  union  three  children  were  born,  two  daughters  and  one  son  ; 
Ida  M.  in  1857 ;  Roxie  in  1870 ;  and  Lenord  A. ,  1882.  In  1870  they  came  to  Canisteo, 
where  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  carriage  and  blacksmith  business  up  to  the  present 
time.  He  is  a  member  of  Morning  Star  Lodge,  No.  65,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  the  A.  O.  U. 
W.,  Lodge  No.  29. 

Mathewson,  Lemuel,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Avoca,  February  16,  1838  son  of 
Joseph  Mathewson,  who  was  born  in  Providence,  R.  L,  and  came  to  the  town  of 
Avoca  in  1816,  where  he  began  farming,  which  occupation  he  followed  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1867.  He  married  Zilpha,  daughter  of  John  B.  Calkins,  of  Half 
Moon,  Saratoga  county,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  eight  children:  Barney, 
Lemuel,  Lucinda,  Eunice,  Mary,  Joseph,  Zilpha,  and  Calkins,  six  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing. Lemuel  owns  a  farm  of  520  acres,  which  he  manages  in  connection  with  the 
post-office,  of  which  he  was  postmaster  four  years  under  Cleveland's  first  administra- 
tion, and  also  since  1893.  He  married  Matilda,  daughter  of  S.  H.  Palmer,  a  farmer 
of  Avoca,  and  they  have  two  children :  Deyo  P. ,  who  is  a  medical  graduate  of  the 
University  of  New  York,  and  Eveline.  Mr.  Mathewson  was  highway  commissioner 
for  eight  years,  supervisor  for  three  terms,  president  of  the  County  Agricultural 
Society  two  years,  1883  and  '84,  vice-president  three  years.  1877,  '80  and  'si,  and 
president  of  the  village  of  Avoca  in  1884. 

Swon,  Oren  L. ,  was  born  in  1845,  son  of  John  B.  Swon,  who  was  born  in  Chenango 
county,  and  married  Louise  Fenton,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children,  all  of  whom  are 
members  of  the  Baptist  church.  Mrs.  Swon's  mother  was  the  first  white  baby  born 
at  Tuscarora.  Mr.  Swon  died  at  Addison  in  1888,  and  she  resides  at  Tuscarora, 
being  sixty-seven  years  of  age.  Oren  L.'s  grandfather,  Allen  Swon,  one  of  the 
pioneer  settlers  of  the  county,  came  from  England,  and  took  part  m  the  Revo- 
lutionary   war,    being   one    of    the    officers.       This   family    is    noted  for    longevity 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  221 

Mr.  Swon  married  Rebecca  Gunn  in  18T3.     He  has  always  been  engaged  in  farming, 
either  in  Tuscarora  or  Addison,  and  also  makes  a  business  of  hay  pressing. 

Carr,  George  A.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Deerfield,  Tioga  county,  Pa.,  May  10, 
1837,  and  is  a  son  of  Ira  and  Ann  (Yarnell)  Carr,  natives  of  Chenango  county,  N.  ¥., 
and  Philadelphia,  Pa.  The  grandfather  came  from  Ireland  to  Chatham,  Pa.,  and 
they  worked  at  the  blacksmith's  trade.  Ira  Carr  was  a  farmer  of  West  Union, 
but  spent  his  last  days  in  Troupsburg,  dying  November  9,  1889.  His  wife  died  in 
1883.  George  A.  settled  on  the  farm  he  now  owns  in  1858,  when  he  cut  the  first  tim- 
ber that  was  cut  on  the  place.  He  owns  ninety-five  acres  and  carries  on  general 
farming,  making  a  specialty  of  dairying.  In  1865  he  married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of 
D.  C.  and  Susan  White,  of  Harrison,  Potter  county.  Pa.,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons: 
Frank,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years;  and  Clinton,  born  in  1874.  who  now  works 
the  farm.  In  September,  1861,  Mr.  Carr  enhsted  in  Co.  H,  86th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and 
was  in  the  battles  of  Second  Bull  Run,  Fredericksburg,  and  Gettysburg.  He  re- 
ceived an  honorable  discharge  October  13,  1864.  Mr.  Carr  is  a  charter  member  of 
Post  Babcock,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Westfield,  Pa. 

Rewalt,  William,  was  born  in  Easton,  Pa.,  July  7,  1830.  The  family  ancestry  of 
Mr.  Rewalt  dates  back  three  generations  to  Germany.  His  great-grandfather  on  the 
paternal  side  and  the  grandfather  on  the  mother's  side  were  the  original  emigrants  to 
this  country,  his  great-grandfather  settling  near  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  his  grandfather  at 
Easton,  Pa.  William  Rewalt,  the  father  of  Mr.  Rewalt,  was  a  merchant  tailor,  and 
was  born  in  1800,  and  died  in  1841.  Mr.  R.ewalt's  mother  died  in  1838.  William 
was  given  a  good  education,  attending  Vandeveer's  preparatory  school  at  Easton. 
His  first  occupation  was  as  an  employee  of  a  confectionery  manufactory  and  store.  In 
1855  he  moved  to  Hornellsville  and  established  a  small  store  and  manufactory  next 
the  old  Hornellsville  House,  where  the  Page  now  stands.  In  less  than  two  years  he 
removed  next  door,  where  he  was  engaged  for  about  four  years.  In  1860  he  located 
in  the  Ward  building  now  occupied  by  Howard's  Shoe  Store.  In  1868  he  made  his 
last  change,  buying  the  lot  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Seneca  streets,  where  the  old 
American  Hotel  stood.  On  this  lot  he  built  a  three  story  brick  block  with  thirty 
feet  on  Main  street  and  100  on  Seneca.  In  1887,  in  company  with  Esek  Page,  he 
built  a  block  facing  Seneca  street  with  twenty-five  feet  front  and  eighty-five  deep. 
In  the  corner  store  Mr.  Rewalt  put  in  a  general  stock  of  toys,  notions,  and  fancy 
goods,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  this  line.  While  Mr.  Rewalt  has  always  been 
a  warm  supporter  of  the  Democratic  party,  he  has  never  held  political  office  or  been 
called  a  politician.  He  is  the  oldest  active  merchant  of  this  city.  He  has  devoted 
his  whole  life  to  his  business  and  family.  He  was  married  in  1851,  at  Columbus, 
Ohio,  to  Miss  Lydia  Van  Brunt,  a  native  of  Fremont,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.  They 
have  had  three  children;  William  Rewalt,  jr.,  who  is  with  his  father  in  the  store ; 
John  Rewalt  died  in  1886,  at  twenty-six  years  of  age,  leaving  a  widow  and  one  child, 
Jennie;  and  Anna  Rewalt,  who  lives  at  home  with  her  parents. 

Bricks,  Stephen,  was  born  in  Prussia,  December  27,  1830,  son  of  Anthony  Bricks, 
who  was  born  in  Prussia  in  1804,  and  in  1829  married  Mary  Backes,  who  was  born  in 
1810,  by  whom  he  had  these  children;  Stephen,  born  December  27,  183(>;  Margaret, 
born  in  1835,  and  died  in  1878;  John,  born   in  1838,  and  died  in  1871;  Peter,  born 


222  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

in  1842;  and  Elizabeth,  born  in  1846,  and  died  in  1876.  Mr.  and  [Mrs.  Anthony 
Bricks  emigrated  to  America  in  1846,  and  purchased  a  farm  in  Wayland,  where  he 
died  in  1872.  Stephen  Bricks  attended  the  schools  in  Germany  for  seven  years,  and 
at  fourteen  years  of  age  emigrated  to  America  with  his  parents,  where  he  attended 
the  public  schools  of  Perkinsville  for  several  years.  He  worked  on  a  farm  until  1858 
when  he  moved  to  Perkinsville  and  built  a  store  where  he  kept  groceries  for  several 
years,  and  finally  erected  a  commodious  store  where  he  h&s  kept  dry  goods  and  a  gen- 
eral store  for  thirty-seven  years.  He  has  been  postmaster  at  Perkinsville  for  fifteen 
years.  January  10,  1854,  he  married  Catherine  Malter,  who  was  born  in  Germany  in 
18355,  and  came  with  her  parents  to  Wayland  when  one  year  of  age.  Her  father  was 
one  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  locality.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stephen  Bricks  have  seven 
children:  Nicholas,  born  in  1854;  Mary,  born  in  1856;  Jacob,  born  in  1858;  Peter  J., 
born  in  1864;  Frank,  born  in  1866;  Katie,  born  in  1870;  and  Maggie,  born  in  1874. 

Pratt  Orson  W. ,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bath,  July  5,  1859,  son  of  Sylvester  H. 
Pratt,  also  a  native  of  Bath,"  born  August  I'S,  1830,  who  was  a  carpenter  by  trade, 
and  lived  in  his  native  town  nearly  all  his  life.  He  died  at  Kittle ville,  Broome 
county,  N.Y.  Orson  W.'s  grandfather  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  one  of  the 
earliest  settlers  of  Bath,  taking  up  land  in  its  normal  condition  and  following  farm- 
ing all  of  his  life.  Orson  was  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  four  children,  was  educated 
in  the  Haverling  Academy  at  Bath,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  he  became  a  clerk 
in  a  grocery  store,  which  position  he  held  for  three  years.  In  1879  he  went  to 
Detroit,  Mich.,  where  he  took  up  custom  tailoring  and  cutting,  remaining  there  until 
March  29,  1884,  on  which  date  he  located  in  Hornellsville  and  opened  a  shop  and  store 
on  Broad  street,  where  he  conducted  a  very  successful  business  until  April  1,  1887. 
He  then  removed  to  33  Broad  street,  where  he  occupied  a  beautiful  store  of  twenty 
feet  front  and  eighty  feet  in  depth.  He  carries  the  finest  line  of  clothes  in  the  town, 
and  has  acquired  a  reputation  as  a  cutter  excelled  by  none  in  the  city.  Mr.  Pratt 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  for  six  years  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Hornellsville  Lodge  No.  331,  Steuben  Chapter  No.  101,  De  Molay  Commandery  No. 
21,  and  is  at  present  secretary  of  the  chapter.  August  26,  1885,  he  married  Inez, 
daughter  of  Erastus  C.  Grover  of  this  city,  and  they  have  two  children:  Grover, 
born  August  98,  1886;  and  Dora  L.,  born  September  5,  1890.  Mr.  Pratt  and  family 
are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Fisher,  George  W.,  was  born  in  Alfred,  Allegany  county,  May  22,  1853,  son  of 
Cornelius  Fisher,  who  married  Catherine  T.  Searles,  of  Dover,  N.  J-.,  and  was  a 
farmer  and  shoemaker  by  occupation.  He  settled  in  Fremont,  and  afterward  located 
in  the  town  of  Alfred,  Allegany  county,  then  returned  to  Fremont.  Later  he  went 
to  Virginia,  but  returned  in  1882  to  the  place  where  George  W.  now  lives,  which  con- 
sists of  seventy  acres  of  land  mostly  cleared.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  chil- 
dren: Sarah  A.,  Nancy  D.,  Carrie  S.,  Mary  S.,  Cecelia  L.,  James  M.,  Martha  M., 
Fidelia  E.,  and  George  W.  The  last  named  is  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  has 
lived  on  the  present  farm  for  thirteen  years.  He  was  educated  in  the  town  of  Fre- 
mont. He  married  Flora,  daughter  of  A.  L.  Smith  of  Hornellsville,  and  they  have 
six  children:  Clinton  D.,  Altia,  Rosey  E.,  Arthur  A.,  Archie  C,  Mildred  B.,  all  of 
the  sons  being  farmers.     Mr.  Fisher  has  held  the  office  of  school  trustee. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  223 

Roloson,  Alfred,  was  born  in  Tompkins  couniy,  N.  Y.,  March  12,  1880.  He  was 
the  son  of  Peter  and  Judith  Kirby  Roloson,  the  father,  being  a  native  of  New 
Jersey,  and  the  mother  of  Maissachusetts.  They  came  to  Hornby,  Steuben  county, 
in  the  spring  of  1832,  and  were  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  the  town.  The  father 
was  a  prosperous  farmer,  living  upon  the  same  farm  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
February  9,  1888,  aged  eighty-three  years.  Alfred  Roloson  was  the  fourth  child  of 
a  family  of  fifteen  children,  there  being  eight  sons  and  seven  daughters,  all  of  whom 
lived  to  manhood  and  womanhood,  and  were  all  married.  The  mother,  aged  eighty- 
seven  years,  and  all  of  the  children  except  two  are  living  at  the  time  of  this  writing. 
Mr  Roloson  was  married  September  20,  1855,  to  Mary  R.  Knowlton,  who  died 
August  20,  1888,  leaving  three  sons:  Melvin  P.,  Clayton  C,  and  Lyman  K.  He 
afterwards  married  Mrs.  Melissa  Roloson  nee  Hays.  Since  1856  he  has  resided  on 
his  present  farm  of  sixty-three  acres,  and  has  also  an  adjoining  farm  of  sixty  acres. 
He  has  been  highway  commissioner  two  terms  and  supervisor  four  terms. 

Smith,  C.  J.,  was  born  in  Port  Allegany,  McKean  county,  Pa.,  June  6,  1840,  and  is 
the  third  of  five  children  born  to  James  and  Mary  (Semans)  Smith,  natives  of  Elk- 
land,  Pa.,  and  Chatham,  Pa.,  respectively.  They  were  married  in  1834  and  came  to 
McKean  county,  where  he  died  in  1846,  and  his  wife  in  1883.  He  was  a  carpenter 
and  joiner  by  trade.  The  grandfather,  Alton  S.,  was  a  miller  of  Elkland,  Pa.,  but 
died  in  McKean  county.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  The  maternal  grand- 
parents, Jonathan  and  Mary  (Potter)  Semans  came  from  Boston  and  were  pioneers 
of  Chatham,  Pa.  He  was  a  baker  in  Boston,  but  followed  farming  in  Pennsylvania. 
C.  J.  Smith  was  reared  by  his  uncle,  S.  Odell,  until  he  was  of  age,  when  he  enlisted 
in  Co.  A,  1st  Pa.  Bucktails,  and  was  honorably  discharged  February  4,  1864,  and  re- 
enlisted  and  was  transferred  to  190th  Pa.  Vols.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  was  all  through  the  McClellan  campaign,  was  at  Gettysburg,  Fredericksburg, 
Wilderness,  etc.  In  1866  he  mdrried  Mary,  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Mary  A. 
Stephens  of  Tioga  councy,  Pa.,  by  whom  he  had  five  chileren ;  Fred,  Maud,  Frank, 
Tressa,  and  Helen.  Mr.  Smith  commenced  his  business  career  in  a  countrv  store  at 
Farmington,  in  1865,  but  in  1867  bought  a  farm  in  Tioga,  Pa.,  which  he  sold  in  1883 
and  bought  117  acres  in  Tuscarora,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  is  also  engaged 
in  general  insurance  business,  and  is  pension  attorney,  and  has  an  office  in  the  post- 
office  building  at  Addison.  Mr.  Smith  is  a  member  of  Middlebury  Lodge  No.  844, 
I.O.O.F.,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  Post  W.  W.  Angle  No.  372,  G.A.R.,  of  Addison,' 
N.  Y.,  also  the  A.O.U.W.  of  Addison. 

Pratt  Family,  The. — The  Pratt  family  of  Steuben  county  trace  their  descent  from 
John  Pratt,  who,  with  his  brother,  Lieut.  William  Pratt,  emigrated  to  America  a'nd 
settled  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  in  1633.  Capt.  Joel  Pratt,  a  lineal  descendant  from 
John  Pratt,  and  son  of  Deacon  Elisha  Pratt,  of  Colchester,  Conn.,  born  in  Septem- 
ber, 1745,  was  married  to  Mrs.  Mary  Beach  Fowler,  daughter  of  Deacon  Benjamin 
Beach  of  Hebron,  Conn.,  in  February,  1779,  and  first  settled  in  Columbia  count}-, 
N.  Y.,  and  in  the  year  1799  visited  what  is  now  Prattsburg,  but  then  an  unbroken 
wilderness;  he  returned  home  and  in  1800  came  with  his  son  Harvey  to  LTrbana 
Hill,  and  cleared  110  acres  of  forest,  and  in  1804  he  removed  his  family  and  settled 
near  the  village  of  Prattsburg,  and  the  farm  is  still  owned  and  occupied  by  the 
family.     Captain  Pratt  held  a  controlling  interest  in  the  early  .settlement  and  disposi- 


224  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

tion  of  lands,  gave  the  town  its  name,  assisted  in  founding  the  first  religious  society, 
laid  out  the  public  park,  and  secured  it  to  the  religious  society.  He  died  there  in 
September,  1821,  and  his  wife  in  1818.  Their  children  were  Joel,  Ira,  Harvey, 
Anna,  Dan,  and  Elisha.  The  last  named  was  born  in  Columbia  county  in  1790,  and 
married  Emily  Beach,  daughter  of  Dr.  Bildad  Beach,  and  their  children  were  Joel 
(deceased),  William  B.,  and  Mary  B.  (deceased.)  Elisha  died  in  April,  1849,  and  his 
wife  in  June,  1871.  William  B.  was  born  December  27,  1822,  and  received  his  edu- 
cation at  Franklin  Academy.  He  was  supervisor  o^  the  town  for  seven  years,  a 
member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  Franklin  Academy,  Prattsburg,  for  fifteen  years, 
and  a  liberal  supporter  of  educational  interests,  and  was  largely  instrumental  in 
making  the  public  park.  He  was  married  three  times,  first  to  Martha  J.  McNair, 
and  second  to  Mrs.  Hester  A.  Carr.  For  his  third  wife  he  married  Cornelia  P. , 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  A.  Brother  of  Bath,  and  eleven  children  were  born  to 
them,  of  w^hom  four  daughters  and  three  sons  are  living.  He  died  March  24,  1893. 
The  three  sons  were  educated  at  Franklin  Academy;  William  B.  and  Ira  C.  after- 
ward attended  and  were  graduated  from  the  Rochester  Business  Universit}^  and 
Henry  V.  from  the  Cornell  Law  School.  The  latter  is  now  a  law  partner  of  W.  W. 
Clark  at  Wayland,  N.  Y.  Mrs.  Pratt  still  survives  and  lives  on  the  homestead  with 
her  eldest  .son,  William  B.,  who  conducts  the  farm.  Since  February,  ]890,  Ira  C. 
has  been  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  in  Prattsburg.  In  181)3  he  married  vSara. 
daughter  of  William  H.  Calkins  of  Elmira. 

Blain,  Samuel  W.,  was  born  in  Seneca  county,  N.  Y.,  Decembers,  1808,  son  of 
Samuel  and  Catherine  (Waldron)  Blain,  he  a  native  of  New  York  city,  and  she  of 
New  Jersey.  They  came  to  Seneca  county  in  an  early  day,  where  they  lived  and 
died,  he  aged  sixty  years,  and  she  ninety-seven  years.  He  was  a  captain  in  the  war 
of  1812.  He  was  a  member  of  assembly  in  1830,  and  was  supervisor  of  the  town  of 
Varick,  Seneca  county,  for  seventeen  years,  and  has  been  justice  of  the  peace  and 
assessor.  The  grandfather  lived  and  died  in  Germany.  Samuel  W.  was  reared  on 
a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming,  and 
lived  in  Seneca  county  until  1849,  when  he  came  to  Woodhull,  where  he  has  since 
lived,  and  is  the  owner  of  fifty  acres  of  land.  He  married  Eliza  Fowler,  by  whom 
he  had  two  children:  Uriah  and  Charles,  both  of  whom  were  in  the  late  war;  Charles 
died  while  there  and  Uriah  soon  after  his  return.  Mrs.  Blain  died  in  1840,  and  Mr. 
Blain  married  Jane  Patterson,  by  w^hom  he  had  two  children:  ^aron,  who  married 
Libbie,  daughter  of  Solomon  and  R.  Eliza  (Carpenter)  Brown,  natives  of  Steuben 
county.  Mr.  Brown  died  in  1854,  and  Mrs.  Brown  married  Levi  Dawley,  who  died 
in  the  late  war.  Saron  and  Libbie  Blain  have  two  children,  Nina  J.,  and  Florence 
E.  ;  and  Emma  J.,  wife  of  Gajdord  Marlatt,  and  they  have  one  daughter,  Neva,  wife 
of  John  Huested. 

Peterson,  Willard,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Campbell,  January  29,  1857.  William 
Peterson,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  New  York  State,  and  came  to  what  is  known 
as  Big  Flats,  Chemung  county,  N.Y.,  after  which  he  came  to  the  town  of  Campbell, 
which  at  that  time  was  a  wilderness,  and  cleared  a  farm  of  150  acres.  He  married 
Anna  Gardner,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Frank,  George,  Willard,  Edw'in, 
Stephen,  and  Benjamin.     Willard  Peterson  is  a  farmer  and  owns  a  farm  of  100  acres. 


Family  sketches.  225 

He  married  Nettie of  Coopers,  in  the  town   of  Erwin,  b\'  whom  he  had  three 

children:  Harry,  WilHe,  and  Helen. 

Drake,  Edward,  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  October,  1831,  son  of  John  R.  Drake,  who 
was  born  September,  1794,  one  of  four  children  born  to  William  Drake,  who  was  a 
farmer,  and  who  came  to  Prattsburg  about  1810.  He  married  Catherine  Rose.  John 
R.  Drake  was  a  farmer  and  spent  his  life  in  Prattsburg.  In  politics  he  was  a  Demcj- 
cratand  held  the  office  of  commissioner  of  highways  and  various  other  offices  of  trust. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  State  militia,  of  which  he  was  an  officer.  He  married  Polly 
Morse,  by  whom  he  had  twelve  children:  William  F.,  Wyman,  Lydia  M.,  Abner,  who 
died  in  the  army,  Edward  Jolin,  Matilda  deceased,  Alexander,  who  was  killed  at  the 
battle  of  Stony  Creek,  Editha,  Silas,  who  died  in  the  army,  Levi,  and  Lucmda,  who  died 
in  infancy.  He  died  in  1852  and  his  wife  in  1868.  Edward  Drake  began  life  as  a  farmer 
and  shingle  maker,  and  in  1864  enlisted  in  the  N.  Y.  Engineers,  and  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  was  the  only  one  of  four  brothers  who  enlisted  and  survived 
the  war.  In  1875  he  engaged  quite  extensively  m  the  manufacture  of  lumber,  shin- 
gles and  lath,  and  custom  feed  grinding,  and  in  connection  with  this  conducts  his 
farm.  In  1853  he  married  Temperance  Terry,  by  whom  he  had  two  children :  Mrs. 
Emma  Coon  of  Prattsburg,  and  Oscar  P.,  of  same  place.  Mrs.  Drake  died  in  1860, 
and  in  1861  he  married  Ruth,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Lavina  (Fox)  Dunham,  b} 
whom  he  had  five  children:  Silas  E.,  Mrs.  Ida  J.  Tuttle  of  Cohocton,  Mrs.  Mary  L. 
Wells  of  same  j^lace,  Salem  M.,  and  Lydia  M.  In  politics  INIr.  Drake  is  a  Republi- 
can, and  officiated  as  poormaster  and  assessor  for  two  terms. 

Barney,  Will  H. — Darwin  E.  Barney,  born  in  the  town  of  Independence,  Allegany 
county,  N.  Y. ,  December  9,  1833,  is  the  third  of  seven  children  born  to  Anthony  and 
Roxy  (Chapin)  Barney.  Darwin  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  in  partnership  with  his 
brother,  Levant,  in  1851,  bought  the  farm  he  now  owns,  which  consists  of  200  acres 
and  makes  a  specialty  of  dairying.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican  and  has  been 
assessor,  and  in  religion  he  is  a  High  Universalist.  December  8.  1851,  he  married 
Maria  A.,  daughter  of  Luther  and  Clarissa  Forsythe  Horton,  who  came  from  Long 
Island  to  Herkimer  countJ^  N.  Y. ,  where  Mrs.  Barney  was  reared,  and  then  moved 
to  West  Union.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade.  He  died  December  6,  1860,  and  she 
September  22,  1858.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barney  were  the  parents  of  seven  children:  Del- 
win  C,  born  June  9,  1855,  a  miller  in  West  Union;  Frank,  born  June  22,  1860,  died 
April  22,  1861 ;  Hiram  C,  born  May  8,  1862,  a  farmer  on  the  homestead  and  also  en- 
gaged with  George  D.,  born  October  15,  1864;  and  Will  H.,  born  February  8,  1867, 
manufacturer  of  rough  lumber  in  West  Union;  and  Omer  L. ,  born  August  12,  1869, 
who  is  a  jeweler  in  Whitesville,  Allegany  county,  where  D.  C.  and  W.  H.  are  en- 
gaged in  the  foundry  business. 

■Knapp,  Franklin  L.,  was  born  in  Onondaga  county,  N.  Y.,  September  14,  1825,  son 
of  Ira  and  Joanna  (Synnott)  Knapp,  natives  of  New  York,  who  spent  most  of  their 
lives  in  Onondaga  county,  but  died  in  Ohio.  The  grandfather  lived  and  died  in 
New  York,  and  his  wife  in  Ohio.  Franklin  L.  had  these  brothers,  of  whom  three 
are  living:  George,  who  died  in  the  late  war ;  Edward,  deceased;  Elijah,  deceased; 
Charles,  who  lives  in  Ohio;  and  James,  who  lives  in  Wisconsin.  Franklin  L.  was 
reared  on  the  farm  he  now  owns,  with  an  uncle,  Richard  C.  Twogood,  who  came  to 


226  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Jasper  in  1847.  Franklin  L.  spent  forty  years  in  Wisconsin,  and  in  1887  returned  to 
Jasper,  where  he  owns  a  good  farm  of  103  acres  and  follows  general  farming.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Knapp  had  five  children :  two  who  died  in  infancy,  one  drowned  at  two 
years  of  age,  and  Richard,  who  was  killed  at  forty  years  of  age,  while  sawing  tim- 
ber; he  left  three  children  by  his  first  wife;  Winifred,  Gertrude,  and  Walter  S.  ;  and 
two  by  his  second  wife ;  Helen  and  Mina  R.  The  oldest  son  of  Franklin  L. ,  Edwin 
B.,  is  a  merchant  in  Waupaca,  Wis.,  and  has  one  child,  Mertie. 

Timerman,  Milton,  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  N.  Y.,  at  Frey's  Bush,  May 
3,.  1834,  son  of  John  I.  and  Maria  (Youngs)  Timerman,  natives  of  Montgomery 
county,  who  came  to  Jasper  in  1848,  where  they  died.  The  grandfather,  John  Tim- 
erman, lived  and  died  in  Montgomery  county,  Milton  Timerman  was  reared  in  the 
village  of  Jasper,  and  learned  the  wagonmaker's  trade  with  his  father,  which  busi- 
ness he  followed  sixteen  years  in  Jasper.  In  1874  he  purchased  a  farm  of  133  acres 
on  a  contract  and  follows  general  farming.  He  is  a  Prohibitionist  in  politics,  and 
has  been  town  clerk  and  collector.  February  11,  1859,  he  married  Elenora,  daughter 
of  Benjamin  Failing,  who  came  to  Jasper  about  1840,  and  now  lives  with  Milton 
Timerman,  and  is  eighty-six  years  of  age.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Timerman  have  five  chil- 
dren:  Delavan  W. ,  Arthur  E.,  Maria,  I  red  B. ,  and  Charles. 

Brooks,  Noah  M.,  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  N.  Y.,  October  31,  1829,  and  is  the 
youngest  of  seven  children  born  to  Joseph  and  Margaret  Hauber  Brooks,  natives  of 
Connecticut  and  New  York  city.  The  grandfather,  who  was  a  pioneer  of  Delaware 
county,  N.  Y.,  served  seven  years  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  maternal  grand- 
father, Malica  Hauber,  who  was  a  Prussian,  came  with  Hessian  troops  sent  over  by 
King  George  during  the  Revolution.  Mr.  Hauber  and  all  of  his  company  deserted 
the  British  cause,  and  in  making  their  escape  had  to  wade  nearly  to  their  shoulders 
in  a  river  full  of  ice.  Joseph  Brooks  came  to  Troupsburg  in  1822,  but  soon  removed 
to  Erie  county,  where  he  settled  in  Holland  Purchase,  and  two  years  later  returned 
to  Troupsburg  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  died  in  1850,  and  Mrs.  Brooks  in 
1871,  aged  eighty-four.  Noah  M.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  engaged  in  farming 
until  1869,  when  he  was  obliged  to  give  up  on  account  of  an  injury.  He  then  en- 
gaged in  a  general  mercantile  business  being  six  years  at  South  Troupsburg,  and  six 
years  in  Harrison,  Pa.,  and  then  located  in  Troupsburg  Center,  where  he  is  still  en- 
gaged in  the  same  business,  making  a  specialty  of  clothing  and  groceries.  In  1852 
he  married  Nancy  Ordway,  who  died  December  26,  1879.  For  his  second  wife  he 
married  Jennie  Howard,  of  Troupsburg,  and  they  have  brought  up  one  child, 
Josephine,  a  daughter  of  John  L.  and  Eleanor  Ferguson  Broods, who  married  Albert 
Harrington.  John  L.  Brooks,  brother  of  Noah,  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war,  a 
member  of  the  161st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  who  died  at  Key  West,  Fla. ,  of  yellow  fever.  Mr. 
Brooks  has  been  town  clerk  three  years,  and  highway  commissioner  two  years,  and 
is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  supervisor.  Mrs.  Brooks  is  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist church. 

Herringlon,  Samuel,  was  born  in  Burlington,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  September  11, 
1849,  son  of  C.  G.  and  Aldema  Wiltse  Herrington,  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work. 
Samuel  Herrington  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He 
came  to  Woodhull  when  ten  years  of  age,  where  he  has  since  resided  with  the  excep- 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  227 

tion  of  four  years  spent  in  Osceola,  Pa.  He  owns  184  acres  of  land.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Elkland  Lodge.  No.  8(10,  I.  O.  O.  P.,  and  Borden  Tent,  K.  O.  T.  M.,  and  is 
also  a  member  of  Osceola  Grange,  No.  957.  October  31,  1875,  he  married  Mary  A. 
George,  by  whom  he  had-two  children:  George  W.,  born  May  31,  1877,  and  was  ed- 
ucated in  Osceola  graded  schools;  Herbert  S. ,  born  September  22,  1879,  and  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools. 

Rising,  Willis  H.,  was  born  in  Thurston,  March  21,  1848,  son  of  Clark  A.  and  Polly 
A.  Thompson  Rising,  he  a  native  of  Herkimer  county,  N.  Y. ,  and  she  of  Schuyler 
county,  N.  Y.  His  grandfather,  Henry  Rising,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  in 
1792  came  to  Herkimer  county,  removing  to  Schuyler  county  in  1836,  and  locating  in 
Thurston  in  1839,  where  he  died.  He  was  a  farmer  and  lumberman,  and  a  soldier  in 
the  war  of  1812.  Clark  A.  Rismg  came  to  Thurston  with  his  parents,  where  he  was 
married,  and  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering.  He  died  in  1852,  and  his  widow 
lives  in  Thurston,  where  she  owns  a  farm  on  South  Hill.  Willis  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools,  is  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  has  also  followed  farming  and  lura- 
ing.  In  politics  he  is  and  has  been  a  Democrat,  and  was  elected  supervisor  in  1887, 
and  re-elected  in  1891  by  a  large  majority,  and  has  also  held  the  office  of  town  clerk 
for  two  terms.  He  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  H.  at  Campbelltown,  also  of  the  Grange 
at  Merchantville.  July  31,  1870,  he  married  Alice  J.  blasters  of  Reading,  Schu3'ler 
count}-,  and  to  them  have  been  born  five  children:  Lewis  C,  Archie  F. ,  Emma  ]\I., 
Carrie  S.,  and  Willis  B.     The  family  attend  and  support  the  Christian  Church. 

Wilder,  Josiah,  was  born  in  the  Green  Mountain  region  of  Vermont,  and  after  a 
residence  of  some  years  in  Otsego  county  where  he  married  Elmira  Beadle,  he  moved 
to  the  town  of  Jasper,  where  he  settled  on  the  June  farm  in  1835 ;  two  years  later  he 
settled  on  the  J.  H.  Boyd  place  in  Cameron,  and  afterwards  moved  to  the  place  where 
his  son  George  now  lives.  Josiah  Wilder  was  engaged  in  lumbering  and  farming. 
His  children  were  Eunice,  Angeline,  Sarah,  Hannah,  Elizabeth,  Charles,  William, 
Liza,  Jane,  Daniel,  George  W.,  and  Elmira.  His  second  wife  was  Betsey,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Elder  Smith,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Leva  J.,  a  resident  of  Kansas. 
Josiah  Wilder  died  in  February,  1863.  George  Wilder  married  Cynthia  M.,  daughter 
of  John  and  Mary  L.  (Kellogg)  Jackson,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  Mary  H., 
Maggie  L.,  George  R.,  Charles,  Estella  E.,  Edith  B.,  and  John  C.  Mr.  Wilder  has 
been  justice  of  the  peace  and  is  active  in"  school  affairs.  He  owns  eighty  acres  of 
land,  and  his  brother  Charles  owns  fifty-eight  acres  in  the  town  of  Cameron.  They 
are  both  members  of  Cameron  Post,  G.  A.  R.  George  W.  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  189th 
N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  Charles  in  Co.  F.  31st  Wis.  Vols. 

Wolcott,  A.  S.,  is  a  native  of  the  town  of  Caton,  was  born  in  1829,  .son  of  Judge 
Nelson  and  Margaret  Hoffman  Wolcott,  natives  of  Vermont  and  Elmira,  who  were 
married  in  Elmira  in  1824  and  about  1827  located  in  the  town  of  Caton.  He  was  a 
gunsmith  and  farmer  and  died  in  1860,  aged  fifty  eight.  The  mother  died  in  1855, 
aged  fifty.  Mr.  Wolcott  and  a  brother,  Jacob  H.,  of  Salt  Lake  City,  are  the  only 
survivors  of  tne  family. 

Failing,  Lucian  J.,  was  born  in  Jasper,  August  28,  1842,  the  youngest  of  eight  chil- 
dren born  to  Adam  and  Nancy  (Lyon)  Failing,  early  settlers  of  Jasper.  They  came 
to  West  Union  in  1850,  where  he  died   November  1,  1870,  and  she  in  1874.     He  was 


228  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

assessor  of  the  town  for  years.  The  grandfather  of  Lucian  J.,  Philip  Failing,  with 
six  brothers  and  their  father  were  soldiers  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  father 
and  one  son  were  taken  prisoners  and  sent  to  Canada.  Lucian  J.  was  reared  on  a 
farm  and  has  always  followed  farming,  owning  ninety- eight  acres,  where  he  settled 
in  1866.  He  has  made  dairying  a  specialty.  October  25,  1863,  he  married  Maggie, 
daughter  of  William  R.  and  Eliza  (Mitchell)  Brewster,  of  Greenwood.  Mr.  Brewster 
was  a  cabinet  maker  and  farmer.  He  died  September  18,  1893,  and  his  wife  in  1883. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Failing  have  had  .sevpn  children :  Eliza,  died  in  infancy ;  Daniel,  a 
farmer  of  Hornellsville ;  William  R.,  of  Canisteo,  a  stenographer,  graduated  from  J. 
W.  Robert's  school  in  Elniira  and  taught  school  for  two  years;  Franklin,  a  farmer; 
Milton  G.,  Emily,  and  Andrew  R.,  at  home.  September  19,  1864,  Mr.  Failing  en- 
listed in  Co.  H,  141st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  was  discharged  June  26,  1865.  He  was  at 
Havenborg,  Bentonville,  and  with  Sherman  on  his  "  March  to  the  sea."  Mr.  Failing 
and  family  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Knapp,  William  S.,  was  born  in  Warwick,  Orange  county,  N.  Y.,  February  3, 
1814,  and  is  the  youngest  and  only  survivor  of  six  children  born  to  John  and  Eliza- 
beth (Sutton)  Knapp,  both  natives  of  Orange  county.  John  Knapp  was  a  farmer  and 
blacksmith,  and  spent  most  of  his  life  in  Warwick,  but  the  latter  part  of  his  life  was 
spent  in  Barrington,  Yates  county,  where  he  died  at  fifty-six  years  of  age.  Mrs. 
Knapp  died  at  Tyrone,  where  she  was  living  with  her  daughter,  aged  seventy-two 
years.  William  S.  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  was  engaged  in  farming  and  deal- 
ing in  stock.  He  now  lives  retired  in  Bradford,  where  he  settled  in  1836,  and  the 
same  year  he  married  Emily,  daughter  of  Ira  and  Hannah  Crane  of  Putnam  county, 
but  early  settlers  of  Barrington,  where  they  died.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Knapp  had  five 
children:  Ira,  who  died  in  the  army,  aged  twenty-four  years;  Beldon,  who  was  a 
prisoner  at  Andersonville,  and  died  in  ten  days  after  reaching  home ;  Augusta,  who 
was  the  wife  of  E.  Richardson  of  Bath,  and  died  at  twenty-nine  years  of  age,  leaving 
two  children  (Beldon  and  Carrie  A.);  Aurelia,  who  was  the  wife  of  Charles  H.  Ide, 
and  died  in  1880,  leaving  five  children  (William  J.,  Bert  B.,  Ira,  Scott,  and  Emih-); 
and  William  E.,  who  is  a  druggist  in  Michigan.  Mr.  Knapp  has  been  a  Republican 
since  the  party's  organization.     Mrs.  Emily  Knapp  died  February  19,  1891. 

King,  Hammond  A.,  was  bora  November  23,  1861,  the  youngest  of  five  children 
born  to  William  N.,  who  was  born  in  Bradford,  June  7,  1824,  and  Clara  (Littell)  King. 
The  paternal  grandfather,  Barzilla  King,  came  to  Bradford  fi'om  Seneca  county  in 
pioneer  days  and  was  a  millwright  and  carpenter.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  King  were 
Isaac  D.  and  Lena  (Yosburgh)  Littell,  born  in  New  Jersey  in  1793,  and  Minden, 
Montgomery  county,  respectively.  Isaac  Littell  died  in  1847.  His  father,  Benjamin 
Littell,  came  from  New  Jerse}^  to  Reading,  but  died  in  Bradford.  He  was  a  soldier 
in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Catherine  Switzer,  wife  of  Barzilla  King,  eame  with  her 
parents,  Henry  and  Anna  May  (Niff)  Switzer,  from  New  Jersey  to  Bradford.  Will- 
iam N.  King  worked  at  wagonmaking  in  his  younger  days,  but  has  followed  farming 
mostly,  and  he  and  his  wife  now  reside  in  Bradford,  Hammond  A.  King  was  edu- 
cated at  the  Union  School  of  Bradford.  December  30,  1885,  he  married  Julia  A., 
daughter  of  Justus  and  Mary  (Covert)  Lamb,  by  whom  he  has  two  children:  Charles 
N.,  born  November  15,  1887;  and  Clara  L.,  born  February  18,  1889.  Mr.  Lamb  is  a 
viuevardist  of  Hammondsport.     In  1886  Mr.  King  began  running  a  hotel  in  Bradford 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  229 

and  in  1887  purchased  the  Ellis  House,  which  he  now  calls  the  King  House,  and 
keeps  a  first  class  house.  Mr.  King  has  been  president  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
the  Union  School  of  Bradford  for  five  years.  He  is  a  member  of  Savona  Lodge,  I. 
{).  ().  F. 

Peck,  Fernando,  was  born  in  Reading  Center,  Schuyler  county,  N.  Y. ,  April  9, 
1833,  son  of  Tenant  and  Dorinda  (Sutton)  Peck,  both  natives  of  Reading  Center, 
where  they  died,  he  June  1,  1889,  and  she  March  19,  1883.  The  grandfather  of  our 
subject,  Jason  Peck,  came  to  Reading  Center  in  an  early  day,  where  he  died.  The 
maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  John  Sutton,  settled  in  Reading  Center  early 
in  life,  where  he  lived  and  died.  Fernando  Peck  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools,  and  has  always  followed  farming,  but  when  a  boy  he  learned  the  mason's 
trade.  He  located  on  the  farm  of  175  acres  he  now  owns  March  20,  1861,  and  is  a 
breeder  of  Jersey  and  Durham  cattle.  January  13,  1859,  he  married  Mary  J.,  daugh- 
ter of  James  Masters,  an  early  settler  of  Reading,  by  whom  he  had  two  children: 
Effie  M.,  who  was  born  June  11,  1865,  who  married  Willis  Corbitt  of  Thurston,  and 
they  have  one  child,  Mary  M. ;  and  Emma  J.,  who  was  born  January  6,  1867,  and 
married  Charles  F.  Weaver.  Mr.  Peck  has  cleared  most  of  the  farm  where  he  re- 
sides, and  put  on  all  the  buildings  and  all  improvements.  He  was  drafted  in  1863, 
and  furnished  a  substitute  for  three  years.  He  served  as  road  commissioner  during 
the  years  1883  and  1884.  He  is  a  member  of  K.  of  H.,  also  a  member  of  Merchants- 
ville  Grange,  of  which  he  is  now  master,  serving  his  fourth  term. 

Conley,  Henry,  was  born  in  Fermanaugh  county,  Ireland,  September  22,  1840,  a 
son  of  James  and  Margaret  (McGuire)  Conley,  both  of  Ireland.  They  came  to 
America  about  1870,  settling  in  Dundee,  where  James  was  engaged  in  farming.  He 
died  in  1877,  and  she  in  1879.  The  grandparents,  John  and  Mary  (McManus)  Conley, 
died  in  Ireland.  They  were  Episcopalians.  Henry  Conley  was  reared  and  educated 
in  Ireland  and  came  to  America  at  the  age  of  eighteen.  He  settled  in  Tyrone, 
Schuyler  county,  N.  Y.,  and  engaged  in  farming,  which  he  has  since  followed.  He 
has  owned  farms  in  Yates  and  Schuyler  county  and  in  1872  came  to  Bradford  and 
purchased  sixty  acres,  to  which  he  has  since  added  forty  acres.  August  31,  1872, 
Mr  Conley  married  Alice,  daughter  of  John  Bartholomew,  by  whom  he  has  five  chil- 
dren: John,  Ora,  James  W.,  Arvilla,  and  Herbert.  Mr.  Conley  and  his  family  are 
members  of  the  M.  E.  church. 

Northrup,  John  M.,  is  the  youngest  son  of  Moses  Northrup,  who  was  born  in  Sus- 
sex county,  N.  J.,  in  1817,  and  died  at  Addison,  N.  Y.,  June  22,  1894.  He  was  of 
English  ancestry,  and  came  to  Rathbone  in  1836,  where  he  spent  the  greater  part  of 
his  life  at  farming.  After  living  on  his  farm  forty-three  years,  he  removed  to  Cam- 
eron Mills  in  1879,  and  ten  years  later  to  Addison.  He  was  supervisor  two  years, 
and  several  years  assessor.  He  married  Nancy  M.  Allen,  May  11,  1844,  who  died 
after  some  years,  leaving  these  children:  William  J.  of  New  York  city;  Dewitt  and 
Allen  of  Northrup  Settlement;  Mrs.  William  Crawford  of  Cameron  Mills;  and  Moses 
P.,  deceased  October,  1886.  He  married  again,  October  22,  1857,  Amy  Stroud  of 
Woodhull,  N.  Y. ,  who  survives  him.  Their  children  are  John  M.  of  Addison,  and 
Elizabeth,  deceased  wife  of  Harry  Paxton.  John  M,  was  born  at  Rathbone  in  18j2, 
where  he  first  engaged  in  farming  on  the  old  homestead,  and  was  educated  at  Cook 


230  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Academ}-,  Havana,  X.  Y.  In  1886  he  came  from  Cameron  Mills  to  Addison  and  pur- 
chased 100  acres  of  land  one  mile  west  of  the  village,  where  he  gives  close  attention 
to  his  farming  interests.  On  November  18.  1886,  he  married  Clara  Carpenter  of 
Academy  Corners,  who  died  Maj-  28,  1889,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Loren  M., 
born  September  13,  1887,  died  March  11,  1889;  and  Clara  Belle,  born  May  7,  1889. 
March  21,  1894,  he  married  Jennie,  daughter  of  George  J.  Merring,  a  Rathbone 
farmer,  by  whom  he  has  one  son,  John  Herbert,  born  March  4,  1895. 

Brundage  Family,  The. — The  first  of  the  family  of  whom  can  be  found  any  trace 
is  Benjamin,  who  lived  in  the  town  of  Mifflin  near  Wilkesbarre,  and  was  twice  mar- 
ried, having  by  his  first  marriage  two  sons,  Abram  and  James,  and  one  daughter. 
In  1807  Benjamin  came  from  Pennsylvania  to  visit  his  sons  in  Steuben  county,  N.Y., 
and  died  while  there  and  was  buried  in  Pleasant  Valley  Cemetery.  James  was  born 
in  1765,  married  Mary  Hoffman,  and  in  1799  he,  and  his  brother  Abram,  with  their 
families,  came  to  New  York  State  and  for  a  few  months  located  at  Elmira,  and  then 
removed  to  Painted  Post,  where  they  remained  four  years.  In  1803  they  settled  in 
Pleasant  Valley,  and  in  April  of  the  same  year  located  where  J.  S.  and  Victor  now 
reside.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Brundage  were  the  parents  of  fourteen  children:  Philip, 
John,  Abraham,  Benjamin,  Polly,  Sally,  Henry,  Samuel  B.,  George  S.,  Catherine, 
Elizabeth,  Daniel,  James  M.,  and  Anna.  Mrs.  Brundage  died  October  9,  1815,  and 
Mr.  Brundage,  in  1839,  aged  seventy-four  years.  Abram  Brundage  was  born  March 
17,  1775,  and  his  wife.  Polly  Sims,  June  26,  1776.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  chil- 
dren: Benjamin,  William,  James,  Jesse,  Charles,  Matthew,  Hiram,  Alfred,  Almira 
and  Abram  S.  Abraham,  the  third  son  of  James,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  Octo- 
ber 2.  1794,  and  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812.  He  was  one  of  the  solid  men  of 
the  community,  and  accumulated  about  six  hundred  acres  of  land  in  this  valley. 
December  14.  1821,  he  married  Elizabeth,  a  native  of  the  town  of  Wheeler  and  daugh- 
ter of  Azariah  Conger  of  Washington  county,  N.  Y.,  and  to  them  were  born  six  chil- 
dren: Mary  A.,  who  married  John  W.  Taggart,  of  this  valley;  Cornelius  Y.,  who  is 
a  farmer  of  Seneca  county,  Ohio;  John  C,  who  died  in  1843 at  thirteen  years  of  age; 
Azariah  C. ;  Myron  H.,  who  died  April  9,  1864;  and  Sam  B.,  who  died  May  25,  1877. 
Abraham,  died  August  19,  1875,  and  his  wife,  April  9.  1872.  Azariah  Conger  Brun- 
dage was  born  on  the  old  homestead  farm,  which  he  now  occupies,  in  the  town  of 
Urbana,  January  20,  1837.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  Franklin  Acad- 
emy, Genesee  Wesleyan  Seminar3%  and  Starkey  Seminary,  and  has  always  been  a 
farmer  by  occupation.  April  25,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  34th  Regt  N.  Y.  Inf.,  and 
was  corporal  of  Co.  I,  and  served  with  this  regiment  until  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks, 
where  he  was  wounded  by  receiving  a  bullet  in  the  neck,  m  consequence  of  which  he 
was  discharged  July  30,  1862.  His  title  of  major  comes  from  his  being  in  that  office 
wi'h  the  National  Guard  after  the  war.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican  and  was 
elected  to  the  State  Legislatm-e  in  the  fall  of  3877,  serving  the  session  of  1878,  and 
re-elected  and  served  the  session  of  1879.  In  the  fall  of  1883  he  was  again  a  candi- 
date but  was  defeated,  and  in  1886  was  elected  to  the  same  position,  and  re-elected 
in  the  fall  of  1887,  having  been  five  times  nominated  by  acclamation.  He  has  been 
prominently  identified  with  the  management  of  the  Steuben  County  Agricultural  So- 
ciety, was  two  years  president,  four  years  vice-president,  and  is  serving  his  sixth 
consecutive  year  as  secretaiy.     He  is  also  president  of  the  New  York  State  Associa- 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  231 

tiun  of  County  Agricultural  Societies.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Grange  nine- 
teen years,  and  was  one  of  the  promoters  of  Pleasant  Vallej^  Grange.  He  helped  to 
organize  the  Patrons'  Fire  Relief  Association,  of  which  he  has  been  president  eight- 
een years,  and  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the  State  Association  for  Fire  Insur- 
ance, which  was  effected  in  1881,  and  in  1887  he  was  made  president  of  the  State  As- 
sociation, which  office  he  held  seven  years.  He  has  been  master  of  the  Grange  sev- 
eral times.  He  is  a  member  of  Custer  Post,  No.  8,  G.  A.  R.,  and  has  been  its  com- 
mander and  quartermaster,  passing  the  subordinate  chairs.  He  has  always  been  a 
warm  supporter  of  church  and  school  work.  November  18,  1863,  he  married  wSarah 
C,  daughter  of  Orville  Tousey  of  DansviUe,  Livingston  county,  and  they  have  two 
children:  Myron  T.  and  Lizzie.  Samuel  Baker  Brundage,  the  fifth  son  of  Abraham, 
was  born  on  the  old  homestead  farm,  February  2,  1844,  and  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  and  at  Genesee  Wesleyan  Seminary,  and  followed  farming  as  an 
occupation,  being  assigned  by  his  father  to  the  management  of  275  acres  of  the  old 
homestead  farm.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  He  was  one  of  the  first  to  take  up 
sheep  breeding,  and  the  wool  and  grain  were  the  principal  products  of  the  farm. 
December  6,  1871,  he  married  Ella  J.,  daughter  of  Samuel  Crum,  a  farmer  of  Bath, 
and  they  have  been  the  parents  of  one  daughter,  Elizabeth,  who  still  makes  her 
home  on  the  old  homestead.  Samuel  B.  died  May  25,  1877.  James  M.  Brundage, 
son  of  James,  a  native  of  the  town  of  Urbana,  was  born  February  17,  1813,  and  .suc- 
ceeded to  the  old  homestead  farm,  on  which  he  made  many  valuable  improve- 
ments. In  1853  he  set  out  three  acres  of  grape  vines,  but  his  principal  products  were 
grain  and  wool.  He  was  in  early  life  a  Whig,  but  later  a  Republican.  He  was  for 
a  number  of  years  identified  with  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  was  twice  mar- 
ried, first  on  January  7,  1846,  to  Jerusha  Davis,  and  second  to  Eliza  A.  Henderson, 
daughter  of  John  Collin  of  Avoca,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  two  sons:  George 
A.  and  Jay  S.  Mr.  Brundage  died  October  7,  1889,  and  Mrs.  Brundage,  July  29, 
1880.  George  Albert  Brundage,  the  oldest  son  of  James  M.  and  Eliza  Henderson 
Brundage,  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  farm  January  28,  1862,  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools,  and  has  given  his  attention  to  farming  and  grape  growing.  He 
managed  the  farm  until  the  death  of  his  father  and  then  came  into  full  possession  of 
124  acres,  eight  acres  of  which  he  has  set  out  to  vineyard,  and  the  balance  of  the 
farm  is  devoted  to  grain  and  vegetable  products.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Order  of  Maccabees.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church.  October  22,  1884,  he  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  William  H. 
Garvey  of  this  town,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children:  Leon  Jay,  born 
March  22,  1886,  and  Chester  Monroe,  born  September  17,  1888.  Jay  S.  Brundage, 
son  of  James  M.,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Urbana,  October  28,  1867,  and 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  at  Angelica  High  School,  and  has  always 
lived  on  the  old  homestead.  At  the  death  of  his  father  he  was  willed  200  acres  of  the 
old  farm,  and  the  fourth  generation  of  this  family  now  occupy  it.  He  has  now  a 
vineyard  of  thirteen  acres,  and  with  the  balance  conducts  a  grain  and  dairy  farm, 
having  a  milk  route  in  Hammondsport.  He  has  held  some  minor  town  offices  and 
has  been  a  school  officer.  October  27,  1886,  he  married  Linna,  daughter  of  George 
Thompson  of  Wheeler,  and  they  have  two  children:  Hiram  G.,  born  March  20,  1888, 
and  May,  born  February  29,  1892.     Henry  Brundage,  son  of  John,  who  was  a  son  of 


232      •  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

James,  was  born  on  a  farm  on  the  south  part  of  lot  12,  January  15,  1821.  He  mar- 
ried Emily  T.  Wood,  July  2,  1845,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  three  children :  Edward 
C,  Frank  W.,  and  Anna.  In  1853  he  bought  a  farm  of  eighty-five  acres  on  lot  8, 
where  he  spent  the  balance  of  his  life,  and  where  he  died  February  8,  1894.  ]Mrs. 
Emily  T.  Brundage  still  survives,  being  seventy  years  of  age.  Henry  was  a  Republi- 
can in  politics,  and  was  always  interested  in  church  and  school  work,  being  a  trustee 
of  the  school.  His  farm  consisted  of  115  acres,  on  which  he  raised  hay,  grain,  etc. 
Edward  C.  Brundage,  the  oldest  son  of  Henry,  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now 
resides  in  the  town  of  Qrbana,  August  25,  1854,  and  has  succeeded  his  father  in  the 
management  of  the  farm.  February  14,  1877,  he  married  Ella  F.  Jessop,  a  native  of 
Orange,  Schuyler  county,  and  they  have  two  children:  Henry  Amos,  born  Septem- 
ber 29,  1878,  and  Charlie  Frank,  born  August  29,  1887.  Frank  W.  Brundage,  the 
youngest  son  of  Henry,  was  born  on  the  homestead  farm,  November  25,  1858,  and 
was  educated  in  Hammondsport  Union  School,  and  has  alwa3's  followed  farming. 
He  was  married  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years  to  Mary  C. ,  daughter  of  John  A.  Stew- 
art, a  native  of  Scotland,  who  lived  in  the  town  of  Bradford.  Frank  settled  on  a 
farm  in  Urbana  where  he  made  his  home  for  five  years,  and  in  1884  he  removed  to 
Darien,  Wis.,  where  he  now  owns  and  conducts  a  farm.  He  has  one  daughter,  Ina 
E.,  now  in  her  sixteenth  year.  Anna  Brundage,  daughter  of  Henry  Brundage,  is  a 
graduate  of  the  class  of '86  of  Haverling,  and  adopted  teaching  as  a  profession, 
teaching  in  the  towns  of  Urbana  and  Pulteney,  and  was  three  years  the  teacher  of 
the  Pulteney  village  school,  and  is  now  the  primary  teacher  of  Painted  Post  Union 
School.  Lewis  Brundage  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides  in  North  Ur- 
bana. August  3,  1839.  He  was  given  a  common  school  education,  and  remained 
with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age,  when  he  went  on 
a  farm  by  himself  in  the  town  of  Wayne,  where  he  resided  until  1891,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  three  years  spent  on  the  old  homestead,  which  he  bought  in  1891.  He 
owns  110  acres,  on  five  acres  of  which  is  a  vineyard,  but  the  products  of  which  are 
mostly  grain  and  Jiay.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  he  has  been  trustee.  In 
1861  he  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  James  Covert,  a  farmer  of  this  town.  They 
have  one  adopted  daughter,  Cora.  Orson  Brundage  was  born  on  a  farm  at  North 
Urbana,  August  26,  1857,  son  of  James  L.,  who  was  a  son  of  Ebenezer.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools  and  vStarkey  Seminary  and  remained  with  his  father  on 
the  farm  until  1890.  He  was  then  employed  in  a  grocer}'  store  in  Penn  Yan,  where 
he  continued  until  March,  1894,  when  he  bought  the  Rose  grocery  and  provision 
store,  in  Hammondsport,  where  he  is  now  engaged  in  a  very  successful  business.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  of  Penn  Yan.  No- 
vember 29,  1883,  he  married  Lola  Owen,  of  Second  Milo.  Yates  county,  and  to  them 
have  been  born  four  children:  Ira  James;  J.  Reader;  Pearl  Lucille,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  six  months;  and  Fred  Lewis,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years.  Hiram 
Brundage,  son  of  Abram  Brundage,  was  born  Juty  27,  1806,  and  succeeded  his  father 
on  the  farm.  January  5,  1832,  he  married  Mary  Morrison  of  this  town,  and  they 
were  the  parents  of  fourteen  children,  eight  of  whom  are  now  living-  Harriet  Eliza, 
widow  of  Alexander  B.  McFee ;  James  Wesley;  Addison;  Edgar;  Mary  C,  wife  of 
James  M.  Craig  of  Elmira;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  James  Fancett  of  Bath ;  Victor;  and 
Josephine,  wife  of  William  H.  Hall  of  the  town  of  Urbana.     Hiram  Flrundage  died 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  233 

April  f),  1886,  and  his  wife,  Mary  Morrison  Brundage,  died  June  19,  1889.  Victor 
Brundage,  son  of  Hiram,  was  born  on  the  farm  adjoining  his  present  residence,  April 
1,  1850,  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  has  always  followed  farm- 
ing, succeeding  his  father  on  the  old  homestead,  conducting  a  farm  of  104  acres  de- 
voted to  the  production  of  grain  and  hay.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  Addison 
Brundage,  son  of  Hiram,  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  farm  in  the  town  of  Urbana, 
February  1,  1843.  He  was  given  a  common  school  education,  and  took  up  the  occu- 
pation of  farming.  November  29,  1863,  he  enlisted  m  the  33d  N.  Y.  Cavalry,  Co.  G, 
and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  on  detached  duty  most  of  the  time,  and 
was  at  Winchester  and  also  on  the  Wilson  raid.  Upon  his  return  from  the  war,  he 
bought  one  hundred  acres  of  his  father's  farm,  where  he  now  resides.  He  has  also 
been  engaged  in  manufacturing  lumber  and  boxes,  conducting  the  Taggart  saw  mill, 
and  also  conducts  a  vineyard  of  six  acres  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  October  20, 
1870,  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  J.  W.  Taggart.  She  died  June  35,  1895.  James 
Wesley  Brundage,  the  third  son  of  Hiram,  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  farm,  Sep- 
tember 13,  1841,  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  became  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation, remaining  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age.  In  1867  he 
bought  a  part  of  the  James  M.  Brundage  farm,  consisting  of  135  acres  where  he  has 
since  made  his  home.  He  has  taken  quite  an  active  interest  in  the  cultivation  of 
grapes  and  now  has  a  vineyard  of  ten  acres.  Mr.  Brundage  has  always  been  a  warm 
supporter  of  the  Republican  party  and  its  principles  and  has  held  the  office  of  high- 
way commissioner  for  two  years.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian church  and  he  was  for  several  years  a  trustee  and  elder  of  the  church,  and  still 
holds  the  latter  position.  He  has  always  been  interested  in  school  work  and  has 
been  one  of  the  oificers.  He  is  the  present  steward  of  Pleasant  Valley  Grange,  has 
been  the  master  of  the  Grange  for  two  years,  and  also  master  of  the  council  for  two 
years.  February  10,  1870,  he  married  Sarah  Bronson,  daughter  of  J.  Bronson  of  this 
town,  and  they  have  four  children:  Walter  W.,  a  graduate  of  Rochester  University, 
class  of  '94,  who  is  a  bookkeeper  with  the  Hammondsport  Bank;  Carrie  M.  ;  Hattie; 
and  Eva,  all  of  whom  are  living  at  home.  Roy  S.  Brundage  was  born  on  the  Tag- 
gart farm  in  the  town  of  Urbana,  July  24,  1857.  Abram  S.  Brundage,  the  grand- 
father of  Roy,  was  the  youngest  of  the  family  of  Abram  and  Polly  Sims  Brundage, 
and  the  most  of  his  life  was  spent  on  the  old  homestead  farm  where  Roy  now  lives. 
He  was  married  to  Louisa  Prindle,  a  native  of  Schuyler  county,  and  they  were  the 
parents  of  nine  children,  of  which  John  was  the  eldest  of  the  family.  He  was  born 
January  11,  1834,  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  at  Alfred  University, 
and  the  most  of  his  life  has  been  spent  on  the  homestead  farm.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Democrat.  June  7,  1855,  he  married  Lucy  A.  Sheppard,  daughter  of  George  Shep- 
pard  of  Wheeler,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  three  children :  Roy  S.  ;  Wilhe  G. ; 
and  May  Bell,  wife  of  Sidney  McDowell,  a  merchant  of  Addison.  Mrs.  Brundage 
died  March  30,  1875.  The  farm  of  300  acres  on  which  Roy  S.  is  now  living  is  de- 
voted to  the  cultivation  of  grain  and  the  production  of  wood.  "Willie  G.  Brundage 
was  born  December  7,  1858,  on  the  Taggart  farm  and  has  always  made  his  home  in 
this  town.  He  was  married  December  34,  1890,  to  Lulu,  daughter  of  William  B. 
Johnson,  of  Bath,  and  they  have  one  child,  Gratton  H.  Brundage,  who  is  eighteen 
months  old. 


234  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

Richtmyer,  Charles  E.,  was  born  in  Hector,  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y.,  January  1, 
1836,  son  of  John  Richtmyer  mentioned  in  this  work.  Charles  E.  was  reared  on  a 
farm  and  educated  in  Havana  Academy,  and  at  eighteen  years  of  age  he  learned 
the  carpenter's  trade,  at  which  he  worked  for  about  ten  years.  He  came  to  Thurston 
with  his  parents  when  he  was  twelve  years  of  age,  and,  except  five  years  in  Titus- 
ville.  Pa.,  and  five  yeai'S  near  Erie  City,  Pa.,  has  lived  in  Thurston,  N.  Y.  In  1865 
he  bought  the  farm  of  105  acres  he  now  owns,  and  followed  general  farming.  He  is 
a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  been  justice  of  the  peace  twenty-four  years,  and  in 
1874  and  1880  was  justice  of  sessions.  August  16,  1855,  he  married  Lucretia  M. 
Buck,  who  was  born  in  Enfield,  Tompkins  county,  March  29,  1831,  daughter  of  Amos 
and  Susanna  (Lovell)  Buck,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Mina  L.  wife  of  F.  L. 
Hawley,  a  merchant  of  Cameron,  and  the}^  have  one  child,  Inez  M.  ;  and  Bertie  E., 
who  is  a  clerk  in  a  hardware  store  m  Cameron,  X.Y.  Mr.  Richtmyer  is  also  a  watch- 
maker by  trade,  and  has  worked  at  milhvrighting  for  several  years,  and  has  also 
erected  seven  steam  mills  in  Steuben  county,  N.  Y. 

Grant,  George  E.,  was  born  in  Delaware  county,  N.Y.,  April  20,  1845,  son  of  John 
L.  and  Catherine  Parmeter  Grant,  he  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  she  of  Delaware 
county,  N.Y.  John  L.  came  to  Orange  county,  with  his  father,  Lewis  Grant,  who 
went  to  Delaware  county,  where  he  died  in  1866.  John  died  in  Delaware  county, 
June  19,  1866,  and  his  wife,  November  12,  1863.  George  E.  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  of  Tioga  county,  N.  Y.,  and  engaged  in  farming,  and  has  also 
worked  in  a  sash  factory.  In  1868  he  came  to  Erwin,  and  in  November,  1884,  re- 
moved to  Woodhull,  where  he  bought  forty-two  acres  of  land.  He  is  a  Republican, 
and  has  been  constable  for  two  terms,  and  is  a  member  of  J.  N.  Warner  Post  No. 
565,  G.  A.  R.,  of  which  he  is  a  charter  member.  June  24,  1869,  he  married  Lucinda 
Edwards  of  Woodhull,  and  they  have  ten  children :  Mabel,  John  L.  (deceased),  Nellie, 
Grace,  Charles,  Clarie,  Benjamin,  Arthur,  Fred  (deceased),  and  George.  December 
25,  1863,  Mr.  Grant  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  21st  N.  Y.  Cavalry,  and  served  one  year  and 
ten  months,  and  was  in  the  following  battles:  Newmarket,  Piedmont,  Lynchburg, 
Winchester,  Ashby's  Gap,  and  Mount  Jackson. 

Loper,  James  A.,  was  born  in  Woodhull,  N.Y.,  November  4,  1854,  son  of  James  and 
IlaRosenkrans  Loper,  heanative  of  Jerusalem,  N.Y.,  and  she  of  Delaware,  Pa.  They 
went  to  Brookfield,  Pa.,  at  an  early  date,  where  they  lived  for  some  years,  and  then 
went  to  Saginaw  county,  Michigan,  where  they  now  reside.  The  grandfather  of 
James  A.  was  Sir  John  Loper,  an  early  settler  of  Rathboneville,  where  he  died  at 
the  age  of  eighty-two  years.  James  A.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  educated  in  the 
common  schools.  He  went  to  Michigan  when  a  boy,  and  in  1881  returned  to  Wood- 
hull.  He  is  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  owns  seventj^-nine  acres  of  land.  March  21, 
1881,  he  married  Mary  P.,  adopted  daughter  of  Jeffrey  Stroud,  and  they  have  five 
children:  Anna  P.,  Forest  J.,  Wayne  A.,  Cassie  C,  and  Scott  L.  Mrs.  Loper's  own 
parents  were  Jesse  Morey  and  Charlotte  Fisher  Morey.  Jeffrey  Stroud  was  born  in 
Woodhull  on  the  farm  on  which  his  father  settled,  where  he  lived  until  about  1870, 
when  he  purchased  the  Bethel  Gurnsey  farm,  and  resided  where  his  widow  now  lives 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  January  12,  1894.  He  was  a  son  of  Edward  L.  and 
Almira  Gurnsey  Stroud,  who  are  mentioned  in  this  work,  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools,  and  at  his  death  owned  120  acres  of  land.     In  1857  he  married  Damey 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  235 

P.,  daughter  of  William  and  Parmelia  Schoonover  Morey.  who  came  to  Troupsburg 
at  an  early  day  and  died  at  Rowlett,  Pa.,  he  in  1892,  and  his  wife  about  1878. 

June,  William  A.,  was  born  in  Jasper,  May  5,  1857,  son  of  Elias  and  Louisa 
(Countryman)  June,  he  a  native  of  Jasper,  and  she  of  Herkimer  county,  N.  Y.  The 
grandfather,  Alvah  June,  came  to  Steuben  county  from  Connecticut  in  a  very  early 
day,  and  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  William  A.,  where  he  died.  He  had 
lived  some  years  in  McKean  county.  Pa.,  where  his  wife  was  burned  to  death. 
Elias  June,  father  of  William  A.,  died  in  Jasper,  in  December,  1891.  His  wife  still 
resides  in  Jasper.  William  A.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common 
schools.  He  followed  farming  and  now  owns  the  homestead  farm  of  100  acres. 
October  19,  1881,  he  married  Jessie  A.  Perry,  a  native  of  Woodhull,  and  daughter  of 
Levi  and  Hulda  H.  (Lyon)  Perry,  he  of  Woodhull,  whose  father.  Wooster  Perry,  was 
one  of  the  first  settlers.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  June  have  one  daughter,  Lois  M.,  born  Novem- 
ber 27,  1891.  William  A.  June  bought  the  first  lever  hay  press  used  in  Ja.sper,  and 
has  been  engaged  in  the  business  eleven  years.  His  father,  Elias  June,  was  always 
ready  to  assist  any  one  in  need,  and  was  among  the  first  to  encourage  any  public  en- 
terprise. He  assisted  largely  in  laying  out  grounds,  planting  trees,  building  fence, 
etc. ,  to  the  beautilful  cemetery  of  Jasper.     He  died  without  an  enemy. 

Smith,  Elmon  D.,  was  born  in  North  Haven,  Conn.,  Novembers,  1817.  In  1835 
his  father,  Deacon  Hervey  Smith,  moved  with  his  family  to  Newark  Valley,  Tioga 
county,  N.  Y.,  where  the  subject  of  this  notice  continued  to  live  until  1847,  when  he 
went  to  Dansville  and  resided  there  one  year.  Then  he  went  to  Portage  and  car- 
ried on  the  tanning  business  until  1853,  when  he  moved  to  Hornellsville.  Here  he 
engaged  in  the  insurance  business,  also  dealt  in  leather,  and  for  a  time  conducted 
a  shoe  store.  He  also  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  brick.  He  built  much  and 
handled  much  property,  having  owned  about  thirty  acres  here.  When  he  bought 
the  site  of  his  present  residence  on  Genesee  street  in  1853  and  built  there,  his  neigh- 
bors thought  it  strange  that  he  should  go  so  far  out  to  build.  In  1851  that  section  of 
the  town  was  sowed  to  wheat.  He  has  been  a  trustee  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
since  1854,  has  been  a  choir  singer  for  over  fifty  years,  and  was  leader  of  a  choir 
for  forty  years.     He  married  Sarah  Marsh  Waldo,  who  died  in  1879. 

Krause,  Frederick  William  Richard,  wag  born  in  Berlin,  Germany,  in  1855.  He 
took  a  preparatory  course  at  the  Sophia  Gymnasium  at  Berlin  and  studied  theology 
and  history  at  the  University  of  Berlin.  For  1880  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States 
and  settled  at  Albany,  where  he  was  pastor  of  the  German  Lutheran  church,  also 
at  New  Orleans,  St.  Louis  and  Princeton.  In  December,  1885,  he  moved  to  Perkins- 
ville,  where  he  assumed  the  pastorate  of  the  German  Lutheran  congregation 
(the  largest  of  Steuben  county)  of  that  place  and  also  of  the  Lutheran  church  of 
Dansville.  Mr.  Krause  has  contributed  scientific  articles,  exegetical  and  historical, 
for  the  St.  Louis  Theologica  and  is  working  now  at  a  "Philologica  veteris  et  novi 
testamenti  Clavis."  At  Princeton,  Ind.,  June,  1883,  he  married  Mary  Schaible,  who 
was  born  at  that  place  in  1856.  She  was  graduated  at  Princeton  High  School,  and 
took  a  special  course  at  Terre  Haute  College  and  afterwards  taught  in  the  graded 
schools  for  nine  years.  They  had  four  children :  William,  who  was  born  at  Neshan- 
nock.  Pa.,  April  24,  1885;  Lizzie,  born  in  June,  1887,  and  died  June  8,  1891;  Her- 
mann, born  April  23,  1891 ;  and  Albert,  born  May  5.  1894,  died  February  26,  1895. 


236  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Gee,  Edward,  was  born  in  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  April  25,  1840,  son  of  John  T. 
and  Margaret  (Betis)  Gee,  natives  of  New  York,  who  came  to  Steuben  county  where 
she  died  at  twenty-eight  years  of  age,  and  he  at  eighty-fours  years  of  age.  He  w^as 
a  hatter  by  trade,  and  was  also  proprietor  of  a  hotel  at  Woodhull  for  over  four  years. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M.  Edward  Gee  was  reared  in  the  village  of 
Woodhull.  He  is  a  farmer  and  owns  128  acres  of  land.  In  1865  he  married  Amanda, 
daughter  of  Peter  Harder,  of  Woodhull,  by  whom  he  had  three  children .  Dora, 
Rush,  and  Edith  G.  In  1864  Mr.  Gee  enlisted  in  Co.  G,  141st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and 
served  eleven  months.  He  was  with  Sherman  on  his  famous  march  to  the  sea,  and 
was  at  the  battles  of  Averysborough  and  Smith's  Farm.  He  was  a  charter  member 
of  J.  N.  Warner  Post,  No.  565,  G.  A.  R. 

Wood,  Augustus  H. ,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Corning  in  July,  1842,  son  of  Barry 
C.  and  Mary  Ann  Wood.  He  married  Lillian  H.  Palmer,  and  they  have  one  daugh- 
ter, Lillian.  Mr,  Wood  is  adjutant  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  No.  611,  and  past  com- 
mander. He  enlisted  in  August,  1861,  in  Co.  L,  6th  Regiment,  New  York  Cavalry, 
and  re-enlisted  in  the  same  regiment  and  was  finally  discharged  August  23,  1865. 
He  first  served  as  bugler,  then  as  corporal,  and  afterwards  as  sergeant.  He  has  held 
the  office  of  town  clerk  and  was  U^.  S.  census  enumerator  two  terms 

Sanford,  John,  was  born  in  L'rbana,  N.  Y.,  in  1823,  son  of  Thomas  and  Matilda 
(Miller)  Sanford,  both  natives  of  New  Jersey,  who  came  to  Urbana  at  an  early  day, 
where  he  cleared  a  farm  and  followed  sawing  and  farming.  He  died  in  1864  and  his 
wife  in  1860.  He  was  a  Whig  in  politics,  and  afterward  a  Republican.  The  grand- 
father, Thomas  Sanford,  came  from  New  Jersey  and  settled  in  Urbana,  where  he 
engaged  in  farming.  John  Sanford  engaged  in  sawing  in  early  life,  which  he  fol- 
lowed about  forty  years.  In  1875  he  bought  the  farm  in  Bradford  where  he  has 
since  been  located.  In  1847  he  married  Mary  H.  Bartholomew,  by  whom  he  had  two 
children:  Alonzo,  who  is  a  farmer  in  Michigan;  and  Mary  A.,  wife  of  N.  French,  a 
mason  and  bricklayer. 

Walling,  Daniel  L.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bradford,  Januarj-  9,  1847,  the  third 
of  si.x  children  born  to  Asa  and  Sarah  (Wilson)  Walling.  Asa  Walling  was  born  in 
New  Jersey,  July  7,  1810,  and  Mrs.  Walling  was  born  in  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  August  21, 
1811.  In  1820  the  parents  of  Asa  Walling,  Samuel  and  Susana  (Swarts)  Walling, 
came  from  New  Jersey  and  settled  in  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  and  had  nine  children,  and 
Samuel  Walling  died  in  1869,  and  his  wife  died  in  1847.  Asa  Walling  was  a  success- 
ful farmer  and  owned  a  large  farm  in  Bradford,  where  he  died  April  25,  1894.  Mrs. 
Walling  died  February  7,  1888.  Daniel  L.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  has  always 
been  engaged  in  that  line,  commencing  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides,  which 
consists  of  100  acres,  in  1881.  He  then  spent  nine  years  on  the  homestead,  caring 
for  the  old  people,  returning  to  his  present  home  in  1895.  January  9,  1881,  Mr.  Wall- 
ing married  Sarah  E.,  daughter  of  James  M.  and  Maria  (Dennis)  Gillmore,  and  they 
have  one  son,  Asa  J.,  who  was  born  March  30, 1885.  Mr.  Walling  is  a  member  of  the 
Grange  and  Farmers'  Alliance. 

Wood,  Israel,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wayne,  March  30,  1831,  and  is  the  ninth  of 
thirteen  children  born  to  Israel  R.  and  Anna  (Fleet)  Wood,  he  a  native  of  Orange 
county,  N.  Y.,  and  she  of  Tyrone,  N.  Y.     The  maternal  grandfather,  Abram  Fleet, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  237 

was  a  pioneer  of  Tyrone,  where  he  cleared  a  farm  and  reared  a  large  family.  The 
paternal  grandfather,  Jonathan  Wood,  lived  and  died  in  Orange  county,  N.  Y.  At 
four  years  of  age  Ira  R.  Wood,  father  of  Israel,  was  left  an  orphan,  and  he  lived 
with  relatives  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  bound  himself  out  to  Joel 
Thorpe  of  Groton,  Tompkins  county.  In  1815  he  settled  in  Wayne,  where  he  cleared 
a  large  farm  and  spent  his  days.  He  died  November  9,  1868,  and  Mrs.  Wood  died 
October  9,  1864.  Israel  Wood  helped  to  clear  the  homestead  farm,  and  still  resides 
there  and  makes  farming  his  occupation.  In  1855  he  married  Orrilla,  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Catherine  (McDowell)  Cronkrite,  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Jona- 
than, who  died  in  1863,  aged  six  years;  Laura  M.,  who  died  in  1863,  aged  four  years; 
Kittie  C,  wife  of  William  S.  Murray,  a  teacher  by  profession  and  graduate  of  Syra- 
cuse University;  Fred  H.,  who  died  in  1869,  aged  seven  years;  Olin  W.,  a  graduate 
of  Syracuse  University,  and  a  teacher  by  profession;  William  M.,  of  Wyoming 
county.  Pa.,  and  a  teacher  by  profession;  and  Anna  O.,  who  is  a  student  at  Albany 
State  Normal  College.  Mr.  Wood  is  a  member  of  No.  459,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Ham- 
mondsport. 

McAdam,  Henry. — William  McAdam  was  born  March  18,  1827,  in  Ireland  and 
came  to  the  United  States  when  a  small  child.  His  father,  James,  settled  in  the 
town  of  Howard,  near  where  William  now  resides,  in  1830,  where  he  cleared  a  farm 
of  101  acres.  He  died  in  1859,  and  his  wife  in  March,  1864.  They  had  a  family  of 
three  children:  John,  Thomas,  and  William,  all  of  whom  were  born  in  Ireland. 
WilHam  was  educated  in  the  districts  schools  of  Howard,  and  December  3,  1851,  he 
married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Henry  Pawling,  son  of  Henry  Pawling,  who  fought 
for  his  country  in  1776,  was  taken  prisoner  and  confined  on  the  Prison  Ship.  Henry 
Pawling,  the  father  of  Mrs.  McAdam,  was  drafted  in  the  war  of  1813.  At  that  time 
the  population  was  limited  and  his  wife,  Catherine,  was  compelled  to  live  alone  in  a 
log  cabin  in  the  woods,  and  had  to  keep  bright  fires  burning  in  order  to  frighten 
away  the  wild  animals.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McAdam  were  the  parents  of  five  children : 
Eva,  Henry,  Herbert,  Hattie,  who  married  W.  J.  Stewart  and  resides  in  North 
Carolina,  and  Clayton.  Henry  McAdam  is  a  prosperous  farmer  in  the  town  of 
Howard,  owning  a  farm  of  118  acres,  mostly  all  cleared.  February  24,  1886,  he  mar- 
ried Emma  A.,  daughter  of  Andrew  Sharp,  one  of  the  first  farmers  of  the  town. 
They  have  one  daughter,  Bertha.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McAdam  are  members  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church. 

Williams,  Miles,  was  born  in  Tioga  county,  N.  Y.,  February  21,  1825,  son  of  John 
A.,  and  Nancy  Thompson  Williams,  she  a  native  of  Tioga  county,  and  he  of  Con- 
necticut. They  came  to  Woodhull  in  1836,  where  he  died  October  9,  1870,  and  she 
September  13,  1867.  Miles's  grandfather,  Thomas  WilHams,  died  in  Tioga  county, 
May  15,  1828,  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth,  died  May  24,  1864,  aged  eighty-six  years.  The 
maternal  grandfather  was  Moses  Thompson,  who  was  born  September  2,  1771,  and 
died  October  26,  1854.  Miles  Williams  was  brought  up  on  a  farm  and  educated  in 
the  common  schools,  and  now  owns  192  acres  of  land.  In  1850  he  married  Catherine, 
daughter  of  Joseph  D. ,  son  of  Samuel  Strond,  who  is  mentioned  in  this  work.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Williams  are  the  parents  of  two  children:  Joseph,  who  married  Ida  Marvin, 
and  they  have  one  child.  Leon,  born  March  5,  1863,  and  by  a  previous  marriage  to 
Nellie  Burch,  they  have  one  child,  Wallace,  born   May  20,  1882.     Mrs.  Williams's 


238  ■  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

father,  Joseph  D.  Strond,  was  born  in  New  Jersey  in  1792,  and  came  to  Woodhull.  His 
wife  was  Elizabeth  Merring,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children.  He  died  February  28, 
1870,  and  his  wife  November  19,  1883.  He  was  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  the 
town  and  owned  about  600  acres  of  land. 

Lang,  John  H.,  son  of  John  Lang,  first  vice-president  of  the  Fall  Brook  Coal  and 
Fall  Brook  Railway  Co.'s,  was  born  at  Covington,  Pa.,  September  8,  1850.  He  be- 
gan his  business  life  as  a  telegi'aph  operator  and  mail  boy  for  the  Fall  Brook  Coal 
Co.  in  December,  1863,  from  which  duties  he  was  promoted  to  bookkeeper,  and  later 
held  the  positions  of  auditor,  paymaster,  and  assistant  treasurer,  and  is  now  secre- 
tary of  that  corporation.  In  the  reorganization  of  the  railway  department,  July  1, 
1892,  he  was  made  treasurer  of  the  Fall  Brook  Railway  Co.  He  has  resided  in  Corn- 
ing since  March,  1880. 

Foster,  William  A.,  was  born  in  Vermont  in  1S;>5.  When  seventeen  j-ears  of  age 
he  began  railroad  work  as  fireman  and  afterwards  learned  the  machinist  trade,  and 
then  ran  an  engine  for  several  years,  after  which  he  was  engaged  as  foreman  of  the 
shops  at  Fitchburg,  Mass. ,  for  two  years.  In  1873  he  was  appointed  assistant  super- 
intendent of  motive  power  for  the  Fitchburg  Railroad,  acting  as  superintendent  from 
1882  to  1884,  and  in  1885  accepted  his  present  position  of  superintendent  of  machin- 
ery for  the  Fall  Brook  Railroad. 

Donnelly,  Mrs.  E.  B. — James  Donnelly  was  born  in  New  York  city,  March  29, 
1843.  His  family  moved  to  Georgetown,  D.  C.  In  1861  he  enhsted  in  Co.  I,  34th 
New  York  Infantry,  and  after  his  discharge  he  went  to  Hammondsport  and  enlisted 
in  Co.  G,  22d  Cavalry,  and  served  two  years,  and  received  an  honorable  discharge 
at  the  close  of  the  war.  In  1871  he  married  Ellen  Benner,  and  they  are  the  parents 
of  two  children:  Henry  J.  and  Ellen  M.  In  1889  he  moved  to  Kanonaand  kept  pub- 
lic house  until  his  death,  which  occurred  January  39,  1894.  Mr.  Donnelly  was  an 
Odd  Fellow  and  a  prominent  Mason ;  also  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  the  Macca- 
bees. 

Hoagland,  John  C,  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives,  October  27,  1839, 
son  of  Richard  Hoagland,  who  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  and  came  to  the 
town  of  Howard  in  1830,  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  and  occupied  by  John  C. 
Their  ancestry  is  traced  back  to  the  settlement  of  New  Amsterdam,  in  1565.  Richard 
was  a  farmer  and  lived  to  be  ninety  years  of  age.  He  married  Tabitha  Clark,  of 
Montgomery  county,  formerly  of  Rhode  Island,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  eleven 
children,  five  of  whom  are  still  alive.  John  C.  has  always  been  a  farmer,  with  the 
exception  of  three  years  spent  in  the  army.  He  enlisted  in  1861,  and  was  in  the 
battles  of  Port  Hudson,  and  the  Red  River  Campaign.  He  was  married  three  times, 
first  to  Tabitha  Powell,  and  three  children  were  born  to  them :  Holand,  Clark,  and 
Georgia;  his  second  wife  was  Jennie  Brockney,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Sumner; 
third,  to  Ella  Burd.  Mr.  Hoagland  has  filled  the  offices  of  overseer  of  the  poor  for 
two  years,  and  supervisor  for  the  same  length  of  time.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A. 
R.,  and  a  Granger.     In  politics  he  is  an  Independent. 

Stewart,  William  H.,  who  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  April  2,  1843,  is  the 
ninth  child  of  a  family  of  eleven  children  of  the  late  Andrew  and  Lydia  Stewart, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  2.39 

who  were  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  this  town,  coming  here  in  1817.  Andrew 
Stewart  was  born  October  31,  1805,  in  Washington  county.  He  cleared  a  farm  of 
eighty  acres  where  he  resided  up  to  wdthin  three  years  of  his  death,  when  he  disposed 
of  it  to  a  son,  E.  L.  Stewart,  who  is  in  possession  of  it  at  the  present  time.  William 
H.  Stewart  began  life  poor,  out  through  hard  labor  and  frugality  he  is  the  owner  of 
a  116  acre  farm,  mostly  all  improved  land.  He  married  Nancy  J.,  daughter  of  Henry 
Stewart  .of  Howard,  and  they  have  one  son,  Don  Stewart,  who  resides  at  home. 
They  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church  of  Towlesville.  In  politics  Mr.  Stewart  is 
Independent. 

Sin  Clair,  William  A.,  was  born  April  10, 1832,  on  the  homestead,  which  was  settled 
by  his  father,  John  Sin  Clair,  who  came  from  Vermont  in  1820;  at  that  time  the  pres- 
ent section  was  covered  by  a  dense  forest,  and  it  was  only  through  his  laborious 
work  that  it  was  brought  under  cultivation  and  roads  were  laid  out  for  the  conven- 
ience of  the  incoming  settlers ;  the  one  worthy  of  particular  mention  is  the  Turnpike 
which  bounds  the  farm  on  the  south.  In  1823  he  married  Eltha  Dickenson,  by  whom 
he  had  six  children,  three  sons  and  three  daughters,  and  through  life  was  identified 
as  a  practical  farmer,  taking  an  active  interest  in  school  and  church  matters,  dying 
in  1851  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years.  In  1857  WilHam  A.  married  Mary  J.,  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Martha  Abbott,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Will  A.,  F.  Leo, 
F.  Deo,  Mrs.  A.  J.  Sin  Clair,  Mrs.  F.  B.  Conine;  and  has  always  resided  on  the 
homestead,  being  one  of  the  most  prosperous  and  influential  farmers  of  that  locality. 

Hoaglin,  Leroy,  was  born  in  Schuyler  county,  N.  Y.,  September  24,  1839,  son  of 
John  and  Fannie  (Redner)  Hoaglin,  who  came  to  Pennsylvania  in  1852,  and  to  Wood- 
hull  in  1863,  where  they  still  reside.  Leroy  Hoaglin  began  working  by  the  month, 
and  in  1863  he  enlisted  in  Co.  G,  2d  N.  Y.  Vet.  Vol.  Cavalry,  and  served  until  No- 
vember, 1865.  He  was  at  the  battles  of  Red  River,  Mobile,  Blakely,  and  all  other 
battles  the  regiment  took  part  in.  He  now  owns  116  acres  of  land.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican in  politics,  and  held  the  office  of  assessor  four  years,  elected  the  second  term. 
He  is  a  member  of  Restoration  Lodge,  No.  777,  F.  &  A.  M.,  also  a  member  of  J.  N. 
Warner  Post,  No.  565,  G.  A.  R.  In  1867  Mr. 'Hoaglin  married  ELsie  Thompson,  by 
whom  he  had  four  children :  Olive,  Gertrude,  Etta,  and  Leroy.  The  grandfather, 
John  Hoaglin,  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  came  to  Cayuga  county,  N.Y.,  where 
he  died. 

Carter,  Erastus  A. ,  was  born  in  Canisteo,  April  23,  1848,  son  of  John  Carter,  who 
was  born  in  Lansing,  Tompkins  county.  When  John  Carter  first  came  to  Steuben 
county  he  settled  in  Greenwood,  and  was  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering  quite 
extensively.  He  came  to  Canisteo  village  about  twenty  years  ago  and  remodeled 
the  old  Canisteo  House,  it  being  the  first  brick  house  in  the  county.  He  run  the 
hotel  for  about  two  years,  afterwards  disposing  of  the  same.  In  about  four  years  he 
again  purchased  the  property,  which  he  owned  till  his  death  in  August,  1888.  In 
1889  Erastus  A.  Carter  purchased  the  hotel  from  the  estate,  and  has  since  conducted 
the  same.  Mr.  Carter  was  at  one  time  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering,  but  at 
present  devotes  his  time  to  farming,  the  hotel,  and  his  furniture  business.  In  De- 
cember, 1894,  the  furniture  business  was  started  under  the  name  of  E.  A.  Carter  & 
Son,  carrying  a  general  line  of  furniture  and   funeral  supplies.     In  July,  1869,  Mr. 


240  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Carter  married  Katie  A.  Bailey,  of  Tompkins  county,  by  whom  he  has  two  sons: 
William  L.  and  Johji  M.  Mr.  Carter  is  a  member  of  Morning  Star  Lodge  of  Masons, 
No.  65. 

Cram,  Duty  S.,  eldest  son  of  Isaiah  and  Phoebe  (Dakin)  Cram,  was  born  in  Che- 
nango county,  N.  Y. ,  in  1837.  Locating  in  the  town  of  Lindley,  two  years  later  they 
moved  to  Caton,  which  at  that  time  was  but  a  wilderness,  and  commenced  clearing 
up  a  farm  where  Mr.  Cram  now  resides,  and  where  the  parents  died  several  years 
ago.  Besides  D.  S.,  there  were  six  girls  and  three  boys,  viz.:  Finetta,  wife  of  Joel 
P.  Cady  of  North  Adams,  Mass.,  both  now  deceased;  Polly,  wife  of  Robert  Cook  of 
Lindley,  both  living;  Roby,  wife  of  Henry  L.  Babcock  of  Caton,  both  deceased; 
Emeline,  of  Caton,  deceased;  Samantha,  wife  of  John  H.  Laughhead  of  Elmira,  both 
deceased;  Sarah,  wife  of  James  Waldon  of  Caton,  both  living;  Simeon  B.,  of  Caton, 
deceased;  Henry  D.  of  Glean,  N.  Y.,  deceased  (killed  by  a  falling  tree);  Robert  W. , 
the  youngest,  now  living  in  the  town  of  Corning.  In  1855  D.  S.  married  Sarah  A. 
Stamer,  a  native  of  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y.  They  have  at  present  four  children 
living,  viz. :  Fred  B.  of  Caton,  who  married  Matie  Thorp,  and  resides  on  a  farm 
adjoining  his  father's;  Nellie,  wife  of  Eugene  Cook,  who  resides  in  Elmira;  Joel  P., 
who  married  Estella  Vandusen  and  resides  on  a  farm  near  his  father ;  Nettie,  wife 
of  Walter  A.  Davidson,  and  resides  on  a  farm  at  Lindley.  The  eldest  son,  James, 
died  when  a  boy. 

Wellman,  John  R.,  West  Caton,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  is  a  native  of  Otsego 
county,  was  born  in  1819  and  came  to  his  present  place,  January  2,  1851.  In  1842  he 
married  his  present  wife,  who  was  Anne  Histed,  a  native  of  Schenectady  county. 
August  14,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  D,  J 41st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  two  years  and 
ten  months.  His  children  are  Sarah  A.,  wife  of  William  A.  Johnston,  Emma  J., 
wife  of  M.  W.  Robbins,  Silas  E.,  L.  M.,  Willie  I.,  and  Charles  R.,  who  died  in  1861. 
Mr.  Wellman  is  serving  his  second  term  as  justice  of  peace. 

Granger,  Leverett,  was  born  in  Springfield,  Mass.,  April  2,  1809.  John  Granger, 
his  father,  owned  a  beautiful  farm  on  .the  Connecticut,  five  miles  from  Springfield, 
Mass.  Through  signing  notes  for  a  friend,  he  was  obliged  to  sell  and  when  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  seven,  we  find  them  settled  in  Dryden,  N.  Y.  In  1822  they 
moved  to  Bennett's  Creek,  one  mile  west  of  Canisteo,  where  they  cleared  a  large 
tract  of  land.  When  but  eighteen,  Leverett  lost  his  mother;  he  then  started  to 
"  carve  out  his  own  fortune."  Working  for  ten  dollars  a  month,  he  laid  up  his  $100 
a  year;  his  life  was  was  not  all  work,  for  many  a  time  has  he  told  his  children  about 
the  New  Years  ball,  how  he  took  his  girl,  not  in  a  carriage,  but  on  behind  him,  both 
on  the  same  horse.  After  accumulating  sufficient  fortune  to  support  a  wife,  he 
married  Weltha  Chapman,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  Harriet  E.,  Weltha  E., 
Francis  G.,  William  H.,  Horace  A.,  Harrison  D.,  and  Daniel  S.  He  married  for  his 
second  wife  Lydia  A.,  daughter  of  John  Rose  of  Greenwood,  by  whom  he  had  seven 
children;  Charles,  EHsha,  Sarah  A.,  H.  Lee,  M.  Ida,  Lura  B.  and  John.  Death  has 
claimed  two  of  his  children,  Francis  G.  and  M.  Ida;  the  others  we  find  scattered  in 
the  East  and  West,  and  some  remaining  on  his  beautiful  farm  one  mile  south  of  Can- 
isteo. When  in  the  spring  of  1894  death  claimed  his  beloved  wife,  we  find  him  still 
calm  and  serene,   for  his  trust  has  been   in  Jesus  for  many  a  year.     Though  not  a 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  241 

Prohibitionist,  he  is  strongly  temperate ;  do  we  need  a  better  example  than  this — 
not  one  of  his  eight  manly  sons  love  the  wine  cup?  As  one  has  said,  "'Tis  only  noble 
to  be  good;"  then  he  must  belong  to  the  true  nobility,  for  his  life  has  always  been 
free  from  quarrels  and  strife,  loved  and  honored  by  all. 

Cook,  Emmett  A.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hartsville,  March  22,  1854,  son  of 
James  M.  Cook,  a  native  of  this  county,  born  in  Canisteo,  September  28,  1825.  He 
was  a  farmer  and  lumberman  and  the  later  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  Hornells- 
ville,  where  he  died  February  23,  1866.  He  was  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Hartsville 
for  three  terms  and  also  held  some  of  the  minor  officers.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  church  the  earlier  part  of  his  life.  When  twenty-six  years  old  he  married 
Harriet,  daughter  of  Joseph  Wallace,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Hornellsville.  Mrs. 
Cook  died  August  22,  1895,  in  her  fifty-ninth  year.  They  were  the  parents  of  three 
children:  Emmett,  as  above,  Eva,  the  wife  of  Scott  B.  Van  Benkirk,  a  farmer  of 
Hartsville  and  postmaster,  and  Fanny,  who  died  in  1863.  Emmett  was  educated 
in  Hornellsville  schools  and  Canisteo  Academy,  and  was  for  one  year  employed  in 
the  grocery  of  D.  C.  Corbett  of  Canisteo.  In  1875  he  moved  on  to  a  farm  of  120 
acres  on  lot  6,  to-wn  of  Hornellsville,  which  he  inherited  from  his  father,  and  on  which 
he  now  lives,  making  a  specialty  of  dairy  products  and  potatoes.  For  a  great  many 
years  he  has  raised  sheep.  In  1891  and  1892  he  served  as  highway  commissioner  of 
the  town.  In  1877  Mr.  Cook  married  Celestia  Hendee  of  Hartsville,  who  died  March 
4,  1887. 

Griswold,  George  W.,  was  born  in  Avoca,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  July  5,  1838,  son 
of  John  D.,  who  was  a  native  of  Spencertown,  Albany  county,  born  January  21,  1812. 
John  D.  removed  to  Steuben  county  about  1835,  locating  in  Avoca,  where  he  estab- 
lished a  jewelry  business,  where  he  died  March  10,  1893.  He  was  postmaster  of 
Avoca  for  several  years,  and  a  prominent  Mason  of  Bath  Lodge.  The  mother  of  our 
subject,  Sarah  Towner,  was  a  native  of  this  county,  and  a  daughter  of  Gershom 
Towner,  who  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers.  Mrs.  Griswold  is  still  living,  being  in 
her  seventy-ninth  year.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Griswold  are  the  parents  of  twelve  children, 
ten  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  and  six  of  whom  now  survive.  George,  the  eldest 
son,  first  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  Oscar  Smith's  dry  goods  store  at  Avoca,  where  he 
remained  two  years,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  came  to  Hornellsville  where  he  was 
employed  in  the  same  capacity  with  Smith  &  Young,  and  during  his  five  years  with 
them  never  lost  a  day's  time.  In  1869  he  established  himself  in  business,  opening  a 
general  store,  which  he  sold  out  in  1884,  after  which  he  followed  farming  for  eight 
years.  In  1891  he  returned  to  Hornellsville  and  opened  a  shoe  store  in  his  building 
on  Main  street,  where  he  now  has  a  fine  trade.  Mr.  Griswold  has  served  as  highwaj^ 
commissioner,  collector,  and  was  enrolling  officer  at  the  time  of  the  Rebellion.  He 
has  been  a  Mason  for  twenty  eight  years,  and  has  twice  been  Master  of  his  lodge, 
having  held  many  other  high  offices  in  same.  In  1861  he  married  Mary  C,  daughter 
of  R.  M.  Traver  of  Painted  Post.  She  died  in  1888,  leaving  one  son,  Don  C.  The 
present  Mrs.  Griswold  was  Anna  T.  Regan,  and  their  children  are  Raymond  Leo 
and  Wallace  Elliot. 

Austin,  Benjamin,  was  born  in  Fishkill,  Dutchess  county,  February  13,  1825.  At 
ten  vears  of  age  he  began  work  in  a  cotton  factory  in  Matteawan,  N.  Y.,  and  at  thir- 


242  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

teen  years  of  age  he  came  to  Prattsburg  with  his  father  where  he  learned  the  car- 
penter trade  which  he  has  followed  for  forty  years.  In  1868  he  moved  into  the  village 
of  Prattsburg,  and  was  elected  town  tax-collector,  which  office  he  held  six  years,  and 
nine  consecutive  years  as  constable.  In  1890  he  returned  to  his  farm  where  he  has 
Lince  resided.  Lockwood  Austin  his  grandfather,  was  a  drum  major  in  the  1812 
war,  and  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  came  to  Pulteney,  Steuben  county,  about 
1839,  and  later  moved  to  Prattsburg  where  he  spent  his  remaining  days  on  a  farm. 
He  married  Susan  Meade,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  William,  Daniel,  Mrs. 
Eliza  Brewster,  Mrs.  Olive  Adams.  Mrs.  Fannie  Banker,  Mrs.  Charity  Green,  Mrs. 
Ann  Burroughs.  William  Austin,  father  of  Benjamin,  was  born  in  Putnam  count)% 
in  1801.  He  was  a  stone  mason  by  trade,  and  was  for  man}'  years  a  foreman  in  the 
cotton  factory  at  Matteawan.  N.  Y.  In  1839  he  came  to  Prattsburg,  Steuben  county, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  married  Sally  Ann  Watkins  of  Dutchess  county, 
by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Benjamin  B.,  Mrs.  Fannie  Smith  of  Prattsburg,  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Trenchard  of  Hornellsville,  Lockwood,  who  enlisted  m  107th  Regt.,  and 
fought  in  several  battles,  died  in  a  hcspital,  and  was  buried  in  Nashville,  Tenn., 
and  Mrs.  Margaret  Earley  of  Prattsburg.  He  died  in  1890,  and  his  wife  in  July, 
1889.  In  1849  Benjamin  Austin  married  Johannah  E.  A.,  daughter  of  Alexander 
Parker  of  Pulteney,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  James  A.,  born  March,  1850, 
who  is  engaged  in  farming  and  grape  growing,  was  married  to  Martha  Hults  of 
Pulteney,  May  2,  1875;  Wm.  K.,  born  November,  1857,  printer  and  carpenter  by 
trade,  was  married  to  Amy  R.  Stanhope  of  Wayne.  January  26,  1882;  and  Benjamin 
P.,  born  August  15,  1867;  is  a  mechanic  and  musician,  director  of  Prattsburg  band, 
and  a  composer  of  music,  and  was  married  to  Cheney  Brown  of  Prattsburg  in  1886. 
B.  B.  Austin  has  two  grandchildren,  Lola  L.,  daughter  of  W.  K.  and  Verie  Marie, 
daughter  of  B.  P.  Mrs.  Austin  died  in  March,  1878,  aged  fifty-two  years.  In  1880 
Mr.  Austin  married  for  his  second  wife,  Mrs.  Betsey  E.  (Northrup)  Smith,  who  has 
two  children:  Miranda  E.,  deceased,  and  Israel  A. 

Woodbury,  Joseph  B.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Exeter,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  Oc- 
tober 21,  1826.  When  about  two  years  of  age  his  parents  removed  to  New  Hartford, 
Oneida  county,  where  they  resided  until  1830,  when  they  took  up  their  residence  in 
Winfield,  Herkimer  count}',  and  continued  to  reside  there  until  1841.  While  living 
there,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  attended  common  school,  where  he  evinced  a  talent 
for  learning  far  in  advance  of  his  years,  and  was  always  at  the  head  of  his  classes. 
On  February  3,  1841,  the  family  commenced  a  journey  to  the  then  comparatively 
new  town  of  Jasper,  in  this  county,  and  reached  their  destination  after  six  days' 
travel.  He  attended  school  until  nineteen  years  of  age,  a  portion  of  the  time  at  a 
select  school  in  Addison,  under  the  tutorship  of  Col.  John  W.  Diuinny.  His  school 
days  ended,  Mr.  Woodbury  engaged  in  lumbering  until  twenty-five  years  of  age, 
when  he  became  interested  in  farming.  He  also  took  took  up  the  trade  of  mason 
and  worked  at  it  for  eight  years.  Having  purchased  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Jasper, 
he  continued  to  reside  upon  it  until  April  9,  1862,  when  he  moved  to  the  village  of 
Greenwood  to  engage  in  the  milling  business,  having  previously  bought  the  Stephens 
mill  in  that  village.  He  remained  here  twelve  years,  managing  in  connection  with 
his  mill,  large  lumbering  and  farming  interests.  He  then  retired  from  these  pur- 
suits, built  a  house  in  the  village  of  Greenwood,   and  invested  largely  in  oil  lands, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  2J3 

owning  at  one  time  153  acres  in  the  oil  belt  in  Pennsylvania,  and  an  interest  in 
thirty-six  oil  wells.  Seeing  the  rapid  emigration  to  the  Western  States  after  the 
close  of  the  war,  and  conscious  of  the  increase  in  the  value  of  western  lands  which 
must  necessarily  follow  the  settlement  of  that  section,  he  began  to  place  some  of  his 
capital  there.  Among  his  earlist  speculations  was  one  in  land  in  the  State  of  Iowa, 
where  he  purchased  two  thousand  and  one  hundred  acres  in  Woodbury  county. 
(On  an  investment  of  §3,600  he  realized  within  a  few  years,  upwards  of  ^6,000.)  Mr. 
Woodbury  in  company  with  Hon.  John  Davis  of  Greenwood,  N.  Y.,  then  bought  two 
thousand  acres  of  pine  timber  land  in  the  State  of  Michigan  which  he  heldfortwelve 
years,  this  costing  them  about  $4,500  and  was  sold  for  $40,000.  He  is  now  in  pos- 
session of  one  thousand  acres  of  land  in  one  of  the  most  fruitful  sections  of  the  State 
of  Nebraska,  and  the  owner  of  a  large  flouring  mill  at  Ord,  in  that  State.  He  is  also 
interested  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Ord,  of  which  institution  he  was  on'e  of  the 
originators.  On  December  31,  1886,  Mr.  Woodbury  took  up  his  residence  in  Horn- 
ellsville.  He  is  a  director  and  one  of  the  executive  board  of  the  Citizens'  National 
Bank  of  Hornellsville.  He  never  aspired  to  hold  political  office,  though  often 
urged  by  his  townsmen  to  accept.  He  married  first,  Mary  M.,  daughter  of  the  late 
Hon.  Alexander  H.  Stephens,  of  Greenwood,  on  November  11,  1851.  Of  this 
union  two  sons  were  born,  viz. :  Merritt  A.,  now  deceased,  and  Martin  F.,  of  Sauk 
Centre,  Minn.  Mrs.  Woodbury  died  May  28,  1883.  His  pre.sent  wife  was  Mary  M., 
davrghter  of  the  late  Hon.  Redmond  S.  Davis,  also  of  Greenwood.  Merritt  A.  moved 
with  his  family,  consisting  of  wife  and  one  son,  to  Ord,  Nebraska,  in  September, 
1891,  and  died  December  6,  1894 

Dartt,  Burton. — His  grandfather,  Joshua,  was  born  in  Vermont,  and  came  with  his 
father  to  Pennsylvania,  and  from  there  to  Steuben  county,  locating  on  the  old  turn- 
pike road  between  Bath  and  Hornellsville,  where  he  lived  to  an  old  age.  Franklin 
Dartt,  father  of  Burton,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  near  Blossburg,  Tioga  county, 
in  1809,  and  came  to  Howard  at  the  age  of  about  twelve  years,  where  he  learned  the 
trade  of  cloth  dressing  and  carding,  which  business  he  followed  all  his  life.  He 
married  Louisa  Dort,  who  died  five  years  later.  For  his  second  wife  he  married 
Lidda  Clisba,  who  was  born  in  June  1805,  and  died  in  Michigan  in  1807.  From  this 
union  there  were  four  children:  Byron  H.,  born  December  10,  1836;  Burton,  born 
August  18,  1838;  Phebe  Jane,  born  in  1843;  and  Esther  Ann,  born  July  1,  1848. 
Burton  Dartt  received  a  good  common  school  education,  and  worked  in  a  steam  mill 
for  a  time,  and  has  since  followed  farming,  having  a  farm  of  141  acres  which  is 
located  on  Windom  Hill.  He  has  been  inspector  of  election  four  years,  and  also 
held  the  office  of  assessor  of  the  town  of  Fremont  for  four  years.  November  17, 
1862,  he  married  Helen  M.  Demery,  who  was  born  May  34  1839,  and  they  have  one 
child,  Esther  Jane  Gray,  who  was  born  October  2,  1867,  and  married  March  29,  1885, 
and  has  one  child,  Doras  B.  Gray,  who  was  born  August  38,  1889. 

Hulbert,  Freeman,  was  born  December  20,  1840.  His  grandfather,  Moses  Hul- 
bert,  was  born  in  Hampshire  county,  Mass.,  August  7,  1770.  In  1816  he  came  to 
Dansville  and  bought  a  farm  on  Oak  Hill  where  he  followed  the  cooper's  trade,  and 
where  he  died.  Justus  Hulbert,  father  of  Freeman,  was  born  at  Fort  Ann,  Wash- 
ington county,  November  12,  1810,  and  came  to  Dansville  with  his  father,  where  he 
followed  farming.     The  first  fifty  acres  he  purchased  on  Oak  Hill,  at  eighteen  shil- 


244  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

lings  per  acre,  and  he  owned  about  seventy-five  acres  when  he  died  at  forty-six  years 
of  age.  In  1838,  he  married  Catherine  Flickinger,  who  was  born  in  Dansville,  N.  Y., 
May  5,  1819,  by  whom  he  had  fom-  children:  Freeman,  as  above;  Diana,  who  mar- 
ried Daniel  Sager ;  Amelia,  who  married  John  Scherer ;  and  Charles  Hulbert.  Free- 
man Hulbert  has  always  followed  farming,  and  he  purchased  the  farm  in  Fremont, 
on  which  he  now  lives,  thirty  years  ago.  November  1,  1865,  he  married  Mary  A. 
Cridler,  who  was  born  in  Dansville,  March  20,  1840,  daughter  of  Daniel  Cridler,  by 
whom  he  had  one  child,  Ira  Justus,  who  was  born  September  25,  1866,  and  who  was 
educated  at  Rogersville  Union  Seminary.  March  5,  1890,  he  married  May  L. 
Kriedler,  who  was  born  December  6,  1870,  and  died  October  28,  1890. 

Stewart,  Edmond,  was  born  m  the  town  of  Cameron,  N.  Y.,  November  2,  1848,  son 
of  John  S.  and  Sarah  (Chase)  Stewart,  natives  of  Barrington,  Yates  county,  and 
eastern  New  York,  respectively.  The  grandparents  were  among  the  first  settlers  of 
Cameron,  where  they  died.  John  S.  Stewart  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Cameron, 
where  he  lived  and  died.  Edmond  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  then  en- 
gaged in  farming  on  the  homestead.  In  1866  he  married  Lovina,  daughter  of  Wash- 
mgton  and  Mary  (Smith)  Dawley,  by  whom  he  has  seven  children:  Albert,  Carrie, 
Nelson,  Lizzie,  George,  Louise,  and  Minnie.  In  1879  Mr.  Stewart  came  to  Rathbone 
and  rented  a  farm  owned  by  Dea.  William  Allen ;  in  1889  he  bought  108  acres  and 
made  a  specialty  of  sheep  raising.  The  family  are  Baptists.  September  23,  1895, 
Edmond  Stewart  died. 

Rosenkrans,  A.  D.,  was  born  in  Avoca,  November  12,  1845.  JosejDh  Rosenkrans,  his 
father,  was  born  in  Steuben  county,  and  settled  in  Avoca  in  about  1836,  on  the  farm 
of  which  his  son  is  now  part  owner.  He  married  Mary  Austin  of  Wayland,  by  whom 
he  had  three  children:  Mary  H.,  George  B.,  and  A.  D.,  who  was  educated  in  Avoca 
and  Naples  Academy,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming  which  he  followed  until  1881, 
at  which  time  until  1887  he  spent  at  milling.  He  married  Annetta,  daughter  of  Will- 
iam R.  Head,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  George  M.,  Mertie  M.,  and  William 
K.  Mrs.  Rosenkrans  died  October  1,  1889,  and  he  married  for  his  second  wife,  Rhoda 
A. ,  daughter  of  Martin  H.  Cooley  of  Wayland.  Mr.  Rosenkrans  was  justice  of  the 
peace  for  some  time,  and  is  a  member  of  Avoca  Lodge  of  Masons,  No.  673. 

Hofstetter,  Louis,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville,  February  6,  1854.  Casper 
Hof stetter,  the  father  of  our  subject,  is  a  native  of  Germany,  who  came  to  this  coun- 
try about  1849,  and  settled  at  what  is  now  Webb's  Crossing  on  nineteen  acres  of 
land.  He  afterwards  in  1873  moved  to  the  farm  of  133  acres  where  he  now  resides, 
and  has  ever  since  been  engaged  in  farming  in  this  section.  He  is  seventy-si.K  years 
old.  His  wife,  Elizabeth  Knetl,  was  also  a  native  of  Germany.  They  have  four 
children,  of  which  Louis  is  the  youngest  son.  He  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  and  made  his  home  on  his  father's  farm  until  of  age.  In  1877  he  started  for 
himself  by  the  purchase  of  thirty-five  acres  in  the  northern  part  of  Hornellsville,  and 
added  to  that  by  the  purchase  in  1883  of  thirty-five  acres,  and  eighty-five  acres  of  the 
old  Ashbel  Ward  farm.  He  makes  his  home  on  seven  acres  purchased  of  his  father 
in  Hornellsville.  He  has  become  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  this  section.  He 
makes  a  specialty  of  the  cultivation  of  potatoes,  and  in  1894  raised  4,000  bushels,  and 
also  800  bushels  of  grain,  besides  hay  for  stock.     He  was  married  April  28,  1883,  to 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  245 

Miss  Amanda  Colgrove  of  Arkport.    They  have  three  children.    Pearl  in  her  eleventh 
year,  May  in  her  tenth  year  and  Ida  ten  months  old. 

Paddock,  John  N.,  was  born  in  Sussex  coimty,  N.  J.,  July  12,1844,  and  is  the  eighth  of 
nine  children  born  to  James  and  Nancy  (Utter)  Paddock,  both  natives  of  New  Jersey 
where  she  died  in  1849,  aged  thirty-eight  years  James  Paddock  was  born  April  3, 
1803,  and  came  to  Wayne,  Steuben  county,  in  1856,  and  died  in  Cameron,  Steuben 
count5^  in  1887.  James  Paddock,  grandfather  of  John  N.,  was  a  farmer  and  lived 
and  died  in  New  Jersey.  The  maternal  grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war.  John  N.  Paddock  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  first  bought  a  grape 
vineyard  in  Hammondsport,  which  he  sold  in  1879  and  came  to  Troupsburg  in  April, 
1880,  where  he  located  in  the  southwestern  corner  of  the  town,  where  he  has  smce 
resided.  He  has  eighty  acres  of  land  with  fine  buildings,  and  was  once  burned  out 
soon  after  locating  on  the  farm.  He  married  Hannah  E. ,  daughter  of  Barrett  B., 
and  Eliza  A.  (Collier)  Henderson,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons:  Lewis  S. ,  born  April 
10,  1869,  and  Frank  J.,  born  September  24, 1871.  Mr.  Henderson  was  born  in  Wash- 
ington county,  N.  Y.,  January  22,  1822,  and  was  a  farmer  and  miller  at  Avoca,  and 
died  in  Avoca,  September  25,  1855.  Mrs.  Henderson  was  born  in  Avoca,  December 
1,  1825,  and  died  July  29,  1888.  She  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Huldah  (Towner) 
Collier  of  Avoca,  and  married  for  her  second  husband  James  M.  Brandage.  In  Au- 
gust, 1862,  Mr.  Paddock  enhsted  in  Co.  G,  107th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  was  honorably  dis- 
charged in  June,  1865.  He  was  at  Antietam,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg,  after 
which  all  of  11th  and  12th  Corps  were  transferred  and  called  the  20th  Corps,  and 
were  sent  to  Rosenkrans  at  Chickamauga.  They  were  at  Milledgeville,  and  Savan- 
nah, and  Mr.  Paddock  had  a  sun  stroke  July  5,  1863,  on  the  march  from  Gettysburg 
to  Falling  Water,  and  has  never  recovered  from  the  effects.  He  is  a  member  of 
Westfield  Grange. 

Weaver,  Daniel,  was  born  in  Germany  in  Maj%  1842,  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary 
(Ringeisen)  Weaver,  who  came  to  the  LTnited  States  in  1851,  and  located  on  a  farm 
in  Southport,  Chemung  county,  N.  Y. ,  where  they  lived  till  1883,  then  retired  and 
moved  to  Elmira,  where  Mr.  Weaver  still  resides.  In  1890  Mrs.  Weaver  died  and 
was  buried  at  Webb's  Mills  Cemetery.  Daniel  Weaver  was  reared  on  the  farm  and 
educated  in  the  district  school;  in  1863  he  enlisted  in  Co.  L,  24th  N.  Y.  Cavalry  and 
served  two  years,  and  was  in  twenty-two  engagements;  he  was  at  the  Wilderness, 
Cold  Harbor,  South  Side  R.  R.,  the  Weldon  Road,  etc.  Mr.  Weaver  is  a  Republican 
and  has  been  commissioner  of  highways  one  term ;  he  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
Post  No.  469,  also  a  member  of  the  Merchantville  Grange  in  which  he  is  treasurer 
since  it  was  organized  in  1888.  In  1868  he  was  married  to  Miss  Bertha  S.  Oelschlae- 
ger,  by  whom  he  has  three  children:  Charles  F.,  Lottie  I.,  Henry  G.  In  July,  1894, 
his  brother  Peter's  son,  Leroy  G.  Weaver,  came  to  live  with  them.  Mr.  Weaver  has 
185  acres  of  land,  has  good  barns  and  in  1884  he  built  a  fine  residence. 

Carlton,  James  L.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Jerusalem,  Yates  count3%  September 
22,  1820.  James  Carlton,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  England,  and  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1812.  He  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  which  business  he  followed 
for  many  years.  He  settled  in  Yates  county  where  he  bought  a  farm.  He  married 
Sarah  Wilkinson,  a  native  of  Broome  county,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  James 


246  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

L.,  who  worked  several  years  for  one  man,  of  whom  he  bought  a  farm  of  180  acres  in 
the  town  of  Bath.  He  cleared  his  land  with  his  own  hands,  and  is  still  the  owner. 
In  1874  he  came  to  Campbell  and  bought  a  farm  of  ten  acres,  where  he  is  now  living. 
He  married  Margaret  M.  Markell  of  Seneca,  by  whom  he  had  five  children :  Sarah 
A.,  EUanor  C,  George  H.,  J.  D.,  and  Milton  D.  For  his  second  wife  he  married 
Mrs.  Martha  W.  Gardner,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Fred  W.  For  his  third  wife  he 
married  Mrs.  Malinda  Taylor.  For  his  fourth  wife  he  married  Mrs.  Emily  Chambers, 
daughter  of  Barny  Brown.  He  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church,  also  a  member  of 
the  K.  of  H.,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  Prohibitionist. 

Smith,  Ira,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  January  5,  1845,  son  of  Andrew 
Smith,  who  was  born  in  Saratoga  county,  N.  Y.,  April  22,  1816,  and  was  the  son  of 
the  late  Thomas  Smith,  who  was  born  in  the  same  county,  and  came  to  the  town  of 
Howard,  Steuben  county,  when  Andrew  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  first  settled 
where  the  cemetery  is  now  located,  and  afterward  acquired  a  far  of  seventy  acres;  he 
married  Betsey,  daughter  of  Jesse  Brown  of  Howard,  and  they  were  the  parents  of 
five  children:  Orrin,  who  died  at  an  early  age,  Ira,  Charles,  Anna,  and  Hannah.  Mr. 
Smith  was  educated  in  the  district  schools,  but  his  advantages  were  .somewhat  lim- 
ited. Ira  Smith  was  educated  in  the  school  district  No.  14,  in  the  town  of  Howard, 
and  is  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the 
town  of  Howard,  which  was  settled  and  cleared  by  his  father  and  sons.  He  married 
Jeneatte,  daughter  of  John  Lauder  of  Hartsville,  and  they  have  three  children : 
Eugene  R.,  Howard  L.,  and  Ernest  C.  Mrs.  Smith  received  her  education  at  the 
State  Normal  School  at  Albany,  and  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church.  Mr.  Smith  is 
a  member  of  Big  Creek  Grange. 

Olin,  Frederick  Marshall,  was  born  in  Hornellsville,  October  26,  1839,  son  of  Dr. 
Samuel  Olin,  a  native  of  Bainbridge,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  who  was  born  July  1, 
1799,  and  came  to  Hornellsville.  He  was  first  located  in  Greenwood,  where  he  mar- 
ried Parmelia,  daughter  of  Col.  John  Stephens,  and  moved  to  Ossian  and  then  to 
Hornellsville,  where  he  continued  to  practice  until  1850  when  he  returned  to  Green- 
wood and  was  engaged  in  mercantile  business  for  two  years.  He  had  bought  a  farm 
of  108  acres  on  lot  11  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville  while  in  practice,  and  also  fifty 
acres  on  lot  1  and  in  1852  he  located  on  this  farm,  which  he  occupied  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  March  30,  1869.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education  and 
superintendent  of  schools,  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  the  first  mas. 
ter  of  Hoi-nellsville  Lodge,  No.  331,  and  a  Knight  Templar.  He  was  the  father  of 
four  children,  two  of  whom  are  now  living-  Mrs.  Ann  Vernett  Baker  of  Dakota,  and 
Marshall,  who  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  has  always  followed  farm- 
ing, succeeding  his  father  on  the  old  homestead.  He  has  been  trustee  of  schools, 
and  a  member  of  Hornellsville  Lodge,  No.  331,  F.  &  A.  M.  In  1862  he  married 
Mary,  daughter  of  Abram  Stephens,  and  they  have  one  child,  F.  M.  Olin,  jr.,  who  is 
engaged  with  his  father  on  the  farm.     He  was  a  student  of  Hornellsville  Academy. 

Tuttle,  Martin  A.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Columbus,  Chenango  count}^  March  2, 
1842,  a  son  of  Harley  Tuttle.  Uri  Tuttle,  the  grandfather,  was  a  native  of  Connecti- 
cut and  a  pioneer  of  Chenango  county,  where  he  resided  for  many  years  on  the  farm 
which  he  cleared  from  the  wilderness.     The  father  was  an  active  and  prominent  man 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  247 

in  his  native  town.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  Ahna  M.  Adsit;  she  died  in  1843, 
aged  thirty- three.  Of  their  six  children,  five  survive.  Martin,  the  youngest  son, 
was  educated  in  the  pubhc  schools  of  Chenango  county ;  he  followed  farming  till  1864. 
He  then  removed  to  Hornellsville  and  entered  the  store  of  M.  Adsit  &  Co.  as  a  clerk  ; 
in  18(58  he  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Adsit  &  Tuttle.  The  firm  existed  till 
1874,  then  Mr.  Tuttle  withdrew  to  attend  to  his  real  estate  business ;  five  years  later  the 
firm  of  M.  A.  Tuttle  &  Co.  was  formed,  L.  W.  Rockwell  being  the  Co.  In  1883  Mr. 
Rockwell  withdrew  and  Mr.  Tuttle  conducted  the  business  alone  until  1889,  when 
the  firm  of  Tuttle  &  Rockwell  Brothers  was  formed.  A  year  later  H.  H.  Rockwell 
dropped  out  and  the  firm  is  now  Tuttle  &  Rockwell.  Mr.  Tuttle  has  been  actively 
interested  in  Hornellsville's  growth  and  business,  also  has  large  real  estate  interests  in 
the  city  and  owns  several  farms  as  well  as  other  property.  In  1869  he  married 
Malene,  daughter  of  Charles  N.  Hart,  and  their  children  are  Alma,  Madelia,  Gertrude, 
Charles  N.,  Marion,  Abbie,  Edith,  and  Ruth,  of  whom  Alma  is  a  student  at  Vas.sar, 
Madelia  at  Emerson  College,  Boston,  and  Gertrude  at  Granger  Place,  Canandaigua. 

Buvinger,  H.  Edward,  was  born  in  Hanover,  York  county.  Pa.,  August  8,  1825. 
In  1835  his  parents  removed  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  until  the  sjDring  of 
1847,  when  he  left  the  parental  home  and  came  to  the  State  of  New  York,  residing 
at  Rochester  and  New  York  city.  In  September,  1850,  he  came  to  Hornellsville,  and 
subsequently  became  superintendent  of  the  Thos.  Snell  Shoe  Mfg.  Co.,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1853;  and  then  entered  the  employ  of  the  Erie  Railway  Company  in 
the  machine  shop,  where  he  remained  until  1856,  when  he  was  appointed  ticket  agent 
for  the  same  company,  which  he  held  until  May,  1862,  when  he  was  transferred  to 
the  freight  department  as  chief  clerk  and  cashier,  which  position  he  has  now  held  for 
thirty-three  5fears,  and  a  continuous  service  of  forty-two  years  at  this  station.  Mr. 
Buvinger  was  married  July  22,  1851,  to  vSusan  Kress,  of  Dundee,  Yates  county,  N.Y. , 
by  whom  he  had  three  sons:  Darwin  C,  of  New  York  city;  Ernest,  who  died  March 
23,  1874,  aged  nineteen  3'ears;  and  Mark  H.,  who  is  now  residing  with  him.  Mr. 
Buvinger  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  for  forty-nine  years.  He  was 
initiated  in  St.  John's  Lodge  No.  13  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  in  1846,  and  in  1850  affiliated 
with  Evening  Star  Lodge  No.  44,  of  Hornellsville,  N.  Y.  In  1852  Evening  Star 
Lodge  .surrendered  its  charter,  and  in  1853  organized  Hornellsville  Lodge  No.  331,  of 
which  he  was  a  charter  member,  and  senior  warden,  and  master  in  1855  and  1858. 
In  1868  Evening  Star  Lodge  was  reorganized,  of  which  he  was  master  three  years. 
He  was  high  priest  of  Steuben  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.,  No.  101,  in  1861,  and  in  1856  he 
joined  De  Molay  Commandery  No.  22,  of  Knights  Templar,  and  was  eminent  com- 
mander in  1860  and  1861.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Susan  Kress  of  Dundee,  N.  Y., 
on  the  22d  day  of  July,  1851.  Three  sons  were  born  to  them:  Darwin  C,  who  now 
resides  in  New  York  city ;  Emmet,  who  died  on  his  nineteenth  birthday ;  and  Mark 
H.,  who  is  married  and  resides  at  home. 

Collins,  Clayton  Naham,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  north  part  of  Hornellsville 
December  4,  1850.  The  first  of  this  family  to  come  to  this  country  was  George  Col- 
lins, the  grandfather  of  Clayton,  who  emigrated  to  the  country  previous  to  1830,  as 
William  Collins  was  born  that  year  in  Otsego  county.  A  few  years  later  he  removed 
to  Steuben  county  and  bought  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Fremont.  He  next  removed  to 
the  town  of  Hornellsville  where  he  bought  160  acres  and  lots  35,  36,  37  and  38. 


248  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Seventy  acres  of  the  original  purchase  is  still  the  property  of  the  family,  owned  by 
Clayton.  William  Collins  followed  farming  all  his  life.  He  removed  to  Jasper  in 
1854  where  he  made  his  home  until  the  fall  of  1861  when  he  returned  to  Pennsylvania 
Hill,  and  the  following  March,  1862,  George  ColUns,  the  father  of  William  Collins, 
died.  William  Collins  died  in  Arkport  April  3,  1889.  The  mother  of  Clayton  was 
Electa  McMichael,  daughter  of  James  McMichael  of  Hornellsville ;  she  is  still  living 
at  sixty-eight  years  of  age.  Clayton  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  his 
boyhood  was  spent  on  the  farm  in  Jasper,  and  his  first  farming  for  himself  was  two 
years  on  the  homestead  and  was  three  years  on  the  Ferry  farm.  He  also  spent  one 
year  on  a  farm  in  Fremont.  In  1877  he  bought  forty-five  and  one-half  acres,  and  in 
1881  he  bought  forty  additional,  which  farm  he  sold  in  the  spring  of  1888  and  bought 
the  old  homestead  farm  of  110  acres,  where- he  is  now  located.  He  has  made  many 
valuable  improvements  to  this  property,  clearing  twenty-six  acres  of  stumps,  and  has 
also  cleared  two  acres  of  rough  land.  Has  also  erected  new  outbuildings  and  re- 
roofed  the  house.  Mr.  Collins  has  dealt  in  real  estate  quite  extensively  and  has  had 
some  valuable  city  property.  He  was  married  June  24,  1871,  to  Miss  Jennie  Gates  of 
Fremont,  who  died  in  February,  1880. 

Davis,  Lewis  A.,  was  born  in  Fremont,  N.  Y.,  April  25,  1851.  His  father,  James 
Davis,  was  born  in  1815,  in  the  east,  of  English  stock,  and  came  to  South  Dansville, 
where  he  lived  until  about  seventy-five  years  of  age.  He  was  a  mason  by  trade,  but 
followed  farming  and  coopering  some.  He  married  Phoebe,  daughter  of  William 
Osborn  of  Dansville,  who  was  born  in  1821,  and  died  in  1864,  bj^  whom  he  had  seven 
children:  Thomas,  Anson,  Urvilla,  Charles,  Clarinda,  Moses,  and  Lewis  A.  His 
second  wife  was  Sarah  Haines,  who  is  still  living,  and  in  the  west.  Lewis  A  Davis 
has  always  followed  farming.  He  is  a  member  of  Stephens  Mills  Grange,  No.  308, 
and  has  held  the  office  of  collector  for  two  years  for  the  town  of  Fremont.  Septem- 
ber 7,  1867,  he  married  Jennie  E.  Mack,  who  was  born  December  17,  1852,  daughter 
of  Elisha  Mack,  who  was  a  railroad  man  and  was  killed  by  lightning.  They  have 
two  children:  Elisha  Fay,  who  was  born  February  5,  1870,  and  married  Minnie 
Schaumberg,  and  is  living  in  Hornellsville  where  he  is  clerking  in  a  store  ;  and  Horace 
Mack,  who  was  born  May  19,  1881. 

Jones,  Emanuel, 'was  born  in  Prattsburg,  June  8,  1822,  son  of  Samuel,  who  was 
born  in  New  Burlington,  N.  J.,  and  came  to  the  State  of  New  York  in  1812.  Samuel 
Jones  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  settled  first  in  Chemung  county,  then 
came  to  Prattsburg  in  1816,  remaining  three  years,  then  going  to  Bath,  where  he 
resided  for  four  years.  In  1845  he  came  to  Howard,  where  he  lived  up  to  the  time 
of  his  death  in  1873,  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years.  He  had  acquired  quite  a  prop- 
erty. He  married  Anna,  daughter  of  Alexander  Annis,  by  whom  he  had  five  chil- 
dren: Emanuel,  Alexander,  Luc}^  James  and  Mary.  The  first  has  been  engaged  in 
farming,  having  lived  on  his  present  place  consisting  of  182  acres  for  over  fifty  years. 
Mr.  Jones  married  Marion,  daughter  of  Dewitt  Halsey,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of 
Howard. 

Sanderson,  Robert,  was  born  in  County  Cavan,  Ireland,  in  1846.  James  Sander- 
son, father  of  Robert,  owned  a  farm  in  Ireland,  which  he  conducted.  He  married 
Mary  Ann  Williams,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children:  Margaret,  of  Pulteney;  John, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  249 

of  Yates  county;  William,  deceased;  Robert,  as  above;  George,  of  Seneca  county; 
James,  of  Ireland:  Joseph  of  Yates  county;  and  Edward,  of  Scotland.  Robert  re- 
ceived a  common  school  education,  and  in  1862,  when  sixteen  years  of  age,  he  came 
to  the  United  States,  coming  direct  to  Bath,  N.  Y.,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  for 
a  year,  and  the  following  four  years  was  spent  in  a  woolen  factory  in  Bath.  He  then 
engaged  in  vineyard  work  in  Yates  county,  and  two  years  later,  in  partnership  with 
his  brother,  purchased  a  vineyard.  He  later  sold  his  interest  to  his  brother  and  pur- 
chased two  other  places,  and  in  1875  he  purchased  a  half  interest  of  the  Rev.  J.  W. 
Brown  twelve  acre  fruit  farm  in  Pulteney.  Mr.  Brown  having  died,  in  1889  Mr. 
Sanderson  purchased  the  balance  of  the  fruit  farm,  and  in  addition  to  this  farm  he 
owns  twenty-three  acres  of  fruit,  principally  grapes,  in  Yates  county.  Mr.  Sander- 
son began  in  America  a  poor  boy,  and,  being  endowed  with  thorough  business  prin- 
ciples, he  has  developed  himself  into  one  of  the  leading  and  most  thorough  fruit 
culturists  in  Steuben  county,  and  established  for  himself  an  enviable  reputation  in 
Buffalo  and  New  York,  where  his  product  always  commands  advanced  prices,  and 
which  is  often  sold  before  it  leaves  his  packing  house.  Mr.  Sanderson  is  a  member 
of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Pulteney  Lodge,  No.  573.  In  1870  he  married  Ann  Hadden,  who 
was  born  in  Mitchellville,  N.  Y.,  daughter  of  G.  P.  and  Hettie  (Brown)  Hadden,  by 
whom  he  had  one  child,  Walter,  who  is  now  a  student  in  Lima  College,  preparing 
for  the  ministry.  Mrs.  Sanderson  died  in  1889,  and  he  married  for  his  second  wife, 
Mrs.  Eva  (Bailey)  Brush. 

Sly,  Robert  J.,  was  born  in  what  is  now  the  5th  ward.  Corning,  in  1817,  son  of  John  and 
Betsey  (Jennings)  Sly.  John  Sly  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  came  to  Chemung 
county  when  nineteen  years  of  age.  He  married  there  and  in  1812-13  located  within 
the  present  limits  of  the  Fifth  ward.  He  was  a  farmer  and  lumberman,  and  filled 
various  local  otificial  positions  and  died  in  1869,  aged  seventy-nine  years.  Mrs.  Sly 
died  in  1864,  aged  seventy-five  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  two  sons:  Robert 
J.,  and  George,  who  died  in  1887,  aged  seventy-two  years.  Robert  J.  Sly  has  been 
a  farmer  and  lumberman  all  his  life,  and  is  interested  in  Fifth  ward  real  estate.  In 
1848  he  married  Mary  C.  Creamer  of  Monroe  county,  who  died  in  1886,  aged  fifty- 
nine  years,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons:  George  S.,  a  resident  of  the  Fifth  ward,  and 
Amariah  H.  of  Hornellsville.  His  brother  George  left  two  children :  Cynthia,  wife 
of  Lyman  Ferenbaugh,  and  Robert  O.,  both  of  the  town  of  Hornby. 

Skinner,  Dr.  G.  M.,  was  born  in  Richmond,  Ontario  county,  N.  Y.,  December  7, 
1853.  His  grandfather,  Nelson  Skinner,  was  a  native  of  North  Ireland.  William  A. 
Skinner,  father  of  G.  M.,  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  and  died  in  Canadice,  N.  Y., 
February  11,  1895,  aged  seventy-one  years.  He  was  well-known  as  a  music  teacher 
in  Ontario  county,  also  as  a  veterinary  surgeon.  He  married  Mary  Morgan,  of 
French  descent,  who  was  born  in  Vermont,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children,  three 
boys  and  five  girls:  Frank,  who  was  born  in  Richmond,  and  died  in  infancy;  Elihu, 
who  was  born  in  Richmond,  and  died  at  nineteen  years  of  age;  G.  M.,  as  above; 
Emma,  who  married  Jackson  Bray,  and  resides  in  Richmond.  They  have  three 
children :  Bertha,  Fanny  and  Kitty ;  Mary,  who  married  George  Branch,  and  resides 
in  Canadice,  N.  Y.  ;  Eva,  who  married  Edward  Nobles,  and  resides  in  Indian  Terri- 
tory. They  have  one  child,  Everett;  Hattie,  who  married  Samuel  Noble,  and  resides 
in  Indian  Territory;  and  Alta,  who  married  Wirt  Cole,  and  resides  in  Conesus.  N.  Y. 
ff 


250  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

The  five  sisters  were  all  teachers  and  were  educated  at  Lima  and  Geneseo,  N.  Y. 
G.  M.  Skinner  finished  a  primary  course  of  instruction  with  D.  B.  Wait,  a  lawyer  of 
Canadice,  who  advised  him  to  study  medicine,  which  he  did  with  Dr.  I.  J.  Worden, 
at  Springwater,  N.  Y.,  for  two  years,  after  which  he  attended  the  College  of  Physi- 
cians and  Surgeons  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  one  year.  In  1884  he  attended  the  University 
of  Buffalo,  after  which  on  the  recommendations  of  Doctors  Connor,  Bigelow  and 
Boon,  he  returned  to  Baltimore  where  he  took  special  degrees  on  surgery  with  Dr. 
Coskerey,  diseases  of  women  with  Dr.  Errick,  clinical  diseases  of  throat  and  lungs, 
and  the  general  practice  of  medicine,  and  was  graduated  from  that  institution.  He 
sent  his  diploma  to  the  Bellevue  Hospital  Medical  College  of  New  York  city,  accord- 
ing to  the  laws  of  New  York  State,  where  it  was  endorsed  by  Austin  Flint.  The 
diploma  is  recorded  in  Ontario  county.  He  is  now  practicing  m  Wayland,  where  he 
has  been  since  1888.  Mr.  Skinner  is  a  member  of  Eagle  Lodge,  No.  619,  F.  &  A.  M. 
He  was  appointed  health  officer  of  Wayland  in  1894  and  reappointed  in  1895.  At 
Wayland  in  1890,  he  married  Henrietta  Bill,  born  in  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  in  1871,  by 
whom  he  has  one  child,  HaUie  W.,  born  May  29,  1891. 

Pratt.  Jared,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Campbell  in  1839,  came  to  Corning  in  1866, 
and  entered  the  employ  of  the  Erie  Railroad  as  brakeman,  and  after  two  years  took 
charge  of  a  train  and  continued  as  conductor  on  the  road  until  1883.  In  1886  he 
opened  a  livery  stable  on  Market  street  and  in  1890  built  his  present  barn  on  Chest- 
nut street,  which  is  of  brick,  sixty-two  by  eighty-four,  and  has  a  capacity  for  thirty- 
two  horses.  He  was  deputy  sheritf  for  two  years,  under  Stratton.  His  father  was 
Aden  J.  Pratt  of  Campbelltown,  and  was  one  of  the  early  settlers.  He  was  post- 
master and  town  clerk  of  the  town  for  twenty-five  or  more  years.  He  married 
Permiley  Stevens ;  she  died  in  1844  and  he  lived  until  the  year  1865.  Both  lived  in 
Campbell  on  the  same  farm  until  they  died. 

Brasted,  Dr.  Charles  M.,  was  born  in  Howard,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  January  13, 
1850.  He  was  the  tenth  in  a  family  of  eleven  children  born  to  Edmund  and  Rebecca 
Allen  Brasted.  His  father  was  a  farmer, with  whom  he  remained  until  his  majority. 
His  primary  education  was  obtained  in  the  common  sohools  of  his  native  town,  aca- 
demic at  WoodhuU  and  Canisteo  Academies  and  at  the  Brockport  State  Normal. 
He  engaged  in  teaching  during  several  years  in  Canisteo  and  Avoca  graded  schools. 
He  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Riddell  of  Canisteo,  continuing  with  Dr. 
Baker  of  Hornellsville.  He  was  graduated  from  the  medical  department  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Buffalo  in  1881,  remaining  with  Dr.  Baker  till  June,  1,  1883,  when  he  en- 
gaged in  practice  alone  in  this  city.  Dr.  Brasted  is  a  member  of  the  County  Medical 
Society,  of  which  he  was  president  in  1891,  and  delegate  to  the  State  Medical  Society 
in  1895.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Hornellsville  Medical  and  Surgical  Association 
and  of  the  Erie  Railway  Medical  Association  and  physician  for  the  company.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Hornellsville,  also  of  Hornellsville 
Lodge  No.  331,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  George  Washington  Lodge  No.  132,  A.  O.  U.  W.  of 
this  city.  He  was  married,  December  10,  1884,  to  Alida  L.  Beebe  of  Canisteo,  by 
whom  he  has  one  son,  Howard  Spencer,  now  in  his  eighth  year.  His  office  and  res- 
idence is  No.  11  Church  street,  this  city. 

Withey,  Sylvester,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bradford,  Pa.,  Septembers,  1820.     He 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  251 

was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming,  which  has 
been  his  hfe  work.  He  was  employed  with  other  farmers  until  he  was  twenty-four 
years  of  age,  about  that  time  buying  a  small  farm  in  Almond,  where  he  remained 
for  three  years.  In  1848  he  bought  a  small  place  of  twelve  acres  near  his  present 
residence,  cleared  the  laud  of  wood  and  stumps,  and  added  to  it  by  different  purchases, 
until  now  he  has  sixty  acres  of  as  nice  a  farm  as  may  be  found  in  this  part  of  the 
town.  His  home  residence  he  erected  in  1861,  and  all  the  improvements  are  the  work 
of  his  hands.  He  is  also  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  fifty-three  acres  in  the  town  of 
Ward.  Mr.  Withey  has  never  taken  any  mterest  in  politics,  but  is  prominently  iden- 
tified with  religious  work,  was  twenty- eight  years  with  the  Methodist  Protestant, 
eleven  years  as  a  class  leader,  and  seven  years  a  delegate  to  ministerial  conference. 
He  is  a  member  of  Arkport  Grange,  No.  179.  June  18,  1845,  he  married  Naomi, 
daughter  of  Silas  Moore,  of  Pennsylvania,  by,  whom  he  had  three  children:  Judson, 
born  March  9,  1846,  and  died  July  30,  1894,  who  was  a  farmer,  and  gave  promise  of 
being  one  of  the  good  men  of  the  town  ;  Alanson,  born  May  12,  1850,  who  was  also 
a  farmer,  and  died  January  25,  1894,  leaving  two  sons,  Ray  and  Sylvester;  and  Al- 
phenus,  born  January  8,  1855,  who  assists  m  the  management  of  the  farm,  is  married 
and  has  two  children,  Mabel  and  Edith. 

Boardman,  Louis  S.,  was  b^rn  at  Canoga,  in  the  town  of  town  of  Fayette,  Seneca 
county,  N.  Y.,  January  27,  1838.  The  great-grandfather  of  Louis,  Benajah  Boardman, 
was  the  first  of  the  family  to  locate  in  New  Y^ork  State,  coming  from  Weathersfield, 
Conn.,  about  1795,  and  bought  a  large  tract  of  land  in  the  vicinity  of  Canoga,  where 
three  generations  were  born.  Samuel,  the  grandfather  was  also  a  farmer,  and  Levi, 
the  father  of  Louis,  was  a  carnage  maker.  He  died  at  Oakland,  Cal.,  in  1891.  He 
was  educated  in  the  common  school  and  also  at  Cayuga  village  and  at  Seneca  Falls 
Academy.  At  fifteen  years  of  age  he  went  south  and  was  engaged  in  oyster  trade 
at  St.  Louis  where  he  spent  two  years,  and  his  next  employment  was  with  his  father, 
at  carriage  making.  In  1860  he  went  to  Auburn  and  was  engaged  in  carriage 
painting.  In  1862  he  entered  the  employ  of  Henry  Loomis  at  Bath  and  three  years 
later  went  to  the  oil  country  to  remain  but  a  short  time,  and  April  20,  1865,  he  located 
in  Hornellsville  with  Conderman  Brothers  and  was  employed  with  Caleb  Conderman 
until  1878  and  that  year  entered  the  employ  of  the  Erie  R.  R.  Company,  and  has  been 
most  of  the  time  since  engaged  with  that  company.  He  was  for  seven  years  fore- 
man of  the  shop.  Mr.  Boardman  was  for  two  years  in  mercantile  business  on  Can- 
isteo  street.  He  was  married  December  6,  1885,  to  Elizabeth  L.  Read  of  Bath, 
daughter  of  Judge  Lazarus  Read.  They  have  been  the  parents  of  eight  children, 
four  now  living ;  Anna,  the  wife  of  Lester  Rice,  a  farmer  of  Hornellsville ;  Florence, 
now  in  her  twelfth  year:  Frances,  now  in  her  ninth  year;  and  James  Albert  Board- 
man,  five  years  old.  Mrs.  Boardman  died  November  26,  1894,  and  a  family  of  true 
loving  ones  are  left  to  mourn  her  loss. 

Brown,  Joseph  B.,  was  born  in  Springfield,  Bradford  county,  Pa.,  July  8,  1840,  son 
of  Benjamin  and  Didamia  Crandall,  natives  of  New  Hampshire,  who  went  to  Penn- 
sylvania in  1840,  settling  in  Springfield,  where  they  died,  the  father  April  10,  1885, 
and  the  mother  May  10,  1888.  He  was  a  cooper  by  trade,  and  also  a  farmer.  He 
was  a  Republican  and  held  several  town  offices.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  are  members 
of  the  ]\Iethodist  church.     Joseph  B.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  com- 


252  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

mon  schools.  He  engaged  in  farming  and  resided  in  Springfield,  Pa.,  until  1876, 
when  he  came  to  Woodhull  and  settled  on  a  farm  of  160  acres,  which  he  now  owns. 
In  1885  he  came  to  the  village  of  of  Woodhull  where  he  has  lived  a  retired  life.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican  and  was  commissioner  of  highways  two  years,  and  in  1889 
was  appointed  postmaster,  which  office  he  held  four  and  one-half  years.  He  is  a 
member  of  Restoration  Lodge,  No,  777,  F.  &  A.  M.  October  11,  1861,  he  enlisted  in 
Co.  C,  v.  S.  Sarp  Shooters,  and  served  until  July  11,  1865.  In  November,  1861,  he 
was  promoted  to  eighth  corporal,  and  in  August,  1862,  to  sergeant  and  detailed  to 
carry  the  colors  until  October,  1863,  when  he  was  promoted  to  orderly  sergeant,  and 
Jan.  1,  1864,  was  made  first  lieutenant  and  apppointed  adjutant  of  the  regiment,  and 
Oct.  26,  1864,  was  promoted  to  captain  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  February  18,  1865,  the  regiment  disbanded  and  consolidated  with  the 
State  troops,  putting  Mr.  Brown  in  the  105th  Pa.  Vol.  Infantry.  He  was  in  the  fol- 
lowing battles:  Falmouth,  Va.,  Rappahannock,  Gainesville,  Bull  Run,  South  Moun- 
tain, Little  Antietam,  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Wapping  Heights, 
Kelly's  Ford,  Locust  Grove,  Mine  Run,  Wilderness,  Po  River,  Spottsylvania,  North 
Ann  River,  Petersburg,  Weldon  Road,  capture  of  picket  line  at  Jerusalem  Plank 
Road,  Boydton  Pland  Road,  Raidon  Weldon  Railroad,  and  Lee's  Surrender.  Joseph 
B.  Brown  organized  the  J.  N.  Warner  Post  No.  565, G.  A.  R.,  of  which  he  has  been 
commander  six  years.  February  7,  1864,  he  married  Rosetta,  daughter  of  Moses 
and  Jane  Rumsey  Soper, of  Columbia  Flats,  Pa.,  and  they  have  five  children;  Ray- 
mand  E.,  who  was  educated  in  Alfred,  and  Albany  Normal  School,  and  is  now  prin- 
cipal of  Granville  schools:  Rupert,  a  graduate  of  Lima  Seminary,  who  is  a  lumberman 
in  Pennsylvania;  Lillie,  educated  in  Woodhull  Union  School,  wife  of  Mervin  Locy,  a 
student  of  Albany  Law  School,  and  they  have  one  child,  Marguerite;  Ora  B.,  edu- 
cated at  Alford,  who  is  a  teacher  at  Adrian,  N.  Y. ;  and  Earnest  W.,  who  died  at  the 
age  six  months.  Mrs.  Brown  died  January  10,  1885.  For  his  second  wife  he  mar- 
ried Susie  A.,  daughter  of  John  J.  and  Julia  A.  Van  Wee,  natives  of  Montgomery 
county,  who  came  to  Howard  in  1847.  In  1855  they  went  to  Illinois,  and  thence  to 
Wisconsin,  and  now  reside  at  Elgin,  111.  Mrs.  Brown's  first  husband  was  John  W. 
Thomas,  a  soldier  in  the  late  war,  by  whom  one  child  was  born,  Carrie  B.,  wife  of 
R.  W.  Sweatland,  principal  of  Cook  Academy,  and  they  have  one  child,  Mark  W. 
Mr.  Thomas  died  May  8,  1885. 

Barton,  Jeremiah  C,  was  born  September  5,  1851,  on  the  homestead  farm,  which 
was  settled  by  his  grandfather,  Jeremiah  Barton,  in  1810  who  came  from  Vermont, 
and  who  married  Eleanor  Sinclair.  He  died  in  1848,  leaving  a  family  of  eight  chil- 
dren. Leonard,  the  father  of  Jeremiah  C,  married  Carolme,  daughter  of  Samuel 
M.  Bateman,  by  whom  he  had  eleven  children,  eight  of  whom  are  now  living:  Mrs. 
Ida  M.  Davis,  Samuel  F.,  Jeremiah  C,  Harlow  S.,  William  J.,  Allen  H.,  Albert  W.. 
and  Andrew  J.,  and  through  life  was  identified  as  a  farmer,  dying  in  1874,  aged  fifty- 
eight  years.  Jeremiah  C.  married  Caroline,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Lucy  Foster, 
in  1874,  and  is  one  of  the  practical  and  successful  farmers  of  his  town. 

Tomer,  Charles  J.,  was  born  in  Bath,  January  2,  1864.  His  father,  P.  A.  Tomer, 
and  grandfather,  John,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Pulteney,  and  his  great-grandfather, 
Joel,  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey.  The  family  were  of  German  descent  and  took  an 
active  part  in  the  Revolutionary  war.     John  Tomer  married  Roxy,  daughter  of  Al- 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  253 

exander  Parker.  He  was  a  farmer  and  lumberman  and  took  an  active  part  in  relig- 
ious matters.  He  died  in  1884  in  his  seventy-third  year.  P.  A.  Tomer  married  Jen- 
nett,  daughter  of  Robert  Townsend.  Charles  J.  was  educated  at  Watkins  and  Hav- 
erling  academies  and  was  graduated  from  the  Medical  Department  of  the  University 
of  the  City  of  New  York  in  1887,  locating  at  Cooper's  Plains,  and  in  1890  came  to 
Savona  and  engaged  in  general  practice.  In  1887  he  married  Mary  E.,  daughter  of 
George  Feagles,  and  are  the  parents  of  one  son,  John  W. 

Aldrich,  Stephen,  was  born  in  Rhode  Island,  January  22,  1812,  son  of  Stephen 
Aldrich,  sr.,  who  was  a  native  of  the  same  State.  The  family  were  of  Welsh  de- 
scent, and  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1650.  Stephen  Aldrich,  sr.,  married 
Mercy,  daughter  of  Moses  Smith,  and  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1825  and  settled  in 
the  town  of  Cameron,  buying  ten  thousand  acres  of  land.  He  was  a  prominent  man 
of  that  town,  and  died  in  1846,  in  his  sixty-seventh  year.  Stephen  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools.  In  1839  he  married  Elizabeth  L.,  daughter  of  Samuel  Pugsley, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  six  children:  Samuel,  Stephen,  Jerome,  Elizabeth  M. 
Royce,  Lavina  A.  Wilson,  Jane  C.  Owen,  and  Esther  A.  Moore.  In  1888  Mr.  Aldrich 
came  to  the  town  of  Bath  and  is  one  of  the  representative  men  of  the  town,  and  has 
held  several  positions  of  honor  and  trust.  His  life  has  ever  proven  his  word  as  good 
as  his  bond. 

Pixley,  Dr.  Emery  C,  was  born  in  Howard,  June  22,  1862,  He  was  educated  at 
Canisteo  Academy  and  was  graduated  from  the  Medical  Department  University  of 
Buffalo  in  1891  and  began  practice  in  Steuben  Sanitarium.  In  the  spring  of  1892  he 
was  appointed  assistant  surgeon  at  the  Soldier's  Home  in  Bath.  He  is  one  of  the 
progressive  men  of  his  profession,  and  is  a  member  of  Steuben  County  Medical  As- 
sociation. 

Bowlby,  John  A.,  was  born  in  Tompkins  county,  February  6,  1829.  James  Bowlby, 
his  father,  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  married  Catherine,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Maybury,  and  they  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1839.  He  was  a  self-made  and  self- 
educated  man,  of  good  judgment  and  sterling  mtegrity,  and  died  September  14, 
1862.  His  wife  died  September  14,  1867.  John  A.  Bowlby  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon school  and  in  1854  married  Lydia  R.,  daughter  of  P.  Hunter,  by  whom  he  had 
four  children:  Frank  H.,  John  H.,  Helen  C,  and  Carrie  L.  Mr.  Bowlby  is  one  of 
the  representative  farmers  of  his  town,  living  on  the  homestead,  which  has  been  in 
the  family  nearly  sixty  years,  and  serving  his  town  as  assessor  for  twelve  years. 

Bacon,  Rev.  John  S.,  the  eldest  child  of  Rev.  Hiram  and  Mary  Stebbins  Bacon, 
deceased,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Potter,  Yates  connty,  N.  Y.,  July  12,  1833.  The 
seminary  at  Lima  and  the  old  Dundee  Academy  were  the  schools  wherein  his  pre- 
paratory training  was  obtained.  He  spent  several  years  in  teaching,  for  two  years 
having  charge  of  the  village  school  in  Pulteney.  In  1858  he  was  married  to  Sarah 
H.,  daughter  of  the  late  John  A.  and  Thankful  H.  Prentiss  of  Pulteney.  In  1859 
he  entered  Auburn  Theological  Seminary  as  a  student  for  the  Presbyterian  ministry, 
graduating  in  1862.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  April  10,  1861,  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Lyons,  and  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  gospel  ministry  September  10,  1862,  by 
the  same  Presbytery.  Mr.  Bacon's  first  parish  was  Amboy,  Onondaga  county,  N.  Y., 
near  Syracuse,  where  he  spent  eight  years,  from  1862  to  1870.     In  1870  he  was  called 


254  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

to  Syracuse,  where  he  organized  the  Fourth  Presbyterian  church  of  that  city,  and 
which  he  served  as  pastor  for  six  years,  from  1870  to  1876.  He  preached  the  sermon 
on  the  occasion  of  the  twenty-fifth  anniversary  of  the  organization  of  the  church,  on 
the  first  Sunday  of  February,  1895.  In  1876  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  First  Pres- 
byterian church  at  Niagara  Falls,  N.  Y.  This  pastorate  extended  from  1876  to  1883. 
His  last  parish  was  Corning,  N.  Y.  He  ministered  to  the  First  Presbyterian  church 
of  that  city  from  February,  1883,  to  May,  1893.  After  continuous  service  as  pastor, 
for  more  than  thirty  years,  he  now  felt  that  the  time  for  him  to  take  a  rest  had  come, 
and  so  at  the  close  of  his  Corning  pastorate  he  retired  to  his  pleasant  Pulteney  home 
where  he  now  resides.  Though  retired  from  the  pastoral  care  of  a  congregation, 
still  as  a  preacher  his  service  is  in  active  demand,  and  he  is  unable  to  answer  all  the 
calls  which  he  receives.  Mr.  Bacon  has  been  exceptionally  happy  in  his  ministerial 
life.  He  insists  that  he  has  had  the  best  parishes  in  the  State  of  New  York.  Certain 
it  is  that  whenever  he  visits  any  one  of  his  four  parishes  his  welcome  is  unmistak- 
ably cordial.  He  received  the  degree  of  A.M.  from  Hamilton  College  in  1875.  He 
is  a  Free  and  Accepted  Mason  of  the  thirty-second  degree,  and  he  has  been  for  sev- 
eral terms  grand  chaplain  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons  in  the  State  of  New  York. 

Harrison,  J.  S.,  who  ably  represents  in  the  county  legislature  the  important  town 
of  Addison,  was  first  elected  to  that  office  in  1893,  and  is  now  rilling  his  second  term. 
Salmon  Harrison,  his  father,  was  born  in  Otsego  county,  and  removed  to  Woodhull 
in  1848,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death  in  1892,  aged  eighty-two  years.. 
He  was  a  justice  of  the  peace  for  twelve  years,  and  during  his  residence  in  Otsego 
count}' he  married  Amy  E.  Haight,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  James  S.,  Adelia, 
deceased,  and  Howard  B.,  the  well-known  school  commissioner  of  District  No.  2, 
and  a  resident  of  Woodhull.  James  Harrison  was  educated  at  Alfred  University, 
completing  his  course  in  1871,  being  then  twenty  years  of  age.  Purchasing  and  en- 
larging the  plant  at  the  eastern  suburb  of  the  village,  he  at  once  began  his  business 
career  as  a  manufacturer  of  agricultural  woodwork,  making  a  specialty  of  steam 
bent  handles  and  sled  woods.  In  the  fall  of  1895,  while  this  book  is  in  press,  he 
received  the  nomination  for  member  of  assembly  from  the  First  District  of  Steuben 
county;  as  his  nommation  is  almost  equivalent  to  his  election,  it  may  not  be  pre- 
sumptuous to  say  that  his  record  at  Albany  will  equal  his  home  reputation.  June  5, 
1883,  he  married  Carrie  E.  Griswold,  of  Addison,  by  whom  he  had  two  children: 
Howard  B.  and  Celestia  G. 

Holden,  Joseph. — His  grandfather,  Stephen  Holden,  born  in  Bedford,  Vt.,  in  1774, 
came  from  the  East  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  Steuben  county.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Holden  had  three  sons  and  three  daughters,  namely:  James,  born  October  10, 
1800,  in  Pulteney,  Vt. ;  Polly,  born  in  1803;  Amie,  born  in  1804;  Stephen,  born  in 
1806;  Nancy,  born  in  1810:  and  Jediah,  born  in  Greenwich,  Washington  county, 
N.  Y.,  in  1819.  The  latter  came  with  his  father,  Stephen,  to  Dansville  (now  Fre- 
mont), where  he  purchased  a  farm  on  Windsor  Hill.  He  married  Polly  Mariah, 
daughter  of  Jesse  Wheeler,  of  the  town  of  Dansville,  and  the  following  children  were 
born  to  them:  Joseph,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  born  October  27,  1837;  Laura  (Mrs. 
Andrew  Harrison),  deceased :  Eveline  (Mrs.  George  Davis),  born  February  26,  1843, 
deceased;  and  Franklin,  born  March  21,  1854,  a  farmer  of  Howard.  Mrs.  Polly  M. 
Holden,  born  March  20,  1840,  died  March  16,  1883,    and  Jediah,  her  husband,   died 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  .  255 

October  20,  1880,  aged  sixty-two  years.  Joseph  Holden  has  followed  farming  as  his 
principal  occupation,  also  dealing  in  stock.  He  owned  and  occupied  the  old  home- 
stead of  110  acres  until  1893,  when  he  sold  it  and  purchased  what  is  called  the  Cole 
farm  of  103  acres,  which  he  now  owns,  together  with  five  houses  and  lots  in  Hor- 
nellsville.  He  enlisted  in  Co.  I,  15th  N.  Y.  Engineers,  and  served  about  ten  months, 
building  hospitals,  bridges,  docks,  etc.,  in  various  parts  of  the  South,  and  .serving  in 
the  engagement  at  Fort  Fisher,  January  15,  1865.  He  is  a  member  of  G.  A.  R.  Post 
No.  326  of  Hornellsville.  He  married  Fanny,  daughter  of  Melancton  Barber,  who 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Rebellion  and  died  in  a  field  hospital.  Mrs.  Joseph  Holden 
attended  school  at  Rogersville  Seminar}',  and  taught  school  four  terms,  Four  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them:  Fay  E.,  born  June  26,  1866,  married  Cory  M.  FHnt,  daugh- 
ter of  James  Flint,  a  farmer  of  Howard;  Frederick  M.,  born  February  19,  1871, 
deceased;  Scott  J.,  born  January  1,  1877,  deceased;  and  Agnes  M.,  born  March  20, 
1881. 

Allen,  Alvah  J.,  is  a  son  of  George  and  Louisa  (June)  Allen,  who  had  eight  chil- 
dren: Alvah  J.,  Isaac,  Sarah  M.  Wood,  Flora  A.  Dillenbeck,  Moses  M.,  Aaron  T., 
Nancy  Rowen,  and  Mary  Orton,  who  were  all  born  on  the  old  homestead  in  the  town 
of  Cameron.  Alvah  J.  married  Abbie  A.,  a  daughter  of  James  H.  and  Charity 
France,  by  whom  he  has  one  child,  Ethel  M.  Mr.  Allen  has  been  a  member  of  the 
East  Cameron  Baptist  church  for  thirty-three  years  and  is  active  in  the  Sunday 
school.  He  is  engaged  in  farming  on  the  Allen  homestead  of  210  acres,  where  he 
lived  for  twenty  years.  George  was  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Margaret  Allen,  who  set- 
tled in  this  county  in  1826.  Their  children  were  George,  William,  Nancy  Northrujj, 
Joseph,  who  were  born  in  New  Jersey,  and  T.  Alfred,  who  was  born  on  the  Allen 
homestead  in  the  town  of  Cameron. 

Didas,  jr.,  Peter,  was  born  May  24,  1844.  His  father,  Peter  Didas,  was  born  in 
Prussia,  Germany,  November  29,  1810.  In  1838,  in  the  old  country,  he  married 
Elizabeth  Grim,  born  February  20,  1815,  and  died  in  Wayland,  N.  Y.,  July  15  1856, 
by  whom  he  had  these  children :  Angeline,  born  September  2,  1839,  and  died  in  1883 ; 
Mary,  born  January  9,  1842,  and  resides  in  Rochester;  Peter,  as  above;  and  Louisa, 
born  April  24,  1849.  He  married  for  his  second  wife,  Wilhelmina  Vonbose,  born 
in  1828.  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Sabina,  born  June  1,  1864.  Mr.  Didas  was 
a  tanner  by  trade,  and  worked  in  the  Patchinsville  tannery,  which  was  owned 
by  Augustus  Whitman.  Peter  Didas,  jr.,  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
Wayland,  and  at  the  German  School  at  Perkinsville,  after  which  he  learned  the 
tanner's  trade  of  his  father,  and  worked  in  the  Patchinsville  tannery.  In  1865  he, 
with  his  father,  erected  a  tannery  one  and  one-half  miles  south  of  Patchinsville, 
which  they  run  until  1894.  Peter  Didas,  jr.,  is  now  engaged  in  farming,  and  in  the 
manufacture  of  feed.  He  has  held  the  offices  of  town  collector,  commissioner  of 
highways,  and  has  been  elected  justice  of  the  peace  three  terms  of  four  years  each. 
He  enlisted  in  Co.  E.  188th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was 
discharged  June  5,  1865.  He  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Hatcher's  Run,  Warren's 
Raid,  Weldon  Railroad,  Five  Forks,  and  Appomattox.  At  Wayland,  N.  Y.,  Novem- 
ber 15,  1866,  he  married  Elizabeth  Hemmer,  born  June  18,  1849,  and  died  August  19, 
1887,  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Mary  Ann,  born  January  21,  1868;  Peter  J., 
born   June  5,  1869;  John,  born   February  7,  1871;  Catherine,  born   October   1,  1872; 


256  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Urban,  born  Septembers,  1874;  Frank  J.,  born  June  4,  1876;  Elizabeth  S.,  born  Feb- 
ruary 13,  1879;  Nicholas,  born  March  13,  1882;  and  William,  born  August  7,  1887, 
and  died  January  30,  1888. 

Huy,  Abram  D.,  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  has  always  resided  in  1830.  His 
jjaternal  grandfather  j^urchased  and  his  father  located  on  this  place  about  1808. 
John  Ht:y,  his  father,  was  born  in  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  and  is  of  German  descent.  He 
died  in  1854,  aged  sixty-four  years.  He  married  Susan  Minier,  a  native  of  Ulster, 
Bradford  county.  Pa.,  and  died  in  1861,  aged  sixty-six.  In  1865  Abram  D.  Huy  mar- 
ried Emma  Minier,  a  native  of  Big  Flats,  Chemung  county,  by  whom  he  had  four 
children:  John  M.,  a  resident  of  Butte,  Mont.,  Abram  W.,  Charles  F.,  and  Will- 
iam F. 

Wilber,  Murray,  was  born  in  Bath,  November  28,  1838,  son  of  John  Wilber,  and 
grandson  of  Samuel  Wilber,  who  is  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work.  John  was  a 
carpenter  and  farmer,  and  resides  in  Bath.  His  first  wife  was  Luna  A.  Gleason,  and 
they  were  the  parents  of  three  children:  Alanson  D.,  deceased,  Murray,  as  above, 
and  Sarah  M.,  wife  of  James  Holliday,  of  Thurston,  N.  Y.  Mrs.  Wilber  died  May 
10,  1875.  For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Wilber  married  Harriet  Squires  who  died,  and  he 
married  for  his  third  wife,  Eliza  Billington.  Murray  Wilber  was  reared  on  a  farm 
and  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  but  his  principal  occupation  is  farming,  and  he 
owns  a  farm  of  170  acres.  November  38,  1863,  he  married  Lucinda  Grant  of  Bath, 
by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Cora,  wife  of  Mahlon  Walker  of  Bath.  Mrs.  Wilber  died 
September  18,  1865.  November  38,  1868,  he  married  Hattie  Buck,  daughter  of  Will- 
iam and  AdeliaRichtmyer  Buck,  and  they  had  two  children,  both  of  whom  died  in 
infancy.  Mrs.  Wilber  died  September  15,  1895.  Mr.  Wilber  is  a  member  of  Bath 
Grange. 

Day.  Ira  G.,  was  born  May  17,  1841.  His  grandfather,  Chauncey  Day,  was  born 
in  Vermont,  and  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Dansville,  where  he  settled  about 
1811.  He  bought  the  Mint  farm  and  afterward  owned  the  Pine  farm  and  built  the 
saw  mill  on  Stony  Brook.  He  afterward  settled  in  Hillsdale,  Mich.,  where  he  died. 
He  was  drum  major  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Chauncey  Day,  father  of  Ira  G. ,  was 
born  in  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  in  1811,  and  died  in  1885.  He  started  a  lime  kiln  in  Rog- 
ersville  and  burnt  lime  for  twenty  years,  when  he  bought  a  farm  of  334  acres  in 
Rogersville  and  built  a  commodious  hotel  which  he  run  for  twenty-five  years.  Octo- 
ber 18,  1837,  he  married  Almeda,  daughter  of  Charles  Oliver,  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
the  town.  She  was  born  in  Rogersville,  N.  Y.,  and  died  March  25.  1895,  aged 
seventy-seven  years.  They  had  ten  children:  Phoebe  C,  born  September  4,  1838, 
and  died  May  15,  1860;  Ira  G.,  as  above;  Charles  D.,  who  was  born  August  3,  1843, 
and  died  November  37,  1845;  Charles  O.,  who  was  born  April  13,  1846,  and  died  No- 
vember 19,  1891;  Chauncey  D.,  who  was  born  April  37,  1848,  and  died  June  39, 
1849;  De  Ayllon,  who  was  born  January  13,  1851,  and  died  January  19,  1893;  Adah 
I.,  who  was  born  December  30,  1854,  and  died  March  37,  1858;  Ida"B.,  who  was  born 
February  14,  1859,  and  died  June  5,  1885;  and  Mary  and  Sarah,  twins,  born  Novem- 
ber 16,  1860;  Mary  died  February  15,  1863,  and  Sarah  died  July  15,  1885.  Ira  G. 
Day  was  educated^  in  the  Rogersville  Seminary,  and  has  always  followed  farming 
and  produce  buying.     He  has  held  the  offices  of  supervisor,  commissioner  of  high- 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  257 

ways,  and  superintendent  of  the  poor  of  Steuben  county  one  term.  He  is  a  member 
of  Dansville  Lodge,  No.  478,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Chapter  No.  101  of  Hornellsville.  At 
Canisteo,  January  1,  1863,  he  married  Martha  A.  Jamison,  who  was  born  in  Canisteo, 
March  6,  1841. 

Prentiss,  Anson  A.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Tyrone,  now  a  part  of  Schuyler 
county,  February  11,  1840.  The  youngest  son  of  Watson  and  Susannah  (Price) 
Prentiss,  he  was  given  a  good  common  school  education  and  his  first  occupation  was 
with  the  Erie  Railway  when  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age.  Starting  as  a  water  boy  he 
went  as  brakeman  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  May  16,  1861,  when  he  enlisted 
in  the  23d  N.  Y.  Inf.  as  a  private  and  served  with  this  regiment  two  years.  He  was 
at  Rapahannock  Station,  the  second  Bull  Run,  Antietam,  Fredericksburg,  and  many 
minor  engagements,  and  honorably  discharged  under  general  orders  May  33,  1863. 
Returning  to  Hornellsville  he  was  for  a  short  time  on  the  farm  and  then  returned  to 
his  former  employment  on  the  railroad  as  foreman  on  the  construction  of  what  is  now 
the  N.  Y.,  P.  and  O.  R.  R.  He  went  from  there  to  Buffalo  and  Oil  Creek  Cross  Cut 
and  returned  to  the  Erie  in  1868  and  has  ever  since  been  in  their  employ,  and  for 
over  twenty  years  filling  the  position  of  conductor.  Thanksgiving  day,  1877,  he  be- 
came the  victim  of  an  accident  by  which  he  lost  his  right  leg,  but  with  the  persist- 
ence of  his  race  he  still  follows  his  calling.  He  is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  the 
Order  of  the  World,  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  the  Conductors'  Brotherhood.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  M.  E.  church,  and  his  family  also.  In  1865  he  married  Susan  McGill, 
bv  whom  he  had  two  children :  Evangeline  K. ,  wife  of  James  B.  Kinne,  a  conductor 
on  the  Erie,  and  Albert  A.  Prentiss,  an  operator  for  the  Erie,  and  located  at  Depew, 
N.  Y. 

Van  Vliet,  Levern  H.,  was  born  in  Tuscarora,  N.  Y.,  on  the  farm  he  now  owns, 
December  11,  1861,  son  of  Asa,  native  of  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  and  Electa  (Hig- 
gins)  Van  Vliet.  He  came  to  Tuscarora  m  1831,  and  she,  in  1833,  where  they  were 
married  and  where  he  died  March  13,  1884,  and  his  wife  in  1871.  He  was  a  farmer 
by  occupation.  They  had  eleven  children :  Caroline,  Isaac,  Julia,  Electa,  Delos, 
Wilson,  Albert,  Ellis,  Simeon,  Elsie,  and  Levern  H.,  who  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Wellsboro  Academy  of  Pennsylvania.  He  has 
followed  lumbering  and  is  now  engaged  in  farming  and  owns  135  acres,  the  old 
homestead.     In  1894  he  married  Kate,  daughter  of  Edmond  Whitcomb  of  Bath. 

Land,  Fred,  was  born  in  Prussia,  in  1841,  son  of  Michael  and  Caroline  (Shurger) 
Land.  Fred  Land  came  to  America  in  1867  and  settled  in  Cohocton,  where  he  was 
for  eighteen  years  employed  in  the  mills  of  the  late  Thomas  Warner.  In  1886  he  en- 
gaged in  the  wholesale  beer  business.  He  is  a  member  of  Zion  Lutheran  church  of 
Cohocton,  Liberty  Lodge  No.  510,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Cohocton  Council,  E.  K.  R.  O. 
In  1870  Mr.  Land  married  Helen  Stein,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  Julia, 
Charles,  Katie,  Mary,  Helen,  Fred,  and  Frank. 

Perkins,  Samuel  O.,  was  born  in  Canada,  August  38,  1826,  son  of  John  and  Rebecca 
(Webster)  Perkins,  natives  of  New  Hamjjshire,  and  he  died  in  Canada.  She  is  a 
niece  of  Daniel  Webster.  Samuel  O.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the 
common  schools.  In  1850  he  came  to  Tuscarora,  where  he  has  since  resided,  with 
the  exception  of  one  year  in  Illinois.  He  has  always  followed  farming,  and  owns  110 
gg 


258  LANDMARKS  OP  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

acres  of  land.  In  Vermont,  September  27,  1849,  he  married  Mariette  Brown,  a 
native  of  Vermont,  born  June  20,  1824,  and  daughter  of  Philip  and  Maria  (Lewis) 
Brown,  he  born  in  Poultney,  Vt.,  and  she,  in  Fair  Haven,  Vt.  They  went  to  Illinois 
where  they  died.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Perkins  had  seven  children :  Sarah  S. ,  born  August 
24,  1851,  and  resides  in  Osceola,  Pa.  ;  Samuel  L.,  born  August  27,  1853,  and  married 
Jennie  Fuller  of  Elkland,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  Walter,  Samuel,  Roy, 
Lena,  Cora,  Raymond,  and  an  infant;  Elma  M.,  born  July  7,  1855,  and  resides  in 
Centerville,  South  Dakota.  She  graduated  from  Oswego  Normal  School;  ElvaA., 
born  July  7,  1855,  twin  sister  of  Elma  E.,  and  died  when  seven  years  of  age;  Jennie 
A.,  born  September  26,  1857,  and  died  at  one  year  of  age;  Jennie  M.,  born  August 
6,  1859,  and  resides  in  Osceola,  Pa.;  and  Ella  G.,  born  September  12,  1862,  is  a 
teacher  and  makes  her  home  with  her  parents. 

Scherer,  John  P.,  was  born  in  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  September  14,  1852.  His  father, 
John  P.,  was  born  in  Germany  and  died  in  Cumminsville,  N.  Y. ,  in  1883,  aged 
seventy-three  years.  He  married  Mary  Elizabeth  Schnyder,  who  was  born  in  Ger- 
many, and  died  in  Dansville,  in  1854,  aged  forty-four  years.  They  had  twelve  chil- 
dren;  Elizabeth  Raich,  deceased;  Catherine  Raich;  Mary  Flickner;  Harriet  White ; 
Effie  Philips;  Flora  Wildey,  deceased;  Cordelia  Dimick;  Louisa  White;  Conrad, 
who  resides  in  Louisiana ;  Endress,  deceased ;  John  P. ,  as  above ;  and  Henry,  who 
was  born  October  14,  1854.  Mr.  Scherer  worked  the  Russel  Day  farm  from  1841  to 
1881.  John  P.  Sherer  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  town  of 
Dansville,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  now  owns  ninety-four  acres  of 
land.  In  1887  he  took  the  agency  for  the  Sweet  Manufacturing  Co.,  of  Dansville, 
dealers  in  reapers,  mowers,  spring  tooth  harrows,  and  spring  tooth  cultivators,  and 
has  also  sold  binders  and  mowers  for  the  McCormick  Co.  for  five  years.  He  is  a 
member  of  South  Dansville  Lodge,  No.  478,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Oak  Hill  Grange  No. 
574  of  Dansville.  At  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  in  January,  1875,  he  married  Amelia  Hul- 
bert,  who  was  born  in  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  May  6,  1851,  daughter  of  Justice  Hulbert,  by 
whom  he  had  two  children:  Floyd  J.,  who  was  born  October  20,  1880;  and  Clifford, 
who  was  born  February  8,  1887. 

Richtmyer,  J.  H.,  was  born  in  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y,,  January  4,  1843,  son  of 
John  and  Harriet  (Head)  Richtmyer,  natives  of  Schoharie  county,  N.  Y.  John  Richt- 
myer was  a  farmer  and  came  to  Risingville,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  about  1848,  and 
settled  on  a  farm,  where  he  died  March  15,  1878,  and  his  widow  lives  with  the  son, 
and  is  ninety-two  years  of  age.  J.  H.  Richtmyer  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated 
in  the  common  schools,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering,  and  now 
owns  124  acres  of  land,  known  as  the  Edmunds  farm.  He  is  a  member  of  Cameron 
Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.  April  13,  1864,  he  married  Azalia  Niles,  of  Bath,  N.  Y.,  by 
whom  he  had  three  children :  Lottie,  wife  of  James  Crawford,  of  Cameron  Mills,  and 
they  have  two  children :  William  and  Ruth ;  Arthur,  who  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools  and  Addison  Union  School.  August  2,  1891,  he  married  Mrs.  Mary  W. 
Graves,  of  Greene,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.  ;  and  Ellery,  who  was  educated  in  Cam- 
eron Mills,  and  married  Ernie  Smith,  by  whom  he  has  one  child,  Beatrice ;  they  also 
have  an  adopted  daughter,  Ada  K. 

Merriman,  La  Frone,  was  born  at  Richburg,  Allegany  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1859,  and 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  259 

has  resided  in  Hornellsville  since  he  was  three  years  of  age.  He  comes  of  a  musical 
family;  his  father  taught  singing  school  and  also  music  at  Alfred  University,  and  his 
mother  was  a  singer  and  played  the  organ  in  church.  His  own  first  musical  study 
began  at  an  early  age,  and  was  continued  in  Buffalo  in  1874  under  J.  Kuhn  and 
Albert  Poppenberg  in  violin  playing,  and  L.  G.  Chaffin  in  organ  and  harmony.  In 
1876  he  went  to  Boston,  where  he  studied  for  some  years  under  Julius  Eichberg, 
Eugene  Thayer,  Bernhard  Listemann,  J.  W.  Tufts,  I^ouis  Mass,  and  J.  Harry 
Wheeler.  While  in  Boston  he  was  a  member  of  the  Philharmonic  Orchestra  under 
Listemann,  playing  violin.  He  also  played  in  the  Harvard  Orchestra  under  Zerrahn 
and  under  Maas,  Henschel  and  B.  J.  Lange.  In  1886  he  accompanied  a  party  of 
eighteen  pupils  and  friends  to  Berlin  for  study,  and  while  there  studied  counterpoint, 
fugue,  musical  form  and  composition  under  Phillipp  Scharwenka,  and  violin  under 
Heinrich  de  Ahna,  having  access  to  the  rehearsals  of  the  Joachim  Quartet  at  Hoch- 
schule,  and  where  one  of  his  vocal  pupils  was  granted  a  free  entrance  and  orchestra 
chair  at  the  Imperial  Opera  as  long  as  she  remained  in  Berlin.  Mr.  Merriman,  who 
is  a  ]\lus.  Doc,  is  director  of  a  flourishing  Conservatory  of  Music,  which,  together 
with  Merriman  Bros.'  music  store,  occupies  one-half  of  the  P.  O.  building.  This 
Conservatory,  which  attracts  pupils  from  all  sections  of  the  country,  is  finely  fitted 
up  and  has  a  handsome  large  music  hall,  where  concerts  are  given  by  the  pupils  and 
by  celebrated  artists.  There  are  instruments  for  practice,  including  a  large,  modern 
and  complete  two-manual  pipe  organ,  and  also  one  of  the  celebrated  Brackett  pedal 
pianos.  All  branches  are  taught,  including  composition  and  orchestration  (Mr.  Mer- 
riman being  a  successful  composer,  whose  compositions  are  well  known  throughout 
this  country  and  Canada),  and  it  is  unnecessary  to  say  that  the  best  methods  are  used. 
He  is  assisted  by  a  corps  of  competent  teachers,  and  has  always  had  success  in  assist- 
ing pupils  to  seaure  good  position,  and  many  of  them  hold  high  and  lucrative  posi- 
tions in  New  York,  Brooklyn,  and  other  cities  in  this  section,  and  in  Southern  and 
Western  schools  and  cities.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the  State  Music  Teachers' 
Association,  representing  Steuben  county  in  that  organization.  He  at  present  has 
charge  of  three  church  choirs. 

Clarkson,  David,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Ovid,  Seneca  county,  N.  Y.,  April  15, 
1843,  and  is  the  oldest  of  seven  children  born  to  Abraham  P.  and  Matilda  Combs 
Clarkson.  The  grandparents,  Philip  and  Sarah  Palwellson  Clarkson,  came  to  Seneca 
county,  where  she  died  in  March,  1824.  For  his  second  wife  he  married  Jane  Sebring, 
who  was  born  in  1792,  and  died  in  1842.  He  died  August  5,  1830.  Abraham  P.  was 
bound  out  to  learn  the  trades  of  wagonmaker  and  blacksmith,  and  in  1854  he  came  to 
Rathbone,  N.  Y.,  and  worked  at  his  trade  and  farming,  and  in  1862  he  located  in 
Troupsburg,  where  he  died  in  1866.  Mrs.  Clarkson  died  in  1872.  Politically,  he  was 
a  Republican,  and  was  assessor  at  the  time  of  his  death.  David  has  always  followed 
farming  with  the  exception  of  the  time  spent  in  the  war,  three  years.  In  1864  he 
bought  a  farm  in  Squat  Hollow,  which,  in  1869,  he  sold  and  came  to  the  Jordan  set- 
tlement and  bought  a  farm  consisting  of  about  seventy-eight  acres,  making  a  spe- 
cialty of  hay  and  sheep.  In  1867  he  married  Irene  E. ,  daughter  of  Alanson  and  Sarah 
Bowman  Cady,  of  Brookfield,  Pa.,  by  whom  he  has  had  six  children:  Halzey  A.,  de- 
ceased, Harry  W. ,  a  farmer  of  Washington,  Sarah  B.,  wife  of  Fred  Briggs,  of  Knox- 
ville,  Louisa  M.,  Lena  M.,  and  Ina  D.     Mr.  Clarkson  enlisted  August  17,   1861,  in 


260  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

in  Co.  K,  86th  New  York  Volunteers,  and  was  honorably  discharged  September 
14,  1864.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  2d  Bull  Run,  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville, 
Beverley's  Ford,  and  Gettysburg,  and  was  taken  sick  but  remained  until  September 
14,  1864.  He  has  been  constable  three  or  four  years,  and  is  a  member  of  S.  A.  Baily 
Post  No.  351,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Troupsburg. 

Pierce,  Henry  C,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Naples,  Ontario  county,  August  27, 
1842,  son  of  Jerry  W.,  whose  father,  Jonathan  Pierce,  was  the  pioneer  of  the  family 
in  Western  New  York,  and  came  from  Connecticut  as  early  as  1800,  and  settled  in 
•Naples,  where  he  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade.  He  had  three  sons:  Jerry,  Jonathan 
and  Otis,  the  two  latter  of  whom  were  soldiers  in  the  war  of  1812.  Jerry  W.  Pierce 
was  a  millwright  and  mechanic.  He  built  the  Covel  mill  in  Naples,  and  many  other 
buildings  in  that  and  surrounding  towns.  In  1856  he  moved  to  North  Cohocton,  and 
purchased  the  farm  now  owned  by  S.  Coroy,  where  he  lived  for  fifteen  years.  He 
soon  after  purchased  a  farm  and  mill  site  at  Bloods,  now  Atlanta,  and  completed  the 
grist  mill  then  under  construction,  built  a  saw  mill,  and  carried  on  that  business  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1866.  In  1860,  with  his  eldest  son,  he  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  trade  at  Bloods,  which  they  conducted  for  several  years.  Mr.  Pierce  mar- 
ried Mrs.  Eliza  Watkins,  widow  of  C.  W.  Watkins,  of  Naples,  and  a  daughter  of  Dr. 
Newcomb,  the  first  physician  in  Naples.  Their  children  were  Harvey,  who  married 
Hannah,  daughter  of  William  Wait,  of  Cohocton,  and  settled  in  Michigan  ;  Jonathan, 
who  enlisted  in  1861,  in  Co.  C,  6th  N.  Y.  Inft,,  as  lieutenant,  rose  to  the  rank  of 
major,  and  was  killed  at  Morton's  Ford  October  22,  1863;  Silas  N.,  who  enlisted  in 
the  same  company  as  private,  rising  to  the  rank  of  captain,  and  served  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  He  married  Rhoda  Welch,  and  settled  in  Shiawassee  county,  Mich. ; 
Jerry  W.,  who  also  settled  in  the  same  county;  and  Eliza  L.  (Mrs.  W.  A.  Woodward) 
deceased,  of  Owassa,  Mich.  Henry  C.  has  spent  his  life  in  Cohocton,  and  upon  the 
death  of  his  father  he  carried  on  the  store  and  milling  business  for  several  years. 
Since  1885  he  has  given  his  attention  to  farming  and  dairying.  In  1866  he  married 
Libbie  Layton,  by  whom  he  had  four  children;  Nellie  M.,  Alice  E.,  Charles  W.,  and 
William  J.' 

O'Connor,  William,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Andes,  Delaware  county,  August  27, 
1827.  James,  the  father,  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  also  a  native  of  Delaware 
county,  and  William  was  nine  years  of  age  when  the  family  removed  to  Steuben 
county.  They  remained  in  Hornellsville  but  a  year,  then  moved  to  Mt.  Morris,  Liv- 
ingston county,  where  he  died  August  7,  1847.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  also 
of  Delaware  county,  and  died  in  1880,  aged  sixty-six.  Of  their  three  children,  two 
survive:  James,  a  tanner,  and  William.  The  latter  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  engaged  in  tanning,  which  trade  he  learned  in 
Mt.  Morris,  and  which  he  has  ever  since  continued.  In  1850  he  bought  a  small  tan- 
nery at  Almond,  which  was  burned  in  1864,  and  he  then  removed  to  Hornellsville 
and  bought  the  Rose  &  Benton  tannery  on  Seneca  street,  which  has  become  noted  as 
the  O'Connor  Tannery.  The  output  has  always  been  of  rough  leather,  but  he  is  now 
changing  it  to  sole  leather,  with  an  output  of  about  90,000  sides  per  year.  In  1879 
he  took  his  son,  George  W.,  as  partner,  until  September  29,  1894,  when  the  latter 
died.  Mr.  O'Connor  has  made  a  fine  success  of  his  business  to  which  he  has  given 
most  of  his  attention,  excluding  all  outside  matters.     For  over  thirty  years  he  has 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  261 

been  a  member  and  trustee  of  the  Park  Methodist  church.  In  1850  he  married  Julia 
M.  Childs  of  Leroy,  who  died  June  1,  1889.  Their  two  children  were  George  W. 
and  Mrs.  Dr.  Samuel  Mitchell. 

Odson,  Mrs.  Lobelia. — Thomas  Odson  was  born  in  Elmira  N.  Y.,  April  29,  1837, 
a  son  of  Daniel  and  Margaret  (Dates)  Odson.  They  lived  in  Elmira,  where  he  died 
when  Thomas  was  a  mere  child.  His  wife  died  in  Rathbone  about  1865.  Thomas 
Odson  started  in  life  for  himself  at  the  age  of  nine  years.  In  1863  he  enlisted  in  Co. 
H,  161st  N.  Y.,  Vols,  and  served  three  years.  He  was  under  General  Banks 
and  was  at  Vicksburg,  Port  Hudson,  Mobile,  and  the  Red  River  Campaign. 
In  1860  Mr.  Odson  married  Lobelia  Demarnville,  daughter  of  David  and  Susan 
(Edwards)  Demarnville,  natives  of  the  Eastern  States  and  Cortland  county,  N.  Y., 
respectively.  Mr.  Demarnville  came  to  WoodhuU  in  1852  and  was  killed  by  the  fall- 
ing of  a  tree  in  1868.  His  wife  died  the  same  year.  Two  brothers  of  Mrs.  Odson, 
David  of  the  109th  and  William  of  the  86th,  died  in  the  late  war.  Another  brother, 
Asa,  was  in  the  late  war  and  was  at  Lee's  Surrender.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Odson  had  four 
children:  Willie  (deceased),  Carrie,  Jerome  and  Merton.  Thomas  Odson  died  April 
3,  1880. 

Baxter,  Amelia, — Charles  F.  Baxter  was  born  in  Yates  county,  N.  Y.,  son  of  Seth 
and  Orpha  Baxter,  early  settlers  of  Woodhull,  where  they  lived  and  died.  Charles 
F.  Baxter  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  was  a 
farmer,  and  came  on  the  farm  Mrs.  Baxter  now  owns,  in  1847,  where  he  lived  until 
his  death  in  1879.  In  1846  he  married  Amelia  Jacobs,  a  native  of  Chautauqua  county, 
N.  Y.,  daughter  of  Leonard  and  and  Roxana  (Butler)  Jacobs,  both  natives  of  Otsego 
county,  N.  Y.,  who  came  to  Woodhull  in  1842,  but  spent  the  last  thirty  years  of  their 
life  in  Jasper,  where  he  died  January  3,  1888,  aged  eighty-three  years,  and  she,  De- 
cember 28,  1882,  aged  eighty-one  years.  He  was  a  farmer  and  carpenter  by  occu- 
pation. 

Bebout,  Stephen,  was  born  in  Woodhull  on  the  farm  he  now  owns  May  30,  1828, 
son  of  Samuel  Hazon  Bebout,  who  came  from  New  Jersey  to  Yates  county  in  1825, 
the  next  year  removing  to  Woodhull  and  settling  on  the  farm  which  is  now  owned 
by  Stephen,  where  he  died  September  26,  1871,  aged  eighty  years,  and  Mrs.  Bebout 
died  September  4,  1863,  aged  sixty-two  years.  Stephen  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  is  a  farmer  by  occupation.  In  May,  1855, 
he  married  Mary  J.  Taft,  daughter  of  Fenner  and  Joanna  Tobias  Taft,  he  a 
native  of  Rhode  Island,  and  she  of  Chenango  county.  Both  came  to  Addison 
when  young,  and  he  died  in  May,  1875,  and  she  in  November,  1863.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Stephen  Bebout  have  had  four  children:  Samuel,  who  died  March  20,  1875; 
Emma  A.,  who  died  September  1,  1870;  Charles  H.,  who  married  Fannie  E.  Brink, 
of  Addison,  N.  Y  ,  and  they  have  five  children:  George  H.,  Emily  A.,  Mabel  S., 
Fred  S.,  and  Jessie  E.,  and  Myron,  who  married  Mary  J.  Lathrop,  of  Woodhull,  by 
whom  he  had  two  children:  Clarence  J.  and  Cassie  M.  The  grandfather  of  our  sub 
ject  spent  his  life  in  New  Jersey.  The  maternal  grandfather  was  Ezekiel  Hazen, 
who  died  in  New  Jersey.  Mrs.  Bebout's  paternal  grandfather  was  Benedict  Taft, 
who  died  in  Addison.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Bebout  was  Jonathan 
Tobias,  son  of  John  Tobias,  both  of  whom  died  in  Addison,  N.  Y. 


262  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Schenck,  Charles,  was  born  in  Jasper,  N.  Y.,  May  3,  1830,  a  son  of  Jonathan  and 
Sarah  A.  (Broadnex)  Schenck.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  He  owns  a  farm  of  ninety-five  acres  and  carries  on  general  farming. 
In  1855  he  married  Samantha  J.,  daughter  of  Samuel  Punches,  of  Cameron,  who 
came  to  that  town  about  fifty  years  ago.  They  have  one  daughter,  Arlie,  who  was 
educated  in  the  Hornellsville  Park  schools,  then  engaged  in  teaching  for  a  short  time. 
She  is  now  a  dressmaker. 

Brundage,  Smith,  was  born  in  Bath,  September  16,  1869,  son  of  Frank,  grandson 
of  Jesse,  and  great-grandson  of  Capt.  Abraham  Brundage,  who  settled  in  Bath  in 
1794,  and  who  in  1812  recruited  a  rifle  company  and  took  part  in  the  war  of  that  date. 
Frank  Brundage  married  Fannie,  a  daughter  of  John  J.  Smith,  who  was  a  descend- 
ant of  Muckle  Andrew  Smith.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brundage  had  five  children :  Jennie, 
Jessie.  Smith,  Frank,  and  Ruby.  Mr.  Brundage  died  in  1890,  aged  fifty-eight  years. 
Smith  Brundage  now  resides  on  the  Marengo  place,  so  named  by  Captain  Williamson, 
with  his  mother,  brother  and  two  sisters. 

Creveling,  William  V.,  was  born  in  Thurston,  N.  Y..  on  the  farm  he  now  owns, 
December  10,  1856,  son  of  Nelson  and  Almira  (Emerson)  Creveling,  he  born  in  New 
Jersey  in  1808,  and  she  in  Bath  in  1817,  her  father,  Charles  Emerson,  being  one  of 
the  first  settlers  of  Bath,  coming  from  Connecticut,  and  he  once  returned  to  his 
native  State  on  foot.  Mr.  Creveling  was  a  farmer  and  came  to  Babcock  Hollow,  in 
the  town  of  Bath,  with  his  parents,  John  and  Elinore  (Carr)  Creveling,  in  1816,  and 
he  died  July  28,  1886,  and  his  widow  lives  with  her  son,  our  subject.  William  V.  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  now  owns 
a  farm  of  eighty  acres  of  land.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been  overseer  of  the 
poor  about  four  terms,  and  commissioner  three  years.  January  1,  1881,  he  married 
Alzora  Fort,  who  was  born  in  Herkimer  county,  N.  Y.,  January  4,  1860,  daughter  of 
Isaac  and  Matilda  Fort,  who  came  to  Thurston  in  1869,  where  he  died  in  1880,  and 
his  widow  resides  with  our  subject.  Mr.  Creveling  is  a  member  of  Savonia  Lodge 
No.  755,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Hoover,  David  E.,  was  born  in  Tyrone,  N.  Y.,  March  3,  1884,  son  of  Joseph  and 
Julia  (Taylor)  Hoover,  a  native  of  Tyrone,  and  she  of  Steuben  county.  The  grand- 
father, Abram  Hoover,  came  from  New  Jersey  to  Tyrone,  where  he  was  one  of  the 
pioneer  settlers,  and  served  in  the  war  of  1812.  Joseph  Hoover  was  reared  in 
Tyrone,  but  went  to  Michigan  in  1855,  where  he  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Ionia 
county,  traveling  by  ox  team  and  helping  build  the  first  railroad  to  lona.  He  was  a 
Democrat  up  to  Lincoln's  time  and  is  now  a  Republican.  He  owns  a  farm  of  240 
acres,  and  is  engaged  in  stock  raising.  His  wife  died  in  1875.  David  E.  was  reared 
in  Michigan  and  educated  at  lona  High  School.  He  took  a  course  of  civil  engineer- 
ing at  Ann  Arbor,  was  graduated  in  1881,  after  which  he  went  to  Pullman,  Chicago, 
in  the  sanitary  department  as  civil  engineer,  where  he  remained  six  months,  and 
then  went  West,  across  Mexico  from  Vera  Cruz  to  San  Bias  in  the  interest  of  the 
Mexican  Central  Railroad,  and  in  1888  he  located  in  Keuka.  In  1883  he  married 
Alice,  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Prudence  Houck,  by  whom  he  had  four  children :  Clyde 
J.,  Ruby,  Thomas  V.,  and  D.  Maxwell.  Mr.  Hoover  has  255  acres  of  land  in  Tyrone, 
where  he  carries  on  general  farming,  also  ten  acres  at  Keuka,  of  vineyard  and  other 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  263 

fruit,  he  also  does  surveying.     He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  been  justice  of 
the  peace  for  ten  or  twelve  years. 

Clark,  Eugene  K.,  was  born  in  Erie  county.  Pa.,  in  1841,  son  of  Thomas  E.  Clark, 
who  was  born  in  Amsterdam,  N.  Y.,  in  1809,  one  of  nine  children  born  to  Nathaniel 
Clark,  who  was  a  farmer  near  Amsterdam,  and  who  removed  to  the  town  of  Bath, 
where  he  died  in  1851.  Thomas  R.  Clark,  father  of  Eugene  K.,  was  reared  on  the 
farm,  after  which  he  was  a  student  of  Hamilton  College,  where  he  was  prepared  for 
the  Baptist  ministry.  He  preached  until  his  health  was  impaired,  from  an  injury 
received  by  a  horse  running  against  him,  and  returned  to  the  town  of  Bath  about 
1849,  but  later  sold  his  home  and  removed  to  Cameron,  where  he  died  in  1883.  He 
married  Harriett  Ann,  daughter  of  Philip  Wardner  of  Andover,  Steuben  county,  by 
whom  he  had  these  children:  Adoniram  J,,  Eugene  K.,  Newel  W.,  Dana  B.,  William 
K.,  Harriett  W.,  Angelia  A.  His  wife  survives  him  and  resides  in  Cameron. 
Eugene  K.  was  educated  in  Bath,  and  at  twenty-one  years  of  age  began  life  as  a 
teacher,  which  business  he  followed  for  nine  years,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing in  the  town  of  Prattsburg.  In  1869  he  removed  to  the  town  of  Wheeler,  on  his 
present  farm  of  140  acres,  where  he  raised  sheep  for  many  years,  and  in  1888  inter- 
ested himself  in  the  breeding  of  fine  grade  Jersey  cattle  and  the  dairy  business, 
ably  assisted  by  his  wife,  who  as  a  first-class  butter-maker,  has  established  a  wide 
reputation.  Mr.  Clark  was  twice  nominated  for  supervisor,  served  as  justice  of  the 
peace  one  term,  etc.,  and  for  some  years  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the 
Grange,  but  withdrew  from  the  order.  In  1863  he  married  Fannie  Adelia,  daughter 
of  Israel  D.  Graves  of  Prattsburg,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children :  Lily,  wife  of 
H.  H.  Brested,  of  Howard;  Laverne  D..  Mrs.  Vida  U.,  wife  of  M.  J.  Lewis,  of 
Wheeler;  Eri  W.,  Eda  E.,  Fannie  A.,  Olive  C,  and  Velma  A. 

Whiting,  LesHe  D.,  was  born  in  Jasper,  October  26,  1859.  Oliver  M.  Whiting,  his 
father,  was  also  a  native  of  the  same  town,  and  his  grandfather  settled  in  Jasper  in 
1826,  coming  from  Lyndenboro,  Hillsboro  county,  N.  H.,  and  the  family  have 
always  been  identified  as  farmers.  Oliver  M.  Whiting  married  Martha,  daughter  of 
William  Prentiss.  Leslie  D.  was  educated  at  Jasper,  and  in  1881  established  his 
business  of  hay,  grain  and  produce  at  Canisteo,  and  in  1887  added  a  coal  yard  to  it. 
In  1879  he  married  Brunette,  daughter  of  Enoch  Ordway,  by  whom  he  had  two  chil- 
dren, Oliver  M.,  and  Carrie.  Mr.  Whiting  is  one  of  the  representative  business  men 
of  this  town,  and  in  1894  was  elected  sheriff  of  Steuben  county. 

Mathewson,  Russell,  was  born  in  Otsego  county  in  1821.  He  began  business  life 
as  a  school  teacher  and  afterwards  learned  the  carpenter  trade,  and  lived  in  Corning 
from  1842  to  1850,  locating  on  his  present  farm  of  ninety-six  acres  in  1850.  He  makes 
milk  dairying  a  specialty,  keeping  about  twenty-five  cows.  In  1848  he  married 
Emma  C.  Johnson,  a  native  of  Chenango  county,  and  daughter  of  Dr.  P.  A.  and 
Marilla  L.  (Burdick)  Johnson,  who  came  to  Corning  in  1844.  Dr.  Johnson  practiced 
here  till  early  in  the  sixties,  and  then  moved  to  Waverly,  where  he  still  resides.  In 
the  fall  of  1864  Mr.  Mathewson  enlisted  in  the  1st  N.  Y.  Cavalry,  being  principally 
on  guard  duty  near  Charleston,  W.  Va.,  until  the  close  of  hostilities. 

Swarts,  Ross  H.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Starkey,  Yates  county,  N.  Y.,  Septem- 
ber 17,  1825,  son  of  Daniel  Swarts,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  who  was  a  millwright. 


264  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

and  in  later  years  lived  on  a  farm  in  Canadice,  Ontario  county.  He  died  December 
31,  1859.  The  mother  of  Ross  H.  was  also  a  native  of  Wantage,  Sussex  county, 
N.  J.  She  died  in  the  fall  of  1867.  Of  their  nine  children  Ross  v^^as  the  third  son. 
He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  remained  on  the  farm  with  his  parents 
until  twenty  years  of  age.  At  that  time  he  had  a  sister  living  in  the  town  of  Hor- 
nellsville  who  was  left  a  widow  with  a  family  of  five  small  children  and  Ross  came 
here,  remained  with  her  for  twenty  years  conducting  the  farm  and  managing  her 
business.  In  1871  he  married  Mrs.  Thirza  Dent,  daughter  of  Robert  Sutherby,  and 
the  year  following  he  bought  the  Deacon  Tryon  Cross  farm  of  130  acres  on  lot  No.  11 
in  Hornellsville,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  makes  a  specialty  of  dairy- 
ing, keeping  twenty-five  head  of  cattle  and  twelve  horses.  Mr.  Swarts  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  church  and  has  been  one  of  its  officers,  also  has  been  trustee  of  schools 
of  District  No.  3.  Mrs.  Swarts  died  July  15,  1883.  Mr.  Swarts  bought  a  part  of  her 
property  consisting  of  100  acres  on  lot  No.  12,  which  he  conducts  in  connection  with 
this  farm.  He  was  again  married  April  30,  1888,  to  Rose,  daughter  of  Joshua  Swan, 
of  Canadice,  Ontario  county,  and  they  have  two  children:  Ross  H.,  jr.,  born  April 
15,  1890,  and  Edwin  Devillo.  born  May  15,  1891.  In  politics  Mr.  Swarts  is  a  Demo- 
crat and  in  1890  served  as  town  auditor  and  has  also  held  some  of  the  minor  offices. 

Stickney,  Wilson,  was  born  on  the  farm  which  he  now  owns  in  Rathbone,  May  2, 
1826,  son  of  Edmond  Stickney,  inventor  of  the  Stickney  reacting  water  wheel,  and 
is  said  to  be  the  best  mechanic  in  the  State  when  applied  to  steam  and  water  power. 
He  was  born  in  New  Hampshire,  July  15,  1805,  and  came  to  Rathbone  in  1824  and 
settled  on  the  farm  which  is  now  owned  by  Wilson  and  built  a  mill  which  he  contin- 
ued to  run  for  forty-five  years.  He  also  had  a  small  grist  mill  attached.  He  mar- 
ried Margaret  Wilson,  born  January  18,  1815,  a  native  of  Scotland,  who  came  to 
Binghamton  with  her  parents  when  eight  years  old.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stickney  cele- 
brated their  golden  wedding  December  8,  1882.  He  died  December  20,  1884,  and 
she,  April  13,  1892.  Wilson  Stickney  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  com- 
mon school  and  Alfred  and  Franklin  Academies.  He  has  spent  the  most  of  his  life  in 
the  lumbering  business  and  was  seventeen  years  in  Michigan.  He  owns  the  home- 
stead, where  he  resides,  also  largely  interested  in  Michigan  pine  lands  and  a  block 
in  Big  Rapids,  now  owned  by  him  which  he  built  at  a  cost  $30,000,  known  as  the 
Stickney  Block.  June  28,  1873,  Mr.  Stickney  married  Laura  M.  Miles,  daughter  of 
John  Miles,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Rathbone,  and  one  daughter  has  been  born 
to  them,  Laura  M.,  who  resides  in  Big  Rapids,  Mich.  Mrs.  Stickney  died  at  Big 
Rapids  March  28,  1881,  aged  thirty-four  years.  Wilson  Stickney  had  two  brothers 
and  one  sister-  Mrs.  C.  H.  Rodgers  of  Hornellsville,  who  died  at  that  place  July  6, 
1889;  James  W.  Stickney,  who  was  an  engineer  on  the  Erie  and  was  killed  at  Adrian, 
November  11,  1891 ;  and  Isaac  M.,  who  was  assistant  superintendent  of  the  Morris 
Run  Coal  Company,  of  Morris  Run,  Pa.     He  died  November  30,  1870. 

Walker,  Frank  E.,  was  born  in  Springwater,  N.  Y.,  May  20,  1856.  His  grand- 
father, Ezra  Walker,  was  a  native  of  Vermont.  William  Walker,  father  of  Frank 
E.,  was  born  in  Vermont,  in  1819,  and  at  two  years  of  age  came  with  his  parents  to 
Springwater,  where  he  died  in  1876,  aged  fifty-five  years.  He  was  a  farmer  all  his 
life.  He  married  Mercy  Gates,  who  was  born  in  Gaines,  Orleans  county,  N.  Y. ,  in 
1824,  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Erwin  C,  who  was  born  September  15,  1843, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  265 

and  died  June  3,  1864;  Maria  L.,  who  was  born  March  23,  1845,  and  married  Oscar 
Rogers;  Hattie  E.,  who  was  born  February  1,  1847,  and  died  March  9,  1857;  John 
C,  who  was  born  July  22,  1849,  and  married  Sarah  Brown  ;  Emma  A.,  who  was  born 
June  3,  1851;  William  W.,  who  was  born  July  11,  1853,  and  married  Alice  Snyder; 
Frank  E.,  as  above;  Lillian  E.,  who  was  born  May  21,  1858,  and  married  Glen 
Abrams;  Mark  G.,  who  was  born  June  1,  1860,  and  married  Maggie  Staley;  Judson 
E.,  who  was  born  June  29,  1863,  and  married  Julia  Bill;  and  Edwin  L.,  who  was 
born  August  14,  1865,  and  died  February  25,  1866.  Frank  E.  has  always  followed 
farming.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Wayland  Ledge,  No.  176,  I.  O.  O.  F.  At  Dans- 
ville,  N.  Y.,  May  20,  1877,  he  married  Ella  Hay  ward,  who  was  born  in  Wayland,  in 
1825,  and  resides  in  South  Dansville.  He  married  Margaret  Campbell,  who  was 
born  in  Scotland,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Anna,  deceased,  marrried  John 
Avery  of  Wayland,  N.  Y.  :  Alma,  who  married  Wallace  Wagoner,  and  resides  in 
Cohocton;  Ella,  as  above;  and  Murray,  who  married  Lunette  McFarland,  and  re- 
sides in  Wayland. 

McNett,  Dr.  George  C,  was  born  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  July  11,  1867.  Gen.  A.  J. 
McNett,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Sackett's  Harbor,  and  a  prominent  lawyer  of 
Buffalo,  who  took  a  prominent  part  through  the  war.  Was  retired  as  colonel  \J.  S. 
A.  in  1892,  died  March  8,  1895.  His  grandfather  was  in  charge  of  Sackett's  Harbor 
defenses  and  lighthouses  in  the  war  of  1812.  Dr.  George  C.  McNett  was  educated 
at  Belmont,  St.  Joseph's  College,  Buffalo,  Alfred  University,  and  University  of  the 
City  of  New  York,  and  then  began  his  practice  at  Belmont.  In  1886  he  was  ap- 
pointed as  surgeon  to  the  Soldiers'  Home,  and  came  to  Bath,  remaining  until  1889, 
since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  private  practice,  and  is  one  of  the  leading 
men  of  his  profession,  making  a  specialty  of  surgery.  In  1882  he  married  Agnes, 
daughter  of  E.  S.  Stewart,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Celia. 

Ellison,  Curtis  B.,  was  born  at  Homer,  N.  Y.,  in  1831,  and  at  nine  years  of  age 
came  to  Tioga  county  with  his  parents,  Samuel  and  Susan  Ellison,  who  died  in  1885 
and  1891  respectively.  When  eighteen  years  of  age  Mr.  Ellison  came  to  Corning 
and  has  since  been  more  or  less  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  spending  four  years 
in  Michigan.  He  has  200  acres  of  land  where  he  lives  which  he  has  owned  since 
1856,  and  makes  a  specialty  of  milk  dairying.  In  1852  he  married  Mary  Jane  Coun- 
terman of  Tompkins  county. 

Cole,  John  S. ,  was  born  in  Rathbone,  August  25, 1825,  son  of  C.  H.  and  Phebe  (Sellick) 
Cole,  he  born  in  Columbia  county,  N.  Y.,  October  2,  1808,  and  she  in  Howard,  N.Y.. 
in  1814,  daughter  of  Zeno  Sellick.  The  grandfather  of  John  S.  was  Jacob  Cole,  who 
was  born  in  Rensselaer  county,  N.  Y. ,  a  son  of  Jacob  Cole,  who  died  in  Columbia 
county,  at  the  age  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-six  years.  He  came  to  Big  Flats  in 
1814,  and  to  Rathbone  in  1816,  where  he  died  in  1852.  The  father  of  John  S.  was  a 
farmer  and  lumberman.  He  was  a  Whig  and  Republican,  and  the  second  supervisor 
of  the  town  of  Rathbone,  and  justice  of  the  peace  twenty-eight  years.  He  died  No- 
vember 27,  1886.  John  S.  Cole  was  educated  in  Alfred  University,  and  was  a  farmer 
and  lumberman  by  occupation,  and  owns  176  acres  of  land.  He  was  in  the  Rocky 
Mountains  three  years.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  the  1st  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  and 
served  three  months.     In  January,    1867,  he  married  Alice   Burlingame  of   Belfast, 

lib 


266  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Allegany  county,  N.  Y.,  and  they  have  four  children:  Guy,  born  September  3,  1869, 
who  has  been  engaged  in  lumbering  with  his  father;  Clyde,  boon  February  8,  1871 ; 
Roy,  born  August  9,  1872 ;  and  Ray,  born  December  25,  1880. 

Stami^,  B.  F.,  was  born  in  Reading,  Schuyler  county,  N.  Y.,  November  22,  1830, 
son  of  Abner  and  Betsey  (Caandall)  Stamp,  who  was  born  in  Orange  count}'  and 
Waterloo.  Mr.  Stamp  went  to  Reading  at  an  early  date,  and  in  1857  went  West,  re- 
turning in  1861  and  locating  m  Thurston,  and  two  years  later  removing  to  Schuyler 
county,  where  they  lived  until  a  few  months  before  his  death,  which  occurred  Febru- 
ary 28,  1886.  Mrs.  Stamp  died  in  1852.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  John 
•Stamp,  was  born  in  Holland,  came  to  this  country  and  participated  in  the  war  of 
1812,  and  died  in  Kentucky.  B.  F.  Stamp  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and 
engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering,  now  owning  a  farm  of  sixty-six  acres.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  Republican  and  has  been  collector.  December  19,  1863,  he  enlisted  in 
Co.  K,  3d  N.  Y.  Light  Artillery,  and  was  in  the  battles  during  the  campaign  of  1864 
and  '65,  from  City  Point  to  Petersburg  and  Richmond.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Loga 
Post,  No.  469,  G.  A.  R.,  of  which  he  is,  at  present,  commander.  August  30,  1856, 
he  married  Elizabeth  Benham  of  Schuyler  county,  by  whom  he  has  had  ten  children: 
A.  Farley,  Nettie  L.,  deceased,  George  E.,  B.  Frank,  Charles  E.,  William  A.,  Marion 
E  ,  E.  Ida,  John  A.,  and  Grace  E.  Mr.  Stamp  had  seven  brothers  in  the  late  war, 
one  of  whom  was  killed  at  South  Mountain. 

Chapell,  F.  S.,  born  in  Prattsburg,  N.  Y.,  July  5,  1828,  is  the  first  son  of  seven  chil 
dren  born  to  Lyman  and  Elma  S.  Chapell.  He  was  a  native  of  Chenango,  and  came 
to  Prattsburg  in  1812  with  Neamiah  Noble,  being  then  a  boy  about  twelve  years  of 
age,  with  whom  he  lived  until  he  married.  He  followed  farming  as  an  occupation. 
Francis  Sweet,  father  of  Mrs.  Chapell,  was  a  pioneer  of  North  Prattsburg,  where  he 
lived  and  died.  Francis  S.  Chapell  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade  when  a  young 
man.  In  1848  he  went  to  Branchport,  Yates  county,  where  he  remained  until  1868, 
when  he  located  in  Rathbone  on  the  farm  he  now  owns.  In  1851  he  married  Emily 
Donaldson,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Elizabeth,  William,  Frederick  O.,  Frank 
H.,  and  Collin  P.  In  politics  Mr.  Chapell  is  a  Republican  and  has  been  assessor  for 
five  years  in  succession. 

Clark,  Eleazer,  was  born  in  Elkland,  Tioga  county,  Pa.,  October  2,  1824,  son  of 
Eleazer  and  Abigail  (Armstrong)  Clark,  both  natives  of  Rhode  Island,  born  about 
1788,  who  came  to  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  where  they  lived  and  died.  The  grandfather, 
Eleazer  Clark,  was  born  in  England  and  died  in  Rhode  Island.  Eleazer  Clark,  our 
subject,  lived  in  Tioga  county,  Pa.,  until  1863,  when  he  came  on  the  farm  of  113  acres 
which  he  now  owns.  December  1,  1852,  he  married  Julia  A.  Johnson,  who  was  born 
in  Elkland,  Pa.,  January  10,  1831,  daughter  of  Asaph  and  Polly  (Mack)  Johnson. 
Mr.  Johnson  was  killed  in  Elkland  in  1839  by  the  falling  of  a  tree,  and  his  wife  died 
in  1872.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  have  five  children:  Prudence,  who  was  born  June  23, 
1854,  wife  of  Herman  Tubbs;  Charles  F.,  who  was  born  September  14,  1856,  a  farmer, 
and  a  graduate  of  Allen's  Business  College.  He  died  November  29,  1893;  William 
H.,  who  was  born  February  14,  1864,  a  farmer  of  Tioga  county.  Pa.;  and  Erastus 
E.,  who  was  born  May  15,  1866,  a  graduate  from  Baltimore  Medical  College,  also  of 
Starkey  College,  and  is  now  a  successful  physiciai^  of  Osceola,  Pa. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  267 

Labour,  Jacob,  was  born  in  Northumberland  county.  Pa.,  July  8,  1806.  The  first 
of  the  family  to  come  to  this  country  was  the  grandfather  of  Jacob.  He  was  from 
Germany  and  settled  in  Pennsylvania.  His  son,  Peter  Labour,  was  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Pennsylvania  Hill,  coming  here  in  1838, 
buying  a  farm  on  lot  28.  Jacob  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  moved  to 
Living.ston  county,  where  he  married  Zada,  daughter  of  George  H.  Jones,  March  18, 
1831.  He  returned  to  Steuben  county  in  April,  1863,  and  bought  a  farm  of  ninety- 
seven  acres  on  lot  27,  and  there  spent  the  balance  of  his  days.  He  died  March  20, 
1880.  Mrs.  Labour  died  March  13,  1885.  The  beautiful  house  was  erected  in  1878. 
Of  his  eight  children  Catherine  Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of  Henry  Cox,  a  farmer  of  Alle- 
gany county;  Mary  C.  is  the  widow  of  James  P.  Emery,  and  lives  m  Arkport;  Jane 
N.  died  January  6,  1875,  at  thirty-nine  years  of  age,  wife  of  William  Burt ;  William 
J.  Labour  was  a  .soldier  of  the  3d  Ills.  Cavalry,  died  in  Arkansas  June  9,  1862,  an 
officer  of  the  Cavalry ;  George  W.  died  November  5,  1894.  m  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.  ; 
Julia  S.  is  the  wife  of  Miles  L.  Forsyth,  a  machinist  of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.  ;  Miss  Sarah 
E.  conducts  the  old  homestead  farm,  and  James  Watson  died  September  16,  1866, 
eighteen  years  of  age. 

Husted,  Jerome  C,  was  born  in  Woodhull,  August  27,  1857,  son  of  William  and 
Caroline  (Covell)  Husted.  Mr.  Husted  was  born  m  Chenango  county,  N.Y.,  in  1825, 
and  Mrs.  Hu.sted  was  born  in  Bradford  county,  Pa.,  April  9,  1828.  Abraham,  grand- 
father of  Jerome  C,  was  a  native  of  Chenango  county,  but  his  father  came  from 
England  at  a  very  early  date  and  was  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Abraham  was  a 
farmer  and  carpenter  and  came  to  Woodhull  at  an  early  date,  settling  on  a  farm. 
He  spent  the  last  ten  years  of  his  life  in  the  village  of  Woodhull.  He  and  his  wife, 
Amy  Rathbone,  were  members  of  the  Bapti.st  church,  of  which  he  was  a  clerk,  also 
deacon  for  a  number  of  years.  Mr.  Husted,  father  of  Jerome  C. ,  is  now  engaged  m 
farming  in  that  town.  Jerome  C.  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  educated  in  the  Wood- 
hull  Academy  and  followed  teaching  several  years.  In  1884,  he  engaged  in  the  drug 
business  and  has  since  conducted  a  successful  business.  His  building  is  20  by  60 
feet,  ar  d  he  carries  a  line  of  drugs,  books,  stationery,  paints,  oils,  etc.  He  was  town 
clerk  in  1892-3  and  elected  supervisor  in  1894.  He  is  a  member  of  Restoration  Lodge 
No.  777,  F.  &  A.  M.,  also  Addison  Chapter  No.  146,  R.  A.  M.  He  is  also  a  member 
of  Woodhull  Tent  No.  174,  K.  O  T.  M.  September  29,  1887,  he  married  Lydia, 
daughter  of  William  and  Marion  (Pease)  Carpenter,  a  native  of  Woodhull.  They 
have  one  son:  Carl  born  March  11,  1894. 

Strong,  Munson  J.,  was  born  in  Tioga  county,  N.  Y.,  November  9,  1839,  a  son  of 
Joel  C.  Strong.  His  native  home  was  Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  and  came  to  Tioga  when 
a  young  man ;  married  Olive  Lake,  settled  on  a  new  farm,  where  he  lived  and  died. 
The  grandfather  was  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  wounded  in  the  leg;  he  died  in 
Schenectady.  Joel  C.  Strong  died  November  14,  1880,  and  his  wife  Olive  in  1844. 
Munson  J.  Strong  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  at 
Candor,  Tioga  county,  N.  Y.  In  1864  he  came  to  Thurston,  Steuben  county,  and 
settled  on  a  farm  of  fifty  acres  he  now  owns,  and  erected  good  buildings.  January 
5,  1864,  he  married  Mary  Coston,  who  was  born  in  Bath,  September  29,  1841,  daugh- 
ter of  Christopher  C.  Coston,  by  whom  he  had  five  children :  Charles  C,  who  was 
born  December  28,  1864,  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  is  a  druggist  of 


268  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Owego,  N.Y.  ;  Nancy  C,  who  was  born  July  14,  1866,  wife  of  Burrett  Woodward  of 
Broome  county,  N.  Y.,  and  have  one  child,  Iva;  Fred  Jay,  born  May  17,  1866,  and 
works  on  a  fruit  farm  in  Yates  county,  N.  Y. ;  Christopher  W.,  born  August  15,  1871, 
was  educated  in  the  common  school,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  at  home ;  and  Inez  I. , 
who  lives  at  home.  In  August,  1861,  Munson  Strong  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  89th  N.  Y. 
Vols.,  and  served  two  years.  He  was  at  Roanoke  Island,  Newbern,  Frederick  City, 
South  Mountain,  and  Antietam,  where  he  was  wounded  in  the  left  leg. 

Northrup,  James,  was  born  in  Sussex  county,  N.  J.,  September  12,  1819,  son  of 
Benjamin  D.  Northrup,  who  is  mentioned  in  this  work.  James  came  to  Rathbone  in 
1835  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  six  years  came  into  possession  of  100  acres  of  the  old 
homestead,  and  afterwards  bought  114  acres  of  land,  and  later  fifty-four  acres.  He 
followed  farming  until  1883,  at  which  time  he  retired.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  has 
served  as  supervisor  one  year,  and  assessor  one  year.  In  January,  1846,  he  married 
Eliza,  daughter  of  Isaac  Bowyer,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Jasper,  where  he  lived 
and  died.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Northrup  had  seven  children:  Sarah,  deceased;  Watson  T., 
who  resides  at  Cameron  Mills;  Isaac,  deceased;  M.  Electa,  deceased;  Amanda  H., 
deceased;  Ella  E.,  wife  of  Frank  L.  Johnson,  who  was  born  in  Penn  Yan,  Yates 
county,  N.  Y.,  son  of  Samuel  and  Ann  Perry  Johnson,  who  came  to  Howard  about 
1835,  where  Mr.  Johnson  died  in  1892,  and  his  wife  in  Rathbone  in  1879.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Johnson  have  been  born  three  children:  Royal  J.,  Charley  B.,  and  Watson 
F.  The  seventh  child  of  James  Northrup  is  Carrie,  wife  of  John  McWilliams  of 
Rathbone. 

Rutherford,  Mrs.  T.  R.  —Thomas  R.  Rutherford  was  a  native  of  County  Cavan, 
Ireland,  and  came  to  Bath,  Steuben  county,  in  1852.  He  received  an  excellent  edu- 
cation from  private  tutors,  and  then  gave  his  attention  to  teaching  school  for  some 
years,  and  in  1854  he  entered  the  county  clerk's  office,  remaining  through  Major 
Campbell's  term.  He  afterwards  learned  the  photographer's  business  and  located  in 
Seneca  Falls  and  Rochester.  In  1870  he  again  entered  the  county  clerk's  office, 
where  he  remained  until  the  time  of  his  death.  In  1868  he  married  Sarah,  daughter 
of  John  R.  Smith,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  Kathenne  and  Mabel.  He  died 
August  11,  1890. 

Wheeler,  Andrew  Jackson,  was  born  in  Bath,  November  26,  1824.  His  father, 
George,  was  a  native  of  Rhode  Island  and  came  with  his  parents,  Jeremiah  and  Mary 
(Joselyn)  Wheeler,  to  Bath  in  1805.  George  Wheeler  married  Grace,  a  daughter  of 
Nathaniel  Stearns,  of  Hinsdale,  N.  H.  He  was  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  early 
times,  serving  as  justice  of  the  peace,  postmaster  of  Kanona,  etc.  He  died  in  1870 
at  the  age  of  eighty-six  years,  leaving  three  children:  Andrew  J.,  Elizabeth  S.,  and 
Mrs.  Dr.  Jones,  of  Danville,  111.  Mr.  Andrew  J.  Wheeler  is  one  of  the  practical  and 
successful  farmers  of  the  town,  taking  an  intelligent  interest  in  educational  and 
religious  affairs. 

Smith,  O.  H.,  was  born  in  Bath,  March  12,  1840,  son  of  Charles  A.  Smith,  who  was 
born  in  Bath  in  1797,  and  grandson  of  Andrew,  who  came  to  Bath  with  Colonel 
Williamson  m  1793,  and  purchased  a  tract  of  woodland,  in  1794,  of  the  Pulteney 
estate,  which  still  remains  in  the  family.  He  acted  as  foreman  and  agent  for  Colonel 
Williamson.     Charles  A.  Smith  married  Azilla,  daughter  of  Stephen  Morgan.     He 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  269 

was  a  prominent  and  successful  farmer,  and  died  in  1865,  in  his  sixty-eighth  year. 
O.  H.  Smith  was  educated  in  Bath,  and  Franklin  Academy,  and  in  1862  enlisted  in 
Co.  D,  161st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Port  Hudson,  and  receiving  a 
severe  wound  at  Cox"s  Plantation,  La.,  in  1863,  and  afterward  took  part  in  the  Red 
River  campaign,  the  siege  and  capture  of  Mobile,  and  received  an  honorable  dis- 
charge at  the  close  of  the  war  in  1865,  with  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant,  Co.  B,  and 
then  returned  to  Bath.  In  1866  he  went  to  Hornellsville  and  engaged  in  the  mercan- 
tile business,  and  in  1872  went  to  Waterloo,  from  there  to  Syracuse,  and  Elmira,  re- 
turning to  Bath  in  1877.  In  1883  he  was  elected  police  justice,  serving  five  years,  and 
in  1889  established  his  present  business,  carrying  a  full  line  of  of  insurance  policies. 
In  1868  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  David  Sherwood,  and  thej^are  the  parents 
of  two  children:  William  J.,  and  Maud  E.  Mr.  Smith  was  commander  of  the 
G.  A.  R.  Lodge  for  three  years,  and  at  the  present  time  is  a  trustee  of  the  New  York 
State  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Home,  and  secretary  of  the  board. 

Beecher,  Fary  B.,  was  born  in  Fremont,  Steuben  county,  N.Y.,  June  2,  1856,  a  son 
of  Randall  F.  Beecher,  deceased.  The  family  is  of  English  descent,  the  ancestors 
having  come  to  America  in  the  Mayflower  in  1620.  Of  the  next  generation  there 
were  three  brothers:  Hezikiah,  Linus,  and  Lyman.  Among  the  direct  descendants 
of  Lyman  Beecher  were  the  Rev.  Henry  Ward,  Thomas  K.  Beecher,  and  Mrs. 
Harriet  Beecher  Stowe.  From  Hezekiah  Beecher  is  descended  Fary  B.  Beecher. 
Randall  F.  Beecher  came  from  Madison  county,  N.  Y. ,  to  the  town  of  Fremont  in 
1840,  where  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  was  also  a  licensed  veterinary  surgeon.  He 
was  born  in  Madison  county,  N.  Y.,  June  2,  1814,  and  died  November  12,  1876.  He 
was  three  times  married,  first  to  Serepta  Cass,  by  whom  he  had  three  children : 
Andalusia,  Nason,  and  William  Henry.  For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Beecher  married 
Weltha  Donahe,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  John  D.  He  then  married  Statira  San- 
ford  and  they  had  eleven  children,  ten  of  whom  grew  to  maturity:  Weltha,  Orin  H., 
Eunice  C,  now  Mrs.  Lewis  B.  Ward;  Mark  H.,  Fary  B.,  Luke  A.,  Menzer  J.,  Murray 
C,  Scott  M.,  and  Gertrude  C.  Fary  B.  Beecher  received  his  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools  and  Rogersville  Union  Seminary,  following  which  he  taught  for  several 
years.  He  studied  law  with  the  late  O.  S.  Searl  of  Cohocton,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1891,  settling  at  Atlanta,  where  he  has  since  practiced  in  his  profession. 
He  is  a  staunch  Democrat  and  is  an  active  member  of  the  party.  He  is  a  member  of 
Kanawha  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Atlanta,  and  has  held  nearly  every  office  in  the 
lodge.  He  has  taken  the  past  official  degree  in  the  district  Grand  Commandery  and 
the  Grand  Lodge  degree  at  Buffalo  in  1893.  In  1881  Mr.  Beecher  married  Miss 
Emma  E.  Johnson  of  North  Cohocton,  N.  Y.,  to  whom  has  been  born  four  children, 
two  sons,  Don  L.,  and  Dana  C,  and  two  daughters,  LTna  M.  and  Marion. 

Oliver,  Gale,  was  born  October  18,  1853.  His  grandfather,  Charles  Oliver,  was 
born  in  Athol,  Mass.,  June  8,  1789,  and  moved  to  Shoreham,  Vt.,  where  he  learned 
the  trade  of  blacksmith.  He  settled  in  Dansville  in  1816,  and  bought  200  acres  of 
land  and  built  a  blacksmith  shop  near  Loon  Lake,  where  he  remained  about  six 
years,  when  he  built  a  shop  at  Rogersville  and  carried  on  the  same  business  there 
until  his  death,  February  20,  1866,  aged  seventy-six  years.  He  married  Phoebe  Wil- 
son, who  was  born  in  Vermont,  December  11,  1795,  by  whom  he  had  these  children: 
Charles,  who  was  born  in  Shoreham,  Vt.,  August  22,  1815,  and  died  August  19,  1887; 


270  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Almeda,  who  was  born  September  9,  1817 ;  Lois,  who  was  born  September  26,  1819 
Seraph,  who  was  born  November  3,  1831 ;  Sally  W.,  who  was  born  January  5,  1824 
Phoebe,  who  was  born  June  11,  1826;  Amory  G.,  who  was  born  December  26,  1828 
and  Mary  P.,  who  was  born  June  27,  1832.  Charles  Oliver,  father  of  Gale,  was  a 
man  of  affairs,  having  held  the  offices  of  assessor  sixteen  years,  justice  of  the  peace 
and  supervisor  four  years;  he  was  a  surveyor.  He  married  Clarissa  Griswold,  who 
was  born  January  10,  1817,  on  Lake  Champlain,  by  whom  he  had  these  children: 
John  Tyler,  who  was  born  March  31,  1840,  and  died  August  29,  1840;  Phoebe  A.,  who 
was  born  October  16,  1841;  Daniel  H.,  who  was  born  March  19,  1843;  Charles,  who 
was  born  December  18,  1845;  Woodruff,  who  was  born  October  8,  1852,  and  died 
April  21,  1888;  and  Gale,  as  above,  who  received  a  common  school  education  and 
took  a  course  in  the  Rogersville  Seminary.  He  has  always  followed  farming,  and 
now  owns  a  farm  of  200  acres.     He  has  held  the  office  of  assessor  nine  years. 

Bailey,  Charles  L. ,  was  born  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  his  brother,  Adsit,  in 
the  town  of  L^rbana,  August  7,  1830.  In  1808  David  Bailey,  the  grandfather  of 
Charles  L. ,  who  was  a  native  of  Ovid,  came  to  Steuben  county  bringing  a  family  of 
three  sons  and  one  daughter,  and  took  up  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  seventy  acres 
on  lot  9  in  the  town  of  Urbana,  and  his  first  residence  was  a  log  house,  where  he 
made  his  home  until  about  1839.  David,  the  father  of  C.  L.,  was  the  youngest  of  a 
family  of  eight  children,  and  was  born  in  February,  1805,  in  Ovid,  and  when  a  boy 
learned  the  tanner  and  currier's  trade  in  the  town  of  Pulteney,  which  trade  he  fol- 
lowed for  twenty-five  or  thirty  years,  building  a  tannery  on  the  old  homestead,  a 
part  of  which  still  stands  in  a  tenement  house  belonging  to  Mrs.  John  Argus.  He 
died  August  19,  1872.  In  politics  he  was  a  Whig,  and  one  of  the  town  officers,  and 
also  a  school  officer  of  this  district.  David  Bailey  married  Sabrona  Stone  who  was 
born  August  29,  1808,  daughter  of  Capt.  Amos  Stone,  who  settled  in  Pleasant  Valley 
in  1793.  She  died  February  26,  1885.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bailey  were  the  parents  of  seven 
children :  Lewis,  a  farmer  who  died  February  22,  1868 ;  Charles  L. ,  Christina,  Elzina, 
Edna,  Adsit  and  Ida,  who  died  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years.  Charles  was  educated 
in  the  common  school,  and  select  school  at  Hammondsport.  He  taught  for  five  win- 
ter§  in  different  districts  and  worked  his  father's  farm  for  two  years.  In  1857  he  re- 
moved to  Savona  and  conducted  a  farm  for  ten  years,  and  then  took  charge  of  a  farm 
of  one  hundred  acres,  where  he  now  lives,  and  where  he  has  a  vineyard  of  thirty 
acres,  and  has  also  increased  the  farm  to  one  hundred  and  thirty-four  acres,  which  is 
devoted  to  the  cultivation  of  gram  and  stock  products.  In  politics  Mr.  Bailey  was  in 
early  life  a  Henry  Clay  Whig,  but  is  now  a  Republican,  and  in  1877  and  1878  he  rep- 
resented his  town  on  the  board  of  supervisors,  and  served  four  terms  as  justice  of  the 
peace  of  this  town  and  in  Bath.  July  3,  1854,  he  married  Amanda  Ide  of  Post  Creek, 
who  died  in  1866  leaving  two  children :  Layfayette,  who  is  a  farmer  with  his  father 
on  the  homestead ;  and  Sabrina,  who  is  the  wife  of  LeRoy  McCorn  of  Hammonds- 
port.     Mr.  Bailey  married  for  his  second  wife,  in  1868,  Mrs.  Lydia  Backus. 

HoUiday,  Franklin  E.  and  Amos  O. — The  family  are  of  New  England  stock.  The 
grandfather,  Amos  HoUiday,  was  a  native  of  New  England  and  settled  on  the  place 
where  Franklin  E.  and  Amos  O.  now  reside,  about  1815,  purchasing  200  acres  and 
building  a  log  house.  His  wife  was  Azubah  Brewer,  of  Hartford,  Conn.  He  died 
April  9,  1853,  aged  106  years,  and  she  died  August  3,   184!~'',  aged  eighty-four  years. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  271 

They  had  the  following  children:  Jonathan,  Amos,  Enoch,  Peter,  0.sni,  Sylvester, 
Clorina  and  Lucy.  Sylvester  Holliday  was  educated  at  Pompey  Hill  Academy,  On- 
ondaga county,  N.  Y.  and  taught  school  for  several  years  in  Dansville,  Sparta,  and 
other  places.  He  was  also  justice  of  the  peace  for  many  years.  He  married  Hannah 
Townsend,  who  died  December  23,  1887,  aged  eighty-six  years.  He  died  April  5, 
1870,  aged  seventy-seven  years.  Their  family  consisted  of  five  children:  Rachel, 
born  February  26,  1819,  married  Daniel  Ward,  of  Spring  Water,  and  had  two  chil- 
dren, Minerva,  born  November  14,  1822,  died  March  16,  1890,  married  twice,  first  to 
John  Pettis,  afterwards  to  James  G.  Huff;  Miranda,  who  married  James  Wood; 
AmosO.,  born  December  31,  1829;  and  Franklin  E.,  born  April  23,  1837.  Rachel 
attended  Dan.sville  Academy,  Amos  attended  the  Alfred  Seminary,  and  Franklin, 
the  Rogersville  Union  Seminary.  The  family  are  well  to  do  and  respected  citizens 
of  the  town.  Amos  Holliday  was  in  the  War  for  Independence,  was  at  Yorktowm, 
Va. ,  when  the  British  surrendered  to  Gen,  Washington,  and  Sylvester  Holliday  was 
in  the  war  of  1812. 

Swink,  Nelson  H  ,  was  born  in  Dansville,  Livingston  county,  N  Y. ,  in  1845.  He 
received  a  common  school  education,  and  attended  Rogersville  Seminary  six  months 
but  has  improved  his  scanty  opportunities  when  a  boy  by  a  thorough  course  of  read- 
ing and  is  well  posted  on  many  subjects.  He  is  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  owns  a 
fine  farm  on  Oak  Hill.  His  father,  Henry  Swink,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
died  in  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  March  10,  1886,  aged  seventy-two  years.  He  married  Sarah 
Miller,  who  was  born  in  Dansville,  in  1825,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Nelson 
H.,  as  above;  Jennie,  who  was  born  in  1849;  and  Charles,  who  was  born  in  1852. 
In  1876  Nelson  H.  Swink  married  Amanda  M.  Kreidler,  who  was  born  in  Dansville, 
April  29,  1844,  daughter  of  Edward  Kreidler,  by  whom  he  had  three  children :  Edna 
S.,  who  was  born  April  30,  1877;  Essie  M.,  who  was  born  September  9,  1878;  and 
Edward  H.,  who  was  born  March  28,  1887. 

Crance,  Jules,  was  born  in  the  Province  of  Champagne,  France,  March  7,  1854. 
He  was  given  a  good  educution  in  his  native  land,  and  being  reared  in  a  wine  coun- 
try, naturally  took  to  that  as  an  occupation.  In  January,  1872,  he  came  to  the  United 
States  and  spent  one  year  with  an  uncle  in  Tioga,  Pa.,  and  one  year  in  Ohio.  In 
1874  he  came  to  Pleasant  Valley  and  engaged  with  the  wine  company  of  that  name, 
and  in  April,  1877,  became  associated  with  the  Urbana  Wine  Company,  the  first  and 
third  years  as  foreman  of  the  champagne  department,  and  in  1880  he  became  gen- 
eral superintendent  of  wine  making,  which  position  he  still  holds.  He  has  been  a 
faithful  and  efficient  employee  of  this  company,  and  a  great  portion  of  their  .success 
has  been  due  to  his  ever  zealous  and  watchful  care.  In  connection  to  his  other  duties 
he  owns  and  manages  a  vineyard  of  fourteen  acres.  In  1877  he  married  Eugenie 
Masson,  of  Dayton,  Ohio,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Charles  T.,  Eugene  Jules, 
Josephine,  and  Albert  Morris. 

Barrett,  Samuel  H.,  was  born  in  Farmer's  Valley,  McKean  county.  Pa.,  March  22, 
1860,  son  of  Henry  and  Julia  (Maynard)  Barrett.  Henry  Barrett  spent  his  life  in 
Farmer's  Valley,  where  he  died  in  1864:  His  widow  married  Thomas  Utter,  a  native 
of  Allegany  county,  where  he  lived  and  died.  Mrs.  Utter  now  lives  in  Woodhull. 
Samuel  H.  was  reared  in  Chicago,  111.,  and  Olean,  N.    Y.     He  was  educated  in  the 


272  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

common  schools  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  started  in  life  for  himself  by  working  out 
by  the  month.  He  was  then  in  a  saw  mill  for  four  years.  He  afterward  learned  the 
barber's  trade  and  in  1884  opened  a  shop  in  Woodhull,  where  he  now  has  an  exten- 
sive and  successful  business.  In  1895  Mr.  Barrett  was  elected  town  clerk.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Restoration  Lodge,  No.  777,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Elkland  Lodge,  No.  800, 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  Woodhull  Tent,  No.  174,  K.  O.  T.  M.  January  12,  1878,  Mr.  Barrett 
married  Alice  Applebee,  a  native  of  Friendship,  Allegany  county,  by  whem  he  had 
three  children:  Bertha,  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years;  Christina,  died  at  the  age  of 
two  years;  and  Ethel,  who  died  at  the  age  of  four  yeai's. 

Sabring,  James  Oscar,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Pulteney,  November  4,  1860,  the 
third  son  of  Charles  W.  Sebring,  a  farmer  and  resident  of  that  town.  James  Oscar 
Sebring  received  his  primary  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  town, 
supplemented  by  a  course  of  study  m  the  famous  Franklin  Academy  of  Prattsburg. 
After  completmg  his  education  he  decided  to  become  a  lawyer,  and  to  acquire  the 
necessary  means  to  fit  himself  for  his  chosen  profession  of  the  law,  followed  teaching 
for  seven  years  and  at  the  same  time  devoting  all  his  spare  time  to  the  reading  of 
in  the  law  office  of  Jay  K.  Smith  of  Prattsburg  and  Hon.  I.  W.  Near  of  Hornellsville. 
He  completed  his  law  studies  in  the  law  office  of  Hon.  John  F.  Little  of  Bath,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  June,  1885,  standing  first  in  a  class  of  twenty-five.  The 
September  following  he  began  the  practice  of  law  in  Hammondsport,  where  he  con- 
tinued to  practice  until  in  September,  1895,  when,  desiring  a  larger  field  in  which  to 
carry  on  his  large  and  increasing  practice,  he  opened  an  office  in  the  city  of  Corning, 
where  he  has  since  been.  Of  the  younger  members  of  the  bar  of  this  county  he 
ranks  with  the  best  of  them.  He  is  active  in  politics  and  is  a  Democrat.  He  has 
been  a  mem.ber  of  the  County  Committee  and  of  the  County  Executive  Committee  for 
a  number  of  years,  and  has  once  or  twice  accepted  nominations  from  his  party.  By 
industry  and  thrift  he  has  accumulated  considerable  property,  the  most  of  which  is 
located  in  and  about  Hammondsport.  August  21,  1889,  he  married  Mary  Arnold, 
daughter  of  the  late  "Watts  Bushnell,  formerly  a  prominent  merchant  of  Bath.  Mr. 
Sebring  is  a  member  of  Hammondsport  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  No.  584 

Wheeler,  Graham  H.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wheeler,  N.  Y.,  January  1,  1845. 
He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  Lima  Seminary,  and  Poughkeepsie  College, 
and  his  first  occupation  was  in  the  coal  trade  with  the  Ohio  River  Coal  Company, 
near  Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  from  1866  to  1869;  the  latter  year  he  returned  and  married 
and  went  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  where  he  engaged  in  the  Life  Insurance  business  un- 
til 1872.  He  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  wine  business  at  Hammondsport,  being 
one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Hammondsport  Wine  Company,  of  which  he  is  the  sec- 
retary and  business  manager,  and  was  also  one  of  the  directors,  and  f)rganizers  of 
the  Lake  Keuka  Wine  Company.  He  has  been  interested  m  local  politics,  and  is  at 
present  president  of  the  Board  of  Water  Commissioners,  and  has  also  been  president 
of  the  village  board  several  terms.  He  has  been  president  of  the  Board  of  Education 
for  a  number  of  years,  and  is  president  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  In  1809  he  married  Florence  M.,  daughter  of  the  late  Solomon  Clark,  a  na- 
tive of  New  Jersey  and  a  resident  of  Hammondsport  for  over  sixty  years.  They  have 
three  children:  Harriet  M.,  Fanny  C,  and  Grattan  H. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  273 

Kilbury,  Andrew,  was  born  February  22,  1844.  His  grandfather,  Robert  Kilbury, 
was  born  in  Vermont,  and  moved  to  South  Dansville,  then  to  Indiana,  where  he  fol- 
lowed farming.  Robert  Kilbury,  father  of  Andrew,  was  born  in  Vermont,  May  9, 
1796,  aud  came  to  Dansville  in  1814,  and  located  on  a  farm  one  mile  north  of  Fre- 
mont Center.  He  married  Eunice  Karington,  who  was  born  in  Waahington  county, 
N.  Y.,  January  29,  1804,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children:  Sarah  Jane,  who  was  born 
December  20,  1821 ;  Eli  C,  who  was  born  in  1823;  Edwin  R.,  \\'ho  was  born  Septem- 
ber 2,  1825;  Robert  S.,  who  was  born  June  9,  1827;  Phebe  A.,  who  was  born  July  15, 
1829;  Mary  M.,  who  was  born  December  9,  1832;  Patience  B.,  who  was  born  Febru- 
ary 1,  1834;  and  died  Febuary  6,  1841;  Joel  C,  who  was  born  September  13,  1838, 
Andrew,  as  above;  and  Lafayette,  who  was  born  August  21,  1846,  and  died  January 
12,  1849.  Mr.  Kilbury  died  in  1884.  Andrew  Kilbury  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and 
has  followed  farming  the  most  of  his  life.  He  enlisted  in  the  189th  Regt.,  which 
served  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  Fifth  Army  Corps,  and  was  discharged  at  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  is  a  member  of  Doughty  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  No.  226,  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  January  15,  1877,  he  married  Harriet  McNaughton,  who 
was  born  in  Howard,  March  20,  1847,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Dee,  who  was 
born  August  30,  1874;  and  Camilla,  who  was  born  February  11,  1884. 

Conine,  Gamaliel  T.,  was  born  in  Bath,  February  7,  1854.  His  father,  Lorenzo, 
was  a  native  of  Greene  county,  who  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1851,  and  through 
life  was  identified  as  a  farmer.  He  married  Abbie,  daughter  of  Jacob  Townsend. 
He  has  held  various  positions  of  honor  and  trust,  and  has  taken  an  active  interest  in 
the  M.  E.  Church  of  Bath.  Gamaliel  T.  Conine  was  educated  at  Haverling  Acad- 
emy, and  in  1869  entered  the  post-office  at  Bath.  In  1873  he  engaged  in  the  wall 
paper  business,  which  he  contmued  in  for  four  years,  then  engaged  in  the  clothing 
busmess  at  Dundee  from  1877  to  1882.  In  1882  he  went  to  Prattsburg  and  engaged 
in  the  clothing  business  at  that  place,  where  he  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
Prattsburg  Agricultural  Society.  In  1878  Mr.  Conine  married  Estella,  daughter  of 
George  Shults,  by  whom  he  has  two  children:  Leon  and  Fannie.  Mr.  Conine  is  one 
of  the  leading  men  of  the  town,  and  was  elected  county  treasurer  in  1894.  He  has 
also  served  as  postmaster  for  four  years  under  Benjamin  Harrison.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  and  I.  O.  O.  F.  Lodges. 

Friedell,  Joseph  Conrad,  was  born  in  the  village  of  Hammondsport,  N.  Y.,  Au- 
gust 17,  1862.  His  father,  Matthew  Friedell,  is  a  native  of  Germany,  and  a  grape 
grower  of  this  town.  Joseph  Conrad  is  the  oldest  son  of  a  family  of  four  children. 
He  was  educated  in  the  Hammondsport  LTnion  School,  and  his  first  occupation  was 
in  his  father's  vineyard.  At  fifteen  years  of  age  he  engaged  as  clerk  in  the  store 
now  conducted  by  George  H.  Keeler,  where  he  remained  for  eleven  years.  In  1888 
he  formed  a  copartnership  with  L.  D.  Masson,  and  established  a  hardware  store  on 
Water  street,  where  we  now  find  him  located.  In  1893  he  married  Laura  L.  Brown, 
of  Penn  Yan. 

Boult,  Charles  E.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Masonville,  Delaware  county,  N.  Y., 
March  31,  1862,  and  is  the  son  of  J.  M.  and  Harriet  (Thompson)  Boult,  both  natives 
of  Delaware  county,  he  born  June  12,  1834.  she  born  February  21,  1834.  The  grand- 
parents, John  and   Phebe  (Teed)  Boult,  were  both  natives  of  Delaware  county,  he 


274  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

born  in  1808,  and  she  in  1818.  The  great-grandfather  of  Charles  E.,  William  J. 
Boult,  came  from  France  to  Delaware  county  at  an  early  day  and  was  owner  of  a 
large  tract  of  land  and  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the 
War  of  1812.  John  Bonlt  is  a  farmer  and  carpenter,  and  still  lives  on  the  farm  in 
Delaware  county.  His  wife,  Phebe,  died  in  1870.  J.  M.  Boult  was  a  boot  and  shoe 
merchant  at  Nelson,  Pa.,  but  gave  up  the  business  on  account  of  poor  health,  and 
spent  his  last  days  on  a  farm  in  Tuscarora,  Steuben  county,  where  he  died  in  1885. 
Mrs.  Boult  still  survives  and  resides  in  the  village  of  Troupsburg.  Charles  E.  was 
educated  in  the  village  of  Nelson,  Pa.,  and  at  the  Cortland  State  Normal  School.  He 
was  then  for  eight  years  engaged  in  teaching,  after  which  he  attended  the  medical 
department  of  Buffalo  University,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  May,  1892,  and 
located  in  the  village  of  Troupsburg,  where  he  has  established  a  good  practice.  He 
is  a  member  of  Grange  Lodge  No.  374,  of  Troupsburg  Tent,  No.  339,  K.  O.  T.  M  , 
and  McClellan  Lodge,  No.  649,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Shafer,  Jacob,  was  born  in  Wayland,  February  12,  1852,  son  of  John  Shafer,  who 
was  born  in  Germany,  in  1822,  emigrated  to  this  country  and  settled  in  Wayland  in 
1845,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming.  He  married  Barbara  Nice,  who 
was  born  in  Germany  in  1832,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children:  Jacob,  born  February 
12,  1852;  Fred,  born  February  20,  1854;  Lizzie,  born  April  1,  1856;  Mary,  born  Au- 
gust 15,  1858;  Helen,  born  February  25,  1861;  Kate,  born  April  8,  1863;  George, 
born  September  9,  1865;  John,  born  October  27,  1867;  Frank,  born  June  10,  1870;  and 
Amelia,  born  October  11,  1877.  Jacob  Shafer  started  in  life  for  himself  by  working 
at  the  carpenter  trade,  which  he  followed  for  thirteen  years,  as  contractor  and 
builder.  He  built  three  stores,  school  house,  and  one  church,  the  Catholic  church  of 
Wayland.  In  1886  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Anthony  Wolf,  in  the  lumber, 
shingle,  lath,  brick  and  cement  business,  also  run  a  saw  mill  under  the  firm  name  of 
Shafer  &  Wolf.  He  is  a  member  of  the  C.  M.  B.  A.,  of  Wayland.  In  1879  he  mar- 
ried Mary  Shubmehl,  who  was  born  in  South  Dansville,  January  22,  1856.  They 
have  two  sons:  William,  born  October  22,  1880,  and  Herman,  born  July  9,  1883. 

Rumsey,  Adson  J.,  was  born  in  Delaware  county,  N.  Y.,  December  15,  1847,  son 
of  Simeon  K.  and  Miranda  (Bogart)  Rumsey,  who  settled  in  that  county  about  1856. 
They  had  ten  children:  Emily  Davison,  Charles  W.,  Anna  E.  Cleveland,  Frances 
H.,  deceased,  Harriet  C.  Aldrich,  Peter  B.,  Adson  J.,  George  Y.,  Edward  A.,  and 
Sarah  E.  Simeon  K.  followed  blacksmithing  and  farming.  He  was  active  in  the 
Thurston  M.  E.  church.  Adson  J.  married  Henrietta  L.,  daughter  of  Lewis  and 
Henrietta  (Dean)  Haseltine,  of  Cameron.  Mr.  Rumsey  is  a  charter  member  and 
first  master  of  Hedgesville  Subordinate  Grange  No.  697.  He  has  also  been  chaplain. 
In  early  life  Mr.  Rumsey  followed  lumbering,  but  in  1879  he  commenced  farming 
and  now  owns  100  acres  of  land. 

Sedam,  Henry  S.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hornby,  Steuben  county,  in  1833. 
Charles  Sedam,  his  grandfather,  was  a  native  of  Holland,  and  a  pioneer  settler  in 
the  town  of  Charlestown,  Herkimer  county,  in  whose  honor  the  town  was  named, 
and  where  he  spent  his  remaining  days  as  a  farmer,  and  reared  four  sons  and  one 
daughter.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Cornelius,  Henry's  father, 
was  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  in  1793,  where  his  brother,  Henry,  owned  and  conducted  a 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  275 

nail  factory.  He  began  work  in  this  factory,  first  as  grinder  of  the  knives,  and  later 
as  foreman,  which  position  he  held  five  years.  In  1817  he  settled  in  Benton  Center, 
where  he  did  farm  work  for  three  years,  and  then  removed  to  the  town  of  Hornby, 
where  with  two  other  men  he  purchased  300  acres  of  heavily  timbered  land  for  five 
dollars  per  acre.  He  cleared  his  portion  of  the  land,  which  he  tilled,  and  becoming 
a  prosperous  farmer  he  added  sixty  acres  more  to  his  farm,  where  he  spent  the  bal- 
ance of  his  days.  In  politics  he  was  a  Whig,  and  held  many  of  the  town  offices.  His 
wife  was  Deborah,  a  native  of  Troy,  N.  Y. ,  and  daughter  of  Isaiah  Marble,  and  their 
children  were  Fannie,  Charles,  Isaiah,  William,  Amanda,  Henry  S.,  Phebe,  Jane, 
and  Mary.  He  died  in  1854,  and  his  wife  in  1887.  Henry  remamed  at  home  until 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  conducted  the  farm  for  a  time  after  his  father's  death, 
about  which  time  he  had  the  misfortune  of  having  his  leg  crushed  in  a  horse  power 
of  a  thrashing  machine.  He  then  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade,  which  he  followed 
until  1866,  when  he  and  his  brother  Isaiah  came  to  Wheeler  and  purchased  his  pres- 
ent farm  of  170  acres,  on  nearly  all  of  which  stood  a  heavy  forest,  but  which  with 
energetic  toil  he  has  cleared,  and  now  has  an  excellent  and  well  equipped  farm.  For 
many  years  he  was  a  breeder  of  large  numbers  of  thoroughbred  merino  sheep.  In 
1857  he  married  Irene,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Polly  Ostrander,  and  who  was  born  in 
Post  Creek,  Chemung  county,  N.  Y  ,  and  their  children  are  Maud,  wife  of  Sumner 
Sedam,  of  lona,  Mich.,  Emma,  wife  of  William  Dildine,  and  Martin  S. 

Hubbs,  J.  Seymour,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Charleston,  Montgomery  county, 
February  25,  1862,  and  came  to  this  town  with  his  parents  in  1881.  He  was  educated 
at  Painted  Post  Academy,  and  at  twenty-three  years  of  age  took  up  the  study  of 
medicine  in  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  at  Baltimore,  from  which  insti- 
tution he  was  graduated  in  the  spring  of  1887.  He  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession  one  year  in  Hammondsport,  and  in  1888  traveled  on  the  road  for  the  Ger- 
mania  Wine  Cellars.  In  1889,  in  company  with  Henry  Frey,  he  purchased  what  is 
now  the  Columbia  Wine  Company.  He  is  a  member  of  the  B.  &  P.  Order  of  Elks, 
with  the  Syracuse  branch. 

Taylor,  Walter,  was  born  in  the  Halsey  Valley,  Tioga  county,  N.  Y.,  January  25, 
1858,  the  only  son  of  George  Taylor,  a  native  of  Tioga  county.  Walter  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools,  and  his  first  occupation  was  with  his  father  on  the  farm,  and 
he  also  conducted  a  cooper  snop  in  Tioga  Center,  until  1880.  In  April  of  the  same 
year  he  removed  to  Urbana,  where  he  bought  a  vineyard  of  seven  acres  of  B.  R. 
Streeter.  He  devoted  his  attention  to  this  industry  for  two  years,  when  he  bought  a 
farm  of  seventy  acres  of  Charles  Baily,  and  set  out  twenty  acres  to  grapes.  He  has 
made  a  .specialty  of  Delawares,  and  has  about  the  largest  vineyard  of  this  variety. 
He  makes  still  wines,  which  business  he  is  prepared  to  increase  the  coming  season. 
The  balance  of  his  farm  is  devoted  to  peaches  and  the  cultivation  of  grain  and  vege- 
tables. In  1879  he  married  Addie  M.  Chapman,  of  Tioga  Center,  by  whom  he  had 
four  children:  Flora  J.,  Lucy  M.,  Fred  C,  and  Clarence  W.  Mr.  Taylor  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Pleasant  Valley  Grange. 

Myrtle,  Rebecca — Clarence  Myrtle  was  born  in  Urbana,  September  20,  1858,  son 
of  Henry  C,  a  native  of  the  town  of  Wheeler,  and  grandson  of  Philip,  who  came 
there  in  1797.     Henry  C.  married  Rebecca,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Brundage,  and  en- 


276  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

gaged  in  lumbering  and  farming.  It  was  through  his  aid  the  Methodist  church  of 
Mitchelville  was  built.  He  died  March  27,  1895.  in  his  seventy-seventh  year. 
Clarence  married  Ohve  A.,  daughter  of  Col.  N.  B.  Stanton,  of  Hornby.  He  has  suc- 
ceeded his  father  as  one  of  the  largest  farmers  in  Steuben  county,  serving  as  vice- 
president  of  the  Steuben  County  Agricultural  Society  for  two  years,  and  ready  to  aid 
any  enterprise  intended  to  benefit  that  town. 

Goff,  W.  Blake,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  May  21,  1838.  Job  Goff,  the 
father  of  Blake,  was  a  native  of  Otsego  county,  born  in  1804,  and  was  only  eight 
years  of  age  when  his  father,  William  Goff,  a  native  of  Vermont,  moved  to  Steuben 
county,  and  located  on  a  farm  and  was  the  founder  of  what  was  known  as  Goff's 
Mills.  Job  Goff  conducted  a  farm  all  of  his  life  and  was  engaged  in  lumbering. 
Many  of  the  mills  of  Steuben  county  were  erected  and  run  by  members  of  the  Goff 
family.  Job  Goff  died  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville  in  1887.  Of  his  five  children 
Blake  was  the  second  son.  He  was  given  a  good  common  school  education  and  has 
always  been  engaged  in  farming.  In  1864  he  was  engaged  in  the  livery  business  and 
dealt  in  live  stock,  and  was  also  one  of  the  village  officers.  In  1865  he  took  up  the 
Driven  Well  Patent-right  and  was  the  first  to  introduce  it  in  Allegany  county.  With 
his  father  he  patented  a  farm  gate  that  was  considered  one  of  the  best  of  the  times. 
In  1864  Mr.  Goff  made  a  very  important  arrest  in  Hornellsville  of  an  escaped  convict 
by  the  name  of  Collier.  He  was  married  July  8,  1871,  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Horton,  daugh- 
ter of  Alfred  Horton.  Three  of  their  children  are  Marietta,  who  lives  at  home;  Amy 
Louisiannaisa  studentof  Hornellsville  Academy:  and  George  B.  is  now  in  his  fourth 
year. 

French,  J.  W.,  was  born  in  Campbell,  N.  Y.,  September  7,  1844,  son  of  Lewis  T. 
and  Nancy  (Lewis)  French,  he  born  in  New  Jersey,  and  she  in  Dryden,  N.  Y.,  who 
came  to  Bath  a  very  small  boy  at  an  early  day  and  his  father,  Samuel,  settled  three 
and  one-half  miles  east  of  Bath,  and  lived  and  died  in  this  county.  The  grandfather 
of  our  subject,  Samuel  French,  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  came  to  Bath  where 
he  died.  Lewis  T.  French,  father  of  J.  W.,  was  a  farmer  and  lumberman,  and  built 
a  saw  mill  on  Smith's  Run,  three  and  one-half  miles  east  of  Bath.  In  1863  he  moved 
into  this  town  where  he  died  in  1877,  and  his  wife  in  1866.  J.  W.  French  was  reared 
on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  followed  lumbering  in  Pennsyl- 
vania and  this  State,  and  now  owns  160  acres  of  land,  on  which  he  located  in  1864, 
which  he  has  cleared  and  erected  good  buildings.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and 
is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  assessor  of  this  town.  He  is  a  member  of  K.  of  H. 
In  May,  1867,  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Jane  Beaton,  by  whom  he 
had  nine  children:  John  E.,  who  lives  in  Washington,  D.  C,  and  is  twenty-six  years 
of  age;  Nellie  R.,  who  lives  in  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Vina  J.,  who  is  also  in  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.  ;  Margaret  E.,  who  is  now  attending  school  at  Haverling;  Benjamin, 
who  died  in  1881;  Jay  W.,  who  lives  at  home;  Raymond  B.,  who  is  also  at  home; 
Ernest,  deceased ;  and  Irwin  D. ,  who  lives  at  home. 

Drew,  Walter  Schuyler,  was  born  in  Hammondsport,  N.  Y.,  July  3,  1868.  His 
father,  Benjamin  F.  Drew,  was  also  a  native  of  Hammondsport,  born  February  28, 
1831.  He  was  a  student  with  Judge  Jacob  Larrowe,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar, 
and  practiced  his  profession  successfully  for  many  years  at  Hammondsport.     He  was 


1 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  277 

a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  occupied  some  of  the  political  offices  of  the  town,  was 
supervisor  for  a  number  of  terms.  He  married  Susan  Mandeville  Garey,  by  whom 
he  had  two  children :  Julia  Edith,  who  died  in  1879,  and  Walter  Schuyler,  as  above. 
Mr.  Drew  died  June  25,  1882.  Walter  S.  was  educated  in  the  Hammondsport  Union 
School,  and  at  eighteen  years  of  age  entered  the  University  of  Michigan,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  in  June,  1890.  He  took  up  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  J.  O, 
Sebring  of  Hammondsport  and  later  with  Clark  Bell,  of  New  York  city,^  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  October.  1891.  He  was  associated  with  Mr.  Sebring  until  the 
fall  of  1893,  when  he  opened  an  office  for  himself  in  Hammondsport,  and  is  now  en- 
gaged in  the  general  practice  of  the  profession  at  that  place.  Mr.  Drew  is  chairman 
of  the  Democratic  Town  Committee  and  a  member  of  the  Regular  Democratic  County 
Organization. 

Hewlett,  Emery  T.,  was  born  in  Cortland  county,  N.  Y.,  April  1,  1829.  Samuel 
Hewlett,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Long  Island,  and  married  Catherine  Gee.  He 
was  a  blacksmith  and  farmer,  and  died  in  1876,  aged  seventy-five  years,  and  his 
widow  died  in  1893,  aged  ninety-two  years.  E.  T.  Hewlett  came  to  Bath  in  1847, 
and  in  1852  he  married  Caroline,  daughter  of  John  Moore  of  Savona,  by  whom  he 
had  six  children:  Samuel  M.,  John  M.,  Ambrose  W.,  Catherine  (Mrs.  S.  D.  Aulls), 
Maggie,  living,  and  Emery,  who  died  in  childhood.  Palmer  B.  Hewlett,  a  brother 
of  E.  T.,  now  of  San  Francisco,  California,  was  a  lieutenant  in  Shannon's  Company 
that  went  to  Mexico  from  Bath  in  1846.  Mr.  Hewlett  is  an  enterprising  and  pros- 
perous farmer,  and  also  with  his  sons  is  conducting  a  flourishing  furniture  and  under- 
taking business  at  Bath  under  the  firm  name  of  S.  M.  Hewlett  &  Co. 

Schmoker,  Fred,  was  born  in  Switzerland,  June  22,  1855,  son  of  Casper  and  Mar- 
garet (Rychen)  Schmoker,  who  came  to  America  in  1881  and  settled  at  Keuka,  where 
they  have  their  winter  residence,  and  they  also  have  a  residence  on  Bluff  Point, 
where  they  spend  their  summers.  Casper  Schmoker  was  a  government  detective  in 
Switzerland,  but  now  lives  a  retired  life.  He  is  sixty-nine  years  of  age  and  his  wife 
is  sixty-seven  years  of  age.  The  grandfathers,  Jacob  Schmoker  and  Peter  Rychen, 
lived  and  died  in  Switzerland.  In  1874,  Fred  Schmoker  came  to  America  and  for  a 
time  lived  in  Hammondsport,  and  in  1880  located  at  Keuka,  where  he  now  resides. 
In  1885  he  married  Clara,  daughter  of  Wilham  G.  and  Sallie  (Simms)  Paddock  of 
Yates  county,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Charley,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
two  months,  Frederick  A.,  Karl  W.,  Walter  A.  Mr.  Schmoker  received  his  early  edu- 
cation in  Switzerland  and  also  attended  school  at  Hammondsport.  He  now  has 
forty  acres  of  land  of  which  seventeen  acres  is  vineyard.  He  is  a  member  of  Tent 
71,  K.  O.  T.  M.,  at  Bath.  Adolph  Schmoker,  born  in  Switzerland,  came  to  this 
country  in  1880  and  settled  at  Keuka  where  he  now  resides  and  owns  extensive  vine- 
yard property,  wine  cellars  and  hotel.  He  belongs  to  Lamoka  Lodge,  No.  463,  F.  &• 
A.  M.,  and  Hammondsport  Lodge,  No.  584,  I.  O.  O.  F. 

Hunter,  George,  was  born  on  the  homestead  farm,  March  5,  1833,  son  of  Peter, 
who  came  to  Bath  in  1827  from  Orange  county,  N.  Y.  The  family  trace  their  descent 
from  Archibal  Hunter,  who  came  from  Ireland  about  1750  and  settled  in  Orange 
county,  N.  Y.  Peter  married  Lucinda,  daughter  of  Samuel  Dimmick.  He  was  a 
farmer,  and  served  as  assessor  for  a  time.     He  died  in  1860,  in  his  sixty-seventh 


278  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

year.     In  1855  George  Hunter  married  Catherine  A. ,  daughter  of  James  Little,  and 
they  are  the  parents  of  one  daughter,  Mrs.  Hattie  Klock. 

Stanhope,  John  G.,  was  born  in  Warwickshire,  England,  son  of  John  and  Char- 
lotte Edwards  Stanhope,  who  went  from  Warwick  to  Northampton,  where  they  spent 
most  of  their  lives.  He  was  sheriff  thirty-two  years  and  then  retired,  residing  in 
Paris,  France,  drawing  an  annuity  of  $2,000  per  year  till  his  death  from  the  English 
government.  John  G.  Stanhope,  jr.,  married  Helen  L.,  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Marriam  Vaughn  Spencer,  a  native  of  Ludlow,  Shropshire,  England.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Stanhope  came  to  America  and  settled  in  Wayne  in  1857.  He  engaged  in  propagat- 
ing fruit  for  about  ten  years  at  Keuka.  To  them  have  been  born  two  children: 
Herbert  G.,  a  farmer  of  Yates  county,  and  who  married  Helen  Gasper  and  has  two 
children;  and  Amy  R.,  wife  of  W.  K.  Austin,  builder  and  vineyardist,  and  has  one 
daughter.  John  G.  Stanhope  is  now  engaged  in  growing  grapes  and  other  fruits, 
having  vineyard  and  land  of  twenty  acres. 

Poole,  James,  was  born  m  Scotland,  July  16,  1825,  and  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1838  with  his  parents,  John  A.  and  Elizabeth,  who  settled  at  Seneca  Falls.  James 
was  educated  in  Scotland  and  Seneca  connty,  N.  Y.,  to  which  he  has  added  through 
life  by  reading  and  close  observation,  and  in  early  life  learned  the  malting  business, 
which  he  has  followed  for  fifty  years.  In  1849  he  came  to  Bath  and  formed  a  part- 
nership with  William  Andrew,  at  whose  death  he  came  into  possession  of  his  estate. 
In  1866  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Allison  Scott,  by  whom  he  had  three  chil- 
dren: James  A.,  Mrs.  James  D.  Hill,  and  Elizabeth.  Mr.  Poole  is  one  of  the  repre- 
sentative business  men  of  the  town,  and  has  always  taken  an  intelligent  interest  in 
educational  and  religious  institutions. 

Frey,  John  J.,  was  born  in  Rochester,  N.Y.,  December  17,  1855,  and  came  with  his 
father  to  this  town  in  1864.  He  has  been  identified  with  his  father,  first  as  an 
assistant,  m  1878  became  a  partner,  and  then  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Germania 
Wine  Company,  of  which  he  is  now  the  head.  In  October,  1894,  in  company  with 
A.  G.  Pratt,  they  bought  the  Bank  of  Hammondsport,  of  which  he  is  now  the  presi- 
dent. He  is  the  treasurer  of  the  Hammondsport  Building  and  Improvement  Com- 
pany, and  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  the  town,  commanding  the  respect  of 
all  who  know  him.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

Lamont,  Henry  C,  was  born  April  27,  1847.  His  parents  were  both  born  in  Eng- 
land. His  father,  James  Lamont,  died  in  Rochester  in  1898,  aged  eighty-two  years. 
He  purchased  the  farm  where  his  son  now  resides  about  1837.  He  married  Eliza 
Pratt,  who  was  born  in  1813,  and  died  May  11,  1878,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children: 
William,  Charlotte  Traxler,  James  P.,  Charles  (deceased),  Sarah  (deceased),  Thomas, 
a  soldier  of  the  civil  war,  who  died  in  Andersonville  prison;  Henry  C,  as  above; 
Eliza  P.,  Ida  Bushman,  and  Rosa  Bircham.  James  Lamont  was  a  tanner  by  trade 
and  worked  in  the  tannery  which  was  erected  in  1835  by  a  Mr.  Kyser.  He  studied 
medicine  in  England,  and  finally  resumed  his  studies  and  was  graduated  from  the 
Eclectic  College  of  New  York  city,  and  practiced  his  profession  until  his  death, 
Henry  C.  received  a  common  school  education,  and  has  always  followed  farming. 
At  Hornellsville,  N.  Y.,  August  29,  1872.  he  married  Maggie  Dernbacher,  who  was 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  279 

born  in  1854,  and  died  May  29,  1891,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Charles  W.,  who 
was  born  June  21,  1873'  and  Raymond  J.,  who  was  born  March  15,  1876. 

Fairchild,  Henry  O.,  was  born  in  New  Lisbon,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  August  5", 
1836.  His  father,  Charles  S.  Fairchild,  was  born  in  the  same  place  and  in  the  same 
house  in  1812,  a  son  of  Benajah  Fairchild,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  who  came  to  this 
State  in  1797,  and  died  in  1855,  aged  eighty-two  years.  Charles  S.  Fairchild  died 
March  25,  1883,  in  Bath,  where  he  removed  in  1873.  He  was  a  farmer.  Henry  O. 
was  the  oldest  of  a  family  of  four  children,  and  was  given  an  academic  education  in 
his  native  county.  His  first  occupation  was  farming  and  dairying.  He  came  to 
Hammondsport  in  the  fall  of  1858  and  bought  the  vineyard  property  where  he  now 
lives,  in  1862  erecting  the  residence.  He  has  now  sixty  acres  of  vineyard  and  seventy 
acres  devoted  to  general  farming,  and  is  the  largest  individual  grower  in  this  section. 
The  property  is  known  as  the  Sunny  Side  vmeyard  and  wine  cellar.  Mr.  Fairchild 
has  always  been  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  held  some  of  the  minor  town  offices, 
and  in  June,  1893,  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Hammondsport,  which  position  he 
now  holds.  In  1859  he  married  Helen  E.  Benjamin,  of  New  Lisbon,  N.Y.,  by  whom 
he  had  four  daughters:  Sarah  M.,  assistant  postmaster;  Louisa  M.,  wife  of  Thomas 
L.  Henritzen,  an  attorney  of  West  Virginia ;  Lucy  S.,  who  lives  at  home;  and  E. 
Adelia,  a  graduate  of  Buffalo  Normal  School,  at  present  a  teacher  of  Hammondsport 
Union  School. 

Northrup,  Moses,  was  born  in  Sussex  county,  N.  J.,  November  10,  1817,  and  when 
eighteen  years  of  age  came  to  Rathbone  with  his  parents,  where  he  has  spent  the 
most  of  his  life.  He  was  in  Addison  the  last  three  years  of  his  life,  where  he  died 
June  22,  1894.  He  married  Nancy  M.  Allen,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  by  whom  he 
had  five  children:  William  J.,  who  now  lives  in  New  York  city;  Adelia,  wife  of 
William  Crawford,  of  Cameron  Mills ;  Dewitt,  who  was  born  February  22,  1849,  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools  and  Woodhull  Academy,  and  October  22,  1878,  married 
Martha  Crawford  of  Rathbone,  by  whom  he  had  three  children :  Grace,  Alta,  and 
Dewitt  C.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  has  been  collector  two  terms.  He  owns  100  acres 
of  the  old  homestead ;  Allen,  who  was  born  November  27,  1852,  educated  in  the 
common  schools,  and  in  1876  married  Maggie,  daughter  of  James  France,  of  Jasper, 
by  whom  he  has  one  daughter,  Mabel  A.  He  owns  100  acres  of  the  old  homestead. 
His  wife  died  July  3,  1894;  and  Moses  P.,  who  died  at  thirty  years  of  age.  He  mar- 
ried Eva  Reynolds,  of  Rathbone,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Mary  L.,  Jessie 
M.,  and  Lizzie.  Moses  Northrup  was  one  of  the  wealthiest  men  of  Rathbone,  owned 
500  acres  of  land,  and  was  also  prominent  politically,  being  supervisor  one  vear,  and 
highway  commissioner  two  terms.  His  second  wife  was  Amy,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Stroud,  of  Woodhull,  N.  Y..  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Lizzie,  wife  of  Henry 
Paxton,  of  Addison,  N.  Y.  ;  and  John  M. 

Sedgwick,  William  P.,  was  born  in  Hammondsport,  March  20,  1837.  His  father, 
Datus  E.  Sedgwick,  was  a  native  of  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y.,  and  the  family  trace 
their  descent  from  Robert  Sedgwick,  a  general  in  the  English  army  under  Oliver 
Cromwell.  Datus  E.  Sedgwick  married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Caleb  Ken- 
dall of  Ithaca,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Kendall's  name  was  familiar  in  the  early  history  of 
Western  and  Southern  New  York,  he  having  been   one  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 


280  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

circuit  riders  early  in  the  present  century,  riding  the  country  on  horseback  and 
preaching  wherever  a  congregation  could  be  gathered.  Datus  E.  Sedgwick  learned 
the  jeweler's  business  in  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  moving  to  Hammondsport  about  1833,  and 
some  years  later  returned  to  Tompkins  county.  William  P.  Sedgwick  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools  and  at  Lima  Seminary,  and  on  leaving  school  applied  himself 
to  the  same  line  of  business  as  his  father,  and  in  1857,  before  becoming  of  age,  he 
came  to  Bath  and  engaged  in  the  business  of  his  choice,  and  for  thirty-eight  years 
has  been  the  leading  jeweler  of  this  section  of  the  State.  In  1862  he  married  Fannie 
E.,  daughter  of  Conrad  Shults,  by  whom  he  had  four  children :  William  P.,  Mrs. 
Catherine  Ruggles,  Charlotte  and  Florence.  Mr.  Sedgwick  is  one  of  the  oldest  mer- 
chants in  Bath,  holding  the  office  of  trustee  of  Bath,  and  member  of  the  Board  of 
Education  for  fifteen  years,  and  is  also  a  member  of  Steuben  Lodge  No.  112,  and 
Bath  Chapter  No.  95,  and  nominated  for  member  of  assembly  in  1887  by  the  Repub- 
lican party. 

Recktenwald,  John,  was  born  in  Winterbach,  Germany,  March  3,  1853,  emigrated 
to  America  in  1880  and  settled  at  Perkinsville.  Peter  Recktenwald,  his  father,  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Wagner,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children,  of  whom  two  came  to  this 
country,  John  and  Jacob  John  Recktenwald  worked  on  a  farm  for  eight  years, 
after  which  he  purchased  the  Lackawana  House  in  Perkinsville  in  1892.  January  19, 
1891,  he  married  Mrs.  Mary  (Simon)  Gessner,  born  April  11,  1860,  in  Perkinsville. 
She  had  two  children  by  Michael  Gessner:  Julia,  born  April  1,  1882;  and  William, 
born  April  30,  1885.  Mr.  Gessner  died  in  March,  1890.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Recktenwald 
have  one  child,  Walter,  born  November  18,  1894. 

Beeman,  Herbert,  was  born  in  La  Fayette,  McKean  count}',  Pa.,  May  1,  1848,  son 
of  Albert  and  Harriett  A.  (Davis)  Beeman,  he  a  native  of  Connecticut,  bom  in  1811, 
and  she  of  Broome  county,  N.  Y.  He  was  a  blacksmith  and  farmer,  and  came  from 
Connecticut  to  McKean  county.  Pa.,  and  bought  a  farm,  where  he  died  in  1880.  His 
wife  still  lives  and  is  seventy  years  of  age.  The  grandfather,  Rufus  Beeman,  came 
from  Connecticut  to  Pennsylvania.  He  was  orderly  sergeant  in  the  war  of  1812. 
The  maternal  grandfather,  Luther  Davis,  lived  in  Union,  Broome  county,  and  after- 
ward went  to  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  for  twenty  years,  but  returned  to 
Broome  county,  where  he  died  in  1886.  Herbert  Beeman  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and 
was  for  three  years  engaged  in  a  saw  mill  in  Pennsylvania.  He  now  owns  sixty 
acres  of  land,  and  works  100  acres  in  Wayne,  belonging  to  his  mother. 

Plaisted,  R.  Frank,  was  born  in  Jerusalem,  N.  Y.,  October  6,  1842,  and  is  the  fourth 
and  only  survivor  of  five  children  born  to  Richard  and  Ann  Eliza  (Miles)  Plaisted, 
he  is  a  native  of  Hertfordshire,  Eng.,  and  she  of  Yates  county,  N.  Y.  John  Plaisted, 
father  of  Richard,  came  from  England  and  settled  in  Yates  county  and  followed 
farming.  Richard  Plaisted  now  resides  at  Dundee  and  is  seventy-nine  years 
of  age.  He  has  been  a  farmer,  stock  dealer  and  dealer  in  real  estate,  having 
owned  and  sold  twenty-three  farms.  He  married  Elizabeth  (Pinney)  Witherill, 
widow  of  Willis  Witherill.  R.  Frank  Plaisted  commenced  his  business  career  as  a 
merchant  at  Tyrone,  where  he  remained  for  five  years.  In  1875  he  purchased  150 
acres  of  land  in  Wayne  and  engaged  in  farming.  He  is  a  dealer  in  wool,  in  part- 
nership with  J.  A.  Stanton,  and  also  deals  in  sheep.     He  is  a  Republican  in  politics, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  281 

and  has  been  assessor  for  seven  years,  also  one  of  the  committeemen  for  several 
years.  In  1870  he  married  Harriet,  daughter  of  Chauncey  and  Catherine  (Dunham) 
Kendall,  farmers  and  fruit  growers  of  Starkey,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children: 
George  C,  Cora  K.,  Ruth  N  ,  Lula  B.,  S.  Leola,  died  December  17,  1894;  Jennie  B., 
and  Fred  K. 

Foster,  Albert  B.,  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  N.  Y.,  August  25,  1854,  a  son  of  Alonzo 
H.  and  Catherine  M.  (Simons)  Foster,  natives  of  Barrington  and  Prattsburg,  N.  Y., 
respectively.  The  great-grandfather,  Stephen  Foster,  was  a  native  of  Orange 
county,  N.  Y.,  but  he  died  in  Prattsburg,  where  he  settled  in  the  early  days.  Alonzo 
H.  came  to  Woodhull,  where  he  died  May  8,  1889.  He  was  assessor  of  Woodhull  for 
two  terms.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Freewill  Baptist  church,  of  Borden.  Al- 
bert B.  Foster  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  educated  at  Woodhull  Academy.  He  is 
engaged  in  farming  and  owns  a  farm  of  ninety-eight  acres.  He  has  been  inspector 
of  elections  for  two  terms  and  is  a  member  of  Borden  Tent,  No.  259,  K.  O.  T.  M. 
In  1877  Mr.  Foster  married  Adella  Aldrich,  who  was  born  in  Tuscarora,  Steuben 
county,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  has  three  children:  Carrie  B.,  Alonzo  A.,  and  Lillian  M. 

Howard,  George  C,  born  in  1842,  was  the  second  son  of  Nathan  Howard,  a  farmer 
of  Barre,  Vt.,  who  was  a  typical  Yankee,  shrewd,  and  practical.  He  was  a  staunch 
Whig  and  Freesoiler,  and  was  twice  sent  to  the  State  Legislature  where  his  great 
strength  of  character  was  manifest.  George  C.'s  boj'hood  was  spent  at  Ban-e  until 
the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war,  when  at  Lincoln's  first  call  for  men,  April,  1861,  he 
quickly  responded  to  the  call  by  enlisting  as  a  private  in  Company  E,  3d  Regiment 
of  Vermont  Volunteers.  After  one  year's  service  and  while  yet  not  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  he  earned  a  commission  as  lieutenant,  and  remained  three  years  in  this 
regiment,  then  received  a  civil  appointment  in  the  quartermaster's  department  of 
the  regular  army,  which  office  he  filled  acceptably  until  April,  1866.  After  spending 
two  years  in  Chicago  in  a  dry  goods  store  he  travelled  for  a  wholesale  drug  house, 
which  route  took  him  all  over  the  United  States.  In  1874  he  accompanied  a  pro- 
.specting  party  from  Georgetown,  traveling  over  the  present  sites  of  Leadville  and 
Pueblo,  having  no  conception  of  the  future  prospect  and  development  of  silver  in 
that  country.  Mr.  Howard  came  to  Addison  in  1882,  and  was  a  member  of  the  dry 
goods  firm  of  Jennings  &  Howard  for  two  years.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  a 
dealer  in  china,  glass,  and  sporting  goods,  making  a  specialty  of  tea  and  coffee. 
He  is  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education.  In  1878  he  married 
Jennie  Hutchins,  of  Jersey  City,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  one  son:  William  H., 
born  in  1879. 

Bauder,  De  WittC,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Palatine,  Montgomery  county,  July 
17,  1S36.  His  father,  James  Bauder,  was  also  a  native  of  Montgomery  county,  and 
was  a  farmer.  De  Witt  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Canajoharie 
Academy,  and  his  first  occupation  was  as  a  clerk  in  a  general  store  at  St.  Johnsville, 
where  he  remained  for  five  years  and  was  then  employed  as  a  foreman  and  pay- 
master on  the  enlargement  of  the  Erie  Canal  for  one  year.  In  October,  1862,  he 
came  to  Steuben  county,  and  his  first  engagement  was  as  bookkeeper  for  the  Bath 
Woolen  Mills.  The  following  August  he  came  to  Hammondsport  and  engaged  as 
bookkeeper  with  J.  W.  Davis,  which  position  he  held  until  in  February,  1868,  when 
jj 


282  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

he  accepted  a  similar  position  with  the  Pleasant  Valley  Wine  Company.  He  became 
a  stockholder  in  1871,  and  soon  after  was  made  a  director.  After  the  death  of  C.  D. 
Champlin  in  1875,  he  succeeded  to  the  office  of  secretary  and  general  manager, 
which  position  he  still  holds,  and  in  1885  was  also  made  treasurer,  and  has  probably 
done  more  to  popularize  American  champagne  than  any  man  now  living.  In  politics 
Mr.  Bauder  has  always  been  a  Republican,  arid  was  town  clerk  for  three  terms,  and 
trustee  of  the  village  for  four  years.  November  17,  1858,  he  married  Susan  F.  Stick- 
ney.  who  died  April  30,  1875,  by  whom  he  had  three  sons:  George  S.,  a  businessman 
of  Illinois;  Arthur  D.,  a  clerk  in  Champlin's  store  in  this  village;  and  Charles  C. 
W.,  a  student  of  Lehigh  University,  class  of '96.  Mr.  Bauder  was  again  married 
June  14,  1877,  to  Kate  B.,  daughter  of  C.  D.  Champlin,  by  whom  he  had  one  child, 
James  C,  a  student  of  Curtis  School,  Brookfield  Center,  Conn. 

Huguanir,  David  A.,  was  born  January  12,  1827.  His  grandfather  was  born  at 
Kinderhook,  Columbia  county,  N.  Y.,  and  his  father  was  one  of  the  Huguenot 
French  stock.  He  lived  and  died  in  Montgomery  county,  N.  Y.,  at  eighty-six  years 
of  age.  Adam  Huguanir,  father  of  David  A.,  was  born  at  Kinderhook,  Columbia 
county,  N.  Y. ,  and  came  to  Montgomery  county,  where  he  lived  for  about  forty-seven 
years  and  followed  general  farming.  He  came  to  the  town  of  Howard  (now  Fre- 
mont) and  purchased  the  Brayton  farm,  northeast  of  Fremont  Center,  where  he  died 
in  September,  1884,  aged  eighty-six  years.  In  1826  he  married  a  daughter  of  Adam 
Voorhees,  who  died  two  days  after  her  husband,  in  September,  1884.  They  had  ten 
children:  David  A.,  as  above;  Jane  Ann,  who  was  born  November  18,  1829;  Lewis 
Voorhees,  who  was  born  August  4,  1831;  Barbara,  who  was  born  July  6,  1833;  Maria, 
who  was  born  June  9,  1835 ;  Hannah,  who  was  born  in  April,  1837 ;  Elizabeth,  who 
was  born  in  April,  1839 ;  Leonard,  who  was  born  September  3,  1843 ;  Prmiila,  who 
was  born  in  June,  1844 ;  and  Charles,  who  was  born  in  April,  1846.  David  A.  Hu- 
guanir, attended  school  in  Montgomery  county,  N.  Y.,  and  when  twenty-two  years 
of  age  came  to  Howard  and  engaged  in  farming.  In  1856  he  purchased  the  farm 
where  he  now  lives,  and  now  has  140  acres  of  land.  He  is  a  member  of  Grange  No. 
308,  Stephens  Mills,  N.  Y.  June  1,  1854,  he  married  Ellen,  daughter  of  Abram  Van 
Evra,  of  Lockport,  who  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  N.  Y. ,  December  31,  1833, 
by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Amenzo  D.,  who  was  born  March  9,  1856.  He  mar- 
ried Ella  Cook,  daughter  of  Henry  Cook,  of  Avoca ;  and  Adelbert,  who  was  born 
June  13,  1859.  He  married  Ida  Jones,  daughter  of  Seymour  Jones,  of  Fremont, 
N.  Y.,  and  he  is  now  assessor  of  the  town  of  Fremont. 

Stephens,  J.  D.,  was  born  November  9,  1843.  His  grandfather,  Joshua  Stephens, 
was  born  in  Canisteo,  N.  Y.,  and  was  killed  by  the  Indians  while  hunting  for  his 
oxen,  at  thirty-two  years  of  age.  D.  C.  Stephens,  father  of  J.  D.,  was  born  in  Can- 
isteo, N.  Y.,  April  25,  1817,  and  has  always  followed  farming,  and  now  owns  a  farm 
of  120  acres.  He  is  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A,  M.,  at  Canisteo.  He  married  Amanda, 
daughter  of  John  Hamilton  of  Howard,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  J.  D.,  as 
above;  Joshua  B.  ;  Emmett  L. ;  Anna,  who  died  at  twenty-four  years  of  age;  and 
Henry  L.  J.  D.  Stephens  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  after  which  he  en- 
gaged in  the  music  business  and  was  an  agent  on  the  road  for  about  seven  years, 
but  farming  has  been  his  principal  occupation,  and  he  now  owns  a  farm  of  125  acres. 
He  has  been  assessor  two  years,  and  is  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M.,  No.  65,  Can- 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  283 

isteo,  also  a  member  of  Stephens  Mills  Grange,  No.  308.  He  married  Sarah  E. 
Allice,  who  was  born  in  1843,  and  died  at  forty  years  of  age.  He  married  for  his 
second  wife,  Rose  C,  daughter  of  William  White,  by  whom  he  had  three  children: 
Anna  M.,  who  was  born  March  19,  1887;  Lois,  who  was  born  March  13,  1888;  and 
Mary,  who  was  born  April  11,  1891,  and  died  in  infancy. 

Taylor,  Thomas,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Ossian,  Wyoming  county,  N.  Y.,  July 
12,  1840.  His  father,  Thomas  Taylor,  sr.,  was  a  native  of  England  and  died  in  1841. 
Thomas  was  the  youngest  of  twelve  children.  He  obtained  his  education  in  the 
common  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  twelve  years  went  to  work  on  a  farm.  He  worked 
as  farm  hand  until  twenty-five  years  of  age,  when  he  married  Charity,  daughter  of 
John  Dildane.  That  year  he  bought  the  John  Dildane  farm  of  seventy-five  acres  on 
Penn  Hill  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  Mr.  Taylor  is  an  ardent  supporter  of 
the  Democratic  party,  and  m  1890  was  elected  highway  commissioner,  which  office 
he  filled  very  satisfactorily.  He  has  six  children:  George,  one  of  the  firm  of  Taylor 
Brothers;  John  (see  biog.);  Anna,  a  dressmaker  in  Arkport;  Myra,  who  is  a  teacher 
in  the  common  schools;  Jennie,  a  clerk  in  Taylor  Brothers  store,  and  Mary,  a  student. 

Young,  Robard  W.,  was  born  in  Greene,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  June  10,  1821, 
son  of  Northrup  and  Olive  (Bly)  Young,  natives  of  Rhode  Island,  who  came  to  Che- 
nango county,  N.  Y.,  thence  to  Pennsylvania,  where  they  lived  and  died.  The 
grandfather,  Elias  Young,  Hved  and  died  in  Rhode  Island.  Robard  W.  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools.  In  1832  he  came  to  Woodhull,  where  he  now  owns  300 
acres  of  land.  June  15,  1842,  at  Greene,  N.  Y.,he  married  Polly  Gould,  of  Coventry, 
N.  Y.,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Hannah  (Salisbury)  Gould,  natives  of  Vermont. 
He  died  in  Woodhull,  and  she,  in  Greene  county,  N.  Y.  The  grandfather,  Benja- 
min Gould,  died  in  Coventry,  N.  Y.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Young  have  one  child,  Elias, 
who  m^arried  H.  Christiana  Putnam,  by  whom  he  had  six  children,  who  have  been 
reared  by  our  subject,  Mrs.  Young  having  died  when  the  children  were  very  young: 
Polly  M.,  Ella,  Helen,  Robert  W.,  Frank,  and  Nathan  T. 

Fulkerson,  Dr.  William  Morgan,  was  born  in  Aurora,  Cayuga  county,  N.  Y.  Joseph 
H.  Fulkerson,  his  father,  was  born  in  Cayuga  county.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade, 
but  followed  farming  most  of  his  life.  He  married  Elizabeth  S.  Fritts,  a  native  of 
Oneonta,  Otsego  county,  and  five  children  brighten  their  home.  In  1862  they  moved 
to  Woodhull  and  later,  in  1886,  to  Ingleside,  making  their  home  with  Dr.  William 
M.,  where  Mrs.  Fulkerson  died  March  2,  1888.  Dr.  Fulkerson' s  prehminary  educa- 
tion was  secured  at  Woodhull  Academy,  where  he  became  acquainted  and  afterward 
married  his  wife,  to  whom  he  is  proud  to  say  he  owes  very  much  of  his  success.  He 
courageously  battled  his  way  through  school  unaided,  teaching  for  three  years,  after 
which  he  spent  four  years  as  traveling  salesman  in  the  nursery  business,  taking  his 
medical  books  with  him,  studying  most  of  his  spare  time.  He  registered  with  R.  P. 
Brown,  sr.,  of  Addison,  with  whom  he  studied.  In  1876  he  married  Sarah  E.  Hopper, 
who  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Nancy  M.  (Clark)  Hopper,  who, 
during  her  infancy,  removed  to  Woodhull.  The  result  of  this  union  was  three  boys: 
Wm.  Terry  and  Archie  Glenn,  who  died  at  the  age  of  nineteen  months ;  and  Lynn  Lyle. 
Wm.  Terry  and  Lynn  Lyle  are  at  present  students  in  Naples  academy,  where  their  mother 
accompanied  them  to  assist  them,  she  being  a  graduate  of  Genesee  Wesleyan  Semi- 


284  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

nary,  Lima,  N.  Y.,  her  former  vocation  having  been  teaching,  which  she  began  in 
her  fourteenth  year  in  Troupsburg.  In  1876  the  Doctor  entered  the  University  Med- 
ical College,  New  York  city,  and  in  1878  came  to  Ingleside  and  began  practice.  In 
1880  he  returned  to  the  University,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in  1881, 
returning  to  Inglside  he  resumed  his  practice  which  has  increased  so  as  to  greatly 
exceed  his  fondest  anticipations.  Dr.  William  M.  is  also  well  known  in  politics,  and 
is  now  serving  his  fourth  term  as  Democratic  supervisor  of  his  town.  Dr.  Fulkerson 
and  his  wife  are  both  well  known  in  home  charities,  Mrs.  Fulkerson  having  been  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  church  since  childhood.  She  delights  in  music,  flowers  and 
picturesque  surroundings,  has  executed  some  good  portraits  and  landscapes  in  crayon 
and  oil.  She  is  the  eldest  of  nine  children,  and,  her  father  dying  early  in  life  (1861), 
she  became  a  self-reliant  woman,  educating  herself.  They  are  admirably  adopted  to 
each  other,  being  very  energetic  and  accomplishing  whatever  they  undertake. 

Van  Housen,  Israel  A.,  was  born  in  Howard  November  6, 1838.  John  Van  Housen, 
his  father,  was  a  native  of  Montgomery  county  and  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1831, 
and  was  identified  through  life  as  a  farmer.  Israel  A.  was  educated  at  Franklin  Acad- 
emy, Prattsburg,  and  Wesleyan  Seminary,  Lima.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he 
enlisted,  October  12,  1861,  in  Co.  E,  lOlst  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  took  part  in  the  battles  of 
William. sburg,  Seven  Pines,  Fair  Oaks,  Seven  Days'  retreat,  Malvern  Hill,  Second 
Bull  Run,  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville  and  many  others.  In  the  winter  of  1862 
and  1863  his  strong  constitution  gave  way  under  the  strain  and  exposure  of  active 
army  life.  March  14,  1863,  he  received  an  honorable  discharge  and  returned  to  his 
father's  home  in  Prattsburg,  where  he  remained  until  1866.  He  then  engaged  with 
his  brother-in-law,  W.  Stewart,  in  the  grocery  business  in  Bath,  remaining  two 
years,  when  he  returned  to  Prattsburg  and  took  up  farming.  November  17,  1869,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Lillian  M.,  daughter  of  George  W.  Morgan,  by  whom  he 
had  eight  children,  Mary  W.,  Charles  A.,  Austin  C,  George  M.,  John  H.,  Catherine 
S.,  Eloise  Azalea,  and  Caroline  C.  In  the  spring  of  1871  he  engaged  in  the  milling 
business  at  Savona  which  he  followed  for  twenty  years,"  when  he  traded  his  milling 
interest  with  E.  C.  Allen  for  the  Goodsell  farm  in  Eagle  Valley,  making  a  specialty 
of  growing  tobacco  and  sheep. 

Wager,  Michael,  was  born  in  Wurtemburg,  Germany,  December  6,  1842,  and  is  a 
son  of  Frank  Joseph  Wager,  who  came  to  America  in  1846,  and  worked  in  Roches- 
ter, N.  Y.,  and  returned  to  his  native  country  in  1849.  In  1867  Michael  Wager  came 
to  Cohocton  village,  where  he  was  employed  by  the  Erie  Railroad  till  1879 ;  then  he 
purchased  a  farm  in  the  southwestern  part  of  Cohocton,  called  Porter  Hill,  and  has 
since  followed  that  business.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  Pius  R.  C.  church  of  Cohocton 
and  a  charter  member  of  C.  M.  B.  A.,  Branch  102.  He  married  in  1868,  Margaret 
Schults,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  seven  children:  Clara,  Frank,  George,  Lizzie, 
John,  Joseph  and  Eleonora. 

Watkins,  James  Edward,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Prattsburg  in  1861,  son  of 
Charles  Watkins,  who  is  a  prosperous  farmer  in  Pulteney.  He  was  born  in  South 
Wales,  England,  in  1824,  and  is  one  of  six  sons  and  one  daughter  born  to  George 
and  Eleanor  Williams  Watkins.  He  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  and  in  1851  came 
to  America.     In  1867  he  settled  in  Pulteney  on  his  present  farm  of  ninety-three  acres. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  285 

His  wife  was  Eliza  Heden,  born  in  Cayuga,  a  daughter  of  Absalom  Heden,  and  their 
children  are  Lucy  A.,  Maje  E.,  deceased,  Charles  W.,  James  Edward,  George  G., 
Jeanette,  deceased,  and  Victoria.  Mrs.  Watkins  died  in  1886.  She  was  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  church,  and  he  has  been  class  leader  in  the  same  church  over  forty 
years.  James  Edward  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  and  has  devoted  his  time 
to  farming.  In  1885  he  married  Avis  Ludencia,  the  youngest  of  six  children  born  to 
Samuel  and  Julia  Ann  Covell  Depew  of  Pulteney.  She  is  the  only  surviving  member 
of  her  family.  Her  father  was  prosperous  and  left  her  three  hundred  acres  of  land. 
Her  grandfather,  Joseph  Covell,  came  to  Urbana  from  Connecticut  in  1812,  and  set- 
tled in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  town  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  his  daughter, 
O.  A.  Covell,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days.  He  was  born  in  Thompson, 
Windham  county.  Conn.,  in  1786.  He  was  the  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Sabrina  Childs 
Covell.  He  had  five  brothers  and  five  sisters,  William,  Willis,  Ebenezer,  Cyrus  and 
Amasa,  Cynthia  Covell  Partridge  of  Norwich,  Betsy  Covell  Convas,  Theodocia, 
Sabrina  of  Thompson,  Conn.,  and  Nancy  Covell  Rider  of  New  York  city.  Joseph 
Covell  was  married  in  1810  to  Susanna  Chamberlain,  daughter  of  Harvey  and  Betsey 
Warren  Chamberlain,  and  granddaughter  of  Dr.  Peter  Chamberlain  of  Pomfret, 
Conn.,  and  grandniece  of  General  Warren  who  was  killed  at  Bunker  Hill,  in  1775. 
She  had  five  brothers  and  three  sisters,  Warren,  Schuiler,  Harvy,  George  and 
Charles ;  Lucinda  Chamberlain  Smith  of  Pennsylvania,  Lucy  Chamberlain  Brewster 
and  Betsey  Reckord  of  Danielsonville,  Conn.  They  had  ten  children,  two  of  whom 
died  in  infancy,  William  H.,  George  C,  Juha  A.,  Emeline,  M.  D.  La  Fayette,  Ocia 
A.,  George  D.  and  Joseph  E.  Her  grandfather,  Joseph  Covell,  came  to  Urbana  from 
Connecticut  in  1812.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Watkins  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church 
and  the  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  He  is  a  member  of  K.  O.  T.  M.  Hammondsport  Lodge,  of 
which  he  has  been  Chaplain. 

Adams,  Hon.  William  W.,  was  born  in  Otsego  county,  August  14,  1843,  and  came 
to  Cornmg  with  his  parent  in  1850.  He  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Corning.  He  entered  the  employ  of  the  Fall  Brook  Railway  Company  in  1861, 
continuing  in  their  service  since,  now  filling  the  position  of  general  storekeeper  and 
chief  motive  power  accountant.  He  is  also  vice-president  of  the  Hood  Furnace  and 
Supply  Company.  He  was  elected  mayor  in  1894,  the  third  mayor  elected  under  the 
city  charter.  He  married  Francis  E.  De  Wolf,  only  daughter  of  Hiram  De  Wolf,  an 
old  resident  of  Steiiben  county. 

Lloyd,  George  M.,  was  born  m  Rathbone,  N.  Y.,  April  6,  1853,  son  of  George  C. 
and  Margaret  (Selleck)  Lloyd,  natives  of  Jefferson  county  and  Erie,  Pa.,  respectively. 
The  paternal  grandfather,  James  Lloyd,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  removing  from 
Hartford  to  Watertown,  N.  Y.  George  C.  Lloyd  came  from  Jefferson  county  to 
Cameron,  where  he  engaged  in  lumbering,  but  soon  moved  to  Rathbone,  where  he 
pursued  the  same  calling  in  connection  with  farming.  He  was  one  of  the  first  set- 
tlers of  the  town,  and  owned  250  acres  of  land,  clearing  a  large  farm  in  the  dense 
forest,  enduring  many  hardships  and  privations  while  engaged  in  clearing  land,  lumr 
bering  and  rafting  lumber  down  the  Canisteo.  He  was  one  of  the  leading  men  of 
the  town  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  May  31,  1890.  He  held  nearly 
all  of  the  town  offices  and  was  supervisor  for  three  years  during  the  late  war.  Mrs. 
Lloyd  still  lives,  aged  seventy-five  years.     She  lives  with  her  daughter  Phoebe  on 


286  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

part  of  the  old  homestead.  George  M.  was  reared  on  the  farm  which  he  now  occu- 
pies, owning  100  acres  of  land.  In  1878  Mr.  Lloyd  married  Lucinda,  daughter  of 
John  and  Harriet  Miles,  both  deceased,  pioneers  of  Rathbone.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lloyd 
have  three  children  ;  Leroy,  Archie  and  Edna.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
M.  E.  church. 

Gee,  Theodore  was  born  in  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  in  1843,  son  of  William  Gee.  Upon 
the  death  of  his  father  he  came  to  Tuscarora,  and  was  thrown  upon  his  own  re- 
sources when  quite  young.  During  the  first  three  years  of  his  business  career  he 
engaged  in  lumbering  at  Emporium,  Pa.,  and  later  he  carried  on  a  thriving  market 
business  in  Addison.  Fifteen  years  ago  he  purchased  a  farm  of  140  acres  near  Good- 
hue Lake,  where  he  still  resides.  In  1864  he  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  John  B. 
Swon,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  of  whom  three  are  still  living- 
Annie,  wife  of  George  W.  Gray ;  John ;  and  Grace.  In  politics  Mr.  Gee  is  a  Demo- 
crat. 

Cqllson,  J.  W. .  was  born  in  Chemung  county,  N.  Y.,  February  30,  1832,  son  of 
Anthony  and  Eunice  (Mudge)  Collson,  she  born  in  Worcester,  N.  Y.,  and  he  in  Rut- 
land, Vt.,  and  in  1845  came  to  Thurston  and  located  on  a  tract  of  land  .situated  one 
mile  south  of  Merchantsville,  where  they  died.  He  was  a  local  preacher  for  several 
years.  He  had  four  sons  and  two  daughters;  three  of  his  sons  were  in  the  Union 
array,  namely:  Daniel  M.,  in  the  50th  Engineers,  Paul,  lieutenant  and  acting  cap- 
tain in  the  107th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  Ezra,  a  private  in  the  12th  Artillery.  J.  W.  Coll- 
son was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  began  life  as  an 
insurance  agent,  which  business  he  has  always  followed,  and  he  has  also  been  in  the 
mercantile  business  in  Merchantsville  for  about  ten  years.  He  is  a  Republican  in 
politics,  and  has  been  justice  of  the  peace  for  eight  years  and  notary  public  two 
years.  He  is  a  member  of  Cameron  Mills  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  also  a  member  of  the 
I.  O.  G.  T.  In  1855  he  married  Susan  Ranger,  of  Howard,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  has 
six  children:  Emma  O.,  Eunice  A.,  Corelia  L.,  Anthony,  a  conductor  on  the  electric 
railroad  in  Elmira;  J.  M.,  lumber  and  coal  dealer  at  Genesee,  N.  Y.,  Alva  C,  super- 
intendent of  the  House  of  Refuge,  Randall's  Island,  New  York, 

Wheaton,  J.  Henry,  was  born  in  Hornby  in  1867,  son  of  Samuel  A.  and  Eleanor  J. 
Covenhoven  Wheaton;  the  mother  is  a  daughter  of  Henry  Covenhoven,  and  the 
father  a  son  of  Peter  S.  Wheaton,  representatives  of  the  oldest  families  in  the 
county.  The  mother  resides  in  Hornby  with  her  son;  the  father  died  in  1875;  he 
twice  enlisted  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  and  was  twice  honorably  discharged.  Mr. 
Wheaton  has  one  brother.  Grant  Wheaton,  younger  than  himself,  who  resides  at 
Painted  Post;  he  owns  the  leading  meat  market  of  the  place  and  103  acres  of  land  in 
Hornby.  Mr.  Wheaton  has  150  acres  of  land  m  Hornby  and  follows  general  farming, 
lumbering  and  sheep  husbandry. 

Helm,  Henry  M.,  was  born  in  Thurston.  N.  Y.,  June  15,  1840,  son  of  John  P.  and 
Sallie  (Dare)  Helm,  both  natives  of  New  Jersey,  who  came  to  Bath  where  they  resided 
for  about  ten  years,  and  in  April,  1840,  they  came  to  Thurston  where  they  died. 
Henry  M.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  after  which  he 
engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering,  which  he  followed  for  eighteen  years,  and  now 
owns  ninety-two  acres  of  land.     He  is  a  RepubHcan  in   politics,   and  has  been  com- 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  287 

missioner  of  highways  one  term.  In  1865  he  married  Mary  J.  Youmans,  of  Bath, 
N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Nina,  Leroy,  and  Nellie.  Janiiary  3,  1864, 
Mr.  Helm  enlisted  in  Co.  E,  50th  N.  Y.  Vol.  Engineers,  and  served  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  He  is  a  member  of  Kno.x  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Savona,  N.  Y.,  also  a  member 
of  Savona  Grange. 

Armsted,  Charles  H.,  was  born  in  Avon,  Livingston  county,  N.  Y.,  June  27,  1859. 
Cyrus  A.  Armsted,  the  father  of  Charles,  was  also  a  native  of  that  county,  and  the 
landlord  of  the  Newman  House.  Charles  is  the  only  son:  he  was  educated  in  the 
Avon  Academy,  and  has  always  been  engaged  in  the  dealing  in  real  estate  and  loans. 
He  came  to  Hornellsville  in  1883  and  in  1887  he  opened  an  office  in  the  Ossosski 
block  on  Main  street,  where  he  remained  a  few  years,  then  had  an  office  in  the  Mc- 
Dougall  block.  Broad  street,  until  1892,  when  he  went  in  partnership  with  James  H. 
Clancy,  esq.,  in  the  Opera  House  block  where  we  now  find  him.  Mr.  Armsted  was 
married  in  1882,  to  Miss  Carrie  Burnham,  daughter  of  Joseph  I.  Burnham,  one  of  the 
pioneers  of  this  town.     They  have  no  children. 

Chapman,  James  W.,  was  born  in  New  Ipswich,  Hillsboro  county.  New  Hampshire, 
June  17,  1839.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Appleton  Academy  and 
his  first  occupation  after  leaving  school  was  in  the  mercantile  line.  In  December, 
1862,  when  twenty-three  years  of  age,  he  took  to  railroading,  starting  as  a  fireman 
on  the  N.  Y.  &  Erie  R.  R.,  at  that  time  removing  to  Dunkirk,  N.  Y.  His  brother- 
in-law,  Charles  W.  Tufte,  was  an  engineer  on  this  road  and  Mr.  Chapmarubegan 
service  with  him.  He  was  promoted  April,  1865,  by  H.  D.  Brooks,  to  the  position  of 
engineer,  remaining  as  an  extra  at  Dunkirk  until  1868,  when  in  April  he  was  again 
promoted  to  night  engineer  dispatcher  at  Hornellsville,  and  occupied  that  position 
until  November  1,  1871,  when  he  was  made  assistant  day  engineer  dispatcher,  con- 
tinuing in  that  position  until  April  10,  1872,  when  he  was  promoted  to  engineer  dis- 
patcher m  full  charge,  by  E.  O.  Hill,  superintendent  of  motive  power.  February 
14,  1874,  he  was  promoted  to  general  foreman  of  Hornellsville  machine  shop,  by 
Howard  Fry,  superintendent  of  motive  power,  which  he  held  until  September  4, 
1874,  and  was  then  promoted  to  master  mechanic  of  the  Western  Division,  by  the 
same  superintendent.  He  was  master  mechanic  until  June  15,  1878,  at  which  time 
he  resigned  and  resumed  the  position  of  engine  dispatcher,  a  duty  he  had  performed 
while  master  mechanic,  and  has  ever  since  continued  in  this  position.  Mr.  Chapman 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  for  twenty-five  years.  Evening  Star 
Lodge,  No.  44.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  served  as  trustee  of  Hornellsville 
for  seven  years.  He  is  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  and  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church.  August  27,  1850,  he  married  Harriet  M.  Tufte,  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, who  died  in  1863,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Mrs.  B.  I.  Blackmer  of  Hornells- 
ville. The  present  Mrs.  Chapman  is  Carrie  E.,  daughter  of  Harvey  Cooper  of 
Hornellsville. 

Bauter,  John  M.,  was  born  in  Wheeler,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1843,  oldest  son 
of  Marcus  and  Sarah  (Ells)  Bauter  of  Wheeler.  He  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools,  and  later  while  yet  a  young  man  taught  school  for  a  number  of  terms.  In 
1867  he  married  Mercy  J.  Thompson,  who  died  in  1870,  and  his  second  wife  was 
Minerva  C.  Shults  of  of  Wheeler,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:   Burdett,  Marion, 


288  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Dewitt  and  May.     He  now  owns  and  operates  a  fine  farm  of  105  acres  on  which  he 
has  erected  large  and  commodious  buildings. 

Bauter,  Marcus,  now  of  the  village  of  Avoca,  but  formerly  an  old  and  prominent 
resident  in  Wheeler,  was  born  in  Herkimer  county,  in  1814,  and  there  received  a  good 
education.  His  grandfather,  Uriah  Bauter,  was  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  1754. 
He,  with  two  brothers,  came  to  America  while  young  men,  and  he  and  one  brother 
engaged  in  farming,  while  the  other  brother  became  a  blacksmith,  and  became 
wealthy  and  died  a  bachelor.  Uriah  also  became  prosperous  and  owned  a  large 
tract  of  land.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  during  his  absence 
from  home  his  wife  and  five  children  were  taken  prisoners  by  the  Indians  and  tories; 
the  wife  and  four  children  were  released,  but  the  oldest  son  a  boy  of  nine  years,  was 
taken  to  Canada  and  held  for  twelve  years,  when  he  was  escorted  back  to  his  own 
home  by  a  tory,  who  was  one  of  the  capturing  party,  and  who  returned  before  his 
identity  became  known.  The  young  man  was  accidentally  killed  at  a  raising  soon 
after  his  return  home.  Adam  Baiiter,  father  of  Marcus,  was  born  in  Montgomery 
county,  in  1779.  He  went  to  the  town  of  Stark,  N.  Y.,  where  he  spent  his  life  at 
farming.  He  married  Catherine  Wagoner,  a  native  of  Herkimer  county,  by  whom 
he  had  ten  children.  When  twelve  years  of  age  Marcus  Bauter  engaged  as  clerk  in 
a  store,  and  in  1835  he  came  to  Wheeler  and  purchased  a  tract  of  timber  land,  on 
which  he  devoted  most  of  his  time.  His  first  twelve  winters  and  three  summers  were 
spent  in  teaching,  beginning  with  ten  dollars  per  month,  and  with  money  thus  earned 
he  hired  his  land  cleared  of  the  timber,  and  added  from  time  to  time  until  he  owned 
500  acres.  In  politics  he  was  first  a  Democrat,  but  changed  to  the  Republican  party 
when  his  party  endeavored  to  force  slavery  into  Kansas.  In  early  days  he  was  school 
commissioner  in  Wheeler,  and  was  later  elected  town  superintendent  of  the  schools 
for  several  years,  and  was  commissioner  of  highways,  inspector  of  election,  etc.  In 
1885  he  retired  to  the  village  of  Avoca,  where  he  purchased  a  residence,  but  retains 
100  acres  of  his  farm  for  his  own  use.  He  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Pittkin  Eells, 
of  Wheeler,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  John  M.,  Mrs.  Hannah  Webb,  Dewitt 
C,  Mrs.  Margeia  Shaut,  Sarah,  deceased,  Nettie  and  George  W.  His  wife  died  in 
December,  1888,  and  he  is  now  an  active,  well-preserved  old  gentleman  of  eighty- 
one  years. 

Wixson,  Solomon  R.,  was  born  in  1835  on  the  farm  he  now  owns  in  Wayne,  and 
which  was  settled  when  a  wilderness,  in  1791,  by  his  grandparents,  Solomon  and 
Mary  Randall  Wixson ;  there  they  lived  and  died.  The  father  of  Solomon  R.,  Elijah 
Wixson,  was  born  on  the  homestead  December,  1800.  He  married  Martha  Hastinges 
by  whom  he  had  seven  children,  of  whom  Solomon  R.  is  the  youngest.  He  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  and  died  in  1878.  Mrs.  Wixson,  died  in  1878.  Solomon  R. 
has  always  resided  on  the  homestead  and  carried  on  farming,  and  in  1875  he  built  a 
saw  mill  on  the  farm  and  in  1888  commenced  manufacturing  baskets  and  grape 
packages  of  various  kinds.  They  also  have  a  vineyard.  In  1856  he  married  Matilda 
J.  Conklin  of  Tyrone,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  four  children:  Elijah,  who  died  at 
the'  age  of  ten  years;  Martha,  deceased;  Nellie,  who  died  in  infancy;  and  Edgar 
M.,  born  in  1874,  who  now  resides  at  home.  Mr.  Wixson  is  a  Republican,  and  has 
served  two  terms  as  supervisor,  and  a  number  of  terms  as  road  commissioner. 

Younglove,  O.  H.— Timothy  Meggs  Younglove  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of 


Family  sketches.  289 

Urbana,  March  5,  1814.  The  first  record  we  have  of  this  family  was  Rev.  John 
Younglove,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  who  came  from  England  and  settled  in  Suffield, 
Conn.,  where  he  died  in  1690.  Now  follows  Joseph  Younglove,  and  his  son  was 
Isaiah,  who  was  born  in  1717,  and  when  a  young  man  emigrated  to  New  Jersey, 
where  Joseph  who  was  the  father  of  Cornelius,  was  born.  Cornelius  was  born  in 
New  Jersey,  in  1772,  and  came  to  Vermont,  where  he  was  occupied  in  stone  cutting 
and  farming  until  1807.  In  June  of  that  year  he  removed  to  Steuben  county  and 
settled  on  the  farm,  where  his  descendants  now  reside.  He  married  Hannah  Bart- 
lett  of  Sunderland,  Vt. ,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  of  whom  only 
one,  Cornelius  S.  of  California,  is  now  living.  Timothy,  the  fifth  son,  was  given  a 
good  common  school  education,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years  took  up  surveying, 
which  he  followed  until  1889.  He  lived  with  his  parents  until  their  death  occurred, 
when  he  inherited  the  farm  which  his  father  deeded  to  him  while  living.  The  father's 
business  was  farming  in  a  general  way  with  wool  growing  a  specialty,  which  Timothy 
continued  until  grape  growing  became  an  important  business,  when  he  embarked  in 
that  and  reduced  the  number  of  sheep  until  in  1882  when  he  disposed  of  the  last  of 
them.  In  1880  he  began  raising  tobacco.  In  1859  he  built  the  fine  residence  where 
he  lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred  March  10,  1892.  In  politics  he  was  a  Dem- 
ocrat, and  in  religion,  an  Episcopalian,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  warden  of 
St.  James  church.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity — Urbana  Lodge  and 
Bath  Chapter.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Pleasant  Valley  Wine  Company. 
September  29,  1839,  he  married  Matilda  Hoyt  of  Reading,  Schuyler  county,  daughter 
of  Oliver  Hoyt,  and  they  had  three  daughters  and  one  son :  Myra,  who  is  the  wife  of 
L.  I.  Rose  of  Hammondsport ;  Ellen  and  Emma,  twins;  and  Oliver  Hoyt.  Ellen 
died  in  infancy,  and  Emma  is  the  wife  of  H.  R.  Ainsworth,  a  physician  of  Addison. 
OUver  Hoyt  was  born  November  29,  1846,  and  is  the  successor  to  the  old  homestead 
and  the  business,  which  his  father  established.  September  13,  1868,  he  married 
Margaret,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Myrtle,  and  they  have  three  children  :  Belle  Myrtle, 
Margaret  May,  and  Charles  Myrtle,  who  is  a  student  of  Cornell  University,  Class  of 
'96.  The  last  born,  Timothy  Knox,  died  January  5,  1895,  aged  eight  years.  Mr. 
Younglove's  farm  consists  of  160  acres,  on  fifty  acres  of  which  is  a  grape  vineyard, 
and  he  is  also  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  baskets,  and  the  output  in  1894  was 
six  hundred  thousand.  He  employs  about  thirty  women  and  sixteen  men  during  the 
season.  From  1882  to  1888  he  was  in  partnership  with  George  H.  Keeler  in  the 
hardware  business. 

Curran,  Michael  C,  is  a  native  of  Prattsburg,  born  in  1854,  son  of  John  Curran, 
a  native  of  County  Kerry,  Ireland,  who  was  born  in  1827,  and  came  to  the  LTnited 
States  in  1853,  locating  in  Elmira,  then  moving  to  the  town  of,  Wheeler,  Steuben 
county,  and  three  years  later  to  the  town  of  Prattsburg,  where  he  devoted  his  time 
to  farming.  His  wife  was  Honorah  Rohen  of  the  same  county  in  Ireland,  and  their 
children  were  Thomas,  who  died  in  Cleveland,  O.,  when  twentj^-two  years  of  age 
Mary,  Michael  C,  Catherine,  Ella,  Julia,  Honorah,  Edwin,  James,  Danieland  Anna 
deceased.  His  wife  died  in  1893,  and  he  noAV  resides  in  Prattsburg  with  his  children 
Michael  C.  began  Avorking  out  on  a  farm,  when  but  thirteen  years  old,  which  occu- 
pation he  followed  until  1879,  when  he  engaged  in  the  meat  business  in  Prattsburg^ 
and  for  several  years  conducted  the  unly  meat  market  in  the  village  doing  a  large 
kk 


290  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

and  prosperous  business.  He  also  furnished  by  contract  a  large  amount  of  meat  for 
Sailor's  and  Soldier's  Home  at  Bath,  N.  Y.  In  1864  he  sold  out  and  the  following 
two  years  he  spent  as  clerk  in  the  Park  Hotel  and  one  year  in  the  Relyea  House, 
and  in  1887  purchased  his  present  site  and  opened  a  restaurant  which  he  has  run 
successfully  up  to  the  present  time.  He  has  erected  a  iine  residence  in  the  village, 
and  owns  several  tenant  houses.  In  1886  he  married  Johanna,  daughter  of  Michael 
Flynn,  and  three  children  have  been  born  to  them:  Loretta,  Leo,  and  Mary  Imogene, 
Mrs.  Curran  formerly  conducted  a  millinery  business  in  Auburn  and  Geneva  and 
later  opened  an  establishment  in  Prattsburg  where  she  had  a  large  and  popular 
trade. 

Myrtle,  Benjamin,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Wheeler,  December  29,  1814. 
His  father,  Philip  Myrtle,  was  a  native  of  Bucks  county,  Pa.,  and  came  to  this  county 
about  1795.  They  first  located  in  Bath,  coming  up  the  river  in  a  canoe,  were  six 
weeks  coming  from  Harrisburg.  They  spent  three  years  in  Bath  and  then  moved 
into  what  is  now  the  town  of  Wheeler.  He  bought  forty  acres  of  land  at  $2.50  per 
acre,  and  it  took  him  seven  years  to  pay  for  it,  but  he  increased  his  possessions  b)^ 
industry  and  perseverance,  until  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  owned  over  500  acres. 
He  married  Rebecca  Walters,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  by  whom  he 
had  twelve  children  who  grew  to  maturity.  Benjamin  was  the  oldest  son.  His  edu- 
cation was  limited  to  the  common  schools,  and  he  remained  with  his  father  on  the 
farm  imtil  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age,  when  he  married  and  became  an  inde- 
pendent farmer  of  this  town.  He  was  elected  supervisor  of  the  town  before  he  was 
thirty  years  of  age,  and  re-elected  to  a  second  term.  In  1857  he  sold  his  property  in 
the  town  of  Wheeler  and  removed  to  the  town  of  Urbana,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
cultivation  of  grapes,  but  is  now  retired  from  all  active  business.  He  served  six 
years  as  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Urbana  and  was  known  as  the  war  supervisor, 
serving  his  constituents  with  great  credit  to  himself  and  their  interests.  It  can  be 
said  of  Mr.  Myrtle  what  cannot  be  said  of  any  other  resident,  that  he  has  voted  at 
sixty  general  elections  and  has  never  missed  but  one  town  meeting.  He  was  always 
a  strong  and  reliable  Democrat,  always  active  from  fifteen  to  eighty  years  of  age. 
He  was  elected  a  number  of  times  a  delegate  to  the  State  conventions  from  Steuben 
county.  In  religion  he  attended  and  supported  the  Methodist  church.  He  married 
Arabella  Smith,  a  native  of  Putnam  county,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Van 
Buren,  who  died  in  1888,  aged  forty  years;  Margaret,  wife  of  O.  H.  Younglove  of 
Hammondsport ;  and  Arabella,  wife  of  Dr.  Charles  Stoddard,  of  San  Bernardino, 
Cal.     Mrs.  Myrtle  died  in  1883. 

Masson,  Jules,  was  born  in  the  Burgondy  district  of  France,  September  22,  1833, 
and  came  to  this  country  in  1852,  the  place  of  his  birth  being  a  large  wine  district 
where  every  vine  grower  make  his  own  wine,  and  for  this  reason  Mr.  Masson  had  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  making  of  wine.  He  located  in  Cincinnnati  where  he  en- 
gaged in  that  business,  being  connected  with  the  house  of  M.  Werk  &  Son,  and  later 
with  the  old  house  of  Nicholas  Longworth,  the  oldest  and  first  native  wine  house  in 
the  United  States,  and  long  before  there  was  any  grapes  grown  on  the  lake  shores, 
California  or  Western  New  York;  he  came  to  Hammondsport  in  1869  and  purchased 
an  interest  in  the  Pleasant  Valley  Wine  Co.,  in  connection  with  his  cousin,  J.  D. 
Masson,  who  was  .superintendent  of  the  company,  which'  position  he  retained  about 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  201 

one  and  one-half  years  after  Jules  came,  when  the  latter  became  the  superintendent 
and  has  held  the  position  from  1871  until  the  present  time.  In  politics  he  is  a  Re- 
publican ;  he  has  always  taken  an  interest  in  St.  Gabriel  church ;  he  was  a  member 
of  the  Board  of  Education  for  three  years,  also  a  trustee  of  the  village  for  the  same 
period.  November  6,  1860,  he  married  Catherine  Reinhardt  of  New  York,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  eight  children :  Victor  and  Charles,  who  are  both  college  students 
at  present;  Leon,  a  bookkeeper  of  the  Pleasant  Valley  Wine  Co.  ;  Arthur,  an  engi- 
neer by  trade,  who  died  in  1892,  aged  twenty-seven  years;  Julia,  a  singer  and  musi- 
cian; Emma,  a  music  teacher;  Matilda  aud  Josephine,  both  school  teachers. 

Travis,  Leroy. — His  grandfather  Travis  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  moved 
from  there  to  Sparta,  Livingston  county,  N.  Y.  Leroy's  father,  James  Travis,  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville  (now  Fremont),  and  died  at  the  age  of  forty-nine 
years.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  owned  a  farm  of  110  acres  one  mile  south 
of  Fremont  Center.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  Lodge.  Leroy  Travis 
received  a  common  school  education,  and  owns  his  father's  farm,  where  he  was  born. 
He  has  been  town  auditor  and  inspector  for  a  number  of  years,  and  is  a  member  of 
Stephen's  Mill  Grange,  No.  308.  For  his  first  wife  he  married  Clara  Langs  of  Hor- 
nellsville, who  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-eight  years.  Five  children  were  born  to 
them:  Arthur,  born  July  19,  1871,  died  March  21,  1876;  Minnie,  born  February  9, 
1876,  wife  of  Elah  Armstrong;  Byron,  born  September  5,  1878;  George,  born  Sep- 
tember 15,  1882;  and  John,  born  March  29,  1884.  October  1,  1885,  he  married 
Wealthy,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Wise,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Rebellion.  She  was 
born  June  10,  1856,  and  for  her  first  husband  married  Don  Gardner  of  Yates  county, 
N.Y.,  and  two  children  were  born  to  them;  Mary,  born  July  5,  1879,  and  James,  born 
February  18,  1882.     Mr.  Travis  is  agent  for  the  Syracuse  Chilled  Plow  Co. 

Cruttenden,  Dr.  Alexis  H.,  was  born  in  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  February  22,  1822. 
His  father,  Lyman,  was  a  native  of  Kinderhook,  N.Y.,  born  in  1793,  son  of  Jeremiah 
Cruttenden,  born  in  New  Haven  in  1767,  who  with  his  family  in  1796  removed  to 
Otsego  county,  as  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  old  town  of  Butternuts,  now  known 
as  Morris,  where  the  subject  of  this  notice  was  born.  Lyman  Cruttenden  through  life 
was  identified  as  a  farmer  and  mechanic,  as  was  his  father  before  him.  He  married 
Harriett  Noble,  daughter  of  Elnathan  and  Johannah  Bostic  Noble,  a  like  pioneer 
from  Connecticut.  The  family  trace  their  descent  through  eight  generations  to 
Goodman  (so  called)  Abram  Cruttenden,  the  emigrant  father  of  the  Cruttenden  family 
in  this  country,  being  one  of  the  colonists  (twentj^-five  in  number  as  heads  of  families) 
who  signed  the  famous  Guilford  Covenant,  under  the  leadership  of  Rev.  Henry 
Whitfield,  from  the  town  of  Cranbrook,  County  of  Kent,  England,  who  purchased  the 
site  and  settled  the  old  town  of  Guilford,  Conn.,  in  1639.  Dr.  A.  H.  Cruttenden 
graduated  from  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  New  York  city,  in  1852,  and 
practiced  in  Brooklyn  for  four  years.  In  1856  he  came  to  Bath  and  established  his 
present  practice  of  medicine,  covering  a  period  of  forty  years  in  Steuben  county. 
He  early  took  rank  as  a  surgeon,  made  the  first  ovariotomy  in  the  county,  and  serv- 
ing as  pension  examining  surgeon  twenty- eight  years.  In  1853  he  married  Juha  M. 
Stephenson,  by  whom  he  had  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living:  Frank  E.,  a 
practicing  physician  in  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  and  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Percy  of  New  York 
city.     Mr.  Cruttenden  is  a  lover  of  the  beautiful  in  nature  and  art,  spends  a  large 


292  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

share  of  his  leisure  time  in  the  culture  of  fruit  and  flowers  at  his  home  residence,  and 
is  one  of  the  progressive  men  of  his  county,  identified  in  advancing  its  best  interests 
and  in  the  leading  events  of  the  daj^ 

Walther,  Fred  C,  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  April  6,  1828,  son  of  Fred  Wal- 
ther.  Fred  C.  came  to  America  in  1850  and  first  settled  at  Rochester,  and  a  year 
later  settled  in  the  southwestern  part  of  Cohocton,  where  he  run  a  saw  mill  for  over 
twenty  years.  In  1858  he  purchased  a  tract  of  timber  land,  which  he  cleared  up  and 
brought  under  cultivation,  and  is  now  one  of  the  substantial  farmers  of  this  town. 
In  1857  he  married  Miss  Dorothea  Elflein,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children,  namely, 
Fred,  Martin,  Emma,  Frankie,  Clara,  WilHe,  John,  Scott,  Louisa,  and  Carl.  Frankie 
and  Willie  died  m  infancy,  and  Martin  died  in  1886,  a  young  man.  Fred  married 
Miss  Libbie  Neu  of  Wayland,  and  settled  in  Cohocton.  Miss  Clara  married  John  R. 
Dallas,  of  Belvidere,  111.,  where  they  now  live.  In  1859  Fred  Walther,  father  of 
Fred  C.  and  four  brothers,  George,  John,  Bernard  and  Martin,  came  to  this  country, 
the  father  settling  in  Cohocton,  where  he  died  in  1884.  George  settled  in  Cohocton, 
and  later  in  South  Dansville,  where  he  died.  John  served  through  the  Civil  war, 
and  soon  after  Bernard  and  Martin  settled  in  Middlesex,  Yates  county,  where  they 
now  live. 

Tambling,  Benjamin  W.,  was  born  in  St.  Lawrence  county,  N.  Y.,  January  23, 
1828.  The  family  is  of  English  descent.  His  grandfather,  Shepard  Tambling,  was 
a  Revolutionary  soldier,  and  his  father,  Harvey  Tambling,  served  in  the  war  of  1812. 
Benjamin  W.  settled  in  Cohocton  in  1860  and  engaged  in  farming,  which  has  been 
his  life  work,  but  was  for  several  years  engaged  in  the  drover  business,  and,  with 
the  exception  of  twenty-three  years  spent  in  the  West,  he  has  lived  in  Cohocton.  In 
1864  he  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  164th  N.  Y.  Inft.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  is  a  charter  member  of  R.  E.  Harris  Post,  G.  A.  R. ,  and  is  a  member  of  Liberty 
Lodge,  No.  510,  F.  &  A  M.,  also  of  Bath  Chapter.  He  was  three  times  married. 
His  first  wife  was  Eliza  Miller,  daughter  of  Isaac  Miller,  of  Belvidere,  111.  ;  she  died 
in  1858.  He  married  second  Fanny  Weld,  who  died  in  1875.  His  third  wife  was 
Mrs.  Amanda  Larrowe. 

Rommel,  Rev.  W.  E.,  was  born  in  Grebenstein,  Hessen,  Germany,  March  24,  1862. 
He  was  educated  in  his  native  country  and  prepared  for  the  ministry,  and 
was  ordained  a  minister  of  the  Lutheran  denomination  in  1883,  and  spent  a 
year  in  Asia  and  Africa  engaged  in  mission  work.  In  1886  he  came  to  America 
and  settled  at  Buffalo,  where  he  was  assistant  pastor  of  St.  Jacob's  church  for 
one  year,  and  following  this  he  was  stationed  at  Le  Roy  for  a  few  months, 
when  he  accepted  a  pastorate  at  Salamanca,  where  he  remained  for  a  year  and  a 
half.  He  then  returned  for  a  time  to  his  native  land,  and  upon  his  return  was  pas- 
tor of  the  Lutheran  church  at  West  Henrietta,  N.  Y.,  for  two  years,  and  from  there 
he  was  called  to  Rochester,  from  where,  after  a  pastorate  of  three  years,  he  accepted 
a  call  from  Zion  Lutheran  church  of  Cohocton,  where  he  has  since  been  stationed. 
In  1886  he  married  Mary  Michel,  and  they  have  three  children:  Emil,  Carl,  and 
Mary.  He  published  the  New  Ev.  Lutheran  Catechism,  and  a  number  of  other 
books. 

Schubmehl,  Nicholas,  was  born  in  St.  Wendel,  Prussia,  June  19,  1S43,  and  is  a  son 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  293 

of  Jacob  aud  Mary  Schwan  Schubmehl,  who  came  to  America  in  1851  and  settled  at 
Dansville,  N.  Y.,  where  he  Hved  until  his  death,  which  occurred  March  6,  1890.  He 
was  a  stone  cutter  by  trade.  Nicholas  Schubmehl  learned  the  cigarmaker's  trade 
and  in  186T  settled  at  Wellsville,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
cigars  until  1879  when  he  came  to  Cohocton  and  entered  the  emploj^  of  S.  H.  Leavitt, 
cigar  manufacturer,  and  upon  the  formation  of  the  T.  R.  Harris  Cigar  Company,  be- 
came its  superintendent  and  manager,  continuing  in  that  capacity  until  1885,  when 
he  removed  to  Binghamton,  where  he  engaged  in  manufacturing  cigars  until  1890. 
He  then  returned  to  Cohocton,  and  became  superintendent  of  the  Cohocton  Cigar 
Company,  Ltd.,  contitauing  in  this  capacity  until  the  failure  of  the  company  in  No- 
vember, 1894,  when  he  purchased  the  stock  of  the  company  and  engaged  in  the  same 
business,  under  the  firm  name  of  the  Schubmehl  Cigar  Company.  Mr.  Schubmehl 
is  a  member  of  St.  Pius  R.  C.  church  and  the  C.  M.  B.  A.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Stein  of  Wayland,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  nine  children:  Jacob  H.,  EHzabeth, 
Mary,  Henry,  Rosa,  Catherine,  Charles,  Theodore,  and  Edward  L.,  all  of  whom  are 
living. 

Damoth,  George,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Bath,  November  14,  1841. 
His  father,  Joseph  Damoth,  was  a  resident  of  Tyrone  previous  to  his  coming  to 
Bath,  but  is  now  a  resident  of  Campbelltown.  He  is  now  eighty-seven  years  of  age, 
and  has  followed  farming  all  his  life.  He  married  Clarinda  Austin,  who  was  born  in 
Delaware  county,  and  died  in  Bradford  in  1884,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children, 
George  was  the  oldest  of  the  family,  and  received  but  a  limited  education.  From  the 
time  he  was  thirteen  years  of  age  he  began  to  assist  his  father,  driving  the  team 
while  lumbering,  and  remained  on  the  homestead  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  when  he  started  for  himself,  first  working  by  the  month,  then  engaged  in  lum- 
bering, and  from  that  owned  a  threshing  machine.  In  1869  he  bought  a  farm  of 
149^  acres  in  the  town  of  Urbana,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  In  1892  he 
bought  the  old  Ketchum  farm  of  eighty-si.x  acres.  On  the  old  farm  he  has  four  acres 
of  vineyard  and  his  son  has  fourteen  acres  on  the  same  farm.  Mr.  Damoth  is  an 
ardent  Democrat,  and  was  for  five  years  commissioner  of  highways  of  this  town. 
He  is  a  member  of  Pleasant  Valley  Grange,  and  has  been  one  of  its  officers.  March 
29,  1865,  he  married  Eliza  Frances,  daughter  of  James  Dildine,  by  whom  he  had 
seven  children:  John  F.,  a  vineyardist;  Carrie  E.  ;  Roy  G.,  a  farmer  of  this  town  ;  M. 
Frances;  Harry  M.  ;  Emma  Frederika;  and  Bertha  E. 

Thompson,  Murray,  was  born  in  Wheeler,  on  the  homestead  farm,  in  1866.  Daniel 
Thompson,  his  great-grandfather,  was  a  native  of  Rensselaer  county,  and  his  last 
days  were  spent  in  the  town  of  Wheeler.  He  was  twice  married,  and  by  his  first 
wife  he  had  nine  children.  Jacob  Thompson,  his  grandfather,  was  the  oldest  son, 
and  was  born  in  Rensselaer  county  in  1792.  He  served  for  a  short  time  in  the  war 
of  1812,  and  in  1815  came  to  Wheeler  and  settled  in  the  forest,  where  he  cleared  a 
farm  of  250  acres,  and  did  much  lumbering,  manufacturing  large  quantities  of  lum- 
ber to  pay  the  passage  for  himself  and  family  from  Troy  to  Canandaigua.  He  drove 
a  team  from  the  former  place  to  Buffalo  with  a  load  of  goods,  and  walked  back  to 
Canandaigua,  and  came  to  Wheeler  from  there  with  his  family.  He  served  as 
assessor,  collector  and  commissioner  of  highways  for  many  years,  and  laid  out  many 
of  the  new  roads  through  the  town.     His  first  wife  was  Susan  Wheeler,  by  whom  he 


294  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

had  three  children:  William  N.,  Elenore  J.,  and  George.  His  second  wife  was 
Hannah,  daughter  of  Joel  Raj^mond,  a  pioneer  of  AVheeler,  by  whom  he  had  six 
children:  Lydia,  Calvin  L. ,  Orville,  Joel,  JohnW.,  and  Catherine.  He  died  in  1868, 
and  his  wife  in  1873.  Orville,  father  of  Murray,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wheeler  in 
1830,  where  he  spent  his  whole  life.  He  began  for  himself  when  a  young  man  as  day 
worker  at  various  occupations,  later  purchased  the  homestead,  and  for  twenty-five 
years  conducted  a  threshing  machine.  He  served  as  collector  and  commissioner  of 
highways,  and  was  often  chosen  as  juryman.  His  first  wife  was  Laura,  daughter  of 
Hiram  Rose  of  Wheeler,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Murray.  His  wife  died  in  1870, 
and- his  second  wife  was  Alvina  Strong.  He  married  for  his  third  wife  Eliza  Brewer 
of  Wheeler,  who  survives  him  and  still  resides  on  the  farm.  He  died  in  April,  1895. 
Murray  Thompson,  when  twenty-one  years  of  age,  bought  of  his  father  100  acres  of 
the  farm,  but  has  continued  residing  with  his  parents  up  to  the  present  time  and 
assumes  full  charge  of  both  farms,  and  is  an  extensive  and  successful  potato  grower. 

Zimmerman  Bros. — The  firm  of  Zimmerman  Brothers,  the  leading  business  house 
of  Bradford,  consists  of  John  C.  and  H.  P.  Zimmerman,  both  natives  of  Bradford, 
the  former  born  June  29,  1850,  and  the  latter  August  24,  1854.  They  are  sons  of 
Jacob  and  Catherine  Hedges  Zimmerman,  and  grandsons  of  John  Zimmerman,  a 
native  of  Austria,  who  is  mentioned  elsewhere.  November  28,  1880,  John  C.  mar- 
ried Alma  Read,  stepdaughter  of  Rev.  George  Shearer.  Her  father,  Joseph  Read, 
died  in  the  Civil  war.  He  commenced  business  as  a  clerk  when  about  sixteen  years 
of  age  in  Bradford,  and  also  clerked  for  a  number  of  years  in  Bath.  In  May,  1882, 
he  and- his  brother,  H.  P.,  established  the  firm,  as  above,  and  in  1886  took  their 
brother,  Mortimer  W.  Zimmerman,  in  company  with  them,  who  died  October  5.  1891, 
leaving  a  wife  and  two  sons,  John  and  Austin.  In  1893  they  erected  a  two-story 
building  30x80  feet,  which  they  now  occupy.  They  carry  a  complete  line  of  general 
merchandise  and  agricultural  implements,  and  conduct  a  large  business.  In  1869 
H.  P.  Zimmerman  married  Annie  M.  Givens,  daughter  of  James  H.  Givens  of  Brad- 
ford, and  they  have  two  children:  George,  born  May  18,  1881;  and  Harvey,  born 
March  17,  1889.  He  was  educated  in  Bradford  and  followed  farming  until  he  went 
into  business  with  his  brother.  The  Messrs.  Zimmerman  are  Democrats  and  have 
had  the  post-ofiice  during  Cleveland's  administration. 

Gray,  William  S.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Palatine,  Montgomery  county,  May  5, 
1856,  son  of  Ambrose  Gray,  a  native  of  the  same  county,  who  came  to  Steuben 
in  1860  and  .settled  in  Avoca.  He  married  Catherine,  daughter  of  Lewis  Rickard, 
and  they  were  the  parents  of  nine  children:  Alpha  R.,  Archibald,  Charles  A.,  Will- 
iam S.,  Mrs.  Caroline  Lyke,  Mrs.  Nancy  E.  Clemens,  Mrs.  Ann  J.  Heinaman,  Mrs. 
Mary  E.  Shults,  and  Mrs.  Kate  Lee.  He  died  in  1882,  in  his  sixty-first  year.  Will- 
iam was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  in  1880  married  Ida,  daughter  of 
of  James  Francis.  In  1884  he  came  to  Kanona  and  established  his  present  business, 
as  dealer  m  fresh  and  salted  nieats.     Mr.  Gray  served  as  deputy  for  six  years. 

Adair,  W.  E.— The  first  of  the  Adair  family  to  settle  in  Steuben  county  was  John 
Adair,  who  was  born  in  Ireland,  April  19,  1828,  son  of  William  Adair,  and  came 
to  America  about  1844  and  settled  in  Cohocton.  He  was  a  carpenter  and  wagon- 
maker  by  trade,  at  which  he  worked  until  his  death  in  1883.     In  1861  he  enlisted  in 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  295 

Co.  I,  164th  New  York  Infantry  as  private,  and  was  promoted  first  lieutenant.  In 
politics  he  was  a  Republican.  He  was  a  member  and  trustee,  also  local  preacher 
of  the  Methodist  church,  and  was  a  strong  temperance  man.  He  was  a  charter 
member  of  Liberty  Lodge  No.  510,  F.  &  A.  M.  Mr.  Adair  married  Catherine  De 
Revere  of  Westchester  county,  N.  Y.,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  three  children: 
John,  William  E.,  and  Emma  V.,  now  Mrs.  F.  A.  Tobias,  all  of  Cohocton.  William 
E.  was  born  in  Cohocton,  January  13,  1860.  After  completing  his  schooling  he  was 
employed  in  the  Cohocton  Times  office  for  several  years.  Having  early  manifested 
a  taste  for  music,  in  1830  he  went  to  New  York  city  and  entered  the  Conservatory, 
and  after  a  course  of  study  there  he  returned  to  Cohocton,  where  he  has  since  been 
engaged  in  teaching  music,  and  in  the  sale  of  musical  instruments.  He  has  com- 
posed and  arranged  considerable  music  for  piano,  bands,  etc.  In  1888  he,  with 
others,  engaged  in  the  miUing  business,  and  in  1894  he  became  sole  owner  and  pro- 
prietor of  the  Model  Roller  Mills  at  Cohocton,  and  was  an  extensive  manufacturer  of 
buckwheat  flour,  etc.,  selling  out  in  July,  1^195.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the 
Republican  party,  was  elected  town  clerk  in  1883,  and  was  president  of  the  village 
two  terms,  in  1894-96.  He  is  a  member  of  Liberty  Lodge  No.  510,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and 
has  been  a  member  ot  the  Cohocton  Band  since  1876,  and  for  the  greater  part  of  the 
time  leader  of  Adair's  Band,  a  well-known  amateur  organization,  which  has  filled 
engagements  all  over  Central  and  Western  New  York. 

Lawrence,  Mrs.  May. — George  Lawrence  was  born  in  Livingston  county,  N.  Y., 
April  13,  1838,  a  son  of  John  and  Maria  Lawrence,  he  a  native  of  Onondaga  county, 
N.  Y.  George  Lawrence  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools 
and  Lima  Seminary.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  in  1860  came  to  Wood- 
hull,  first  living  three  miles  from  the  village,  then  in  Hedgesville,  coming  to  the  farm 
he  occupied  at  his  death  in  1883.  Mr.  Lawrence's  first  wife  was  Annette  Lyon,  by 
whom  he  had  one  son,  E.  Henry,  now  of  Binghamton,  N.  Y,  a  bookkeeper  for  the 
W.  P.  Holbert  Lumber  Company,  also  having  an  interest  in  the  company.  Mr. 
Lawrence  afterward  married  May  Z.  Chatfield,  a  native  of  Sodus  Point,  Wayne 
county,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Josephine,  Loren  and  Mary.  Mr. 
Chatfield  was  from  England,  and  Mrs.  Chatfield  from  Pulteney,  Steuben  county. 
Ezra  Chatfield  was  a  Baptist  minister  in  his  early  days.  He  died  in  Jasper,  N.  Y. , 
January  7,  1883,  and  his  wife  died  in  October,  1887. 

Barnard,  G.  F, — The  late  George  A.  Barnard  was  born  in  the  town  of  Corning, 
February  21,  1837.  He  was  a  son  of  Frederick  Barnard,  who  came  from  Otsego 
county,  in  October,  1832,  locating  in  the  town  of  Corning,  just  across  the  line  from 
Caton.  Frederick  Barnard  was  born  in  Milford,  Otsego  county,  in  1802,  and  married 
Lucy  Wilcox,  a  native  of  Canaan,  Litchfield  county.  Conn.,  in  1824.  He  kept  a 
country  store  at  Jacksonville,  Otsego  county,  before  removing  to  Corning.  He  was 
the  father  of  seven  children,  viz. :  Mary,  Edwin  W.,  Charles  D.,  Meli.ssa  A.,  Gershom 
W.,  George  A.,  and  Egbert  P.  George  A.  was  raised  on  the  old  homestead,  and  in 
1859  was  married  to  Mary  Westcott,  who  was  born  at  Oxford,  Chenango  county,  in 
1834.  She  was  a  daughter  of  George  Westcott,  a  native  of  Windham  county.  Conn., 
who  reinoved  from  Chenango  county  to  Caton  about  1838.  In  1862  Mr.  Barnard 
located  on  the  farm  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  and  where  Mrs.  Barnard  still  re- 
sides..    He  was  a  prominent  and  influential   farmer  and  lumberman.     He  died  in 


296  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

1886,  leaving  four  children :  Dora,  George  F. ,  Guy,  and  Alfie,  a  son,  Delos  W.,  having 
died  in  1864,  and  a  daughter,  Edna  L.,  in  1876.  They  have  eighty-seven  acres  of  the 
home  place,  and  follow  general  farming. 

Longvvell,  David,  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  farm  in  the  town  of  Urbana, 
August  14,  1832.  James  Longwell,  his  father,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Cai-mel,  Piit- 
nam  county,  N.  J.,  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  town,  settling  on  North 
Hill,  near  Hammondsport,  where  he  remained  a  few  years,  when  he  located  on  the 
third  division  of  district  No.  6,  where  he  owned  over  300  acres  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  He  married  Sarah  Carver,  a  descendant  of  Judge  Carver,  of  Massachusetts, 
by  whom  he  had  thirteen  children,  five  of  whom  are  now  living.  Mr.  Longwell  died 
April  10,  1871,  and  his  wife  January  18,  1840.  David  was  the  youngest  son  and  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Starkey  Seminary,  and  made  his  home  with  his 
parents  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age,  when  he  took  110  acres  of  the  home- 
stead farm,  erected  a  residence,  and  set  out  seven  acres  of  vineyard.  He  also  has  a 
farm  of  fifty-four  acres,  a  part  of  the  John  Brundage  estate.  Mr.  Longwell  is  an 
ardent  Democrat  in  politics,  and  was  for  six  consecutive  years  highway  commis- 
sioner, and  is  now  serving  his  third  year  as  magistrate.  He  has  also  frequently 
been  delegate  to  the  district  convention.  In  1856  he  married  Mary  E.,  daughter  of 
George  S.  Brundage,  by  whom  he  had  four  children :  Florence,  wife  of  William  B. 
Townsend,  a  grape  grower  and  box  manufacturer  of  Yates  county;  Theron  B.,  who 
lives  on  an  adjoining  farm;  Lizzie,  who  lives  at  home;  and  Mariah,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  eighteen  months. 

Colvin,  E.  &  D.,  dealers  in  general  merchandise,  with  a  building  28  by  80  feet  and 
freight  house  24  by  54.  They  began  business  m  1870  with  a  capital  of  §217,  but  are 
now  and  have  been  for  several  years  the  leading  firm  in  Woodhull.  The  firm  is 
composed  of  Emmett  and  Delancy  Colvin,  sons  of  Stephen  Colvin,  whose  father  was 
Caleb  Colvin,  who  came  to  Woodhull  in  1804.  He  afterwards  removed  to  Knoxville, 
Pa.,  where  he  died.  Stephen  kept  a  hotel  at  Knoxville  for  a  number  of  years,  but  in 
1847  removed  to  Woodhull,  where  he  died  in  1872.  His  wife,  who  was  Roxana  Mad- 
ison, died  the  same  year.  She  was  for  years  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church.  Emmett 
Colvin  was  born  July  14,  1845,  in  Knoxville,  Pa.,  and  was  educated  m  Troupsburg 
Academy.  April  13,  1872,  he  married  Ladora  Spencer,  of  Chenango  county,  by 
whom  he  had  three  children:  Merton,  aged  twenty;  Clarence,  aged  sixteen;  and 
Leonard  deceased.  Delancy  was  born  in  Woodhull,  April  14,  1847,  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  and  select  schools  of  Woodhull.  He  married  Mary  Brooks, 
formerly  of  Hornellsville,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  Park  D.,  aged  twenty- 
seven;  William  R.,  aged  twenty-four;  Carrie,  aged  twenty;  Minnie,  deceased; 
Archie,  deceased;  Nelson,  who  died  in  infancy;  and  Florence,  aged  eight  years. 
Emmett  and  Delancy  have  been  in  partnership  for  thirty  years  and  have  never  kept 
any  books  between  them,  each  taking  for  his  family  what  he  desired.  They  first 
bought  a  farm  of  sixty-five  acres  and  paid  for  it  by  working  by  the  month  and  with 
what  Emmett  made  in  one  year  in  the  oil  regions  at  Pithole  Oil  Fields,  Pa. ,  and  also 
working  the  farm.  They  afterwards  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  in  which 
they  have  been  ver)-  successful,  owning  their  buildings  and  a  large  stock  of  goods. 
They  are  both  members  of  Restoration  Lodge,  No.  777,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Emmett  being 
a  charter  member.     Delancy  has  been   supervisor  of  Woodhull  two  years,  deputy 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  297 

sheriff  and  constable,  and  president  of  the   Board  of   Education,  which  position  he 
now  holds. 

Bailey,  Adsit,  life  long  resident  of  the  town  of  Urbana,  was  born  January  8, 
1842.  He  is  a  son  of  the  late  David  Bailey,  who  with  his  parents  came  from  the 
Seneca  Lake  region  to  the  town  of  Urbana  in  1808.  The  present  home  of  Mr.  Bailey 
is  on  the  same  premises  owned  and  occupied  by  David  Bailey  in  the  early  part  of 
the  century,  and  has  been  in  continuous  possession  of  the  Bailey  family.  The  farm 
consisted  of  over  200  acres,  its  location  is  on  the  west  side  of  Lake  Keuka,  about  two 
miles  from  Hammondsport.  In  1886  Mr.  Bailey  erected  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
residences  on  that  side  of  the  lake.  His  maternal  grandfather  was  Amos  Stone,  a 
Revolutionary  soldier,  who  came  to  the  town  in  1793  and  was  one  of  the  first  white 
settlers.  Adsit  Bailey  received  a  common  school  and  academic  education.  March 
9,  1872,  he  married  Edna,  daughter  of  Peter  Depew.  They  have  two  adopted 
daughters,  Fannie  and  Geneva  Bailey.  In  1862  Mr.  Bailey  became  interested  in 
grape  culture  and  set  thirty  acres  of  the  farm  to  grapes.  In  1886  the  grape  industry 
gave  place  to  more  general  farming.  He  is  now  making  a  specialty  of  sheep  raising, 
having  160  head  of  fine  Merinos  of  the  Standard  Delaine  breed.  Success  has  crowned 
the  enterprises  in  which  he  has  engaged.  He  has  held  offices  of  trust  and  responsi- 
bility at  various  tunes.  He  has  been  commissioner  of  highways,  assessor,  and  was 
the  representative  of  his  town  on  the  Board  of  Supervisors  for  five  successive  terms, 
from  1881  to  1886  inclusive,  being  chairman  of  the  board  in  1885.  At  the  building  of 
the  county  jail  he  was  one  of  the  building  committee.  In  politics  Mr.  Bailey  has 
always  been  a  Republican. 

Casson,  Mordecai,  was  born  in  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  Augu.st  27,  1839,  son  of 
Mordecai  and  Sarah  Strongitharm  Casson,  he  a  native  of  Thorne,  Yorkshire,  Eng- 
land, born  in  October,  1802,  and  she  of  Butternuts,  Otsego  county,  N.Y.  The  grand- 
father of  the  subject  was  Mordecai,  who  was  a  native  of  Thorne,  Yorkshire,  England, 
and  a  minister  among  the  Friends,  and  his  father  was  Mordecai,  also  a  native  of  York. 
The  family  were  of  Welsh  descent,  and  several  generations  lived  in  Yorkshire.  Mor- 
decai, the  father  of  our  subject,  came  to  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1882,  and 
then  removed  to  Otsego  county,  and  in  1854  came  to  Tuscarora,  where  he  died  May 
2,  1882.  Mrs.  Casson  died  in  October,  1878.  He  was  a  farmer  and  owned  800  acres 
of  land.  He  was  always  a  member  of  the  Friends.  Mordecai  was  fourteen  years 
old  when  his  parents  came  to  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
July  21,  1863,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  G,  2d  New  York  Volunteer  Cavalry,  under  Captain 
Sanford,  and  served  until  October  8,  1865.  He  was  in  the  Red  River  Expedition 
with  Banks,  and  was  in  a  battle  near  Alexander,  Pleasant  Hill,  La.,  Cane  River 
Crossing,  Grandecore,  and  was  engaged  in  the  Mississippi  raid  under  General  David- 
son, which  started  from  Baton  Rouge,  La  ,  and  terminated  at  Pascagoula  Bay,  Miss. 
In  the  spring  of  1865  he  was  in  the  expedition  against  Mobile  from  Pensacola,  Fla. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Casson  returned  to  Tuscarora  and  he  and  his  brother 
William  took  up  160  acres  of  land,  and  in  1882  the  latter  sold  his  share  to  Mordecai- 
In  1880  Mr.  Casson  and  his  brother  John  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  and  at  the 
present  time  they  own  410  acres,  and  are  also  in  the  lumber  business.  Mr.  Casson  is 
a  Republican  and  in  1875  was  supervisor.  He  was  educated  at  Price's  Academy  and 
Alfred  University,  and  taught  school  several  years.  May  2,  1883,  he  married  Helen 
U 


298  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Griswold  of  Southport,  Chemung  county.  Her  father  was  James  Griswold,  who 
married  Cynthia  Tozer,  and  Mr.  Griswold  was  buried  on  his  ninety-first  birthday. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  State  militia,  and  was  justice  of  the  peace  for  fifty  years. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Casson  are  the  parents  of  two  children :  James  G.  and  Mordecai.  Mr. 
Casson  is  a  breeder  of  registered  Shropshire  sheep. 

Adams,  Asa,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Boston,  Erie  county,  N.  Y.,  February  6, 
1815,  and  is  a  son  of  Aaron,  whose  father,  Aaron  Adams,  sr.,  was  a  native  of  Ver- 
mont and  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Utica,  N.  Y.,  and  was  captain  of  a  company  in 
the  Revolutionary  war.  Aaron  Adams,  jr.,  came  from  Vermont  in  1808  and  settled 
in  Erie  count}',  N.  Y.  He  served  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  married  Sylvia  Cary.  Asa 
Adams  attended  the  common  schools  and  in  1841  entered  the  Western  Reserve  Col- 
lege at  Hudson,  Ohio,  where  he  spent  his  freshman  and  sophomore  years,  and  then 
entered  Union  College  at  Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  graduating  in  1843.  The  following 
year  he  entered  the  Auburn  Theological  Seminar)^  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
1847.  He  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  and  was  called  to  Cohocton,  where  he  was 
pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church  for  three  years,  during  which  period  he  read  law 
with  C.  J.  McDowell  of  Cohocton,  and  in  1850  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  In  1851  he 
removed  to  North  Cohocton  and  began  the  practice  of  law,  and  in  1869  he  settled  at 
Bloods  (now  Atlanta),  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade,  selling  out  in  1876,  and 
engaged  in  the  drug  business  for  about  eight  years,  and  then  retired.  He  has  been 
largely  interested  in  real  estate,  and  has  erected  many  buildings  in  Atlanta  and 
North  Cohocton.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  was  appointed  postmaster  at  North  Co- 
hocton in  1853  under  President  Pierce,  which  office  he  held  until  1871,  when  through 
his  efforts  the  post-office  at  Bloods  was  established,  and  he  was  appointed  postmaster 
there,  holding  that  office  until  1875.  Under  the  old  school  system  he  was  town 
superintendent  several  years  ago.  He  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  1858,  and 
held  that  office  for  twenty  years,  and  was  one  of  the  charter  members  of  Liberty 
Lodge,  No.  510,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  the  L  O.  O.  F.  In  1814  he  married  Margaret 
Lindsley,  who  died  in  1850.  In  1851  he  married  Mary  Raymond,  and  they  are  the 
parents  of  three  children:  Lindsley;  Maria  (Mrs.  George  Fowler)  of  Cohocton;  and 
Luella  (Mrs.  Arthur  Symonds)  of  Curtis,  N.  Y. 

Halsey,  Charles  R. ,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Ulysses,  Tompkins  county,  March  23, 
1817,  the  second  son  of  a  family  of  ten  (seven  sons,  three  daughters)  children  of  Isaac 
Halsey,  a  farmer.  Charles  E.  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  made  his 
home  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  1844,  when  he  removed  to  Bath,  Steuben 
county,  and  after  spending  one  year  in  the  hotel  business,  he  entered  the  employ  of 
D.  H.  Davis,  where  he  remained  one  ^^ear.  He  was  then  one  year  in  Prattsburg, 
and  in  1847  located  in  Hammondsport  and  entered  the  employ  of  Delos  Rose,  where 
he  remained  for  five  years,  later  was  in  Carolina,  and  then  spent  twelve  years  with 
McGee  in  charge  of  the  mercantile  department  at  the  mmes  in  Fall  Brook.  In  Octo. 
ber,  1876,  he  returned  to  Hammondsport  and  established  a  grocery  and  pro'vision 
store,  which  he  conducted  until  1895,  when  he  sold,  and  is  now  living  retired  in  the 
village  of  Hammondsport.  Mr.  Halsey  has  always  been  a  warm  supporter  of  the 
Democrat  party,  and  has  twice  been  president  of  the  village,  also  for  one  term  was 
town  clerk.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  for  over  forty  years, 
with  Urbana  Lodge,  No.  469,  and  a  member  of  St.  Omer's  Commandery.     May  6, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  299 

1847,  he  married  Mary  Elizabeth  Wheaton,  a  native  of  Geneva,  then  a  resident  of 
Prattsburg,  by  whom  he  had  two  children :  Minnie,  who  died  December  15,  1862, 
aged  five  years;  and  William  W.,  manager  of  the  Western  New  York  Car  Associa- 
tion now  located  at  Buffalo.  He  is  also  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Association  of 
Railway  Superintendents. 

Smith,  Edwin  P.,  was  born  in  Woodhull,  November  28,  1835,  .son  of  Col.  Jeffery 
and  Mary  A.  (Farwell)  Smith.  Jeffery  came  to  AVoodhull  with  his  parents,  Caleb 
and  Hannah  (Drake)  Smith,  in  1806.  In  1861  Edwin  enlisted  m  Co.  E,  34th  N.  Y. 
Vols.  Inft.,  served  eighteen  months  and  was  honorably  discharged  for  general  dis- 
ability, caused  by  sun-stroke,  which  in  the  end  caused  his  death.  He  was  in  thirteen 
prominent  engagements;  Yorktown,  Fair  Oaks,  Seven  Days  retreat  before  Rich- 
mond, Malvern  Hill,  etc.  ;  he  was  promoted  from  second  to  first  lieutenant  in  the  fall 
of  1861.  In  1863  was  united  in  marriage  to  Elizabeth  Alcott,  daughter  of  Aca  and 
Clarissa  (Owen)  Alcott,  natives  of  Otsego  and  Chenango  counties,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Alcott 
died  in  Hornby  December  2,  1843,  and  his  wife  in  Corning  in  1886.  There  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edwin  F.  Smith  four  children:  Walter  A.,  born  May  20,  1865;  Ar- 
thur F.,  born  June  29,  1870;  Mabel  C,  born  May  6,  1873;  Edwin  F.,  born  August  15, 
1878.  Mr.  Smith  died  October  12,  1894,  after  an  illness  of  five  j-ears.  He  was  con- 
fined to  his  bed  the  whole  time  during  his  illness  of  that  period. 

Dunning,  Marcus  E.,  was  born  in  Allegany  county,  town  of  Almond,  August  2, 
1850.  S.  L.  Dunning,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Tompkins  count}'  and  moved  to 
Allegany  county  when  a  young  man,  where  he  followed  farming  until  1861,  when  he 
removed  to  Hornellsville,  where  he  conducted  a  hotel.  He  now  lives  retired,  aged 
sixty-eight  years.  Marcus  was  educated  in  the  city  schools,  then  engaged  as  a  clerk 
in  a  clothing  store.  In  1871  he  engaged  as  clerk  in  the  insurance  office  of  J.  B. 
Mandeville,  with  whom  he  remained  four  years.  He  was  then  for  a  short  time  with 
F.  M.  Crookita,  after  which  he  spent  seven  years  in  the  otfice  of  Coj'e  &  Young.  In 
1883  he  entered  into  partnership  with  George  Holland,  which  partnership  existed 
until  December,  1891,  when  Mr.  Dunning  bought  out  the  interest  of  Mr.  Holland  and 
is  now  conduciing  the  business  alone.  He  represents  some  of  the  best  foreign  and 
American  fire  insurance  companies,  also  a  representative  of  life,  accident,  and  all 
classes  of  insurance.  Mr.  Dunning  Ijas  held  the  office  of  town  collector  in  Hornells- 
ville. He  is  financier  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  an  office  he  has  held  for  eleven  years.  He 
is  steward  of  the  Methodist  church.  In  August,  1873,  he  married  Maggie,  daughter 
of  C.  F.  Fairbanks,  of  Hornellsville.  They  have  five  children  :  Jessie,  Herbert,  Grace, 
Walter  and  Margery. 

Kellogg,  Silas,  was  born  in  Grove,  Allegany  county,  N.  Y.,  December  8,  1844,  only 
son  of  James  H.  and  Sarah  (Wilson)  Kellogg,  he  is  a  native  of  Geneseo,  Livingston 
county,  N.  Y.,  and  she  of  Rupert,  Vt.  The  paternal  grandparents.  Whiting  and 
Lorinda  (Burr)  Kellogg,  came  from  Connecticut  to  Geneseo,  afterwards  settling  at 
Grove,  where  he  died  in  1851.  Mrs.  Kellogg  then  lived  at  Greenwood  with  her  son 
James H.,  and diedat  Portageville,  N.  Y.,inl864.  The  great-grandfather,  Eleazer,  was 
a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  maternal  grandparents  were  Otis  and  Alice 
(Anderson)  Wilson  of  Vermont.  James  H.  Kellogg  learned  the  miller's  trade  when 
young,  and  was  partner  of  R.  S.  Davis  in  a  mill  at  Rough  and  Ready.     Mrs.  Kellogg 


300  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

died  in  1861,  and  Mr.  Kellogg  in  January,  1892.  He  was  a  member  of  Sentinel 
Lodge,  No.  151,  F.  &  A.  M.  Silas  Kellogg  was  educated  at  Alfred  University,  stud- 
ied law  with  Allen  Burrell,  esq.,  and  was  for  a  while  in  the  office  of  Judge  Robinson 
of  Canisteo.  He  has  been  principally  engaged  in  speculating  and  looking  after  his 
landed  interests,  owning  about  600  acres  which  he  rents.  In  June,  1894,  he  opened 
a  law  office  in  Greenwood.  In  1864  he  married  Gertrude,  daughter  of  Redmond  S.. 
and  Jane  (Porter)  Davis,  of  Greenwood.  R.  S.  Davis  was  a  descendant  of  Samuel 
D.,  who  settled  in  Massachusetts  about  1642.  His  father,  Levis  Davis,  was  born  at 
Oxford,  January  8,  1782,  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Greenwood.  The  father 
of  Levis  Davis,  was  a  captain  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  was  at  the  battle  of 
Lexington.  Mrs.  Silas  Kellogg  died  in  1865.  In  1868  Silas  married  for  his  second 
wife,  Lizzie,  a  sister  of  his  former  wife,  by  whom  he  has  had  nme  children :  William 
G.,  born  February  4,  1870,  a  graduate  of  Cornell  University,  Sarah  W.,  and  Grace 
D.,  students  at  Oswego;  James  H.,  Bertha  J.,  George  D.,  Clara  Louisa,  Gertrude 
and  Mabel,  born  November  24,  1888.  Mr.  Kellogg  enlisted  in  Company  B,  86th 
N.  Y.  Vols. ,  and  was  honorably  discharged  February,  1863.  He  was  detailed  on 
provost  duty  at  city  of  Washington,  and  is  a  member  of  William  C.  White  Post,  No. 
73,  G.  A.  R. 

Jackson,  William  W.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Avoca,  April  23,  1835.  His  father, 
Joseph  Jackson,  came  from  the  town  of  Seneca,  Ontario  county,  about  the  year  1820, 
where  he  became  a  prosperous  farmer ;  he  was  a  native  of  Cranbrook,  England,  and 
came  to  America  in  the  year  1799  with  his  father,  William  J.  Jackson,  who  settled  in 
Ontario  county,  N.  Y.  Joseph  Jackson  was  a  member  and  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
Lyons  Hollow  Baptist  church.  He  married  Annis  Holcomb,  by  whom  he  had  seven 
children,  all  of  whom  lived  to  maturity ;  the  first  death  occurred  in  the  family  when 
the  youngest  was  fifty  years  of  age.  Alice,  who  married  Rouse  Hubbard  and  settled 
in  the  town  of  Prattsburg  and  later  at  Livonia,  N.  Y.  ;  Margaret,  who  married  Albert 
.  H.  Hubbard,  and  settled  at  Galesburg,  Mich. ;  Catherine,  who  married  William  Ber- 
ner,  and  settled  at  Oxford  Junction,  Iowa;  Ebenezer  L.  Jackson  married  Mary 
Ketch  and  settled  in  Battle  Creek,  Mich.  ;  Hiram  A.  Jackson,  who  married  Safronia 
Hatch;  and  George  C.  Jackson,  who  married  Alice  Lillie,  who  also  settled  in  Oxford 
Junction,  Iowa.  William  W.  Jackson  on  arriving  at  manhood  settled  in  the  town  of 
Cohocton  where,  with  the  exception  of  one  year  spent  in  the  west,  he  has  since  lived, 
being  one  of  the  successful  farmers  of  the  town.  In  1888  he  settled  in  the  village  of 
Cohocton.  He  is  a  strong  Democrat  and  takes  an  active  part  in  party  affairs.  He 
was  assessor  for  nine  years,  being  elected  to  that  office  for  three  terms  of  three  years 
each,  and  in  1890  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace.  In  1860  he  married  Nancy  Ferris, 
by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Frank  E.  married  Lottie  Stanton;  William  F. ,  mar- 
ried Mary  Fairbrothers ;  Annis  J.  married  John  E.  Miller;  and  Cora  B.  married 
Lewis  Northrup,  all  being  successful  farmers  and  residing  in  the  town  of  Cohocton, 
N.  Y. 

Layton,  Abram,  was  born  on  the  homestead  farm,  November  18,  1838,  the  second 
son  of  Isaac  and  Maria  (Retan)  Layton.  Abram  was  given  a  good  education  and 
made  his  home  with  his  father  until  thirty-three  years  of  age,  remaining  at  home 
and  working  for  his  father  until  1870,  when  he  bought  a  farm  of  148  acres  of  his 
father  on  lot  12,  in  the  town  of  Urbana,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.     Since 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  301 

coming  here  Mr.  Layton  has  made  many  valuable  improvements  to  the  property,  in 
1891  building  one  of  the  most  beautiful  residences  of  this  section.  He  has  devoted 
his  life  to  the  farming  industry,  and  while  a  staunch  Republican  in  politics,  we  would 
record  him  as  a  plain,  honest,  upright  farmer,  rather  than  a  politician.  The  princi- 
pal products  are  grain,  hay  and  wool,  never  keeping  less  than  100  sheep.  In  1870  he 
married  Amanda,  daughter  of  Samuel  Drew,  and  they  have  one  adopted  daughter, 
Mabel  lone  Layton. 

Gleason,  Ezra,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Luzerne,  Warren  county,  June  11,  1833. 
His  father,  David  Gleason.  was  a  native  of  this  State,  and  also  a  farmer.  He  died 
April  8,  1836.  Ezra  was  given  a  common  school  education,  and  remained  at  the 
homestead  farm  with  his  mother  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  he  started 
for  himself  and  came  to  Steuben  county  :n  1848.  He  was  employed  in  a  saw  mill 
in  Campbelltown  and  Thurston  for  about  eight  years,  and  was  then  engaged  in 
farming  and  lumbering  until  1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  G,  of  the  107th  Regt. 
N.  Y.  Vols.,  as  lieutenant  of  the  company, 'and  served  until  the  battle  of  Antietam, 
when  he  was  wounded  in  both  legs  by  a  shell.  He  was  discharged  November  20,  of 
the  same  year.  He  returned  to  Thurston  and  spent  three  years  in  lumbering,  when 
he  located  near  Watkins,  Schuyler  county,  and  bought  a  farm  which  he  conducted 
fourteen  years.  April  1,  1878,  he  bought  the  Chapman  farm  of  315  acres,  in  the 
town  of  Urbana,  where  he  still  resides.  Mr.  Gleason  was  formerly  a  Democrat,  but 
is  now  a  warm  supporter  of  Republican  principles.  He  was  for  three  years  superin- 
tendent of  the  poor,  elected  on  the  Democratic  ticket  by  over  800  majority.  He  has 
also  held  some  of  the  minor  offices  of  the  town.  He  is  one  of  the  directors  of  the 
Erie  &  Niagara  Land  Company,  which  position  he  has  held  since  its  organization. 
In  1857  he  married  Sarah  T.,  daughter  of  H.  P.  Clark,  of  Thurston,  by  whom  he  had 
six  children:  Ezra  C,  vineyardist  of  this  town;  Carrie  E.,  who  resides  at  home; 
Eber  F.,  a  farmer  and  vineyardist  of  this  town  ;  Agnes  M.,  who  is  a  teacher,  a  grad- 
uate of  Haverling  Academy ;  Kate,  also  a  graduate  of  class  of  '95 ;  and  Donald,  a 
student  at  Haverling  Academy.  Mr.  Gleason  is  a  member  of  Urbana  Lodge,  No. 
459,  and  Cohocton  Chapter,  R.  A.  M. 

Duck,  Rev.  Thomas,  M.A.,  was  born  in  Somersetshire,  England,  September  4, 
1851,  and  carhe  with  his  parents  to  this  country  in  1854,  locating  in  Cayuga  county, 
N.  Y. ,  where  his  father,  John  Duck,  afterwards  conducted  a  farm.  Thomas  was 
educated  at  Cayuga  Lake  Academy  at  Aurora,  and  entered  Hobart  College  on  his 
twenty-second  birthday,  graduating  in  1878.  From  February,  1876,  to  June,  '77,  he 
was  a  teacher  in  St.  John's  Military  Academy  at  Manlius.  He  entered  college  with 
the  intention  of  studying  for  the  ministry  and  he  at  once  began  missionary  work  at 
Willowdale  in  Seneca  county.  During  the  latter  half  of  his  senior  year  he  carried 
on  work  at  Dresden  in  Yates  county  as  a  lay  reader,  and  continued  there  until  1879, 
during  which  j^ear  he  taught  school  at  May's  Mills.  September  10,  1879,  he  entered  the 
General  Theological  Seminary  at  New  York,  and  June  12,  1881,  he  was  ordained  dea- 
con by  Bishop  Seymour  in  St.  Matthew's  church,  Jersey  City.  He  spent  one  year  as  min- 
ister in  charge  of  the  church  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  near  Thiells,  Rockland  county, 
N.  Y.  May  25,  1882,  he  was  graduated  from  the  seminary,  and  June  4,  1882,  was 
ordained  to  the  priesthood  by  Bishop  Horatio  Potter,  D.D.  He  determined  to  take 
up  work  in  Colorado.     June  15,  1882,  he  married  Clara  Mabel  Badger  of  Penn  Yan, 


302  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

and  June  28  he  passed  through  Hammondsport  on  his  way  to  his  western  home. 
He  located  in  Gunnison,  Col.,  where  he  was  rector  of  the  Church  of  the  Good  vSamar- 
itan  a  little  more  than  two  j-ears,  during  which  time  he  founded  missions  at  Salida, 
Crested  Butte,  and  Aspen,  removing  to  the  latter  place  in  September,  1884,  where 
he  remained  one  year.  In  September,  1885,  he  returned  to  Havana,  Schuyler 
county,  founding  the  mission  at  St.  Mark's  at  Millport,  January  3,  1886.  January  15, 
1887,  he  became  assistant  to  the  Rev.  Charles  H.  Smith  of  Buffalo,  with  a  special 
field  at  St.  Thomas  parish  and  St.  Matthew's  mission.  In  October,  1889,  he  accepted 
a  call  from  Bishop  Huntington  to  locate  at  Horseheads,  having  charge  also  of  Mill- 
port and  Big  Flats,  and  remained  there  until  May  1,  1892,  when  he  resigned.  In 
June,  1892,  he  became  rector  of  St.  James  church,  Hammondsport.  From  June  till 
December,  1893,  he  held  mission  services  at  North  Urbana,  and  in  May,  1893,  he 
took  charge  of  St.  John's  church,  Wayne,  continuing  till  the  fall  of  1894,  making 
meantime  many  improvements  to  the  property.  In  February,  1895,  he  began  hold- 
ing services  at  Grange  Hall,  Pleasant  Valley.  He  thoroughly  enjoys  missionary 
work,  and  for  two  and  one-half  years  while  at  Horseheads,  was  secretary  of  the  Sixth 
Missionary  District  of  Central  New  York.  Mr.  Duck  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternit}',  belonging  to  Urbana  Lodge,  No.  459,  of  Hammondsport  and  of  Bath, 
Chapter  No.  95,  R.  A.  M.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Royal  Templars  of  Temper- 
ance, and  was  presiding  officer  of  his  council  in  Buffalo,  and  Grand  Chaplain  of  the 
State  two  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Duck  are  the  parents  of  three  daughters:  Leila, 
Bertha,  and  Dora. 

Ketch,  Cyrus, 'was  born  in  the  the  west  part  of  the  town  of  Prattsburg,  June  25, 
1821,  son  of  Hiram  Ketch,  who  was  a  native  of  Vermont,  and  served  as  fife  major  in 
the  War  of  1812.  He  came  from  Vermont  in  1818  and  settled  first  at  Ital}',  Yates 
county,  N.  Y.,  and  the  following  year  came  to  Steuben  county  and  settled  on  Lent 
Hill,  where,  beginning  empty  handed,  by  his  industry  and  frugal  habits  he  acquired 
a  competence.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Lent  Hill  M.  E.  church,  and  was 
for  many  years  one  of  the  trustees.  Later  in  life  he  became  a  Wesleyan  Methodist. 
He  married  Sally  Peck,  who  died  in  1892,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  Harriet, 
wife  of  Joseph  Billison ;  Aurelia,  wife  of  Benjamin  D.  Wells;  Cyrus;  Lewis  A.,  who 
married  Caroline  Phillips,  and  settled  in  Naples,  where  he  was  a  farmer  and  carpen- 
ter, and  where  he  died;  Nancy  J.,  who  married  Ebenezer  Keeler,  and  settled  in 
Avoca;  Fanny  L.,  who  married  Augustus  Weld,  and  settled  in  Prattsburg;  and 
Eleanor  L.,  who  married  George  A.  Fox,  and  settled  in  Avoca.  Mr.  Ketch  died  in 
1875.  Cyrus  Ketch  settled  on  the  homestead,  where  he  has  always  lived,  and  is  one 
of  the  prosperous  farmers  of  his  town.  In  1864  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  1st  N.  Y. 
Dragoons,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  married  Mary  Van  Housen,  by 
whom  he  had  seven  children:  Stephen  H.,  who  enlisted  in  18''2  in  the  148th  N  Y. 
Vols.,  and  died  in  the  service  in  1863;  Louisa  J.,  who  died  in  1867;  Marcia  L.,  who 
died  in  1852;  Buell,  who  died  in  1851;  Margaret  E.,  who  died  in  1854;  Julia  E.  (Mrs. 
Haskell  Wilkinson);  Hiram,  who  married  Ada  Lyke  and  settled  in  Howard.  For  his 
second  wife  he  married  Rosanna  Wilkinson,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Burton 
E.,  who  married  Emma  Hatch  and  settled  in  Cohocton;  Mary  (Mrs.  Seth  Keeler); 
and  Cyrus  J.,  who  married  Ella  I^ake,  and  settled  in  Cohocton. 

Fritz,   Clark  C.  and  Alice  C.  Fritz  were  born  August  11,  1870,  and  October  5,  1852, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  303 

respectively.  Their  grandfather,  George  Fritz,  was  born  in  Columbia  county,  Pa., 
September  4,  1793,  and  settled  on  the  place  now  occupied  by  G.  W.  Fritz,  in  1826. 
He  married  Catherine  Kile,  who  was  born  at  the  same  place,  by  whom  he  had  ten 
children.  Wesley  Fritz,  father  of  Clark  and  Alice,  was  the  eldest  son,  and  was  born 
in  Columbia  county.  Pa.,  Sugar  Loaf  township,  March  G,  1819,  and  died  April  11, 
1889.  He  owned  175  acres  of  land  situated  at  Doty's  Corners.  He  was  a  man  of 
retiring  diposition,  honest  and  upright,  and  was  known  as  one  of  the  model  farmers 
of  Dansville.  June  26,  1851,  he  married  Jane  E.  Clark,  who  was  born  March  6, 
1828  and  died  November  14,  1880,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Alice  C,  as 
above;  George  T.,  who  was  born  January  11,  1856;  Wesley  W.,  who  was  born  March 
8,  1858,  and  died  February  18,  1875;  and  Clark,  as  above.  Alice,  George,  and  Wes- 
ley attended  the  Rogersville  Seminary,  and  Clai'k  C.  attended  the  Canaseraga  High 
School.  George  married  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Spencer  Jones,  by  whom  he  had  two 
children:  Spencer,  who  was  born  March  10,  1887,  and  Carl,  who  was  born  in  Febru- 
ary, 1889. 

Casterline,  Phineas  H.,  was  born  in  Deckertown,  Sussex  county,  N.  J.,  October28, 
1826.  He  came  to  Steuben  county  in  December,  1835,  with  his  parents  and  settled 
•in  Pulteney.  He  worked  with  his  father  at  the  tanning  and  currying  trade  until  his 
father's  death,  which  occurred  in  1854.  He  then  carried  on  the  business  until  1860, 
when  he  went  to  Prattsburg  and  run  a  meat  market  for  one  year,  when  he  came  to 
Urbanaand  purchased  some  land  and  set  vineyards.  In  1872  he  bought  a  farm  in 
Pulteney  and  set  twenty  acres  to  grapes.  In  the  fall  of  1884  he  leased  the  farm  and 
vineyard  on  shares,  and  bought  some  property  in  Hammondsport  and  moved  there, 
where  he  has  since  lived  a  retired  life.  December  31,  1867,  he  was  married  to  Clarissa 
Drew,  the  daughter  of  Samuel  Drew  of  Urbana.  They  have  had  three  children : 
Nettie  B.,  who  is  a  milliner  in  Hammondsport;  Genevieve  E.,  who  married  Herman 
L.  Obenshare,  of  Mount  Washington,  December  31,  1894;  and  Charlotte  M.,  who  is 
a  student  at  Geneseo  State  Normal  School. 

Chrisler,  William,  was  born  in  Barrington,  Yates  county,  N.Y.,  Septembers,  1818, 
the  oldest  of  three  children  born  to  Frederick  and  Charity  (Rerrick)  Chrisler,  natives 
of  New  York  and  the  town  of  Wayne,  N.  Y. ,  respectively.  The  grandfather,  Will- 
iam H.  Chri-sler,  was  a  farmer  of  Barrington,  where  he  died.  Frederick  Chrisler 
came  to  Bradford  and  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering.  He  died,  leaving  173 
acres  to  WiUiam  and  his  brother  and  sister,  Elias  and  Eliza.  Mrs.  Chrisler  died  in 
1825.     Mr.  Chriisler  sent  a  substitute  to  the  war  of  1812. 

Braeunlich,  Albert  E.,  was  born  in  Saxony,  Germany,  December  17,  1834,  and  came 
to  this  country  in  1851.  He  was  educated  in  the  colleges  of  his  native  country,  and 
on  his  arrival  here  engaged  in  the  drug  business  in  New  York  city.  The  year  1858 
he  spent  in  the  same  business  in  Philadelphia,  in  1854  returning  to  New  York,  and  in 
1856  he  went  into  business  for  himself  in  Brooklyn.  In  1858  he  engaged  as  clerk  in 
the  wholesale  business,  which  he  followed  until  1868,  when  he  became  a  partner  in 
the  firm  of  E.  Kane  &  Co.,  dealers  in  foreign  wines,  severing  his  connection  in  1870, 
and  from  that  time  until  1879  traveled  for  foreign  champagne  manufacturers.  That 
year  he  engaged  with  the  Pleasant  Valley  Wine  Company,  and  has  been  their  repre- 
sentative ever  since,  traveling  all  over  the  United  States.     He  has  been  a  member  of 


304  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

the  Masonic  fraternity  since  1866.  In  1857  he  married  Minna  Bleidom  of  New  York 
city,  by  whom  he  had  four  children :  Mrs.  Gustavus  Peters,  of  San  Francisco ;  Mrs. 
Marie  Merganthaler,  Albany,  N.  Y.  ;  Mrs.  Rosalia  Masson,  widow  of  Otto  Masson ; 
and  Florence,  who  lives  at  home. 

Croyzier,  George  H.,  was  born  in  Howard,  March  28,  1864,  son  of  William,  who 
was  born  in  Ireland  and  came  to  this  country  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years,  settling 
in  Howard,  where  he  lived  for  forty  years.  William  Croyzier  lived  to  be  seventy-six 
years  old.  He  married  Mrs.  Rose  Ann  O'Brien,  of  Manchester,  England.  George 
H.  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  Howard,  then  was  employed  in  a  chair 
factory  for  ten  years.  After  this  the  firm  of  Davis  &  Croyzier  was  formed,  carrying 
the  largest  line  of  clothing  and  gents'  furnishing  goods  in  the  village  of  Canisteo. 
Mr.  Croyzier  is  a  member  of  the  Good  Templars,  the  Royal  Templars,  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  also  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Cornish,  Thomas  J.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bingham,  Pa.,  June  24,  1833,  son  of 
Francis,  whose  father,  Joseph  Cornish,  came  from  England  to  America  and  settled 
at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  and  later  in  Potter  county,  Pa.  Francis  Cornish,  born  in 
1810,  learned  the  hatter's  trade  at  Delhi,  N.  Y.,  when  a  j-oung  man.  He  settled  in 
Potter  county,  where  he  lived  until  1847,  at  which  time  he  removed  to  Steuben 
county,  settling  in  the  town  of  Wheeler,  and  soon  after  to  Prattsburg,  where  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  was  spent.  He  married  Hannah  Monroe,  by  whom  he  had  ten 
childi-en;  Jane,  Thomas  J.,  Louise,  James,  Albert,  Mary,  Elisha,  Sarah  F.,  Coleman, 
Joseph.  Thomas  J.  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  and  Franklm  Academy,  of 
Prattsburg,  after  which  he  taught  school  for  three  terms.  In  1866  he  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  trade  at  Italy  Hollow,  and  three  years  later  settled  at  Atlanta  and  en- 
gaged in  the  dry  goods  and  grocery  trade,  being  at  this  time  the  only  merchant  in 
the  place.  From  small  beginnings,  b}^  vxntiring  industry  and  honorable  business 
methods,  he  has  built  up  an  enviable  reputation  as  a  business  man.  In  1858  Mr. 
Cornish  married  Olive  N.  Bardeen,  of  Italy,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  four  children: 
Hattie  (Mrs.  E.  N.  Jenks)  of  Black  River,  N.  Y.  ;  William  T.,  who  is  in  the  mercan- 
tile trade  at  Atlanta,  and  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Atlanta,  under  Harrison, 
which  office  he  held  for  five  years;  Collins  C,  deceased;  and  Satie. 

Armstrong,  Joseph  P.,  was  born  in  Bath,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  June  21,  1842, 
son  of  Leonard  and  Margaret  Rutherford  Arm.strong,  both  natives  of  Northumber- 
land, England.  They  came  to  America  in  1819  and  settled  in  Eagle  Valley,  town  of 
Bath,  where  he  died  in  1876,  and  she  in  1871.  In  religion  they  were  Episcopalians. 
The  paternal  grandfather,  Joseph  Armstrong,  lived  and  died  in  England.  The 
maternal  grandfather,  Edward  Rutherford,  came  from  England  and  settled  in  Bath. 
He  removed  to  North  Kanona,  but  returned  to  Bath,  where  he  died.  In  1872  J.  P. 
Armstrong  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  O.  P.  Alderman  of  Thurston,  and  they 
were  the  parents  of  six  children:  Ethel,  born  July  26,  1880;  Leonard,  born  August 
28,  1882;  James,  born  in  August,  1884;  Stanley,  born  February  22,  1887;  and  Ben- 
jamin and  Florence,  born  July  27,  1890.  Mr.  Armstrong  has  always  been  a  farmer 
by  occupation,  commencing  in  Bath,  then  removing  to  Thurston,  where  he  remamed 
four  years,  and  in  1891  bought  the  farm  of  180  acres,  which  he  now  owns  in  Brad- 
ford.    He  is  a  member  of  Savona  Lodge  No.  755,  F.  &  A.  M. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  305 

Davison,  M.,  was  born  in  County  Cavan,  Ireland,  October  17,  1845,  and  came  to 
the  United  States  in  1846  with  his  parents,  William  and  Margaret  Davison,  who 
settled  in  Bath  with  their  three  children.  Moses  Davison  was  educated  at  Haver- 
ling  Union  School  and  in  1861  entered  the  employ  of  J.  &  L.  Buhler  as  a  clerk  in 
their  dry  goods  store.  When  this  firm  retired  from  business  he  became  connected 
with  the  general  store  of  W.  W.  Wilson,  in  which  position  he  remained  until  1864, 
when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  H,  189th  N.Y.Vols.,  and  took  part  in  all  the  engagements  in 
which  that  regiment  participated  up  to  and  including  the  surrender  of  General  Lee 
at  Appomattox  Court  House.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he  received  an  honorable 
discharge  on  Maj^  30,  1865,  when  he  returned  to  Bath  and  entered  the  employ  of  H. 
W.  Ferine,  with  whom,  and  two  others,  in  1882  he  formed  a  partnership  under  the 
style  of  H.  W.  Ferine  &  Co.  After  the  dissolution  of  this  firm  in  1884  he  remained 
with  the  establishment  until  in  1890  the  present  firm  was  formed,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Ferine  &  Davison,  carrying  on  a  general  business  in  dry  goods,  carpets, 
boots  and  shoes,  groceries,  etc.  In  1873  he  married  Eva,  daughter  of  Alexander 
Hall  of  Bath,  by  whom  he  has  two  children :  William  and  Anna  B.  Mr.  Davison  is 
one  of  the  representative  business  men  of  the  town  ;  director  of  the  Bath  Savings  and 
Loan  Association  ;  a  member  and  past  master  of  Steuben  Lodge  No.  112,  F.  &  A.  M., 
Bath  Chapter  No.  95,  R.  A.  M.,  and  De  Molay  Commandery  No.  22,  K.  T.,  Hornells- 
ville. 

Longwell,  Hosea,  was  born  in  Sussex  county,  N.  J.,  in  August,  1811,  and  is  the 
oldest  of  thirteen  children  born  to  James  and  Sarah  Carver  Longwell,  both  natives 
of  Futnam,  N.  Y.  They  moved  to  New  Jersey,  where  they  remained  about  twelve 
years,  and  then  came  back  to  New  York,  locating  at  LTrbana,  Steuben  county,  where 
they  lived  and  died,  he  in  1871,  aged  eighty-one  years,  and  .she  in  1848,  aged  fifty- 
seven  years.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  The  father  of  James  Longwell  was 
David  L.,  who  was  born  in  1737,  and  followed  farming  in  Futnam  county,  and  he 
was  the  son  of  John  Longwell,  who  came  from  the  North  of  Ireland,  being  of  Scotch- 
Irish  descent,  and  settled  in  Stonington,  Conn.,  where  he  died.  The  Carver  family 
came  from  Cape  Cod.  In  1832  Hosea  married  Harriet  Brundage,  daughter  of  John 
Brundage,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  eight  children:  Eliza,  born  July  26,  1834; 
Azariah,  born  December  22,  1835,  died  December  1,  1873;  Franklin,  born  October 
24,  1837;  Fhebe,  born  January  25,  1839;  Hosea,  born  May  8,  1841 ;  Rachel,  born  May 
18,  1843 ;  Carver,  born  March  4,  1847 ;  Eugene,  born  July  4, 1856,  is  on  the  old  home- 
stead. He  resided  about  six  years  in  Wheeler  and  while  there  was  supervisor  for 
two  years.  He  came  to  his  present  location  in  Bradford  in  1841,  where  he  owns  225 
acres,  and  has  made  a  specialty  of  sheep  husbandry.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  was 
candidate  for  member  of  assembly  in  1850.  He  has  been  supervisor  of  Bradford, 
also  justice  of  the  peace.  Mrs.  Longwell  died  February  18,  1887.  Mr.  Longwell 
died  November  8,  1895,  aged  eighty-four  years,  since  the  above  was  put  in  type. 

Kniffen,  John,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Roxbury,  Delaware,  October  11,  1838, 
son  of  Andrew  Kniffen,  who  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1860.  He  married  Lucy, 
daughter  of  Gideon  Wickham,  and  in  early  life  was  a  carpenter  and  joiner,  but  in 
later  years  devoted  his  attention  to  farming.  He  died  in  1861,  in  his  fifty-first  year, 
two  weeks  after  settling  in  the  town  of  Bath.  In  1862  John  married  Julia,  daughter 
of  Harlow  Smith,   and  they  are  the  parents  of  five  sons;  William  A.,  Harlow  S., 


306  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

John  M.,  Gideon  W.,  and  George  W.  In  1864  he  enUsted  in  Co.  C,  189th  Regiment 
U.  S.  Vols.,  and  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Hatcher's  Run,  the  capture  of  Richmond 
and  the  surrender  of  General  Lee,  which  closed  the  rebellion. 

Babcock,  Dr.  Moses  Treat,  was  born  in  Fort  Ann,  Washington  county,  N.Y.,  April 
30,  1835,  the  oldest  son  of  a  family  of  eight  children  of  Oliver  (a  stone  cutter,  who 
died  in  1859),  and  Chloe  Babcock.  Moses  T.  was  educated  m  the  common  schools  and 
Franklin  Academy,  at  Prattsburg,  where  his  parents  had  removed  inl8<30.  In  1848 
he  took  up  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr  P.  K.  Stoddard,  in  Prattsburg,  continuing 
with  him  for  three  years,  and  was  graduated  from  Geneva  Medical  College  June  16, 
1852.  He  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Hammondsport,  and  in  December, 
1854,  he  entered  the  Buffalo  Medical  College,  where  he  attended  lectures  one  term, 
and  again  in  1857-58.  In  September,  1862,  he  was  appointed  assistant  surgeon  to 
the  141st  Regt.  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  was  with  that  regiment  until  the  close  of  the  war; 
he  is  in  possession  of  testimonials  from  his  superior  officers  in  the  Medical  Depart- 
ment of  the  Twentieth  Army  Corps,  certifying  in  the  highest  terms  to  his  character 
as  a  man  and  his  efficiency  as  an  officer  in  that  department.  Dr.  Baccock  has  been 
a  member  of  the  Steuben  County  Medical  Society  since  1870,, and  of  the  New  York 
State  Medical  Society  since  1885 ;  he  has  also  been  a  member  of  the  Republican  party 
since  its  organization,  and  was  trustee  of  the  village  for  a  number  of  years.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  since  1858,  and  held  the  office  of  treasurer 
of  Urbana  Lodge,  No.  469,  for  twenty-seven  years.  He  has  also  been  a  member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.  for  six  years.  In  1893  he  married  Josephine  Sherwood,  of  Penn  Yan, 
N.  Y. 

\Vixom,  Albert,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Carmel,  Putnam  county,  N.  Y.,  June  16, 
1824.  His  father,  Stephen  Wixom,  was  also  a  native  of  Putnam  county,  born  in  1801, 
and  always  followed  farming.  He  brought  his  family  with  him  to  this  county  in 
1831,  and  was  for  four  j-ears  in  Pulteney,  then  came  to  Urbana  and  bought  a  farm  in 
the  northern  part  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  January,  1879. 
He  married  Hester  Badeau,  who  died  in  April,  1870,  by  whom  he  had  six  children. 
Albert  was  the  oldest  son.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  remained 
with  his  father  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  then  spent  two  years  help- 
ing a  relative  on  a  farm.  When  nineteen  j^ears  of  age  he  went  into  lumbering  and 
boating  from  Hammondsport  to  Albanj',  for  George  D.  Mitchell,  where  he  remained 
for  seven  years.  In  1850  he  bought  his  first  farm  of  seventy-seven  acres  in  the  town, 
and  two  years  later  sold  and  went  to  Illinois,  where  he  owned  a  farm  for  two  years. 
Returning,  he  bought  in  the  town  of  Cameron,  where  he  lived  two  years  and  then 
returned  to  Urbana  for  a  number  of  years.  After  one  year  in  both  Pulteney  and 
Wayne,  he  was  for  two  years  in  the  employ  of  the  Urbana  Wine  Company,  as  fore- 
man of  the  farm.  In  1868  he  bought  a  farm  of  150  acres  on  lot  3,  where  we  now  find 
him  engaged  in  the  production  of  grain,  hay  and  wool.  He  has  a  flock  of  about  120 
sheep.  Mr.  Wixom  has  always  been  a  Republican  since  the  time  of  the  Rebellion, 
but  has  never  aspired  to  public  office,  although  he  has  frequently  been  requested  to 
accept  it.  In  February,  1849,  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Brown,  of 
LTrbana.  She  died  May  1,  1882,  leaving  one  son,  Fred,  who  assists  in  conducting 
the  homestead  farm. 

Driesbach.  Henry,  a  successful  and  progressive  farmer,  bt)rn  in  the  town  of  Sparta, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  307 

Livingston  county,  N.  Y.,  August  7,  1826,  now  resides  on  the  old  Driesbach  home- 
stead on  Sandy  Hill  near  the  Rogersville  station,  C.  N.  Y.  &  W.  Railroad.  He  mar- 
ried Eunice,  daughter  of  WilHam  Faulkner,  December  24,  1862.  They  have  two 
children,  namely:  Fred  R.  Driesbach,  born  May  31,  1865;  he  received  a  thorough 
medical  education  and  graduated  from  Columbia  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons 
of  New  York  city,  is  a  practicing  physician  and  surgeon  in  Dansville,  Livingston 
county.  He  married  Lora  E.  Bastian,  May  7,  1890.  Mary  Driesbach,  born  May  5, 
1869,  was  married  to  O.  H.  Humphrey,  December  11,  1894,  a  hardware  merchant  in 
Manchester,  Ontario  county,  N.  Y.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Driesbach  are  charter  members  of 
Dan.sville  Grange,  No.  178,  organized  at  Stone's  Falls,  April  14,  1874,  and  were  hb- 
eral  contributors  to  the  building  of  the  fine  Grange  hall.  Henry's  father,  Michiel 
Driesbach,  was  born  in  Lehigh  township,  Northumberland  county.  Pa.,  May  15,  1795, 
and  came  to  the  town  of  Sparta,  Livingston  county,  with  his  parents  in  1806,  and 
learned  the  blacksmith  trade.  He  married  Nancy  Covert,  October  21,  1824.  She 
was  born  in  the  town  of  Ossian,  May  14,  1802.  Thej^had  six  children,  namely:  Fred- 
erick, born  in  Sparta,  July  4,  1825;  he  married  Esther  Wood,  March  16,  1869;  died 
December  24,  1893.  Henry,  born  August  7,  1826.  Catherine,  born  Aguust  7,  1828 ; 
died  January  17,  1875.  Elizabeth,  born  August  14,  1832;  died  July  26,  1851.  Ann 
Marie,  born  June  22,  1834;  died  December  5,  1875;  she  was  married  to  William  H. 
Hall,  March  22,  1871,  and  had  two  children,  namely;  Bertha  May,  born  Aprils,  1878, 
died  November  9.  1892,  and  William,  born  July  17,  1875.  Nancy  Ameha,  born  April 
1,  1838,  was  married  to  B.  S.  Stone,  January  18,  1871,  and  have  two  children,  namely: 
William  P.,  born  February  7,  1872,  and  Fannie  D.,  born  June  7, 1876.  In  1830  Michiel 
moved  with  his  famil}-  to  Sandy  Hill  in  the  town  of  South  Dansville,  Steuben  countv. 
His  was  the  usual  experience  of  hard  work  and  privation  of  the  pioneer  farmer,  but 
having  a  strong  and  determined  character,  he  cleared  up  his  farm  from  an  almost 
unbroken  forest  and  made  a  good  home  for  himself  and  family.  To  illustrate  his 
firm  Christian  philanthropy,  in  1834  many  German  emigrants  settled  in  his  vicinity; 
an  epidemic  of  cholera  broke  out  among  them  and  nearly  depopulated  the  whole  of 
Sandy  Hill.  He  was  one  of  the  very  few  who  did  not  shrink  from  carmg  for  the  sick 
and  burying  the  dead,  working  and  watching  night  and  day  for  weeks;  and  helped 
a  trio  of  others  bury  eighteen  of  the  victims.  Mrs.  Driesbach  died  April  3,  1838, 
leaving  him  with  a  large  family  of  children.  He  married  Maria  Draper,  April  11, 
1839.  He  died  with  malignant  erysipelas,  January  28,  1845,  followed  by  his  second 
wife,  Maria,  May  4,  1890.  Michiel's  father  and  mother,  Henry  and  Catherine  Dries- 
bach, with  their  family  of  ten  children,  came  from  Pennsylvania  to  the  town  of 
Sparta,  Livingston  county,  in  1806,  where  he  bought  and  located  on  a  large  tract  of 
land  about  two  miles  below  Dansville,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  who  helped  crowd  the 
forest  and  Indians  back  to  make  room  for  a  more  advanced  civilization,  and  was  one 
of  the  first  to  open  a  tavern  or  public  house  on  the  road  to  Genesee ;  the  old  house 
was  known  for  many  years  as  the  Driesbach  stand;  it  is  now  occupied  bj'  one  of  his 
descendants,  William  Driesbach. 

Stanton,  C.  W.,  was  born  near  Smethport,  McKean  county,  Pa.,  April  25,  1846,  a 
son  of  Abel  M,,  who  was  one  of  the  sixth  generation  from  Thomas  Stanton,  a  pio- 
neer of  the  family  in  America,  who  left  England,  January  2,  1635,  and  settled  in 
Yirginia,  and  in  1637  removed  to  Massachusetts.     Abel  Stanton  was  a  survevor.     He 


308  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

married  Sarah  Scott,  a  lineal  descendant  of  the  two  Governors  Winslow  of  Massachu- 
setts in  colonial  days.  In  1861  C.  W.  Stanton  enlisted  in  Co.  E,  104th  New  York  Inf. 
and  served  a  year,  then  was  transferred  to  the  2d  U.  S.  Cav.  and  served  until  Jan. ,  1865. 
He  was  wounded  in  the  Gettysburg  campaign;  he  was  in  Sheridan's  campaign  in 
1864,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Beverly  Ford,  Spottsylvania,  the  Wilderness, 
Cold  Harbor,  and  several  others,  and  was  again  wounded  at  Trevillian  Station  in 
June,  1864.  After  the  war  closed  Mr.  Stanton  taught  school  for  a  time,  and  in  1868 
entered  Cornell  University,  taking  a  scientific  and  literary  course,  concluding  in  1870. 
In  1871  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Ruggles  &  Little  of  Bath,  where  he  read  law  for 
a  year  and  a  half.  He  afterward  finished  his  legal  course  in  the  office  of  Spencer  & 
Mills  of  Corning.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1874,  and  in  1875  opened  an  office 
in  Cohocton,  where  he  has  since  practiced.  He  is  active  in  temperance  matters,  and 
is  a  member  and  past  commander  of  R.  E.  Harris  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  and  a  member  and 
several  times  past  master  of  Liberty  Lodge  No.  510,  F.  &  A.  M.  of  Cohocton,  Bath 
Chapter,  Elmira  Commandery,  and  has  often  been  a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 
He  is  one  of  the  stockholders  of  the  Larrowe  Milling  Co.  He  has  been  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Education  for  several  years,  and  has  been  for  some  years  and  now  is  its 
secretary.  In  1875  Mr.  Stanton  married  Emilie,  daughter  of  Valentine  Van  Wormer 
of  Cohocton,  by  whom  he  had  four  children :  Cornell  Dickens,  Wilbor  Dickens,  Rob- 
ert, and  Daisy.  Valentine  Van  Wormer  was  born  in  Mohawk  valley,  October  22, 
1812.  a  son  of  Lawrence  Van  Wormer.  His  parental  ancestors  were  Hollanders,  and 
his  maternal  ancestors  German,  and  all  came  to  America  at  an  early  date  and  settled 
in  New  Jersey,  and  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war  settled  on  the  Hudson.  Law- 
rence Van  Wormer  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1816  and  settled  in  the  Cohocton  val- 
ley about  two  miles  south  of  Cohocton  village,  purchasing  a  tract  of  2,000  acres  on 
the  west  side  of  the  Cohocton  River,  which  extended  west  as  far  as  Loon  Lake ;  he 
also  purchased  from  the  land  office  250  acres  on  the  river,  where  he  took  up  his  resi- 
dence. The  land  was  heavily  timbered,  and  for  many  years  he  was  extensively  en- 
gaged in  lumbering.  He  was  one  of  the  enterprising,  energetic  men  of  the  day,  and 
was  the  founder  of  Cohocton  M.  E.  church.  He  married  Ann  Staley,  by  whom  he 
had  fourteen  children,  thirteen  of  whom  grew  to  maturity.  Valentine  Van  Wormer 
has  always  lived  in  Cohocton  and  during  his  earher  years  was  an  exten,sive  farmer. 
He  has  been  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church  for  nearly  seventy  years,  and  was  one  of 
the  stewards  for  many  years,  and  has  always  been  a  leading  temperance  man.  He 
had  six  children,  viz. :  Zilpha,  wife  of  W.  H.  Mattison  of  lona,  Mich. ;  Mary  E.,  wife 
of  Dr.  E.  M.  White  of  Cohocton ;  Emilie,  wife  of  C.  W.  Stanton ;  Eugenie,  wife  of 
G.  E.  Ackerman,  D.D.,  of  IT.  S.  Grant  LTniversity,  Chattanooga,  Tenn.  ;  Emery  L., 
of  Canandaigua,  N.  Y.  ;  Eugene  of  Cohocton ;  and  Fayette,  who  died  in  the  LTnion 
army  during  the  war.  His  wife  is  Anna  Cleveland  of  Naples,  N.  Y.  The  golden 
wedding  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Van  Wormer  was  celebrated  November  22,  1888. 

Thompson,  E.  H.,was  born  in  Tyrone,  Schuyler  county,  N.  Y.,  October  14,  1857, 
son  of  Hector  and  Mary  (Mingus)  Thompson,  he  a  native  of  Wayne,  born  September 
11,  1832,  and  she  a  native  of  Wayne,  born  October  12,  1828,  daughter  of  Peter  and 
Susan  Mingus.  He  is  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  commenced  teaching  when  young, 
but  has  spent  most  of  his  life  at  the  carpenter's  trade.  In  1860  he  located  at  Weston, 
where  he  still  resides.     The  grandparents  were  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Templer) 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  309 

Thompson,  he  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  she  of  Wayne.  He  came  to  Horseheads, 
thence  to  Wayne,  being  a  pioneer  of  that  town.  He  was  a  blacksmith  at  Wayne, 
and  died  in  Tyrone.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  E.  H.  Thompson  was 
educated  at  Tyi'one  and  Starkey  Seminary,  and  has  followed  farming.  He  com- 
menced work  on  the  farm  he  now  owns  in  1888  and  purchased  it  in  1893,  and  he  now 
has  130  acres.  In  1890  he  married  j\Iary  E.  Wortman,  widow  of  William  Wortman. 
Mrs.  Thompson  has  two  children  by  her  first  husband:  Annie  and  Hattie  Wortman. 

Dimon,  John,  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N  Y.,  December  9,  1831.  The  ancestors  of 
this  family  in  this  country  emigated  from  France,  and  records  show  that  in  1660  they 
moved  form  Connecticut  to  Easthampton,  Long  Island,  where  the  family  are  still  to 
be  found.  The  father  of  the  .subject,  John  Dimon,  was  a  mechanic  and  a  shipbuilder 
of  early  days.  John  Dimon,  the  subject,  was  educated  in  select  schools,  and  in  1860 
became  a  resident  of  Steuben  county,  where  he  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  grapes. 
He  has  a  vineyard  of  about  fourteen  acres  on  the  west  side  of  the  lake.  His  maternal 
grandfather.  Tennis  Joralemon  (whose  ancestors  emigrated  to  the  New  Netherlands 
from  Holland  in  the  17th  century),  soon  after  the  Revolution  purchased  the  old  manor 
house  and  a  portion  of  the  Livingston  estate,  situated  on  Brooklyn  Heights,  opposite 
New  York  city,  and  i-esided  there  until  his  death  about  1840.  The  old  manor  house 
was  said  to  have  been  the  headquarters  of  General  Washington  about  the  time  of  the 
battle  of  Long  Island.  John  Dimon  married  Harriet  E.  Church  at  Hammondsport, 
her  native  place,  in  1865.  Her  grandfather,  Hon.  Hezekiah  Ripley,  moved  from 
New  York  city  to  Hammondsport  about  1835.  He  was  at  one  time  associated  with 
George  P.  Morris  and  N.  P.  Willis  in  the  publication  of  the  New  York  Mirror.  Their 
children  were  John,  born  in  Michigan  in  1866,  and  died  the  same  year ;  Catherine 
Joralemon,  who  married  Harry  T.  Hamlin  of  Chicago  in  1888  and  died  there  in  1892; 
Theodore  H.,  and  Grace  Ripley. 

Lyon,  Kitchell,  was  born  in  Morris  county,  N.  J.,  June  23,  1825,  son  of  Samuel  and 
Mary  A.  (Teacham)  Lyon,  natives  of  New  Jersey.  The  grandfather,  John  Lyon, 
lived  and  died  in  New  Jersey.  Samuel  Lyon  came  to  Tompkins  county,  town  of 
Dryden,  in  1825,  and  in  1838  came  to  Bath,  Steuben  county,  where  he  died.  He  was 
a  silversmith  by  trade  and  also  followed  farming.  Kitchell  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  lived  in  Bath  thirty  years,  having  purchased 
the  old  homestead  of  120  acres.  In  1868  he  came  to  Rathbone,  where  he  is  engaged 
in  farming,  owning  400  acres.  He  has  been  assessor  for  nine  years,  trustee  for  years, 
and  pathmaster  for  twenty-seven  years.  February  28,  1858,  he  married  Catherine, 
a  daughter  of  John  H.  Loper,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  town  of  Rathbone.  They 
have  had  three  children:  Horace  G.,  James  K.,  both  at  home,  one  who  died  in  in- 
fancy, and  are  also  guardians  for  Emogene  Young,  who  resides  with  them. 

Schenck,  J.  E.,  was  born  in  Jasper,  May  30,  1861.  son  of  William  and  Sarah 
(Whiting)  Schenck,  natives  of  Jasper,  N.  Y. ,  where  they  now  live  on  a  farm  of  fifty 
acres.  The  grandfather,  Jonathan  Schenck,  was  a  native  of  New  Brunswick,  N.  J., 
and  came  to  Jasper  in  1825,  thence  went  to  Michigan,  where  he  died  in  1875 ;  he  was 
a  descendant  of  Colonel  Martin  Schenck  of  Holland,  whose  sons  John  and  Roeloff 
emigrated  to  New^  Jersey  m  1650,  whose  descendants  still  own  and  keep  the  old 
buildings  in  repair  where  they  first  settled.     J.  E.  Schenck  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 


310  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  owns  150  acres  of  land  and  is  also  engaged  in 
threshing,  pressing  and  buying  hay.  He  has  been  constable,  and  is  now  serving  his 
second  term  as  collector.  January  2,  1885,  he  married  Mittie  A.  Powers  of  Troups- 
burg,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Clifford,  born  February  14,  1891.  Harvey  B.  Schenck, 
brother  of  J.  E.,  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He 
owns  100  acres  of  land  and  follows  general  farming.  He  is  also  engaged  in  thresh- 
ing and  pressing  hay.  In  1887  he  married  Hattie,  daughter  of  Nicholas  and  Francis 
A.  (Walrath)  Johnson.  Mrs.  Schenck's  grandfather,  Jabish  Johnson,  was  one  of  the 
early  settlers  of  Woodhull,  and  now  lives  in  Greenwood. 

Hatch,  Hiram  W.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Cohocton,  January  9,  1846.  His  father 
was  Sylvanus  Hatch,  who  was  a  son  of  Matthew  Hatch,  the  pioneer  of  the  family  in 
Steuben  county.  Matthew  Hatch  came  from  Whitehall,  N.  Y.,  in  1812,  settled  in 
Bath,  and  the  following  year  took  up  a  tract  of  land  on  Lent  Hill  (then  in  the  town 
of  Prattsburg),  to  which  place  he  removed,  his  being  the  third  family  to  settle  in  that 
section.  He  married  a  daughter  of  Abram  Lent  who  was  the  first  settler  on  Lent 
Hill  and  from  whom  it  took  the  name.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Matthew  Hatch  were  the  pa- 
rents of  five  sons  andone  daughter;  Sylvanus,  Philip,  Barnabas  C,  Matthew,  Hiram, 
and  Cerissa  (Mrs.  William  Hyatt).  Barnabas  C.  Hatch  settled  in  Michigan,  where 
he  was  a  man  of  considerable  note,  holding  the  office  of  county  judge  and  member  of 
assembly.  The  other  sons  settled  on  Lent  Hill  and  were  respected  and  thrifty  farm- 
ers. Sylvanus  Hatch  married  Emily  A.  Peck,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Hiram  W. 
Hiram  W.  Hatch  was  engaged  in  farming  until  1870,  and  duringthat  jj-ear  he  settled 
at  Atlanta  (then  Bloods),  and  engaged  in  the  hardware  trade,  in  which  business  he 
continued  until  1881.  In  1871  he  engaged  in  the  produce  business  which  he  has  car- 
ried on  until  the  present  time.  He  is  also  extensively  engaged  in  farming.  In  pol- 
itics he  is  a  staunch  Republican,  and  has  held  numerous  offices  in  the  town,  among 
which  was  supervisor  for  two  terms.  December  31,  1866,  he  married  Celestia  E. 
Bush,  of  Naples,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Hyatt  C,  Minnie  L.  (Mrs.  C. 
Gilbert  Lyon),  and  Mary  E.  Hyatt  C.  Hatch  is  an  active  member  of  the  Republican 
party,  and  was  elected  supervisor  in  1893,  and  re-elected  in  1894  for  two  terms  of  two 
years.  In  1893  he  became  a  partner  with  his  father  in  the  produce  business,  under 
the  firm  name  of  H.  W.  Hatch  &  Son.  This  firm  is  known  as  one  of  the  most  exten- 
sive dealers  in  produce  in  Western  New  York. 

Davenport,  George,  was  born  in  Spencertown,  Columbia  county,  N.  Y.,  October 
15,  1814.  William  Davenport ,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Columbia  county.  Noah 
Davenport,  the  grandfather  of  George,  and  of  Quaker  descent,  was  a  native  of  Rhode 
Island  and  married  his  wife  in  that  State.  He  was  born  in  1758  and  came  to  Col- 
umbia county  in  1784  where  a  family  of  nine  children  were  born.  William  was  the 
oldest  son  and  second  child,  and  was  born  January  7,  1789.  Noah  Davenport  and 
his  family  came  to  Delaware  county  in  1812,  locating  at  Harpersfield,  and  William 
remained  in  his  native  county  and  died  on  the  old  homestead  September  5,  1871. 
Lovina  Davis,  the  mother  of  George,  was  also  a  native  of  Columbia  county,  born 
September  10,  1793,  and  died  November  18,  1850.  They  were  the  parents  of  three 
children:  Lucinda,  who  married  John  Olmstead  and  died  December 8,  1851,  George, 
and  Charles.  George  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  which  he  attended  until 
old  enough  to  work  on  the  farm,  and  took  up  that  occupation  and  has  always  followed 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  311 

it.  In  1840  he  married  Caroline  Mead  of  Westlake  county,  and  ten  years  later  came 
to  Steuben  county  and  bought  a  farm  of  200  acres  near  the  village  of  Arkport.  He 
increased  the  acreage  here  to  over  300  acres  and  this  land  is  now  occupied  by 
his  sons,  Henry  and  Stephen.  He  continued  farming  until  1885  when  he  removed  to 
the  city  of  Hornellsville  and  has  since  lived  a  retired  life.  He  has  always  taken  an 
active  interest  in  church  and  school  work  and  was  one  of  the  trustees  and  founders 
of  Spencertown  Academy.  By  his  first  marriage  he  had  six  children :  William,  who 
is  in  the  lumber  business  in  northern  Michigan ;  Bessie,  who  is  the  wife  of  Charles 
Alley  of  Auburn  ;  Georgianna,  who  is  the  wife  of  Albert  Rider  of  Wellsville ;  Stephen, 
who  is  on  the  farm ;  Henry  L.,  and  Carrie,  who  is  the  wife  of  Daniel  Curry  of  Ark- 
port.    His  present  wife  is  Anna,  daughter  of  Eli  Best,  of  Columbia  county. 

Hubbs,  George  W.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Root,  Montgomery  county,  N.Y., 
September  11,  1834.  His  father,  David  C.  Hubbs,  was  a  native  of  Saratoga  county, 
who  came  to  Montgomery  county  in  an  early  day,  and  spent  his  days  in  the  town  of 
Root.  He  was  the  second  supervisor  of  that  town.  He  died  January  2,  1861.  His 
wife  was  Hannah  Montanye,  who  died  July  13,  1860.  They  had  eleven  children,  of 
which  George  W.  was  the  ninth;  he  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Starkey 
Academy,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming  in  Montgomery  county,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1862.  April  17,  1861,  he  married  Maria  Van  Valkenberg,  of  Sharon, 
and  the  next  year  he  came  to  Steuben  county,  where  he  bought  a  farm  of  175  acres 
in  the  town  of  Hornby,  with  his  residence  in  Schuyler  county,  across  the  road.  In 
1873  he  moved  to  the  town  of  Campbell,  where  he  made  his  home  until  1881,  when  he 
removed  to  Hammondsport,  and  has  since  been  interested  in  the  grape  industry.  He 
has  always  been  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  in  February,  1893,  he  was  elected  justice 
of  the  peace  to  fill  vacancy,  and  in  the  spring  of  1894  was  elected  for  a  full  term.  He 
has  been  a  member  of  Urbana  Lodge  No.  459,  F.  &  A.  M.,  since  1891.  He  is  village 
clerk,  now  serving  his  second  year,  and  also  registrar  of  vital  statistics.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hubbs  had  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  now  living:  Seymour,  of  the  Col- 
umbia Wine  Company ;  Eloise,  wife  of  W.  E.  Ballou,  of  Columbia,  Ga.  ;  Clara  and 
Catherine,  of  Rochester,  both  bookkeepers. 

Maichle,  Henry,  was  born  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  September  10,  1859,  son  of  Jacob 
Maichle,  a  native  of  Germany,  who  came  to  America  in  1854  and  settled  in  New  York 
city,  and  a  year  later  at  Syracuse.  He  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1861  and  settled 
at  Cohocton.  He  is  a  carpenter  by  trade,  which  business  he  has  always  followed. 
He  married  Christine  Klink,  who  died  in  1868,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons,  Jacob  and 
Henry.  Mr.  Maichle  married  for  his  second  wife  Pauline  Hutte,  of  Rochester,  by 
whom  he  had  one  daughter,  Anna  (Mrs.  J.  C.  Miller),  of  Scranton,  Pa.  Jacob  and 
Henry  settled  in  Cohocton.  In  the  spring  of  1880  Henry  Maichle,  in  company  with 
O.  A.  Drake,  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  crockery  trade  at  Cohocton ;  a  few  months 
later  Henry  Finch  purchased  Drake's  interest,  and  the  firm  existed  until  1889,  when 
Mr.  Maichle  purchased  his  partner's  interest  and  has  since  continued  the  business. 
He  is  a  staunch  Democrat,  and  takes  an  active  part  in  party  affairs.  He  was  town 
clerk  one  year,  and  in  1888  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace.  He  is  a  member  of  St. 
Pius  R.  C.  church.  December  21,  1881,  he  married  Sybillia,  daughter  of  William 
Becker,  by  whom  he  had  five  children;  William  H.,  Robert  J.,  Clarence  E.,  Francis 
E.,  Ida  A. 


312  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Alden,  Dr.  Philo  L.,  was  born  in  the  village  of  Howard,  August  27,  1856.  His 
father,  George  Alden,  was  also  a  native  of  Steuben  county,  born  in  Milo  in  1824.  He 
was  a  millwright  and  lumberman  by  trade,  and  it  is  said  of  him  that  he  built  almost  all 
of  the  mills  in  Cohocton  valley.  He  died  in  1887.  He  married  Ann  C.  Chapman,  of 
Fremont,  who  died  in  Hammondsport,  February  7,  1895,  by  whom  he  had  eight  chil- 
dren. Philo  L.  was  the  next  to  the  youngest,  and  was  educated  in  the  High  School 
of  Howard,  and  at  seventeen  years  of  age  entered  Alfred  University,  teaching  school 
in  the  winter,  until  1876.  He  remained  in  Howard  until  1879,  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness, and  then  removed  to  Buffalo,  making  his  home  in  that  city  four  years,  the  latter 
two  years  being  engaged  as  traveling  salesman.  In  1835  he  came  to  Keuka  Lake  on 
his  vacation,  and  took  up  the  study  of  medicine  with  Drs.  Burleson  and  Nichols,  at 
Pulteney.  The  years  1885  and  1886  he  spent  in  the  medical  department  of  the  LTni- 
versity  of  Buffalo,  and  was  graduated  March  1,  1887.  He  located  m  Wayne,  Steu- 
ben county,  where  he  remained  until  October,  1889,  when  he  came  to  Hammonds- 
port,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  regular  practice.  He  is  president  of  the 
Board  of  Pension  Examiners,  located  at  Bath,  appointed  by  President  Cleveland 
July  20,  1893,  and  is  also  a  member  of  Steuben  County  Medical  Society.  September 
17,  1885,  he  married  M.  Emma,  daughter  of  Dr.  L.  M.  Nichols,  of  Pulteney,  by  whom 
he  had  two  children:  George  Lyman,  now  in  his  eighth  year,  and  Edna  May,  who 
died  at  nine  months  of  age  in  April,  1892. 

Christie,  Amelia  A.,  youngest  of  ten  children,  was  born  January  11,  1838,  in 
Middlesex,  Yates  county,  N.  Y.  James  Christie,  her  father,  was  a  well  educated  man, 
of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  He  settled  on  a  large  farm  in  Middlesex,  and  died  there  in 
1881  at  ninety  years  of  age.  Her  mother,  Lydia  Southerland  Adams,  was  of  English 
stock.  Both  grandfathers  served  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  Chester  Adams, 
her  grandfather,  through  much  hardship,  brought  into  Middlesex  the  first  wheat 
sowed  there  near  the  year  1793.  James  Christie  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  war  of  1812.  Amelia  received  a  part  of  her  education  at  the  Genesee 
Wesleyan  Seminary,  but  graduated  in  Albany  at  the  State  Normal  School,  July  12, 
1855.  She  taught  a  few  years  at  Rushville,  Yates  county,  and  at  Lyons,  Wayne 
county.  She  turned  her  atttentionin  1868  to  the  study  of  medicine.  She  graduated 
in  March,  1872,  at  The  Woman's  Medical  College  of  Pennsylvania,  located  in  Phila- 
delphia, opposite  Girard  College.  She  practiced  medicine  at  Rushville,  her  home, 
for  eight  years,  but  in  December,  1881,  came  to  Hornellsville,  where  she  has  since 
been  located.  She  married  Frederick  R.  Perry,  February  1,  1886.  1-  rederick  R. 
Perry  was  born  in  Rushville,  Ontario  county,  and  is  of  English  stock.  He  served 
in  the  late  Civil  war,  enlisting  from  Iowa,  at  that  time  his  home,  and  had  the  proud 
privilege  of  "marching  with  Sherman  to  the  sea."  He  came  to  Hornellsville  in 
1881,  and  is  at  present  an  employee  of  the  L.  E.  &  W.  R.  R. 

Schmoker,  Adolphus,  was  born  in  Switzerland,  April  16,  1856,  son  of  C.  and  Mar- 
garet Schmoker  of  Keuka.  Mr.  Schmoker  came  to  America  in  1880,  settled  at  Ham- 
mondsport, and  was  with  his  uncle  in  a  hotel  for  a  time.  In  1881  he  married  Louise 
M.,  daughter  of  John  Bergine  of  Switzerland.  Mr.  Schmoker  came  to  Keuka,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  vineyard  business,  and  in  1895  he  erected  the  Helvetia  House,  and 
is  also  engaged  in  the  wine  business.  He  is  a  member  of  Lamoka  Lodge,  No.  463, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Hammondsport  Lodge,  No.  584,  I.  O.  O.  F. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  313 

Thompson,  George,  was  born  in  North  Stonington,  Conn.,  May  10,  1821,  and  is 
the  oldest  of  twelve  children  born  to  Robert  and  Esther  (Slocum)  Thompson,  of 
North  Stonington,  Conn.,  who  came  to  Chenango  county,  thence  to  Steuben  county, 
and  settled  in  Tuscarora  about  1833.  He  died  May  20,  1874,  and  his  wife  in  1827. 
George  Thompson  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  has  since  followed  farming,  bridge 
building  aud  lumbering.  In  1865  he  went  to  Illinois,  where  he  remained  three  years. 
In  1870  he  bought  a  farm  in  Tuscarora  and  in  1892  sold  it  to  his  brother,  but  still 
oversees  it.  In  1869  he  married  Lucy,  daughter  of  Allen  and  Sally  (Hickey)  Beards- 
ley,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Sylvester,  who  was  born  February  14,  1872;  and 
Nellie,  who  was  born  August  9,  1875.  His  father,  Robert  Thompson,  was  married 
three  times ;  he  had  two  children  by  his  first  wife,  five  by  his  second  and  five  by  the 
third. 

Barnard,  F.  E.,  of  Corning,  Steuben  county,  N,  Y.,  son  of  C.  D.  Barnard,  whose 
sketch  is  given  elsewhere,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Caton  in  1857,  and  resides  on  the 
old  home  place.  He  has  followed  lumbering  and  farming  all  his  life.  In  1880  he 
married  Libbie  Cass,  a  native  of  Troy,  Pa.,  who  died  in  1894.  He  has  two  children: 
Ray  and  Claire. 

Brace,  William  H.,  was  born  in  Tompkins  county  in  1820.  When  eight  years  old 
he  moved  to  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  and  from  there  to  Chemung  county  two  years  later. 
In  1843  he  married  Lucretia  Whitney,  also  a  native  of  Tompkins  county,  and  they 
moved  to  Steuben  county  in  1850.  In  1852  they  came  to  their  present  farm  in  Caton, 
which  consists  of  112  acres.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Co.  D,  141st  New  York  Vols., 
serving  six  months,  being  confined  in  the  hospital  most  of  the  time.  They  have  two 
sons:  James  W.,  and  Augustus  J.  He  has  filled  the  offices  of  constable,  collector, 
and  poormaster. 

Barnard,  C.  D.,  was  born  in  Otsego  county,  in  1828,  son  of  Frederick  Barnard, 
and  a  brother  of  the  late  George  A.  Barnard.  He  remained  on  the  home  farm  till  he 
was  married  in  1855  to  Mary  Jane  Gorton,  a  native  of  the  town  of  Corning,  and  a 
sister  of  Rufus  Gorton.  He  moved  to  his  present  place  about  five  years  later,  and 
has  been  engaged  in  the  saw  mill  and  lumbering  business  connected  with  farming 
ever  since.  He  has  a  farm  of  200  acres,  and  makes  a  specialty  of  dairying.  He  has 
five  children :  F.  E. ,  who  resides  on  the  old  Barnard  homestead,  Alice,  wife  of  John 
Wellman,  Emma,  wife  of  John  Griswold,  Edgar,  and  Lewis. 

Bowen,  Juliza  C,  was  born  October  1,  1839.  Her  father,  Henry  Cotton,  was  born 
in  Washington  county,  N.  Y.,  June  20,  1798.  He  owned  168  acres  of  land,  and  dealt 
in  stock,  but  his  principal  business  was  farming,  and  to  such  men  is  due  the  credit 
of  making  Steuben  county  what  it  is  to-day.  He  died  in  1885.  He  married  Almira, 
daughter  of  Daniel  Martin,  who  was  born  in  Hartford,  Washington  county,  by  whom 
he  had  five  children:  Silas,  who  was  born  January  7,  1822;  Lydia  Ann,  who  was 
born  November  8,  1827;  Samuel  S.,  who  was  born  September  20,  1831:  Daniel,  who 
was  born  August  16,  1837 ;  and  Juliza,  as  above,  who  was  educated  in  the  Rogers- 
ville  Seminary,  and  has  taught  school  for  a  number  of  terms.  February  17,  1859,  she 
married  William  H.  Bowen,  who  was  born  in  South  Dansville,  Steuben  county,  De- 
cember 14,  1838,  and  died  October  7,  1884.  He  purchased  a  farm  of  150  acres  where 
his  wife  now  resides,  and  was  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Fremont  two  years,  also  as- 


314  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

sessor  for  a  number  of  terms.  They  had  eleven  children  ;  Alice  E.,  born  January  5, 
1860;  Elsie  R.,  born  October  2,  18(52;  Ira  C,  born  April  26,  1864;  James  H.,  born 
January  17,  1866;  William  M.,  born  September  27,  1868,  and  died  December  14, 
1884;  May  J.,  born  May  11,  1870,  and  died  April  11,  1880;  Zina  C,  born  June  1, 
1871;  Frank,  deceased;  Elroy,  born  August  22,  1874;  Fred  J.,  born  March  22,  1887; 
and  Glen  L,  born  April  26,  1882.  James  H.  is  the  pastor  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist 
church  of  which  his  mother  is  a  member.  He  married  Philinda  Sprague  July  20, 
1892.  Elsie  R.  married  George  Silsbury,  May  12,  1886.  Four  of  the  children  are 
teachers,  and  the  rest  are  going  to  school  and  attending  to  the  farm. 

Buck,  Charles  Albert. — His  grandfather,  John  A.  Buck,  was  one  of  the  first  set- 
tlers of  Fremont,  coming  there  about  1812,  and  died  at  Hornellsville,  N.  Y.,  at  the 
age  of  ninety-two  years.  Charles  E.  Buck  was  born  in  Fremont  in  1818,  being  the 
first  male  child  born  in  that  town,  and  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  married  Sarah 
Patchin,  who  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wayland  in  1807,  and  three  children  were 
born  to  them:  Walter,  Charles  Albert,  as  above,  and .  Mrs.  Buck  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  church,  and  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years.  Mr.  Buck  died 
in  the  town  of  Fremont,  March  23,  1863.  Charles  Albert  was  born  March  20.  1851, 
educated  at  the  Rogersville  Union  Seminary,  and  was  a  carpenter  by  trade  for  about 
five  years,  but  has  since  followed  farming,  owning  a  farm  of  300  acres  about  one  half 
mile  from  Big  Creek.  He  is  master  of  the  Big  Creek  Grange,  No.  324.  December 
30,  1874,  Mr.  Buck  married  Chloe  M.,  daughter  of  George  M.  Frankhn,  of  the  town 
of  Howard.  She  was  born  September  2,  1854,  and  has  a  good  common  school  edu-* 
cation,  is  a  doctress  in  Hornellsville.  Call  C.  M.  Buck.  Faith  Medium  Healer,  office 
No.  5  Bennett  street,  Hornellsville.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Buck  are  the  parents  of  three 
children:  Dora  May,  born  October  24,  1879;  George  A.,  born  August  30,  1882,  died 
September  23,  1886;  and  Murtil,  born  February  2.  1892,  who  died  in  infancy.  They 
have  adopted  two  children:  Ida  May  Johnson,  born  February  2,  1878,  and  Clare  Earl 
Johnson,  born  June  16,  1881. 

Babcock  Stanton  C,  was  born  January  4,  1858.  His  grandfather  was  of  Engli.sh 
stock,  and  was  born  in  Rhode  Island,  and  died  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  The  father  of  our 
subject  was  born  July  20,  1817.  He  had  a  good  common  school  education,  and  was 
a  farmer  and  carpenter  by  occupation.  He  has  held  the  office  of  highway  commis- 
sioner, also  of  collector  of  the  town  of  Hornellsville.  He  is  a  member  of  Stephens 
Mills  Grange,  No.  308.  In  1837  he  married  Ruth  Phillips,  who  was  born  in  Cohocton 
Valley.  August  18,  1819,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Ester  Jane,  who  died  in  in- 
fancy; Maryette  Kelley,  who  was  born  November  27.  1841 ;  Harriet  Lowell,  who  was 
born  April  5.  1844;  William  W.,  who  was  born  May  21,  1849;  Edwin  P..  who  was 
born  August  12,  1851 ;  and  Stanton,  as  above,  who  was  educated  at  Painted  Post. 
He  has  been  selling  machinery  on  the  road,  and  has  always  been  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, and  owns  a  farm  of  155  acres.  He  has  been  pathmaster  and  trustee  of  district 
No.  8,  town  of  Fremont,  and  clerk  of  the  same  distjict.  He  is  a  member  of  the  F.  & 
A.  M.,  No.  478,  of  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  also  a  member  of  Stephens  Mills  Grange,  No. 
308.  At  Canisteo,  N.  Y.,  November  24,  1881,  he  married  Mary  M.  Acomb,  who  was 
born  in  South  Dansville.  December  27,  1855.  by  whom  he  had  one  child:  Harrison 
Lee.  who  was  born  September  20,  1887.  Mrs.  Babcock' s  father,  Thomas  Acomb. 
was  born  in  England,  and  came  to  this  country  when  five  years  of  age. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  '  315 

Blades,  Dr.  John  W.,  was  born  in  Naples,  Ontario  county,  N.  Y.,  September  14, 
1855,  son  of  Rev.  J.  H.  and  Ellen  (Woodin)  Blades,  he  a  native  of  Yorkshire,  Eng- 
land, and  she  of  Dutchess  county,  N.  Y.  Her  father  came  from  England  in  an  early 
day  and  lived  and  died  in  Dutchess  county,  N.  Y.  J.  H.  Blades,  father  of  John  W., 
was  educated  in  Edmburgh,  Scotland,  after  which  he  entered  the  Methodist  ministry 
and  preached  three  years  in  England.  In  1853  he  came  to  Wayne  county,  N.  Y., 
and  entered  the  East  Genesee  Conference,  and  remained  in  the  ministry  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  April  11,  1891.  His  wife  died  in  January,  1863.  John  W. 
Blades  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Addison  Academy,  after  which  he 
read  medicine  with  Dr.  John  Mitchell,  of  Addison,  and  was  graduated  from  the 
medical  department  of  the  University  of  New  York  in  1881,  and  began  the  practice 
of  his  profession  in  Canisteo,  N.  Y.  He  was  in  Greenwood  for  six  years,  and  Janu- 
ary 1,  1894,  came  to  Cameron  Mills,  where  he  had  a  very  successful  practice.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Hornellsville  Medical  Association  and  Tioga  County  Medical  Asso- 
ciation, and  was  elected  State  Board  of  Health  officer  for  Rathbone  and  Thurston, 
Steuben  county,  N.  Y.  He  is  a  member  of  Cameron  Mills  Lodge,  No.  547,  F.  &  A. 
M.  April  14,  1880,  he  married  Emma  M.  Merritt,  of  Lindley,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y., 
by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Katie  G.,  and  Glenn  M.  In  1880  he  received  a  di- 
ploma from  Prof.  J.  W.  Wright,  as  operative  surgeon,  and  in  1881  he  also  received 
a  diploma  from  William  H.  Thompson,  on  semeiology  and  physical  diagnosis  of 
diseases. 

^  Beckwith,  James  T.,  was  born  in  Bath,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  June  28,  1841,  son 
of  Amasa  B.  and  Martha  C.  (Thomson)  Beckwith,  he  a  native  of  Connecticut,  born 
March  17,  1808,  and  she  born  January  28,  1815.  The  grandfather,  Amasa  Beckwith, 
was  born  in  Connecticut  and  came  to  Pennsylvania,  thence  to  Bath  about  1814, 
where  he  died  in  1833.  He  inarried  Fanny  Simonds,  who  died  December  6,  1851, 
by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Elijah,  who  died  in  Hornellsville,  April  1,  1881; 
Amasa  B.,  father  of  James  T.  ;  George  W.,  who  died  in  Bath,  December  23.  1835; 
Philance  T.,  who  died  in  Bath  October  5,  1850;  Azilla  J.,  who  died  in  Prattsburg, 
December  6,  1831;  Caroline  M.,  who  was  born  in  Bath,  February  18,  1825,  wdfe  of 
James  Webster,  of  Tioga  county,  N.  Y.,  and  had  two  children:  Gilbert  E.  and  Fan- 
nie D.  Mr.  Webster  died  October  1,  1851,  aged  thirty-four  years,  and  Mrs.  Webster 
married  Merritt  Island,  who  died  in  March,  1892;  and  Samuel  S.,  who  was  born  in 
Steuben  county,  m  1811,  and  died  in  St.  Lawrence  county,  September  22,  1857. 
Amasa  B.  Beckwith  was  a  miller,  and  built  the  Eagle  Mills  of  Bath,  which  he  sold  in 
1866,  and  came  to  Cameron>  Mills  where  he  engaged  in  the  milling  business,  and 
where  he  died  June  11,  1874.  His  widow  now  lives  in  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  and  is 
eighty  years  of  age.  James  T.  Beckwith  was  reared  a  miller  and  educated  in  the 
common  schools,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming  and  milling,  and  owns  110  acres 
of  land  and  the  Cameron  Mills.  He  is  a  member  of  Bath  Lodge,  No.  112,  F.  &  A.  M., 
Bath  Chapter,  No.  ho,  R.  A.  M.,  and  Commandery  of  Hornellsville.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  R.  M.,  of  Cameron  Mills,  No.  56,  and  the  Farmers'  AUiance.  Oc- 
tober 20,  1864,  he  married  Mary  Island,  a  native  of  Tioga  county,  N.  Y.,  and  daugh- 
ter of  Merritt  and  Mary  (Ingersoll)  Island,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children :  Guy, 
who  was  born  December  21,  1865,  and  resides  at  Cameron  Mills;  Charles  M.,  who 
was  born  November  25,  1867,  and  resides  at  Grand  Rapids;  one  who  died  in  infancy; 


316  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Maud,  who  was  born  September  19,  1871 ;  James,  who  was  born  July  19,  1873,  and 
died  April  16,  1875;  Harry,  who  was  born  November  1,  1874,  and  died  April  16,  1875; 
and  Helen  C,  who  was  born  September  15,  1883,  and  died  August  21,  1885.  June 
18,  1886,  Guy  Beckwith  married  Grace  Brady,  of  Cameron,  and  they  had  one  child, 
Leroy,  born  in  1887,  who  was  drowned  in  Canisteo  River  August  13,  1892. 

Ainsworth,  H.  R.,  M.D.,  was  born  in  Erieville,  Madison  county,  N.  Y.,  September 
29,  1841.  Soranus  Ainsworth,  his  father,  was  born  at  Cazenovia,  and  the  ancestry 
of  this  noted  family  may  be  traced  back  to  England  and  to  as  early  date  as  the  thir- 
teenth century.  The  great-great-grandfather,  whose  sons  were  active  participants 
in  the  Revolution,  was  a  pioneer  of  the  famous  old  town  of  Woodstock,  Conn.  Abial 
Ainsworth,  grandfather  of  H.  R.  Ainsworth,  was  a  posthumous  child,  his  father. 
Colonel  Nathan  Ainsworth,  having  died  a  prisoner  in  the  hands  of  the  British  previous 
to  Abial' s  birth.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  New  Woodstock,  N.  Y.,  in  1804, 
naming  the  settlement  from  the  dear  old  place  they  had  left  behind.  After  a  year 
had  passed,  he  was  filled  with  a  desire  to  visit  the  old  home,  and,  as  railroad  facilities 
and  steamboat  navigation  were  then  unknown  luxuries,  the  journey  was  accomplished 
on  foot,  through  forests,  across  streams,  and  amid  perilous  surroundings,  made  more 
dangerous  still  by  the  ever  lurking  savage,  but  all  of  which  is  indicative  of  the  strong 
physique  and  energy  of  the  man.  Mrs.  Ainsworth,  mother  of  H.  R.,  was  Caroline 
Hawkins  of  Virgil,  Cortland  county,  and  was  also  a  descendant  of  an  old  Connecticut 
family  near  New  Haven.  Soranus  Ainsworth,  a  Baptist  minister,  died  in  1888,  his 
death  being  earned  by  exposure  to  the  cold  weather  of  January  of  the  same  year,  at 
which  time  he  was  called  to  Truxton,  N.  Y.,  to  officiate  at  the  marriage  of  a  lady 
whose  father  and  mother  he  had  married,  also  the  grandfather  and  grandmother, 
making  three  generations  he  had  united  in  wedlock.  Dr.  Ainsworth  began  his  edu- 
cation at  Erieville,  Madison  county,  and  his  study  of  medicine  was  begun  in  1862  at 
Truxton,  Cortland  county,  in  Drs.  Newcome's  and  Nelson's  office.  In  1866  he  grad- 
uated from  the  University  of  the  City  of  New  York,  and  although  a  general  practi- 
tioner, he  has  a  leaning  toward  specialism  in  ocular  complaints.  His  career  has  been 
one  of  steady  advancement,  and  he  has  the  confidence,  not  only  of  the  citizens  of  his 
own  town,  but  of  adjoining  towns  as  well. 

Aldrich,  Loren  B. ,  was  born  in  1834,  at  Plymouth,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  son  of 
E.  A.  Aldrich,  who  was  a  farmer  of  Rhode  Island  birth,  and  at  his  death  in  1883  left 
nine  children,  of  whom  four  are  now  deceased.  At  an  early  age  Mr.  Aldrich  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  sash,  doors,  and  blinds,  which  was  for  a  long  time  the 
leading  industry  of  Addison,  and  with  which  he  has  been  connected  for  forty  years, 
as  an  expert  mechanic  and  contractor.  Among  the  Masonic  fraternity  he  holds  the 
highest  rank,  being  a  member  of  Corning  Consistory,  St.  Omer's  Commandery,  and 
a  knight  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  He  is  also  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  a  member  of  various 
other  benevolent  and  social  organizations.  In  local  government  Mr.  Aldrich  has 
long  taken  a  leading  part,  being  village  trustee  for  eight  years,  president  for  two 
years,  and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education  for  twenty  years.  He  married  Hul- 
dah  Houghtaling,  who  died  in  1893,  leaving  one  daughter,  Erminie,  the  wife  of  Jacob 
Bochnewetch,  of  Silver  Creek,  N.  Y.,  who  has  one  son  Harry,  who  is  six  years  of 
age.  Another  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Aldrich,  named  Carmitia,  died  when  four 
years  old. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  317 

Barron,  Dr.  William  E.  was  born  in  Addison,  Steuben  county,  in  1866.  William 
P.  Barron,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  and  came  to  Addison  m  1840, 
He  was  a  farmer  and  river  pilot,  and  married  Matilda  Jennings,  a  member  of  the 
well-known  pioneer  family.  William  E.  Barron  began  the  study  of  medicine  at  Bal- 
timore, Md.,  and  graduated  from  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  in  1891, 
and  began  practice  in  his  native  town,  where  he  has  won  high  esteem  and  honor. 
December  24,  1892,  he  married  Julia  Blakeslee,  whose  father,  the  well-known  edu- 
cator, was  at  that  time  a  professor  m  Alfred  Universitj'-,  and  now  principal  of  Addi- 
son Academy.     They  have  one  daughter,  Dorothy,  who  was  born  in  1893. 

Bliss,  Frank,  is  of  English  ancestry,  and  the  sole  survivor  of  five  children  of  Will- 
ard  A.  Bliss,  who  was  born  in  Leyden,  Mass.,  in  1817.  His  father  moved  to  Truxton 
in  1822,  and  to  Addison  in  1847.  Willard  Bliss  was  a  sash  and  blind  manufacturer, 
but  on  account  of  ill-health,  spent  his  last  years  as  a  farmer  and  real  estate  dealer. 
He  married  Sarah  A.  Space,  who  now  survives  him  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
three  years.  Frank  Bliss  has  always  been  a  sash,  blind  and  door  manufacturer,  and 
has  large  business  interests  in  Buffalo,  where  he  lived  for  ten  years.  Here  he  is 
attending  large  real  estate  and  farming  interests,  owning  200  acres  of  choice  land 
east  of  the  village,  where  he  makes  a  specialty  of  tobacco.  In  1873  he  married  Delia 
A.  Slater  of  Dunkirk,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Bliss  was  in  early  years  an  adherent  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  but  has  recently  declared  allegiance  to  Republican  principles,  and  is 
now  on  the  Board  of  Excise.  He  is  a  supporter  of  the  Presbj^terian  church,  and 
helps  sustain  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 

Bartlett,  James,  was  born  in  Yates  count}',  August  4,  1845,  son  of  Silas,  who  was 
born  in  the  same  county.  Silas  Bartlett  followed  farming  the  most  of  his  life.  He 
married  Hannah  Barton,  of  Livingston  county,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Mor- 
ris, James,  Clinton,  and  Warren.  James  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of 
Yates  county,  then  removed  to  Steuben  county,  settling  first  in  Prattsburg,  where 
he  lived  about  sixteen  years,  then  came  to  Avoca,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He 
is  engaged  in  farming  and  owns  a  farm  of  179  acres,  about  two-thirds  of  which  is  im- 
proved Mr.  Bartlett' s  first  wife  was  Martha,  daughter  of  Henry  Barker,  of  Yates 
county,  by  whom  he  had  five  children;  Morris,  Frank,  William,  Carrie,  and  Nettie. 
His  present  wife  was  Helen,  daughter  of  Luther  Wheeler,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of 
Prattsburg.  They  have  one  son,  Charles.  Mr.  Bartlett  has  held  the  office  of  high- 
way commis-^ioner  in  Avoca.  January  18,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  the  22d  New  York 
Cavalry,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is  a  member  of  Morey  Post  G. 
A.  R.  No.  507,  and  of  the  Masonic  Lodge  No.  673. 

Billings,  Oscar,  was  born  in  Wheeler,  September  7,  1858.  Albert  Billings,  his 
father,  was  born  in  Washington  county,  N.  Y.,  and  came  to  Wheeler  about  1854, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  married  Elmira  Clop  of  Washington  county,  by 
whom  he  had  nine  children.  Oscar  Billings  was  educated  in  Wheeler,  after  which 
he  engaged  in  farming  which  he  followed  up  to  1889,  and  since  that  time  has  devoted 
his  time  to  milling,  under  the  firm  name  of  Billings,  Beale  &•  Co.,  running  a  grist  mill 
in  Avoca,  and  which  business  he  still  follows.  He  married  Emma,  daughter  of 
Harry  Fox,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Walter  S.,  Lulu  E.,  Warren  E.,  Lillie, 
and  Ora.  Mr.  Billings  is  at  present  trustee  of  the  village,  and  member  of  Avoca 
Lodge  of  L  O.  O.  F.,  No.  538. 


318  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Andrus.  Jacob  S.,  was  born  in  Woodhull,  N.  Y.,  December  31,  1850,  son  of  Lewis 
and  Rebecca  J.  (Stuart)  Andrus,  he  born  October  25,  1819,  and  she  born  in  Barring- 
ton,  N.  Y.,  December  24,  1823,  and  were  married  November  10,  1842.  Mr.  Andrus 
came  to  Woodhull  when  a  boy  with  his  parents,  where  he  still  resides.  His  wife  died 
September  28,  1893.  Jacob  S.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common 
schools,  and  has  since  followed  farming.  In  187B  he  capie  to  Tuscarora,  and  in  1879 
settled  on  the  farm  of  128  acres  which  he  now  owns.  In  1874  he  married  Annie  M., 
daughter  of  James  and  Mary  (Merring)  Moore,  who  settled  in  Rathbone  in  1855, 
where  he  died  in  1884  and  his  wife  in  1890.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Andrus  have  one  daughter, 
Edith  M.,  who  was  born  November  20,  1879.  Mr.  Andrus  is  a  member  of  Freeman 
Tent,  K.  O.  T.  M. 

Baxter,  Harry,  was  born  in  Tuscai'ora,  N.  Y.,  October  28,  1844,  son  of  Calvin  and 
Phoebe  (Williams)  Baxter,  natives  of  Smithville,  and  Oxford,  N.  Y. ,  respectively,  he 
born  June  13,  1822,  and  she  August  14,  1824.  Mr.  Baxter  came  to  Tuscarora  when 
about  two  years  of  age,  where  he  has  since  resided,  with  the  exception  of  about 
eighteen  years  which  he  spent  in  Nelson,  Tioga  county,  Pa.  He  was  a  Republican 
in  politics  and  was  assessor  and  highway  commissioner.  He  died  February  17,  1886, 
and  his  wdfe,  November  18,  1877.  Harry  Baxter  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated 
in  the  common  schools  and  graded  schools  of  Nelson,  Pa.  He  followed  farming 
until  in  April,  1872,  when  he  went  to  Nelson  and  engaged  in  buying  and  shipping 
grain  and  produce,  and  in  selling  agricultural  implements,  where  he  remained  until 

1881.  He  was  also  in  the  grocery  business  one  year  and  was  postmaster  one  year. 
He  was  constable  and  collector  for  about  three  years,  and  October  11,  1881,  was  ap- 
pointed deputy  sheriff  and  also  had  charge  of  the  jail.  January  1,  1883,  he  was 
elected  sheriff  of  the  county  by  the  Republican  party,  and  served  one  term.  He  then 
returned  to  Nelson  and  continued  in  business  until  1891,  when  he  returned  to  the 
farm  where  he  now  resides.  He  is  a  member  of  Nelson  Lodge,  No.  434,  I.  O.  O.  F., 
which  he  joined  when  it  was  organized.  He  married  Maria  Smith  of  Nelson,  by 
whom  he  had  four  children:  Portus,  Ernest  C,  May  and  Dewitt,  who  died  at  eleven 
months  of  age.  The  grandfather,  Ira  Baxter,  was  born  in  Connecticut  and  came  to 
Tuscarora  about  1823.  He  married  Betsey  Manley,  who  was  born  in  Connecticut, 
daughter  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Davenport)  Manley,  who  came  to  Tuscarora  about 
1827,  where  they  died. 

Beers,  George  G.,  was  born  in  Tuscarora,  N.  Y.,  February  25,  1854,  son  of  Dennis 
and  Nancy  (Sprague)  Beers,  natives  of  Tuscarora,  he  born  August  6,  1829,  and  she, 
July  16,  1832.  Dennis  Beers  sold  the  homestead  and  then  bought  the  farm  where  he 
died  June  11,  1892,  and  where  his  son  now  resides.  He  was  a  farmer  and  owned 
168  acres  of  land.  George  G.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common 
schools  and  Woodhull  Academy.  He  was  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Addison  Hill 
for  two  years,  but  is  now  engaged  in  farming,  and  owns  fifty  acres  of  land.  He  is  a 
Prohibitionist  in  politics,  and  has  been  assessor  two  years.  In  1874  he  married  Anice 
L.,  daughter  of  Philip  Perkins,  of  Tuscarora,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  two  children: 
Coral,  who  was  born  September  18,  1880;  and  Raymond,  who  was  born  August  15, 

1882.  The  mother  of  George  G.  was  a  daughter  of  Amos  and  Polly  (Getman) 
Sprague,  he  born  in  Vermont  in  1801,  and  she,  in  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1806. 
They  came  to  Tuscarora  in  an  early  day  where  they  died,  he  April  14,  1882,  and  she, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  319 

October  15,  1861.  Philip  Perkins,  father  of  Mrs.  Beers,  was  born  in  Canada,  March 
13,  1820,  and  in  1852  he  came  to  Tuscarora,  where  he  now  resides.  In  1846  he  mar- 
ried Susan  A.,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Jane  (Vroman)  Rathbone,  earlj^  settlers  of 
Tioga  county.  Pa.,  by  whom  he  had  twelve  children:  Wallace,  Lovina  A.,  John  G., 
Nancy  I.,  Anice  L.,  Mary  A.,  Susan  A.,  Sarah  E.,  Philip  E.,  Nellie  J.,  Delia  A., 
and  Samuel  R. 

Beers,  Christopher  S.,  was  born  in  Tuscarora,  N.Y.,  May  13,  1850,  son  of  Asel  and 
Betsey  (Homorcker)  Beers,  he  a  native  of  Connecticut,  who  came  to  Tuscarora  about 
1826,  thence  to  Indiana  in  1858,  where  they  died.  Christopher  S.  was  reared  on  a 
farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  has  since  followed  farming,  and  now 
owns  a  farm  of  129  acres.  He  returned  to  New  York  when  twenty-seven  years  of 
age,  where  he  has  since  lived.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  is  a  member  of 
Addison  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.  In  1876  he  married  Susan,  daughter  Philip  Perkins  of 
Tuscarora,  by  whom  he  had  four  children :  Arthur,  Loren,  Howard,  and  Gilbert. 

Bates,  Daniel,  was  born  in  the  Provmce  of  Quebec,  September  19,  1817,  son  of 
Cyrus  and  Hannah  (Webster)  Bates,  natives  of  Connecticut  and  New  Hampshire,  re- 
spectively. He  died  in  Otsego  county  in  1840,  and  she  in  Woodhull,  N.  Y.  Daniel 
Bates  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  has  since  fol- 
lowed farming  and  coopering.  In  1853  he  came  to  Steuben  county,  where  he  owns 
119  acres  of  land.  In  1843  he  married  Amy  Northrup,  by  whom  he  had  eight  chil- 
dren, six  of  whom  grew  to  maturity.  His  second  wife  was  Harriet  Church,  by  whom 
he  had  three  children.  The  great-grandfather  was  born  on  the  ocean  and  lived  to  be 
104  years  of  age. 

Brown,  Perry,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Westfield,  Pa.,  August  23,  1850.  George 
S.  Brown,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  came  to  Pennsylvania  at  an 
early  date  where  he  purchased  and  cleared  100  acres  of  land  and  worked  as  a  farmer. 
He  married  Fannie  Atwood,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Emily,  Orcelia,  Dell, 
Perry,  Willie,  and  Milo.  Perry  Brown  is  a  farmer,  owning  a  farm  of  270  acres,  and 
deals  largely  in  cattle,  sheep,  etc.,  he  also  owns  another  farm  of  131  acres,  and  is  a 
man  of  great  business  ability  and  high  standing  in  the  community  where  he  resides. 
He  married  Almo,  daughter  of  Robert  Gunderman,  by  whom  he  had  two  children, 
Eva  and  Lillian.     He  is  a  member  of  Mountain  Lodge,  No.  503,  I.  O.  O.  F. 

Bowles,  Thomas  W.,  w^as  born  in  Norfolk,  England,  August  29,  1835.  George 
Bowles,  his  father,  came  to  the  United  States  in  1845,  and  rirst  settled  in  Seneca 
county,  where  he  remained  for  two  years  and  then  went  to  Clyde  for  three  years, 
and  from  there  to  Rose  Valley,  Wayne  county,  where  he  remained  twenty  years, 
and  engaged  in  farming-  He  came  to  Steuben  county  where  he  carried  on  the  lum- 
ber business,  and  died  in  1885,   aged  seventy-four  years.     He  married  Alice , 

by  whom  he  had  thirteen  children.  Thomas  W.  was  educated  in  the  district  schools 
in  Seneca  county,  and  is  one  of  the  leading  lumbermen  of  the  town.  He  married 
Mary  J.,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Eliza  Rodman,  by  whom  he  had  two  children, 
Jennie  F.  and  Frederick  L.  Mr.  Bowles  runs  two  steam  saw  mills  turning  out  one 
million  feet  of  lumber  per  year. 

Bertron,  F.  M.,  was  born  in  Canisteo,  June  3,  1856.  He  began  his  education  in 
the  district  schools  and  finished  at  the  Ontario  Veterinary  College,   from  which  he 


320  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

graduated.  He  served  three  years  with  his  father  learning  the  blacksmith's  trade, 
which  busines  he  has  conducted  in  the  village  since  1883.  In  1883  Mr.  Bertron  mai'- 
ried  Hannah  M.  Dickmire. 

Bardeen,  Charles  E.,  was  born  in  Fremont,  March  18,  1855.  Ezra  Bardeen,  his 
father,  is  also  a  native  of  this  State,  born  in  Yates  county,  and  married  Mary  Madison 
of  the  same  county  by  whom  he  had  three  children.  Charles  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  and  has  improved  it  by  study  and  reading.  He  remained  with  his 
father  on  the  farm  until  November,  1892,  when  he  located  in  this  city,  establishing 
a  lumber  yard  at  the  east  end  and  the  next  season  built  a  planing  mill  and  box 
factory,  employing  about  ten  men,  and  did  a  very  successful  business  until  the  23d 
of  April,  1895,  when  it  was  destroyed  by  fire.  January  15,  1894,  Mr.  Bardeen  estab- 
lished a  coal  and  wood  yard  and  it  has  proved  a  great  success.  The  spring  of  1895, 
the  firm  of  Smedly,  Bardeen  &  Smedley  was  established  as  a  stock  company,  with  a 
capital  of  §12,000  for  the  purpose  of  manufacturing  silk  gloves  and  mitts.  He  has 
also  two  saw  mills,  a  portable  mill  and  one  at  his  timber  lot  near  Canisteo  station, 
which  supplies  his  lumber  and  also  wood  for  the  j'ear.  Mr.  Bardeen  is  a  member  of 
the  Knights  of  the  Maccabees.  May  3,  1878,  he  married  Cora  Belle,  daughter  of  John 
Shattuck,  a  farmer  of  Fremont. 

Bennett,  Omer,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  November  22,  1838.  Benjamin, 
his  father,  came  with  his  father,  Jacob  Bennett,  from  Vermont  in  1809,  when  he  was 
nine  years  of  age,  who  took  up  a  tract  of  160  acres  north  of  Howard.  This  land  was 
in  the  normal  condition  and  the  timber  land  was  cleared  by  Mr.  Bennett  and  his  sons. 
Mr.  Bennett  was  married  three  times  and  had  four  sons  and  four  daughters.  Benjamin 
always  followed  farming,  and  late  in  life  bought  the  old  homestead  and  died  there 
in  1865.  He  was  a  Democrat  until  the  foundation  of  the  Know  Nothing  party  and 
afterward  a  Republican.  The  mother  of  Omer,  Mary  A.  Armstrong,  was  a  daughter 
of  a  Cayuga  county  family,  who  trace  their  ancestry  to  Vermont,  and  a  descendant 
of  Ethan  Allen,  three  generations  removed.  Mrs.  Bennett  died  in  May,  1894,  eighty- 
five  years  of  age.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  all  living  but  one.  Omer, 
the  youngest  son,  waseducated  in  the  common  schools  and  Prattsburg  Academy,  and 
followed  farming  from  his  twentieth  year  until  the  fall  of  1864.  September  of  that 
year  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  142d  Regiment,  New  York  Volunteers,  was 
wounded  at  Fort  Fisher,  January  15,  1865,  and  was  discharged  the  last  of  May,  1865. 
He  returned  to  the  farm  and  in  1868  he  built  the  first  cheese  factory  at  Like's  Cor- 
ners in  partnership  with  Lewis  and  Hiram  Spaulding.  The  next  year  he  sold  his  in- 
terest in  the  company  and  built  a  factory  south  of  the  village  which  he  conducted  for 
eight  years.  In  the  meantime,  he  and  Van  Parsons  erected  what  was  called  Bennett 
&  Parsons  factory  near  the  village  and  also  one  at  Fowlerville  and  then  was  the 
proprietor  of  a  factory  and  creamery  at  Big  Flats,  conducting  all  of  them  at  the 
same  time.  He  also  built  a  factory  in  the  town  of  Dansville,  in  :887  he  sold  his  in- 
terest and  in  1878  took  it  back  and  in  connection  with  it  erected  a  saw  mill,  planing 
mill,  and  grist  mill.  In  1882  the  property  was  destroyed  by  fire,  but  in  sixty  days 
had  the  whole  machinery  running  again.  He  conducted  it  two  years  longer,  and 
then  let  it  to  his  nephews.  He  has  always  been  the  owner  of  farm  lands  and  in  1886 
he  bought  a  farm  of  126  acres  and  later  eighty-.seven  acres,  and  after  selling  a  small 
piece  he  has  now  about  two  hundred  acres  which  is  conducted  as  a  dairy  farm  with 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  321 

thirty-four  head  of  cattle  and  five  horses.  He  finds  a  market  for  the  product  in 
Hornellsville  and  Canisteo.  In  1893  he  bought  a  small  place  on  the  line  of  the  elec- 
tric railroad  and  erected  a  fine  home  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  that  year  made 
trustee  of  school  district  No.  4,  and  was  the  builder  of  the  model  school  building  of 
that  district.  In  December,  1858,  he  married  Victoria,  daughter  of  William  Wallace, 
a  farmer  of  Dansville.  An  adopted  daughter,  Blanche,  is  the  wife  of  William  Rowe, 
a  farmer  of  Hartsville. 

Berry,  Alvin  L.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  McDonough,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y., 
January  6,  1839,  son  of  Elijah  Berry,  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  who  came  to  New 
York  State  with  his  parents  when  only  a  lad.  He  always  followed  farming  and  in 
1850  came  to  Steuben  county,  first  locating  in  the  town  of  Erwin  where  he  remained 
three  years,  and  then  located  in  Burns,  Allegany  county,  for  three  years,  lived  in 
Hartsville,  and  then  settled  in  Almond.  He  diedin  1888.  Alvin  L.'s mother,  Eunice 
Lewis,  was  also  of  New  England  birth.  She  died  in  the  spring  of  1888.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Berry  were  the  parents  of  two'children  r  Ezra  D. ,  a  retired  farmer  and  insurance 
agent  of  Almond,  and  Alvin,  as  above,  who  was  given  a  good  common  school  edu- 
cation, and  became  a  farmer.  At  twenty-four  years  of  age  he  was  married,  and 
until  1892  followed  lumbering  winters  and  farming  summers.  In  1869  he  bought  a 
part  of  the  old  Dyke  farm  on  division  26,  consisting  of  forty-four  acres.  He  had  pre- 
viously owned  fifty  acres  in  the  town  of  Almond,  which  makes  him  one  of  the  finest 
farms  of  this  section,  the  principal  products  being  potatoes  and  dairy  products.  In 
connection  with  his  farming  in  1888  Mr.  Berry  began  the  dealing  in  coal,  and  now 
has  an  output  of  four  to  five  hundred  tons  per  year.  He  was  married  in  January,  1862, 
to  Adelia.  daughter  of  Elias  Hopkins,  and  they  have  two  children:  Eva  L.  and 
Clinton  D.,  a  stenographer  and  typewriter  with  Arbuckle  Bros.,  of  New  York  city. 

Boylan,  Harris  Bert,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Burns,  Allegany  county,  N.  Y.,  No- 
vember 8,  1857.  Benson  Boylan,  the  father  of  Bert,  was  also  a  native  of  Allegany 
county,  and  his  father,  Isaac,  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  that  county.  Benson 
died  in  1860  when  Bert  was  only  three  years  old.  The  latter  was  given  a  common 
school  education,  and  for  his  occupation  he  chose  that  of  his  ancestors,  farming.  His 
first  venture  for  himself  was  the  purchase  of  twenty-nine  and  one-half  acres  on  lot 
No.  16,  town  of  Hornellsville.  His  mother  had  moved  to  this  town  in  1872  and  lo- 
cated on  a  farm  there.  She  died  May  17, 1889.  Mr.  Boylan  conducted  the  Groveland 
farm  until  the  fall  of  1894  when  he  sold  and  bought  the  Loveland  farm  of  fifty  acres 
on  lot  No.  13,  on  which  he  now  conducts  a  dairy  farm  with  twelve  head  of  stock, 
finding  a  market  for  his  product  in  the  creamery  at  Hornellsville.  He  is  a  member 
of  Arkport  Grange,  No.  179,  and  a  supporter  of  church  and  school  work,  he  and  Mrs. 
Boylan  being  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Arkport.  November  3,  1881, 
he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Michael  Weber  of  Soiath  Dansville,  and  they  have  four 
children:  William  Llewelyn,  born  September  9,  1886;  LilHan  Maria,  born  August 
14,  1888;  Elbert  Levergne,  born  December  31,  1889;  and  Edith  Margarite,  born 
March  11,  1892. 

Castner,  Charles  A.,  was  born  in  WooduU,  N.  Y.,  October  9,  1865,  son  of  Isaac  H. 
and  Sarah  (Stroud)  Castner,  he  a  native  of  Harrington,  and  she  of  Woodhull.  The 
paternal  grandfather,  John  P.  Castner,  came  from  Canadice  to  Barrington,  thence  to 


322  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

Milo  about  1850,  where  he  died.  Isaac  H.  Castner  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  and 
worked  at  the  wagonmaker's  trade  in  WoodhuU.  In  1868  he  went  to  Milo,  and  in 
1880  to  Alta,  where  he  still  resides.  He  is  a  wagonmaker  and  an  insurance  agent. 
His  brother,  G.  R.  Castner,  died  in  the  rebel  prison  during  the  late  war.  Chailes  A. 
Castner  was  educated  at  Milo  and  Alta,  and  has  always  been  a  farmer.  He  now 
owns  a  farm  of  148  acres,  which  he  bought  in  1889.  He  deals  in  fertilizers  and  Cort- 
land buggies.  He  is  postmaster  at  Wayne  Four  Corners.  In  1886  he  married  Clara, 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Sarah  (Lake)  Hoover  of  Tyrone,  by  whom  he  had  three  chil- 
dren; Eva,  Clifford,  and  Clarence. 

Crean,  James,  was  born  in  County  Farry,  Ireland,  in  March,  1850.  Hugh  Crean, 
his  father,  was  born  in  the  same  place  in  1824,  one  of  six  children  born  to  James 
Crean.  Hugh  Crean  was  reared  a  farmer  and  came  to  Auburn,  N.Y.,  in  1874,  and  to 
Prattsburg  the  same  year,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  married  Margaret 
O'Donnell,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children:  James,  Kate  (wife  of  Charles  Kearns  of 
Austin,  Nev.),  Martin,  Margaret  (wife  of  Maurice  Scanlan  of  Burlington,  Mont.), 
Alex,  Ellen,  Mary,  Richard,  and  Anna.  His  wife  died  in  Ireland,  and  he  now  re- 
sides with  his  son  James,  who  has  always  followed  farming,  and  came  to  America 
and  to  Prattsburg  in  1875,  and  in  1883  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of  150  acres, 
where  he,  his  father  and  brothers,  Alex  and  Martin,  now  reside.  Martin  married 
Anna,  daughter  of  Patrick  Flaherty  of  Prattsburg. 

Caulkin,  J.  W.,  was  born  in  Bradford  county.  Pa.,  in  1833,  and  came  to  Corning, 
where  he  has  since  resided,  in  1845.  Friend  Caulkin,  his  father,  lived  and  died  at 
Gibson,  and  was  a  merchant  and  contractor.  J.  W.  Caulkin  followed  building  and 
general  contracting  until  1892,  since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming.  He 
is  serving  his  third  year  as  overseer  of  the  poor.  In  1866  he  married  Hannah  Rowley 
of  Corning. 

Cook,  A.  S.,  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  where  he  resided  until  1884,  being  engaged  a 
number  of  years  in  the  general  merchandise  business.  For  six  years  after  locating 
in  Corning  he  clerked,  and  in  January,  1889,  the  present  firm  of  Fletcher  &  Cook, 
furniture  dealers,  was  formed.  At  Prattsburg  he  was  foreman  of  the  Prattsburg 
Protectors,  master  of  the  Masonic  Lodge,  etc.  Benjamin  Cook,  his  father,  was  born 
at  Palatine,  Montgomery  county,  in  1807,  and  located  at  Prattsburg,  where  he  was 
widely  known,  highly  respected,  and  influential.     He  died  July  11,  1894. 

Campbell,  Martin  B.,  was  born  in  Warren  county.  Pa.,  November  5,  1863,  son  of 
Martin  and  Sarah  (Lesh)  Campbell,  he  a  native  of  Kinzua,  Warren  county,  Pa.,  born 
March  17,  1822,  and  she  of  Ontario  county,  N.Y.,  born  Augu.st  13,  1830.  The  grand- 
father, John  Campbell,  was  a  native  of  Lycoming  county,  Pa.,  and  spent  most  of 
his  days  in  Warren  county.  Pa.  The  maternal  grandfather,  Jacob  Lesh,  was  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  spent  his  days  in  Warren  county,  Pa.,  but  died  in  Mc- 
Kean  county,  Pa.  Martin  Campbell,  father  of  Martin  B.,  came  to  Jasper  in  1866, 
where  he  remained  twelve  years,  thence  to  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1885  returned  to 
Jasper  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  sold  the  farm  to  his  brother,  Robert  Camp- 
bell, who  now  lives  in  Kane,  Pa.  Martin  B.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in 
the  common  .schools,  after  which  he  engaged  in  the  milling  trade,  which  business  he 
followed  in  Bradford,    Pa.,   for  eight  years,  but  is  now  engaged  in  farming,  and  he 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  323 

and  his  father  own  163  acres  of  land.     He  is  a  member  of  Jasper  Tent,  K.  O.  T.  M., 
and  is  al.so  a  member  of  Jasper  Grange. 

Chatfield,  Ezra,  was  born  in  Sodus,  Wayne  county,  N.  Y.,  September  18,  1845,  son 
of  Ezra  and  Zippora  (Orton)  Chatfield,  he  a  native  of  Madistone,  Kent,  England, 
born  March  4,  1799,  and  she  of  Pulteney  N.  Y.,  born  March  2,  1816.  The  grand- 
father, William  Chatfield,  who  lived  and  died  in  England,  was  one  of  the  aid  de 
camps  of  William  the  Conqueror,  from  whom  this  name  descended.  Ezra  Chatfield, 
father  of  Ezra,  jr.,  hid  five  children,  and  by  a  previous  wife,  Elizabeth  Underwood, 
he  had  three  children.  He  came  to  Sodus,  N.  Y.,  in  1828,  thence  to  Jasper  in  1855, 
where  he  located  on  the  farm  of  Lemuel  June,  where  he  died  January  17,  1882,  and 
his  wife  September  15,  1886.  He  was  a  Baptist  minister  for  many  years.  Ezra 
Chatfield  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  by  home 
study.  He  was  a  lumberman  and  farmer  for  several  years,  was  in  partnership  with 
D.  C.  Hunter  four  years  in  Jasper,  and  in  1886  moved  on  to  the  farm  of  1:^4  acres  he 
now  owns,  where  he  follows  general  farming.  He  was  assessor  for  three  years,  and 
inspector  of  election  for  a  number  of  years,  and  is  now  serving  his  first  term  as 
supervisor  of  the  town.  He  is  a  member  of  E.  A.  U.  of  Jasper.  October  16,  1872, 
he  married  Mary  Walwrath  of  Cameron,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children;  K.  L.,  de- 
ceased; Bertha,  Ethel,  Lynn,  Pearl,  Burt,  and  Mabel. 

Cornell,  Hamilton,  was  born  in  West  Union,  April  4,  1868,  son  of  Egbert  and  Dor- 
leska  (Morey)  Cornell,  both  natives  of  West  Union,  where  they  now  live.  The  grand- 
father, Hamilton  Cornell,  was  a  native  of  Chatham,  and  an  early  settler  of  West 
Union,  who  now  resides  in  Jasper,  and  is  eighty  j'ears  of  age.  Egbert  Cornell,  father 
of  Hamilton,  is  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  Hamilton  was  reared  on  the  farm,  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools,  after  which  he  followed  farming,  and  now  owns  105 
acres  of  land.  August  22,  1889  he  married  Maggie  Kelley,  a  native  of  West  Union 
bj'  whom  he  had  one  son,  Lester.  The  familj'  is  related  to  the  founder  of  Cornell 
University. 

Clayson,  Robert  H.,  was  born  March  12,  1842.  His  grandfather,  Enoch  Clayson, 
was  born  in  Stamford,  Conn,  and  died  in  Westchester  county,  town  of  Bedford,  aged 
ninety-six  years.  He  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  enlisted  at  sixteen  vears  of 
age.  Lewis  Clayson ^  father  of  Robert  H.,  was  born  in  Bedford,  Westchester  county, 
N.  Y.,  in  1808.  His  brother  Enoch  settled  at  Bowles  Corners  in  1827,  and  bought 
the  Captain  Bowles  farm.  He  also  bought  cattle  in  this  locality  and  drove  them  to 
Westchester  county,  and  on  one  of  these  trips  was  drowned  in  the  Susquehanna  River, 
at  Smithboro,  where  he  is  buried.  Lewis  Clayson  married  Cordelia  E.  Halsted,  who 
was  born  in  Bedford,  Westchester  county,  N.  Y.,  April  8,  1816,  and  died  in  Decem- 
ber, 1893,  and  at  his  brother's  death,  which  occurred  in  1879,  settled  on  his  farm, 
which  he  cleared  and  improved.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clayson  had  five  children:  Robert 
H  ,  as  above;  Augustus,  who  was  born  December  31.  1844;  Susan  M.,  who  was  born 
in  1846,  and  died  in  1862;  Anna  Miller,  who  was  born  in  1849;  and  Emily  lone 
Oudekirk,  who  was  born  in  1863.  Robert  H.  Clayson  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools.  In  August,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  the  28th  Ind.  Battery,  and  was  discharged 
in  August,  1865.  He  is  a  pensioner.  He  is  a  member  of  Waj'land  Lodge,  No.  176, 
I.  O.  O.  F.     At  Cohocton,  in  1863  he  married  Lucia  Jane  Tyler,  who  was  born  in 


324  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

1846,  by  whom  he  had  two  children :  Edwin  Tjder,  who  was  born  in  1864,  and  mar- 
ried Julia  Dudley,  by  whom  he  has  had  two  children,  Charles  Aubert;  and  Luella, 
who  was  born  in  1866,  and  who  married  Segal  B.  Dudley. 

Conrad,  George,  was  born  March  8,  1845,  son  of  Philip  Conrad,  who  was  born  in 
Prussia,  Germany,  emigrated  to  America  about  1840,  and  settled  in  Rochester  where 
he  remained  five  years.  He  and  his  brother  Charles  purchased  the  farm  of  113  acres 
where  George  Conrad  now  resides.  In  1844  Philip  married  Elizabeth  Schwingle, 
who  was  born  in  1822,  by  whom  he  had  five  sons;  George,  born  March  8,  1845; 
Philip,  born  May  20,  1848 ;  Christian,  born  in  February,  1851,  died  in  1861 ;  Henry, 
born  April  10,  1853;  and  Benjamin,  born  April  9,  1855.  Mr.  Conrad  died  March  10, 
1876,  aged  sixty-three  years.  George  Conrad  received  a  common  school  education 
after  which  he  engaged  in  farming,  which  he  has  always  followed.  He  has  held  the 
office  of  assessor  three  years.  In  1864  he  enlisted  in  the  188th  Regt.  N.  Y.  Vols., 
and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  received  a  commission  by  Colonel  McMann 
and  Doolittle,  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Weldon  R.  R.,  first  and  second  Hatcher's 
Run,  Five  Forks,  and  all  the  battles  until  Lee's  surrender.  He  was  discharged  July 
1,  1865.  He  is  a  member  of  Theodore  Schlick  Post,  No.  314,  G.  A.  R.,  also  of  Way- 
land  Lodge,  No.  176,  I.  O  O.  F.  In  1870  he  married  Louisa  Lander,  who  was  born 
March  9,  1850,  by  whom  he  had  four  children :  Ellen  A.  Roberts,  born  July  26,  1871 ; 
Elizabeth  S.,  born  November  27,  1875;  George  C,  born  May  6,  1878;  and  Lewis  J., 
born  October  6,  1881. 

Candy,  George  A.,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  May  1,  1840,  a  son  of  William 
and  Eva  (Smith)  Candy,  who  both  died  in  Hublersburg,  Pa.  The  father  was  a  mason 
and  architect  by  trade,  and  served  as  justice  of  the  peace.  Our  subject  was  educated 
in  Hublersburg,  Pa.,  and  in  1869  came  to  Woodhull  and  worked  in  the  tinshops  for 
W.  H.  Brady  three  years.  He  was  for  two  years  with  Robert  Mason,  and  then  en- 
gaged in  business  for  himself,  doing  repair  work  and  tin  and  hardware  business. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  No.  565,  and  of  Woodhull  Tent  No.  174,  K.  O.  T.  M. 
In  1894  he  married  Minna  A.  Tucker  of  Woodhull.  Mr.  Candy  enlisted  in  1861  in 
Co.  F,  2d  Pa.  Cav.,  serving  three  years  and  four  months,  and  participated  in  all  the 
chief  battles  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  He  was  wounded  at  Warrenton  Junction 
and  at  Cold  Harbor. 

Cornell,  Levi  S.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Chatham,  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  October  30, 
1835,  is  the  oldest  of  nine  children  born  to  Socrates  and  Fannie  Cornell.  In  1858 
Levi  married  Harriett,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Jane  (Schoonover)  Knowlton,  he  a 
native  of  Massachusetts  and  she  of  Deerfield,  Tioga  county,  Pa.,  by  whom  he  had 
these  children:  Burtus,  who  was  a  farmer  of  Troupsburg,  and  who  was  killed  by 
lightning  in  September,  1893,  in  his  thirty-second  year;  Edward  N.,  who  is  a  farmer 
on  the  homestead;  Levi  and  Joseph,  who  are  farmers  in  partnership  in  Troupsburg; 
Flora,  wife  of  Daniel  McNeal,  a  farmer  of  Ti-oupsburg;  and  Frederick,  who  is  a  lab- 
orer. Mr.  Cornell  has  a  farm  of  118  acres  which  he  bought  in  1865.  He  is  a  member 
of  McClellan  Lodge,  No.  649,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Clark,  William  B.,  was  born  in  Greenwood,  September  8,  1839,  and  is  the  third  son 
of  Myron  and  Sally  (Works)  Clark,  he  a  native  of  Geneva,  born  June  8,  1807,  she  of 
Connecticut,  born  in  April,   1812.     Myron  Clark  helped  his  father  clear  the  home 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  325 

farm,  and  has  always  followed  farming.  He  spent  his  last  days  with  his  son,  Will- 
iam B.,  and  died  May  4,  1884.  Mrs.  Clark  died  March  17,  1892.  William  B.  Clark 
has  always  followed  farming,  except  one  year  at  Canisteo  and  one  at  Andover,  which 
he  spent  in  milling,  and  has  a  farm  of  seventy-nine  acres  and  makes  a  specialty  of 
dairy  farming.  In  1868  he  married  Ruth  S.,  sister  of  H.  B.  Hill,  by  whom  he  had 
these  children:  Frank  A.,  Bertha  L.,  and  Leo  C.  Mr.  Clark  enlisted  in  Co.  E,  86th 
Ohio  Vet.  Vols.,  and  was  honorably  discharged  July  17,  1865.  He  was  taken  sick  at 
Vicksburg  and  transferred  to  Co.  B,  22d  Regt.  Vet.  Reserve  Corps.  He  is  a  member 
of  Post  Baily,  No.  351,  G.  A.  R. 

Cornell,  Nathan,  was  born  in  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  March  22,  1814,  son  of  Smith 
and  Delilah  Townsend  Cornell,  who  came  to  Tioga  county,  Pa.,  in  1817,  where  Mrs. 
Cornell  died  in  1829.  For  his  second  wife  he  married  Rebecca  Hackett,  of  Middle- 
bury,  Tioga  county,  and  three  children  were  born  to  them.  In  religion  they  were 
Free  Will  Baptists.  He  died  June  13,  1836.  The  parents  of  Smith  were  Edward 
and  Jemima  Hallock  Cornell.  Edward  C,  who  was  a  farmer  and  physician,  came 
to  Otsego  county  at  an  early  day,  where  he  died  about  1815.  Mrs.  Cornell  came  to 
Tioga  county  and  spent  her  last  days  with  her  children,  and  died  in  1827.  The  ma- 
ternal grandparents  of  Nathan  were  Charles  and  Hannah  Hall  Townsend.  He  was 
a  tanner  and  currier  by  trade,  and  came  from  New  Jersey  to  Sullivan  county,  N.  Y., 
where  he  died.  Nathan  has  always  followed  farming  and  lumbering,  and  in  1846 
bought  a  farm  in  West  Union,  which  in  1859  he  sold  and  came  to  Troupsburg  where 
he  bought  100  acres  of  land  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  town,  and  has  made  a- 
specialty  of  dairying.  In  1846  he  married  Harriet  M.,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sallie 
Fitch,  of  Brookfield,  Pa.,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Helen,  deceased,  Charles, 
deceased,  and  David,  who  resides  at  home.     Mr.  Cornell  is  radically  Democratic. 

Cornish,  Alvah  Z.,  was  born  in  Wheeler,  Steuben  county,  February  22,  1846,  and 
is  the  fourth  of  nine  children  born  to  Thomas  and  Elvina  (Hulbert)  Cornish,  he  a  na- 
tive of  Poughkeepsie,  and  she  of  Broome  county,  N.  Y.  The  grandparents,  Joseph 
and  Mary  Cornish,  came  from  Poughkeepsie  to  Harrison,  Potter  county,  Pa  ,  where 
he  died,  and  Mrs.  Cornish  died  in  Troupsburg.  He  was  a  farmer  and  soldier  in  the 
Revolutionary  war.  Thomas  Cornish  owned  land  in  Potter  county,  but  settled  for  a 
time  in  Wheeler,  Steuben  county,  and  in  1848  returned  to  Harrison,  where  he  died  in 
1862.  Mrs.  Cornish  died  in  1892.  .Alvah  Z.  Cornish  was  left  at  sixteen  years  of  age 
with  a  large  family  to  take  care  of,  and  has  always  been  a  hard  working  man  and  a 
good  manager,  and  now  owns  a  farm  in  Troupsburg  of  138  acres,  which  he  bought 
in  1878,  and  on  which  he  has  erected  fine  buildings.  He  carries  on  general  farming 
and  dairying.  In  1869  he  married  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Moses  Mercal  of  Brookfield, 
by  whom  he  had  the.se  children:  Omer  V.,  Metta,  Alva,  and  Mary  J.  Mr.  Cornish 
is  a  member  of  the  Farmers'  Alliance  at  Brookfield,  Pa.,  and  was  a  member  of  Co.  K, 
99th  Pennsylvania  Vols.,  m  the  late  war. 

Cornell  Franklin,  was  born  in  Chatham,  Tioga  county  Pa.,  July  1,  1844,  and  is 
the  fifth  of  nine  children  born  to  Socrates  and  Fannie  (Short)  Cornell,  he  a  native  of 
Chatham,  Pa.,  born  September  24,  1809,  and  she  of  Schoharie  county,  N.  Y.  They 
came  to  Troupsburg  about  1866  where  they  have  always  followed  farming.  Franklin 
Cornell  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  was  about  two 


326  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

years  in  the  oil  regions,  and  has  been  principally  engaged  in  farming.  He  has  a 
farm  of  fort}^  acres  at  South  Troupsburg  where  he  resides,  and  one  of  140  acres  in 
Brooks  Settlement.  In  1864  he  married  Martha,  daughter  of  Alfred  and  Mary  Cady 
of  Troupsburg.  Mr.  Cornell  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  179th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  March  4,  1864,  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Cold  Harbor  and  siege  of 
Petersburg,  and  at  the  latter  place  was  wounded  by  a  shell.  He  is  a  member  of  Post 
Baily,  No.  351,  G.  A.  R. 

Clarkson,  Edgar,  was  born  in  Yates  county,  N.  Y.,  May  23,  1849.  Abraham  P. 
Clarkson,  his  father,  was  born  January  22,  1815,  and  was  a  blacksmith  and  wagon- 
maker  by  trade,  but  soon  abandoned  it  and  took  to  farming,  and  came  to  Woodhull, 
Steuben  county  (the  town  is  now  known  as  Rathbone),  w^here  he  died  in  1866,  aged 

fifty-one  years.     He  married  Matilda ,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children :  David, 

Peter,  deceased,  Thadeus,  M.  Ellen,  Mary,  Anna,  John,  Nellie,  and  Edgar.  Mary 
married  Martin  Whipple  of  Westfield,  Pa.,  and  died  in  1880.  Edgar  Clarkson  was 
agent  for  the  Howe  sewing  machine,  and  in  1873  he  married  Eunice  Armstrong  of 
Jasper,  w^ho  is  one  of  the  descendants  of  the  Murphy  family  which  is  so  widely  known 
in  that  part  of  the  county,  and  in  the  spring  of  1874  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  busi- 
ness, and  later  in  the  millinery  business  in  Rathbonville,  and  in  1880  he  bought  the 
business  of  Hile  Savage  of  Jasper,  and  July  21,  1893,  lost  both  building  and  stock, 
the  loss  of  which  was  S3  000  above  the  insurance.  February  21,  1894,  he  bought  the 
real  estate  of  C.  C.  Aber  in  Canisteo  village,  and  established  a  similar  business  un- 
der the  name  of  Clarkson  Bros.,  the  members  of  which  firm  are  Edgar  and  Thadeus. 
Edgar  Clarkson  is  a  member  of  Troupsburg  Lodge  of  Masons,  No.  649. 

Coller,  B.  M.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Fremont,  Steuben  county,  October  29,  1868. 
William  Coller,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  New  York  State,  and  was  a  machinist. 
He  married  ]Mary  R.  Lake  of  Steuben  county,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  George 
C.  and  B.  M.  Coller,  who  was  clerk  in  a  grocery  store  in  Buffalo,  and  then  brakeman 
on  the  N.  Y..  L.  E.  &  W.  R.  R.,  Buffalo  division,  in  1888,  and  was  promoted  to  con- 
ductor in  1891,  and  continued  up  to  November  1,  1892.  November  16,  1892,  he  estab- 
lished a  wood  and  coal  business  in  Canisteo,  and  also  conducts  a  farm  in  Hartsville, 
and  has  an  electric  riding  gallery  at  Glenwood  for  the  summer.  L  Edward  Lyon  is 
a  partner  in  the  wood  and  coal  business,  and  at  that  time  they  bought  out  C.  M.  & 
L.  D.  Whiting,  and  now  run  two  establishments.  September  21,  1892,  he  married 
Mary  L.,  daughter  of  John  Carter.  He  is  a  member  of  Morning  Star  Lodge,  No.  65, 
and  is  senior  master  of  ceremonies,  and  was  made  a  Mason  in  Buffalo,  and  officiated 
in  the  Morning  Star  Lodge  in  1893. 

Calkins,  Jefferson  W.,  was  born  in  Bath,  June  4,  1851.  Ira  Calkins,  his  father, 
was  born  at  Painted  Post,  where  his  grandfather,  Frederick  Calkins,  settled  in  1791. 
Frederick  Calkins  married  Polly  Mann,  and  through  life  was  engaged  in  lumbering 
and  farming.  Ira  M.  married  Hannah,  daughter  of  John  and  Nancy  Whiting,  and 
through  life  was  engaged  in  mercantile  and  farming  pursuits,  serving  as  road  com- 
missioner, and  taking  an  active  interest  in  the  development  of  his  town,  and  dying 
in  1885,  in  his  eighty-second  year.  Jefferson  W.  married  Jennie,  daughter  of  Charles 
M.  Brundage,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  Carrie,  Hattie,  and  Ruth. 

Crum,  W.  G.,  was  born  in  Norwich,  Chenango  county.  October  13,  1851.     Samuel 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  327 

Crum,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Chenango  county,  and  the  family  trace  their  de- 
scent from  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Connecticut.  He  married  Jane  Fargo,  and  through 
life  was  identified  in  farming  and  as  buyer  and  shipper  of  produce,  and  came  to  Bath 
in  1862,  where  he  was  an  active  business  man,  and  died  in  1883  in  his  sixty-second 
year.  W.  C.  Crum  was  educated  at  Haverling  Union  School,  after  which  he  gave 
his  attention  to  farming  for  eight  years,  and  in  1894  was  appointed  postmaster  of 
Bath.  In  1877  he  married  Catherine  Fogarty,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Samuel  B. 
Mr.  Crum  is  one  of  the  enterprising  men  of  his  county,  and  has  given  a  great  deal  of 
attention  to  improving  the  breed  of  horses  in  his  town. 

Clough,  Winfield  S.,  was  born  in  Athens,  Greene  county,  February  14,  1852.  J.  J. 
Clough,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  the  same  county,  also  his  father,  J.  J.  Clough,  sr. , 
and  the  family  came  from  Holland  at  an  early  date  and  settled  in  Greene  county. 
J.  J.  Clough,  jr.,  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Richard  Whitbeck,  and  followed 
the  carpenter  trade  through  life.  W.  S.  Clough  was  educated  in  Baldwinsville 
Academy,  and  then  learned  the  carpenter  trade.  In  1878  he  came  to  Bath  and  in  the 
same  year  formed  the  partnership  of  Clough  &  McChesney,  and  are  at  the  present 
time  among  the  active  contractors  and  builders  in  Steuben  county.  In  1874  he  mar- 
ried Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Rev.  Joseph  Strough,  by  whom  he  had  four  children: 
Frank,  Rena,  Myrtie,  and  Anna. 

Cushing,  Adolphus  W.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Campbell,  April  15,  1851,  son  of 
Warren  G.,  who  was  al,-o  born  in  Campbell.  His  grandfather,  Solomon  Cushing, 
settled  there  in  1808,  being  one  of  the  pioneers  of  that  town,  and  married  Sallie 
Wilden,  and  through  life  was  identified  as  a  farmer.  Warren  G.  married  Susan, 
daughter  of  Barnabas  and  Sallie  Smith.  He  died  in  1865  in  his  fiftieth  year.  Adol- 
phus W.  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  engaged  in  farming  until  1878  when 
he  began  the  insurance  business  and  is  now  carrying  a  full  line  of  fire,  life,  and  other 
insurance  policies.  In  1889  he  learned  the  undertaking  business  and  in  1891  opened 
his  present  furuiture  and  undertaking  establishment.  In  1872  he  married  Agatha  L. , 
daughter  of  Richard  Lee,  and  they  are  the  jaarents  of  one  son,  Warren  G.,  and  one 
daughter,  Edith  B.  Mr.  Cushing  served  as  assessor  for  six  years  and  postmaster, 
also  taking  an  active  interest  in  church  and  school  work. 

Cook,  Charles  C,  was  born  in  Wayne,  Steuben  county,  August  24,  1854.  Seely 
Cook,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Ulysses,  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y.,  and  the  family 
came  from  New  Jersey,  and  settled  in  Tompkins  county,  and  in  1823  Jerry,  the 
father  of  Seely  Cook,  settled  in  the  town  of  Wayne,  Steuben  county.  Seely  Cook 
married  Fannie,  daughter  of  Robert  Morris,  and  through  life  was  identified  as  a 
farmer,  dying  in  1888,  in  his  seventy-third  year.  Charles  C.  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  and  Haverling  Academy,  and  then  entered  the  employ  of  J.  O. 
Ruppert,  and  then  learned  telegraphy,  and  in  1883  was  appointed  agent  of  D.,  L.  W. 
R.  R.,  at  Kanona,  which  position  he  now  holds.     In  1885  he  married  Adell  Ruchen. 

Collier,  Richard  A.,  was  born  in  Bath,  November  15,  1825.  His  father,  Robert 
Collier,  came  to  Bath  m  1812  and  entered  the  employ  of  Dugald  Cameron.  He  mar- 
ried Polly  Stockbridge,  by  whom  he  had  twelve  children,  six  of  whom  are  living. 
Mr.  Collier  was  one  of  the  leading  men  of  Bath  in  the  early  days,  buying  and  clear- 
ing wood  lands.     He  died  in  1865,  aged  seventy  years.     Richard  A.   married   Mary, 


328  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

daughter  of  Seeley  Crosby,  by  whom  he  has  two  sons:  Moray  S.  and  Daniel  M.  Mr. 
ColHer  has  been  engaged  in  lumbering  and  farming  all  his  life,  having  cleared  three 
farms.     He  is  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  town. 

Bennett,  Robert  M.,  was  born  in  Clarion  county.  Pa.,  June  30,  1839,  came  to  New 
York  State  in  1859  and  remained  in  the  county  two  years  as  a  farmer.  In  1863  he 
returned  to  Pennslyvania  and  was  in  that  State  until  1879,  farming,  lumbering,  and 
staging.  In  1878  he  was  a  resident  of  Bradford,  engaged  in  the  hotel  business,  and 
being  burned  out  he  removed  to  Friendship  and  after  one  year  took  the  Delevan 
House  in  Hornellsville.  He  was  then  seven  months  in  Richburg,  and  returning  to 
Hornellsville  bought  the  Park  Hotel  which  he  conducted  for  four  years.  He  then 
conducted  a  summer  resort  at  Loon  Lake  for  five  years.  In  1888  he  came  to  Almond 
and  built  the  Bennett  House  and  the  foot  bridge  across  to  the  depot.  His  hotel  has 
accommodation  for  thirty-four  guests.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  in  1893  he  was  elected 
commissioner  of  highways  for  Hornellsville.  He  was  also  sheriff  of  Elk  county,  Pa., 
for  three  years,  and  school  director  for  nine  years.  In  connection  with  his  hotel  he 
conducts  a  farm  of  ninety  acres.  He  was  married  in  1861  to  Elizabeth  Bardine  of 
Big  Creek,  who  died  February  17,  1891  His  second  wife  was  Mrs.  Vina  Yocom  of 
Hornellsville.  An  adopted  daughter,  Jennie,  is  the  wife  of  F.  F.  Woodruff,  a  com- 
mercial traveler  of  Kansas  City,  Mo. 

Butler,  Ephraim  Y.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Charleston,  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  Au- 
gust 7,  1843,  the  oldest  son  of  Rufus  E.  Butler,  a  mechanic  of  that  town,  who  died 
April  26,  1866,  at  sixty-eight  years  of  age.  Ephraim  was  given  a  good  common 
school  education  and  very  early  began  the  life  work  in  which  he  has  become  a  prom- 
inent actor.  At  fifteen,  when  he  could  just  see  the  top  of  the  work  bench,  he  was  taught 
how  to  shove  a  plane  and  handle  a  saw.  He  stayed  with  his  father  until  his  death, 
coming  to  Hornellsville  in  1869.  His  father  was  a  contractor  and  they  together 
would  take  contracts  and  part  of  their  time  has  been  at  day  work.  He  had  charge  of 
the  carpenter  work  of  Park  school,  Hornellsville  Sanitarium,  residences  of  F.  G. 
Babcock,  Charles  Adsit  and  many  other  of  the  fine  residences  of  the  city.  Mr.  Butler 
was  a  Democrat.  He  was  married  February  3,  1875,  to  Sarah  A.  McKee,  of  Veteran, 
Chemung  county,  N.  Y.  ;  they  have  one  child,  Henry  McKee,  a  student  of  Hornells- 
ville Academy. 

Armstrong,  George,  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  June,  1825.  Josiah  Armstrong,  his 
father,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Junius,  Seneca  county,  in  1799.  He  was  an  only 
child,  and  his  father  died  when  he  was  quite  young,  but  his  mother  lived  to  be 
ninety-five  years  of  age.  In  1820  he  came  to  Prattsburg  and  built  a  log  house,  cleared 
a  farm,  and  accumulated  a  large  property.  He  married  Lydia  Redfield  of  Ontario 
county,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  George,  Margaret  L.,  Lydia  A.,  and  Rhoda 
M.  He  died  in  1891  and  his  wife  in  1861.  George  remained  with  his  father  on  the 
homestead,  to  which  he  has  later  added  until  he  and  his  wife  now  own  650  acres.  In 
1859  he  married  Catherine,  daughter  of  Hachaliah  and  Elizabeth  (Shultz)  Carhart, 
by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Frank  C. ,  who  conducts  the  farm  and  who  married  Helen 
M.  Olmstead,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Ermah  L.,  Raymond  O.,  Ednah  C, 
and  Florence  E.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  fraternity,  Avoca  Lodge,  No. 
538. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  329 

Bardeen,  Henry  B.,  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  November  17,  1838.  Moses  Bardeen, 
his  father,  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  in  1784,  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1813,  and  was 
one  of  nine  sons  born  to  Moses  Bardeen,  a  farmer,  who  came  to  Steuben  county 
about  1810  and  spent  his  remaining  days  in  Prattsburg.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Revolutionary  war.  Moses,  jr.,  settled  in  Prattsburg  soon  after  the  war  of  1812, 
where  by  his  integrity  and  zeal  he  accumulated  a  large  property,  and  at  his  death 
possessed  several  hundred  acres  of  land.  He  married  Mrs.  Margaret  (Dedsen)  Smith, 
a  native  of  Vermont,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children:  Edna,  Mary  A.,  Catherine, 
Edmund,  Olive,  Luther,  Moses,  Henry  and  Lutricia.  He  died  in  1860,  and  his  wife 
in  1867.  Henry  B.  Bardeen  enlisted  in  Co.  C.  188th  Regt.,  from  the  town  of  Naples, 
participating  in  the  battles  of  Hatcher's  Run,  Five  Forks,  and  Lee's  .surrender. 
After  his  return  from  the  war  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of  300  acres,  wherej^he 
has  since  devoted  his  attention  to  the  breeding  of  high  class  sheep  and  Durham  cat- 
tle. In  1860  he  married  Ellen  Smith  of  Schoharie  county,  by  whom  he  had  eight 
children:  Charles,  who  died  while  his  father  was  in  the  army;  Mrs.  Emma  Bush  of 
Pulteney;  Herbert,  of  Italy,  Yates  county;  Elmer;  Mrs.  Ella  M.  Early  of  Pratts- 
burg; Orpha,  Bertha,  and  Carrie.  Mr.  Bardeen  is  a  member  of  the  Gregory  Post, 
G.  A.  R..  of  Prattsburg. 

Blodgett,  William  D  ,  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  on  the  farm  he  now  owns,  in  1845, 
where  he  has  always  lived  having  purchased  of  the  heirs  their  interest  in  the  home- 
stead of  sixty-three  acres,  to  which  he  has  added  fifty-five  acres,  and  after  years  of 
hard  toil  and  industry  has  cleared  his  farm  of  the  timber  and  stumps,  and  developed 
it  into  a  model  farm,  and  in  addition  takes  much  pride  and  interest  in  the  breeding 
of  Jersey  cattle,  and  during  his  early  life  he  dealt  to  some  extent  in  lumber.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served  as  overseer  of  the  poor,  assessor,  and  jus- 
tice of  the  peace,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  Ingleside,  of  which 
he  is  secretary.  Martin  Blodgett,  his  grandfather,  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  a 
farmer  and  pioneer  settler  of  Gorham,  Ontario  county,  where  he  died  in  1865.  He 
reared  a  family  of  seven  children.  Ansel  Blodgett,  father  of  William  D.,  was  born 
in  Gorham,  Ontario  county,  in  1813.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  also  manufactured  and 
dealt  in  lumber  and  shingles  to  considerable  extent  for  many  years.  In  1846  he 
came  to  Prattsburg  and  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  William  D.  He  married 
Harriett  Lewis  of  Ontario  county,  by  whom  he  had  four  children :  Mrs.  Emily  Drake 
(deceased),  Mrs.  Catherine  Gibson  (deceased),  William  D.,  and  Mrs.  Ellen  T.  Boggs 
of  Prattsburg.  He  died  in  1873,  and  his  wife  in  1892,  aged  eighty-seven  years.  In 
1865  William  D.  Blodgett  married  Phoebe,  daughter  of  William  and  Polly  Pressler 
of  Prattsburg,  by  whom  he  had  four  children :  Catherine,  wife  of  Barton  Olney  of 
Naples,  N.  Y.,  Arba  M.,  Alfa  and  Allen.     Mrs.  Blodgett  is  a  member  of  the  grange. 

Brown,  Charles  Stewart,  was  born  in  Northumberland,  England,  March  18,  1837. 
Sutherland  Brown,  his  grandfather,  was  a  veterinary  surgeon  in  the  English  army 
for  twenty-one  years.  He  reared  five  sons  and  two  daughters.  Thomas  Brown,  the 
father  of  Charles  S.,  was  also  a  veterinary  surgeon  in  the  English  army  for  over 
twenty  years.  He  married  Elizabeth  Patterson,  of  England,  by  whom  he  had  these 
children:  Elizabeth,  Charles,  John,  William,  Thomas,  Henry,  James,  Sarah,  Jane, 
Beulah,  Annetta  and  Georgiana.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  Charles  S.  enlisted  as  a 
volunteer  in  the  Crimean  War  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Balaklava  and  Sebastopol, 
PP 


330  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

being  wounded  in  the  latter  one,  he  was  sent  home.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he 
again  left  home  and  worked  his  way  to  America,  going  direct  to  Albany,  where  he 
was  engaged  in  carriage  making  for  two  years.  He  then  went  to  Seneca  Falls  on 
bridge  work  and  in  1859  engaged  in  farming.  April  29,  1861,  he  answered  the  tirst 
call  for  troops  and  enlisted  in  Co.  I,  33d  Regt. ,  and  served  six  months,  when  he  was 
discharged  on  account  of  sickness.  He  was  in  the  first  Battle  of  Bull  Run,  where 
upon  their  retreat  he  was  separated  from  the  main  army,  cut  across  lots,  picked  up 
three  muskets,  swam  the  Potomac  with  these  and  his  accoutrements  on  his  back,  and 
arrived  safely  in  camp;  and  at  Falls'  Church,  and  Malvern  Hill.  After  leaving  the 
war  he  went  to  Branchport,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  carpentry.  From 
1867  to  1873  he  spent  his  time  in  Michigan,  then  returned  to  Steuben  county,  where 
he  resumed  his  trade.  In  1883  he  purchased  a  small  tract  of  land  to  which  he  added 
sixty  acres  in  1890.  Mr.  Brown  is  a  member  of  the  Gregory  G.  A.  R.  Post  of  Pratts- 
burg.  In  1863  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  William  and  Hannah  (Wilson")  Bogart, 
Italy,  Yates  county,  by  whom  he  has  three  children :  Alfred,  Alice,  wife  of  William 
Monroe,  of  Lockhaven,  Pa.  ;  and  Frank  C,  who  resides  at  home. 

Boon,  Abram,  was  born  in  Ingleside,  town  of  Prattsburg,  November  8, 1845.  Jacob 
Boon,  was  a  native  of  Holland  and  came  to  the  United  States  while  a  young  man, 
coming  direct  to  Prattsburg,  and  in  1805  located  on  a  farm  in  the  wilderness  which 
he  cleared  and  made  for  himself  a  home.  He  married  Phebe  Gee,  b}^  whom  he  had 
five  children.  He  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  William  Boon,  father  of 
Abram,  was  born,  reared,  and  died  on  the  homestead.  He  married  Fannie  Deo,  who 
was  born  in  Naples,  Ontario  county,  a  daughter  of  Abram  Deo,  by  whom  he  had  four 
children :  Phoebe,  Abram,  Sarah,  and  Lewis.  He  died  in  1877,  and  his  wife  survives 
him  and  resides  on  the  farm  near  Ingleside.  Abram  Deo  was  a  farmer  and  justice 
of  the  peace,  and  did  much  business  for  the  public.  He  was  a  Democrat  and  politi- 
cal orator  of  unusual  ability.  Abram  Boon  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  followed 
farming  for  many  years.  He  first  purchased  a  small  farm,  and  now  owns  210  acres 
which  he  superintends,  and  since  1865  he  has  been  extensively  engaged  in  the  buy- 
ing of  produce.  In  1893  he  became  the  head  of  the  Boon  &  Homenway  Company, 
produce  dealers  in  Naples,  N.  Y. ,  and  in  the  fall  and  winter  of  1894—95  they  did  a 
8100,000  business.  In  1883  he  moved  to  the  village  of  Ingleside,  where  he  ha-s  since 
made  his  home.  In  1862  he  married  Sophia,  daughter  of  David  and  Sarah  (Fisher) 
Morehouse,  by  whom  he  had  three  children :  Eva,  wife  of  Frank  Harris,  Irving  and 
Grace.  Mr.  Boon  died  May  10,  1895,  dropping  dead  suddenly  while  preparing  for 
breakfast. 

Allerton,  Dudley  D. ,  was  born  in  Bath,  -M&y  13, 1857.  Delanson  AUerton,  his  father, 
was  a  native  of  Greene  county,  N.  Y.,  and  the  family  trace  their  descent  from  Isaac 
Allerton  who  came  from  England  to  -fhe  United  States  in  the  ship  Mayflower,  who 
landed  at  Plymouth  Rock,  and  came 'to  Steuben  county  with  his  parents  and  settled 
at  Prattsburg.  Delanson  married  ^lary  J.,  daughter  of  Moses  Dudley,  by  whom  he 
he  had  three  children:  Dudley,  -Mrs.  Frank  Parker,  and  Sarah.  In  1835  he  came  to 
Bath,  where  he  was  a  farmer,  and  died  in  1894,  in  his  seventy-ninth  year. 

Aldrich,  Dr.  J.  O.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Thurston,  December  16,  1848.  Thomas 
Aldrich,  his  father,  was  a  nati\^  of  Rhode  Island,  and  came  to  Steuben  county,  and 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  331 

was  among  the  pioneers  of  that  county.  He  married  Julia  A.  Eddy  for  his  first  wife, 
and  his  second  was  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Yost.  He  studied  medicine  in 
Rhode  Island,  and  for  years  travelled  over  the  surrounding  country  horseback,  and 
he  died  in  1881,  in  his  eighty-eighth  year.  J.  O.  Aldrich  was  educated  at  Woodhull 
Academy,  and  graduated  from  Eclectic  College  of  Medicine  at  Cincinnati  in  1882, 
and  then  came  to  Bath  and  established  his  practice.  In  1882  he  married  Jennie  F., 
daughter  of  Martin  Browuell.  Mr.  Aldrich  is  one  of  the  progressive  men  of  his 
town,  serving  as  trustee,  and  was  also  appointed  as  examining  surgeon  of  the 
United  States  Pension  Board,  serving  for  four  years. 

Averih,  Gen.  W.  W.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Cameron,  Steuben  county,  Novem- 
ber 5,  1832,  son  of  Hiram,  a  native  of  Delaware  county,  and  a  grandson  of  Ebe- 
nezer,  who  came  from  Harperfield,  Conn.,  to  Delaware  county,  and  from  there  to 
Black  Rock.  Among  the  laws  of  1814  and  1815  may  be  found  an  act  for  his  rehef  for 
furnishing  supplies  to  General  Scott's  army.  Hiram  Averill  came  to  Steuben  county 
in  1806  and  married  Huldah,  daughter  of  Thomas  Hemingway.  He  filled  various 
positions  of  honor  and  trust,  serving  as  the  first  postmaster.  W.  W.  Averill  was 
educated  at  the  Elmira  Academy,  and  July  1,  1851,  entered  the  United  States  MiU- 
tary  Academy  at  West  Point,  being  in  the  same  class  with  Weitzel,  Gregg,  George 
Nichols,  Alex.  S.  Webb,  J.  W.  Turner,  Ruggles.  and  Torbert,  and  was  graduated  in 
1855,  receiving  rank  of  second  lieutenant  in  the  Mounted  Rifles  in  1856,  serving  on 
the  frontier  up  to  1858,  when  he  was  severely  wounded  in  a  night  attack  by  the  In- 
dians. Recovering  from  his  wound,  he  served  in  the  Civil  war  from  1861  to  1865, 
being  promoted  from  .second  lieutenant  to  brevet  major-general  of  the  United  States 
Army,  serving  in  successive  grades.  His  promotion  was  entirely  due  to  his  bravery, 
and  meritorious  conduct  in  the  field,  being  one  of  fifteen  to  receive  commission  for 
specific  distinguished  service.  He  was  also  given  the  rank  of  brigadier  general.  In 
1885  he  married  Kezia  Hayward.  For  the  past  eight  years  has  been  on  the  retired 
list  of  the  army,  being  on  duty  as  assistant  inspector  general  of  Homes  for  disabled 
Soldiers  and  Sailors  of  the  United  States. 

Bowes,  Martin,  was  born  in  Ireland,  June  15,  1836,  and  came  to  the  United  States 
and  settled  in  Bath  in  1848.  In  1857  he  purchased  a  farm,  remaining  until  1859,  and 
then  came  into  the  village  of  Bath  and  engaged  in  the  passenger  and  freight  busi- 
ness, and  in  1870  he  engaged  in  the  coal  business,  which  is  still  continued,  also  deal- 
ing largely,  in  connection  with  his  sons,  in  oils,  produce  and  grain.  In  1856  he  mar- 
ried Mary,  daughter  of  Hugh  McMahon,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Henry  W., 
Thomas  F.,  a  sanitary  engineer  of  Boston,  Mass.,  Ambrose,  Mrs.  W.  W.  Faulkner, 
and  Catherine.  Mr.  Bowes  is  one  of  the  enterprising  men  of  his  town,  serving  as 
trustee  for  six  years,  and  taking  an  intelligent  interest  in  educational  and  religious 
institutions. 

Bedell,  J.  D.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Pulteney,  October  5,  1844.  His  father, 
Calvin  C,  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey  and  came  to  Pulteney  with  his  father,  Jacob, 
who  settled  there  in  1828.  Calvin  C.  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Van  Ness, 
and  was  identified  as  a  farmer  through  life.  In  1854  he  moved  to  the  town  of  Bath, 
where  he  died  in  March,  1895,  aged  seventy-six  years.  Jacob  E.  Bedell  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools  and  by  his  thorough  and  judicious  reading.     In  1868  he 


332  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

married  Emily,  daughter  of  T.  A.  McDowell,  by  whom  he  has  three  children  :  Glenn 
C,  May  L.,  and  Martha.  Mr.  Bedell  is  one  of  the  representative  men  of  the  town, 
taking  an  active  interest  in  educational  and  religious  institutions, 

Brundage,  Mrs.  Sarah. — Jesse  Brundage  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  May  23,  1801, 
son  of  Abraham  Brnndage,  who  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Steuben  county. 
Jesse  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Grattan  H.  Wheeler,  in  1831,  and  they  were  the 
parents  of  four  children:  Franklin,  Grattan,  Monroe,  and  Mrs.  Eliza  Nellis,  none  of 
whom  is  now  living.  Monroe  served  in  the  war,  going  as  a  private,  and  was  pro- 
moted for  meritorious  conduct  and  bravery  in  the  field  to  the  rank  of  captain.  He 
was  engaged  in  numerous  battles,  losing  his  right  arm  at  the  battle  of  Antietam. 
He  suffered  from  exposure  and  the  shock  to  his  system  was  such  that  he  never  fully 
recovered.  He  died  at  Bath  in  1875.  Jesse  Brundage  was  one  of  the  leading  men 
of  the  town.     He  died  November  9,  1851. 

Barber,  B.  G.,  was  born  in  Cameron,  February  7,  1864,  and  was  educated  in  Bath, 
at  Haverling  Academy,  and  Rochester  University,  and  for  several  years  was  con- 
nected with  Ross  &  Hastings'  machine  shop.  In  1892  he  married  Carrie  Gray, 
daughter  of  G.  H.  Brundage,  whose  ancestors  were  among  the  pioneers  of  Steuben 
county,  and  who  married  Clara  Gray,  daughter  of  Daniel  Gray,  who  was  a  very 
prominent  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  serving  as  supervisor  and  elected  to  the  State 
Legislature  in  1890.  He  was  taken  with  pneumonia  while  at  Albany  and  died  March 
29,  1891. 

Burleson,  Dr.  Ten  Eyck  O.,  was  born  in  Howard,  Steuben  county,  July  21,  1854. 
Hiram  B.  Burleson,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  the  same  town,  and  his  grandfather, 
Russell  Burleson,  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1813,  from  Chenango  county.  The 
family  were  identified  in  Otsego  county  and  were  among  the  pioneers  of  that  town. 
Hiram  B.  Burleson  was  born  in  HowaM,  February  28,  1816,  and  he  married  Cather- 
ine, daughter  of  John*  Willis,  and  was  identified  as  a  farmer.  T.  O.  Burleson  was 
educated  at  Alfred  LTniversity  and  graduated  from  Buffalo  Medical  University  in 
1880,  and  began  practice  at  Pulteney,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1890  received  the  appointment 
as  surgeon  at  the  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Home.  In  1886  he  married  Lily  M.,  a  daugh- 
ter of  George  Bennett  of  Pulteney.  Mr.  Burleson  is  one  of  the  leading  men  of  his 
profession,  elected  president  of  the  Steuben  Medical  Society,  and  member  of  the 
State  Medical  Society. 

Burt,  Abram  F. ,  was  born  at  Painted  Post  (now  East  Corning),  June  15,  1838.  His 
father,  Benjamin  Burt,  was  a  native  of  Orange  county  and  came  to  Steuben  county 
in  1825.  The  family  trace  their  descent  back  to  Henry  and  Ulalia  Burt,  who  came 
from  England  to  Springfield,  Mass.,  in  1640.  Benjamin  Burt  married  Dorcas  Acker- 
man.  Mr.  Burt  was  engaged  in  farming  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1873  at  the  age  of  seventy- six  years.  Abram  F.,  was  educated  at  Corning  and 
Alfred  University.  In  1855  he  went  to  California,  returning  in  1863.  In  1866  he 
came  to  Savona  and  engaged  in  farming.  That  same  year  he  married  MaryH., 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Zilpha  Kenyan,  by  whom  he  has  one  son,  Samuel  B.  Burt. 
Mr,  Burt  is  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  town, 

Bryan,  Judson,  was  bom  in  Bath,  June  24,  1843.  Joshua  W.  Bryan,  his  father, 
was  a  native  of  Steuben  county,  where  he  came  with  his  parents,  George  and  Jane, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  333 

who  settled  in  Sonora.  He  married  Mary  J.,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Charlotte  Aller- 
ton,  and  was  identified  through  life  in  the  farming  and  lumbering  business,  and  was 
very  prominent  in  the  development  of  his  town,  twice  elected  as  supervisor  of  the 
town  of  Savona,  which  was  later  incorporated  in  the  town  of  Bath,  and  he  died  July 
26,  1891,  aged  seventy-four  years.  Judson  Bryan  was  educated  m  the  common 
schools  and  Sonora  Academy,  and  in  1869  married  Anna,  daughter  of  Hon.  Charles 
S.  Longwell,  by  whom  he  had  five  children,  George  J.,  Mary  K.,  Julia  M..  Francis, 
and  Alice  J. 

Atwood,  Urial,  was  born  at  Homer,  Cortland  county,  N.  Y. ,  April  24,  1828,  and  is 
the  oldest  of  eleven  children  born  to  David  and  Mary  Barry  Atwood,  and  grandson 
of  Moses  and  Mary  Polmanteer  Atwood.  Moses  was  a  native  of  Kingston,  N.  Y., 
and  a  pioneer  of  German,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  from  where  he  removed  to  Tioga 
county.  Pa.,  about  1835,  being  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  died  in  Charleston, 
Tioga  county,  in  1865,  and  his  wife  in  1849.  The  great-grandfather  of  Urial,  Moses 
Atwood,  came  from  England  to  Esopus,  now  Kingston,  with  three  brothers,  one  of 
whom  settled  at  Lima,  Conn.,  the  other  in  Massachusetts,  and  Moses  bought  a  large 
tract  of  land  in  Wyoming  Valley,  Pa.  During  the  Wyoming  massacre  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary war  he  escaped  through  the  wilderness  and  was  fourteen  days  reaching 
Bethlehem.  He  afterwards  returned  to  Esopus,  but  the  town  was  burned  and  he 
lost  all  of  his  property.  David  Atwood  was  a  mason  and  bricklayer,  and  from 
Homer  he  went  to  Chatham,  Tioga  county,  and  thence  in  1833  to  Trumbull  county, 
Ohio,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  Three  years  later  he  came  to  Wellsville,  N.Y., 
thence  to  Troupsburg,  and  spent  the  latter  part  of  his  life  at  Horseheads  in  charge 
of  the  N.  C.  R.  R.  woodyards.  He  died  in  1865,  and  Mrs.  Atwood,  at  Wellsville,  in 
1889.  LTrial  was  educated  at  Jamestown  Academy  and  Academy  Corners,  and  when 
fourteen  yearsof  age  went  to  workin  the  lumber  business,  which  occupation  he  followed 
until  twenty  one,  and  then  engaged  in  farming  for  a  time,  and  has  since  been  em- 
ployed as  a  contractor  and  builder.  In  1888  he  went  into  the  undertaking  business 
at  Troup.sburg,  where  he  is  still  located.  In  1848  he  married  Sarah  H.,  daughter  of 
Luke  and  Mary  Darling,  of  Chatham,  by  whom  he  had  .three  children:  Clarence  A., 
a  stock  dealer  at  Williamsport,  Pa.  ;  Florence,  wife  of  Perry  Schoonover,  of  'J'roups- 
burg;  and  Emma,  who  is  a  proof  writer  for  a  law  firm  in  Wichita,  Kansas.  Mrs. 
Atwood  died  in  1869.  In  1872  Mr.  Atwood  married  the  second  time  to  Ruth  Baker, 
who  died  in  1893.  In  1894  he  married  his  present  wife,  Maria  Hawley,  of  Jefferson 
county,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Atwood  enlisted  January  4,  1862,  in  Co.  G,  1st  Regt.  N.  Y.  Inft., 
and  was  honorabl}^  discharged  February  28,  1863.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Merrimac 
and  Monitor,  capture  of  Norfolk,  and  Fair  Oaks,  and  was  taken  prisoner  at  2d  Bull 
Run,  paroled  and  sent  to  Annapolis.  He  has  been  postmaster  at  Troupsburg  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  justice  eight  years.  He  is  a  member  of  Post  Baily,  No.  351, 
G.  A.  R.,  and  of  the  McClellan  Lodge,  No.  649,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Betts,  Henry,  was  born  in  Dansville,  Livingston  county.  May  26,  1820.  John  Betts, 
his  father,  was  a  native  of  Canada  and  a  farmer.  The  mother  of  Henry,  Polly 
Welsh,  was  a  daughter  of  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Dansville ;  they  were  the  parents 
of  seven  children,  of  whom  Henry  was  the  second  son.  He  was  given  a  good  com- 
mon school  education  and  remained  with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  twenty-four 
years  of  age,  when  he  was  married  and  started  for  himself  by  the  purchase  of  a  farm 


334  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

of  100  acres  about  a  mile  and  a  half  east  of  the  city.  At  that  time  (1844)  the  business 
of  this  city  was  very  small.  He  made  his  home  on  the  farm  of  his  first  purchase  un- 
til 1875,  and  that  year  he  bought  his  present  residence,  which  had  been  partly  built 
by  George  Holland,  and  has  ever  since  made  his  home  there.  By  industry  and  per- 
severance he  increased  his  possessions  until  he  owned  365  acres  of  some  of  the  best 
farm  land  of  the  town.  He  has  withdrawn  from  all  farming  and  labor  and  is  now 
living  a  retired  life  in  his  beautiful  city  home.  He  has  always  taken  an  active  in- 
terest in  church  work,  connected  with  the  Presbyterian  society.  He  was  married  in 
1844  to  Olive,  daughter  of  William  Hall,  a  farmer  at  Dansville ;  they  have  been  the 
parents  of  seven  children:  William,  is  a  farmer  of  Hornellsville ;  Mary,  the  wife  of 
James  K.  Brush,  a  farmer  of  this  town;  Electa,  the  wife  of  Leonard  Nicholson,  a 
farmer  of  this  town;  Martha  is  now  her  father's  constant  companion,  and  Diana  also 
lives  at  home;  Theodore  is  engaged  as  superintendent  of  one  of  the  largest  bicycle' 
establishments  of  New  York  city;  Charlie,  the  second  son,  was  one  of  the  most 
promising  of  our  young  men,  died  December  17,  1888,  in  his  twenty-sixth  year.  Mrs. 
Betts  died  November  9,  1889 ;  her  death  was  mourned  by  all  who  knew  her.  She 
was  a  lady  of  noble  Christian  character  and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 
The  fourth  child,  Abby,  became  the  wife  of  Charles  V.  Van  Sickle ;  she  died  May  6, 
1892. 

Bryan,  Dr.  E.  W.,  was  born  in  Steuben  county  in  1832,  and  graduated  from  the 
Homeopathic  Hospital  College,  Cleveland,  O.,  in  1868.  Prior  to  this  he  had  prac- 
ticed in  Marshall  county.  111.,  from  1863  to  1866.  In  1877  he  came  to  Corning  after 
practicing  in  Ovid  for  ten  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  American  Institute  of 
Homoeopathy,  State  Homoeopathic  Medical  Society,  and  Steuben  County  Homoeo- 
pathic Medical  vSociety.     In  1862  he  married  Lizzie  Jessup. 

Talmadge,  David  H.,  was  born  in  Greenville,  Greene  county,  N  Y.,  May  4,  1854. 
His  father,  Charles  Talmadge,  is  a  farmer  of  that  town,  and  is  now  sixty-three  years 
age.  David  H.  was  given  a  good  common  school  education,  and  made  his  home 
with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age.  He  was  then  for  four  years  en- 
gaged in  various  employments,  speculating  in  hay,  grain,  fruit,  etc.,  in  Greene 
county.  In  1878  he  came  to  Hammondsport,  and  after  spending  six  months  in  gen- 
eral employment,  he  established  a  draying  business,  starting  in  a  small  way  with 
only  one  horse,  he  has  rapidly  added  to  his  business,  and  has  now  six  horses  which, 
are  constantly  employed.  He  is  the  drayman  for  the  American,  Wells  Fargo,  and 
United  States  Express  Companies,  and  also  handles  the  mail  for  this  town.  He  de- 
votes his  time  to  his  business  and  his  only  political  position  was  a  member  of  the  vil- 
lage council.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Natural  Protective  Legion  of  Waverly.  In 
1881  he  made  his  first  purchase  of  a  five  acre  vineyard,  which  he  has  increased  by 
purchase  to  nineteen  acres,  divided  between  the  lake  shore  and  Pleasant  Valley.  In 
November,  1874,  Mr.  Talmadge  married  Emma,  daughter  of  Lafayette  Moore,  of 
Durham,  Greene  county,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Jesse  Moore,  a  student  of 
Cornell  University,  class  of  '97;  Bessie  J.,  of  Hammondsport  Union  School;  Mabel 
R.,  also  a  student  of  Hammondsport  Union  School;  and  Fanny  E. 

Boone,  C.  E. — Jacob  Boone,  the  pioneer  of  the  family  in  Steuben  county,  came 
from  the  Hudson  River  country  about  1800  and  settled  at  Rikers  Hollow  in  the  town 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  335 

of  Prattsburg.  His  sons  were  George,  who  settled 'in  Quincy,  Mich.;  Cornelius, 
William,  and  Charles,  settled  in  the  town  of  Prattsburg,  where  they  engaged  in 
farming;  and  James,  who  lived  at  Jackson,  Mich.,  none  of  whom  are  living.  Rodney 
Boone  was  born  in  1814,  and  until  1872  resided  in  the  town  of  Prattsburg,  where  he 
was  engaged  in  farming.  In  that  year  he  settled  at  Bloods  and  engaged  in  the  grain 
and  produce  business,  which  he  carried  on  until  1882.  He  was  a  staunch  Democrat, 
taking  an  active  part  in  politics,  and  was  a  member  of  the  board  of  assessors  in  both 
Prattsburg  and  Cohucton.  Mr.  Boone  was  twice  married,  and  his  first  wife  was 
Susan  Brown,  and  their  children  were  Henry,  who  settled  in  Michigan ;  Adelaide, 
wife  of  Burr  Edmonds  of  Cohocton ;  De  Witt  C.  ;  Edgar,  who  died  in  early  manhood  ; 
Charles  E. ;  Nida,  deceased;  and  Daniel,  deceased.  For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Boone 
married  Sarah  M.  Welch.  He  died  in  1885.  Charles  Boone  was  born  in  1853,  and 
has  always  followed  farming.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Democratic  party,  and 
is  a  member  of  Kanawah  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Atlanta,  and  the  K.  O.  T.  M.  In 
1877  he  married  Florence,  daughter  of  Herman  Clark  of  Cohocton,  and  their  chil- 
dren are  Jesse,  Harry,  Grace,  and  Carlton.  De  Witt  C.  was  educated  at  Naples 
Academy,  and  studied  medicine  with  Doctors  Patchin  and  A.  L.  Gilbert,  and  in  1870 
was  graduated  from  the  Buffalo  Medical  College.  He  immediately  located  in  Wal- 
lace, where  he  remained  until  1875,  when  he  located  in  Springwater,  where  he  prac- 
ticed his  profession  until  1892.  He  was  a  strong  Democrat  and  took  a  very  active 
part  in  political  affairs,  being  twice  elected  supervisor  of  Springwater.  In  1892  he 
settled  at  Atlanta,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred  June  29,  1894. 
He  married  Jennie  Parks,  who  survives  him. 

Argue,  Dr.  Henry  A.,  was  born  in  Corning  in  1861.  He  graduated  from  Corning 
Academy,  and  spent  two  years  in  McGill  University,  Montreal,  and  graduated  from 
New  York  Medical  University  in  1881,  and  has  since  practiced  in  Corning.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Steuben  County  Medical  Society,  Corning  Academy  of  Medicine,  and 
the  State  and  National  Associations  of  Railway  Surgeons,  being  surgeon  for  the  Erie 
railroad. 

Baker,  Isaac,  was  born  in  Cameron,  July  3,  1841,  son  of  Urbane  and  Sarah  K. 
(June)  Baker,  he  a  native  of  Putnam  county,  N.  Y.,  and  she  of  Hampshire.  The 
grandfather,  Samuel  D.  Baker,  came  to  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1807,  thence  to 
Cameron,  N.  Y.,  and  died  in  Rathbone.  The  maternal  grandfather  was  a  native  of 
Wales,-  and  died  in  Hampshire.  Urbane  Baker,  father  of  Isaac,  was  a  carpenter  by 
trade,  and  afterwards  engaged  in  farming.  He  died  in  Jasper  in  1886,  and  his  wife 
in  1851.  Isaac  Baker  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools. 
He  followed  farming  until  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  K,  1st  N.  Y.  Artillery,  and 
served  until  July,  1862,  when  he  lost  his  sight.  He  came  to  Jasper  in  1870,  where  he 
now  resides.  He  is  a  member  of  Moses  Dennis  Post,  No.  83,  G.  A.  R.  July  2,  1878, 
he  married  Katie;  daughter  of  James  and  Eliza  (Pince)  Reynolds,  she  of  Long  Island, 
and  he  of  Connecticut;  they  came  to  Broome  county,  thence  to  Jasper  in  1845,  where 
he  died  May  5,  1873;  his  wife  resides  in  Hedgesville,  N.  Y.,  at  eighty  years  of  age. 

Brown,  L.  L.,  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  N.  Y.,  April  2,  1849,  son  of  Henry  and 
Martha  (Everett)  Brown,  both  natives  of  Madison  county,  N.Y.,  who  came  to  Troups- 
burg at  an   early  day,  where  they  died,  he  in  1851,  and  she  in  1861.     L.  L.  Brown 


336 


LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 


was  reared  on  a  farm,  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  in  1870  came  to  Jasper 
and  began  working  by  the  month  for  N.  A.  Prutsman,  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  106 
acres,  having  made  his  o-wn  way.  In  1878  he  married  Laura,  daughter  of  N.  A. 
Prutsman,  who  was  a  son  of  Nicholas  Prutsman,  one  of  the  very  first  settlers  of 
Jasper. 

Brooks,  Marion  H.,  was  born  in  Slaterville  Springs,  Tompkins  connty,  N.  Y.,  Oc- 
tober 29,  1847,  son  of  William  and  Jane  (Simmons)  Brooks,  natives  of  Orange  county, 
and  Tompkins  county,  respectively.  The  grandfather,  James  Brooks,  a  native  of 
England,  came  to  America  during  the  Revolutionary  war  and  spent  several  years  in 
the  war.  He  settled  first  in  Berks  county.  Pa. ;  but  afterward  moved  to  Orange 
county,  N.  Y.,  where  he  died.  William  Brooks  came  to  Tompkins  county  when 
eighteen  years  old,  from  thence  he  moved  to  Hornellsville  and  from  there  enlisted  in 
Co.  E,  161st  N.  Y.  Vols.  Inft.  and  served  two  years,  dying  at  Baton  Rouge.  He  was 
a  farmer  and  also  run  a  saw  mill.  He  was  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Mrs.  Brooks 
resides  at  Woodhull  and  is  sixty-seven  years  of  age  Marion  H.  was  reared  on  a  farm 
and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming  and  running 
a  saw  mill.  He  came  to  Woodhull  in  1863,  purchasing  a  farm  of  eighty  acres,  and  in 
1888  he  bought  another  farm  of  forty  acres,  where  he  now  resides.  In  1864  Mr. 
Brooks  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  1st  New  York  Lincoln  Cavalry,  and  served  one  year,  and 
was  in  the  Battle  of  Winchester.  He  has  served  as  constable  in  Woodhull.  Decem- 
ber 31,  1865,  he  married  Eugenia,  daughter  of  Stephen  Colvin,  by  whom  he  has  two 
children:  Delia  R.,  born  November  15,  1867,  educated  in  the  common  schools,  wife 
of  James  Calhoun,  a  mill  man  of  State  Run,  Pa.,  and  Winnie,  born  May  31,  1877, 
educated  at  W^oodhull  Academy,  now  at  home. 

Abrams,  Glen  D. ,  was  born  November  13,  1858.  His  grandfather,  Thomas  Abrams, 
was  born  in  Camillus,  Onondaga  county,  and  settled  on  the  Dvvight  Weld  farm  in 
1818  after  which  he  moved  to  Patchensville.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Dennis  Hess,  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Almond  J.,  Ellen  M.,  Thomas,  Laur. 
etta,  wife  of  Dr.  Carpenter  of  North  Cohocton,  Truman  E.  and  Sophia.  Thomas 
Abrams,  father  of  Glen  D. ,  was  born  in  Patchensville,  May  18,  1830.  He  married 
Harriet  Rosenkrans,  who  was  born  in  Wayland  and  died  February  32,  1869,  aged 
twenty-nine  years.  They  had  two  children:  Glen  D.  as  above;  and  Minnie,  who 
was  born  August  24,  1860.  In  1860  Mr.  Abrams  was  a  partner  with  Saul  Hess  in  the 
mercantile  business  in  W^ayland,  and  was  also  a  partner  with  Martin  Kimmel  in  the 
same  business.  He  was  postmaster  of  Wayland  for  eight  years.  Glen  D.  Abrams 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Wayland.  He  has  traveled  extensively,  and 
has  been  in  twenty-seven  different  States  of  the  Union.  He  is  now  excise  commis- 
sioner for  a  term  of  three  years.  He  is  a  member  of  Wayland  Lodge  No.  176,  I.  O. 
O.  F. ,  and  Wayland  Encampment.  At  Springwater,  N.  Y.,  May  24,  1879,  he  married 
Lillian  Walker,  who  was  born  May  21,  1858,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Floyd,  who 
was  born  October  7,  1880.  Mr.  Abrams  was  first  engaged  in  farming,  and  in  1885 
he  came  to  Wayland,  where  he  started  a  grocery  business  which  he  continued  for 
one  year,  after  which  he  bought  the  building  on  Main  street  which  he  has  since  con- 
ducted as  a  barber  shop  and  billiard  parlor. 

Bigelow,  Ell,  was  born  in  Tyrone,  N.  Y.,  November  4,  1841.  Rev.  Samuel  Bige- 
low,  his  grandfather,  came  to  ]\Iilo,  Yates  county,  N.  Y. ,  where  he  preached  for  about 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  337 

twenty  years,  and  died  in  1840.  He  had  four  sons  and  two  daughters:  John,  Nathan, 
Samuel,  James,  Rachael  and  Betsey.  James  Bigelow,  father  of  Ell,  was  born  in 
Milo,  Yates  county,  N.  Y.  He  married  Sarah  Van  Gorden,  who  was  born  in  Orange 
county,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Oscar,  James,  Urlenzo,  Ell,  Char- 
lotte, Ann,  Maria  and  RIelvina.  He  died  in  1872,  aged  eighty-two  years,  and  his 
wife  in  1891,  aged  ninety-one  years.  Ell  Bigelow  attended  the  district  school  of  Ty- 
rone and  was  graduated  from  the  Watkins  Academy,  N.  Y.,  in  1864,  after  which  he 
attended  the  Geneva  Medical  College  for  three  years,  where  he  was  graduated  in 
1869.  He  studied  medicine  under  G.  M.  Bennett.  He  went  into  partnership  with 
Dr.  L.  B.  Heeley,  of  Cohocton,  N.  Y. ,  for  two  years,  then  removed  to  Wayland  where 
he  has  practiced  medicine  constantly  for  twentj^-three  years.  In  1882  he  married 
Helen  Weinhart,  of  Wayland,  N.  Y.,  who  was  born  in  1853. 

Bross,  Joseph  E.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Enfield,  Tompkins  county,  January  11, 
1837.  His  father,  James  Bross,  was  a  native  of  Rhode  Island  and  came  to  Tompkins 
county  at  a  very  early  age.  He  learned  the  trade  of  mill-wrighting  which  he  followed 
all  his  life.  He  married  Andalucia  Rose.  Joseph  E.  Bross  is  the  fifth  child  of  a 
family  of  seven,  and  in  early  life  he  was  a  carpenter  and  wagonmaker  by  trade,  but 
of  late  has  devoted  his  time  to  farming.  For  nearly  forty  years  he  has  lived  in  the 
town  of  Howard,  where  he  is  the  owner  of  a  fine  place  of  127  acres  located  near 
Howard  Flats.  He  married  Emily,  daughter  of  David  Parsons,  of  Howard.  Mr. 
Bross  is  at  present  postmaster  of  Howard  Flats,  and  is  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Lewis  Lodge  of  Masons.  He  is  master  of  the  Lodge,  also  a  member  of  Bath  Chap- 
ter, No.  95.     In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat  and  has  filled  many  minor  offices. 

Barney,  Alvin  C,  was  born  in  Independence,  Allegany  county,  N.  Y.,  February  1, 
1833,  son  of  Dr.  Anthony  and  Roxy  Chapin  Barney,  who  were  from  Swansea,  Mass., 
and  Herkimer  county,  N.  Y.  They  came  to  Independence  in  1824,  where  she  died 
in  1838.  The  second  time  he  married  Henrietta  Horton,  and  they  were  the  parents 
of  five  children.  She  died  in  May,  1879,  and  Dr.  Barney  in  1886,  aged  eighty-five 
years.  He  was  educated  at  Fairfield  Medical  College,  commenced  practicing  in  1824 
in  Allegany  count}-,  and  retired  in  1880.  He  was  an  active  Republican  and  for  years 
supervisor  of  Independence,  a  member  of  Whiteville  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  in  re- 
ligion a  Universalist.  The  grandfather,  Jonathan  B.,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolu- 
tion. He  was  a  ship  carpenter  and  lost  his  fortune  in  two  vessels  built  about  the  time 
of  the  Embargo  Act.  Alvin  C.  Barney  was  educated  at  Alfred  University,  and 
married  in  1857  to  Mary,  daughter  of  David  and  Minerva  Sherman,  who  came  from 
Herkimer  county  to  West  Union  in  1840.  Mr.  Sherman  was  a  farmer,  dairyman, 
and  manufacturer  of  cheese,  keeping  the  largest  dairy  in  West  Union.  He  was  sup- 
ervisor twelve  years.  His  death  occurred  in  1885  and  Mrs.  Sherman's  in  1867.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Barney  are  the  parents  of  five  children :  Charles  S.,  a  graduate  of  Alfred 
and  of  the  Scientific  Department  of  Harvard  LTniversity;  Herbert,  a  physician  of  Bel- 
mont who  was  educated  at  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  and  the  Long  Island  Hospital ;  Jennie, 
who  died  when  twelve  years  of  age;  Emma  S.  ;  and  Sarah.  They  also  have  an 
adopted  daughter,  Louis,  wife  of  Myron  A.  Kenyon,  a  draughtsman  with  Cottrell 
Bros.,  manufacturers  of  printing  presses,  of  Westerly,  R.  I.  Mr.  Barney  taught 
school  winters  and  worked  on  a  farm  during  the  summers  for  nine  j^ears,  when  he 
gave  his  entire  attention  to  farming  and  dealing  in  lumber,  having  520  acres  of  land, 
qq 


338  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

He  has  been  supervisor  of  West  Union  and  chairman  of  board  two  years,  clerk  for 
three  years,  and  represented  his  district  in  the  Assembly  in  1871.  He  is  a  member 
of  Whiteville  Lodge,  No.  51,  K.  O.  T.  M. 

Brennin,  John,  was  born  on  the  adjoining  farm  to  where  he  now  resides,  July  7, 
1851,  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Doyle  Brennin,  who  settled  here  about  1848.  They 
were  the  parents  of  nine  children:  Catherine  Rose,  James,  John,  William,  Thomas, 
Abner,  Mary  Day,  Ellen  Wheeler,  and  Margaret  Day.  John  married  Mary  Louisa, 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Catherine  Ballard  Perbasco,  who  resided  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  they  have  nine  children:  Annie  Louisa,  James  Fred,  Henry,  Abner,  Erwin  S., 
Arthur  M.,  Ruby,  Jessie,  and  Ellen.  Annie  Louisa  married  Frank  Raplee,  who  re- 
sides in  Addison ;  John  is  a  tobacco  and  dairy  farmer,  his  farm  consisting  of  150 
acres.  He  has  been  collector  and  is  now  highway  commissioner,  which  office  he  has 
held  five  years. 

Bartholomew,  John,  was  born  in  Bradford,  October  20,  1824,  the  oldest  of  seven 
children  born  to  Daniel  and  Marilla  (Tobias)  Bartholomew.  Daniel  came  with  his 
parents,  Daniel  and  Catherine  Bartholomew,  from  Lancaster,  Pa.,  to  Bradford 
among  the  early  settlers.  Daniel,  the  grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution- 
ary war  and  Daniel,  his  son,  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  Daniel  Bartholomew,  jr.,  was 
reared  on  a  farm  and  always  followed  that  line  of  work.  John  Bartholomew  has 
always  been  engaged  in  farming  in  Bradford  and  owns  a  farm  of  116  acres.  He 
married  Susan,  daughter  of  William  Baskins,  and  niece  of  Lawyer  Baskins,  of  Wat- 
kins.  They  have  two  children:  Daniel,  a  homoeopathic  phy.sician,  of  Holly,  Mich., 
who  was  educated  at  Savona  Academy,  and  Philadelphia  and  Cleveland  Medical 
Schools ;  and  has  taken  the  highest  degree  in  Masonry ;  and  Alice,  the  wife  of  Henry 
Conley  (mentioned  elsewhere).  Mr.  Bartholomew  has  been  road  commissioner  of 
Bradford.     He  and  his  family  attend  the  Methodist  church. 

Briggs,  Joseph  L.,  was  born  in  Cohocton,  N.  Y.,  in  1833,  son  of  Stephen  A.  Briggs, 
who  was  born  in  the  Mohawk  Valley  in  1796,  one  of  seven  children  born  to  John  and 
Elsie  Briggs.  Stephen  devoted  his  whole  life  to  farming,  and  came  to  Cohocton, 
Steuben  county,  in  1826;  he  later  spent  eleven  years  in  Ontario  county  when  he  re- 
turned to  Steuben  count}^  and  the  last  few  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  Michigan, 
having  gone  there  to  visit  his  sons.  His  wife  was  Maria,  daughter  of  David  Putnam 
of  Montgomery  county,  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Annanias  E.,  Sydney  S., 
Mary  J.,  and  Joseph  L.  He  died  in  1876,  and  his  wife  in  1863.  David  Putnam  was 
a  noted  scout  and  Indian  fighter  under  General  Van  Rensselaer,  and  who  after 
the  war  was  killed  and  scalped  by  the  Indians.  Mr.  Briggs  received  a  limited  edu- 
cation at  the  common  schools  and  remained  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty- 
six  years  of  age  when  he  was  assisted  in  a  small  way  by  his  father,  and  began  for 
himself  as  a  farmer.  In  1865  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of  134  acres  which  he 
has  cleared  of  stumps  and  stones,  and  forty  acres  of  which  he  has  cleared  of  entire 
forests  and  made  many  other  necessary  improvements.  He  married  Mai-ia,  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Mary  Boyd,  by  whom  he  had  two  children :  Mary  L.,  and  Joseph, 
who  was  educated  in  the  Franklin  Academy,  and  is  now  teaching. 

Adams,  H.  De  Loss,  son  of  George  and  Betsy  Underwood  Adams, was  born  in  1855 
in  Hornby.     The  father  was  a  native  of  Montgomery  county  and  came  to  Hornby 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  339 

when  five  years  old  with  his  father,  Isaac.  The  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Jesse  Un- 
derwood and  a  native  of  Hornby.  The  parents  died  in  1893  and  1873,  aged  seventy- 
five  and  fifty-one.  H.  De  Loss  and  an  older  brother,  Charles  R.,  comprise  the 
family.  In  1878,  Mr.  Adams  married  Cora  Dickinson,  a  native  of  the  town  of 
Hornby.  They  have  since  resided  on  his  present  place  known  as  the  Daniel  Good- 
sell  farm  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres. 

Allen,  T.  Alfred,  was  born  on  the  Allen  homestead  near  the  Woodhull  town  line. 
He  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Margaret  Allen,  who  came  here  with  their  family  of  five 
children,  George,  William,  Nanc}^  Northrup,  Joseph,  and  T.  Alfred,  in  1826  and 
settled  in  the  southern  part  of  che  town  of  Cameron.  When  Thomas  settled  on  the 
Allen  homestead  there  was  but  one  tree  cut  on  the  place  and  by  hard  labor  it 
has  been  changed  from  a  wilderness  to  a  productive  farm.  T.  Alfred  Allen  married 
Mary  A.,  a  daughter  of  James  McFadden,  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Emma 
Irene  (deceased),  Nancy  Ella  Frohman  (afterwards  married  Robert  Toppins),  Rosa 
B.  Campbell  of  Iowa,  Katie  M.,  William  Alfred.  Mr.  Allen  after  the  death  of  his 
first  wife,  married  Alice  Northrup.  He  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church  and  has 
been  since  fifteen  years  of  age. 

Alexander,  James,  was  born  in  Morris,  Otsego  county,  in  1829.  John  Alexander, 
father  of  James,  was  born  in  Ireland,  about  1795,  came  to  America  when  a  young 
man,  and  settled  in  Morris,  Otsego  county,  where  he  spent  his  life.  He  engaged  in 
harness  making,  which  business  he  has  always  followed.  He  married  Margaret  Mc- 
Dole,  of  Ireland,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children:  Margaret,  Helena,  William,  Jane 
Ann,  Matilda  L.,  John,  Emily,  and  James.  After  the  father's  death  the  family  re- 
moved to  Chenango  county  and  pnrchased  a  farm.  James  Alexander  was  educated 
in  New  Berlin,  Chenango  county,  and  at  fifteen  years  of  age  began  life's  battles  for 
himself  by  learning  the  harness  maker's  trade,  which  he  followed  about  sixteen 
years.  In  1853  he  came  to  Pulteney  where  he  engaged  in  the  same  business  until 
1856,  when  he  married  Celia,  daughter  of  Joel  and  Nancy  (Fohvell)  Hyatt,  and  re- 
moved to  his  father-in-law's  homestead,  where  he  has  since  erected  fine,  large  com- 
modious buildings,  and  is  one  of  the  early  fruit  growers  of  this  section  ;  he  now  owns 
a  ten-acre  vineyard. 

Argus,  Philip,  was  born  in  Rheinzabern,  Germany,  in  1836,  son  of  Jacob  Argus, 
who  was  born  in  1800,  one  of  two  sons  and  two  daughters  born  to  Leonard  Argus,  a 
farmer  and  vineyardist.  Jacob  Argus  was  a  farmer  and  grape  grower.  His  wife 
was  Philiphena  Masel  and  their  children  were  John,  Martin,  and  Philip,  all  of  whom 
came  to  America.  John  and  Martin  are  deceased.  Philip  Argus,  upon  landing  in 
America,  went  directly  to  Wisconsin,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farm  work  for  five 
years.  He  then  came  to  Urbana,  Steuben  county  N.  Y.,  where  he  worked  in 
the  vineyards  for  four  years,  after  which  time  he  moved  to  Kansas,  spending  eleven 
years  there  in  farming  and  grape  growing.  He  then  returned  to  Steuben  county 
and  purchased  his  present  farm  of  forty-seven  acres,  which  he  cleared  and  set  out 
forty  acres  of  vines,  the  entire  product  of  which  he  manufactures  into  the  finest  qual- 
ities of  wine.  In  1839  Mr.  Argus  married  Abolonia  Beill,  of  Prairie  du  Chien,  Wis. 
Ciormerly  of  Germany),  and  their  children  are  Jacob,    Martin,  Barbara,   Anthony, 


340  ULNDMAEKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Mary,  Lizzie,  Catherine,  John,  and  Abolonia.     Mr.  Argus  is  a  Democrat  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  C.  M.  B.  A. 

Acomb,  Fred  D.,  was  born  November  5,  1868.  His  paternal  grandfather,  was  born 
in  England  and  settled  on  Sandy  Hill,  where  he  died  two  years  later  of  cholera, 
which  raged  in  that  locality.  Thomas  Acomb,  the  father  of  Fred  D.,  was  born  in 
England  February  9,  1827,  and  died  March  29,  1893,  aged  sixty-six  years.  He  came 
to  America  with  his  parents  in  1832.  He  married  Elizabeth  Florey,  by  whom  he  had 
nine  children:  William  H.,  Matilda  Babcock,  Frank,  Ann  Hall,  Minnie  Sterner,  Jane 
Flint  (M.D.),  Daniel  G.,  and  Nellie.  Mr.  Acomb  was  an  energetic  man,  who  began 
life  without  a  cent  and  at  his  death  was  possessed  of  750  acres  of  land.  He  was 
assessor  of  Dansville'for  many  years.  Fred  D.  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
and  attended  the  Dansville  High  School  for  a  time.  He  resides  on  the  old  home- 
stead and  does  quite  an  extensive  dairy  business.  At  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  October  8, 
1891,  he  married  Carrie  Stone,  who  was  born  in  Dansville,  Livingston  county  N.  Y. , 
June  19,  1871,  by  whom  he  has  one  child;  John  F.,  born  December  19,  1892. 

Wheeler,  Charles  Grattan,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wheeler,  N.  Y.,  July  4,  1854. 
He  was  educated  at  the  Hammondsport  Academy,  and  his  first  occupation  was  with 
the  Hammondsport  Wine  Company,  where  he  remained  until  1886,  with  live  years  of 
the  time  on  the  road.  In  1886  he  engaged  with  the  Lake  Keuka  Wine  Company, 
owning  one-fourth  interest,  of  which  he  is  the  secretary  and  general  manager.  Oc- 
tober 27,  1880,  he  married  Adele  M  Lozier,  of  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had 
four  children:  Florence,  Munroe,  Lozier,  and  Carrie,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr. 
Wheeler  has  twenty  five  acres  of  vineyard,  also  a  peach  orchard  and  six  acres  of 
small  fruit. 

Kilbury,  Joel. — His  grandfather,  Robert  Kilbury,  was  born  in  Vermont  in  1765, 
and  moved  to  the  town  of  Dansville  and  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  William 
Cridler,  and  from  there  went  to  Indiana,  where  he  died.  Joel's  father,  Robert  Kil- 
bury, who  was  born  in  Vermont  in  1821,  came  to  Dansville  with  his  father,, where  he 
purchased  a  farm  a  little  north  of  Fremont  Center.  In  1821  he  married  Eunice  Car- 
rington,  who  was  born  in  Washington  county,  N.  Y.  They  were  members  of  the 
Baptist  church.  He  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven,  and  she,  in  1891.  They  were 
the  parents  of  ten  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy:  Sarah  Jane  Faulkner, 
born  in  1822;  Eli  C,  born  in  1823;  Edwin  R..  born  in  1825;  Robert  Smith,  born  in 
1827;  Phebe  A.  Gates,  born  in  1829;  Mary  M.  Cotton,  born  in  1831;  Joel  C,  born 
September  11,  1839;  and  Andrew,  born  in  1835.  Joel  was  educated  at  the  Rogers- 
ville  Seminary.  In  1862  he  went  to  California,  where  he  remained  two  years,  and 
when  he  returned  he  purchased  his  father's  farm,  where  he  now  resides.  He  has 
held  the  offices  of  supervisor  and  highway  commissioner  of  the  town  of  Fremont. 
Mr.  Kilbury  married  Harriet  Horten,  in  1864,  and  eight  children  were  born  to  them: 
Mary  Eugena  Lessig,  born  in  1866 ;  Edwin  R.,  born  in  1867;  Harriet  E.,  born  in  1870; 
Alfred  Horton,  born  in  1872;  Charles  S.,  born  in  1875;  Guy  Mc,  born  in  1880;  Paul- 
lina  May,  born  in  1883;  and  Merlin  J.,  born  in  1887.  David  H.  Lessig,  husband  of 
Mary  Eugena  Lessig,  is  a  merchant  in  Indiana.  Edwin  R.  is  a  merchant  at  Fremont 
Center. 

Fritting,  John. — John   Fritting,   sr.,   was  the    pioneer  of   the   family  in   Steuben 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  341 

county.  He  was  a  native  of  Germany  and  came  to  America  about  1850  and  settled 
in  the  eastern  part  of  Cohocton,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  and  became  a  prosper- 
ous farmer.  At  the  time  he  took  up  the  land  it  was  heavily  timbered  and  for  many 
years  he  made  large  quantities  of  shaved  shingles.  He  was  a  prominent  member  of 
St.  Paul's  Lutheran  church  of  Cohocton  and  one  of  its  trustees.  He  married  Anna 
Hach,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children ;  Margaret,  wife  of  George 
Fronk;  Mary;  Lucy,  who  married  Conrad  Fox,  of  Naples,  N.  Y.  ;  John,  who  mar- 
ried Cora  Rouse,  and  settled  in  Cohocton,  being  a  successful  farmer;  Louisa,  wife  of 
George  Caward  of  Cohocton ;  Jacob,  who  lives  on  the  homestead,  and  married  Eva 
Blumenthal;  Conrad,  who  married  Minnie  Hayward,  and  resides  in  Cohocton;  and 
Fred.     Mr.  Fritting  died  in  1870. 

Zeh,  Melchor,  and  Zeh,  Kilian. — Kilian  Zeh,  sr.,  the  first  of  this  family  to  settle  in 
Steuben  county,  was  a  native  of  Germany  and  came  to  America  in  1845,  and  first 
located  in  New  York  city,  and  two  years  later  removed  to  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
lived  until  1857,  when  he  settled  in  the  western  part  of  the  town  of  Cohocton  and 
purchased  a  farm,  where  he  lived  until  his  death  in  1878.  He  was  one  of  the  found- 
ers of  St.  Paul's  Lutheran  church  of  Cohocton,  and  was  one  of  the  organizers  of 
Zion's  Lutheran  church.  He  married  Mary  Goodheart,  and  their  children  were 
Frederick,  who  settled  in  Kalamazoo,  Mich.  ;  Melchor;  Louis,  who  resided  in  Cohoc- 
ton, where  he  died;  Kilian;  and  John,  who  died  young.  Kilian  Zeh,  jr.,  located  in 
Cohocton,  is  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  is  also  engaged  in  farming.  He  is  a  member 
of  St.  Paul's  Lutheran  church.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Henry  Schwingle  of 
Cohocton,  and  their  children  are  John  F.,  Edward  F."  Catherine  L.,  Martha  M., 
Charles  H.,  Clara,  and  Otto,  living,  and  Herman  M.,  deceased.  Melchor  Zeh  located 
in  this  town,  where  he  is  a  successful  farmer.  He  is  a  strong  Republican,  and  was 
elected  poormaster  in  1895.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  Paul's  Lutheran  church.  He 
married  Mary,  daughter  of  Nicholas  Folts,  and  their  children  are  Mary  C. ,  wife  of 
Jacob  Link,  John  F.,  WilHam  J.,  Henry  L.,  George  P.,  Louise  L.,  Samiiel  D  ,  Em- 
ma H.,  Martin  T.,  living,  and  JuHa  M.,  deceased.  Louise  has  three  children,  Fred- 
eric, Spencer  and  Julia. 

Bush,  W.  L. — The  pioneer  of  the  Bush  family  was  Conrad  Bush,  who  came  from 
Germany  in  an  early  day,  and  settled  at  Pompey,  Onondaga  county,  N.  Y.  He 
served  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  had  twelve  children,  as  follows:  Susan,  Will- 
iam, Conrad,  jr.,  John,  Ellick,  Thomas,  Jacob,  Elias,  George,  Lyman,  Charles,  Polly. 
John  Bush,  son  of  Conrad,  served  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  was  one  of  the  early 
settlers  of  Cohocton.  and  came  from  Onondaga  county  and  took  up  100  acres  on  the 
River  Road,  there  being  but  only  one  house  between  there  and  North  Cohocton.  He 
made  his  first  clearing  on  the  corner  where  the  Bush  school  house  now  stands,  sowed 
it  to  wheat,  returned  to  Onondaga  county,  and  the  following  spring  brought  back  his 
family.  He  built  the  first  frame  house  in  the  town  and  brought  in  the  first  hay  rake, 
and  became  a  prosperous  farmer.  He  was  for  several  years  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness in  Cohocton.  He  married  Martha  Case  for  his  first  wife,  by  whom  he  had 
twelve  children:  Mary,  who  married  Lewis  Kimball,  and  settled  in  Cohocton,  N.  Y.  ; 
Martha,  who  married  Simon  Smith,  and  settled  in  Naples;  Aurelia,  who  married 
Darwin  Kimball,  and  settled  in  Cohocton  ;  Lyman,  who  married  Lucinda  Sutton,  and 
settled  in  Pompey,  N.Y.  ;  John,  deceased;  Morris,  in  Cohocton;  Elias,  who  settled  in 


342  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Butler  county,  Iowa ;  Thomas,  deceased ;  Minerva,  wife  of  William  Miller,  of  Co- 
hocton;  Juliette,  who  married  Robert  Perry,  and  settled  in  Decatur,  111.;  Wesley, 
who  served  four  years  in  the  Rebellion  and  afterwards  married  for  his  first  wife 
Minerva  Wilson,  and  settled  on  the  homestead,  and  for  his  second  wife  he  married 
Mary  Lowell;  and  Jane,  who  married  Ira  Stillman,  of  Onondaga  county.  For  his 
second  wife  John  Bush  married  Mrs.  William  Wing,  by  whom  he  had  two  children: 
Celeste,  who  married  Hiram  W.  Hatch,  of  Cohocton ;  and  Lois,  who  died  unmarried. 
Norris  Bush  was  born  in  Cohocton,  in  1829,  and  has  always  followed  farming.  In 
1865  he  settled  in  the  town  of  Naples,  near  the  Cohocton  line.  He  married  Helen 
Lee,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Mary  J.  (Mrs.  J.  R.  Wetmore)  of  North  Cohoc- 
ton; Wheeler  L.,  a  farmer  of  Cohocton;  and  Elizabeth  (Mrs.  Ellwyn  Briggs). 

Brink,  Franklin  Johnson,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Urbana,  October  8, 
1821.  His  father,  Matthew  Brink,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  section,  coming 
from  New  Jersey  when  only  a  lad.  He  was  a  blacksmith  and  justice  of  the  peace  for 
many  years.  He  was  the  proprietor  of  an  ashery  in  the  village,  and  also  run  the  first 
horse  boat  on  Lake  Keuka,  and  was  a  captain  of  the  National  Guards.  He  left  here 
in  1830,  and  died  in  Michigan,  in  1836.  He  married  Harriet  Webster,  by  whom  he 
had  four  children,  of  which  Franklin  Johnson  is  the  only  one  living.  Mrs.  Brink 
died  in  1856.  Franklin  Johnson  was  given  a  good  common  school  education,  and  his 
first  occupation  was  in  the  blacksmith  shop  with  his  father.  He  came  to  this  town 
in  1837  and  for  a  few  years  worked  by  the  month.  In  1862  he  bought  a  farm  of  fifty 
acres,  where  he  lived  for  ten  years,  and  then  sold  and  bought  113  acres  where  we 
now  find  him  conducting  a  general  grain  farm  with  a  vineyard  of  five  acres  and  some 
sheep.  In  1863  he  returned  to  the  trade  of  blacksmith  and  has  a  shop  on  his  present 
farm.  In  1846  he  married  Susan  Randall,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  by  whom  he  had 
five  children :  Emma,  who  died  in  March,  1894,  aged  twenty-seven  years;  Harriet 
Bailey,  wife  of  Frank  B. ,  a  farmer  of  this  town ;  Mary,  wife  of  Willard  French ;  and 
Elbert,  who  lives  on  the  homestead  farm. 

Colgrove,  Henry,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville,  August  20,  1835, 
grandson  of  Samuel  Colgrove,  from  Rhode  Island,  and  son  of  Francis  Colgrove,  a 
native  of  Painted  Post,  born  June  20,  1810.  He  married  in  1830,  Amanda  Pitts, 
daughter  of  John  Pitts  of  Hornellsville.  He  always  resided  in  Steuben  county,  and 
through  his  life  was  interested  in  school  and  church  work.  He  died  November  25, 
1878.  Henry  was  the  second  of  a  family  of  ten  children,  of  whom  eight  are  still  living. 
He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Alfred  University,  and  followed  his 
father  on  the  farm  and  in  stock  dealing.  In  1877  he  added  to  his  farming  interests 
the  dealing  in  produce  at  Burns.  In  1886  Mr.  Colgrove  moved  to  Arkport,  where 
he  engaged  in  dealing  in  farm  produce,  particularly  in  potatoes  and  fruits,  in  1895 
handling  about  100,000  bushels  of  potatoes  alone.  Mr.  Colgrove  is  a  warm  Repub- 
lican, and  was  twice  (in  1880-81)  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Burns,  and  in  1889  was 
elected  to  the  same  office  in  Hornellsville,  and  again  elected  in  1891.  He  also  held 
the  office  of  assessor  in  both  towns.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fratern- 
ity for  fifteen  years,  a  member  of  Canaseraga  lodge  No.  781,  he  is  also  a  member  of 
Steuben  Chapter  No.  101,  and  De  Molay  Commandery  No.  22.  He  has  always  taken 
an  active  interest  in  church  and  school  work,  and  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  edu- 
cation of  Arkport.     He  married,  March  15,  1859,  Sarah,  daughter  of  James  Miller  of 


J 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  343 

South  Dansville.  They  have  three  sons :  James  Francis,  a  partner  with  his  father  in 
the  produce  business  and  now  located  in  New  York  city;  J.  Hervey,  a  farmer  of 
Dansville ;  and  Henry  Miller,  an  optician  and  jeweler  of  Canaseraga. 

Conderman,  Charles,  was  born  in  Fremont,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  January  15, 
1864.  He  was  the  son  of  John  D.  and  Aseneth  Conderman.  In  1884  he  graduated 
from  the  Hornellsville  Free  Academy,  and  in  1886  entered  the  law  office  of  Fay  P. 
Rathbun,  and  began  the  study  of  law.  In  1889  he  entered  the  Albany  Law  School, 
from  which  he  graduated  in  1890  and  was  admitted  to  the  New  York  State  bar  in  the 
same  year.  He  has  successfully  practiced  his  profession  at  Hornellsville,  N.  Y.,  ever 
since.  In  1892  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Common  Council  of  the  city  of  Horn- 
ellsville, which  office  he  still  holds,  being  re-lected  in  1894.  Mr.  Conderman  is  a  man 
of  sterling  qualities,  active  and  incorruptible  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  and  per- 
severing in  his  denunciation  of  ring  rule.  He  has  been  conspicuous  in  his  exposure 
of  corrupt  city  politics  which  has  resulted  in  immense  good  to  the  city,  so  that  to-day 
he  is  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  staunchest  aldermen  that  the  city  of  Hornellsville  has 
ever  had. 

Curtis,  John  S.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Campbell,  August  9,  1865.  Daniel  B. 
Curtis  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Campbell 
among  the  first  settlers,  where  he  engaged  in  tanning  and  farming.  He  married 
May  A.  Brown  of  Campbell,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Jennie,  John  S. ,  George 
H.,  Uriah  B.,  and  May.  John  S.  Curtis  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  Camp- 
bell. He  attended  the  military  school  at  Cayuga  Lake,  one  year  at  a  preparatory 
school,  and  then  took  charge  of  his  father's  farm  of  500  acres,  which  he  now  owns. 
Since  1887  he  has  been  agent  for  the  N.  Y.,  L.  E.  &  W.  R.  R.  He  married  Grace, 
daughter  of  C.  H.  Bemis  of  Campbell,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Daniel  B.  In  1893 
Mr.  Curtis  was  elected  supervisor  of  the  town,  for  a  three  years  term.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Republican. 

Cleveland,  Shepard  A.,  was  born  in  Delaware  county,  August  7,  1842.  John  P. 
Cleveland,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  the  same  county,  and  came  to  South  Post,  on 
the  line  between  Steuben  county  and  Chemung  county,  where  he  bought  timberland 
and  cleared  a  farm.  He  was  in  the  lumber  business  for  many  years,  and  died  in  the 
town  of  Campbell,  aged  nmety-four  years.  He  married  Nancy  Cotton  of  Connecti- 
cut. Shepard  A.  Cleveland  was  educated  in  Steuben  county,  and  then  engaged  in 
farming,  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  270  acres.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Rumsey  of  Victor,  Ontario  county,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Ida  M. ,  Alice  G., 
Nancy  D. ,  Ray  S.,  and  Mertie  M.  Mr.  Cleveland  has  held  many  of  the  minor  offices 
of  the  town,  and  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church.     In  politics  he  is  a  Prohibitionist. 

Cody,  Frank  A.,  was  born  in  Hornellsville,  January  21,  1857,  son  of  Levi  Cody 
who  came  from  Connecticut  to  Hornellsville  when  quite  small,  with  his  father  who 
cleared  land  for  a  farm,  which  at  that  time  was  a  wilderness.  He  married  Sarah 
Cobern,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Frank,  Fred,  Charles  and  Howard. 
Frank  A.  Cody  was  educated  in  this  county,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming  and 
lumbering,  and  at  present  devotes  his  time  to  farming,  and  now  owns  a  farm  on  the 
Mead's  Creek  road,  of  130  acres.  He  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  James  Hamilton 
of  Ireland,  by  whom  he  had  one  daughter,  Mary.  He  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
church,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican. 


344  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Campbell,  "William  H.,  was  born  in  Seneca  county,  May  19,  1832,  the  third  son  of 
four  born  to  Luther  and  Sally  (Townsend)  Campbell,  both  of  Seneca  county.  Elijah 
and  Pattie  Townsend  were  pioneers  of  Townsville,  Seneca  county, for  whom  the  town 
was  named.  The  grandfather,  John  Campbell,  was  a  farmer  of  Seneca  county  and 
died  in  Greenwood.  Luther  Campbell  came  to  Greenwood  about  1835  and  cleared 
considerable  land  and  died  in  1850.  Mrs.  Campbell  died  March  10,  1840.  William 
H.  Campbell  was  with  his  father  until  twenty  years  of  age  and  helped  to  clear  several 
farms.  He  then  started  in  business  for  himself  and  now  owns  a  good  farm  of  122 
acres  which  he  rents  and  resides  on  a  farm  of  ten  acres.  March  13,  1857,  he  mar- 
ried Sophronia  Petre,  of  Herkimer  county,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  three  children: 
Alice,  wife  of  J.  Rogers,  a  farmer  of  Greenwood;  Lottie,  wife  of  William  Rowland, 
also  a  farmer  of  Greenwood;  and  Hayden,  who  died  in  October,  1888,  aged  twenty- 
one  years. 

Crawford  Bros. — Lewis  Crawford  was  born  in  Lycoming  county,  Pa.,  in  1881,  son 
of  David  and  Margaret  Sarah  Crawford,  who  came  to  Rathbone  about  1825,  where 
they  lived  and  died.  He  married  Elizabeth  Mullison,  a  native  of  Luzerne  county, 
Pa.,  born  December  23,  1824,  daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  Phoenix  Mullison,  he 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  she  of  Delaware  county,  N.  Y.  They  came  to  Rath- 
bone  in  1832,  where  he  died  July  23,  1864,  and  she,  September  15,  1885.  Lewis 
Crawford  was  educated  in  the  commgn  schools,  and  was  a  farmer  and  lumberman, 
owning  about  250  acres  of  land.  In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat  and  was  assessor 
and  commissioner.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crawford  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  seven 
of  whom  are  living;  William,  who  is  now  engaged  in  the  hay  and  grain  business; 
Charles,  David,  Martha,  wife  of  Dewitt  Northrup ;  George,  who  resides  on  the  home- 
stead; Eugene,  born  April  7,  1856;  and  James,  born  February  28,  1864.  Eugene 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  the  Poughkeepsie  Business  College,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1879.  He  clerked  for  his  brother  William  several  years  and 
then  entered  into  partnership  with  him  in  1879.  They  continued  in  business  until 
1891  when  they  dissolved  partnership,  his  younger  brother,  James,  buying  out  Will- 
iam, and  they  have  since  continued  under  the  firm  name  of  Crawford  Bros.  Eugene 
married  Mary,  daughter  of  Finley  Goff  of  Rathbone,  and  they  have  two  children: 
Lewis  and  Fmley.  James  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  was  graduated 
from  the  Poughkeepsie  Business  College  in  1886,  and  clerked  for  his  brother  until  he 
formed  a  partnership,  as  above  stated.  October  28,  1890,  he  married  Lottie  Rich- 
myer,  daughter  of  John  Richmyer,  and  two  children  have  been  born  to  them:  William 
and  Ruth.  James  Crawford  was  appointed  postmaster  in  1890.  Mr.  Lewis  Crawford 
died  in  1881. 

Campbell,  George,  was  born  in  Island,  August  18,  1842,  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary 
(Wilson)  Campbell,  natives  of  Island,  who  came  to  Cameron  in  1849,  where  Mrs. 
Campbell  died  about  1850,  and  where  Mr.  Campbell  now  resides.  George  Camp- 
bell was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  owns  178  acres 
of  land  in  Cameron,  and  in  1884  bought  127  acres  in  Rathbone,  N.  Y.,  and  follows 
general  farming.  He  is  a  member  of  Cameron  Mills  Lodge,  No.  547,  F.  and  A.  M., 
and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Farmers'  Alliance.  He  was  a  justice  of  the  peace  and 
highway  commissioner  in  Cameron.  His  grandfather,  Alexander  Campbell,  was  a 
native  of  Island  and  came  to  Steuben  county  at  an  early  day,  and  was  a  well-read 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  345 

man  for  his  time,  prominent  politically,  and  was  postmaster  for  a  number  of  years  in 
Cameron,  N.  Y. 

Cole,  Jesse  F.,  was  born  in  Rathbone,  N.  Y.,  July  8,  1868.  His  grandfather,  Jacob 
Cole,  lived  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  and  afterwards  removed  to  the  south  part 
of  the  town,  where  he  cleared  a  large  farm  and  became  quite  wealthy.  Albert  Cole, 
father  of  Jesse  F.,  was  born  in  Rathbone,  N.  Y.  He  was  a  farmer  and  spent  his  life 
in  Rathbone.  He  married  Sarah  Warner,  who  was  born  in  Sussex  county,  N.  J., 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Arvilla  (Rubert)  Warner;  he  died  in  New  Jersey  in  1893,  and 
she  in  Rathbone,  while  on  a  visit.  Mr.  Cole  died  October  27,  1893,  and  his  widow 
lives  with  her  son.  Jesse  F.  Cole  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  at  Woodhull 
Academy,  after  which  he  learned  the  barber's  trade,  and  in  1891  came  to  Rathbone, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  now  serving  his 
second  term  as  town  clerk.  April  7,  1895,  he  married  Satie  Crawford,  daughter  of 
James  Crawford,  of  Rathbone. 

Cook,  Andrew  W.,  was  born  in  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  September  14,  1828.  His  father, 
Andrew  Cook,  was  born  in  East  Haddam,  Conn.,  and  died  in  June,  1857,  aged  sev- 
enty-one years.  He  came  from  Connecticut  in  1808  and  settled  in  Geneseo,  and  in 
1809  built  a  saw  mill  on  the  site  of  Sweet's  foundry.  In  1814  he  purchased  the  farm 
in  Dansville,  now  owned  by  his  son.  He  married  Elizabeth  McWhorter,  who  was 
born  in  Northumberland,  Pa.,  and  died  in  1869,  aged  seventy-eight  years.  They  had 
twelve  children :  Frances,  born  September  18,  1813,  and  died  July  22,  1816;  Sarah 
Sylvester,  born  June  23,  1815,  and  died  in  1892;  Gideon,  born  March  18,  1817,  and 
died  March  26,  1821 ;  Thomas,  born  April  4,  1819,  deceased ;  Marion,  born  May  15, 
1821,  and  died  August  21,  1824;  Huldah  L.,  born  April  17,  1823,  and  died  October  1, 
1887 ;  Lucretia,  born  March  6 ,  1825,  and  died  April  2,  1825 ;  William,  born  Septem- 
ber 9,  182S,  and  died  March  21,  1828;  Andrew  W.,  born  September  14,  1828;  Caro- 
line E.  Gould,  born  October  20,  1830;  and  John  C.  and  James  O.,  twins,  born  April 
1,  1833.  Andrew  W.  received  a  common  school  education  and  subsequently  took  a 
course  at  the  Rogersville  Seminary,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  has  also 
worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade  for  sixteen  years.  He  has  held  the  office  of  justice 
of  the  peace  of  Dansville,  and  was  elected  superintendent  of  the  poor  for  Steuben 
county  in  1872  and  served  three  years.  He  is  a  member  of  Dansville  Ledge,  No.  478, 
F.  and  A.  M.  In  October,  1856,  he  married  Mary  J.  Wellington,  who  was  born  in 
1827  and  died  in  1874,  by  whom  he  had  three  children :  Adah  Bell  Sponable,  born 
July  27,  1857;  Julia  E.  Wood,  born  October  12,  1859;  and  William  S.,  born  June  8, 
1864.  Mr.  Cook  married  for  his  second  wife,  Ellen  M.  Howard,  who  was  born  in 
Albany,  Vt.,  September  10,  1839. 

Curray,  Charles  O.,  was  born  on  Oak  Hill,  on  the  place  where  he  now  resides,  in 
1836.  His  father,  James  B.  Curray,  was  born  in  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y.,  and  died 
in  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  on  the  place  where  his  son  now  resides,  in  1888,  aged  eighty- 
six  years.  He  settled  on  Oak  Hill  about  1835.  He  married  Nancy  Miller,  who  was 
born  in  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y.,  and  died  on  Oak  Hill,  aged  sixtj'-six  years.  They 
had  ten  children:  Evehne  Coe;  Angeline  Hendy,  deceased;  William  W.,  deceased; 
Mary  A.  Burdette ;  Fanny  Newcomb,  deceased;  Emma  Jane  Miller,  deceased;  Mil- 
ton S.,  deceased;  Charles  O.,  as  above;  Olivia  Crow,  and  Emerdette  Cane,  deceased. 


346 


LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 


Charles  O.  attended  the  common  schools  and  took  a  course  in  the  Rogersville  Semi- 
nary. He  has  always  followed  farming,  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  150  acres.  In  Oc- 
tober, 186L  he  enlisted  in  the  104th  N.  Y.  Wadsworth  Guards,  and  was  discharged 
in  February,  1863.  He  took  part  in  Second  Bull  Run,  South  Mountain,  Antietam 
and  Fredericksburg.  He  is  a  member  of  Dansville  Lodge,  No.  478,  F.  and  A.M.  He 
married  Mary  A.  Levers,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  July  22,  1836,  by  whom  he 
had  three  children:  Lillie  M.,  born  in  January,  1873;  John  B.,  born  in  April,  1873, 
and  Susan,  born  July  14,  1878. 

Cooper,  John  E.,  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides,  September  27,  1852, 
son  of  Charles  J.,  and  grandson  of  Dr.  John  Cooper.  John  E.  Cooper  married  Mary 
Friesleder,  and  they  have  three  children:  Hippolyt,  John,  jr.,  andMary.  Mr.  Cooperis 
a  farmer,  having  a  farm  which  consists  of  140  acres,  and  has  been  assessor  of  the 
town  of  Erwin. 

Campbell,  George  W.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Campbell,  August  2,  1818,  son  of 
Archibald  Campbell,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  that  town,  which  was  named  after 
his  family.  George  W.  settled  in  the  town  of  Erwin  in  1885,  and  married  Elizabeth 
Burrill,  and  they  have  three  children:  Sarah  Louise,  of  Painted  Post;  Solomon  A., 
of  Oneida,  Madison  county,  and  Archibald  W.,  of  Elkland,  Pa.  Mr.  Campbell  has 
been  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Erwin  for  five  years,  and  held  that  office  in  the  town 
of  Campbell  four  years  during  the  war.  He  has  been  county  superintendent  of  the 
poor  of  Steuben  county  for  three  years. 

Carroll,  Jackson,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bath,  July  19,  1860,  son  of  Andrew  Car- 
roll, who  was  born  in  Ireland,  November  1,  1804,  came  to  this  country  when  about 
twenty-eight,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Bath,  where  he  cleared  a  farm  of  125  acres, 
where  he  continued  to  live  until  his  death  in  1889,  at  the  age  of  eighty-five.  He  mar- 
ried Anna  Ward,  of  Ireland,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  six  of 
whom  are  living  at  the  present  time.  Jackson  Carroll  is  a  farmer  by  occupation  and 
owns  a  farm  of  100  acres  improved  land.  He  was  educated  in  the  town  of  Bath.  He 
married  Haley,  daughter  of  George  Stewart,  of  Howard,  and  they  have  two  chil- 
dren: Deo  and  Otto.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  In  politics  Mr.  Car- 
roll is  a  Democrat,  and  has  held  minor  offices. 

Coats,  Thomas,  was  born  in  Ireland,  May  13,  1839,  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1853,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Howard.  He  first  worked  by  the  month,  but  started 
out  for  himself  in  1868,  is  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  owns  a  farm  of  175  acres;  also 
some  timber  land.  He  raises  prmcipally  wheat,  oats,  barley  and  potatoes.  His  crop 
of  potatoes  for  1894  was  over  2,000  bushels.  In  1868  he  married  Mariah,  daughter  of 
George  Wilson,  a  farmer,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  nine  of  whom 
are  living.  Mr.  Coats  is  at  the  present  time  assessor  of  the  town,  and  has  also  been 
trustee  of  the  district.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

Cole,  Alvah  M.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Addison,  Steuben  county,  August  27,  1821, 
son  of  Peleg  G.  Cole,  who  was  born  in  Columbia  county,  N.  Y.  He  came  to  Steuben 
county  in  1815  and  settled  in  Addison,  and  in  1817  came  to  the  town  of  Howard," 
where  he  bought  land  and  cleared  a  farm  of  eighty-four  acres,  where  he  remained 
vmtil  his  death.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Isaac  Tracey,  who  was  one  of  the 
first  settlers  of  Addison,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  eight  children.     Alvah  M.  re- 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  347 

mained  on  the  farm,  teaching  school  in  the  wiuter  and  working  on  the  farm  in  the 
summer,  studied  law  for  nine  months,  and  has  practiced  in  a  justice's  court  for 
twenty-five  years.  He  has  held  the  office  of  supervisor  and  other  offices  of  the  town. 
He  married  Ann,  daughter  of  Henry  Freelove  of  Howard,  and  they  have  five  chil- 
dren: May,  deceased,  Alvah  P.,  Phoebe,  Martha,  and  Frank.  Alvah  is  a  farmer, 
the  youngest  son  is  a  railroader,  Martha  is  deceased,  and  Phoebe  is  married  to  a  Mr. 
Arm.strong. 

Casson,  John  C,  was  born  in  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  and  when  a  boy  came  to  the 
town  of  Tuscarora  with  his  parents,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Mr.  Casson  is  one 
of  the  most  enterprising  citizen  of  his  town,  and  also  one  of  the  wealthiest,  owning 
considerable  property  by  himself,  and  is  also  in  partnership  with  his  brother  in  real 
estate  and  in  the  manufacture  of  lumber.  In  politics  he  is  an  ardent  Prohibitionist. 
He  is  unmarried  and  lives  with  his  brother,  Mordecai,  who  is  mentioned  elsewhere 
in  this  book. 

Cook,  Adam  P.,  was  born  in  Amsterdam,  Montgomery  county,  April  1,  18:37.  Cas- 
per Cook,  his  grandfather  was  a  native  of  Holland  and  came  to  America  with  his 
parents  shortly  after  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation, and  reared  six  children.  Benjamin  Cook,  father  of  Adam  P.,  was  born  in 
Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  in  180T,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Seneca,  Ontario  county,  about 
1831,  a  year  later  removed  to  the  town  of  Wheeler,  thence  to  the  town  of  Prattsburg 
a  few  months  later,  where  he  lived  many  years  and  bought  and  sold  several  farms. 
In  1876  he  removed  from  his  farm  to  the  village  of  Prattsburg  where  he  lived  until 
1888,  when  he  removed  to  the  town  of  Phelps,  Ontario  county,  where  he  lived  with  a 
daughter  until  his  death  which  occurred  in  July,  1894.  He  served  as  assessor  twelve 
years,  also  as  commissioner  of  highways,  justice  of  the  peace,  etc.,  and  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  married  Angeline  Vrooman  of  Schenectady,  a 
daughter  of  Henry  Vrooman,  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Adam  P.,  Henry  V., 
Charles  (deceased),  William,  Catherine,  Benjamin,  Sarah,  and  Albert.  His  wife 
died  in  1883.  Adam  P.  Cook  began  for  himself  when  twenty-one  j^ears  of  age  at  farm 
and  saw  mill  work  by  the  year  for  three  years,  after  which  for  some  years  he 
engaged  in  farming  for  himself  on  rented  farms,  and  in  1869  bought  his 
present  farm  of  113  acres,  where  he  has  been  a  successful  breeder  of  sheep  and 
horses,  and  has  now  bought  and  paid  for  a  large  farm  of  170  acres,  made  necessary 
improvements,  and  accumulated  a  good  property.  He  served  as  commissioner  of 
highways  three  terms,  assessor  nine  years,  and  in  1856  married  Elenore  N.  Edwards, 
who  was  born  in  Wheeler,  daughter  of  Solomon  and  Sarah  (Nobles)  Edwards,  by 
whom  he  had  three  children :  Frank  E.,  who  assists  in  operating  the  farm;  Carrie, 
wife  of  Fred  Cramer  of  Hammondsport,  N.  Y.  ;  and  Catherine,  wife  of  Fred  Lewis 
of  Wheeler  village. 

Crane,  Ferrel  J.,  is  a  descendant  of  an  old  Massachusetts  family.  His  father, 
Lyman  Crane,  who  was  born  in  the  Bay  State  in  1807,  came  with  his  parents  to 
Cortland,  N.  Y.,  where  in  1830  he  married  Charlotte,  daughter  of  Hezekiah  Howe. 
Three  years  later  he  came  to  Addison  and  purchased  200  acres  of  forest  land,  about 
five  miles  north  of  the  village,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering  with 
great  financial  success.     Of  Mr.  Crane's  ten  children,  Ferrel,  who  resides  on  the  farm 


348  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

where  he  was  born  in  1856,  is  the  youngest.  He  is  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  has 
erected  a  shop  on  the  farm.  His  mother  died  at  his  home  in  1890,  at  an  advanced 
age.  Mr.  Crane  married  Amy,  daughter  of  Garrison  Briggs,  of  Addison,  who  was  a 
native  of  Corning,  N.  Y.,  and  a  descendant  of  an  old  Dutch  family.  They  were  the 
parents  of  three  children:  Maud  E.,  born  in  1880,  and  died  April  21,  1889;  Clara 
Sophia,  born  in  1883;  and  Mabel,  born  in  1892. 

Corbett,  George  R.,  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  December  31,  1830,  son  of 
Joseph  Corbett,  who  was  also  born  in  Massachusetts,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Harts- 
ville  in  1840,  where  he  bought  a  claim  of  112  acres.  Joseph  Corbett  married  Jane 
Babcock,  of  Massachusetts,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  of  whom 
George  R.  is  the  oldest  son  living.  George  R.  was  educated  in  the  district  schools 
of  Hartsville,  and  learned  the  carpenter's  trade.  He  entered  the  16th  New  York 
Artillery,  served  from  January  4,  1864,  to  November  1,  1865.  He  married  Phebe  D., 
daughter  John  Van  Buskirk,  of  Hartsville,  who  was  a  farmer  and  lumberman,  and 
they  have  seven  children.  Mr.  Corbett  has  held  the  office  of  justice,  assessor,  and 
other  minor  offices.  At  present  he  is  notary  public,  and  mail  carrier  from  Purdy 
Creek  to  Canisteo,  a  member  of  Post  Abram  Allen,  No.  194,  and  also  member  of  the 
Grange.     In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Carman,  Joseph  W.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Vern,  Sussex  county,  N.  J.,  son  of 
Joseph  and  Catherine  (Rude)  Carman.  The  parental  grandfather,  Thomas  Carman, 
came  from  Long  Island  and  settled  in  Bloomingdale,  Passaic  county,  N.  J.,  where  he 
died.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 
Joseph  Carman  sold  his  farm  and  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade.  He  died  in  Vern, 
N.  J.,  aged  sixty-four  years.  His  wife  came  to  Bradford  and  spent  her  last  days 
with  her  children,  dying  at  the  age  of  eighty-six  years.  Joseph  W.  lived  on  a  farm 
until  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  has  since 
followed,  since  the  war  working  six  or  seven  years  in  Bath.     In    1889  he  married 

Jane,  daughter  of and  Jane  (Shaw)  Terris,  natives  of  New  Jersey  and  Pratts- 

burg,  Steuben  county,  respectively.     The  maternal  grandparents,  John   and  Susan 

(Mace) ,  came  to  Prattsburg  from  New  Jersey,  from  thence  to  Yates  county, 

where  he  died  at  the  age  of  sixty  years.  The  great-grandfather,  Abel  Mace,  died  in 
Steuben.  Joseph  W.,  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  27th  New  Jersey  Vols.,  in  September,  1862, 
and  was  honorably  discharged  in  the  fall  of  1863.  He  was  at  Washington  and  Alex- 
andria. He  has  been  town  inspector,  but  does  not  now  hold  office.  He  is  a  member 
of  New  Jersey  Lodge,  No.  668  F.  &  A.  M. 

Coston,  Charles,  was  born  in  Bath,  N.  Y.,  May  3,  1839,  son  of  Christopher  and 
Nancy  (White)  Coston,  she  coming  from  Pennsylvania  with  her  parents,  John  and 

White, 'and  he  came  to  Steuben   county  about  1855,  and  settled  in  Thurston 

where  they  both  died.  They  had  four  children  who  grew  to  manhood  and  woman- 
hood: John,  who  died  in  Andersonville  Prison;  Charles,  as  above;  Mary,  wife  of 
Mr.  Strong;  and  Caroline,  wife  of  Ezra  Reeves,  of  Thurston,  and  they  have  three 
children:  Ada,  Nancy,  and  John.  Charles  Coston  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools.  He  is  a  farmer  and  owns  ninetj^-six  acres  of  land.  When  the  war  broke  out 
he  was  drafted  and  sent  a  substitute. 

Cross,  Edward  D.,  was  born  in  Pulteney,   in  February,   1853.     His  grandfather, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  349 

Lewis  Cross,  came  from  Westchester  county  to  Pulteney  in  1830,  and  settled  on  the 
farm  now  owned  and  occupied  by  his  son,  Odel,  and  grandson,  Edward  D.  He  mar- 
ried Polly  Schofield,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children.  Odel  C.  Cross,  father  of  Ed- 
ward D.,  was  born  in  Westchester  connty,  N.  Y.,  in  1826,  and  came  to  Pulteney  witn 
his  father,  and  has  spent  his  life  on  the  homestead,  farming  and  grape  growing.  He 
has  been  supervisor  of  the  town,  and  filled  other  local  offices.  He  married  Adelaide, 
daughter  of  Ira  Gibson,  of  Tomi^kins  county,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  three  children: 
Edward  D.,  Mrs.  Ida  Perry,  of  Pulteney,  and  Erwin.  Mrs.  Cross  died  in  1891. 
Edward  D.  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Haverling  Institute  at  Bath. 
Farming  and  grape  culture  has  been  his  principal  occupation  on  the  homestead  farm 
in  partnership  with  his  father,  having  twenty-five  acres  of  vineyard  and  forty  acres 
of  farm  land.  In  politics  he  is  an  active  Republican,  and  is  now  serving  his  sixth 
year  as  supervisor  of  his  town,  and  has  also  been  elected  to  fill  other  town  offices. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Pulteney  Lodge.  In  1877  he  married  Sylvia, 
daughter  of  Smith  and  Mary  Ann  McConnell,  of  Pulteney,  by  whom  he  had  two 
children :  Mary  and  Estella. 

Drew,  James,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Pulteney,  March  17,  1830.  His 
father,  Samuel  Drew,  was  a  native  of  Sussex  county,  N.  J.,  born  July  25,  1796,  and 
came  to  this  State  iii  1818,  taking  up  a  tract  of  fifty  acres  of  land  m  the  town  of 
Pulteney.  He  boarded  with  his  brother-in-law  until  he  had  the  time  to  erect  a  small 
frame  house.  He  cleared  nearly  the  whole  of  this  land,  and  in  1838  bought  a  farm 
of  100  acres  in  the  town  of  Urbana  and  continued  in  the  town,  buying  and  clearing 
more  land,  until  at  one  time  he  owned  600  acres,  470  in  one  plot  in  districts  Nos.  1 
and  2,  where  he  died  January  28,  1875.  He  married  Sally  Hutches,  a  native  of  New 
Jersey,  who  died  September  25,  1866,  by  whom  he  had  fifteen  children,  twelve  of 
whom  grew  to  maturity  and  were  married.  James  was  the  oldest  child  and  was 
given  a  very  limited  education,  and  very  early  began  to  assist  his  father  in  the  clear- 
ing of  land,  hauling  of  wood  to  Hammondsport,  farming  and  running  the  saw  mill. 
When  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  began  to  work  for  his  father  by  the  year,  at  $140 
per  year,  with  three  months'  schooling.  In  his  twenty-fourth  year  he  left  home  and 
bought  a  half  interest  in  the  Bradley  Layton  farm  in  this  town,  where  he  remained 
for  eighteen  months,  and  his  grandfather  dying,  he  took  the  old  homestead,  where 
he  has  lived  for  forty-two  years.  The  many  improvements  he  has  made  to  this  prop- 
erty and  his  beautiful  home  makes  this  one  of  the  most  delightful  homes  of  this 
section.  He  has  only  a  small  vineyard  now,  and  he  has  sold  and  turned  most  of  it 
into  farm  land.  Mr.  Drew  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  been  elected  assessor, 
and  has  also  held  some  of  the  minor  offices.  He  is  a  member  of  Pleasant  Valley 
Grange.  December  31,  1857,  he  married  Sarah  J.,  daughter  of  Benjamin  M.  Caster- 
line,  by  whom  he  had  three  children  :  Eva  L.,  Joanna,  wife  of  Sanford  Bedell,  a  vine- 
yardist  of  Pulteney;  and  Clarence  L.,  a  farmer  with  his  father. 

Tyler,  M.  J. — Asahel  Tyler,  sr.,  the  pioneer  of  the  family  in  Western  New  York, 
was  of  English  descent.  He  came  from  Connecticut  about  1800,  and  was  one  of  the 
earliest  settlers  in  the  town  of  Middlesex,  Ontario  county,  where  he  became  a  prom- 
inent farmer.  He  married  Sina  Watkins,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  William, 
who  married  Theda  Watkins,  and  settled  in  Naples,  where  he  was  a  prominent 
farmer;  Asahel;  Fisher,   who  married  Nancy   Morehouse,   and  was   an  influential 


350  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

farmer  of  Naples;  Roswell,  who  married  Sarah  Wood,  and  settled  in  Middlesex, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming;  James,  who  settled  in  Michigan  in  early  life;  and 
Lucina,  who  married  Richard  Sackett ;  Speda,  who  married  Mr.  Gilbert.  Asahel 
Tyler  settled  in  Naples,  and  about  1845  settled  m  the  town  of  Cohocton,  on  the 
Wayland  road.  He  was  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  the  town,  and  was  one  of 
the  founders  and  prominent  members  of  the  North  Cohocton  M.  E.  church.  He 
married  Cynthia  Moulton,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children :  Cilicia,  wife  of  John 
Beckwith ;  Byron  A. ;  Milan  J. ;  Arvilla,  wife  of  Samuel  Parks,  of  Cohocton ;  Lucia, 
wife' of  Halstead  Clayson,  of  Wayland;  Hermione,  who  died  in  childhood;  and 
Carnot,  who  married  Addie  Cla^^son,  and  settled  in  Cohocton,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming.  Milan  J.  is  unmarried,  and  in  1861  enlisted  in  Co.  I,  161st  N.  Y.Vols.,  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Byron  A.  Tyler  was  born  January  18,  1838,  and  is 
one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  Cohocton.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  has  held  the  oihce  of  highway  commissioner  two  years  and  super- 
visor one  year.  September  25,  1860,  he  married  Juliett,  daughter  of  Rufus  Hender- 
.son,  of  Cohocton,  by  whom  he  had  four  children;  Hattie  (Mrs.  George  Jackman,  jr.), 
of  Livonia;  Maggie,  who  died  in  early  womanhood;  Lida  E.  ;  and  Arthur,  who  mar- 
ried Mary  Corey. 

Curry,  Daniel  W.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Almond,  December  12,  1852.  His 
grandfather,  Thornton  F.  Curry,  was  a  native  of  Tompkins  county,  born  in  Enfield, 
and  came  to  Allegany  county  in  1842,  when  Silas,  father  of  Daniel,  was  twelve  years 
of  age,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  Silas  Curry  took  up  the  study  of  medicine 
when  he  was  twenty-eight  years  of  age,  and  was  a  graduate  of  the  College  of 
Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  Cincinnati,  O.  He  located  in  the  town  of  Almond, 
where  he  remained  until  1871,  when  he  moved  on  to  the  farm  now  occupied  by  Horace 
Hunt,  continuing  the  practice  o£  medicine  for  six  years.  He  then  sold,  and  moved 
to  the  city  of  Hornellsville,  where  he  practiced  for  two  years,  and  m  1879,  removed 
to  the  Western  country,  where  he  engaged  in  ranching.  He  was  in  Kansas  three 
years,  then,  selling  his  stock,  returned  and  conducted  the  Canisteo  House  for  one 
year.  In  1881  he  returned  to  the  West,  and  is  now  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine and  conducting  a  plantation  in  Gentry  county.  Mo.  He  is  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics and  was  county  superintendent  of  the  poor  of  Steuben  county  for  one  term. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  of  Hornellsville  Lodge  No.  331,  and  Steu- 
ben Chapter  No.  101.  He  married  Elizabeth  Newell,  of  Almond,  who  died  October 
13,  1888,  by  whom  he  had  three  children :  Daniel  W.,  Adwilla,  who  married  S.  A. 
Carter,  a  farmer,  who  afterward  engaged  in  the  meat  business,  then  in  the  mercan- 
tile business,  but  is  now  a  traveling  salesman  for  C.  M.  &  R.  Miller,  of  Elmira;  and 
Elizabeth,  who  married  H.  L.  Davenport.  Daniel  W.  was  educated  at  Alfred  Uni- 
versity and  Hornellsville  Academy,  and  his  occupation  until  he  was  twenty-five 
years  of  age  was  farming.  In  1884  he  w^ent  to  Stanbury,  Mo.,  where  he  engaged 
in  conducting  a  market  and  farm.  He  returned  to  Arkport  in  June,  1894,  and 
bought  the  Carter  store,  where  he  now  conducts  a  general  store.  In  1877  he  mar- 
ried Cardine  Davenport,  daughter  of  George  Davenport,  by  whom  he  had  three 
children:  Myra,  in  her  fifteenth  year;  James,  in  his  fourteenth  year;  and  Adwilla, 
now  in  her  second  year. 

McDowell,  Asa,  was  born  in  Marathon,  Cortland  county,  N.  Y.,  June  20,   1827,  son 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  351 

of  Jacob  McDowell,  whose  father,  George  McDowell,  came  to  America  from  Scot- 
land during  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  being  pressed  into  the  English  service  he 
deserted  and  enlisted  in  the  Continental  army  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  was  a  weaver  and  settled  at  Albany,  N.  Y.  His  children  were  Thomas,  Robert, 
Jacob,  Alexander,  Hugh,  Lydia,  and  Margaret,  all  of  whom  settled  in  the  counties 
of  Cortland  and  Steuben.  Jacob,  who  was  a  shoemaker  in  early  life,  served  in  the 
war  of  1812,  and  upon  coming  to  Steuben  county  plarchased  a  farm  near  Loon  Lake, 
and  in  1834  he  settled  in  Cohocton.  He  died  in  Pennsylvania  in  1846.  He  married 
Abigail  Smith,  and  their  children  were  Jeremiah,  who  removed  to  Iowa;  Josiah, 
who  settled  in  Pennsylvania;  Jonathan,  who  located  in  Iowa;  Alexander;  Jacob; 
Abraham,  who  settled  in  Cohocton  and  in  1846  removed  to  New  York  city, 
where  he  died;  Asa;  James;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Jonathan  Leach;  Phoebe,  who  mar- 
ried Levi  Leach  ;  and  Abigail,  wife  of  Anthony  Garwood.  Asa  McDowell  has  always 
lived  in  Steuben  county,  and  was  engaged  in  tanning  for  many  years  at  Patchinsville. 
and  later  purchased  a  farm  at  Loon  Lake,  and  after  a  short  residence  there,  in  1874, 
he  purchased  a  farm  one  mile  north  of  the  village  of  Cohocton,  and  in  1892  he  settled 
in  Cohocton  village.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been  supervisor  of  the 
town.  He  is  a  member  of  Liberty  Lodge  No.  510,  F.  &  A.  M.  In  1851  he  married 
Harriet,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Pierce  of  Naples,  N.  Y.,  and  their  children  are  Burr 
(deceased),  Otis,  James,  Charles,  Asa,  and  Hattie  (Mrs.  John  Larrowe)  of  Cohocton. 
One  of  the  prominent  men  of  the  past  in  Cohocton  was  C.  J.,  son  of  Robert  Mc- 
Dowell. He  came  to  the  county  about  1834,  settling  at  Loon  Lake,  and  was  a  shoe- 
maker by  trade.  He  studied  law  with  Benjamin  Harwood  of  Dansvjlle,  and  upon 
his  admission  to  the  bar  in  1843  settled  at  Cohocton,  where  he  built  up  a  profitable 
practice.  He  was  a  Republican,  and  was  justice  of  the  peace  and  supervisor  for 
several  years,  also  district  attorney  for  years.  He  married  Lucy  A.  Smith,  and  they 
were  the  parents  of  two  children:  William  H.,  of  Adrain,  Mich.,  and  Maria  (Mrs- 
John  H.  Butler)  of  Penn  Yan.  In  1875,  for  his  second  wife  he  married  Louise 
Conley,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Manly  A.  McDowell.  Mr.  C.  J.  McDowell  died 
m  1877. 

Ashbaugh,  William,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Dansville,  Livingston  county,  N.  Y., 
September  22,  1841,  son  of  David  Ashbaugh,  also  a  native  of  Dansville  and  a  mason 
by  trade.  The  grandfather  of  William,  named  George,  was  from  Pennsylvania  and 
one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Livingston  county.  William  was  the  oldest  of  a  family 
of  seven  children,  three  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  and  three  are  now  living.  He  was 
given  a  good  common  school  education,  and  his  father  moving  on  to  a  farm  when  he 
was  twelve  years  old,  he  assisted  him  on  the  homestead  and  in  work  at  his  trade 
until  he  was  thirty-five  years  of  age.  They  bought  various  farms  together  and  con- 
tinued in  business  until  his  father's  declining  health  caused  him  to  withdraw  from 
active  business.  David  Ashbaugh  died  in  1875.  March  25,  1879,  Mr.  Ashbaugh  took 
possession  of  the  Samuel  Hendershott  farm  of  110  acres  on  lot  9,  on  the  west  shore 
of  the  Canisteo  River,  to  which  he  has  added  fifty  acres.  In  1891  he  sold  seventeen 
acres  to  the  Hornellsville  Electric  Railroad  Company.  Mr.  Ashbaugh  is  also  one  of 
the  most  extensive  land  owners  of  Hartsville,  having  670  acres  in  one  body  which  he 
personally  superintends.  He  has  always  been  an  extensive  dealer  in  sheep  and 
other  stock  stock  and  now  the  principal  farm  products  are  hay  and  grain.     He  made 


352  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

a  specialt}^  of  dairjang  for  twenty  years.  He  has  held  the  office  of  assessor  a  num- 
ber of  years,  a  school  officer,  and  a  supporter  of  religious  institutions.  He  has  been 
twice  married,  first  in  1861  to  Sarah  Ann  Henry  of  Hartsville,  who  died  May  22, 
1887,  leaving  two  children :  Addie  wife  of  James  Pope,  a  farmer  of  Hartsville,  and 
David  Levi  Ashbaugh,  a  student  of  Canisteo  Academy.  Mr.  Ashbaugh  was  again 
married  in  April,  1888,  to  Cora  S.  Call  of  Hartsville. 

Moore,  H.  D.  and  Robert  S. — The  first  of  the  Moore  family  to  settle  in  Steuben 
county  were  Robert  and  Thomas,  who  came  from  Gorham,  Ontario  county,  N.Y. ,  in 
1815,  and  settled  near  Ingleside,  in  the  town  of  Prattsburg.  Robert  afterward 
settled  on  Lent  Hill,  and  with  his  stalwart  sons  did  much  toward  clearing  up  and 
subduing  that  section.  He  married  Christine  Signor,  by  whom  he  had  eleven  chil- 
dren:  Lucy,  wife  of  Nicholas  Johnson,  who  settled  in  Prattsburg;  James,  who  mar- 
ried Christine  Rice,  and  settled  in  Ingleside  and  later  removed  to  Michigan ;  Stephen, 
who  married  Mary  A.  Drake,  settling  first  in  Ingleside  and  afterward  in  Michigan; 
Susan,  wife  of  Robert  Stanton,  of  Lent  Hill;  Jacob;  Hiram,  who  married  Hannah 
Stanton,  and  settled  in  Cohocton,  where  he  died;  Abigail,  wife  of  Joseph  Pol- 
manteer,  of  Ingleside;  Eli,  who  married  Phoebe  Drake,  and  settled  in  Co- 
hocton; Daniel;  Annie,  wife  of  Nicholas  Johnson,  of  Ingleside;  and  John, 
who  married  Savina  Parks,  and  settled  in  Ingleside,  and  afterward  in  Michi- 
gan. Daniel  settled  in  Ingleside  and  afterward  in  Cohocton,  where  he  died. 
He  married  Catherine  Polmanteer,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children;  Clinton 
and  Anthony,  who  served  through  the  Civil  war,  and  afterward  settled  in  Steu- 
ben county,  where  they  died ;  Patience,  wife  of  Jonas  Partridge ;  Hardin ;  Clark, 
who  married  Jennie  Wilson  and  settled  in  Naples;  Lester,  who  married  Etta  Bellis 
and  settled  in  Cohocton ;  Chester,  who  married  Addie  Hatch,  and  settled  in  Cohoc- 
ton; and  Orlo,  who  died  unmarried.  Hardin  settled  in  Cohocton.  and  is  a  thrifty 
farmer.  He  married  Susan  Robbius,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children :  Diana  (Mrs. 
Ray  Gif5ord)  of  Avoca,  Marguerite,  Edwin,  Stuart,  Florence,  Peter,  Mabel,  and 
Una.  Jacob  Moore  was  a  farmer  and  spent  his  life  in  Cohocton  and  Prattsburg.  He 
married  Abigail  Barber,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Celeste,  wife  of  Charles 
Cornish ;  Betsey,  wife  of  Albert  Cornish ;  Robert  S.  ;  Eliza,  wife  of  Robert  Riddle ; 
John,  a  carpenter  and  builder,  who  settled  in  Cohocton ;  Matilda,  .wife  of  Albert 
Keeler.  Robert  S.  enlisted  in  1863  in  the  161st  N.  Y.  Inf.,  and  served  until  the  close 
of  the  war,  after  which  he  settled  in  the  town  of  Cohocton,  and  in  1875  settled  in 
Lyons  Hollow,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming.     He  married  Hannah  Townsend. 

Argus,  Martin,  was  born  in  Rupertsberg,  Bavaria,  October  21,  1834.  His  brother, 
Philip  Argus,  came  to  this  country  in  1855,  and  it  was  his  report  of  the  country  here 
that  induced  Martin  to  leave  his  native  land  in  November,  1856,  and  come  to  the 
L^nited  States.  He  was  first  located  at  Rochester,  where  he  was  engaged  on  differ- 
ent farms  for  four  years,  and  was  then  for  a  short  time  in  Hammondsport,  thence  to 
Prarie  du  Chien,  Wis.,  where  he  took  up  a  farm  and  made  his  home  there  for  two 
years.  During  this  time  he  married  Mary  Ries,  who  was  born  in  Diedesheim, 
Bavaria,  October  24,  1834,  and  in  the  spring  of  1863  he  came  to  the  town  of  Urbana, 
where  he  bought  twenty'  acres  on  the  west  shore  of  the  lake,  which  he  set  out  to 
vineyard,  and  was  one  of  the  most  successful  grape  growers  and  wine  makers  of  this 
section.     In  1883  he  bought  100  acres  on  the  eastern  hillside  of  Douglass  Lockwood, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  353 

where  he  erected  a  fine  residence,  and  set  out  fort)'  acres  of  vineyard,  which  is  now 
managed  by  the  surviving  widow  and  sons,  Charles  Fred  and  Martin,  George,  the 
eldest  son  having  died  May  2,  1892.  Mr.  Argus  died  February  3,  1890.  He  also  left 
three  daughters:  Apollonia,  wife  of  Adam  Strehl;  Mary,  wife  of  Gideon  Kniffin  ;  and 
Katharine,  the  youngest,  who  lives  at  home. 

Weinhart  Bros. — J.  F.  and  C.  H.  Weinhart  are  the  sons  of  John  U.  Weinhart,  who 
was  born  in  Germany  in  1828  and  came  to  Wayland  in  1845,  where  he  reared  a  large 
family,  and  where  the  two  sons,  Joseph  F.,  and  Conrad  H.,  now  run  a  grocery  and 
livery  business,  and  are  also  proprietors  of  the  Weinhart  Opera  House.  Joseph 
started  in  active  business  first  in  1873  when  he  began  a  draying  business  with  one 
horse,  the  first  dray  in  Wayland,  and  in  1879  started  a  small  grocery.  Conrad  started 
in  the  grocery  business  in  1883;  in  1890  started  as  Weinhart  Bros.,  and  since  then 
have  continually  added  to  this  store  by  building,  until  at  the  present  time  they  have 
one  of  the  largest  stores  and  trades  in  Wayland,  and  also  carry  on  a  large  livery 
establishment  and  bus  line,  employing  from  fourteen  to  sixteen  horses,  and  by  their 
cotirtesy  to  their  patrons,  are  looked  upon  as  among  the  rising  young  business  men 
of  Wayland,  N.  Y. 

Babcock,  Dr.  Oliver  H.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Reading,  then  Steuben,  now 
Schuyler  county,  August  17,  1834.  His  people  moved  to  the  town  of  Jerusalem, 
Yates  county,  when  he  was  an  infant,  where  he  was  reared.  He  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools  of  Jerusalem  and  Prattsburg  Academy  under  Professor  Jackson. 
In  the  spring  of  1858  he  came  to  Hammondsport  and  took  up  the  study  of  medicine 
with  his  brother,  M.  T.  Babcock,  and  for  two  winters  attended  lectures  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Buffalo  and  also  one  special  course,  and  was  graduated  from  that  institu- 
tion February  26,  1861,  after  which  he  spent  another  year  with  his  brother,  and  was 
then  for  six  months  engaged  in  practice  in  WoodhuU.  Returning  to  Hammondsport 
in  the  fall  of  1862,  he  has  ever  since  been  engaged  in  this  village.  Dr.  Babcock  has 
been  a  member  of  the  v  illage  board  several  terms  and  was  twice  president  of  the 
village,  and  is  a  staunch  Republican  but  not  a  politician.  He  has  been  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity  since  1862,  Urbana  Lodge,  No.  459,  Bath  Chapter,  No.  95, 
for  eight  years,  and  has  served  for  twelve  years  as  worshipful  master  of  the  lodge. 
In  connection  with  his  professional  duties  the  doctor  has  been  identified  with  grape 
growing  since  1863,  and  has  now  over  thirty  acres  of  vineyard.  February  26,  1868, 
he  married  Harriet  I.,  daughter  of  A.  C.  Montgomery,  of  Prattsburg,  who  died  Feb- 
ruary 24,  1889. 

Decker,  William  H.,  was  born  in  Owego,  N.  Y.,  June  4,  1841,  son  of  Peter  and 
Mary  (Smith)  Decker,  he  born  in  Tioga  county,  N.Y.,  and  died  in  Owego,  in  1878,  and 
she  born  in  Pulteney,  Steuben  county,  and  died  in  Owego,  in  1850,  a  daughter  of 
Abram  Smith,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  town  of  Pulteney.  William  H.  Decker 
was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  began  life  for  him- 
self when  twelve  years  of  age.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  6th  N.  Y.  Heavy  Artil- 
lery, and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  engaged  in  the  battles  of  the 
Peninsula,  the  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania,  Petersburg  and  Fisher's  Hill,  and  many 
skirmishes,  and  was  wounded  at  Spottsylvania.  Mr.  Decker  located  on  the  farm  he 
now  owns  in  1862,  where  he  has  since  resided.     He  now  owns  145  acres  of  land.    He 


354  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

is  a  member  of  the  Post  of  Merchantsville.  In  1866  he  married  Lydia  Ninson,  of 
Tompkins  county,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  twelve  children:  Charles,  George,  John, 
Rosa,  Ella,  Ida,  William  (deceased),  Flora  (deceased),  Sherman,  Willie  and  Willard, 
twins  (deceased),  and  Laura. 

Duvell  Bros. — Albert  Duvell  and  his  wife,  Martha,  came  from  Montgomery  countj^, 
locating  in  Hornby  in  1848  where  their  sons  Alfred  and  Daniel  reside.  They  spent 
the  balance  of  their  days  here.  Daniel  was  born  in  1830  in  Montgomery  countj^  and 
married,  in  1855,  Mary  E.  W^hitehead,  who  died  in  1891.  He  has  a  family  of  two 
sons  and  three  daughters.  He  afterward  married  Catherine  Sharp,  his  present  wife, 
who  is  a  native  of  the  town  of  Campbell.  Alfred  D.  was  born  in  1841  and  raised  on 
the  home  place.  In  1863  he  married  Rebecca  Kembell,  who  died  in  1894,  leaving 
four  sons  and  two  daughters.  January  1,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  9th  Artillery, 
and  was  with  Grant  in  the  "Wilderness.  He  served  till  the  close  of  the  war  being 
promoted  to  the  office  of  lieutenant-colonel.  He  is  considered  one  of  Steuben 
county's  largest  and  most  enterprising  farmers  owning  900  acres  of  land.  He  has 
filled  the  offices  of  justice  of  the  peace,  assessor,  and  supervisor. 

Easling,  Minor,  son  of  Abram  D.  and  Emeline  Masters  Easling,  was  born  in 
Hornby  in  1854.  The  father  came  from  Tompkins  county  in  1826,  and  in  1872  moved 
to  Corning  where  he  died  in  1879,  aged  sixty-six.  The  mother  came  from  New  Jer- 
sey with  her  parents,  Nehemiah  and  Harriet  Masters,  in  1827.  In  1875  Mr.  Easling 
married  Sarah  Sample,  a  native  of  Hornby  and  in  1876  came  to  his  present  farm,  it 
being  his  mother's  home  place.     He  has  two  children:  Ellsworth  and  Emma. 

Erwin,  Samuel  C. ,  son  of  Arthur,  and  grandson  of  Arthur,  the  original  Erwin  of 
the  town  of  Erwin,  was  born  in  1828  and  has  always  resided  in  the  county.  In  1856 
he  married  Elizabeth  Thompson,  who  is  a  native  of  Erwin.  They  have  five  children . 
Samuel  C,  Carrie  N.,  Arthur  A.,  James  T.,  and  Elizabeth.  Mr.  Erwin  has  200  acres 
where  he  has  lived  in  Hornby  since  1865. 

Dunn,  Melvin,  was  born  August  25,  1847.  His  father,  Asa  Dunn,  was  born  in 
1809,  and  died  April  18,  1886,  aged  seventy-six  j^ears.  He  has  always  lived  around 
Loon  Lake,  and  he  married  Samantha,  daughter  of  John  Randall,  who  was  born  in 
Massachusetts,  July  25,  1821,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  John  and  Leona,  de- 
ceased; Melvina,  who  married  Henry  Haw;  Melvin,  as  above;  and  Albert  A.  Mel- 
vin Dunn  received  a  common  school  education,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming, 
and  now  owns  a  farm  of  106  acres,  near  Haskinville.  November  29,  1869,  he  married 
Delight  Salisbury,  who  was  born  in  the  town  of  Burns,  September  8,  1848,  by  whom 
he  had  live  children:  George  B.,  who  was  born  July  8,  1872;  Mertie  A.,  who  was 
born  March  18,  1874;  Melvin  A.,  who  was  born  April  18,  1877;  Carrie  R.,  who  was 
born  September  21,  1881 ;  and  Arthur  W.,  who  was  born  September  18,  1883.  George 
B.  married  Mabel  Razey,  and  Mertie  married  Louis  Rowley. 

Draper,  Nahum,  was  born  in  Morris,  Otsego  county,  NTY.,  May  23,  1820,  son  of 
Benjamin  and  Olive  (Pettingill)  Draper,  natives  of  Dutchess  county,  N.  Y.,  and 
Massachusetts,  respectively.  The  grandfather,  Ebenezer  Draper,  lived  and  died  in 
Otsego  county,  N.  Y.  His  father  emigrated  from  England  to  Vermont,  where  he 
died.  Benjamin  Draper  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  was  a  farmer  and  hotel  keeper 
in  Dutchess  county.     Nahum  Draper  was  educated  in  the  common  schools.     In  1866 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  355 

he  came  to  Rathbone,  settling  on  the  farm  he  now  owns,  which  consists  of  100  acres. 
He  has  served  as  constable.  In  1845  he  married  Catherine  O.,  daughter  of  Jacob 
Fults,  and  niece  of  Thurlow  Weed's  wife.  They  have  had  six  children:  Amos,  Mar- 
garet, James  H.,  Belle,  George,  and  Seymour.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Draper  celebrated 
their  golded  wedding  January  1,  1895,  having  a  company  of  about  fifty  of  their  rela- 
tives and  friends. 

Dininny,  Mrs.  Sarah  A. — Col.  John  W.  Dininny  was  for  years  one  of  the  most 
central  figures  in  the  social  and  political  life  of  Addison,  and  a  man  closely  identified 
with  all  its  affairs.  He  was  born  at  Oneonta  in  1820,  a  place  formerly  known  as  Mil- 
ford,  but  when  twelve  years  of  age  he  came  with  his  parents  to  this  town.  He  was 
an  active  participant  in  the  labor  of  the  pioneer  settlers  in  clearing  the  land,  lum- 
bering, and  sharing  their  hardships.  After  leaving  Oneida  Institute,  where  his  edu- 
cation began,  he  entered  the  Genesee  Wesleyan  Seminary,  from  which  he  graduated 
with  high  honors  in  1842.  Then  followed  several  years  of  school  teaching,  ending 
with  the  principalship  of  Addison  High  School.  His  law  career  is,  perhaps,  the  most 
noteworthy.  He  began  his  law  study  in  the  office  of  Hon.  Andrew  G.  Chatfield  in 
1845,  and  in  1849,  when  only  twenty-nine  years  of  age,  he  was  admitted  to  pactice  in 
the  courts  of  New  York  State,  by  an  order  of  the  Supreme  Court.  The  next  year  he 
became  a  partner  in  the  law  office  of  his  brother,  Hon.  Ferral  C.  Dininny,  and  ten 
years  after  his  admission  to  the  bar,  he  was  admitted  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States,  at  Washington,  D.  C,  to  practice  as  an  attorney  and  counselor.  In 
1863  his  brother  retired,  leaving  the  entire  charge  of  his  large  practice  to  Colonel 
Dininny,  who  continued  in  the  law  business  until  the  time  of  his  death.  The  war 
record  of  this  man  is  no  less  brilliant.  He  accepted  the  position  of  major  of  the  141st 
Regt.  N.  Y.  Vols.,  when  it  was  first  organized,  and  in  1862  he  was  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service.  He  went  with  his  regiment  to  Virginia,  and  was  a  partici- 
pant in  many  battles  in  and  about  Richmond.  In  1863  he  was  promoted  to  colonel, 
which  position  he  held  until  disease  of  the  eyes  compelled  him  to  resign.  Mr.  Din- 
inny was  much  interested  in  education,  and  was  for  twenty-four  years  president  of 
the  Board  of  Education,  the  establishing  of  the  Union  Free  School  of  Addison  being 
due  largely  to  his  efforts.  In  1849  he  married  Sarah  A.  Coburn,  who  still  survives 
him,  and  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Harper  F.,  Carleton  V.,  William  B.,  and 
Georgiana. 

Donaldson,  William  R.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hartsville,  N.  Y.,  June  19,  1847, 
and  is  a  son  of  Hiram  Donaldson,  who  was  born  in  Vermont,  and  came  to  Hartsville 
when  five  years  of  age.  Joel  Donaldson,  the  grandfather,  settled  in  Hartsville  when 
that  part  of  the  country  was  a  wilderness  and  was  obliged  to  clear  land  on  which  to 
build  a  log  cabin.  Hiram  Donaldson  married  Louisa  Webb,  daughter  of  Henry 
Webb,  of  Hartsville,  and  they  had  five  children:  William  R.,  Martha,  Henry,  Adell, 
and  Lillie.  William  R.  has  been  a  miller  for  over  thirty  years  in  the  town  of  Harts- 
ville, owns  two  saw  mills  and  manufactures  lumber  in  large  quantities.  He  married 
Anna  Crousin,  daughter  of  Francis  Crousin,  of  Hartsville,  and  they  have  one  son, 
Arthur,  who  follows  in  the  same  occupation  as  his  father. 

Elmer,  Sanford,  a  son  of  Curtis  and  Violet,  formerly  residents  of  Corning  but  na- 
tives of  Connecticut   was  one  of  four  children  named  Mary  Jane  Ranney,  Ella  Mer- 


356  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

riman,  Ellen  deceased,  and  Sanford.  The  latter  and  his  father  settled  in  Big  Flats 
about  1850,  and  raised  the  first  crop  of  tobacco  that  was  raised  in  that  section.  San- 
ford married  May  Matilda,  daughter  of  Isaac  Clute,  of  Corning,  and  they  have  three 
children:  Fred,  Joseph,  and  Ida  M.  Mitchel.  Mr.  Elmer  has  a  farm  of  180  acres,  was 
formerly  in  the  extract  business  in  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  also  a  merchant  at  Hartford 
Corners  for  one  year.     Mr.  Elmer  is  a  member  of  the  Addison  Methodist  church. 

Davis,  Richard,  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  N.  Y.,  July  11,  1842,  and  is  the  third  son 
of  eleven  children  born  to  Isaiah  and  Hannah  Erskine  Davis,  and  grandson  of 
David  Davis,  who  was  a  pioneer  of  Troupsburg,  a  farmer  and  a  man  of  wealth. 
Isaiah  was  reared  on  a  farm,  which  occupation  he  followed  until  within  a  few  years, 
when  he  retired  and  now  resides  in  Potter  county.  Pa.,  aged  eighty-two  years,  and 
Mrs.  Davis  is  seventy  two  years  old.  Richard  commenced  in  West  Union  as  a  farm 
laborer,  and  being  very  industrious  bought  sixty  acres  in  West  Union,  which  he 
sold,  and  in  1877  bought  again  in  Troupsburg,  and  in  1883  settled  on  the  place  he 
now  owns,  which  consists  of  175  acres.  In  1863  he  married  Louisa,  daughter  of  Eliph- 
elet  and  Emiline  Lamphire  Davis,  who  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  April  28,  1845. 
Their  children  are  William,  Eugene,  Edwin,  Edward,  Hannah,  wife  of  Delos  Page, 
Mary,  wife  of  Freeborn  Stiles,  a  farmer  of  Troupsburg,  Dora,  Nettie,  Charlie,  and 
Johnnie. 

Dunn,  George  C,  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  July  11,  1837,  son  of  Jacob,  also  a  na- 
tive of  New  Jersey,  and  grandson  of  Jeptha,  a  native  of  New  England,  who  died 
when  a  young  man.  In  1846  Jacob  came  to  the  town  of  Pulteney.  where  he  spent 
most  of  his  life  on  a  farm.  His  wife  was  Nancy  Coleman,  a  native  of  New  Jersey, 
and  their  children  were  Lewis,  David,  George  C,  Samuel  (deceased),  Jeptha,  Sarah, 
Catherine,  Jennie,  Margaret,  James,  and  Celia.  Lewis  died  in  Libby  Prison,  and 
Jeptha  in  the  ariny  hospital.  David  served  all  through  the  war,  was  first  on  a 
whaler  for  five  years,  when  he  enlisted  on  a  British  brig  which  he  deserted  at  the 
beginning  of  the  war,  and  then  enlisted  for  two  years  in  the  Union  Navy  under  the 
name  of  Ellis,  which  name  he  has  carried  ever  since.  After  the  expiration  of  this 
time  he  enlisted  in  the  22d  New  York  Cavalry  and  was  discharged  in  Colorado.  In 
1862  George  C.  enlisted  in  Company  A,  161st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  three  years, 
participating  in  the  battle  of  Stewart  Plains,  La.,  the  forty  days'  siege  of  Port  Hud- 
son, Cox  plantation,  and  the  Red  River  Campaign,  after  which  he  was  with  General 
Baiiey  until  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  returned  to  Pulteney  and  later  to  Jerusa- 
lem, where  he  followed  the  carpenter's  trade.  In  1871  he  removed  to  Prattsburg  on 
his  present  farm.  Mr.  Dunn  is  a  member  of  the  Gregory  G.  A.  R.  Post  of  Pratts- 
burg. In  1866  he  married  Susan  A.,  daughter  of  William  and  Mehetabel  Miller 
Coryell,  and  they  have  two  children;  Angevine,  of  Pulteney,  who  is  married  and  has 
one  child.  Myrtle ;  and  Willie,  who  resides  at  home. 

Earnest,  George  D.,  was  born  in  Wayne.  December  13,  1861,  son  of  Wallace  W., 
and  grandson  of  John  J.,  and  great-grandson  of  John  and  Isabelle  Kelly  Earnest, 
and  great-great-grandson  of  Peter  Earnest.  Peter  was  a  native  of  Mohawk  Valley, 
and  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  John  Earnest  was  a  pioneer  of  Wayne, 
and  died  in  Tyrone  in  1880,  and  his  wife,  in  1869.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of 
1812.     John  J.  was  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  Wayne,  being  a  farmer  and 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  357 

mechanic.  He  was  a  Whig  and  is  now  a  RepubUcan,  and  was  supervisor  of  Wayne 
for  several  years.  Mrs.  John  J.  Earnest  died  in  1883.  Wallace  W.  married  Phebe, 
daughter  of  Lewis  and  Marial  Clark,  of  Barrington.  He  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  141st 
N.  Y.  Vols.,  in  August,  1863,  and  was  honorably  discharged  when  his  term  of  service 
expired.  He  is  a  blacksmith  and  farmer  (also  an  auctioneer),  he  and  his  son  having 
a  farm  of  one  hundred  acres  and  a  vineyard  of  eight  acres.  George  D.  was  educated 
at  Starkey  Seminary,  and  was  graduated  from  Lowell  Business  College  in  1881,  and 
was  bookkeeper  for  O.  C.  Galen  of  Albion,  Mich.  In  1885  George  D.  married  Hattie 
E. ,  daughter  of  Dr.  Jacob  Runner  deceased. 

Ellis,  Benjamin  F.,  was  born  in  Barrington,  Yates  county,  N.  Y.,  June  21,  1833. 
and  is  the  eighth  of  nine  children  born  to  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Booth)  Ellis,  both 
natives  of  Orange  county,  N.  Y.  The  grandparents,  William  and  Rebecca  Ellis, 
came  from  Orange  county  to  Seneca  county,  thence  to  the  town  of  Benton.  He  was 
a  miller  by  trade.  The  maternal  grandfather,  Amos  Booth,  was  a  soldier  of  the 
Revolution,  and  lived  to  be  101  years  of  age.  He  spent  his  last  days  in  Lodi.  Sam- 
uel Ellis,  father  of  Benjamin  F. ,  was  a  farmer  of  Yates  county.  He  was  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  at  Geneva  Lake,  Wis.,  but  died  in  Seneca  county,  in  1848,  Mrs.  Ellis 
died  in  187^.  Benjamin  F.  Ellis  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  in  1860  went  to  CaHfor- 
nia  where  he  was  engaged  in  mining  for  five  years.  He  returned  to  New  York  State 
and  bought  a  hotel  in  Bradford.  Mr.  Ellis  owns  200  acres  of  land  in  Wayne,  and  a 
small  farm  in  Tyrone,  and  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  speculating.  He  mar- 
ried Emily  Gibson,  who  died  in  1881,  and  he  married  for  his  second  wife,  Rosa 
Champlin,  of  Sonora. 

Eiband,  Anthony  M.,  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  September  6,  1855,  and  came 
to  this  country  in  1871,  when  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  came  to  Dansville,  Living- 
ston county,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  employed  with  R.  S.  Stone  for  one  year  and  a  half 
at  wagonmaking  and  learning  the  trade.  He  then  went  to  Cana.seraga  and  then  to 
South  Dansville.  In  February,  1873,  he  returned  to  his  native  land  where  he  re- 
mained until  October  of  the  same  year,  and  in  November,  1873,  be  came  to  Arkport. 
He  was  employed  for  two  years  by  Henry  Bills  and  Martin  Sharp.  In  1877  he 
started  in  business  for  him.self  in  the  manufacture  of  carriages,  which  he  made  a 
specialty  until  November,  1884,  when  he  established  a  planing  and  matching  mill  at 
Arkport,  which  line  of  business  we  now  find  him  engaged  in.  In  1885  he  was  burned 
out  and  then  erected  a  mill  60  by  30  feet,  put  in  steam  power  and  fitted  it  with  ma- 
chinery to  do  all  kinds  of  wood  work.  Mr.  Eiband  is  an  enthusiastic  Republican  but 
not  a  politician.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Arkport.  He  was 
married  October  8,  1877,  to  Miss  Ida  B.  Coburn,  daughter  of  Andrus  Coburn  of  Hor- 
nellsville.  They  have  eight  children:  A.  Guy,  seventeen  years  of  age;  Lena,  aged 
fifteen ;  Joseph,  aged  fourteen  ;  Nina,  aged  twelve  ;  Margaret,  aged  ten  ;  Lot  R. ,  aged 
eight;  Anthony,  aged  seven ;  and  Elizabeth,  aged  two.  Mrs.  Eiband  died  Decem- 
ber 16,  1893,  at  thirty-seven  years  of  age.  A  Christian  character,  a  loving  mother 
and  kind  wife  was  taken  from  her  family,  and  they  still  mourn  her  loss. 

Emery,  Ashabel  W.,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville,  May  6, 1828. 
William  Emery,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  one  of  the  early  settlers 
of  Penn  Hill,  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville.     He  cleared  a  farm  on  lot  No.  26,  where 


358  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

he  spent  the  most  of  his  life.  He  died  in  the  spring  of  1864.  His  wife,  Anna  Kline, 
was  also  from  Pennsj'lvania,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  eight  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters, of  whom  five  sons  and  one  daughter  are  still  living.  Ashabel,  the  sixth  son, 
was  given  a  common  school  education,  such  as  could  be  derived  by  attending  school 
during  the  winter  terms.  His  summers  were  spent  at  farm  work  and  lumbering, 
remaining  at  home  until  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  was  then  for  five  years  em- 
ployed with  other  farmers.  In  the  fall  of  1864  he  bought  a  farm  of  100  acres  in  the 
town  of  Jasper,  which  he  conducted  one  j^ear  and  then  spent  three  years  on  his 
father-in-law's  place  in  Hornellsville.  In  1868  he  bought  seven  acres  of  John  Dildine. 
thirty-five  acres  of  the  Eddy  farm  and  the  Price  farm  of  seventy  acres.  He  also  owns 
thirty  acres  adjoining  the  J.  E.  R.  Patten  farm.  In  1892,  his  son  being  in  Hornells- 
ville, Mr.  Emery  became  one  of  the  residents  of  that  village,  buying  an  acre  of  land 
on  which  he  has  erected  a  fine  residence.  He  is  a  member  of  Arkport  Grange,  No. 
179,  and  always  a  supporter  of  church  and  school  work.  January  19,  18o3,  he  mar- 
ried Mary,  daughter  of  George  Collins,  and  they  have  three  children:  Edwin  S.,  a 
school  teacher,  who  died  in  1881  at  twenty-six  years  of  age ;  Marshall,  one  of  Ark- 
port's  enterprising  business  men,  and  Flora,  the  wife  of  James  N.  Flint,  who  con- 
ducts the  homestead  farm. 

Evans,  Charles  E.,  jr.,  was  born  in  Painted  Post,  town  of  Erwin,  December  2, 
1861.  Charles  E.  Evans,  the  father  of  Charles,  jr.,  is  akso  a  native  of  this  count3^ 
He  is  a  machinist  and  a  resident  of  Hornellsville.  Charles,  jr.,  was  given  a  good 
common  school  education,  and  at  sixteen  years  of  age  went  to  learn  the  blacksmith 
trade  with  Grannis,  Ryan  &  Co.,  of  Hornellsville,  where  his  people  had  moved  in 
1871.  He  spent  three  years  at  that  business  and  then  took  up  the  machinist  trade 
with  the  Rawson  Manufacturing  Co.,  where  he  remained  until  they  went  out  of  busi- 
ness in  1883.  and  then  for  four  years  with  the  Erie  Company  in  their  shops  in  Hor- 
nellsville. In  1889  he  moved  to  Battle  Creek,  Mich.,  and  was  with  the  Battle  Creek 
Machine  Co.  for  one  year,  and  returned  to  enter  the  employ  of  the  Hornellsville 
Iron  Works,  where  he  continued  until  March,  1894,  when  he  established,  in  company 
with  Frank  Bartz,  the  firm  of  Bartz  &  Evans,  manufacturing  power  presses  and 
electric  dynamos  and  motors,  besides  a  general  machine  and  repair  business.  He 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  since  he  was  twenty-six  years  of  age, 
raised  in  Evening  Star  Lodge,  No.  44,  aiad  is  a  past  master  of  the  blue  lodge,  pres- 
ent king  of  Steuben  Chapter,  a  member  of  Hornellsville  Council,  and  a  member  of 
De  Molay  Council. 

Elwell,  George  B.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville,  July  28,  1860.  Edward 
C.  Elwell,  his  father  came  to  this  section  from  Granville,  Washington  county,  N.  Y. , 
which  was  his  native  town.  He  was  a  lumberman  and  conducted  a  mill  in  Allegany 
county.  He  was  a  man  who  took  no  active  part  in  politics  or  public  affairs,  but  a 
thorough-going  business  man.  He  was  the  father  of  three  sons,  of  which  George  B. 
was  the  eldest.  Oliver  E.,  the  second,  is  a  partner  in  the  coal  and  lumber  business 
in  Hornellsville.  Forest  J.  is  a  resident  of  Scio,  Allegany  county,  where  he  is  en- 
gaged in  farming.  George  B.  was  educated  in  the  city  schools,  and  at  nineteen 
years  of  age,  in  partnership  with  Oliver,  established  the  manufacture  of  rough  hem- 
lock lumber  in  Allegany  county,  where  they  continued  until  the  present  time  still 
owning  the  mill.     In  188S  they  established  a  lumber  yard  on  Main  street,  where  the 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  359 

old  Armory  now  stands,  where  they  were  engaged  until  1891,  and  then  removed  to 
55  Washington  street,  and  that  same  year  added  the  dealing  in  coal,  which  has  grown 
to  be  an  extensive  part  of  their  business.  They  also  have  a  planing  mill  connected 
with  their  yard,  where  they  turn  out  large  quantities  of  finished  lumber.  Mr.  Elwell 
is  an  ardent  Republican  in  political  views,  and  in  1894  was  elected  supervisor  of  the 
First  and  Second  wards  of  the  city,  which  office  he  now  holds;  he  was  also  excise 
commi  sioner  of  the  city.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  with 
Hornellsville  Lodge,  No.  331.  In  January,  1886,  he  married  Ada  A.  Sisson  of 
Gowanda,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  M.  Florence. 

Deutsch,  John  M.,  was  born  in  France  in  1837,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  this 
country  in  1847.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  started  to  learn  the  cabinet  makers"  trade 
in  Rochester,  where  the  family  was  living.  He  served  an  apprenticeship  for  three 
years  and  was  then  employed  as  a  journeyman  in  Rochester  and  New  York  city 
from  1859  to  1861.  He  was  then  m  Rochester  until  1866,  when  he  came  to  Hornells- 
ville to  establish  the  business  of  which  he  is  the  senior  partner.  Smce  coming  here 
he  has  devoted  his  whole  time  and  attention  to  his  business.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  church,  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  since  1867,  and  has 
passed  the  chairs  to  senior  deacon.  In  1861  Mr.  Deutsch  married  Julia  E.  Boyd,  a 
native  of  Vermont,  and  resident  of  Yonkers,  N.  Y. 

Davenport,  Henry  L.,  was  born  on  the  farm  of  his  present  residence,  near  the  vil- 
lage of  Arkport,  in  1853.  He  is  the  youngest  son  of  George  Davenport.  He  was 
given  a  common  school  education  and  followed  in  his  father's  footsteps  on  the  farm 
until  August  15,  1893,  when  he  bought  a  half  interest  in  the  produce  dealing  and 
milling  business  with  L  C.  Healy,  under  the  firm  name  of  Healy  &  Davenport, 
where  we  find  him  engaged  at  the  present  time.  Mr.  Davenport  was  for  one  year 
justice  of  the  peace.  He  was  a  director  of  the  Hornellsville  Farmers'  Club  from  the 
time  of  its  formation  until  1894,  and  superintendent  of  one  of  the  departments.  He 
has  been  one  of  the  officers  of  Arkport  school.  He  was  married  in  1876  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Carry  of  Arkport.  She  died  March  4,  1894,  leaving  one  daughter.  Miss 
Carrie  E.  Davenport,  a  student  of  Auburn  High  School.  He  was  again  married 
April  3,  1895,  to  Miss  Carrie  Jones,  daughter  of  Spencer  B.  Jones  of  South  Dansville. 

Deister,  John  J.,  was  born  m  Elmira,  Chemung  County,  N.  Y.,  February  21,  1866. 
He  was  given  a  good  common  school  and  academic  education.  He  first  took  up 
blacksmithing,  which  he  worked  at  from  fifteen  to  nineteen  years  of  age,  and  then 
engaged  in  the  butchering  business,  and  on  November  1,  1893,  he  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  Swift  &  Co.,  first  as  salesman  at  Hornellsville,  and  January  1,  1894,  became 
the  manager  of  what  by  his  industry  has  become  an  extensive  establishment,  the 
Hornellsville  Beef  Company.  Mr.  Deister  was  married  January  29,  1890,  to  Miss 
Lizzie  Friend,  daughter  of  John  Friend,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Friend,  Metzer 
&  Co.,  of  Elmira.     They  have  two  children,  Mabel  AUene  and  Frank  Deister. 

Day,  James  B. ,  was  born  at  Union,  Broome  county,  N.  Y.,  in  the  year  1847.  His 
father  was  a  native  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts  and  his  mother  a  native  of  Broome 
county,  N.  Y.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  attended  common  schools  at  Union  and 
completed  his  education  in  the  public  schools  at  Binghamton.  He  went  to  the  city 
of  New  York  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  and  was  soon  placed  on  the  police  force 


360  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

of  that  city,  a  position  which  he  held  for  seven  years.  In  1874  he  resigned  that  po- 
sition and  removed  to  and  became  a  permanent  resident  of  Hornellsville,  engaging 
in  and  conducting  a  successful  business,  and  now  stands  in  the  front  rank  of  busi- 
ness men  of  the  city.  He  was  chief  of  the  Hornellsville  Fire  Department  two  years, 
and  held  the  office  of  president  of  the  village  of  Hornellsville  for  three  years.  In 
1888,  when  Hornellsville  became  a  city,  Mr.  Day  became  its  first  mayor  for  the  term 
of  two  years,  and  was  re-elected  to  the  same  position,  which  he  now  holds.  In  1872 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Jennie  L.  Twaddell,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  none 
of  whom  is  now  living.  In  politics  he  has  always  been  a  Democrat  and  an  earnest 
and  zealous  worker  for  the  principles  of  his  party.  Socially  he  is  a  gentleman  of 
polite  and  attractive  manner,  and  always  surrounded  by  warm  and  true  friends, 
conspicuous  among  whom  was  the  late  popular  John  McDougall.  He  was  one  of  the 
presidential  electors  of  the  last  election  ;  in  1893  he  was  made  a  member  of  the  Demo- 
cratic State  Committee,  a  position  he  now  holds,  and  has  been  a  delegate  to  State 
conventions  for  six  successive  years.  He  is  a  member  of  Evening  Star  Lodge,  No. 
44,  F.  and  A.  M.,  Steuben  Chapter,  No.  101,  and  De  Molay  Commandery. 

Dolson,  Charles  A.,  was  born  at  Bath,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.  ,in  1851.  His  father, 
Dr.  J.  S.  Dolson,  now  of  Hornellsville,  N.  Y.,  has  been  for  many  years  one  of  the 
recognized  leaders  of  the  Republican  party  in  Western  New  York,  and  occupies  an 
eminent  position  as  a  physician  and  surgeon.  The  son  seems  to  inherit  to  a  large 
extent  the  leading  characteristics  of  the  father,  except  his  politics.  At  the  close  of 
his  school  life,  Mr.  Dolson  chose  the  profession  of  law,  and  on  his  admission  to  the 
bar  in  1872  settled  at  Andover,  N.  Y.,  and  entered  at  once  upon  a  successful  career, 
speedily  attaining  an  enviable  position  as  an  advocate  and  strong  trial  lawyer.  He 
soon  afterward  formed  a  partnership  with  Hon.  D.  P.  Richardson  of  Angelica,  N.  Y., 
then  and  now  one  of  the  leading  lawyers  of  Allegany.  This  relation  existed  about 
three  years,  the  firm  being  engaged  in  many  important  litigations  and  assuming  a 
front  rank  among  the  law  firms  of  Western  New  York.  In  1875  Mr.  Dolson,  desir- 
ing a  larger  field,  removed  to  Elmira,  N.  Y. ,  where  he  remained  several  years,  at- 
taining a  prominent  position  among  the  noted  bar  of  that  city,  and  being  engaged 
in  many  of  the  important  trials,  pitted  against  such  lawyers  as  David  B.  Hill, 
Erastus  Hart  and  other  prominent  men  in  the  profession.  Upon  leaving  Elmira  he 
returned  to  Andover,  where  for  several  years  he  devoted  a  large  part  of  his  time  to 
the  management  of  an  extensive  stock  farm.  But  Mr.  Dolson's  former  clientage 
would  not  permit  his  legal  abilities  to  become  rusty,  and,  somewhat  against  his  in- 
clination, he  was  forced  back  into  practice.  It  was,  perhaps,  during  his  practice  at 
Andover  thus  resumed,  that  his  abilities  in  the  law,  and  particularly  in  the  criminal 
branch,  became  justly  recognized.  In  1888,  Hon.  Horace  Bemis  having  died  sud- 
denly, Mr.  Dolson  removed  to  Hornellsville,  and  the  firm  of  Dolson  &  Orcutt  was 
established,  the  firm  being  engaged  in  many  large  and  important  cases. 
This  arrangement  continued  until  1891,  since  which  time  Mr.  Dolson  has 
been  alone.  Mr.  Dolson  has  never  taken  a  very  lively  interest  in  politics  and 
has  never  sought  political  office,  preferring  to  give  his  whole  attention  to  the  duties 
of  his  profession.  Nevertheless  his  party  once  placed  him  in  nomination  for  the 
office  of  district  attorney  of  Allegany  county,  where  an  election  on  the  Democratic 
ticket  is  an  impossibility,  he  running  ahead  of  his  ticket  in  each  of  the  twenty-nine 
towns,  showing  the  high  appreciation  the  people  of  the  county  have  for  his  abilities. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  361 

English,  E.  C,  was  born  in  Caton,  Steuben  county,  in  1837.  In  1861  he  enlisted 
in  Company  D,  Twent3'-third  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  in  October,  1863,  was  discharged  for 
disability.  He  followed  farming  until  1874,  then  came  to  Corning  and  studied  law 
with  Spencer  &  Mills,  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1879,  and  has  since  been  counsel  for 
the  board  of  superintendents  for  the  poor.  He  was  for  two  years  supervisor  of  his 
native  town  prior  to  locating  in  Corning. 

Edger,  William  F.,  was  born  in  Corning,  in  1848,  son  of  Thomas  J.  Edger,  a  farmer 
who  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  this  section.  William  F.  Edger  was  raised  on  a  farm, 
and  followed  farming  and  boating  until  1879  when  he  entered  the  employ  of  E. 
Rosen  wold  &  Bro.,  of  New  \ork  city,  buyers  and  shippers  of  leaf  tobacco,  taking 
charge  of  their  business  here  in  1888.  They  have  numerous  offices  in  different  parts 
of  the  country,  and  are  among  the  largest  tobacco  dealers  in  the  United  States. 

Drake,  Charles  E.,  was  born  in  Corning,  in  1868,  and  graduated  from  Sing  Smg 
Military  Academy  in  1888.  He  was  connected  with  the  First  National  Bank  for  sev- 
eral years,  and  in  1891  established  his  present  hardware  trade.  He  is  a  director  in 
the  First  National  Bank.  His  father,  Henry  Drake,  a  son  of  F.  N.  Drake,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Cohocton,  and  located  in  Corning  in  1868. 

Drake,  George  W. ,  postmaster,  president  the  of  Corning  Stove  Works,  and  of  the 
firm  of  Clute  &  Drake,  stationers  and  book  dealers,  is  a  native  of  Arnot,  Pa. ,  and 
born  in  1870.  In  early  childhood  he  came  to  Corning  with  his  father,  Henry  S. 
Drake.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Holbrook  Military  Academy, 
and  graduated  from  the  latter  in  1886.  He  was  appointed  postmaster  in  1894,  and 
married  Anna  Tompkins  of  Elmira. 

Dignen,  Patrick,  was  born  in  Ireland,  March  17,  1825,  son  of  Patrick  and  Julia » 
(Hery)  Dignen,  natives  of  Ireland,  where  they  died.  Patrick  was  reared  on  a  farm 
and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  came  to  the  United  States  when  seventeen 
years  of  age  and  worked  on  the  Morris  &  Essex  railroad  one  year,  after  which  he 
worked  on  the  Erie  railroad  until  it  was  completed.  He  then  came  to  Tuscarora  and 
worked  on  the  plank  road  from  Addison  to  Elkland,  Pa.,  and  drew  the  last  load  of 
plank  for  the  road.  In  1854  he  located  on  eight  acres  of  land  belonging  to  the  Pulte- 
ney  estate,  to  which  he  added  until  he  had  520  acres,  some  of  which  he  has  sold,  and 
he  now  owns  400  acres.  Mr.  Dignen  has  put  on  all  of  the  buildings,  and  has  in  all 
eight  barns,  also  a  fine  residence.  He  began  life  a  poor  boy  and  is  now  one  of  the 
largest  farmers  of  the  town.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  been  excise  com- 
missioner and  trustee  for  a  number  of  years.  In  April,  1855,  he  married  Mary  A. 
San  do,  of  Elkland,  Pa.,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Charles,  who  resides  in  Tus- 
carora, N.  Y.  ;  Michael,  who  resides  at  home ;  William,  who  is  a  graduate  of  Addison 
Union  School,  Hamilton  College,  Buffalo  Medical  College,  and  is  now  a  practicing 
physician  in  Buffalo;  Mary,  wife  of  William  Murray  of  Tuscarora,  N.  Y.  ;  Maggie, 
who  resides  at  home ;  and  Julie,  who  also  resides  at  home.  Mr.  Dignen  has  been  a 
member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  of  Tuscarora,  since  its  organization,  June  11,  1879. 

Dininny,  Daniel  E.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Oneonta,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  No- 
vember 6,  1824,  son  of  Ferrill  and  Sarah  (Bergett)  Dininny,  natives  of  Ireland  and 
Schoharie  county,  N.  Y.,  respectively.  Mr.  Dininny  came  to  America  in  1801  and 
worked  at  Stillwater.     He  married  and  settled  in  Otsego  cotmty  and  engaged  in 


362  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

farming  and  lumbering.  In  1833  he  settled  in  Addison,  now  Tuscarora,  where  he 
died  in  May,  1871,  and  during  the  la'it  twenty-eight  years  of  his  life  he  was  blind. 
Mrs.  Dininny  died  in  1836.  He  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  Daniel  E.  learned  the  car- 
penter's trade,  but  when  twenty  years  of  age  he  engaged  in  farming,  which  has  been 
his  life  work.  He  has  200  acres  of  land  and  makes  a  specialty  of  tobacco  growing. 
In  1850  he  married  Marietta,  daughter  of  John  and  Catherine  Young,  by  whom  he 
had  two  children:  O.  H.,  and  John  E.,  who  farm  the  home  farm.  Mr.  Dininny  has 
been  highway  commissioner  a  number  of  terms. 

Depew,  William  M.,  was  born  in  Pulteney,  N.  Y.,  on  the  farm  he  now  owns,  in 
1829.  His  grandfather,  Peter  Depew,  was  a  native  of  Holland,  one  of  three  brothers 
who  came  to  America.  He  was  a  farmer  and  soldier  in  the  Revolutionarj'  war. 
Abram  Depew,  father  of  William  M.,  was  a  native  of  Orange  county,  N.  Y.,  born  in 
1788.  He  came  to  Pulteney  about  1822,  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  his  son, 
cleared  the  land,  and  erected  a  log  cabin  where  he  spent  his  life.  He  supplied  his 
household  with  meat  with  his  gun,  killing  deer  and  game.  At  his  death  he  owned 
300  acres  of  land  and  money  at  interest.  He  married  Deborah,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Drew  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  being  but  fifteen  years  of  age 
when  the  war  broke  out,  and  granddaughter  of  Gilbert  Drew,  who  was  a  minute  man 
during  the  war.  They  had  twelve  children :  L.  C,  Samuel,  Peter,  Samantha,  Riley, 
Diantha,  Roswell,  James  and  Sarah,  twins,  Ferns,  William  M.,  and  Abram.  He 
died  in  1858.  William  M.  Depew  received  but  a  limited  education  in  the  common 
schools,  and  has  endured  many  of  the  hardships  of  life,  when  a  boy  often  being 
obliged  to  go  through  an  entire  winter  barefooted.  He  has  followed  farming  all  his 
life,  and  since  1858  has  lived  on  his  father's  homestead,  to  which  he  has  added  and  im- 
proved, and  now  own  243  acres  in  his  home  farm  and  another  farm  of  103  acres.  He  has 
bred  many  fine  and  high  priced  horses,  bought,  sold  and  bred  large  numbers  of  sheep, 
and  now  has  a  band  of  ninety  head.  In  1858  he  married  Esther  Eggleston,  who 
was  born  in  Pulteney,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Sallie  (Hyatt)  Eggleston,  by  whom 
he  had  one  child.  Grant,  who  was  born  in  1860.  His  wife  died  in  1874,  and  in  1876 
he  married  for  his  second  wife,  Margelia  Shuart,  who  was  born  in  Pulteney,  daugh- 
ter of  Andrew  and  Betsey  Shuart,  by  whom  he  had  one  child.  Rose.  In  1885  Grant 
Depew  married  Emma,  daughter  of  Johnson  and  Susan  Brink,  by  whom  he  had  one 
child,  Frank,  who  died  in  March,  1894.  He  resides  with  his  father  on  the  home- 
stead. 

Dean,  John,  was  born  on  the  farm  he  now  owns,  in  December,  1830.  His  grand- 
father, John  Dean,  was  a  sailor  for  seven  years  while  a  young  man,  a  soldier  during 
the  Revolutionary  war,  and  later  a  farmer  in  Dutchess  county.  He  settled  in  Pulte- 
ney in  1815.  He  married  Mary  Niles,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children.  William 
Dean,  father  of  John,  was  born  in  Dutchess  county,  in  1794.  He  practiced  medicine 
for  over  forty  years,  and  also  conducted  a  farm.  He  married  Polly  Terry,  by  whom 
he  has  seven  children:  Julia,  Moses,  Charles,  Mary  J.,  Darius,  John,  and  George. 
He  took  a  deep  interest  in  educational  matters,  and  was  an  anti-Mason.  Mr.  Dean 
has  devoted  his  life  to  the  homestead,  to  which  he  has  added  several  hundred  acres^ 
He  has  dealt  to  a  considerable  extent  in  lumber,  and  during  war  times  dealt  exten- 
sively in  cattle.  In  1861  he  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Sarah  (Peck) 
Boss,  of  Pulteney,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  George,  Everett,  and  Mary, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  3fi3 

Dennis,  Boardtnan,  was  born  November  30,  1853,  son  of  Franklin  Dennis,  and  was 
reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  is  a  farmer  and  now 
owns  the  J.  L.  Ordway  farm.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Banner  Grange,  No.  539,  of 
North  Jasper.  He  has  been  twice  married:  November  30,  1875,  he  married  Annie 
E.  Bachelder,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  born  February  2,  1878,  and  died  May  11, 
1880.  Mrs.  Dennis  died  October  26,  1881,  and  August  15,  1883,  he  married  Vira 
Ordway  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Clark,  born  November  13,  1885.  "  Vira  Ordway  is 
a  daughter  of  J.  L.  Ordway,  son  of  Enoch  and  Hannah  (Whiting)  Ordway,  natives 
of  Lindborough,  N.  H.,  he  born  August  5,  1794,  and  she  October  5,' 1793;  they  were 
married  January  29,  1824,  and  had  three  children:  Jonathan  L.,  born  "January  14, 
1830,  in  Jasper,  who  married  Omisa  E.  Clark  (born  July  16,  1825),  August  3,  1852,  by 
whom  he  had  three  children:  Smith,  born  September  28,  1854,  who  married  Sarah 
Parcell  May  22,  1888,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Gretta,  born  May  23,  1891.  Sm.ith 
is  a  Presbyterian  minister  in  Syracuse.  Vira,  born  November  27,  1856,  wife  of 
Boardman  Dennis;  Jennie,  born  November  15,  1861,  who  was  a  home  missionary 
five  years,  and  is  now  a  professional  nurse  in  Denver,  Col.  Charles  W.  Ordwav,  see 
biography  of  F.  D.  Ordway;  Enoch,  born  December  25,  1833,  who  married  Hester 
A.  Clark  (born  April  10,  1837),  May  12,  1858,  by  whom  he  had  three  children :  Bru- 
netta,  born  May  21,  1859,  wife  of  L.  D.  Whiting;  P.  Minerva,  born  April  19,  1859, 
who  married  first  Edson  Prentice,  March  23,  1881,  and  has  two  children:  William, 
born  October  28,  1882 ;  Harvey,  born  September  13,  1885.  Mr.  Prentice  died  August 
22,  1887,  and  she  married  Byron  Backus,  September  26,  1894.  May,  born  May  25, 
1873,  who  married  James  B.  Scutt,  in  December,  1893.  Enoch  Ordway,  sr.,  came  to 
Jasper  in  1824  and  settled  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  Boardman  Dennis.  He  was 
an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church  for  a  number  of  years.  J.  L.  Ordway,  father  of 
Mrs.  Dennis,  when  eight  years  of  age  was  reared  by  Franklin  Dennis,  and  at  twenty 
years  of  age  moved  on  to  the  farm  where  he  has  since  lived.  He  is  an  elder  in  the 
Presbyterian  church,  and  has  been  a  member  and  worker  since  nine  years  of  age, 
being  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  and  doing  general  work.  His  wife  died 
May  26,  1893. 

Dennis,  Albert  L.,  was  born  in  Jasper,  N.  Y.,  March  25,  1845.  Franklin  Dennis, 
father  of  Albert  L.,  was  born  in  New  Hampshire,  May  23,  1816,  and  came  to  Jasper 
in  1825.  He  was  three  times  married:  First  to  Martha  Lamson  (born  May  16,  1816), 
March  20,  1837,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Albert  L.,  Andrew  F.,  Serena,  born 
September  17,  1839,  and  who  married  Charles  W.  Ordway,  and  have  two*chidren: 
Franklin,  born  March  23,  1862;  and  Ella  G.,  born  February  27,  1866,  and  who  died 
March  2,  1881.  Franklin  married  Nancy  Walwrath  (born  July  12,  1857),  July  23, 
1886,  and  they  have  two  children:  Wyan  H.,  born  November  8,  1889,  and  Marie. 
Carrie  E.,  born  May  11,  1842,  who  married  George  W.  Knap'p  September  2,  1865; 
they  have  five  children:  Carrie,  born  February  7,  1868,  and  died  February  8,  1868; 
George  D.,  born  April  30,  1872;  Hattie  S.,  born  November  7,  1873,  and  died  July  13, 
1874;  Mattie  L.,  born  July  26,  1880;  Nellie  B.,  born  April  30,  1882.  Martha,  born 
November  24,  1849,  who  married  Robert  Hilborn  (born  November  17, 1845),  February 
24,  1869;  they  have  five  children:  Harlo  A.,  born  June  19,  1871,  and  died  October  10, 
1888;  Lewis  E.,  born  June  15,  1873;  Rollo  A.,  born  November  19,  1876;  Jessie  M., 
born  August  13,  1881;  and  Carrie  S.,  born   July  9,  1888.     Mrs.  Dennis,  first  wife  of 


364  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Franklin  Dennis,  died  November  24,  1849,  and  July  1,  1850,  Mr.  Dennis  married 
Abbie  Boardman  of  New  Hampshire,  born  March  31,  1823,  by  whom  he  had  these 
children:  Abbie  and  Augusta  (twins),  born  October  16,  1S51;  Abbie  is  the  wife  of  C. 
W.  Talbot  of  Jasper ;  Augusta  is  the  wife  of  Montgomery  Timmerman  of  Ord,  Val- 
ley county.  Neb.  ;  Boardman;  Truman,  born  July  10,  1858,  who  married  Ida  M.  Gil- 
bert (born  October  17,  1864),  October  14,  1883,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Lu;  Wil- 
lis E.,  born  March  20,  1860,  twice  married;  first  to  Olive  Small,  March  27,  1884;  she 
died  September  1,  1888;  he  married  for  his  second  wife.  Alma  Rowley,  October  2, 
1839,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Frank.  Mr.  Dennis,  second  wife  of  Franklin  Den- 
nis, died  February  18,  1891.  Albert  L.  Dennis  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated 
in  the  common  schools  and  Alfred  University.  He  is  the  owner  of  320  acres  of  land 
and  makes  a  specialty  of  hay  and  dairying.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  has 
been  assessor  six  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Banner  Grange  of  North  Jasper,  No. 
539.  In  1866  he  married  C.  M.  Travis  of  Canisteo,  by  whom  he  had  three  children: 
Almond,  born  December  20,  1868;  Minnie  M.,  born  March  23,  1872;  and  Luella,  born 
September  26,  1881. 

Deck,  John,  was  born  in  Jasper,  N.Y..  October  11,  1836,  son  of  Urial  and  Elizabeth 
(Countryman)  Deck,  natives  of  Montgomery  county,  N.  Y.,  who  came  to  Steuben 
county  in  1822,  with  his  father,  John  Deck.  John  Deck  married  Elizabeth  Bauter, 
by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Urial,  Nancy,  and  John.  He  married  for  his  sec- 
ond wife,  Catherine  Failing,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Solomon,  Daniel,  Bet- 
sey, and  Margaret.  The  grandfather  purchased  350  acres  of  land  and  cleared 
seventy  acres  before  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1843.  Urial  Deck,  father  of  John, 
was  a  farmer,  and  owned  a  farm  of  100  acres.  He  died  in  1867,  aged  sixty-eight 
years,  and  his  wife  in  1894,  aged  ninety-three  years.  John  Deck  was  reared  on  a 
farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  is  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  was  also 
a  merchant  for  a  short  time.  He  owns  150  acres  of  land  where  he  resides,  also  fifty 
acres  in  Pine  Grove,  Warren  county.  Pa.  He  follows  dairying  and  raising  hay.  In 
1865  he  married  Lucy  H.,  daughter  of  Augustus  and  Eunice  (Graham)  Van  Orsdale, 
who  came  from  Broome  county  to  Jasper  in  1851,  thence  to  Warren  county,  Pa., 
where  Mrs.  Van  Orsdale  died.     Mr.  Van  Orsdale  is  eighty-two  years  of  age. 

Dennis,  George,  was  born  in  Jasper,  Steuben  county,  January  1,  1844,  son  of  Sam- 
uel F.  Dennis,  born  in  New  Hampshire  May  30,  1811.  His  wife  was  Sarah  S.  Wood- 
ward, whom  he  married  September  27,  1838.  They  had  nine  children,  namely:  Lois, 
who  died  in  1841 ;  Moses,  who  died  April  6,  1862,  in  the  service  of  his  country ; 
George ;  Sarah,  the  wife  of  Wesley  Travis ;  Mary,  the  wife  of  L.  D.  Timmerman  ; 
Marshall;  Harland,  who  died  October  18,  1851;  William  F.,  born  July  10,  1857;  and 
Jesse,  born  December  9,  1861,  died  August  27,  1864.  Samual  Dennis,  grandfather  of 
George,  was  born  January  26,  1788,  and  came  to  this  country  about  the  time  of  the 
Revolutionary  war ;  he  purchased  300  acres  of  land,  whereon  his  descendants  were 
born.  George  Dennis  was  educated  in  Troopsburg  and  Alfred,  and  married  Lou  A., 
daughter  of  Amos  F.  Woodbury,  September  7,  1865.  Mr.  Woodbury  was  a  promi- 
nent farmer  of  Jasper,  and  the  subject  resides  upon  the  Woodbury  farm.  They  have 
two  children:  Ora  L.,  born  April  15,  1875,  a  student  at  the  Cortland  State  Normal 
School;  and  Ross  W.,  born  December  15,  1881,  a  student  at  Canisteo  Academy. 

Dickey,  John  E.,  was  born  in  Cameron,  April  24,  1841,  son  of  Erastus  Dickey,  who 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  365 

was  a  prominent  farmer  and  lumberman.  Matthew  Dickey  was  one  of  the  pioneer 
settlers  of  Cameron.  John  E.  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  L.  E.  &  W.  R.  R.  for 
thirty  two  years,  and  is  now  the  managing  agent  at  Canisteo,  which  position  he  has 
held  since  1889.  October  17,  1866,  he  married  Anna  W.  Harman,  by  whom  he  has 
one  daughter,  Mrs.  Belle  W.  De  Laney.  jNIr.  Dickey  was  supervisor  of  the  town  of 
Cameron  two  terms  and  was  again  elected  in  1889,  but  resigned  to  take  his  present 
position  at  Canisteo.  Mr.  Dickey  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  and  Eastman's 
Business  College,  of  Poughkeepsie.  N.  Y.  He  is  a  member  of  Morning  Star  Lodge 
of  Masons  No.  65. 

Davis,  George  L.,  was  born  in  Greenwood,  August  4,  1851,  son  of  Redman  S.,  who 
was  born  in  Worcester,  Mass.  He  was  among  the  early  settlers  of  Greenwood,  first 
settHng  in  Dryden,  Tompkins  county,  then  coming  to  Greenwood  in  1889.  He, 
Redman  S.,  was  a  merchant  and  farmer  and  in  business  with  his  father.  George 
L.  is  a  member  of  the  private  banking  house  of  Porter  &  Davis,  which  business  is 
conducted  on  a  firm  basis.  In  1879  Mr.  Davis  waS  married  to  CaUna  M.  Isbell,  of 
Marion,  Iowa,  by  whom  he  had  one  daughter,  Minnie  E.,  and  one  son,  Donald  Gor- 
don, born  March  29,  1895.     Mr.  Davis  is  treasurer  of  the  corporation. 

Dates,  Henry,  was  born  in  Cayuga  county,  N.  Y.,  January  10,  1822,  son  of  Joseph 
and  Betsey  (Shooks)  Dates,  who  came  to  Cayuga  county,  N.  Y.,  in  an  early  day,  and 
from  there  to  Chemung  county,  where  they  died.  Henry  Dates  was  reared  on  a 
farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  at  nine  years  of  age  went  to  live 
with  Lewis  Gardner,  of  Big  flats,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  until  he  was  eighteen 
years  of  age,  and  was  then  for  four  years  on  the  Erie  Canal.  In  1847  he  came  to 
WoodhuU  and  worked  in  a  saw  mill  and  finally  engaged  in  farming,  and  he  now  owns 
ninety-two  acres  of  land.  In  1845  he  married  Harriet  Wing,  by  whom  he  had  these 
children:  Emily,  Julia,  Lyman,  Alice,  Uri,  and  Silas.  Mrs.  Dates  was  born  in 
Southport,  N.  Y.,  August  26,  1822,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Retta  (Chaffin)  Wing, 
natives  of  Cherry  Valley,  N.  Y.,  who  spent  their  Last  days  in  Southport,  N.  Y.  Au- 
gust 28,  1862,  Mr.  Dates  enlisted  in  Co.  G,  141st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  two  years 
and  ten  months,  and  was  at  Sackett's  Harbor,  Cassville,  and  Dallas,  and  was  with 
Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea. 

Deitzel,  George  C,  was  born  in  Rochester  N.  Y.,  October  3,  1847,  son  of  Charles 
Deitzel,  who  was  born  in  Germany,  emigrated  to  this  country,  and  settled  in  Steuben 
county  in  1858.  Charles  Deitzel  owns  a  farm  in  Wayland,  also  one  in  Springwater. 
He  married  Caroline  Miller,  who  was  born  in  Germany  in  1821,  by  whom  he  had 
nine  children,  four  of  whom  are  living:  George  C,  born  in  Rochester,  October  3, 
1847;  Jacob,  resides  at  Springwater;  Caroline,  wife  of  Eli  Saltsman,  who  resides  in 
Avoca;  and  William  H.,  who  resides  in  Wayland.  Mr.  Deitzel  died  in  Wayland  in 
1875,  aged  fifty-four  years.  At  eighteen  years  of  age  George  C.  engaged  in  the  car- 
penter and  joiner  trade  with  Lyman  Woodard,  which  he  followed  for  twelve  years. 
In  1875  he  engaged  the  sash,  blind  and  door  business,  which  he  still  continues.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education,  also  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Wayland 
Dime  Loan  and  Savings  Association.  In  1873  he  married  Rhoda  Flory,  born  in 
April,  1841,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Julian,  born  February  24,  1882. 

Deitzel,   William   H.,    was  born  in   Springwater,   October  31,   1866.     His  father 


366  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Charles  Deitzel,  was  born  in  Germany  in  1818,  and  in  1842  emigrated  and  settled  at 
Rochester,  N.  Y. ,  where  he  remained  one  year,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Wayland, 
where  he  purchased  another  farm,  on  which  he  died  in  1874.  His  wife  was  Carolme 
Miller,  who  was  born  in  1821  in  Germany,  where  they  were  married,  and  their  chil- 
dren were  George  C,  Jacob  F.,  Caroline,  and  William  H.  The  latter  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools,  and  in  1885  was  graduated  from  the  Rochester  Business  Uni- 
versity. He  clerked  in  the  grocery  store  of  C.  C.  Tinker  for  one  year,  and  in  1890 
bought  the  stock  and  store,  and  where  now  may  be  found  a  full  line  of  groceries, 
wall  paper,  crockery,  etc.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Wayland  Lodge,  No.  176,  and  of 
the. I.  O.  O.  F.  July  19,  1892,  he  married  Cora  Smith,  who  was  born  in  Livonia,  N. 
Y.,  in  1870. 

Edwards,  Jerome,  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  N.  Y.,  August  24,  1851,  and  is  the 
second  of  three  children  born  to  Ira  and  Ellen  (Guernsey)  Edwards,  he  a  native  of 
Pulteney,  and  she  of  Jasper.  The  grandparents,  Daniel  and  Sallie  (Sherwood)  Ed- 
wards, came  from  Connecticut  ahd  settled  in  'Pulteney,  being  pioneers  there.  They 
w^ent  to  Woodhull,  and  finally  to  Cameron,  where  they  died.  The  maternal  grand- 
father, Harry  Guernsey,  came  to  Woodhull  at  an  early  day.  Ira  Edwards  was  a 
farmer  of  Troupsburg,  and  settled  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  town.  From  there 
he  went  to  Chautauqua  county,  N.  Y,,  where  he  engaged  in  butchering  and  dealing 
in  stock.  He  was  killed  at  Rockford,  111.,  while  after  a  load  of  cattle,  in  June,  1882, 
aged  sixtj'-one  years.  Mrs.  Edwards  resides  in  Chautauqua  county.  Jerome  Ed- 
wards was  reared  on  the  farm  and  educated  at  Woodhull  Academy,  and  has  been 
engaged  in  farming  most  of  his  life.  After  the  death  of  his  father  he  was  m  a  meat 
market  for  one  year,  and  February  24,  1875,  he  settled  on  the  William  Carpenter 
farm  where  he  is  now^  engaged  in  farming.  July  3,  1872,  he  married  Susan,  daugh- 
ter of  William  Carpenter,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Ada  B.,  William  Clair, 
Velma,  and  Bennie. 

Stratton,  George  B.,  was  born  in  Oxford,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  March  4,  1844, 
son  of  Frederick  and  Hannah  (Dewy)  Stratton,  natives  of  Oxford  and  Norwich,  N. 
Y. ,  respectively.  Mr.  Stratton  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Tuscarora,  coming  there 
with  a  yoke  of  cattle,  and  engaged  in  farming.  He  died  in  1886,  and  his  wife  in  1892. 
George  B.  Stratton  was  reared  on  a  Tarm  and  has  always  followed  farming.  In 
1874  he  married  Reusha  A.,  daughter  of  L.  Swan  of  Tuscarora,  by  whom  he  had 
eight  children:  Charles  B.,  George  L.,  Floyd  F.,  Clarence,  who  died  November  27, 
1892,  Ina,  Girden.  Ada,  and  Alfreda,  who  died  in  1892,  aged  three  months.  In  1864 
Mr.  Stratton  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  188th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  was  discharged  in  June,  1865. 
He  was  at  Hatcher's  Run,  second  battle  of  Petersburg,  and  at  Lee's  surrender.  He 
is  a  member  of  G.  A.  R.,  No.  372,  at  Addison. 

Stanton,  Jacob  and  Stephen  T. — Robert  Stanton,  the  first  of  the  family  to  settle  in 
Steuben  county,  came  from  Stanton  Hill,  Schoharie  county,  about  1820,  when  still  a 
boy,  and  located  on  Lent  Hill.  He  was  a  son  of  Elijah  Stanton,  who  w^as  a  physi- 
cian, and  who  came  to  the  county  about  1840,  and  settled  on  what  is  now  the  "Vandy 
farm.  He  served  through  the  war  of  1812.  In  1824  Robert  Stanton  took  up  his  first 
piece  of  land,  containing  seventy-five  acres,  paying  81-25  per  acre.  He  was  aman  of 
industrious  and  frugal  habits,  and  with  the  advance  of  years  added  to  hispossessions, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  367 

until  he  became  one  of  the  prominent  and  well-to-do  farmers  of  that  vicinity.  He 
was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Lent  M.  E.  church,  and  was  its  first  class  leader, 
taking  an  active  part  in  the  building  of  the  church  there.  He  married  Susan  Moore, 
of  Prattsburg,  by  whom  he  had  eleven  children:  Abel,  who  married  Charlotte  Stur- 
tevant,  settling  first  on  Lent  Hill,  and  was  for  many  years  engaged  in  farming, 
afterward  settling  in  Michigan;  Jacob,  who  settled  in  Cohocton,  where  he  has  always 
lived,  with  the  exception  of  from  1854  to  1860,  which  he  spent  in  California,  and  has 
been  mainly  engaged  in  farming,  but  for  eleven  years  was  engaged  in  the  produce 
business  in  Cohocton.  He  married  Ann  Morgan  in  California  for  his  first  wife,  and 
for  his  second  wife  he  married  Mrs.  Jane  Burk;  John,  who  married  Hannah  Worster, 
and  settled  in  Cohocton  where  he  has  always  followed  farming;  Elijah,  who  married 
Samantha  Morrison,  and  in  1863  enlisted  in  the  161st  N.  Y.  Inft.,  and  died  in  the 
service;  Lucretia,  who  married  Elijah  Kelsey,  and  settled  in  Benton,  Yates  countv, 
N.  Y.  ;  Emeline,  deceased;  Susan  P.,  wife  of  Henry  Smith;  Stephen  T.,  who  mar- 
ried Martha  Sturtevant,  settled  in  the  town  of  Prattsburg,  where  he  has  been  an 
enterprising  and  prosperous  farmer,  and  in  1888  settled  in  North  Cohocton.  In  1861 
he  enlisted  in  Co.  E,  104th  N.  Y.  Inft.,  and  served  until  in  December,  1864.  He  is  a 
member  of  R.  E.  Harris  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Cohocton;  Johanna,  who  married  Ira 
Brownell,  and  settled  in  Prattsburg;  Hannah  S.,  wife  of  Abraham  Wheaton,  of 
Prattsburg;  and  Robert  J.,  deceased. 

Allen,  William  W.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  October  19,  1835,  son  of  John 
Thomas  Allen,  a  native  of  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  born  in  the  town  of  Howard  in 
1811,  and  grandson  of  WiUiam  Allen,  born  in  Amsterdam,  Montgomery  county,  N. 
Y.,  who  settled  in  the  town  of  Howard  near  Smith's  Pond  in  the  spring  of  1810. 
W.  W.  Allen  is  a  great-grandson  of  Williarh  Allen  of  New  England,  who  was  active 
as  a  soldier  in  establishing  American  independence.  He  married  Catherine  Hub- 
bard, daughter  of  Thomas  Hubbard,  then  postmaster  of  Boston,  and  of  Judith  Ray 
a  granddaughter  of  Simon  Ray,  one  of  the  original  purchasers  of  Block  Island.  Mr. 
Allen  and  family  moved  from  Boston  to  Hagaman  Mills  near  Amsterdam,  where  he 
died  December  14,  1844,  aged  eighty-five  years.  John  T.  Allen  was  a  farmer  in 
Howard  and  Avoca  several  years,  whence  he  removed  to  Bath  and  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile pursuits ;  was  county  treasurer  of  Steuben  county,  and  died  in  1867.  He  mar- 
ried Minerva,  daughter  of  Reuben  Ferris  of  Howard,  who  served  in  the  war  of  1812 
and  was  honored  with  a  captain's  commission.  Reuben  Ferris's  wife  was  Rachel 
Purdy,  daughter  of  Abner  Purdy  and  Hannah  Fisher.  Mr.  Purdy  was  born  in 
Dutchess  county  and  served  as  a  lieutenant  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  His  father 
was  Ebenezer  Purdy,  who  was  early  in  Greenwich,  Conn.,  and  actively  engaged  in 
the  colonial  wars  m  the  year  1755  and  thereafter.  William  W.  Allen  was  educated 
in  Haverling  Academy,  Bath.  In  1852  he  entered  the  banking  houseof  Alfred  Purdy 
Ferris  in  Bath  and  was  connected  therewith  until  the  year  1857,  when  the  Bank  of 
Bath  was  organized  by  Hon.  Constant  Cook,  Mr.  Allen  holding  the  position  of  teller. 
In  1863  the  bank  became  a  national  Bank,  with  Mr.  Allen  the  cashier,  which  position 
he  still  holds.  He  is  treasurer  of  St.  Thomas  church,  of  Haverling  Academy,  is  also 
a  director  and  treasurer  of  the  Urbana  Wine  Company,  a  director  of  the  Hammonds- 
port  Wine  Company  and  of  the  Lake  Keuka  Wine  Company.  Mr.  Allen  was  prom- 
inent in  the  organization  of  the  Steuben  Club  of  Bath,  a  noted  social  organization  of 


368  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

the  county,  and  its  first  president,  to  which  office  he  has  several  times  been  re-elected. 
He  has  always  been  active  in  politics  but  has  never  held  public  office  except  that  he 
was  commissioner  of  the  U.  S.  Deposit  Fund  for  the  county  of  Steuben  for  fourteen 
years,  which  position  is  now  held  by  his  son,  AValter  R.  In  18(il  he  married  Helen 
Maria  Ganesvoort,  a  daughter  of  the  late  John  Roseboom  Ganesvoort  and  Rebecca 
Irwin.  Mr.  Ganesvoort  was  a  descendant  of  John  Wessells  Von  Ganesvoort,  born  in 
Gronigen,  Holland,  in  the  year  1419.  His  descendants  came  early  to  America  and 
settled  in  New  Amsterdam,  now  the  city  of  New  York,  and  later  became  residents 
of  Albany,  where  Conrad  Ganesvoort,  Mrs.  Allen's  grandfather  was  born.  He  was 
a  Revolutionary  patriot  and  long  a  ruling  elder  in  the  old  Dutch  church  of  Albany. 
His  wife  was  Elizabeth  Roseboom,  who  was  also  of  Holland  descent.  Mrs.  Allen's 
mother  was  Rebecca  Irwin,  only  daughter  of  Jared  Irwin  and  Lucretia  Patterson  of 
Dansville,  Livingston  county,  N.  Y.,  both  of  Scotch  descent.  The  Pattersons  are 
descended  from  Andrew  Patterson,  a  "Covenanter,"  who  was  banished  from  Scot- 
land under  the  reign  of  Kmg  James  the  Second,  came  to  America  on  the  vessel 
"Francis,"  which  landed  at  Perth  Amboy,  New  Jersey,  in  December,  1685.  The 
children  of  William  W.  Allen  and  Helen  M.  Ganesvoort  are  Ganesvoort  Irwin, 
Walter  Roseboom  and  Minerva  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Edwin  Stewart  Underhill ;  they 
are  all  residents  of  Bath. 

Eckler,  John,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Starks,  in  1826.  Henry  Eckler,  his  grand- 
father, was  of  Mohawk  Dutch  ancestry,  a  farmer  in  Herkimer  county,  and  was  a  sol- 
dier in  the  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  fought  at  the  battle  of  Bunker 
Hill.  He  reared  four  children,  and  died  aged  eighty  3'ears.  Henry  Eckler,  father 
of  John,  was  born  February'  29,  1800,  andspenthis  whole  life  as  a  farmer  in  Herkimer 
county.  He  married  Betsey,  daughter  of  Mathias  Shaul,  by  whom  he  had  ten  chil- 
dren: Mathias,  Isaac,  Abram,  Henry,  Elizabeth,  John,  Mary,  Betsey,  Sarah,  and 
Levi.  He  died  in  1874,  and  his  wife  in  1870.  John  Eckler  remained  with  his  father 
until  he  was  twenty-six  years  of  age,  and  in  1851  he  came  to  the  town  of  Wheeler, 
where  he  spent  a  year  and  where  he  was  married,  after  which  he  returned  to  Herki- 
mer county,  where  he  spent  the  six  years,  buying  a  farm  of  his  father  in  the  mean- 
time. In  1858  he  returned  to  Wheeler  and  bought  a  farm  of  140  acres,  and  in  1866 
purchased  the  farm  on  which  he  now  resides,  having  since  added  to  it  until  he  now 
owns  nearly  400  acres  of  improved  land.  In  the  fall  of  1864  he  enlisted  in  Co.  H, 
188th  N.  Y.  Vols. ,  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  participated  in  the  battles 
of  Hatcher's  Run,  Five  Forks,  and  Appomattox.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
at  Avoca.  In  1851  he  married  Nancy  N. ,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Betsey  (Cramer) 
Short,  who  came  to  Wheeler  from  Herkimer  county  in  1831.  by  whom  he  had  these 
children:  Julia,  who  died  at  eighteen  years  of  age;  Wilmot,  wife  of  George  Stryker 
of  Wheeler ;  and  Amelia,  wife  of  Charles  Beal  of  Wheeler. 

Elhs,  Jerome  B.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Dryden,  Tompkins  county,  in  1835,  son 
of  Jason  Ellis,  also  a  native  of  Dryden,  and  grandson  of  Colonel  Ellis,  who  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  a  pioneer  of  Tompkins  county,  where  he  en- 
gaged successfully  in  farming,  and  at  his  death  leaving  a  large  amount  of  property. 
Jason  came  to  the  town  of  Bath  in  1837,  and  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering, 
owning  a  saw  mill,  and  rafted  his  lumber  down  the  Conhocton  River  to  Harrisburg. 
He   married   Nancy  Hart,  of  Tompkins  county,    and    their   children    were  George 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  369 

(deceased),  Ella,  Chester,  Albert,  William,  Joseph,  Sarah,  and  Jerome  B.  He  died 
when  sixty  years  of  age,  and  his  wife,  aged  fifty-eight  years.  Jei'ome  B.  received  a 
fair  education,  and  from  1856  until  1890  he  taught  school  during  the  winter  terms, 
and  devoted  his  time  to  farming  during  the  summers.  In  1880  he  removed  to  the 
town  of  Wheeler,  where,  with  the  exception  of  three'  years  he  spent  in  Watkins,  N. 
Y.,  in  the  carriage  business,  he  has  resided  on  his  farm  of  112  acres.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Democrat,  and  has  held  the  office  of  supervisor  for  six  years.  In  1859  he  mar- 
ried Caroline,  daughter  of  Robert  La  Cross,  a  blacksmith  of  that  town,  and  their 
children  are  Jay  (deceased),  Aaron  J.  (deceased),  Cara,  wife  of  Charles  Myers,  of 
Wheeler,  and  Bertha. 

Everett,  John,  was  born  m  the  town  of  Prattsburg,  April  25,  1837.  David  Everett, 
his  father,  was  born  in  Vermont,  in  1804,  and  in  early  life  was  a  shoemaker,  after 
which  he  engaged  in  farming  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Prattsburg  about  1835,  where 
he  died  in  1854.  He  had  by  his  first  wife  two  children :  Barney  and  Delilah.  He 
married  for  his  second  wife,  Mary,  daughter  of  James  Upthego,  by  whom  he  had 
three  children :  John,  Sarah  J.,  and  James  H.  John  Everett,  when  but  twelve  j'ears 
of  age,  was  obliged  to  care  for  himself,  and  engaged  at  farm  work  for  an  uncle  Avith 
whom  he  lived  five  years.  At  eighteen  years  of  age  he  bought  fifty  acres  of  land, 
and  has  added  to  it  from  time  to  time.  In  1866  he  removed  to  the  town  of  Wheeler, 
where  he  purchased  111  acres  of  land,  to  which  he  later  added  sixty-two  acres,  and 
which  now  comprises  his  Wheeler  farm  and  which  he  conducts.  In  1885  he  pur- 
chased a  residence  in  the  village  of  Avoca,  where  he  has  since  resided,  and  in  1887 
he  purchased  a  small  farm  of  thirty-five  acres  in  Avoca.  He  has  devoted  many  years 
to  the  successful  breeding  of  fine  horses,  and  during  the  years  1871-72  he  bought 
cattle  and  conducted  a  meat  market  in  Avoca.  In  1864  he  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  188th 
N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  the  first 
Hatcher's  Run,  and  after  that  was  on  detail  duty.  In  1858  he  married  Emily,  daugh- 
ter of  P.  and  Hannah  Horr,  early  settlers  of  Prattsburg,  by  whom  he  had  these  chil- 
dren: Mrs.  Minnie  Shults  of  Avoca  and  Charles  W.  (twins),  Lottie,  and  Louie  and 
Ada  (twins).     Louie  died  when  fifteen  years  of  age. 

Everett,  Charles  W.,  was  born  in  Wheeler,  Steuben  county,  N.Y.,  in  October,  1860. 
son  of  John  Everett,  a  prosperous  farmer  in  Wheeler,  but  a  resident  of  Avoca,  who 
was  born  in  Prattsburg  in  April,  1887,  son  of  David  Everett,  a  native  of  Vermont, 
and  born  in  1804.  Charles  W.  remained  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-four 
years  of  age,  when  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of  150  acres,  where  he  has  made  a 
success  in  stock  raising  and  vegetable  growing  for  a  number  of  years.  He  served 
one  term  as  collector,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  Avoca  Lodge.  In 
1884  he  married  Nellie  E.,  daughter  of  Wesley  and  Johan  (Nellis)  Calkins,  by  whom 
he  had  one  son,  Joh^n,  and  his  wife  died  in  1885.  Mr.  Calkins,  her  father,  died  and 
her  mother  later  became  the  wife  of  Martin  Strait,  by  whom  she  and  her  sister  were 
shot  in  Elmira,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Everett  married  for  his  seeond  wife  Catherine  F.,  daugh- 
ter of  Isaac  Shaut  of  Wheeler,  by  whom  he  had  two  children. 

Derick,  Dennis,  was  born  in  Rensselaer  county  in  1848.  son  of  Henry  Derick,  a 
native  of  Rensselaer  county,  born  in  1809,  the  seventh  of  nine  children,  and  came  to 
Wheeler,  Steuben  countj^  in  1855,  where  he  spent  his  remaining  days.     He  married 


370  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Catherine  Kendall,  a  native  of  Columbia  county,  by  whom  he  had  six  children ;  De- 
borah, David  H.,  Margaret,  George  E.,  Dennis  S.,  and  E.  K.  Mr.  Derick  died  in 
1879,  and  his  wife  in  1881.  Dennis  Derick  remained  with  his  father  until  he  was 
twenty-three  years  of  age,  when  he  started  in  business  for  himself  at  farming  and 
shoemaking,  he  having  adopted  that  trade  when  eighteen  years  of  age  and  practicing 
at  home.  He  now  owns  a  farm  of  ninet}^  acres  which  takes  in  one-half  of  his  father's 
homestead,  and  has  a  shop  in  the  village  of  Wheeler,  where  he  attends  to  the  wants 
of  his  boot  and  shoe  customers.  He  has  been  a  student  of  law,  political  economy 
and  science,  and  is  a  well  educated  man.  He  has  been  elected  to  the  office  of  justice 
four  terms,  and  is  now  serving  in  that  capacity.  In  1871  he  married  Mary  (Simons) 
AuUs,  an  adopted  daughter  of  Ephraim  Aulls  of  Wheeler,  by  whom  he  had  these 
children:  Dennis  S.,  Henry,  Frank  E.,  William  D.,  Deborah,  who  died  at  three 
yeurs  of  age;  Catherine  C,  and  Lulu  M. 

Derick,  E.  K.,  is  a  son  of  Henry  Derick,  who  was  born  in  Rensselaer  county  in 
1809,  and  came  to  Wheeler  in  1855,  where  he  spent  his  remaining  days.  He  married 
Catherme  Kendall  of  Columbia  county,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Deborah, 
David  H.,  Margaret,  George  E.,  Dennis  S.,  and  E.  K.  He  died  in  1879,  and  his  wife 
in  1881.  E.  K.  Derick  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  at  twenty  years  of 
age  began  for  himself,  working  his  father's  farm  for  a  short  time,  after  which  he  en- 
gaged in  selling  agricultural  implements  on  the  road  until  1882,  when  he  leased  the 
hotel  building  in  Wheeler,  in  which  he  put  a  stock  of  general  merchandise,  and  five 
years  later  erected  a  building  on  his  present  site,  and  opened  business  on  a  more 
elaborate  plan.  In  1890  he  added  to  his  business  the  buying  of  country  produce, 
hay,  potatoes,  eggs,  etc.,  and  in  1894  doing  a  §50,000  business,  he  being  the  only 
produce  dealer  in  the  town.  During  the  construction  of  the  Kanona  &  Prattsburg 
Railroad  he  took  the  contract  of  building  the  depot  and  grading  for  the  switch, 
which  he  executed  during  the  winter  of  1889-90;  and  was  then  made  station  agent, 
in  which  capacity  he  has  served  to  the  present  time.  He  was  town  clerk  for  five  suc- 
cessive years,  and  held  the  office  of  postmaster  of  Wheeler  during  the  first  and  sec- 
ond terms  of  President  Cleveland's  administration.  In  1882  he  married  Carrie, 
daughter  of  Wood  and  O'live  Benedict. 

Davis,  N.  D.,  of  Caton,  was  born  in  Franklin  county,  Massachusetts,  in  1820,  son 
of  Dexter  and  Emily  (Holden)  Davis,  natives  of  Massachusetts.  The  paternal 
grandfather,  John  D.,  was  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  In  1842  Mr.  Davis  came  to 
Caton,  locating  on  the  pail  factory  place,  how  owned  by  Daniel  Davis.  At  the  age 
of  eighteen  he  embarked  in  the  grocery  trade  in  Corning,  continuing  five  years,  and 
then  purchased  sixty-five  acres  where  he  now  lives.  In  1852  he  married,  and  in  1853 
moved  to  the  place.  He  had  added  to  his  farm  till  it  now  contains  233  acres.  His 
first  wife  was  Adelaide  Westcott,  who  died  in  1862,  leaving  four  sons :  Horace,  Henry, 
Charles  H.,  and  Edgar  M.  He  afterward  married  Julia  E.  Baker,  his  present  wife. 
They  have  one  child,  Emma,  wife  of  John  Rowe.  Mr.  Davis  follows  general  farm- 
ing and  makes  a  specialty  of  breeding  horses,  bringing  the  first  Percheron  intro- 
duced in  this  section  in  1887.     He  also  raises  thoroughbred  Jersey  cattle. 

Davison,  C.  A.,  was  born  in  Caton  in  1843,  son  of  James  Davison,  jr.,  and  Mary 
(Thompson)  Davison,  natives  of  Schuyler  and  Chenango   counties.       The  parents 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  371 

were  married  in  Caton,  and  died  in  1894  and  1888,  aged  seventy-six  and  seventy- 
seven,  father  and  mother  respectively.  In  1865  Mr.  Davis  married  Therissa  A. 
Tobey,  and  they  have  resided  on  their  present  farm  in  Caton  since  1867.  He  fol- 
lows general  farming,  making  a  specialty  of  dairying.  He  was  highway  commis- 
sioner in  1821. 

Eddy,  J.  F  ,  was  born  in  Thurston,  N.  Y. ,  December  14,  1845,  son  of  Fenner  and 
Celia  (Taft)  Eddy,  natives  of  the  town  of  Burleigh,  R.  I.,  who  came  to  Thurston 
about  1836,  where  they  died.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Eli  Eddy,  lived  and 
died  in  Rhode  Island,  at  100  years  of  age.  Fenner  Eddy,  father  of  J.  F.,  was  a  tan- 
ner and  currier  by  trade,  and  owned  a  tannery  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  J.  F.  Eddy. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M.  J.  F.  Eddy  was  reared  on  a  farm  he  now 
owns,  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming  and 
lumbering,  but  at  present  works  at  the  carpenter's  trade.  He  owns  eighty-six  acres 
of  land,  the  old  homestead.  Mr.  Eddy  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  been  com- 
missioner of  the  town  for  one  year,  and  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  justice  of 
the  peace.  He  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  168,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Merchantsville 
Grange,  also  a  member  of  Loga  Post  No.  469,  G.  A.  R.  July  3,  1869,  he  married 
Emily  Congden,  of  Addison,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children-.  VinaL.,  Josie  L. ,  Belle 
(deceased),  Archie  B.  (deceased)  Jessie  C,  Fenner,  Thomas,  Ralph  (deceased),  and 
Ward  B.  In  1864  Mr.  Eddy  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  189th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  until 
the  close  of  the  war. 

Dickinson,  Francis  A.,  was  born  in  Thurston,  N.  Y.,  November  5,  1834,  son  of 
David  and  Judith  (Story)  Dickinson,  he  was  born  in  New  York,  and  she  in  Middle- 
bury,  Conn.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Amos  Dickinson,  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  of  Thurston.  He  went  to  Michigan  where  he  died.  David  Dickinson,  father 
of  Francis  A.,  was  a  farmer,  and  at  one  time  owned  146  acres  of  land.  He  died  in 
1871,  and  his  wife  in  1890.  Francis  A.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the 
common  schools.  He  is  a  farmer  and  owns  118  acres  of  land.  He  married  Minerva, 
daughter  of  James  Jack,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Thurston,  by  whom  he  had  four 
children:  Allen  B.,  born  April  2,  1868.  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  is 
a  farmer  and  owns  sixty  acres  of  land ;  Leon  F.,  born  October  29,  1872,  educated  in 
the  common  .schools,  and  resides  at  home;  Zaide  M.,  born  September  4,  1875,  edu- 
cated in  Bath,  and  is  the  wife  of  Elmer  Granger,  and  they  have  one  child:  Clayton 
L.  ,  and  Elvie,  born  January  23,  1880,  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  resides 
at  home.  Mr.  Dickinson  enlisted  May  16,  1861,  in  Co.  A,  3d  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served 
two  years,  and  re-enlisted  in  Co.  C,  16th  N  Y.  Heavy  Artillery,  and  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  was  at  Antietam,  South  Mountain,  Chantilly,  Fredericksburg, 
second  Bull  Run,  and  many  skirmishes.  He  is  a  member  of  Loga  Post,  No.  465, 
G.  A.  R. 

Longwell,  Randall,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Vernon,  Sussex  county,  N.  J.,  April  4, 
1837,  son  of  William  Longwell,  who  was  also  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  born  January  1, 
1796,  and  died  November  30,  1843.  In  1839  he  came  to  Steuben  county  and  settled 
in  the  town  of  Bath  on  a  farm,  and  his  principal  occupation  was  dealing  in  stock. 
Mr.  Longwell  married  Elizabeth  Sprague,  who  was  also  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and 
they  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  six  of  whom  are  now  living,  and  Randall 


372  LA^DMAEKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

was  the  youngest  of  seven  sons  that  reached  adnlt  age.  Mrs.  Longwell  died  October 
1,  1876,  aged  seventy-eight  years.  Randall  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and 
his  first  occupation  was  as  a  clerk  in  a  wholesale  and  retail  store  in  Paterson,  N.  J., 
where  he  remained  two  years,  and  then  spent  one  year  on  a  farm  in  that  State.  In 
1857  he  returned  to  New  York  State  and  engaged  in  farming  on  shares  and  on  leased 
farms  until  1874.  In  1873  he  bought  a  farm  of  115  acres  in  Urbana,  and  in  1874  traded 
for  the  farm  of  154  acres,  upon  which  he  has  made  many  valuable  improvements, 
among  them  being  the  setting  out  of  a  thirty-five  acre  vineyard,  the  erection  of  a 
fruit  house,  and  a  fine  residence.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat  and  has  held  some  of 
the  minor  town  offices,  and  in  1876  was  the  representative  of  his  town  on  the  Board 
of  Supervisors.  He  is  identified  with  the  Presbyterian  church,  of  which  he  is  a 
trustee.  In  1860  he  was  married  to  Eliza  O.  Brundage,  daughter  of  George  S.  Brun- 
dage,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  two  children:  George  B.,  who  died  in  1865,  aged 
four  months;  and  Harry  B.,  who  is  an  insurance  agent  of  Hammondsport.  Randall 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  since  1865. 

Neel,  James,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Holland,  Erie  county,  N.  Y.,  May  11,  1837, 
the  second  son  of  a  family  of  thirteen  children  born  to  Robert  Neel,  a  merchant  of 
the  town  of  his  birth,  who  is  now  a  resident  of  Livonia,  N.  Y.,  and  is  in  his  eighty- 
fourth  year.  James  Neel  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  after  which  he  en- 
gaged as  agent  for  the  N.  Y.  C.  R.  R.  Co. ,  at  Chili,  where  he  remained  for  thirteen 
years.  In  1875  he  located  at  Kanona,  N.  Y.,  and  established  a  general  store,  which 
he  conducted  for  .seven  years.  In  1882  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Urbana  Wine 
Company,  which  position  he  has  since  held.  He  has  been  postmaster  of  the  village 
of  Urbana  since  its  establishment  in  November,  1883,  and  has  always  been  a  Repub- 
lican in  politics,  but  never  an  office  seeker.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity  since  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  is  now  a  member  of  Urbana 
Lodge,  No.  459.  In  1858  he  married  Mary  Day,  of  Scottsville,  N.  Y. ,  by  whom  he 
had  one  daughter,  Minnie,  wife  of  Charles  Larrowe,  of  Cohocton,  N.  Y.  Mrs.  Day 
died  at  the  home  of  her  daughter,  October  16,  1895.  She  was  born  in  Milton,  Eng- 
land, in  1836,  and  was  one  of  a  lage  family  of  children,  but  one  of  whom,  a  brother  in 
the  West,  survives.  She  lived  a  happy  Christian  life,  devoted  to  her  home,  family, 
and  friends. 

Sick,  Philip,  3d,  was  born  in  Germany,  October  25,  1845,  and  is  a  son  of  Philip  and 
Catherine  (Fogle)  Sick,  who  came  to  America  in  1845,  and  settled  in  the  town  of 
W^ayland,  where  he  became  a  prominent  farmer,  and  was  a  leading  member  of  the 
Perkinsville  Lutheran  church.  Their  children  were  Fred,  William,  Philip,  Cath- 
erine, Louise,  Electa,  and  Caroline.  Fred  settled  on  the  homestead,  and  married 
Mary  Lander,  William  is  a  farmer  and  settled  in  Wayland,  Catherine  married 
Godfrey  Fleishman  of  Cohocton.  Louise  married  Philip  Sick,  2d,  of  Cohocton. 
Electa  married  William  Lander,  of  Wayland.  Caroline  married  Fred  Biehl,  of  Co- 
hocton. Philip  Sick,  3d,  settled  first  in  Wayland  and  afterward  in  Cohocton,  and 
is  one  of  the  substantial  men  of  the  town.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of  St.  Paul's 
Lutheran  church  of  Cohocton.  Mr.  Sick  has  been  twice  married,  first  to  Louisa, 
daughter  of  the  late  Philip  Barts,  of  Cohocton.  by  whom  he  had  four  children: 
Henr^-,  Rose.  George,  and  Aurelia.  Henry  married  Ann  Link.  Rose  married  Louis 
Shultice.     For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Sick  married  Margaret  Link,  of  Cohocton. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  373 

Eygabroat,  Jacob,  was  born  in  Herkimer  county,  N.  Y.,  December  29,  1828,  son  of 
John  and  Matilda  Eygabroat.  John  was  born  in  1800,  near  St.  Johnsville,  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Campbell  about  thirty-three  years 
ago,  where  he  continued  to  live  until  his  death  on  February  18,  1887.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Eygabroat  were  the  parents  of  seven  children:  John  H.,  Jacob,  Betsey  A.,  William, 
Martha,  Rosilla,  and  William,  the  second.  Jacob  has  been  a  shingle  maker,  which 
business  he  followed  in  connection  with  farming  and  lumbering.  At  present  he  i.s 
devoting  his  time  to  farming,  and  is  the  owner  of  five  farms.  He  married  Fannie, 
daughter  of  Isaiah  Austin,  of  Caton,  and  they  have  had  five  children:  William,  de- 
ceased, Harriet  Amy,  Charlie,  John,  and  Jacob. 

France,  James  H.,  was  born  in  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  October  13,  1826,  son  of  Da- 
vid H.,  and  Eliza  (Farquharson)  France,  he  a  native  of  Seward,  Schoharie  county, 
N.  Y.,  and  she  of  Cherry  Valley,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.  The  grandfather,  Henry 
France,  was  captured  by  the  Indians  in  Tryon  county,  N.  Y.,  with  his  brother,  John, 
who  was  killed,  while  Henry  escaped ;  their  father,  Sebastian  France,  was  a  native 
of  German}',  and  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Tryon  county,  where  he  died.  David  H., 
father  of  James  H..  went  to  Otsego  county  and  then  to  Herkimer  county,  and  in  1856 
came  to  the  town  of  Jasper  and  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  his  son,  where  he 
lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred  October  26,  1883,  while  with  his  daughter  in 
Canisteo.  He  was  a  local  M.  E.  preacher.  His  wife  died  in  1845.  James  H.  was 
reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  after  which  he  engaged  in 
farmmg,  and  in  1861  moved  on  to  the  farm  of  140  acres  he  now  owns,  and  follows 
general  farming.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Jasper  Grange.  October  15, 1846.  he  mar- 
ried Charity  Valkenburgh,  of  Cherry  Valley,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had 
six  children :  David  deceased,  Jacob  deceased,  Willard  deceased,  Abigail,  and  Mag- 
gie deceased.  Mrs.  France  died  March  20,  1866,  and  July  4,  1866,  he  married  Lo- 
vina,  daughter  of  George  R.  June,  who  settled  m  Jasper  in  1832,  where  he  died.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  France  have  three  children:  George  R.  of  Belmont,  N.  Y.  ;  Charles  W., 
who  was  educated  in  Cook's  Academy,  Canisteo  Academy,  and  Bryant  &  .Stratton's 
Business  College  of  Buffalo,  and  is  now  a  farmer  at  home;  in  1890  he  married  Bertha 
Lent  of  Jasper,  N.  Y.  ;  and  Jason  H.,  who  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and 
at  home. 

Fenton,  IraS.,  was  born  in  Tuscarora,  N.  Y. ,  September  25,  1856,  son  of  Jesse  W. 
and  Harriet  (Bouldman)  Fenton,  he  born  in  Jasper,  July  23,  1835,  and  she  in  Wood- 
hull,  July  10,  1835.  The  grandfather,  Lewis  Fenton,  was  born  in  1802,  and  early 
came  to  Ja.sper  but  died  in  Addison.  His  wife,  Jemima  Rowley,  was  the  first  white 
child  born  in  Addison,  and  was  born  February  6,  1866.  The  maternal  grandfather, 
James  Bouldman.  was  also  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  WoodhuU.  Jesse  W.  Fenton, 
father  of  Ira  S.,  has  spent  most  of  his  life  in  Tuscarora  as  a  farmer.  He  has  also 
been  collector,  constable  and  justice.  Ira  S.  followed  farming  until  1891,  since 
which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business.  He  is  a  member  of 
Borden  Tent,  No.  259,  K.  O.  T.  M.  January  27,  1884,  he  married  Sophronia  More- 
house, who  was  born  in  South  Pulteney,  October  21,  1853,  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Amanda  (Drew)  Morehouse,  both  natives  of  South  Pultene)^  he  born  in  1834,  and  she 
in  1832.     He  died  in  1880,  and  his  widow  lives  in  Bath.     The  grandfather  of  Mrs. 


374  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Fenton,   Henry  Morehouse,  was  born  in  South   Pulteney,  and  his  father  was  one  of 
the  first  settlers  at  that  place,  and  was  100  years  of  age  when  he  died. 

Frank,  Henrj'-  M.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Allegany,  Cattaraugus  county,  N.  Y., 
June  21,  1862.  Henry  was  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  seven  children  of  Daniel 
Frank,  who  died  when  Henry  was  but  three  years  old ;  but  the  mother  who  was  a 
school  teacher  was  very  earnest  in  her  endeavors  to  have  each  of  her  children  well 
educated ;  she  survived  her  husband  until  1889.  His  first  employment  was  as  a  tele- 
graph operator,  beginning  with  the  Erie  Company  before  he  was  ten  years  of  age. 
He  was  located  at  Carlton  until  1878,  when  he  went  to  Dunkirk  as  operator.  May  28, 
1878,  and  February  11,  1881,  was  made  train  dispatcher,  occupying  that  position 
until  still  further  promoted  to  the  position  of  train  master,  February  12,  1893,  which 
position  he  occupied  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  November  10,  1893. 
He  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Train  Masters'  Association,  and  a  trustworthy 
employee  of  the  company,  as  the  prominent  position  he  occupied  proved.  He  was 
supervisor  of  the  Fourth  and  Fifth  wards,  and  also  supervisor  of  the  Fifth  and  Sixth 
wards.  He  was  for  two  years  a  partner  with  David  E.  Fleming  in  the  mercantile 
business.  July  2,  1883,  he  married  Mary  R.  Welch,  of  Hornellsville,  who  still  sur- 
vives him  with  one  daughter,  Helen  Margaret  Frank,  now  in  her  fifth  year.  Mr. 
Frank  was  one  of  the  real  estate  benefactors  of  this  city,  havmg  built  three  of  the 
most  beautiful  residences  of  the  city. 

Fleming,  David  E.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Indiana,  Indiana  county,  Pa.,  Octo- 
ber 23,  1863.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  school  and  at  the  Pennsylvania  State 
Normal  School,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1884.  He  then  went  to  the  West  on  a 
prospecting  tour,  visiting  the  leading  portions  of  that  section.  Returning  east  in 
1887,  he  located  in  Hornellsville,  May  28,  1887,  and  was  for  one  year  employed  as  a 
bookkeeper  in  the  master  mechanic's  office  of  the  Erie  Railroad.  In  1888  he  estab- 
lished a  gents'  furnishing  goods  and  boot  and  shoe  store  on  Loder  street,  which  he 
conducted  for  six  years,  and  March  23,  1895,  he  opened  a  general  store  at  111  Main 
street,  which  for  its  beauty  and  convenience  is  the  pride  of  the  city.  In  June,  1894, 
he  was  appointed  by  Maj^or  Willott  and  the  council  to  the  position  of  police  commis- 
sioner, which  office  he  now  holds.  The  spring  of  1895  he  was  elected  a  member  of 
the  Republican  City  Committee,  and  at  the  same  time  made  a  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee. He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Hornellsville  Lodge  331,  Encampment 
117,  and  Canton  Loyal  of  Hornellsville;  is  accountant  of  the  latter  division,  of  which 
he  was  a  charter  member.  He  was  married  October  1,  1891,  to  Miss  Lutia  B.  Mack 
of  this  city. 

Flynn,  Thomas  T.,  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.  Timothy 
Flynn,  his  father,  was  born  in  County  Kerry,  Ireland,  in  1835,  one  of  four  brothers, 
three  of  whom  came  to  America.  He  came  to  Prattsburg  in  1850,  where  he  com- 
menced at  farm  work  by  the  month,  and  later  purchased  the  farm  on  which  he  now 
resides.  He  married  Ellen  Flannery  of  County  Kerry,  Ireland,  by  whom  he  had 
three  children:  Thomas  T. ,  Mary,  who  died  at  nineteen  years  of  age,  and  John. 
Thomas  T.  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  educated  in  the  Franklin  Academy,  and  at 
sixteen  years  of  age  he  started  in  business  for  himself,  at  farm  work  during  the  sum- 
mer and  teaching  school  in  the   winter,  and  at  twenty  years  of  age  he  learned  the 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  375 

carpenter's  trade,  which  he  followed  three  years,  when  he  entered  the  hardware  store 
of  Peck  &  Co.,  at  Prattsburg,  as  clerk,  later  becoming  a  partner  in  the  business,  which 
he  continued  for  four  years.  In  February,  1894,  he  sold  his  interest  in  this  store  and 
in  company  with  Walker,  under  the  firm  name  of  Flynn  &  Walker,  engaged  in  the 
same  business,  opening  with  a  large  and  rapidly  increasing  trade,  and  in  connection 
with  the  hardware  business  he  deals  extensively  in  agricultural  implements.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  Democrat,  and  in  1893  was  elected  supervisor  of  the  town. 

Fisher,  Perry  W.,  was  born  at  Barnstable,  Mass.,  June  30,  1844,  and  is  the  seventh 
of  nine  children  born  to  Henry  and  Olive  (Hinkley)  Fisher,  both  of  Massachusetts, 
where  they  died.  The  great-grandfather,  Lemuel  Fisher,  was  a  farmer  of  Falmouth, 
Barnstable  county,  Mass.,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War  and  participated 
in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  He  died  at  ninety-four  years  of  age.  The  maternal 
grandparents  were  Elijah  and  Elizabeth  (Bradford)  Hinkley  of  Massachusetts.  Mr. 
Hinkley  was  a  ship  carpenter  and  built  three  large  ships:  Washunk,  Commodore 
Norris  and  William  Penn.  In  the  last  he  lost  all  his  property.  Henry  Fisher,  father 
of  Perry  W.,  died  in  1880,  and  his  wife  in  1853.  Perry  W.  Fisher  was  reared  on  the 
farm,  Avorked  in  the  oil  regions  thirteen  years  and  came  to  Troupsburg  in  1882, 
where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming.  In  1880  he  married  Louise,  daughter 
of  L.  H.  and  Lovina  Murdock,  formerly  of  Pennsylvania,  but  now  residents  of 
Troupsburg,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Willie.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  the  Thirty- 
eighth  Mass.  Vols.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  in  nine  heavy  en- 
gagements; was  under  Banks  in  Western  Mississippi.  He  lost  his  hearing  by  the 
firing  of  heavy  artillery,  and  his  company  joined  Sherman  m  Georgia  in  the  march 
to  the  sea.  At  Shenandoah  he  was  wounded  in  the  foot.  He  is  a  member  of  Post 
Baily,  No.  351,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Troupsburg. 

Fedder,  John  W. ,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  J.  B.  Collins  &  Co.,  is  the  manager  of 
their  Corning  store,  called  "The  Fair,"  Nos.  46  and  48  East  Market  street,  which 
was  established  in  1880.  They  carry  a  full  line  of  general  merchandise,  and  have  in 
connection  with  their  store  a  picture  frame  manufactory.  J.  B.  Collins,  the  other 
member  of  the  firm,  manages  their  Jamestown  branch,  where  they  handle  a  similar 
line  of  goods.  Mr.  Fedder  was  president  of  the  village  in  1889-90,  and  a  member 
of  the  first  city  council. 

Eraser,  D.,  of  Painted  Post,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  was  born  in  Scotland  in  1815, 
son  of  Daniel  and  Margaret  Eraser,  natives  of  Scotland.  The  father  died  there, 
and  in  1831  Mr.  Eraser  came  to  America  with  his  mother,  two  brothers  and  two  sis- 
ters, locating  in  Herkimer  county.  Two  years  later  they  moved  to  Oswego  county, 
and  in  1836  came  to  Steuben  county,  locating  at  Campbell.  In  1847  he  married  Eliza- 
beth, daughter  of  Minor  Nute,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Minor,  and  John,  who 
died  in  1891,  aged  thirty  six  years.  In  1885  the  family  moved  to  Canada,  where  his 
mother  died.  In  1870  he  returned  to  the  town  of  Campbell,  and  in  1883  moved  to 
Corning. 

Fero,  David  F.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Catlin,  in  1846,  son  of  Peter  and  Lorana 
(Bryant)  Fero.  He  remained  on  the  farm  until  nineteen  years  of  age,  when  he  came 
to  Corning  and  learned  his  trade  of  silversmith  and  jeweler  with  A.  D.  Dudley,  with 
whom  he  afterward  formed  a  partnership  in   the  firm  of  Dudley  &  Co.,  and  in  1875 


376  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

succeeded  them.     He  also  handles  bicycles  and  supplies.     In  1877  he  married  Rose 
Blair,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:   Hazel,  aged  thirteen,  and  Mildred,  aged  seven. 

Franz,  Jacob,  was  born  in  Prussia,  in  1832,  and  came  to  America  in  1849  and  lo- 
cated in  New  York  city,  where  he  remained  until  1855,  when  he  came  to  Corning. 
In  1866  he  established  the  bottling  works,  to  which  he  has  since  given  his  attention, 
and  is  also  interested  in  real  estate  in  and  adjoming  the  Fifth  Ward. 

Fox,  G.  Albert,  was  born  in  the  village  of  Avoca,  March  10,  1836.  George  P.  Fox, 
his  father,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Palatine  Bridge,  Montgomery  county,  N.  Y.,  in 
June,  1810,  and  came  to  Bath  in  1833.  He  was  a  wagonmaker  by  trade,  and  mar- 
ried Julia  A.  Anderson  of  Connecticut,  by  whom  he  had  the.se  children:  D.  A.,  born 
February  24,  1834;  G.  A.,  born  March  10,  1836;  Hezekiah  B.,  born  in  August,  1838; 
and  Julia  B.,  born  in  1843.  G.  Albert  Fox  was  educated  in  Avoca,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  one  term  in  Rogers  Union  Seminary  He  learned  the  wagonmaker's  trade, 
and  also  followed  the  carpenter  trade  in  connection  with  it,  and  for  thirty-six  win- 
ters has  taught  school.  About  twenty-five  years  ago  he  began  farming  in  the  town 
of  Avoca,  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  164  acres.  He  married  Elinore  L.  Ketan  of 
Prattsburg,  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Fannie,  C.  E.,  D.  H.,  Lloyd  G.  and 
Rosco  C.  Fannie  and  C.  E.  are  teachers.  Mr.  Fox  has  filled  the  office  of  justice  for 
some  years. 

Faults,  William  H.,  was  born  Bath,  July  8,  1856.  Henry  Faults,  his  father,  was 
born  intjermany  and  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  when  he  was  six 
years  of  age,  and  first  settled  in  Wayland,  where  he  engaged  in  the  tanning  business, 
which  he  followed  for  many  years.  At  present  he  is  bridge  inspector  on  the  N.  Y., 
L.  E.  &  W.  R.  R.  He  married  May  Dunn  of  Wayland,  by  whom  he  had  four  chil- 
dren: Mary  C,  William  H.,  Laura  and  Frank.  William  H.  engaged  in  the  railroad 
and  farming  business,  and  the  last  seven  years  has  been  in  the  clothing  business  in 
Avoca  and  carries  a  general  line  of  clothing  and  gents'  furnishing  goods.  He  mar- 
ried Cora  Sharp  of  Avoca.  Mr.  Faults  has  filled  the  office  of  collector,  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Wallace  Lodge,  No.  519. 

Filkins,  John  A.,  was  born  in  Herkimer  county,  N.  Y.,  December  29,  1844,  son  of 
Nicholas  and  Maria  (McCready)  Filkins.  both  natives  of  Herkimer  county.  The 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  Joseph  Filkins,  was  born  at  Troy,  N.  Y.,  and  in  an  early 
day  settled  in  Herkimer  county,  where  he  lived  to  be  nearly  100  years  of  age.  Nicho- 
las Filkins,  father  of  John  A.,  spent  his  days  in  Herkimer  county,  where  he  engaged 
in  farming.  He  died  about  1852,  and  his  wife  in  1850.  John  A.  was  reared  by  his 
uncle  Cornelius  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  Thurston,  Steu- 
ben county,  N.  Y.,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  is  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and 
also  owns  a  farm  of  eighty-six  acres,  which  he  bought  in  1874.  He  is  a  Republican 
in  politics,  and  has  been  highway  commissioner  three  years  and  assessor  about  twelve 
years.  In  1864  he  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  189th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  about  one  year. 
He  was  at  Hatcher's  Run,  Five  Forks  and  at  Lee's  surrender.  In  1868  he  married 
Edith,  daughter  of  John  and  Minerva  (Mulford)  Adamson — he  born  in  Pennsylvania 
and  she  in  Tioga  county.  Pa. — and  came  to  Steuben  county,  where  they  spent  their 
last  days.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Filkins  have  three  children:  Belle,  Fred  and  Mildred.  Mr. 
Filkins  is  a  member  of  Loga  Post,  No.  465,  G.  A.  R. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  377 

Fults,  Spelman  L.,  was  born  in  Morris,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  July  18,  1845.  He 
was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  came  to  the  town  of 
Rathbone  when  eleven  years  of  age  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  has  always  fol- 
lowed farming,  and  at  present  is  engaged  in  pressing  hay.  He  owns  thirty  acres  of 
land  in  Rathbone.  In  1869  he  married  Lucinda  Smith,  of  Woodhull,  who  died  in 
1879.  In  December,  1881,  he  married  Maggie,  daughter  of  Michael  and  Johanna 
(Tomey)  Conley,  by  whom  he  has  one  son.  Nelson,  born  July  27,  1883. 

Timraerman,  H.  A.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Manheim,  Herkimer  county,  January 
25,  1839.  H.  A.  Timmerman,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  the  same  town  and  county, 
where  they  were  early  settled,  and  through  life  were  identified  as  farmers.  In  1865 
Mr.  Timmerman  married  Martha,  daughter  of  Jacob  Lepper,  by  whom  he  had  four 
children.  Ward  H.,  Nellie  E.,  Katie  M.,  and  Gracie  E.  In  1869  he  came  to  Bath, 
Steuben  county,  and  purchased  the  General  Smith  farm.  Mr.  Timmerman  is  one  of 
the  practical  and  successful  farmers  of  his  town,  taking  an  intelligent  interest  in 
educational  and  religious  institutions,  and  has  ever  received  and  merited  the  respect 
of  his  associates.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  121st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  took  part  in 
the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Rappahannock  Station,  being 
taken  prisoner  at  Chancellorsville,  and  wounded  in  the  right  leg  at  Fredericksburg, 
being  promoted  from  the  ranks  to  sergeant,  and  received  an  honorable  discharge  in 
1865  at  the  close  of  the  war. 

Ferenbaugh,  Lyman  G.,  was  born  in  Hornby  in  1837,  son  of  Joseph  and  Anna 
Sweet  Ferenbaugh,  natives  of  Germany  and  Vermont.  The  father  and  five  brothers 
came  from  Germany  with  their  father,  locating  at  first  in  Pennsylvania,  coming 
afterwards  to  Steuben  county.  The  parents  when  married  came  to  Hornby,  locating 
in  the  wilderness.  They  afterwards  moved  to  Corning  and  died  in  1868.  Mr.  Feren- 
baugh married  Cynthia,  daughter  of  George  Sly,  and  they  have  one  child,  Ada,  now 
the  wife  of  Clifford  O'Brien.  Mr.  Ferenbaugh  and  his  brother,  John  H.,  have  kept 
up  the  old  saw  mill  built  by  their  father.  They  also  own  a  farm  of  500  acres  and  a 
grocery  store. 

Fero,  Albert,  was  born  in  1830,  son  of  Abram  and  Catherine  Fero,  natives  of 
Montgomery  county  and  Pennsylvania,  and  came  to  Hornby  at  an  early  day,  and 
raised  a  family  of  six  children.  The  parents  died  in  1887  and  1885,  aged  eighty-six 
and  seventy-nine,  father  and  mother,  respectively.  Mr.  Fero,  who  is  the  old- 
est of  the  family,  married  Caroline  L.  Easling  in  1855  and  located  on  his  present 
place  of  ninety-six  acres  adjoining  the  old  homestead.  They  have  four  children ; 
Lucy,  George  Frank,  Harriet  Belle,  and  Arthur. 

Farran,  H.  J.,  Caton,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  was  born  in  Tioga  county,  N.  Y. ,  in 
1842.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  the  50th  N.  Y.  Vol.  Engineers,  enlisting  for  three  years. 
He  was  afterwards  promoted  to  the  rank  of  artificer.  His  wife,  Sarah  C,  nee  Sage, 
is  a  native  of  Chemung  county  and  came  to  the  town  of  Caton  when  a  girl.  Mr. 
Farran  has  resided  on  his  present  place  since  the  war ;  his  farm  consists  of  200  acres 
of  well  improved  land.     They  have  one  child,  Adah  H.,  wife  of  Lewis  Thurber. 

Ferry,  Mrs.  Mary  M.,  is  the  widow  of  the  late  John  Wesley  Ferry,  son  of  John 
Ferry,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Addison.     J.  W.  Ferrj^  was  born  at  Almond,  Steuben 


378  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

county,  1834.  His  sympathies  were  with  the  Republican  party,  but  he  sought  no 
poHtical  preferment,  being  too  busily  engaged  with  his  farming  interests  and  stock 
dealing.  He  was  farming  at  Tuscarora  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  July 
62,  1892.  In  1885  he  married  Mary  M.,  daughter  of  William  Bennett  of  Hornellsville, 
who  is  now  retired  from  active  business  life,  having  been  a  farmer,  and  extensively 
engaged  in  the  lumber  business  in  Michigan  at  one  time.  His  father,  Thomas  Ben- 
nett, was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Hornellsville,  where  he  kept  hotel  for  many 
vears.  Mrs.  Ferry  became  a  resident  of  Addison  in  1893,  and  has  one  son,  John  W.. 
born  in  1886. 

Fairbanks,  George. — Joel  Fairbanks  settled  in  Cameron  in  1822.  He  married 
Sarah,  a  daughter  of  Mathew  Dickey,  by  whom  he  had  six  children :  Elizabeth  Turner, 
George  H.,  William,  Martha,  Mary  Moore,  and  Emily  Helmer.  Joel  Fairbanks  was 
a  carpenter,  builder,  and  millwright,  and  at  the  time  he  retired  from  business  had 
built  more  buildings  in  the  town  than  any  other  one  man.  George  H.  married  Jane, 
a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  ]\Iargaret  Barber,  by  whom  he  had  four  children :  Sarah 
Hatch,  Jennie  B.  Dickey,  Charles  L.,  and  Joel  L.,  all  born  on  the  homestead.  In  early 
life  Mr.  Fairbanks  was  engaged  in  lumbering,  but  he  now  follows  farming.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge  of  Cameron  Mills,  No.  547. 

Foster,  George,  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  England,  1817.  Ralph  Foster,  his  father, 
one  of  nine  children,  was  a  farm  laborer,  and  married  Mary  Kirby,  by  whom  he  had 
nine  children.  Mr.  Foster  devoted  his  life  to  farming,  and  at  the  age  of  thirty-two 
years  came  to  America,  coming  direct  to  Geneva,  N.  Y.,  where  he  spent  one  winter 
and  the  following  spring  came  to  Prattsburg  where  he  followed  farming.  In  1867  he 
purchased  his  present  farm,  and  by  industry  and  practical  economy  has  paid  for 
his  farm  and  accumulated  a  good  property.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the  M.  E. 
church  of  Prattsburg  of  which  he  was  for  years  trustee  and  steward.  In  1850  he 
married  Ann  Stevenson  of  England,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Frank,  John,  who 
died  in  1888,  Mary,  Anna,  who  died  in  1862,  George,  and  William.  Mrs.  Foster  died 
in  July,  1872,  and  he  married  for  his  Second  wife,  Salina  Horton,  a  native  of  Orange 
county.     Mrs.  Foster  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church  and  missionary  society. 

Gould,  Talcott  W.,  was  born  in  Berkshire,  N.  Y.,  February  13,  1851.  Francis 
Gould,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Broome  county,  N.  Y.,  and  the  family  were  promi- 
nent during  the  Revolutionary  war.  T.  W.  Gould  was  educated  at  Elmira  in  1880, 
and  came  to  Bath  and  established  his  present  business  of  plumbing,  steam  fitting, 
and  electrical  goods.  In  1893  he  was  elected  president  of  the  village  of  Bath,  and 
re-elected  in  1894,  taking  an  intelligent  interest  in  educational  and  religious  institu- 
tions and  has  ever  received  and  merited  the  respect  of  his  associates. 

Grant,  Dr.  B.  F.,  was  bom  in  Bath,  September  16,  1827.  Col.  Stephen  Grant,  his 
father,  came  to  Steuben  county  with  Colonel  Whiting  in  1786,  and  settled  on  the 
Hornellsville  road,  where  he  purchased  a  wood  lot,  which  he  cleared  up  and  made 
into  a  fertile  farm.  He  married  LucindaFrink,  and  died  in  1875.  B.  F.  Grant  grad- 
uated from  the  Clev^eland  Homeopathic  Hospital  College,  and  began  his  practice  in 
Bath,  extending  over  thirty  A^ears.  He  married  Mary  E. ,  daughter  of  James  Bene- 
dict, by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Frank.  ]\Ir.  Grant  is  one  of  the  progressive  men  of 
his  profession,  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Health,  and  one  of  the  founders  and  presi- 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  379 

dent  of  Southern  Tiei"  Homeopathic  Medical  Association  of  New  York,  to  which  he 
has  contributed  Hberalh'. 

Gere,  William  N.,  was  born  in  Greene,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  December  23, 
1825,  son  of  Eleazer  W.  and  Marj^  (Brown)  Gere,  who  were  married  July  3,  1822. 
He  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  December  7,  1796,  and  she,  in  New  York,  October  16, 
1802.  The  grandfather,  Silsby  Gere,  was  born  in  Preston,  Conn.,  May  18,  1757,  and 
came  to  Chenango  county,  where  he  died  March  4,  1852.  Eleazer  W.  Gere  was  en- 
gaged in  farming  in  Chenango  county  until  1836,  when  he  came  to  Steuben  county, 
going  from  there  to  Iowa,  where  he  died  June  9,  1872.  His  wife  died  September  29, 
1882.  William  N.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and 
at  the  age  of  ten  came  to  Steuben  county,  whei'e  he  has  since  resided.  He  learned 
the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  eight  years,  and  at  the  age  of  thirty  he 
bought  a  farm  near  Hedgesville,  where  he  lived  for  forty  years.  It  is  known  as  the 
Dart  farm  and  consists  of  112  acres  of  land.  He  now  lives  in  Hedgesville.  In  Au- 
gust, 1861,  Mr.  Gere  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  107th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  seven  months. 
He  was  at  the  battle  of  Antietam.  He  is  a  member  of  J.  N.  Warner  Post,  No.  565, 
G.  A.  R.  October  28.  1854,  Mr.  Gere  married  Melissa,  daughter  of  Peter  N.  San- 
ford,  who  came  to  Cameron  from  Dryden,  Tompkins  county,. in  1842,  and  died  in 
Addison  in  1888. 

Genung,  N.  E.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Covington,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1817, 
and  is  the  oldest  of  eight  children  born  to  Azariah  and  Olive  Walker  Genung,  both 
natives  of  Otsego  county,  he  born  in  1788,  and  she,  in  1796.  The  grandparents, 
Cornelius  and  Esther  Genung.  came  from  Otsego  to  Milo,  Yates  county,  in  1818, 
where  they  died.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Azariah  Genung  was 
a  wagonmaker  by  trade,  but  during  the  latter  part  of  his  life  he  followed  the  carpen- 
ter's trade.  In  1830  he  settled  in  the  village  of  Bradford,  where  he  spent  most  of  his 
life.  He  died  in  Waterloo,  October  11,  1877,  and  Mrs.  Genung,  in  1872.  In  religion 
they  were  Baptists.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  N.  E.  Genung  commenced  working  at  the 
carpenter's  trade,  at  which  he  has  been  principally  engaged,  and  in  1850  he  bought 
a  farm  in  Bradford,  where  he  has  since  resided.  In  1837  he  married  Sophia,  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  Leonard,  and  to  them  have  been  born  thirteen  children: 
Mary,  deceased;  Olive,  deceased;  Henry,  who  was  a  soldier  in  Co.  H,  189th  Regi- 
ment, X.  Y.  Vols.,  and  died  August  6,  1865;  Augusta,  Sophia,  Bradford,  Henry  L., 
Frank,  (ieorge,  Ann,  Nathan,  and  Richard,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Genung  died 
April  22,  1895.     In  politics  Mr.  Genung  has  been  a  Whig  and  Republican. 

Gamman,  Alfred  M.,  was  born  in  Corning,  N.  Y.,  and  graduated  from  the  New 
York  Homeopathic  Medical  College  in  1876,  and  practiced  his  profession  until  1888, 
from  which  time  until  1890  he  spent  in  Atlanta,  Ga.,  since  which  time  he  has  been  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Robinson  &  Gamman. 

Goodno,  Edwin,  was  born  in  South  Dansville,  March  4,  1834.  His  father,  Isaiah 
Goodno,  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  died  in  South 
Dansville  in  1850,  aged  sixty  five.  Isaiah  married  Philena  Marsh,  who  was  born  in 
Vergennes,  Vt.,  and  died  in  South  Dansville,  in  1863,  aged  sixty-eight,  and  their 
children  were  Jackson,  Albert  Jonas,  William,  Charles,  Isaiah,  and  £dwin,  all  of 
whom  are  deceased  except  the  latter.     Edwin  received  his  education  in  the  common 


380  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

schools,  and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  went  to  Dansville  to  learn  the  harnessmaker's 
trade,  and  worked  for  Hall  &  Ingersoll,  where  he  i-emained  thirty-two  years.  In 
1884  he  came  to  Wayland  where  he  has  carried  on  the  harness  making  business  for 
eleven  years.  In  1861  he  enlisted  as  a  musician  in  the  13th  Regt.  N.  Y.  Vols.,  as  a 
three  months  recruit,  and  is  now  a  pensioner.  Mr.  Goodno  is  a  member  of  Wayland 
Lodge,  No.  176,  I.  O.  O.  F. ,  and  of  the  Methodist  church.  In  1856  he  married  Flor- 
ence Lacy,  at  Hammondsport,  N.  Y.,  and  they  have  the  following  children :  Mary, 
born  in  1861,  in  Dansville;  Fred  Dean,  who  resides  in  Pennsylvania;  Herbert,  born 
in  1868,  in  Dansville,  and  resides  in  Wayland;  Ernest,  born  in  February,  1879;  Eva, 
born  in  1884. 

Goodsell,  Joel  S.,  was  born  in  Kent,  Litchfield  county  Conn.,  September  7,  1816, 
son  of  Nathan  and  Polly  (Hallock)  Goodsell,  he  a  native  of  Fairfield  county.  Conn., 
and  she  of  Long  Island;  they  had  these  children:  Harmon,  who  was  a  merchant  at 
Cold  Spring,  N.  Y.  ;  Joseph,  who  went  to  Iowa  and  was  killed  in  Chicago  by  an  ele- 
vator; Nathan,  who  spent  his  latter  days  in  Cayuga  county,  N.  Y. ,  where  he  was 
killed  by  a  railroad  tram ;  Joel  S. ;  Rufus,  who  spent  his  latter  days  in  Cayuga 
county,  N.  Y.  ;  Eliza,  who  now  lives  in  Port  Byron,  Cayuga  county;  her  husband 
was  Eli  Sumner.  Nathan  Goodsell,  father  of  Joel  S.,  died  in  Connecticut.  Joel  S. 
was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  At  twenty-two  years  of 
age  he  went  to  Cayuga  county,  and  after  several  years  he  went  to  Delaware  county. 
He  has  been  married  three  times:  In  1838  he  married  Cyntha  Hallock,  by  whom  he 
he  had  five  children:  Charles  of  Bufi^alo;  John  of  Oneonta,  N.  Y.  ;  Franklin,  who 
died  in  Washington;  these  sons  were  in  the  civil  war;  Lorenzo  of  Woodhull,  N.  Y.  ; 
Fannie,  deceased.  He  married  for  his  second  wife,  Louisa  Munger,  of  Delaware 
county,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons:  J.  Emmett  of  Meredith,  Delaware  county,  and 
and  Wesley  L.,  who  was  born  in  Lawrence,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  June  16,  1860, 
reared  on  a  farm,  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  who  married  Cora  B.  Swan 
in  1887.  From  Delaware  county  Mr.  Goodsell  came  to  Oneonta,  Otsego  county,  and 
in  1867  came  to  Woodhull,  where  he  remained  until  1875  when  he  came  to  Jasper 
where  he  now  resides  on  his  farm  of  ninety-one  acres.  His  second  wife  died  Octo- 
ber 5,  1877,  aged  fiftj'-seven  years  and  he  married  Asenath,  daughter  of  John  Mar- 
latt,  of  Jasper. 

Gibbs,  Darwin  Z.,  was  born  in  Cornwall,  Addison  county,  Vt.,  in  1833.  Truman 
Clark  Gibbs,  his  father,  was  born  in  Connecticut  in  1789,  one  of  five  children  born  to 
Zadock  Gibbs  of  Connecticut,  who  was  a  mechanic  and  farmer,  and  moved  to  Ver- 
mont in  1795.  Truman  was  a  farmer,  and  spent  his  whole  life  from  the  time  he  was 
six  years  of  age  in  Vermont.  He  served  in  the  war  of  1812  as  a  volunteer  soldier, 
and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Plattsburg.  He  married  Esther,  daughter  of  Sim- 
eon North  of  Connecticut,  by  whom  he  had  six  children :  Esther,  Truman  C. ,  Sidney 
S.,  Lovina,  Dotha,  and  Darwin  Z.  Darwin  Z.  began  for  himself  when  twenty-one 
years  of  age  as  a  farmer,  and  in  the  spring  of  1857  came  to  the  town  of  Wheeler 
where  he  purchased  a  small  farm,  which  eight  years  later  he  sold.  He  now  owns  two 
farms  of  234  acres,  and  in  connection  with  his  farming  has  built  and  conducted  a  saw 
mill,  and  has  also  dealt  to  some  extent  in  buying  and  selling  stock,  also  the  breeding 
of  Merino  sheep  and  full  blood  Durham  cattle.  In  March,  1864,  he  married  Harriett 
Carr,  who  was  born  m  Almond,  Allegany  county,  N.  Y.,  and  who  was  killed  at  Jack- 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  381 

son,  Mich.,  October  13,  1893,  in  a  wreck,  among-  thirteen  others  while  going  to  the 
Cohimbian  Exposition  at  Chicago. 

Gorges,  Anton,  was  born  in  Germany  in  1855  and  came  to  America  in  1871,  locat- 
ing first  in  Scranton,  Pa.,  where  he  remained  two  years.  He  then  came  to  Steuben 
county  and  moved  to  his  present  place  in  the  town  of  Caton  in  1885,  where  his  parents, 
Mathias  and  Barbara,  died  in  1884  and  1890,  aged  fifty-six  and  fifty-six.  In  1885  Mr. 
Gorges  married  Lena  Bentz,  also  a  native  of  Germany.  He  has  a  farm  of  150  acres, 
and  makes  a  specialty  of  dairying  and  sheep  raising. 

Gavigan,  Edward,  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1830,  came  to  this  country  in  1849,  set- 
tled in  Cornmg  in  1853,  and  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides  in  1854.  He  married 
Bridget  Tinnelsella,  and  they  have  four  children  living;  John  J.,  Margaret  M.,  Eliz- 
abeth A.,  and  Catherine  B.  Mr.  Gavigan  is  the  owner  of  a  farm  of  100  acres,  mak- 
ing specialties  of  tobacco,  grain,  and  dary  products. 

;Moore,  Edward  B.,  w^as  born  in  Canisteo  April  23,  1822,  and  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools.  He  is  a  farmer  and  lumberman,  and  has  followed  the  latter  busi- 
ness over  forty  years.  He  married  Helen  L.  Bunker,  daughter  of  Warren  and 
Sarah  Bunker,  of  Rensselaer  county,  born  January  7,  1832.  They  have  had  three 
children:  Joseph  W.,  born  April  7,  1858;  James  \V.  (deceased),  born  June  4,  1861; 
Edward  B.,  jr.,  born  October  3,  1865,  who  lives  at  home  with  his  parents.  Mrs. 
Moore  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church. 

Zielley,  Alex  L.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Avoca,  April  18,  1854,  son  of  Oliver 
Zielley,  who  was  born  in  Palatine,  Montgomery  county,  in  1827,  and  came  to  the 
town  of  Avoca  in  1846,  and  settled  at  what  is  known  as  the  Pond  settlement  on  a 
farm  of  200  acres,  and  retired  from  active  business  in  1876.  He  married  Amelia 
Shults,  of  Avoca,  and  one  son  was  born  to  them,  Alex,  who  was  educated  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  and  the  Genesee  Wesleyan  Seminary.  In  1891  he  entered  the  milling- 
business  at  Cohocton,  and  remained  there  until  1893,  when  he  came  to  Avoca  and 
became  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Avoca  Milling  Company,  now  located  in  the  village 
of  Avoca,  which  makes  flour  under  the  roller  process,  with  a  capacity  of  200  barrels 
per  d"&.y.  Mr.  Zielley  is  president  and  .secretary  of  the  company.  He  married  Libbie, 
daughter  of  Wm.  Vrooman,  and  the}-  have  two  children:  Willie  D.,  and  Ollie.  Mr. 
Zielley  held  the  office  of  commissioner  of  highways  in  1878,  since  then  having  held 
the  oftice  of  trustee  of  the  village,  and  in  1893  was  elected  supervisor,  and  re-elected 
in  1894  on  the  Republican  ticket.     He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  No.  538. 

Robinson,  Hon.  Frank  H.,  who  succeeded  Hon.  Harlo  Hakes  as  county  judge, 
January  1,  1844,  was  born  in  Cuba,  Allegany  county.  May  23,  1855.  His  ability  as 
an  attorney  has  made  him  popular  with  the  people  throughout  the  county.  He 
served  as  district  attorney  for  two  terms  previous  to  his  election  as  county  judge. 
He  read  law  with  Champlain,  Armstrong,  and  Russell,  of  Cuba,  finishing  with  Sickles 
and  Miller,  of  Albany.  He  graduated  from  the  law  department  of  Union  University 
in  1876,  and  was  soon  after  admitted  to  the  bar,  settling  in  Canisteo  in  1879.  As  a 
lawyer  Judge  Robinson  ranks  among  the  leading  members  of  the  bar. 

Gilbert,  Dr.  Horatio,  was  born  in  Ephratah,  Fulton  county,  N.  Y.,  September  11 
1842,  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  eight  children  of  the  Rev.  Ezra  D.  Gilbert;  his  early 


382  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

education  was  derived  at  Fairfield  Seminary  and  Fort  Plain  Liberal  Institute.  He 
took  up  the  study  of  medicine  at  sixteen  years  of  age  and  was  first  with  Dr.  Burnapp 
at  Ephratah,  and  entered  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  New  York  in 
1866-67,  and  then  went  to  Albany  Medical  College,  from  which  he  graduated  De- 
cember 24,  1867.  He  first  practiced  at  Fultonville,  Montgomery  county,  N.Y.,  where 
he  continued  until  1876.  and  then  removed  to  Canajoharie,  where  he  conducted  an 
office  until  1880,  when  he  came  to  Hornell.sville  and  established  a  practice  which  has 
assumed  a  most  satisfactory  proportion.  He  is  a  member  of  Hornellsville  Medical 
and  Surgical  Association,  the  New  York  State  Medical  Society,  the  American  Medi- 
cal Association,  one  of  the  consulting  staff  of  St.  James  Mercy  Hospital,  and  while 
in  Montgomery  county  was  examiner  for  the  Pension  department.  He  served  as 
hospital  steward  during  the  war  with  the  153d  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  two  years  as 
resident  physician  of  the  Soldiers'  Home  at  Albany.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity  and  the  I.O.O.F.  He  served  as  coroner  while  in  Fultonville,  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  church.  In  1869  he  married  Mrs.  Louisa  Gildersleeve,  daugh- 
ter of  Pythagoier  Whitman  of  Canajoharie. 

Hyna,  John,  was  born  in  Herkimer  county,  April  10, 1842.  Enos  Hyna,  his  father, 
was  born  in  Germany  and  came  to  the  United  States  when  twenty  years'of  age.  He 
settled  in  Herkimer,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  In  1844  he  came  to  the  town  of 
Avoca  and  settled  near  Avoca  village,  where  he  cleared  a  farm  of  eighty-seven  acres. 
He  married  Christiana  Weno,  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Marietta,  John,  Peter, 
William,  and  Samuel.  John  Hyna  was  educated  in  the  district  school  of  Avoca,  after 
which  he  engaged  in  farming  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  ninety  acres,  which  he  cleared 
by  his  own  efforts.  He  married  Harriet,  daughter  of  Benjamin  K.  Drake  of  Wheeler, 
by  whom  he  had  three  children :  Erastus,  Katie,  and  Constance. 

Hennis,  Benjamin,  was  born  in  England  in  November,  1822,  and  came  to  the 
LTnited  States  in  1862,  and  first  settled  at  Rogersville,  Steuben  county,  where  he 
bought  a  farm.  He  remained  in  that  part  of  the  county  for  three  years  and  then 
came  to  the  town  of  Avoca  and  purchased  a  farm  of  260  acres,  where  he  has  lived 
ever  since.  He  was  a  farmer  prior  to  coming  to  the  United  States.  He  married 
Matilda  Wall  of  England,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Agnes,  John,  Ebenezer, 
and  Benjamin.     Agnes  and  Benjamin  are  dead. 

Hogue,  Patrick,  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1846,  and  came  to  America  when  three 
years  old  with  his  father,  Patrick,  who  first  settled  in  Canada,  then  to  Corning  and 
in  1849  purchased  the  farm  on  the  Goodhue  Road,  which  has  been  Mr.  Hogue'shome 
until  recently.  The  father  died  in  1884.  In  1883  Mr.  Hogue  began  to  buy  and  ship 
live  stock  to  New  York  and  other  markets,  still  operating  the  farm.  In  politics  he  is 
a  Democrat,  and  served  as  overseer  of  the  poor  for  not  less  than  eighteen  years.  He 
takes  an  active  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church.  In  1870  he  mar- 
ried Honora  Jane  Reynolds,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  eight  children,  two  of  whom 
are  deceased.  He  has  built  a  house  in  Addison  village  in  order  to  give  his  children 
better  educational  advantages. 

Hubbs,  Dr.  M.  B.,  was  born  at  Corning,  where  his  father,  the  late  Gilbert  Hubbs, 
was  an  early  settler.  That  he  ranks  high  in  his  profession  while  yet  a  young  man 
is  due  to  his  own   energy  and  talent.     While  teaching  at  Cameron   he  took  up  the 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  383 

study  of  medicine  with  the  determination  to  make  it  his  life  work,  and  in  1882  en- 
tered the  Baltmiore  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  where  he  graduated  with 
full  honors,  and  in  1887  located  at  Addison,  where  he  is  already  highly  esteemed,  no 
less  as  a  man  than  as  a  physician.  In  1890  he  married  his  present  wife,  who  is  a 
daughter  of  J.  B.  Wheeler,  one  of  Addison's  pioneers,  by  whom  he  had  three  chil- 
dren: Georgie,  Melvin,  and  Tracy.  Dr.  Hubbs  is  ex-president  of  the  Steuben  County 
Medical  Society,  ex-president  of  Hornellsville  Medical  Association,  and  is  a  member 
of  the  Erie  Railroad  Surgeons'  Association,  New  York  State  Railroad  Surgeons'  As- 
sociation, National  Railroad  Surgeons'  Association,  New  York  Medico  Legal  Society, 
and  of  the  Psychological  branch  of  the  same  society. 

Hickey,  D.  D.,  was  born  in  County  Kerry,  in  1837,  and  came  to  America  and 
to  Addison  in  1853,  when  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  first  engaged  in  farming,  receiv- 
ing for  compensation  eight  dollars  per  month  the  first  year,  after  which  for  thirty 
years  he  received  employment  in  the  sash  factory  of  Amos  &  Bliss,  and  their  suc- 
cessors. Since  1888  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  mercantile  bu.siness,  at  which  time 
he  entered  as  a  partner  with  John  Durkin,  a  grocer.  After  two  years  he  purchased 
his  partner's  interests,  and  is  now  alone,  dealing  prominently  in  groceries,  provisions, 
flour,  feed,  etc.  Mr.  Hickey  has  been  for  twenty  years  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Education,  and  a  trustee  of  the  Catholic  church  for  twenty-five  years.  In  1863  he 
married  Mary  Lynch  of  Addison,  by  whom  he  had  six  children. 

Hooker,  Fred  S. — Mr.  Hooker's  life  has  been  one  of  more  than  ordinary  interest 
and  adventure  and  the  "moving  accidents  by  field  and  flood,"  which  environed  his 
early  manhood,  might  well  have  appalled  a  stouter  heart.  His  birthplace  was  the 
quite  little  town  of  Springfield,  Pa.,  and  the  date  was  1833,  an  earlier  one  than  the 
casual  observer  would  surmise  from  his  vigorous  personality.  His  father  was  Clark 
Hooker,  a  farmer  and  lumberman,  of  Bay  State  birth,  who  moved  to  Pennsylvania 
about  1820  and  was  one  of  Springfield's  pioneers.  Fred  S  acquired  a  good  academic 
education  at  Troy,  Pa.,  and  first  learned  the  cabinetmaker's  trade,  at  which  he  be- 
came an  expert,  afterward  taking  up  and  mastering  the  art  of  photography.  In  1858 
the  love  of  adventure  and  exigencies  of  business  life  took  him  to  Texas,  and  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  war  found  him  a  photographer  at  Houston.  Treason  was  rampant 
there,  and  Mr.  Hooker's  loyalty  to  the  old  flag  was  undisguised,  so  he  became  a 
marked  man,  and  after  arrest  by  a  vigilance  committee,  was  indicted  for  treason  to 
the  Confederacy,  the  penalty  being  an  ignominious  death.  But  he  was  not  easily 
frightened,  and  had  plenty  of  staunch  friends  who  covertly  aided  his  escape  to  Gal- 
veston, but  hearing  of  the  hue  and  cry  at  Houston,  valiantly  returned  to  that  hotbed 
of  secession,  where  his  financial  interests  had  become  involved.  The  committee 
formed  a  plan  for  his  assassination,  making  a  quarrel  the  pretext,  but  as  he  was 
known  to  be  an  excellent  shot,  and  without  fear,  he  passed  unmolested  and  boarded 
a  pilot  boat  for  Santiago,  thence  to  Brownville,  where  he  was  conscripted  into  the 
rebel  army  serving  under  that  flag  for  three  months.  In  the  spring  of  1862  he  es- 
caped and  after  an  equestrian  trip  of  500  miles  through  hostile  country  he  finallv 
reached  a  loyal  blockade-runner  at  Matamoras,  and  was  thenceforward  protected  by 
the  Union  flag.  Mr.  Hooker  has  been  a  resident  of  Addison  for  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury, principally  engaged  in  photography.  In  1894  he  visited  the  Southwest  and 
met  many  old  friends,  and  whilom  enemies,  now,  perforce,  more  amicably  disposed. 


384  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Havens,  Thomas,  was  born  in  Seneca  county,  March  26,  1809,  son  of  Jabez  and 
Ester  Cryell  Havens,  a  native  of  Long  Island,  and  she  of  New  Jersey.  They  settled 
first  in  Lodi,  and  then  came  to  Steuben  county,  settling  in  Pulteney  in  1810,  where  thej^ 
cleared  a  home,  and  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years.  Mrs.  Havens  died 
in  Corning,  aged  seventj^-seven.  He  was  a  Republican  and  was  justice  of  the  peace 
for  a  number  of  years.  They  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  of  which 
he  was  deacon.  Thomas  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  in  1860  he  bought  the  farm  in 
Bradford  on  which  he  has  since  resided.  He  retired  from  farming  in  1885.  In  1837 
he  married  Lydia,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Charity  Cole  Bryon,  and  they  have  one 
adopted  daughter,  Hannah,  wife  of  Oren  Bartholomew,  a  farmer  of  Bath.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Havens  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church. 

Hunt,  WiUiam,  w^as  born  in  the  town  of  Caton  in  1856,  son  of  A.  J.  and  Hannah 
Cole  Hunt,  who  were  married  in  Tompkins  county  and  came  to  Steuben  county, 
locating  in  the  town  of  Caton,  where  they  now  live.  Mr.  Hunt  was  raised  on  a  farm 
and  married  in  1881  Lillian  Tubbs,  a  native  of  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  and  in  1883  lo- 
cated on  his  present  farm  of  eighty  acres,  where  he  follows  general  farming. 

Honness,  Melvin  M.,  is  a  son  of  the  late  Benjamin  Honness.  He  was  born  in 
Ithaca,  N.  Y. ,  in  1850,  reared  on  the  home  place,  where  he  now  lives,  in  Caton. 
When  fourteen  years  of  age  he  learned  telegraphy,  and  followed  that  as  an  occupa- 
tion, taking  charge  of  his  first  office  at  Victor,  on  the  Central  Railroad.  In  1893  he 
gave  np  an  office  in  New  York  for  the  C.  &  C.  Railroad  and  has  since  resided  on  his 
present  place.     In  1882  he  married  Anna  E.  Glover,  a  native  of  Kentucky. 

Holmes,  J.  S.,  was  born  in  Tompkins  county,  in  1829,  and  came  to  Chemung 
county  when  thirteen  years  old  with  his  parents,  Anson  and  Lillian  (Hunter)  Holmes. 
In  1850  he  married  Mary  Elizabeth  Bonham,  and  moved  to  the  town  of  Caton  in 
1852.  Hia  first  wife  died  in  1874.  His  present  wife,  Sarah  Jane,  nee  Saunders,  is  a 
native  of  Chemung  county.  He  enlisted  in  the  188th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  serving  till  July 
11,  1865. 

Hellaby,  John,  was  born  in  England,  in  1837,  and  came  to  America  in  1870,  locating 
in  Lawrenceville  one  year,  l^indley  two  years,  and  in  Tuscarora  for  a  time.  He  came 
to  Caton  later  and  followed  general  farming,  having  a  farm  of  147  acres,  where  he 
resides. 

Healy,  William  W.,  was  born  in  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  August  30,  1822,  and  is  of  New 
England  stock.  His  father,  Joshua  Healy,  was  bom  in  Massachusetts,  and  moved 
to  Shoreham,  Vt.,  and  died  in  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  July  27,  1858,  aged  sixty-seven  years. 
He  was  a  volunteer  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  William  W.  has  a  canteen  picked  up  on 
the  battlefield  of  Plattsburg,  which  was  left  there  by  the  British.  He  came  to  Shore- 
ham,  Vt.,  on  foot  and  built  a  log  house  on  the  place  near  the  Healy  school  house,  he 
being  the  first  settler  in  that  locality,  where  he  purchased  200  acres  of  land  and  sub- 
sequently purchased  150  acres.  He  was  the  first  supervisor  of  Dansville,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  State  Legislature  in  1834-35,  also  was  associate  judge  of  Steuben 
county.  In  1815  he  returned  to  Shoreham,  Vt.,  where  he  married  Lucy  Wilson,  who 
was  born  in  Shoreham,  November  11,  1793,  and  died  August  23,  183t^.  aged  forty- 
four  years,  and  they  returned  to  Dansville  in  an  oxcart.  They  had  eleven  children: 
Azro,  born  January  20,  1814,  and  died  January  15,  1895;  Lucy  Lathrop  Slusser,  born 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  385 

September  23,  1816;  Sophia,  born  August  1,  1818,  deceased;  Caroline  Clark  Kreid- 
ler,  born  May  23,  1820;  William  Wilson,  as  above;  Benjamin  S.,  born  April  18,  182'); 
Joshua,  born  January  2,  1828;  Byron,  born  January  10,  1830,  judge  of  Wyoming 
county  for  twenty-two  years;  L.  B.  Healy,  M.  D.,  born  August  13,  1832,  and  died 
February  9,  1880;  Mary  Clark,  born  July  10,  1835,  and  Doris,  born  December  3, 
1837.  William  W.  M'as  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Dansville,  and  has  always 
followed  farming,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  Pine  Grove  farm,  containing  400  acres. 
He  is  known  as  the  largest  potato  buyer  in  Steuben  county,  and  is  a  large  raiser  of 
the  same,  being  the  pioneer  potato  grower  of  Dansville.  He  has  also  engaged  ex- 
tensively in  buying  sheep,  and  has  at  one  time  bought  and  driven  2,000  sheep  from 
Vermont  to  Dansville.  He  sold  one  crop  of  wool  for  $108,000,  and  has  had  5,000 
sheep  at  one  time.  He  is  a  member  of  Dansville  Lodge,  No.  478,  F.  &  A.  M.  De- 
cember 25,  1845,  he  married  Harriet  I  Clark,  who  was  born  at  Conesus,  in  1824,  and 
died  in  November,  1883,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  Sarah  B.  ;  L.  C,  who  re- 
sides at  Arkport;  Lucy  S.  Day,  Caroline  Eliza,  Nettie  M.,  a  teacher  in  Salamanca 
High  School ;  Harriet,  deceased,  and  Edith  May,  deceased.  Mr.  Healy  married  for 
his  second  wife  Martha  R.  (Robin.son)  Wilbur,  who  was  born  in  1838. 

Healy,  Joshua,  is  of  New  England  stock.  His  grandfather,  Benjamin  Healy,  was 
born  in  Massachusetts  and  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  Joshua  Healy,  father  of 
our  subject,  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  June  16,  1791,  and  died  July  27,  1858.  '  He 
moved  to  Shoreham,  Addison  county,  Vt.,  with  his  parents  at  six  years  of  age,  and 
in  1814,  immediately  after  the  war  of  1812,  in  which  he  participated,  he  started 
across  the  country  on  foot  in  company  with  Elisha  Robinson,  Gross  Gates,  John 
Robbins  and  Joseph  Phelps,  and  settled  in  Dansville,  where  he  purchased  200  acres 
of  land,  and  subsequently  purchased  150  acres.  He  was  a  man  of  prominence  not 
only  of  Dansville,  but  of  Steuben  county.  He  was  the  first  supervisor  of  Dansville, 
which  office  he  held  for  several  terms,  and  represented  Steuben  county  in  the  State 
Legislature  in  1834-35.  He  was  also  justice  of  sessions  for  several  years.  He  died 
July  27,  1858.  Joshua  Healy  has  always  followed  farming,  and  he  now  owns  225 
acres  of  land.  He  has  held  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  of  Dansville  for  three 
terms.  He  is  a  member  of  Canaseraga  Lodge,  No.  781,  F.  &  A.  M.  At  Wheeler, 
N.  Y.,  in  1857,  he  married  Julia  A.  Chichester,  who  was  born  in  1833,  and  died  in 
1890.  In  March,  1894,  he  married  for  his  second  wife  Julia  Swain,  of  Nunda,  who 
was  born  in  1855. 

Harter,  Lafayette,  was  born  January  4,  1855.  His  grandfather,  Andrew  J.  Harter 
was  born  in  Herkimer  county,  N.  Y.,  April  8,  1802,  and  died  March  28,  1887,  on  the 
farm  of  100  acres  which  he  purchased  of  the  land  office,  about  1825,  and  which  he 
cleared.  Cornelius  Harter,  father  of  Lafayette,  was  born  in  Dansville,  on  the  same 
place,  June  22,  1827,  and  died  May  12,  1878.  He  married  Mary  L.  Merrill,  who  was 
born  in  Fremont,  September  11,  1833,  and  died  January  14,  1893,  by  whom  he  had 
seven  boys:  Lafayette,  as  above;  Eugene,  born  July  29,  1857;  Sidney  A,,  born  De- 
cember 5,  1858;  John  W.,  born  May  13,  1861;  Elmer  E.,  born  August  6,  1863,  and 
died  November  30,  1874;  Etna,  born  November  8,  1865,  and  Cornelius,  born  Novem- 
ber 9,  1872,  and  died  November  6,  1894.  Lafayette  Harter  has  always  been  a  farmer, 
and  is  now  the  owner  of  the  homestead.     At  Howard,  N.  Y.,  he  married  Lucy  Hecox, 


386  LANDMARKS  OP  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

born  August  30,  1857,  by  whom  he  has  three  children:    Viola,  born  May  26,   1881; 
Clarence,  born  April  11,  1884,  and  Clyde,  born  February  25,  1890. 

Huguanir,  Leonard  N. — His  grandfather  was  born  at  Kinderhook,  Columbia 
county,  N.  Y.,  was  a  French  Huguenot,  and  died  in  Montgomery  county,  N.Y.,  at 
the  age  of  eighty-six  years.  Leonard's  father,  Adam  Huguanir,  who  was  born  in 
Montgomery  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1799,  was  brought  up  on  a  farm  and  attended  district 
school.  He  married  Catherine  Voorhees,  who  was  born  in  April,  1806,  and  they 
moved  to  the  town  of  Howard  (now  Fremont)  and  bought  a  farm,  where  he  engaged 
in  farming  the  remainder  of  his  life.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children :  David 
A.,  born  "[anuary  12,  1827;  Jane  Ann,  born  in  1829,  deceased;  Lewis  Voorhees,  born 
in  1831,  deceased;  Barbara,  born  in  1833,  deceased;  Maria,  born  June  9,  1835;  Han- 
nah, born  in  April,  1837;  Elizabeth,  born  in  April,  1839;  Leonard  N.,  our  subject, 
born  September  3,  1843;  Primla,  born  in  June,  1844,  and  Charles,  born  in  April,  1846. 
Leonard  N.  was  educated  in  Franklin  Academy,  at  Prattsburg,  Steuben  county, 
N.  Y.  He  enlisted  in  the  I41st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  Co.  F,  was  wounded  at  Dallas,  Georgia, 
and  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  at  the  close  of  the  war,  receiving  an  honorable 
discharge.  November  26,  1873,  he  married  Rose  Holden,  at  Salamanca,  N.  Y.,  born 
at  Fremont,  Maj'  12,  1855.  They  are  members  of  the  Advent  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Huguanir  have  three  children:  Pearl  E.,  born  February  16,  1877,  who  commenced 
teaching  school  when  she  was  but  sixteen  years  old;  Leon  C,  born  February  27, 
1879,  and  Lloyd  B.,  born  February  27,  1886.  Mrs.  Huguanir's  father,  Stephen  Holden, 
was  born  in  Connecticut  and  came  to  the  town  of  Fremont,  where  he  purchased  a 
farm.  November  8,  1887,  he  married  Catherine  Wright  of  Dansville,  N.  Y. ,  and  died 
in  April,  1879,  at  Salamanca,  N.  Y. 

Hemphill,  George,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hartsville,  September  12,  1840,  and  is 
the  son  of  Robert  Hemphill,  who  was  born  in  New  Hampshire,  March  13,  1796.  He 
first  settled  in  Oneida  county  in  1822,  and  remained  there  fourteen  years;  then  he 
came  to  Steuben  county,  on  the  farm  where  George  now  lives.  He  married  Lucy 
Kimball,  of  New  Hampshire,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  six  children :  William, 
John  K.,  John  R.,  Silas  H.,  George  and  Addie  E.,  all  of  whom  are  living.  George 
Hemphill  acquired  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Hartsville.  He  married 
Martha,  daughter  of  James  M.  Hovey,  a  farmer  of  Hartsville,  and  one  of  the 
oldest  settlers  of  the  town.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hemphill  have  no  children.  They 
reside  on  a  farm  which  consists  of  200  acres,  about  seventy-five  acres  of  which  is 
timber.     He  has  filled  the  office  of  assessor. 

Horton,  Luther  T. ,  w^as  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  Hves  February  25,  1833, 
son  of  Thomas,  w^ho  was  born  in  Connecticut.  Thomas  Horton  came  to  Steuben 
county  in  1832,  buying  and  clearing  sixty  acres  of  the  farm  now  owned  by  Luther  T. 
He  married  Rhoda  Hitchcock,  of  Connecticut,  who  died  when  Luther  was  a  small 
child.  They  had  five  children:  Lauren,  who  lives  in  Fremont;  Lucius,  Lansing, 
Lucy,  deceased,  and  Luther  T.  The  latter  has  always  been  engaged  in  farming,  but 
in  connection  with  that  business  he  has  also  been  agent  for  agricultural  implements 
for  nearly  thirty  years.  Mr.  Horton  married  Adelpha,  daughter  of  John  Patterson, 
who  was  born  in  England,  coming  to  the  United  States  when  fourteen  years  old, 
and  having  lived  in   Howard  for  sixty-two  years,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  387 

blacksmithing.     Mr.  and   Mrs.  Horton  have  two  children :    Delia  and  Casler.     Mr. 
Horton  has  held  many  minor  offices  in  the  town  of  Howard. 

House,  Frank,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  October  17,  1858,  son  of  Josiah 
House,  who  was  born  in  this  town,  and  was  the  son  of  Ansel  House.  Josiah  House 
was  a  farmer  and  owned  the  farm  where  our  subject  now  lives.  He  married  Lodus- 
kie  Cobb,  of  Genoa,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  five  children:  Jane,  Emma,  Fanny, 
Frank  and  Hattie.  Emma  married  George  Ballard,  of  Hornellsville,  and  Fannie  is 
the  wife  of  Arthur  Zeilley,  of  Avoca.  Frank  House  is  a  farmer  by  occupation  and 
has  always  lived  on  the  homestead  near  Howard  Flats.  He  married  Vinnie,  daugh- 
ter of  Elvira  Smith,  of  Howard,  and  they  have  three  children:  Charles,  Lena  and 
Earl.     In  politics  Mr.  House  is  a  Democrat. 

House,  Aaron,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  October  20,  1837,  son  of  Ansel 
House,  who  is  mentioned  in  another  part  of  this  volume.  Aaron  House  was  educated 
in  the  district  schools  of  Howard,  his  occupation  has  always  been  farming,  and  now 
owns  a  farm  situated  near  the  village  of  Howard  Flats,  of  seventy  acres,  mostly  im- 
proved land.  He  married  Julia  Cob,  daughter  of  Abner  Cob,  afarmer  and  one  of  the 
pioneer  settlers  of  the  town  of  Howard.  They  have  one  child,  Estella,  who  was  ed- 
ucated in  the  school  at  Howard,  and  lives  at  home  with  her  parents.  In  politics  Mr. 
House  is  a  Democrat. 

Horr,  Samuel  D.,  a  well-to-do  farmer  and  sheep  grower  of  Pulteney,  was  born  in 
Prattsburg  in  1829,  a  son  of  Appleton  Horr,  a  native  of  Maine,  born  in  1795.  Apple- 
ton  Horr  came  to  Prattsburg  about  1820  and  cleared  the  most  of  a  100  acre  farm. 
He  was  a  great  hunter  and  fisherman.  His  wife  was  Hannah  Decker,  a  native  of 
Penns3dvania  and  daughter  of  Samuel  Decker,  who  later  removed  to  the  town  of 
Urbana.  Their  children  were  WiUiam,  Lucy,  John,  Samuel,  Rebecca,  Betsey, 
Sarah,  Rhoda,  Mary,  Emily,  Elisha,  and  Lottie,  all  of  whom  grew  to  maturity. 
Mr.  Horr  died  in  1871  and  his  wife  many  years  before.  Samuel  D.  remained  with 
his  father  until  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  engaged  as  woodchopper.  A  year 
later  he  took  up  carpentry,  which  he  followed  for  three  years,  when  he  was  married 
and  engaged  in  farming,  but  soon  resumed  his  trade,  which  he  has  followed  the 
greater  part  of  his  life.  He  came  to  Pulteney  in  1849  and  some  years  later  in  con- 
nection with  his  ti-ade  bought  and  conducted  a  vineyard.  In  1881  he  purchased  his 
present  farm  of  130  acres  and  for  several  years  has  been  interested  in  breeding  fine 
wool  sheep,  now  owning  250  head.  In  June,  1852,  Mr.  Horr  married  Sarah  E., 
daughter  of  Phineas  and  Ellen  (Havens)  Casteline,  early  settlers  in  Prattsburg.  Mrs. 
Horr  was  born  in  New  Jersey.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Horr  had  two  children :  Olney,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  eight  years;  and  Mary,  wife  of  Charles  Skinkle,  of  Pulteney. 
They  have  three  sons.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Horr  have  been  members  of  the  Baptist  church 
at  South  Pulteney  for  forty-five  years,  Mr.  Horr  having  been  trustee  and  deacon  for 
six  years.  John  and  Elisha  Horr,  brothers  of  Samuel  D.,  served  three  years  each  in 
the  war  of  the  Rebellion. 

Holden,  Jacob  B.,  was  born  in  Bath,  N,  Y.,  February  6,  1841,  son  of  Jacob  and 
Catherine  (Johnson)  Holden,  he  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  she  of  Homer,  N.  Y., 
who  came  to  Bath  with  her  parents  when  nine  years  of  age,  where  she  died  in  1883. 
Mr.  Holden  came  to  Bath  with  his  parents,  Hiram  and  Anna  Holden,   who  died  in 


388  LANDMAEKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

that  town.  Mr.  Holden  died  in  1849.  Jacob  B.  Holden  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Union  Seminary  of  Rogersville,  N.  Y.  In  1871 
he  located  on  the  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Thurston,  which  he  now  owns,  where  he 
engaged  in  farming.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  been  commissioner  two 
terms.  In  1868  he  married  Mary  J.  Parker,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Charles  F. 
Mrs.  Holden  died  August  19,  1875,  and  Mr.  Holden  married  for  his  second  wife, 
Alice  Martin,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children:  Ella  M.,  Ida  G.,  William  J.,  Oliver  E., 
Floyd  L.,  Frank  E.,  Roy  and  Phoebe.  In  1862  Mr.  Holden  enlisted  in  Co.  D,  104th 
N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  until  June  of  the  same  year.  He  is  a  member  of  Loga  Post, 
G,  A.  R.,  No.  469. 

Jerrj',  Emron  J.,  was  born  in  Hartsville,  N.  Y. ,  November  18,  1856,  son  of  James 
and  Almira  N.  (Adamson)  Jerry,  who  were  married  May  10.  1854,  he  born  in  the 
Province  of  Quebec,  Canada,  June  29,  1829,  and  she  born  in  Clearfield  county.  Pa., 
February  23,  1834.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  John  Jerry,  was  a  native  of 
France,  and  came  to  Canada  previous  to  the  Rebellion,  where  he  died.  James  Jerry, 
father  of  Emron  J.,  came  to  New  York  State  w^hen  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  to 
Steuben  county  in  1850,  where  he  has  since  resided,  and  followed  lumbering  and 
farming.  He  owned  216  acres  of  land  in  Thurston,  which  he  recently  sold  to  his  son- 
in-law,  Samuel  Aldrich,  and  now  lives  a  retired  life.  He  was  a  Republican  until 
1872,  and  since  that  time  has  been  with  the  Democratic  party.  He  was  highway 
commis.sioner  for  one  year  and  supervisor  for  six  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Cam- 
eron Mills  Lodge,  No.  547,  F.  &  A.  M.  Emron  J.  Jerry  was  reared  in  lumbering 
and  farming,  and  in  1879  engaged  in  partnership  with  his  father  in  the  mercantile 
business  at  Risingville,  where  they  were  successful.  In  1881  the  firm  dissolved  and 
our  subject  has  since  carried  on  the  business.  He  owns  at  present  150  acres  of  land 
in  Thurston.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  been  justice  of  the  peace  four 
years,  and  is  now  serving  his  third  term  as  supervisor  of  the  town.  He  has  also  been 
postmaster  of  the  town  for  eight  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Cameron  Mills  Lodge, 
No.  547,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  has  been  master  for  two  years.  November  2,  1881,  he  mar- 
ried Millie  J.  Yost,  of  Thurston,  N.  Y.,  daughter  of  Jacob  Yost,  one  of  the  early 
settlers  of  that  town,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  E.  J.,  who  was  born  April  15, 
1883;  Milda  J.,  who  was  born  March  20,  1888. 

Hurd,  Joel,  was  born  in  Tuscarora,  N.  Y.,  June  30,  1834,  son  of  Ransom  and 
Annie  (Johnson)  Hurd,  natives  of  Vermont,  who  came  to  Tuscarora  in  1830,  Avhere 
they  died,  he  June  27,  1847.  They  had  eight  children:  Achsah,  Ransom,  Annie  M., 
Rebecca,  Joel,  Sherman,  Bryant  and  Byron.  By  a  former  marriage  Mr.  Hurd  had 
six  children:  Russell,  Horace,  Philander,  Lucretia,  Harvey  and  Norman.  Joel  Hurd 
was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  has  since  followed 
farming.  He  is  a  Prohibitionist  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church  in 
Tuscarora. 

Hurd,  Eugene,  was  born  in  Woodhull,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  3,1851,  where  he  was  educated. 
He  began  life  for  himself  as  a  clerk  in  Woodhull  for  O.  B.  Baxter,  where  he  remained 
one  year  and  a  half,  and  then  came  to  Syracuse,  and  later,  to  Addison,  where  he  was 
employed  in  the  same  capacity.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business,  and,  with  the  excei^tion  of  a  year  and  a  half  spent  in  Painted 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  389 

Post,  was  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  John,  at  Woodhull.  The  partnership  was 
dissolved  and  Eugene  Hurd  went  into  business  by  himself,  in  which  he  was  engaged 
about  thirteen  years,  being  very  successful.  Mr.  Hurd  owned  considerable  property 
in  Woodhull  and  was  proprietor  of  the  Hurd  House  about  five  years,  and  in  1892 
came  to  Hedgesville  and  engaged  in  the  hardware  and  agricultural  business,  and  had 
the  agency  for  McCormick  Company  four  3rears.  In  1883,  Mr.  Hurd,  R.  C.  Park,  and 
Dr.  E.  E.  Webster  built  the  telephone  line  from  Hedgesville  to  Woodhull,  and  re- 
cently Mr.  Hurd  sold  to  Mr.  McPherson  of  Hedgesville,  N.  Y.  He  is  a  Republican, 
and  has  been  town  clerk  and  is  now  assessor  of  Woodhull,  and  has  the  contract  of 
carrying  daily  mail  from  Hedgesville  to  Rathboneville.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Restoration  Lodge,  No.  777,  F.  &  A.  M.  April  12,  1874,  he  married  Charlotte  M., 
who  was  born  September  28,  1846.  daughter  of  Christopher  and  Cynthia  Tubbs 
Marlatt,  she  a  native  of  Woodhull,  and  he,  of  Ballston,  N.  Y.  He  came  to  Addison 
when  a  small  boy  and  afterward  to  Woodhull,  where  Mrs.  Marlatt  died  at  the  age  of 
seventj'-six  years.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hurd  have  been  born  two  children:  Arthur, 
born  October  29,  1878,  who  waseducated  in  the  common  schools  and  Woodhull  Union 
School,  and  now  resides  at  home;  and  Ray  E.,born  at  Painted  Post,  August  11,  1884. 
The  parents  of  our  subject,  Horace  and  Anna  Ward  Hurd,  he  a  native  of  Yates  county, 
N.  Y.,  bOrn  October  17,  1813,  and  she,  of  Elmira,  Chemung  county,  N.  Y.,  born 
June  5,  1824,  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1840.  They  were  members  of  the  Methodist 
church.  Mrs.  Hurd  died  in  1888.  Mr.  Hurd  is  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  lives  with 
his  son,  Elmer  W.,  in  Hedgesville.  Elmer  W.  is  a  merchant  in  Hedgesville,  a  Re- 
publican in  politics,  and  was  postmaster  about  ten  years.  April  27,  1892,  he  married 
Cora  Petrie,  a  widow,  who  had  one  son,  Harry.  Mr.  Eugene  Hurd  has  a  brother, 
John,  who  is  a  merchant  in  Woodhull,  and  a  sister,  Julia,  who  is  the  wife  of  John  K. 
Stone,  of  Addison,  N.  Y. 

Herrington,  Earl,  was  born  in  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  March  13,  1848,  son  of  Caleb 
G.  and  Adelina  (Wiltsie)  Herrington,  both  natives  of  Otsego  county.  The  grand- 
father, Caleb  Herrington,  spent  his  life  in  Otsego  county,  on  the  farm  his  father 
settled  and  where  he  died.  Caleb  G.,  father  of  Earl,  came  to  Woodhull  in  1859, 
where  he  died  September  15,  1883,  aged  sixty-one  years,  and  his  widow  is  still  living 
at  seventy-two  years  of  age.  Mr.  Herrington  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  was 
justice  of  the  peace  for  nine  years.  Earl  Herrington  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  now  owns  eighty-four  acres  of  land, 
which  he  cleared.  He  also  sold  140  acres  to  a  brother.  He  is  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  commissioner  of  highways.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Elkland  Lodge,  No.  800,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  also  of  the  Osceola  Tent,  No.  160,  K.  O. 
T,  M.,  and  of  the  K.  of  H.,  Osceola  Lodge,  No.  847,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Osceola  Grange,  No.  957.  In  1871  Mr.  Herrington  married  Angeline  Spence,  who 
was  born  in  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Eddie,  who  was  born 
April  22,  1873,  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  the  graded  schools  of 
Osceola,  Pa, 

HoUis,  E.  T.,  was  born  in  Tioga,  Pa.,  October  3,  1835,  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary 
A.  (Crook)  Hollis,  Thomas  was  a  native  of  Gilbertsville,  Otsego  county,  and  Mrs. 
Hollis  was  a  native  of  Bainbridge,  Chenango  count3\  Thomas,  grandfather  of  E. 
T.,  w^as  a  native  of  Derbyshire,  England,  and  came  to  Otsego  county  when  a  child 


390  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

with  his  father,  Humphrey,  and  lived  and  died  in  Gilbertsville.  In  1833,  Thomas, 
father  of  E.  T.,  went  to  Tioga  county,  and  in  1844  went  to  Addison.  In  1853  he 
went  to  Hornellsville,  where  he  died  in  1883.  He  was  a  lumberman.  His  wife  died 
in  Hornellsville  in  1875.  E.  T.  was  educated  in  Addison  Academy,  then  began  the 
study  of  law  with  the  late  Henry  Sherwood,  of  Addison.  He  completed  his  studies 
with  Harlo  Hakes,  of  Hornellsville,  in  1856  and  in  December  was  admitted  to  the 
bar.  He  began  practice  at  Addison  and  was  in  partnership  with  Mr.  Sherwood  until 
1860,  when  he  came  to  Woodhull  and  remained  until  1863,  then  returned  to  Addison. 
He  returned  to  Woodhull  in  1867,  where  he  now  has  an  extensive  and  successful 
practice.  Mr,  HolliS  has  been  notary  public  for  many  years.  June  25,  1860,  he  mar- 
ried Luretta  G.  Sherman,  by  whom  he  had  one  daughter:  Carrie  E.,  of  Woodhull. 
Mrs.  Hollis  died  in  1877,  and  in  1878,  Mr.  HoUis  married  Lucy  Wright,  of  Ham- 
mondsport,  by  whom  he  has  one  child:  John  W.,  born  March  15,  1879. 

Judd,  Madison,  was  born  in  Schoharie  county,  N.  Y.,  September  23,  1835,  son  of 
Peter  Judd,  a  son  of  Erastus  Judd,  a  native  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  graduate  of  Yale 
College,  and  one  of  the  prominent  lawyers  of  Jefferson,  Schoharie  county,  N.  Y.  He 
and  two  brothers  settled  and  owned  the  town  of  Jefferson.  Peter  Judd,  father  of 
Madison,  died  in  Schoharie  county,  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  of  which  he  was 
the  owner.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  was  also  first  mate  on  a  boat  on  the  Hudson  for 
two  years.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  was  justice  of  the  peace.  Madison 
Judd  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  worked  at 
three  dollars  per  month  on  a  farm,  and  now  owns  430  acres  of  land  in  Woodhull,  140 
acres  in  Otsego  county,  and  is  also  interested  in  real  estate  in  Schoharie  county.  He 
first  settled  in  Broome  county,  and  in  1869  he  came  to  Woodhull  where  he  now  re- 
sides. He  is  a  member  of  Restoration  Lodge,  No.  '(77,  F.  &  A.  M.  In  1864  he  mar- 
ried Mary  Gamet,  of  Otsego  county,  daughter  of  Henry  Gamet,  one  of  the  leading 
farmers  of  Oneonta,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  where  he  lived  and  died.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Judd  have  two  sons:  Arthur  and  Raymond. 

Houck,  Dillazon  S. ,  was  born  in  Wayne,  March  26,  1847,  son  of  Henry  and  Belinda 
(Taylor)  Houck,  natives  of  Wayne,  N.  Y.,  and  New  Jersey,  respectively.  The  grand- 
father, Joseph  Houck.  was  a  native  of  London,  England.  He  settled  in  the  Eastern 
States  first,  then  came  to  Steuben  county,  settling  in  Wayne,  where  he  died.  He 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  His  wife  was  a  native  of  Paris.  The  ma- 
ternal grandfather,  Garrett  Taylor,  came  from  New  Jersey  and  was  an  early  settler 
in  Wayne.  Henry  Houck  w^as  a  very  successful  farmer,  owning  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  in  1883,  500  acres  of  land.  Mrs.  Houck  died  in  1891.  Dillazon  S.  Houck  was 
educated  at  Starkey  Seminary  and  Dundee  Academy,  then  was  engaged  in  teaching 
for  five  years.  He  was  afterwards  engaged  in  farming  for  eleven  years,  at  which 
time  he  bought  and  run  the  Elmira  Chilled  Plow  Works,  which  he  run  for  seven 
years.  He  was  burned  out  in  January,  1888,  when  he  came  back  on  to  the  farm  in 
Wayne,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming  and  fruit  growing.  He  makes 
a  specialty  of  growing  grapes,  having  a  vineyard  of  twenty  acres.  In  1870  Mr. 
Houck  married  Josephine  Bennett,  of  Yates  county,  who  died  in  1890.  In  1892  he 
married  Matilda  J.  Huston,  of  Clifton.  Kansas.  Mr.  Houck  has  been  justice  for  six 
years  and  town  committeeman  for  eighteen  years.  He  is  a  member  of  Lamoka 
Lodge,  No.  480,  F.  &  A.  M. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  391 

Horton,  John,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Phillips,  Putnam  county,  June  29,  1823,  son 
of  Benjamin  and  Millie  (Roe)  Horton,  both  natives  of  Putnam  county,  N.  Y.  The 
Hortons  bought  the  first  farm  in  Phillips.  The  grandparents,  John  Horton  and  John 
Roe,  were  farmers  of  Putnam  county.  Benjamin  Horton,  father  of  John,  was  a 
farmer  and  teamster  in  Putnam  county,  and  spent  his  last  days  with  his  daughter  in 
Bethel,  Conn.  John  Horton  commenced  for  himself  when  thirteen  years  of  age.  by 
working  in  a  brickyard  and  teaming.  He  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1858,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  Mr.  Horton  has  bought  and  sold  several  farms,  the  last  being  the 
Tolmenson  farm  of  100  acres,  where  he  has  carried  on  general  farming  since  1886. 
In  1855  he  married  Lucy  Ann  Lockwood,  of  Ulster  county,  by  whom  he  had  one  son, 
John,  who  married  Mandy  Baily.  He  died  in  1892,  leaving  three  children:  Estella, 
Lyman  and  Bertha.  Their  mother  died  in  1880.  Mr.  Horton  enlisted  in  1864,  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  participated  in  the  battle  at  City  Point,  Siege 
of  Petersburg,  battle  of  Five  Forks,  and  was  in  the  front  line  at  Appomattox  Court 
House,  and  was  wounded  at  Hatcher's  Run. 

Holt,  George,  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  November  24,  1828,  and  is  the  second  of 
fifteen  children  born  to  John  W.  and  Charlotte  (Wright)  Holt,  he  a  native  of  Ontario 
county,  born  January  27,  1807.  The  maternal  grandfather,  Truman  Wright,  was  a 
pioneer  of  Troupsburg.  The  paternal  grandfather,  Amos  Holt,  died  in  Ontario  in 
1810.  Jesse  Wright,  father  of  Tiuman  Wright,  spent  his  last  days  in  Troupsburg. 
He  was  in  seven  campaigns  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  was  at  Lexington,  White 
Plains,  and  Bennington.  John  W.  Holt,  father  of  George,  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion, and  for  many  years  was  highway  commissioner.  He  died  April  27,  1862,  and 
Mrs.  Holt  September  1,  1870.  George  Holt  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  educated  at 
Alfred  Academy.  He  has  always  followed  farming,  but  taught  school  when  young. 
In  1852  he  married  EHza,  daughter  of  Joshua  and  Elizabeth  (Pease)  Sluyter,  both 
natives  of  Delaware  county,  who  came  to  Troupsburg  when  young,  and  where  they 
died.  He  was  in  the  carding  business.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Holt  have  reared  one  adopted 
daughter.  Bertha,  wife  of  Charles  Hill,  a  farmer  of  Potter  county.  Pa.  ;  they  have 
three  children:  Emily,  Fred,  and  William  F.  September  17,  1864,  Mr.  Holt  enlisted 
in  Co.  H,  141st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  was  honorably  discharged  June  8,  1865.  He  was  in 
the  battle  of  Bentonville,  and  many  skirmishes,  and  was  with  Sherman  on  the  march 
to  the  sea.     He  is  a  member  of  Post  Baily,  No   351,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Troupsburg. 

Hubbard,  William  H.,  was  born  in  Owego,  Tioga  county,  N.  Y.,  October  6,  1840, 
and  is  the  eighth  of  nine  children  born  to  Ansel  and  Mary  A.  (Mead)  Hubbard,  both 
natives  of  Dryden,  N.  Y.,  he  born  July  20,  1800,  and  she  November  13,  1799.  The 
grandparents  were  William  R.  and  Mariah  (Jinks)  Hubbard ;  William  R.  was  born  in 
Glasgow,  Scotland,  and  came  to  America  at  an  early  day  in  company  with  six  broth- 
ers who  settled  in  Massachusetts.  He  came  to  Tioga  county,  N.  Y.,  being  pioneer  of 
that  county  where  he  died.  Ansel  Hubbard  was  a  brickmaker  in  Owego,  where  he 
made  brick  for  the  old  court  house.  In  1842  he  settled  in  Troupsburg,  where  he  died 
December  16,  1874,  and  his  wife  January  31,  1877.  He  was  a  Wesleyan  Methodist 
minister.  William  H.  Hubbard's  principal  occupation  has  been  farming,  and  he  and 
his  wife  now  own  a  farm  of  276  acres  and  make  a  specialty  of  dairy  farming.  In 
1«69  he  married  Alice  R.,  daughter  of  Hiram  and  Amanda  Morton,  who  were  early 
settlers  of  Troupsburg  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Hubbard.     Mrs.  Morton  died 


392  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

in  February,  1891.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hubbard  have  these  children;  Minnie  R.,  who 
died  infancy;  Wilham  H.,  jr.,  born  February  14,  1872,  a  f  armer  in  Troupsburg ;  Lewis 
M.,  born  December  31,  1874,  a  farmer  on  the  homestead;  Mary  A.,  born  November 
13,  1884.  In  September,  1861,  Mr.  Hubbard  enlisted  in  Co.  H,  86th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and 
was  honorably  discharged  September  15,  1864.  He  was  at  second  Bull  Run,  Freder- 
icksburg, Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg,  where  he  was  wounded  by  a  shell  and 
was  nine  months  in  Lincoln  Hospital.  He  was  assessor  of  the  town  for  many  years, 
and  is  a  member  of  Post  Baily,  No.  35J,  G.  A.  R. 

Hober,  Derias  W.,  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  September  5,  1843,  the  eighth  of  nine 
children  born  to  Jo.seph  and  Martha  (Rodgers)  Hober,  born  in  October,  1808,  and 
December  9,  1812,  respectively.  The  parents  of  Joseph  were  Frederick  C.  and 
Phoebe  (Conkling)  Hober,  who  came  to  West  Union  from  Schenectady.  Mr.  Hober 
was  a  miller  by  trade.  He  died  July  15,  1863,  aged  ninety-three  years,  and  Mrs. 
Hober  died  in  1874,  aged  ninety-eight.  The  mother  of  Phoebe  Conkling  lived  to  be 
104  years  old.  Joseph  Hober  was  a  farmer,  who  came  from  West  Union  to  Troups- 
burg in  1844,  where  died  July  12,  1872.  Mrs.  Hober  still  survives  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
three  and  lives  in  Canisteo.  He  raised  and  went  to  New  York  city  with  the  first 
body  of  soldiers  from  Troupsburg  in  1861,  but  was  rejected  on  account  of  age.  He 
was  captain  of  the  home  militia.  Derias  W.  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  educated 
at  Troupsburg  Academy,  also  at  an  academy  at  Deerfield,  Pa.  He  began  teaching 
at  the  age  of  sixteen  and  continued  until  1889.  He  taught  eleven  years  at  Troups- 
burg Centre,  four  years  in  Texas,  and  three  years  at  Minnesota.  During  the  latter 
3'ears  of  teaching  he  was  also  engaged  in  farming,  which  he  now  follows  exclusively. 
He  has  a  farm  of  160  acres  and  carries  on  general  farming.  In  1879  Mr.  Hober  mar- 
ried Martha,  daughter  of  Caleb  D.  and  Mary  E.  (Fox)  Holt,  natives  of  Madison 
county,  N.  Y.,  and  Oneida  county,  N.  Y.,  respectively.  The  paternal  grandparent.s 
were  Luther  and  Martha  (Dunbar)  Holt  and  the  maternal  grandparents  were  Joel 
and  Ehzabeth  (Forbes)  Fox.  Mr.  Hober  has  served  as  supervisor  and  collector  of 
Troupsburg.  He  is  a  member  of  McClellan  Lodge,  No.  649,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  has 
been  master  of  the  lodge  for  the  past  two  years. 

Jordan,  M.  V.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Troupsburg,  August  13,  1840,  and  is  the 
seventh  of  thirteen  children  born  to  Jonathan  and  Clarissa  (Harrington)  Jordan,  na- 
tives of  Tioga,  Pa.,  and  Troupsburg,  respectively.  The  grandparents,  Daniel  and 
Susanna  (Coon)  Jordan,  came  from  the  East  in  1806  and  settled  in  Tioga  county.  Pa., 
where  they  died.  The  great-grandfather,  Baruch  Jordan,  was  in  the  French  and 
Indian  war  and  the  Revolutionary  war.  Jonathan  Jordan  came  to  Troupsburg  and 
engaged  in  farming.  He  died  in  April,  1879,  and  his  wife  in  January,  1894.  M.  V. 
Jordan  received  his  education  in  the  Troupsburg  Academy,  and  after  leaving  school 
he  engaged  in  farming.  He  now  owns  a  farm  of  186  acres,  making  a  specialty  of  the 
production  of  hay.  In  1865  Mr.  Jordan  married  Lucinda  M.,  daughter  of  William 
and  Maria  (Rice)  Jordan,  and  granddaughter  of  Stephen  Rice,  the  first  white  child 
born  in  the  town  of  Addison.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jordan  have  one  daughter,  Naomi,  born 
January  30,  1879. 

Havner,  Eugene,  was  born  in  Howard,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1857.  Philip 
Havner,  his  father,  was  born  in  Germany  in  1835,  and  is  the  youngest  of  two  broth- 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  393 

ers  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1848,  he  being  then  but  thirteen  years  of  age. 
He  took'up  the  vocation  of  farmer  which  he  has  followed  up  to  the  present  time.  In 
1863  he  enlisted  in  the  volunteers  and  participated  in  many  battles,  and  was  once 
wounded  in  the  right  arm.  He  is  farming  now  in  the  town  of  Bradford,  and  married 
Mary,  daughter  of  William  Davis  of  Prattsburg,  by  whom  he  had  five  children: 
Alonzo,  Eugene,  Annetta,  Phihp,  and  Emerson.  His  wife  died  in  1870.  At  seven 
years  of  age  Eugene  Hayner  began  working  for  his  board  with  other  people,  and 
early  began  to  earn  wages,  and,  by  his  own  energy  and  the  practice  of  economy,  he 
accumulated  some  property,  and  in  1890  purchased  his  present  farm  of  157  acres  on 
which  he  raised  a  small  amount  of  fine  stock,  his  specialty  being  driving  horses,  he 
being  a  practical  horseman.  In  1881  he  married  Almelad  Philips,  a  native  of  Italy, 
Yates  county,  and  one  of  six  children  born  to  Edwin  and  Olive  (Covill)  Philips. 

Haynes,  Rowland,  was  born  in  Chenango  county,  July  15,  1833,  son  of  .Samuel 
and  Emma  (Capley)  Haynes,  natives  of  Dutchess  and  Chenango  counties,  respec- 
tively. The  grandfather,  James  S.  Haynes,  lived  in  Dutchess,  Chenango  and  Chau- 
tauqua counties.  Rowland  Haynes  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  He  is  a  farmer,  and  in  1870  came  to  Jasper  where  he  purchased  a  farm 
of  seventy-one  acres  and  followed  general  farming.  He  was  assessor  one  year. 
February  22,  1857,  he  married  Miss  Bartoo  of  Jasper,  by  whom  he  had  five  children : 
Carrie  and  Eunice,  deceased,  Olive,  Ida,  and  Rosa. 

Hunter,  D.  C,  was  born  in  Jasper,  May  20,  1861,  son  of  W.  W.  and  Theresa  L. 
(Lewis)  Hunter,  he  a  native  of  Jasper,  born  April  29,  1835,  and  she  of  Brookfield,  Pa., 
born  September  16,  1835.  W.  W.  Hunter  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  at 
Genesee  College  at  Lima,  after  which  he  followed  farming  until  1863,  when  he  en- 
gaged in  the  mercantile  business.  In  1881  he  retired  from  business  and  his  two  sons, 
William  J.  and  D.  C,  became  proprietors  of  the  store,  under  the  firm  name  of  Hun- 
ter Bros.  May  30,  1883,  William  J.  died  and  D.  C.  Hunter  entered  into  partnership 
with  Ezra  Chatfield  for  three  years  when  they  dissolved  partnership  and  Mr.  Hunter 
has  since  continued  the  business.  The  building  is  70  by  20  feet.  Mr.  Hunter  was  a 
member  of  Troupsburg  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  of  Jasper  Lodge  until  abandoned. 
He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  he  has  been  superin- 
tendent of  the  Sunday  school  for  four  years.  W.  W.  Hunter  has  another  son,  George 
A.,  who  is  engaged  with  Tuttle  &  Rockwell,  and  one,  Willie  E.,  who  died  at  five 
years  of  age.  He  has  one  daughter,  Lucy,  who  is  at  home.  D.  C.  Hunter  was 
reared  in  the  village  of  Jasper  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Jasper.  At 
twelve  years  of  age  he  engaged  as  clerk  in  a  store,  and  has  since  been  connected 
with  the  mercantile  business.  He  was  postmaster  during  Cleveland's  first  adminis- 
tration. January  16,  1881,  he  married  Annie  E.,  daughter  of  Charles  H.  and  Amelia 
(Marsh)  Barns  of  Jasper. 

Hunter,  Dr.  Nathaniel  Perry,  was  born  in  Jasper,  May  7,  1856,  son  of  William 
Hunter,  M.  D.,  born  August  4,  1800,  son  of  Alexander  Hunter,  a  native  of  Ireland, 
who  came  to  America  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  was  married  in  Canada,  re- 
moved to  Salem,  Washington  county,  N.  Y.,  and  soon  after  to  Virgil,  Cortland 
county,  where  he  died.  His  wife  was  Polly  McNeise,  a  native  of  Scotland.  William 
Hunter,  father  of  Nathaniel  Perry,  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  com- 


394  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

mon  schools,  after  which  he  engaged  in  teaching  for  some  years.  He  studied  medi- 
cine and  at  twentj^-five  j?ears  of  age  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Jasper. 
June  2,  1825,  he  married  Polly  Price,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Salem  P.  Mrs. 
Hunter  died  April  16, 1826,  and  May  1,  1827.  he  married  Elenore  Craig,  by  whom  he 
had  three  children:  Polly  born  February  29,  1828;  Andrew  C,  born  August  29, 
1832;  William  W.,  born  April  29,  1835.  Mrs.  Hunter  died  November  22,  1838,  and 
April  16,  1839,  he  married  for  his  third  wife,  Maria  Craig,  sister  of  his  second  wife, 
by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Nathaniel  Perry.  The  doctor  was  a  practicing  physician 
for  forty  years  in  Jasper.  He  was  town  clerk  and  superintendent  of  schools,  also 
supervisor,  and  held  minor  town  offices.  He  was  twice  a  member  of  assembly.  He 
was  a  Mason  and  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  also  a  member  of  the  State  militia. 
He  died  September  4,  1865.  Nathaniel  Perry  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  at  twelve 
years  of  age  entered  Woodhull  Academy,  after  which  he  went  to  Ithaca  High  School 
and  Cascadilla  Preparatory  School,  and  was  graduated  from  Cornell  in  1881.  He 
studied  for  one  year  in  Wilder's  Laboratory  at  Cornell,  and  was  for  one  year  at  Ann 
Arbor  Medical  College.  In  1884  he  was  graduated  from  the  medical  department  of 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  has  since  had  a  very  succe.ssful  practice.  He 
was  supervisor  of  the  town  in  1893-94.  July  20,  1891,  he  married  Laviania,  daughter 
of  Frank  and  Elizabeth  (Crosby)  Hallet.  Mr.  Hallet  was  in  the  86th  N.  Y.  Vols. , 
and  was  killed  at  Spottsylvania.     His  widow  married  Thomas  Sheffield  of  Jasper. 

Ingersoll  E.  W.,  was  born  in  Guilford,  Chenango  county,  N  Y. ,  April  29,  1821. 
son  of  James  and  Rebecca  (Haynes)  Ingersoll,  natives  of  Saratoga  county,  N.  Y., 
who  came  to  Chenango  county  in  1806,  where  they  lived  until  1837.  E.  W.  Ingersoll 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  educated  in  the  commou  schools,  and  in  1836  came  to  Jasper 
with  his  parents,  who  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  the  family,  where  they  died. 
E.  W.  Ingersoll  has  always  been  a  farmer,  and  with  his  two  sons,  James  H.  and 
Frank  R.,  owns  185  acres  of  land.  In  1841  he  married  Emeline  Reynolds,  by  whom 
he  had  six  children,  two  of  whom  are  living:  James  H.,  who  was  born  in  1855,  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools,  and  married  Eva  Quick,  by  whom  he  had  three  daugh- 
ters: Cora,  Stella,  and  Gertrude;  and  Frank  R.,  who  was  born  April  5,  1863,  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools,  and  married  Emma  Sweet,  by  whom  he  had  three  chil- 
dren: Edward,  Edith,  and  Louisa. 

Higgins,  H.  Delos,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Howard,  September  22, 
1832.  Russell  Higgins  came  to  the  town  of  Hornellsville  in  1844  and  settled  on  a 
farm  on  Pennsylvania  Hill  where  he  spent  the  balance  of  his  life.  The  mother  of 
our  subject,  Louisa  Root,  was  a  native  of  Otsego  county.  They  were  the  parents  of 
five  sons  and  two  daughters,  all  now  living.  H.  Delos  was  the  oldest  of  the  family. 
He  was  educated  in  the  common  school  and  followed  farming  until  about  twenty 
years  of  age,  when  he  took  up  the  trade  of  a  carpenter  and  joiner  which  he  followed 
until  about  1880.  He  then  engaged  in  the  handling  of  potatoes  and  farm  produce 
which  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time.  In  the  fall  of  1888  he  located  in  the 
village  of  Arkport  where  his  handiwork  is  found  m  a  beautiful  home  and  substantial 
out  buildings.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Jane  Kline,  daughter  of  George  Kline, 
and  granddaughter  of  James  McMichael.  They  have  four  children:  Byron,  a  farmer 
of  Allegany  county;  George,  also  a  farmer  of  Gar  Spring  Valley;  Jennie,  wife  of 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  395 

Hosea   Carpenter,    a  farmer;  and  Frankie,    wife  of  Laverne  Sanford   of  Allegany 
county. 

Hotchkiss,  A.  Leroy,  was  born  in  (iroton,  Tompkins  county,  June  19,  1816.  The 
younge.st  son  of  a  family  of  six  children  of  Aaron  Hotchkiss,  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
Cortland  county,  who  died  there  about  1850.  Lola  Johnson,  the  mother  of  Leroy, 
was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  died  in  1828.  Leroy  was  given  a  good  common 
school  education  and  remained  with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  twenty-three 
years  of  age,  when  he  bought  a  farm  of  sixty  acres  in  Virgil,  making  his  home  with 
his  parents  until  a  year  later  and  in  1841  removed  to  Ohio  where  he  engaged  in 
farming,  and  in  connection  built  a  distillery  which  he  conducted  for  one  year  and 
then  returned  to  New  York  State,  and  in  1846  was  married  and  settled  on  a  farm 
in  Virgil  where  he  continued  until  1851.  He  then  spent  two  years  prospecting  in  the 
Western  country  and  in  1853  he  bought  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Scio,  Allegany  county, 
where  he  made  his  home  eight  years.  He  then  sold  and  bought  another  place  near 
Scio  village,  where  he  lived  until  1865,  and  then  spent  one  year  at  Belvidere,  three 
years  at  Belmont,  eight  years  at  Belfast,  and  in  1877  bought  the  flourishing  mills  at 
Belmont  and  conducted  them  one  year.  In  1882  he  bought  the  Mayor  farm  of  fifty- 
six  acres  where  he  made  his  home  for  two  years,  and  has  since  lived  retired  m  the 
city  of  Hornellsville.  Mr.  Hotchkiss  has  always  been  an  ardent  Republican,  and 
occupied  the  office  of  asses.sor  thirteen  years.  He  was  also  postmaster  and  commis- 
sioner in  Allegany  county.  In  1846  he  married  Mary  A.  Chatterton,  who  died  in 
1854,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Mary  A.,  who  died  in  infancy.  His  second  wife 
was  Melinda  Ogden,  who  died  in  May,  1861.  His  present  wife  was  Adeline  Gibbs, 
of  Homer,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Mary,  who  became  the  wife  of  Milo  F.  Bur- 
dick,  and  who  died  June  6,  1894,  leaving  two  children. 

Hill,  Austin  C,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Almond,  Allegany  county,  N.  Y.,  Febru- 
ary 26,  1838.  Benjamin  Hill,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  native  of  Dutchess 
county,  and  came  to  Allegany  county  in  1833,  where  he  made  his  home  until  1850. 
He  located  on  the  farm  of  sixty-three  acres,  where  we  find  our  subject,  and  died  here 
in  1885  at  eighty  years  of  age.  The  mother  of  our  subject,  Ann  Bross,  was  of  Hec- 
tor, Tompkins  county.  She  is  still  living  at  eighty-seven  years  of  age.  They  were 
the  parents  of  seven  children :  Harvey,  a  farmer  of  Hornellsville ;  Sarah,  the  widow 
of  William  Gates  of  Fremont;  Washington,  died  in  Michigan;  Austin  C,  our  sub- 
ject;  Nancy,  wife  of  Russell  Higgins  of  Hornellsville;  Chester  Hill,  of  Michigan; 
Harriet,  died  in  Addison,  Jul}' 15,  1880.  Austin  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
and  succeeded  his  father  on  the  homestead  farm  in  Hornellsville.  Mr.  Hill  has 
always  taken  an  interest  in  politics  and  is  one  of  the  strong  supporters  of  the  Repub- 
lican party.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Arkport,  and. a  member 
of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  has  held  the  office  of  receiver  for  fifteen  years.  He  enlisted 
March  31,  1864,  in  the  179th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  with  them  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  being  with  the  regiment  in  different  engagements.  He  was  wounded  at  the 
taking  of  Petersburg,  April  2,  1865,  m  his  ankle.  He  was  married  in  1859  to  Miss 
Cordelia  Higgins,  daughter  of  Russell  Higgins  of  Hornellsville.  They  have  been 
the  parents  of  four  children:  one  died  in  infancy;  Luther  is  with  his  father  on  the 
farm ;  Charles  lives  in  Arkport,  and  Miss  Mary  Hill  lives  at  home. 


396  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Hunt.  Horace,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Alfred,  Allegany  county,  March  22,  1836. 
Parley  Hunt,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  native  of  Andover,  Mass.,  and  was  one 
of  the  early  settlers  of  Allegany  county.  He  was  twice  married  and  his  first  family 
was  three  children.  The  mother  of  our  subject,  Harriet  Davis,  was  the  mother  of 
five  children  of  whom  Horace  was  the  oldest.  He  was  given  a  common  school  edu- 
cation and  his  first  occupation  was  conducting  a  livery  and  keeping  hotel  in  Ando- 
ver. He  was  afterward  in  business  in  Almond,  four  months.  In  the  early  fifties  he 
helped  in  the  surveying  of  the  Western  Division  and  living  at  Almond  at  that  time. 
In  1856  he  came  to  Hornellsville  and  bought  the  interest  of  a  half  brother  in  the 
livery  business  and  also  bought  a  saloon  on  Loder  street  near  the  depot,  and  built  it 
into  a  hotel  and  conducted  it  until  in  1865,  when  he  bought  the  Osborne  House  and 
conducted  it  until  1866,  when  June  16,  the  house  burned  and  Mr.  Hunt  rebuilt  and 
spent  about  $30,000  in  its  construction.  He  continued  to  run  the  house  nine  months, 
when  he  sold  a  half  interest  to  W.  C.  Brainerd  and  rented  him  his  half  for  five  years. 
In  1877  he  bought  of  Dr.  Silas  Curry,  a  farm  of  215  acres  in  the  town  of  Hornells- 
vilie,  where  we  now  find  him.  He  has  spent  three  years  off  the  farm  in  this  time, 
living  in  the  city.  He  conducts  the  farm  as  a  grain  and  vegetable  farm.  He  was 
married  in  1859  to  Miss  Theday  Hawkin  of  Andover.  Allegany  county,  N.  Y.  They 
have  no  children.  An  adopted  child.  Miss  Minnie,  forms  a  part  of  Mr.  Hunt's 
family.  Mr.  Hunt  is  a  member  of  Evening  Star  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Steuben  Chap- 
ter No.  100,  Hornellsville  Council  No.  36,  and  De  Molay  Commandery  No.  22,  and 
Hornell  Consistory. 

Hall,  Isaac,  was  born  in  Howard,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  Januarj^  4,  1850.  John 
Hall,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Ireland  where  he  was  born  January  4,  1804,  and 
came  to  Canada  in  1816  and  made  his  home  there  until  1825,  when  he  located  in 
Howard  where  shortly  after  he  bought  a  farm  and  made  his  home  there  for  the  bal- 
ance of  his  life,  with  the  exception  of  two  years  spent  in  Canada.  He  died  Septem- 
ber 13,  1888.  Mary  Ann  Stewart,  the  mother  of  Isaac,  was  a  native  of  this  county, 
a  daughter  of  John  Stewart  of  Howard.  They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children, 
nine  of  whom  reached  adult  age,  and  seven  are  now  living.  Mrs.  Hall  died  May  12, 
1855.  Isaac  was  the  sixth  son,  and  his  advantage  of  school  was  very  limited,  but  his 
education  has  been  derived  in  the  hard  school  of  practical  experience.  He  was  only 
sixteen  when  he  first  started  for  himself,  and  followed  lumbering  for  six  years.  At 
twenty-two  he  married  and  moved  to  Canisteo,  being  for  one  year  employed  in  the 
planing  mill  and  for  two  years  in  various  employments,  and  he  then  spent  eight  and 
one-half  years  in  the  mill  and  on  the  road  for  Charles  Flohr.  The  fall  of  1881  he  had 
bought  a  part  of  the  Bartley  farm  consistmg  of  fifty-two  acres,  and  in  1883  he  located 
here  and  has  ever  since  conducted  the  farm  for  the  production  of  hay,  grain  and 
vegetables.  In  the  fall  of  1888  he  added  to  his  farm  by  the  purchase  of  forty- eight 
acres  of  Erastus  Carter,  making  now  100  acres,  July  2,  1872,  he  married  Juliette, 
daughter  of  Sherman  Higgins,  a  retired  farmer  of  Howard,  by  whom  he  had  two 
children,  Cora  Elizabeth,  who  lives  at  home,  and  William  Lee,  a  student  of  the  com- 
mon school. 

Jones,  Wilson  J.,  was  born  in  Rushville,  March  31,  1861.  Samuel  Jones,  his  father, 
was  a  native  of  the  same  town,  and  Samuel  Jones,  the  grandfather,  was  one  of  the 
pioneer  settlers.     Samuel  J.  Jones  married  Edith  Wilson,   daughter   of  James   K. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  397 

Wilson,  and  was  a  well  known  druggist.  Wilson  J.  Jones  was  educated  at  Rushville 
and  the  Military  Academj'  at  Peekskill,  after  which  he  entered  the  drug  business  at 
Trumansburg.  In  1886  he  came  to  Bath  and  established  his  present  business,  carry- 
ing a  large  line  of  imported  and  domestic  drugs.  Mr.  Jones  is  one  of  the  enterpris- 
ing men  of  his  town,  taking  an  intelligent  interest  in  educational  and  religious  insti- 
tutions, and  has  ever  received  and  merited  the  respect  of  his  associates. 

Freidell,  Joseph  Conrad,  was  born  in  the  village  of  Hammondsport,  N.  Y.,  August 
17,  1.^62.  His  father,  Matthew  Freidell,  is  a  native  of  Germany,  and  a  grape  grower 
of  this  town.  Joseph  Conrad  is  the  oldest  son  of  a  family  of  four  children.  He  was 
educated  in  the  Hammondsport  Union  School,  and  his  first  occupation  was  in  his 
father's  vinej^ard.  At  fifteen  years  of  age  he  engaged  as  clerk  in  the  store  now  con- 
ducted b}'  George  H.  Keeler,  where  he  remained  for  eleven  years.  In  1888  he  formed 
a  co-partnership  with  L.  D.  Masson,  and  established  a  hardware  store  on  Water 
street,  where  we  now  find  him  located.  In  1893  he  married  Laura  L.  Brown,  of 
Penn  Yan. 

Cook,  Ezekiel,  was  born  in  Thurston,  N.  Y.,  July  12,  1847,  son  of  Seth  and  Sabrina 
(Herington)  Cook,  natives  of  Rhode  Island.  They  came  to  Thurston  in  1836,  after- 
ward moving  to  Rathbone,  where  they  died,  aged  ninety-three  and  eighty-nine  re- 
spectively. Ezekiel  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  then  engaged  in  farming 
and  lumbering.  He  owns  100  acres  in  Rathbone  and  eleven  acres  in  Cameron.  Jn 
1879  Mr.  Cook  married  Amoretta,  daughter  of  George  and  Sarah' A.  (Darley)  Bates, 
natives  of  Oxford,  Conn.,  and  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.  They  came  to  Cameron  in 
1826  and  have  since  lived  in  Cameron  and  Rathbone.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cook  had  two 
children:  George  W.  and  Martha  E.  Mrs.  Cook  died  in  1889.  The  parents  of  George 
Bates  were  Andrew  and  Eunice  (Clark)  Bates,  who  lived  and  died  in  Cameron. 

Healy,  Llewelyn  Clark,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Dansville,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y. 
His  grandfather  Healy  was  a  native  of  Vermont,  born  at  Shoreham.  He  was  the 
father  of  seven  sons  and  three  daughters.  William  Wilson  Healy,  the  father  of 
Llewelyn,  was  the  second  son;  he  was  born  in  Dansville  and  has  always  made  his 
home  in  that  town.  Clark  was  given  a  good  common  school  education  and  also  at- 
tended Rogersville  Seminary,  living  on  the  farm.  He  has  always  taken  an  interest 
in  the  mercantile  business  and  was  engaged  with  his  father  until  1882.  That  year 
he  came  to  Arkport  and  built  a  mill  storehouse,  coal  sheds,  and  office,  and  has  since 
devoted  his  attention  to  the  dealing  in  grain,  seeds,  potatoes,  coal,  plaster,  feeds  of 
all  kinds,  etc.  He  was  married  in  1875  to  Miss  Ida  Graves  of  Howard.  They  have 
one  child,  Frank  L.,  a  student  at  Arkport. 

Hathaway,  Dr.  William  E.,  was  born  in  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  April  5,  1848,  the  sec- 
ond son  of  the  late  James  A.  Hathaway,  a  farmer  of  that  town,  who  died  the  spring 
of  1895.  He  was  given  a  good  education  and  began  the  study  of  medicine  while  still 
in  his  'teens.  He  was  for  a  number  of  years  a  teacher  of  Tioga  Academy,  and  in 
1876  graduated  from  Hahnemann  College,  Philadelphia,  with  the  degree  of  M.  D. 
He  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Tioga,  and  spent  also  three  years  in  Elk- 
land.  In  1878  he  came  to  Hornellsville,  and  is  to-day  the  leading  homeopathist  of 
this  city.  He  was  a  partner  with  Dr.  Olcutt  for  two  years  and  has  since  been  alone. 
The  doctor  has  also  been  identified  with  the  Buffalo  Fence  Wire  Company,  with  a 


398  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

factory  at  Canisteo.  He  is  a  member  of  the  New  York  State  Homeopathic  Society, 
Southern  Tier  Homeopathic  Society,  and  in  one  of  the  associate  staff  of  Lexington 
Heights  Hospital  of  Buffalo.  In  1868  he  married  Janette  S.,  daughter  of  Col.  H.  S. 
Johnson  of  Tioga,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Edgar,  a  representative  inventor 
and  manufacturer  of  this  city,  and  Augusta  Lucille.  Mrs.  Hathaway  is  also  a  prac- 
ticing physician  of  this  city,  and  a  graduate  of  Hospital  College  of  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
class  of  1888. 

Houck,  Peter  P.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  New  Scotland,  Albany  county,  Novem- 
ber 2"^,  1821.  The  Houck  family  are  descendants  of  the  old  Holland  stock  and  were 
among  the  early  Mohawk  settlers.  The  maternal  ancestors,  named  Bradt,  were  also 
of  Dutch  descent.  Peter  J.,  father  of  Peter  P.,  was  born  in  1795,  and  followed  farm- 
ing in  his  early  days,  then  became  proprietor  of  a  hotel  in  Bethlehem  until  1832.  He 
was  then  located  in  Cobbleskill  until  1840,  when  he  moved  to  Steuben  county,  locat- 
ing in  Corning,  where  he  remained  but  a  short  time,  and  then  for  two  years  on  what 
is  now  known  as  the  Magee  farm.  In  1843  he  became  the  proprietor  of  the  Hornells- 
ville  tavern  and  stage  house.  In  1845  he  removed  to  Burns,  where  he  kept  hotel 
and  was  on  a  farm  near  there  until  1854.  In  1856  he  removed  to  Minnesota  where 
he  was  engaged  in  farming  the  balance  of  his  days,  dymg  at  the  age  of  seventy-five 
years.  He  was  the  father  of  nine  children,  of  whom  Peter  was  the  third.  He  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools  until  thirteen  years  of  age,  then  went  with  his  uncle, 
John  Hilton,  a  grocer  of  Albany,  with  whom  he  remained  three  years.  He  was  then 
for  two  years  employed  in  an  eating  house.  At  the  age  of  twenty,  in  company  with 
his  cousin,  he  bought  out  an  eating  house  at  the  corner  of  State  and  Pearl  streets  in 
Albany,  where  he  conducted  a  successful  business  for  nine  years.  In  1851  he  re- 
moved to  this  county,  locating  on  a  farm  at  Burns  until  1854.  With  his  father,  he 
engaged  in  the  meat  and  poultry  business,  and  in  1855  bought  a  general  store  in 
Hornellsville,  where  he  remained  for  three  years,  then  bought  a  farm  three  miles 
south  of  the  city,  where  he  made  many  improvements.  Two  and  one-half  years 
later  he  took  the  store  of  his  brother-in-law,  Marcus  E.  Brown,  and  conducted  it 
until  1868  and  then  sold  out.  The  summer  of  1870  he  spent  in  the  West,  and  in  1871 
bought  the  wood  and  coal  business  at  the  corner  of  Canisteo  and  Taylor  streets.  In 
1877  he  sold  out,  but  in  less  than  two  years  took  the  business  back  and  was  proprie- 
tor until  1885,  when  he  sold  to  Simons  &  Howell,  and  has  since  lived  retired.  Mr. 
Houck  has  held  several  minor  town  offices  and  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion for  three  years.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  since  1868.  In 
1845  Mr.  Houck  married  Hester  Ann  Van  Antwerp,  of  Albany  county,  by  whom  he 
has  two  daughters:  Mrs.  Frank  A.  Simmons  and  Mrs.  William  F.  Sherwood. 

Hagadorn,  Hiram,  was  born  in  Rensselaer  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1814.  He  was  a  de- 
scendant of  one  of  the  early  Holland  families  and  one  of  the  Anneke  Jans  claimants. 
His  father  was  a  deacon  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  removed  to  New  York  when 
Hiram  was  quite  young.  He  was  given  a  good  common  school  education,  and  was 
engaged  in  mechanical  pursuits  in  New  York  and  Binghamton  until  1838.  That  year 
he  came  to  Steuben  county  and  was  engaged  in  the  McKay  House  for  a  short  time. 
In  1839  he  married  Lydia  Cameron,  daughter  of  Dugald  Cameron,  and  after  was 
engaged  in  farming  until  his  death,  Avhich  occurred  August  8,  1891.  He  was  the 
father  of  six  children-  Mrs.  Gregory,  Mrs.  Tubbs   and  ICmmett  Hagadorn  of  Grand 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  399 

Rapids,    Michigan;  Ira,   a  wagon  manufacturer  of  Arkport;  Charles,  in  the  same 
business  in  Troy,  Pa.,  and  Jane,  widow  of  George  Loveridge,  of  Hornellsville. 

Hayt,  Dr.  Charles  W.,  son  of  Hon.  Stephen  T.  Hayt,  graduated  from  the  medical 
department  of  Columbia  College  in  1889.  He  was  engaged  in  hospital  practice  in 
New  York  city  until  1893,  ann  has  since  practiced  his  chosen  profession  in  Corning. 

Haischer.  Fred,  was  born  m  Germany  and  came  to  Corning  in  1853,  and  since  1868 
has  been  conducting  his  present  business  as  brewer  and  bottler.  In  1878  he  erected 
his  present  brewery  and  the  bottling  works,  in  1892  manufacturing  1,800  barrels  per 
year.  He  has  an  interest  in  the  Buffalo  Land  Improvement  Co.,  and  has  served  two 
terms  as  alderman  in  Corning. 

Hadley,  Jefiferson,  was  born  in  Canisteo,  September  9,  1823.  Thomas  G.  Hadley, 
his  father,  was  also  a  native  of  the  same  town.  His  grandfather,  James  Hadley, 
was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers,  coming  from  Wyoming  in  a  canoe,  and  settled  on  a 
farm  of  200  acres,  which  is  now  owned  by  Jefferson,  who  has  since  added  100  acres. 
James  Hadley  was  in  the  massacre  at  "Wyoming,  also  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 
Thomas  G.  Hadley  married  Mary  Hallett  of  Canisteo,  by  whom  he  had  nine  chil- 
dren. Jefferson  is  a  farmer  and  lumberman,  and  married  Emily  R.,  daughter  of 
Reuben  Millard,  by  whom  he  had  one  daughter,  Mrs.  Jamison.  Mr.  Hadley  has  held 
the  office  of  assessor  and  highway  commissioner,  and  is  a  member  of  Morning  Star 
Lodge  of  Masons,  No.  65. 

Jamison,  William,  jr  ,  was  born  in  Canisteo,  January  12,  1837,  son  of  William, 
who  was  also  born  in  Canisteo,  January  10,  1803,  on  the  farm  where  William,  jr.,  now 
lives.  John  Jamison,  the  grandfather,  was  born  in  Bucks  county.  Pa.,  and  was  one 
of  the  twelve  original  settlers  of  Canisteo.  William  Jamison  married  PermeHa  Ben- 
nett, a  descendant  of  one  of  the  old  settlers,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Hugh, 
Mary,  Martha  and  William,  jr.  William,  jr.,  owns  a  farm  of  thirty  acres  and  is  part 
owner  of  a  farm  of  seventy- five  acres.  In  1865  he  married  Allace  Brosted,  of  How- 
ard, Steuben  county,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children:  Mary,  Elisha,  Ira,  Sarah,  Al- 
lace, Martha,  Jessie,  Bell  and  Walter. 

Huston,  John  S.,  was  born  in  Sparta,  Sussex  county,  N.  J.,  November  25,  1846. 
His  father,  John,  married  Ellen  Stewart,  and  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1844  and 
settled  in  the  town  of  Bath,  where  he  has  been  identified  as  a  contractor  and  builder. 
John  S.  Huston  was  educated  at  Haverling  Academy,  and  in  1879  married  Amanda 
Dygart.  In  1890  he  opened  a  store,  dealing  in  general  merchandise  and  agricultural 
implements.  In  1893  he  was  appointed  postmaster,  which  position  he  now  holds; 
also  served  as  deputy  under  Sheriff  Baldwin. 

Hardenbrook,  Frank,  was  born  in  Seneca  county,  March  7,  1831.  Richard  Hard- 
enbrook,  his  father,  came  to  Bath  April  1,  1845,  and  was  identified  as  a  farmer,  and 
later  in  life  as  the  owner  of  the  Hardenbrook  foundry.  Frank  Hardenbrook  was 
educated  at  Haverling  Academy,  after  which  he  taught  school,  and  in  1856  married 
Mary  J.,  daughter  of  John  McElwee,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Mary  L.  Mr. 
Hardenbrook  is  one  of  the  representative  farmers  of  the  town,  serving  as  justice  of 
the  peace  for  twenty-seven  years. 

Joint,  William  E.,  was  born   at  Jamesport,  L.  I.,  November  11,  1862.     His  father, 


400  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Thomas  Joint,  was  a  native  of  North  Ireland,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1860 
and  settled  on  Long  Island.  Mr.  Joint  married  Marcia  Erskine.  William  E.  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools  and  came  to  Steuben  county,  in  1868,  where  he  be- 
gan to  learn  the  hardware  business  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years.  In  1887  he  formed 
a  partnership  with  George  Moore  and  afterwards  with  William  Tucker.  In  1891  he 
purchased  their  interests,  and  now  carries  one  of  the  largest  stocks  of  hardware, 
wagons  and  agricultural  implements  in  Steuben  county.  October  24,  1888,  Mr. 
Joint  married  Hattie,  daughter  of  Stephen  Jessup.  Mr.  Joint  was  appointed  post- 
master in  1893. 

Kiefer,  Charles,  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  January  28,  1841,  and  came  to 
America  in  1867,  and  first  settled  in  Rochester,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  leather 
business  until  1876,  when  he  came  to  Cohocton  and  took  charge  of  the  tannery  of 
Richard  Trelemon,  where  he  remained  until  1885,  when  he  purchased  the  property, 
and  has  since  carried  on  a  grist  mill.  He  also  carries  on  a  harness  shop  and  feed 
store.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  Pius  R.  C.  church  and  the  C.  M.  B.  A.,  and  was  for 
four  years  president  of  that  organization.  In  1872  he  married  Lena  Wakeman,  by 
whom  he  had  ten  children:  Lena,  Emma,  Charles,  Annie,  Mary,  Otto,  George,  Irene, 
Amelia  and  Helen. 

Knapp,  Marsena  V.,  was  born  in  Milo  Center,  Yates  county,  N.  Y.,  November  16, 
1827.  and  is  the  oldest  of  eight  children  born  to  James  A.  and  Margaret  Hiltipidal 
Knapp,  and  grandson  of  Gen.  James  Knapp,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary 
war.  General  Knapp  was  a  resident  of  Herkimer  county,  a  farmer  and  millwright 
by  occupation,  and  came  to  Milo,  where  James  A.  was  born.  He  removed  to  Bar- 
rington,  where  he  died  in  1831.  His  wife,  Margaret  (Worden),  died  in  1830.  James  A. 
was  a  painter  by  trade  and  resided  at  Penn  Yan,  afterward  removing  to  Barrington. 
Marsena  V.  commenced  working  on  the  Erie  Canal  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years,  on 
which  he  worked  ten  years.  In  1854  he  engaged  in  farming,  at  which  he  has  since 
been  employed  with  the  exception  of  five  years  spent  in  Penn  Yan  in  the  grocery 
business.  He  has  a  farm  of  106  acres  and  a  vineyard  of  fifteen  acres.  In  1846  he 
married  Sarah  E.,  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  Haight  of  Penn  Yan,  and  they  have 
three  sons:  Marsena  A.,  a  farmer  on  the  homestead,  who  married  Mary  Sanford,  by 
whom  he  had  three  sons  and  one  daughter,  living — Emily,  John  S.,  Oliver  C.  and 
George  G. ;  Manford  H.,  died  at  the  age  of  five  months,  and  John,  died  in  infancy. 
Mr.  Knapp  is  a  Democrat  and  has  been  assessor  for  a  number  of  years,  and  served 
twenty  years  as  district  clerk. 

King,  Philip,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  Steuben  county,  November  11, 
1846.  Daniel  King,  his  father,  was  born  in  Ireland  and  came  to  the  United  States 
and  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  and  afterwards  in  Howard,  Steuben  county.  Philip 
was  educated  in  the  district  schools,  and  owns  a  farm  of  225  acres,  of  which  160  is 
under  cultivation.  He  first  began  working  in  a  saw  mill,  later  purchased  a  large 
tract  of  timber  land,  which  he  cut  and  converted  into  lumber,  and  is  at  present  the 
owner  of  about  300  acres  of  hemlock  and  hardwood  timber.  He  married  Mary  J. 
Hadley  of  Canisteo,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children — Jefferson,  Addie,  Maud, 
Madeline.  Daniel  L.,  Phihp,  Lee,  Raymond  and  Harold.  Jefferson  is  in  Detroit, 
Mich.  Mr.  King  has  held  the  office  of  assessor  and  other  minor  ofhces,  and  is  a 
member  of  Morning  Star  Lodge  of  Masons,  No.  65. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  401 

Kinne,  James  B.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Rathbone,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  Feb- 
ruary 27,  1861.  George  P.  Kinne,  the  father  of  James,  is  a  native  of  Otsego  county, 
and  came  to  Steuben  about  1848  or  1850.  He  was  a  butcher  by  trade  and  a  dealer  in 
stock  during  the  war.  He  removed  to  New  York  city  in  1867  and  is  now  engaged  in 
real  estate  business.  James  B.  was  the  second  son  of  a  family  of  seven  children. 
He  was  given  a  good  common  school  education  and  his  first  occupation  was  in  the 
railroad  service.  At  eighteen  years  of  age  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Erie  Com- 
pany, first  as  a  brakeman  for  ten  years,  the  last  four  years  of  the  time  being 
as  extra  conductor.  In  1889  he  was  promoted  regular  conductor  and  has  since  held 
the  position.  He  is  now  on  train  78.  He  has  never  had  serious  accidents  and  has 
never  been  obliged  to  lay  off.  Mr.  Kinne  was  married  in  1891  to  Miss  Evangeline 
K.  PrentLss,  daughter  of  Aaron  Prentiss,  a  conductor  on  the  Erie.  They  have  two 
children :  Katherine  P.  and  Walter  P. 

Kershner,  Mrs.  Maria,  is  the  widow  of  the  late  Henry  A.  Kershner,  who  was  born 
in  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  March  26,  1820,  and  died  August  24,  1892.  He  moved  on  the 
farm  where  his  widow  now  resides  when  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  was  a  man 
of  strict  integrity,  a  model  farmer,  and  had  the  respect  of  his  neighbors  and  towns- 
men. He  received  a  common  school  education  and  improved  his  opportunities  until 
he  was  called  one  of  the  best  posted  men  in  the  locality.  He  held  the  office  of  jus- 
tice of  the  peace  for  twenty-two  years  consecutively,  and  resigned  the  office  on  ac- 
count of  poor  health.  As  a  magistrate  he  did  a  large  amount  of  business.  He  mar- 
ried his  first  wife,  Eliza  Osborn,  who  was  born  February  18,  1880,  and  died  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1848,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  William,  born  May  15,  1843,  and  died  in 
March,  1877 ;  and  Frances  Amanda,  born  July  7,  1845,  and  died  February  5,  1863. 
October  24,  1850,  Mr.  Kershner  married  for  his  second  wife  Maria  A.  Shutt,  born 
August  26,  1825,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Elizabeth  Alvaretta,  born  Decem- 
ber 22,  1851 ,  and  married  Frank  Whalen  and  resides  in  Lima.  They  have  three 
children:  Fannie  E.,  Robert  H.,  and  Annie  Livingston;  and  Robert  Campbell,  born 
April  22,  1857,  and  married  Carrie  Robinson,  of  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had 
one  child,  Flossie  Marie.  Mrs.  Kershner's  parents  were  born  in  Moore  township, 
Pa.  Her  father  was  John  Shutt,  who  died  in  February,  1873,  aged  seventy-three 
years;  and  her  mother  was  Christie  Ann  Weldie,  who  died  March  28,  1877,  aged 
seventy-five  years. 

Kreidler,  Addison  E.— Mrs.  Edward  Kreidler  is  the  widow  of  the  late  Edward 
Kreidler,  born  in  Columbia  county,  Pa.,  near  Easton,  in  1812,  and  died  in 
Dansville,  N.  Y.,  June  11,  1894.  He  came  with  his  parents  when  a  lad  and  settled 
on  the  farm  which  he  owned  at  his  death.  He  was  president  of  the  board  of  trus- 
tees of  Rogersville  Seminary  for  twelve  years,  and  has  held  many  town  offices,  com- 
missioner of  highways,  assessor,  etc.  His  father,  Frederick,  Kreidler,  was  born  in 
Germany,  and  died  on  Oak  Hill,  in  1862,  aged  seventy-four  years.  He  married 
Susannah  Ehrett,  who  died  in  1862,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children :  Simon,  de- 
ceased; Sophia  Eveland;  Edward,  born  in  1812,  and  died  in  1894;  Elizabeth  Hen- 
shaw;  Daniel,  John;  Susanna  Robinson,  deceased;  and  Catherine  Swick,  deceased. 
In  1837  Edward  Kreidler  married  Lucretia  A. ,  daughter  of  Cyril  and  Philura  (Hall) 
Buck,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children :  Frederick  M.,  born  October  14,  1838,  and  re- 
sides in  Milo  City,  Mont.  ;  Philura  Willey,  born  December  2,  1839,  and  resides  in 
yy 


402  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Dansville,  N.  Y. ;  Edward  A.,  born  April  18,  1842,  and  resides  in  Washington,  D.  C, 
and  held  a  clerkship  in  the  Interior  Department ;  Amanda  M.  Swink,  born  April  29, 
1844;  Hiram  F.,  born  August  24,  1846,  and  died  November  4,  1860;  Cliflford  C,  born 
August  21,  1851,  and  resides  in  Montana;  Adrian  S.,  born  June  4,  1857,  and  died 
October  25,  1860;  and  Addison  E.,  born  July  1,  1861. 

Levers,  G.  Frank,  was  born  on  the  place  where  he  row  resides,  September  18, 
1849.  The  family  are  of  English  origin.  His  father,  John  Levers,  was  born  in 
Northampton  county.  Pa.,  October  13,  1802,  and  settled  in  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  in  1838, 
and  purchased  176  acres  of  land  and  has  since  devoted  his  time  to  farming.  He  was 
formerly  a  tanner.  He  married  Ruffina  Heckman,  born  in  Northampton  county,  Pa., 
November  15,  1813,  and  died  January  26,  1892,  b}-  whom  he  had  six  children : 
Thomas  born  January  11,  1835,  and  resides  in  Chicago;  Mary  E.  Curry,  born  July 
2,  1836;  Samuel  A.,  born  April  9,  1838;  Susan  C.  Wilson,  born  September  16,  1844; 
John  E.,  born  April  29,  1846;  and  Frank  G.,  as  above,  who  received  a  common 
school  education,  and  has  since  followed  farming.  At  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  he  married 
Anna  Rivett,  born  in  England,  September  15,  1862,  aud  died  March  20,  1884, 
by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Thomas  E.,  born  May  27,  1882;  and  Anna  R.,  born 
March  9,  1884,  and  died  April  7,  1887. 

Lander,  Frederick,  was  born  in  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  September  19,  1842.  His  grand- 
father. Christian  Lander,  was  born  in  Prussia,  and  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1832, 
and  settled  on  Sandy  Hill,  Dansville.  He  married  Margaret  Kouch,  by  whom  he  had 
these  children:  Fred,  Christian,  Peter,  Augustus,  Jacob,  Catherine  Wagoner,  and 
Margaret  Miller,  all  deceased.  Christian  Lander,  father  of  Frederick,  was  born  in 
1809,  and  died  November  19,  1882.  He  married  Sophia  Wagoner,  born  in  Prussia,  in 
1816,  and  died  in  1875,  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Frederick,  as  above;  Jacob, 
born  in  1844,  deceased;  Christian,  born  in  1846;  Lewis,  born  in  1848;  and  Louisa, 
born  in  1850,  and  married  George  Conrad,  of  Wayland.  Frede'ick  Lander  worked 
on  the  farm  until  1861,  when  he  went  to  learn  the  wagonmaker's  trade  with  H.  S. 
Stone,  of  Dansville,  N.  Y. ,  where  he  remained  three  years,  after  which  he  worked 
one  year  for  James  Lindsley,  thence  to  Scottsburg  and  worked  for  John  Shutt  one 
year,  thence  to  Cohocton,  where  he  carried  on  the  same  business  for  six  years.  He 
also  worked  four  years  at  house  building  in  Dansville.  In  1883  he  purchased  the 
wagon  shop  in  Rogersville,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  same  business.  He 
has  held  the  office  of  overseer  of  the  poor  three  years.  At  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  in  1864, 
he  married  Mary  Hoffman,  born  in  1840,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children:  William, 
born  January  26,  1865,  and  married  Ida  Millamen  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Vernie; 
Elizabeth,  born  May  28,  1866,  and  married  William  Small,  of  Kanona,  and  they  have 
four  children ;  Lewis,  Fred,  May,  and  Edith ;  Frederick,  born  May  27,  1868 ;  Peter, 
born  April  19,  1870;  Anna,  born  June  9,  1872;  Benjamin,  born  August  15,  1874; 
George,  born  February  22,  1876;  and  Alexander,  born  June  12,  1881. 

Lewis,  George  W.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wheeler,  in  November,  1838.  Her- 
man Lewis,  his  father,  was  born  in  Rensselaer  county,  in  1787,  of  Holland  parents, 
and  came  to  the  town  of  Wheeler  in  1828,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life, 
with  the  exception  of  three  years  in  Yates  county,  and  a  few  years  in  Avoca  and 
Bath.     He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812  for  a  short  time.     He  married  Margaret 


FAxVriLY  SKETCHES.  403 

Thompson,  who  was  born  in  July,  1797,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  Thompson,  who 
came  to  Wheeler  in  1840,  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Daniel  D.,  John 
M.,  Jacob  H.,  Lemuel,  George  W.,  Jane,  Catherine,  Margaret,  Emehne,  and 
Mary.  He  died  in  January,  1873,  and  his  wife  in  July,  1860.  George  W.,  at  the 
early  age  of  twelve  years,  began  to  care  for  himself,  doing  farm  work  by  the  day  and 
month  for  many  j'ears.  In  1871  he  married  Mary  F.,  daughter  of  George  and 
Catherine  (Wheeler)  Miller,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Delbert,  Ray  M.,  and 
Ethel  M.  He  then  began  farming  for  himself  on  rented  land,  and  in  1887  purchased 
his  present  farm  of  120  acres,  on  which  he  has  conducted  a  regular  farming  business. 
In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  161st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  until  the  clo.se  of  the  war, 
and  participated  in  the  siege  of  Port  Hudson,  the  battles  of  Sabine  Cross-roads, 
Pleasant  Hill,  ;  lege  of  Fort  Blakely,  and  was  on  the  Red  River  campaign,  and  dur- 
ing all  this  time  he  never  missed  a  day's  duty.  He  has  been  elected  to  fill  the 
offices  of  town  clerk,  assessor,  commissioner  of  highways,  and  other  minor  offices. 

Lewis,  Lemuel  H.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wheeler  in  1833.  Herman  Lewis,  his 
father,  was  born  in  Rensselaer  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1787,  of  Holland  parents.  He  was 
a  farmer  and  came  to  the  town  of  Wheeler  in  1828,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  life,  with  the  exception  of  three  years  m  Yates  county,  and  a  few  years  in  the 
towns  of  Avoca  and  Bath.  He  served  a  short  time  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
was  elected  to  fill  several  of  the  town  offices.  He  married  Margaret  Thompson,  who 
was  born  in  July,  1797,  daughter  of  Daniel  Thompson,  who  came  to  Wheeler  in  1840, 
by  whom  he  had  ten  children:  Daniel  D.,  John  M.,  Jacob  H.,  Lemuel  H.,  George  W. , 
Jane,  Catherine,  Margaret,  Emeline,  and  Mary.  He  died  in  January,  1873,  and  his 
wife  in  July,  1860.  Lemuel  H.  remained  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  although  he  did  farm  work  for  others  by  the  day  and  month,  after 
which  he  rented  a  farm  and  conducted  it  for  five  years,  when  he  purchased  a  farm  in 
the  town  of  Wheeler  and  operated  it  two  years,  when  he  sold  it  and  bought  another. 
From  1883  to  1888  he  conducted  a  livery  business  in  the  village  of  Avoca,  and  in  1888 
purchased  hispresent  farm  of  fifty  acres.  From  1860  to  1865  he  dealt  largely  in  sheep, 
buying  some  times  in  Vermont  and  shipping  to  the  Western  and  Middle  States,  and 
also  bred  the  fine  wool  merino  sheep,  and  since  that  time  has  dealt  to  a  considerable 
extent  in  horses.  He  was  elected  supervisor  two  terms,  commissioner  of  highways 
two  terms,  collector  two  terms,  assessor  and  poormaster  several  years.  In  1855  he 
married  Lydia  Sophia,  daughter  of  Willard  and  Mary  Ann  (Ackerson)  Storm es  of 
Wheeler,  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Delia,  wife  of  Leroy  Castor  of  Wheeler; 
Frank,  and  Charlie.  During  his  early  life  in  Wheeler  he  used  to  work  a  day  for  a 
bushel  of  corn,  and  would  then  carry  the  corn  on  his  back  through  the  woods  to  mill, 
several  miles  distant,  and  bring  the  meal  home  at  night.  He  and  his  wife  have  seen 
days  when  they  had  nothing  to  eat  but  potatoes  and  salt. 

Lewis,  Benjamin,  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  N.  Y.,  April  23,  1836,  is  the  youngest 
of  eleven  children  born  to  Abram  and  Hannah  Lewis.  He  followed  farming  until 
1887  when  he  retired  and  has  since  resided  in  Greenwood.  In  1867  he  married  Mar- 
garet, daughter  of  John  L.  and  Elinore  (Ferguson)  Brooks,  by  whom  he  had  one  son, 
John  S. ,  who  is  civil  engineer  and  real  estate  dealer  in  Chicago.  Mr.  Brooks  was  a 
farmer  and  lumber  dealer  in  Clearfield  county,  Pa.,  and  came  to  Troupsburg  where 
he  engaged  in  farming  until  1862  when  he  enlisted.     He  died  of  yellow  fever  at  Key 


404  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

West,  Fla.,  in  1863.  Mr.  Lewis  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  189th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  was  hon- 
orably discharged  June  5,  1865.  He  was  on  duty  every  day  and  was  at  Hatcher's 
Run,  Weldon  R.  R.,  and  Lewis  Farm  where  the  comrade  on  each  side  was  killed. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  William  C.  White  Post,  No.  561,  G.  A.  R.,  and  has  held  all 
the  offices  of  the  same. 

Lake,  Isaac,  was  born  at  L^rbana,  Steiiben  county,  in  1824,  son  of  Timothy  and 
Catherine  Sanford  Lake,  natives  of  New  Jersey,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1814, 
locating  at  Urbana  where  they  died  in  1865  and  1879.  Mr.  Lake's  brothers  and  sis- 
ters are  as  follows :  Hannah,  Rebecca,  Thomas,  Sarah,  and  James.  In  1862  he  en- 
listed in  Co.  A,  of  the  161st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  serving  fifteen  months.  In  1866  he  married 
Gittie  Sample  and  has  since  resided  on  his  present  place  of  137  acres.  His  wife  died 
in  1892  leaving  three  children:  Bertie,  Katie,  and  Eddie. 

Leach,  I.  Van  Courtland,  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  N.  Y. ,  .September  9,  1840,  son 
of  Ichabod  C.  and  Clarissa  Sherley  Leach,  he  born  in  Bridgewater,  Mass.,  October 
13,  1805,  and  she,  in  Vermont,  September  7,  1811.  Ichabod  C.  came  to  Madison 
county,  N.  Y.,  with  his  parents,  Ephraim  and  Sarah  Conant  Leach,  and  removed  to 
Woodhull  at  an  early  date,  and  peddled  throughout  that  section  for  years,  and  final- 
ly settled  on  Troupsburg  Creek,  where  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  and  hotel 
business,  having  the  first  store  on  the  creek,  and  also  kept  an  ashery.  In  1841  he 
removed  to  Woodhull  and  kept  the  first  store  of  any  importance  in  that  village,  and 
became  an  extensive  stock  dealer.  In  politics  he  was  a  Whig  and  Republican  until 
Tilden's  time,  when  he  became  a  Democrat.  He  died  October  6,  1878,  and  his  wife, 
October  13,  1886.  I.  Van  Courtland  was  educated  in  Homer  Academy  and  clerked 
for  his  father  in  Woodhull  until  he  was  married  to  Hannah  Tuttle  in  1861,  when  he 
engaged  in  farming  on  a  farm  of  sixty  acres,  which  he  now  owns.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Lodge  of  Woodhull,  No.  353,  F.  &  A.  M.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leach  have  two 
children:  Clarrissa  H.,  wife  of  Uri  Whitnall  of  Harrison  Valley,  Potter  county.  Pa., 
and  Hulda  M.,  wife  of  Henry  Dodson  of  Nebraska.  For  his  second  wife  he  married 
Ellen  Finn,  and  they  have  one  son,  I.  Van  Courtland,  who  lives  with  his  father. 
The  Leach  family  were  related  to  Miles  Standish  and  Mr.  Leach  has  a  pair  of  sleeve 
buttons  worn  by  Mr.  Standish  on  the  Mayflower. 

Lathrop,  Mathias,  was  born  in  Jasper,  N.  Y.,  March  17,  1845,  son  of  Henry  and 
Martha  (Van  Derip)  Lathrop,  he  a  native  of  Vermont,  and  she,  of  Cayuga  county, 
N.  Y. ,  who  came  to  Jasper  in  an  early  day,  where  they  both  died  in  1894.  Mathias 
Lathrop  is  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  owns  a  large  farm  in  Woodhull,  being  one  of 
the  most  successful  farmers  of  that  town.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has 
been  constable.  In  1865  he  married  Elizabeth  Dennis,  of  Jasper,  by  whom  he  had 
four  children :  Hattie,  deceased ;  Mary,  Mertie,  and  Rhoda,  deceased.  In  1864  Mr. 
Lathrop  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  111th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  was  after  Lee  nine  days,  and  was  present  at  his  surrender.  He  is  a  member  of 
James  Warner  Post,  No.  565,  G.  A.  R. 

Leach,  James  H.,  was  born  in  Cameron,  N.  Y.,  August  14,  1851,  son  of  Ezra  L., 
who  was  born  in  Jerusalem,  Albany  county,  N.  Y.,  October  7,  1821.  The  grand- 
father, Elisha  Leach,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  came  to  Cameron  in  pioneers  days, 
where  he  died  in   1865.     Ezra  L.  Leach  died  in  Troupsburg  in  1887,  and  his  wife, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  405 

December  29,  1893.  James  H.  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Jasper  and  Addison. 
He  lived  in  Troupsburg  from  1867  to  1893,  since  which  time  he  has  lived  in  Wood- 
hull,  where  he  owns  a  farm  of  158  acres.  June  19,  1875,  he  married  Nora,  daughter 
of  Samuel  W.  and  Betsey  (IMallory)  Wheaton,  natives  of  Steuben  county.  Mr. 
Wheaton  died  in  Troupsburg  in  1870,  where  his  widow  now  resides.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Leach  have  seven  children  Elfreda,  Francis  K.,  Lewis,  Robert  L.  and  Rena  (twins), 
James  H.,  jr.,  and  Leon.  The  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Leach.  Rufus  Wheaton,  was 
born  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  and  came  to  Wheeler,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y. ,  and  thence 
moved  to  Potter  county,  Pa.,  where  he  died  December  16,  1875.  The  maternal 
grandfather,  Amos  N.  Mallory,  was  born  in  Steuben  county  and  married  Sallie  Bene- 
dict. He  and  his  brother,  Nathaniel,  took  up  600  acres  of  land.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mal- 
lory had  ten  children.     He  died  July  9,  1869. 

Lunger,  A.  R.,  was  born  in  Columbia  county.  Pa.,  in  1812,  son  of  Martin  and 
Chanty  (Robbms)  Lunger,  natives  of  Columbia  county.  Pa.,  where  he  died  in  1818, 
but  his  wife  died  in  Dansville,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.  A.  R.  Lunger  was  reared  by 
his  grandfather,  Thomas  Robbins,  of  Columbia  county,  Pa.,  where  he  came  in  an 
early  day.  When  a  young  man  Mr.  Lunger  came  to  Avoca,  Steuben  county,  where 
he  engaged  in  shoemaking,  which  business  he  followed  twenty-one  years.  He 
came  to  WoodhuU  in  1852,  and  settled  in  the  woods  on  a  farm  of  123  acres  he  now 
owns.  He  also  owns  another  lot  of  sixty  acres  on  which  his  son,  L.  M.,  now  resides. 
Mr.  Lunger  was  a  Democrat  in  early  life,  but  is  now  an  ardent  Republican.  March 
10,  1836,  he  married  Susan  Rice  of  Avoca,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  Oscar 
R.,  who  was  killed  in  the  late  war;  Amond  M.,  deceased;  William  H.,  deceased; 
Augusta,  Wilson  B.,  L.  M.,  and  Clair. 

Lanning,  Henry  L.,  was  born  in  Yates  county,  N.  Y.,  April  18,  1839,  son  of  John 
and  Margaret  Lanning,  who  came  to  Yates  county,  N.  Y.',  in  1858,  thence  to  Wood- 
hull  in  1860,  where  he  died  in  1862,  and  she  died  about  1880.  The  grandfather, 
Richard  Lanning,  died  in  Starkey,  Yates  county,  N.  Y.  Henry  L.  was  educated  in 
Woodhull  Academy,  after  which  he  taught  school  for  several  years,  and  is  now  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  owns  sixty-seven  acres  of  land.  He  is  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  has  been  collector  one  year.  In  1871  he  married  Sarah  E.,  daughter  of 
Benedict  Northrup,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Woodhull,  N.  Y.,  who  died  in  1880. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lanning  have  one  daughter,  Lillian  M.,  wife  of  Rev.  O.  H.  Denniey, 
of  Lowell,  Mass.  January  1,  1864,  Mr.  Lanning  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  86th  N.  Y.  Vols., 
and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  at  the  Wilderness,  Mine  Run,  and 
Spottsjdvania,  where  he  was  wounded  May  10,  1864.  The  wife  of  Benedict  Northrup 
was  Sallie  Christian,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children  :  Laura,  Susan,  Abigail,  Jerome, 
Marie  E.,  Amos,  and  Sarah  E. 

Lower,  Samuel  J.,  was  born  in  Philadelphia  and  came  to  Corning  in  1854,  and  in 
1880  formed  with  J.  L.  Scott  the  present  firm  of  Scott  &•  Lower,  merchant  tailors, 
succeeding  Smith  &  Waite. 

Lathrop,  Charles  K.,  was  born  in  Tioga  county,  Pa.,  in  1858,  son  of  Austin  and 
Caroline  (Knox)  Lathrop,  natives  of  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  and  Tioga  county.  Pa., 
who  died  at  Lawrenceville,  Pa.  Mr.  Lathrop  was  raised  on  a  farm  near  Lawrence- 
ville,  and  in  1875  entered  the  employ  of  the   Fall   Brook  Railway,  remaining  with 


406  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

them  until  1894.     In  1893  he  moved  to  his  present  farm  of  108  acres.     In  1881  he 
married  Helen,  daughter  of  John  A.  Parcel]  of  Corning. 

Lindsay,  Capt.  W.  W.,  was  born  at  Castle  Rea,  County,  Mayo,  Ireland,  March  13, 
1833,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1853  and  settled  in  Bath,  where  he  engaged 
in  farming,  and  in  1862  enlisted  in  Co.  D,  161st  N.  Y.  A^ols. ,  as  private  and  took  part 
in  the  battles  of  Store  Plain,  Port  Hudson,  Cox's  Plantation,  and  Sabine  Pass,  where 
he  was  taken  prisoner  and  sent  to  Texas,  remaining  nearly  a  year  and  was  then  ex- 
changed and  re-entered  the  service  and  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Mobile  Bay, 
Spanish  Fort,  Fort  Blakely,  and  capture  of  Mobile,  receiving  an  honorable  discharge 
in'  1865,  and  receiving  the  rank  of  captain  for  gallant  and  meritorious  services  in  the 
field.  In  1858  he  married  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Robert  S.  Fancett.  by  whom  he  had 
five  children:  Robert,  W.  Frank,  Mrs.  Eleanor  Genderman,  Ida  H.,  and  Mary  E. 
Mr.  Lindslay  is  one  of  the  leading  men  of  his  town,  excise  commissioner  and  justice 
of  the  peace,  and  town  clerk,  and  has  ever  been  identified  in  advancing  the  best  in- 
terests of  his  town. 

Longwell,  William  V.,  was  born  in  Sussex  county,  N.  J.,  June  2,  1843.  Hon. 
Charles  S.  Longwell,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  the  same  countj^  and  came  to  Steu- 
ben first  with  his  father,  William  Longwell,  about  1840.  After  his  father's  death  he 
returned  to  New  Jersey,  and  was  back  and  forth  until  1867,  when  he  made  Bath  his 
permanent  home.  He  married  Julia  Vibbard,  by  whom  he  had  four  children,  Will- 
iam v.,  Charles  G.,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Givens,  and  Mrs.  Judson  Bryan.  He  was  one  of 
the  prominent  farmers  of  Steuben  county,  elected  to  the  Legislature  m  1880,  and 
was  identified  in  advancing  the  best  interests  of  his  town  and  county.  William  V. 
married  Kate,  daughter  of  P.  W.  Demerest,  by  whom  he  had  four  children.  Dr.  John 
Longwell,  Wilkinsburg,  Pa.,  Demerest,  Mrs.  Julia  Aber,  and  Mrs.  Robert  Turn  well. 
Mr.  Longwell  is  one  of  the  active  men  of  his  town,  serving  as  assessor  and  excise 
commissioner,  and  taking  an  intelligent  interest  in  education  and  religious  institutions, 
and  has  ever  received  and  merited  the  respect  of  his  associates. 

Little,  Philip  M.,  was  born  in  Bath,  on  the  homestead  farm  which  was  settled  and 
cleared  up  by  his  father,  James  Little,  and  which  has  remained  in  the  family  to  the 
present  time.  Philip  M.  married  Emma,  daughter  of  Ira  M.  and  Harriet  Calkins, 
by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  George  H.,  John  C,  William  M.,  Ira  C,  James  A., 
Mrs.  Hattie  Chatfield,  and  Janey  E.  Mr.  Little  is  one  of  the  practical  and  successful 
farmers  of  his  town,  taking  an  intelligent  interest  in  educational  and  religious  in- 
stitutions, and  has  ever  received  and  merited  the  respect  of  his  associates. 

Little,  John  F.,  was  born  in  Reading,  Steuben  county,  July  13,  1839.  William 
Little,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Ireland  and  came  to  Steuben  county  and  was  iden- 
tified through  his  life  as  a  farmer.  John  F.  was  educated  in  Haverhng  Union  school, 
and  in  1860  began  the  study  of  law  with  W.  B.  Ruggles.  In  August,  1862,  he  en- 
listed in  Co.  F,  161st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  as  a  private  and  took  part  in  battles  of  Port  Hud- 
son, Sabine  Pass,  Red  River  Campaign,  and  in  the  capture  of  Mobile,  receiving  an 
honorable  discharge  at  the  close  of  the  war,  with  the  rank  of  brevet  major,  and  re- 
maining in  the  service  some  time  after  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  returned  to  Bath 
and  resumed  the  study  of  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1866.  In  1867  he  was 
elected  to  the  Legislature,  and  in  1868  formed  a  law  partnership  with  W.  B.  Ruggles, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  407 

which  continued  up  to  1883,  when  Mr.  Rugglcs  was  elected  superintendent  of  pubfic 
instruction  of  New  York  State.  In  18T7  he  was  appointed  surrogate  of  Steuben 
county,  also  has  served  as  supervisor  for  five  years,  and  as  trustee  of  the  New  York 
State  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Home  for  twelve  years. 

Lord,  J.  P.  — George  P.  Lord,  was  born  in  Saratoga  county,  N.  Y.,  June  27,  1815, 
son  of  Ebenezer  and  Mary  Morris  Lord,  he  a  native  of  Connecticut,  born  Jannary  18, 
1771,  and  she,  of  New  Jerse3%  born  in  August,  1778.  Mr.  Lord  came  to  Barringtun, 
where  he  spent  the  most  of  his  life.  Mr.  Lord  was  engaged  in  the  wagon  malnng 
business  for  three  years,  and  was  afterwards  employed  in  a  mill  in  Urbana.  He 
came  to  Wayne  in  1860  and  built  the  house  where  he  now  resides,  and  is  engaged  in 
farming  and  grape  growing.  In  1838  he  married  Irene,  daughter  of  James  and  Sallie 
Sanford,  who  were  early  settlers  of  Wayne.  James  Sanford's  father,  Ephraim,  was 
one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Wayne.  He  was  a  Baptist  minister.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lord 
have  one  child,  Sarah,  wife  of  Delos  Wilber  of  Urbana.  Mrs  Lord  died  in  1841. 
For  his  .second  wife  he  married,  m  1844,  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Orren  Bishop,  of 
Barrington,  and  they  have  the  the  following  children:  Belle,  who  married  J.  B. 
Marlatt,  after  whose  death  she  married  C.  Stanton,  a  retired  farmer  of  Prattsburg; 
Hattie,  wife  of  N.  Miller  of  Prattsburg:  Addie,  wife  of  M.  A.  Johnson  of  South 
Dakota;  Mary  F.,  deceased;  Charles,  who  died  in  1855;  Katie,  wife  of  M.  Wheeler 
of  Wayne;  Minnie,  wife  of  Frank  Margeson ;  and  Joseph,  a  farmer  of  South  Dakota. 
Mr.  Lord  is  a  Republican  and  has  been  justice  of  the  peace  over  thirty  years.  He 
was  school  commissioner  of  Yates  county,  and  has  been  superintendent  of  the  poor 
in  Steuben  county. 

Lewis.  J.  S. ,  was  boi-u  in  Cortland  count)-.  November  2,  1817,  and  is  the  second  of 
eleven  children  born  to  Abram  and  Hannah  (Frink)  Lewis.  J.  S.  Lewis  was  reared 
on  a  farm  and  has  always  followed  farming.  He  first  bought  sixty  acres,  which  he 
cleared,  and  has  added  to  it  until  he  had  215  acres  which  he  sold  to  his  son  Alfonzo 
in  1883.  He  has  always  made  a  specialty  of  dairy  farming.  He  married  Sally  Ann 
Hobes,  by  whom  he  had  the=e  children:  Marilla,  wife  of  George  Wilson,  a  farmer  of 
Colorado;  she  died  at  Hoi  yoke.  Col.  ;  Alzina,  wife  of  L.  Wilcox,  a  grocer  at  Dunkirk  ; 
Almira,  wife  of  Mory  Bowley,  a  farmer  of  Canisteo ;  Susan,  wife  of  Wesley  Potter, 
a  farmer  of  Otsego  county;  Albert,  a  farmer  of  Troupsburg;  Alfonzo,  who  owns  the 
homestead  farm;  James,  who  died  at  five  years  of  age;  Flora,  wife  of  James  Potter 
of  Young  Hickor}^  Mrs.  Lewis  died  in  1851,  and  Mr.  Lewis  married  for  his  second 
wife,  Hannah,  widow  of  Harmon  Clark,  and  daughter  of  Ansel  Hubbard  of  Troups- 
burg.    She  died  March  9,  1883.     Mr.  Lewis  was  assessor  for  seven  years. 

Withey,  Diana. — Elijah  Labour  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  August,  1816,  and 
came  with  his  father  to  this  county  when  only  a  lad.  In  1842  he  bought  a  farm  of 
thirty-one  acres  on  lot  28,  where  he  reared  his  family  and  made  his  home  the  balance 
of  his  days,  dying  November  29,  1891.  He  was  married  vSeptember  16,  1841,  to  Miss 
Rebecca,  daughter  of  James  McMichael,  of  Hornellsville,  who  is  still  living  and  was 
seventy-four  years  of  age,  April  30,  1895.  She  has  now  a  farm  of  thirty-six  acres. 
They  were  the  parents  of  two  children:  Ann  Elizabeath,  wife  of  Foster  Webb,  a  far- 
mer of  this  town ;  and  Diana,  the  widow  of  Judson  Withey,  who  died  July  30,  1894. 
They  were  married  September  21,  1864. 


408  LANDxMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

La  Grange,  Edward  E.,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Hornellsville,  November  5,  1858. 
John  La  Grange  was  the  father  of  four  sons  of  whom  Edward  is  the  oldest  son  ;  Sam- 
uel M.,  in  a  dry  goods  store  at  Addison  ;  John  ;  and  Harry,  a  clerk  with  Adam  David- 
son. Edward  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  his  first  occupation  was  with 
C.  L.  Hawley  with  whom  he  was  emplo3^ed  ten  months.  He  then  took  up  the  man- 
ufacture of  awnings,  tents  and  everything  of  that  line.  In  1885  he  established  a  shop 
for  their  manufacture  and  has  since  conducted  that  line.  He  emploj^s  from  five  to 
nine  hands  putting  out  about  §3,000  worth  per  year.  In  1886  he  married  Miss  Ida 
Drehmer,  of  Hornellsville.  Thej'  have  two  children:  George  E.,  and  Rhea  S.  They 
lost  a  child,  Harold,  aged  eleven  months,  who  died  November  11,  1890. 

Marcy,  James  L.,  West  Caton,  was  born  in  1858,  son  of  James  and  Ann  (Daniels) 
Marcy,  natives  of  Dutchess  county,  who  located  in  the  town  of  Corning,  married 
there  and  resided  on  Mr.  Marcy's  present  home  place  for  more  than  fifty  years.  They 
died  in  1892  and  in  1891,  aged  seventy-eight  and  sixty  eight,  father  and  mother  re- 
spectively. Mr.  Marcy  was  born  on  the  place  where  he  has  always  resided,  and  in 
1891  married  Mabel  Robinson,  a  native  of  Lindley,  daughter  of  George  Henry  Rob- 
inson. 

McBeth,  Robert,  was  born  Augu.st  14,  1844,  in  the  town  of  Howard,  son  of  James 
McBeth.  who  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1820,  and  set- 
tled in  this  town,  where  he  cleared  a  farm  of  sixty-four  acres;  later  they  added  to  it, 
making  a  farm  of  124  acres  of  improved  land.  James  McBeth  married  Mary,  daugh- 
ter of  David  Miller,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Howard,  and  ten  children  were  born 
to  them,  nine  of  whom  are  living  to-day.  Robert  McBeth  is  a  farmer  by  occupation, 
and  now  owns  the  old  homestead  where  he  lives.  At  a  call  for  men  he  enlisted  in 
the  I89tli  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  in  serving  his  country  he  nearly  lost  his  life,  but  a  shield 
on  his  belt  .saved  his  life,  and  is  kept  as  a  memorial  by  him.  Mr.  McBeth  was  edu- 
cated in  the  district  schools.  He  is  an  active  worker  in  the  church  and  is  a  member 
of  the  U.  P.  church  of  the  town  of  Howard.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

Meeks,  William  A.,  was  born  in  Tompkins  count}-,  September  19,  1833,  son  of 
Christopher  Meeks,  who  was  born  in  Dutchess  county,  October  20,  1788,  and  came  to 
the  town  of  Howard  in  1834  and  settled  near  Howard  Flats,  working  a  farm  for  his 
father.  Later  he  came  to  Bert  Hill  and  purchased  the  land  known  as  the  Cummings 
farm,  where  he  resided  until  his  death  which  occurred  in  1867.  October  15, 
1808,  he  married  Polly  M.  Barber,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  the  following 
children:  Charity,  Delila,  Rachael,  Elias,  John,  Samanthia,  Caroline,  Edward, 
Sallie  J.,  Christopher,  Bradley,  Joseph,  and  Augustus.  William  A.  was  edu- 
cated in  the  district  schools,  and  first  started  for  himself  on  the  farm  where 
he  has  resided  since  1857,  and  which  consists  of  216  acres.  He  married  Agnes, 
daughter  of  Adam  Lander,  a  farmer  of  Howard,  and  they  were  the  parents  of 
three  children:  Charles  Seamor,  Walter  Seward,  and  Jessie.  Both  of  the  sons  are 
farmers  bv  occupation,  and  Walter  resides  at  home.  Mrs.  Meeks  died  in  1892,  at 
the  age  of  sixty-five.  In  politics  Mr.  Meeks  is  a  Republican,  has  been  assessor  and 
filled  other  minor  offices. 

Masters,  Herbert  J.,  was  born  where  he  lives  in  1854,  son  of  Lewis  H.  and  Effie 
Schuyler  Masters,   natives  of  New  Jersey    and   Montgomery    county,   N.    Y.     The 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  409 

father  came  frpm  New  Jersey  in  1827  with  his  jDarents,  Nehemiah  and  Harriet  Mas- 
ters, who  died  on  the  home  place  in  Hornby.  The  father  also  died  here  in  1883,  the 
mother  is  still  residing  on  the  home  place.  Mr.  Masters  is  an  only  child.  In  1893 
he  married  Caroline  Timermau.  a  native  of  Painted  Post,  and  they  have  one  daugh- 
ter, Gertrude. 

Morse,  Willard  C,  was  born  in  Harrington,  Yates  county,  N.  Y.,  October  20,  1820, 
and  settled  in  this  county  in  November,  1844.  He  is  a  .son  of  Dr.  David  Morse,  who 
was  a  surgeon  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  a  native  of  Woodstock,  Conn.,  and 
married  Hannah,  daughter  of  Capt.  Willard  Child.  Willard  C.  married  Mary  E. 
Cooper,  and  they  have  one  son  living,  John  Cooper  Morse.  They  lost  one  daughter, 
Elizabeth  E. 

Mitchell,  Mrs.  Alma  B. — Prominent  among  the  leading  physicians  of  Addison,  was 
the  late  Dr.  John  Mitchell,  who  died  here  in  1886.  His  widow.  Alma  B.,  daughter 
of  David  Hubbard,  and  six  children  live  to  cherish  the  memory  of  a  kind  husband 
and  a.  loving  father,  and  the  communit}^  a  faithful  and  conscientious  practitioner. 
Dr.  Mitchell,  who  was  born  at  Lisle  in  1824,  was  the  son  of  John  Mitchell,  a  furniture 
dealer.  He  graduated  from  the  University  of  Buffalo  in  1851,  his  diploma  bearing 
the  signature  of  Millard  Fillmore.  Through  his  profession  he  gained  the  appoint- 
ment of  surgeon  of  the  106th  Regiment  of  National  Guards,  during  the  civil  war. 
He  came  to  Addison  m  1854,  where  he  won  the  respect  of  all  who  knew  him.  He 
was  an  earnest  member  of  the  M.  E.  church,  and  was  married  in  1851. 

jMcKa}',  Mrs.  Annie. — The  late  Amaziah  Sylvester  McKay  was  born  in  1833,  in  the 
old  town  of  Pompey,  Onondaga  county,  son  of  Philo  McKay,  a  shoemaker.  His 
early  daj-s  were  spent  at  Bath,  and  near  Avoca,  and  he  taught  school  for  a  time  in 
Howard.  He  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  Dininny  law  office,  where  he  afterward 
practiced,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1858.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and 
in  1865  was  sent  to  the  State  Legislature  as  a  member  of  assembly.  In  1859  Mr.  Mc- 
Kay married  Annie,  daughter  of  Major  Arthur  Erwin,  an  old  and  well  known  family, 
after  whom  the  town  of  Erwin  was  named.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McKay  were  the  parents 
of  two  children:  Helen,  wife  of  H.  S.  Rose,  who  is  a  jeweler  in  Addison ;  and  Arthur 
Philo,  a  law  student  in  Delmar  Darrin's  office,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-four 
years. 

Moore,  T.  V.,  was  born  in  Jasper  in  1845,  and  has  been  engaged  in  the  retail  hard- 
ware trade  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century.  His  first  mercantile  venture  was  when 
associated  with  L.  V.  Lain  in  1871,  and  he  afterward  run  a  store  at  Canisteo,  Osce- 
ola, and  Mansfield,  returning  to  Addison  in  1890  and  purchasing  of  Brewster  Bros, 
their  business  on  Tuscarora  street,  of  which  George  Weatherby  became  a  partner 
earh''  in  1892. 

Mead,  A.  R. — Purdy  A.  Mead  was  born  in  Greenwood,  December  10,  1830,  son  of 
Alvin  and  Sarah  Ann  Mead.  He  engaged  in  farming  with  the  exception  of  one  year 
when  he  kept  a  boarding  house  in  Elk,  Pa.  April  9, 1865,  he  married  Jemima  Pea.se, 
sister  of  R.  A.  Pea.se  mentioned  elsewhere,  who  still  resides  on  the  farm  where  they 
settled  in  1868,  and  which  she  has  successfully  managed  since  the  death  of  Mr.  Mead, 
which  occurred  March  4, 1882.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mead  were  the  parents  of  two  children : 
Alvin  R.,  born  December  8,  1873,  who  has  taken  charge  of  the  homestead  farm 


410  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

lately,  and  is  a  member  of  Sentinel  Lodge,  No.  151,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Greenwood;  and 
Hattie  B.,  born  March  2,  1878,  who  was  educated  in  Andover,  and  is  now  teaching 
school.  Politically,  Mr.  Mead  was  a  Democrat,  and  was  assessor  nine  years,  and 
elected  supervisor  without  opposition  the  spring  before  his  death.  The  family  are 
Methodists. 

McCollum,  Finley,  was  born  February  4,  1827.  His  grandfather  on  his  mother's 
side,  John  Stevenson,  was  born  in  Scotland,  and  came  to  America  about  1778,  and 
located  in  Washington  county,  where  he  lived  for  a  time  and  in  1820  came  to  Howard 
where  he  was  one  of  the  first  settlers,  and  engaged  in  farming.  He  died  in  1864. 
Hugh  McCollum,  father  of  Finley,  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  N.  Y.,  January 
24,  1777,  and  came  to  Howard  and  located  on  a  farm  one  mile  south  of  Big  Creek, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming  in  summer  and  taught  school  during  the  winter  for 
about  twenty  terms.  He  died  March  16,  1882.  In  1824  he  married  Jane  Stevenson, 
who  was  born  February  28,  1806,  and  died  August  2,  1867,  by  whom  he  had  three 
children:  Daniel  S  ,  born  June  20,  1825;  Fmley,  as  above;  and  Katherine,  born 
February  14,  1829.  Daniel  S.  is  unmarried  and  lives  with  his  brother  Finley,  who 
has  a  farm  of  124  acres.  Katherine  married  John  Brasted;  he  died  and  she  moved 
to  Nebraska  with  her  family.  Finley  McCollum  received  a  good  education,  and  is 
located  on, a  farm  one  mile  south  of  Big  Creek,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming.  He 
has  held  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  four  years  and  assessor  six  years.  March 
11,  1858,  he  married  Eunice  Cross,  who  died  November  4,  1859,  by  whom  he  had  one 
child,  Eunice  May,  born  July  27,  1859,  and  died  October  2  1871.  June  14,  1864,  he 
married  for  his  second  wife,  Cyntha  Jane,  daughter  of  John  Burdick  of  Allegany 
county,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Finley  Ray,  born  January  28,  1866,  and 
lives  at  home. 

McCaig,  Alexander,  was  born  in  Scotland  in  1887,  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Mc- 
Mellon)  McCaig,  both  natives  of  Scotland,  who  came  to  America  in  1850,  and  settled 
in  Geneva,  thence  to  Rathbone  in  1864,  where  they  died.  In  1866  Alexander  Mc- 
Caig married  Annie  Nicholson,  daughter  of  Richard  Nicholson,  a  native  of  England 
who  came  to  Am.erica  in  1850  and  settled  in  Allegany  county,  where  he  died.  Mr. 
apd  Mrs.  McCaig  have  four  children:  Margaret,  John,  Richard,  and  Harry.  Mr. 
McCaig  has  always  followed  farming,  and  now  owns  100  acres  of  land  in  Rathbone 
which  he  purchased  in  1875.     He  is  a  memb'fer  of  Rathbone  Grange. 

May,  Harry  R.,  was  born  in  Bath,  Steuben  county,  in  1828,  son  of  James  May,  a 
native  of  Connecticut,  who  came  to  this  country  about  1815  and  raised  and  reared  a 
family  of  three  sons  and  one  daughter.  He  was  a  chairmaker  and  died  in  1872,  aged 
eighty-two  years.  When  twenty-one  years  of  age  Henry  R.  May  began  civil  engi- 
neering and  followed  it  in  the  West  about  eight  years,  and  in  1858  came  to  Corning 
where  he  was  conductor  on  the  Erie  railroad  from  that  date  until  1886,  when  he  es- 
tablished his  present  busmess  as  manufacturer  and  dealer  in  confectionery. 

Moore,  Joseph  F.,  was  born  in  Scotland,  in  1832,  came  to  America  when  seven- 
teen years  old,  and  in  1851  located  at  Corning.  He  was  engaged  in  the  foundry 
business  three  or  four  years,  and  then  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Erie  Railroad  Co. 
for  fourteen  years.  He  has  filled  various  town  and  city  offices,  and  is  largely  inter- 
ested  in    Kansas  investments,  and  was  president  of  the  Manhattan  Kansas  Bank, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  411 

which  discontinued  its  business  a  few  years  ago  by  asking  its  depositors  to  withdraw 
their  money.  In  1855  he  married  Adele  Clarke,  a  native  of  Carbondale,  Pa.,  and 
daughter  of  Jesse  Clarke,  who  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Corning,  locating  at  the 
Corning  Miil  in  1835,  He  built  Coming's  first  foundry  and  assisted  in  building  the 
first  Methodist  church.  Mr.  Clarke  was  one  of  the  first  to  leave  Corning  for  Califor- 
nia in  1849.     He  died  and  was  buried  at  the  foot  of  the  Black  Hills. 

Mills,  E.  D.,  was  born  in  Fairfield,  Conn.,  and  came  to  Corning  in  infancy.  In 
1857  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  practiced  in  the  city  of  New  York  until  1865, 
and  has  since  been  located  in  Corning,  where  he  is  city  attorney,  and  one  of  the  lead- 
ing older  attorneys  of  the  city.     He  was  district  attorney  from  1872  to  1878. 

Matoon,  James,  was  born  in  Johnstown,  Fulton  county,  N.  Y.,  June  10,  1850,  son 
of  Alonzo  and  Ann  Jeanette  (Allen)  Matoon.  Alonzo  Matoon  is  a  mason  by  trade, 
and  came  from  Glovergville  to  Wayne  in  1855,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics  and  was  justice  of  the  peace  at  Glover.sville.  James  Matoon 
was  engaged  in  farming  until  1887,  and  in  1895  he  took  charge  of  the  Hotel  Helvetia, 
of  which  he  is  now  landlord.  In  1876  he  married  Fannie  Phelps,  daughter  of  David 
and  Elmira  (Champlin)  Phillips,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Johnnie,  who  died  Sep- 
tember 8.  1881,  aged  fourteen  months.  Mr.  Matoon  is  a  member  of  Royal  Tent, 
No.  70,  of  Bath,  K.  O.  T.  M. 

Moore,  John  D.,  was  born  in  Canisteo,  Steuben  county,  January  i',  1814.  John 
Moore,  his  father,  was  born  m  Ireland,  and  came  to  .the  United  States  when  thir- 
teen years  of  age.  They  settled  in  Canisteo,  where  they  purchased  400  acres  of  land 
for  ten  dollars  per  acre,  and  the  deed  for  this  land  was  the  first  recorded  after  Steu- 
ben county  was  formed.  He  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering  and  in  running  a 
saw  mill,  and  -was  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  married  Hannah  Daw,  by  whom  he  had 
seven  children :  James,  Thomas,  John  D.,  Samuel,  Joseph,  Edward  B.  and  Sarah. 
John  D.  is  a  farmer  and  lumberman ;  the  latter  business  he  has  followed  for  forty 
years.  He  married  Angeline  Root,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Thomas,  Will- 
iam and  Lydia.  He  married  for  his  second  wife  Mary  E.  A^-er  of  Jamestown,  N.  Y., 
by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Frederick,  who  is  dead.  Mr.  Moore  is  a  member  of  Morn- 
ing Star  Lodge  of  Masons,  No.  65,  also  of  the  Hornellsville  Chapter. 

Morgan,  George  E.,  was  born  in  Allegany,  Cattaraugus  county,  N.  Y.,  October  7, 
1857,  and  is  the  only  son  of  George  and  Eunice  (Thompson)  Morgan,  both  natives 
of  Massachusetts.  The  grandparents,  Eastman  and  Eunice  Morgan,  came  from 
Massachusetts  and  settled  in  Cattaraugus  county,  where  they  engaged  in  farming, 
and  where  they  died.  The  maternal  grandparents  were  also  pioneers  of  Cattarau- 
gus county,  and  came  from  Massachusetts.  George  Morgan,  father  of  George  E., 
was  a  farmer  of  Cattaraugus  county,  where  he  died  in  1858.  Mrs.  Morgan  married 
the  second  time,  Joseph  Moyes,  and  they  had  two  children.  Mr.  Moyes  was  a  soldier 
in  the  late  war  and  died  in  18 — .  Mrs.  Moyes  married  W.  J.  Miller  of  Woodhull. 
George  E.  Morgan  has  always  followed  farming,  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  170  acres 
in  Troupsburg.  He  married  Hannah  Mowray  in  1878.  They  have  one  adopted  son, 
David  Morgan. 

Miller,  James  U.,  was  born  in  Oxford,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  June  11,  1825,  son 
of  Andrew  and   Zernah   Mowrey   Miller,   natives  of    Connecticut,  who  came  to  Che- 


412  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

nango  county  in  1800,  where  both  died  on  the  farm  on  which  they  settled  In  poli- 
tics he  was  a  Democrat  and  was  assessor,  justice  of  the  peace  and  commissioner  of 
highways.  James  U.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools, 
and  is  a  farmer  by  occupation,  owning  117  acres  in  Woodhull,  near  the  village,  where 
he  located  in  March,  1850.  He  was  in  the  mercantile  business  twelve  years  in  Wood- 
hull.  At  the  present  time,  in  addition  to  his  farming,  he  manufactures  shingles  and 
carries  on  a  planing,  cider  and  grist  mill,  and  conducts  an  extensive  business,  manu- 
facturing about  250,000  feet  yearly,  and  400,000  shingles.  Mr.  Miller  is  a  Prohibi- 
tionist and  has  been  highway  commissioner  of  his  town.  In  1850  he  married  Ange- 
line  Symonds,  a  native  of  Oxford,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Sarah,  de- 
ceased; Mary,  wife  of  Augustus  E.  Wheeler,  of  Greene,  N.  Y.,  and  they  have  five 
children:  Lynn,  Howard,  Ella,  Anna  and  Alice;  and  Dewitt.  The  grandfather  of 
James  U.,  Andrew  Miller,  was  born  in  Connecticut,  and  in  1800  came  to  Chenango 
county,  N.  Y.,  where  he  died.  His  wife  was  born  in  Connecticut  and  died  in  Oxford. 
The  maternal  grandfather,  George  Mowrey,  was  born  in  England  and  came  to  Amer- 
ica when  a  child  and  settled  m  Oxford,  where  he  died. 

Morley,  Addison  L.,  was  born  in  Springwater,  N.  Y.,  in  1844.  His  father,  Harvey 
Morley,  was  of  New  England  birth,  and  died  in  Springfield,  N.  Y.,  in  1867,  aged 
seventy-seven  years.  He  was  twice  married,  and  his  second  wife  was  Sarah  Cros 
well,  who  was  born  in  Ontario  county,  and  died  at  Honeoye,  in  1877,  aged  seventy- 
seven  years.  They  had  ten  children:  Lorena,  Mabel  E.,  Catherine,  Jasper,  Lucre- 
tia,  Jane,  Henry,  Addison  L.,  Steward  and  Wesley,  all  living.  Addison  L.  received 
a  common  school  education,  and  at  twenty-three  years  of  age  engaged  as  clerk  in 
the  store  of  Benjamin  Hess  in  Wayland.  In  1866  he  rented  a  place  of  John  Hess, 
where  he  sold  groceries,  flour  and  feed,  where  he  remained  for  two  years,  when  he 
rented  a  store  on  Main  street,  enlarged  his  stock  and  remained  here  one  year.  He 
then  moved  into  a  new  store  near  the  depot,  where  he  remained  until  1871,  after 
which  he  rented  a  store  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Fremont  streets,  and  remained 
here  one  year.  He  then  bought  a  site  and  erected  a  store  where  the  opera  house  now 
is,  where  he  remained  until  it  burned  in  1893.  He  afterwards  bought  a  site  on  East 
Naples  street  and  erected  a  commodious  store  in  1894,  where  can  now  be  found  dry 
goods,  carpets,  boots  and  shoes,  wall  paper,  trunks,  hand  bags,  etc.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Phoenix  Lodge,  No.  113,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Dansville,  also  a  member  of  Wayland 
Lodge  of  I.  O.  O.  F.,  No.  176.  At  Wayland,  in  1867,  he  married  Carrie  Marther, 
who  was  born  in  Wayland  in  1849,  by  whom  he  has  two  children :  Ray,  born  Novem- 
ber 30,  1876,  and  May,  born  July  38,  1880.  In  1864  he  enlisted  in  188th  N.  Y.  Vols. , 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Hatcher's  Run,  Weldon 
Railroad,  Second  Hatcher's  Run,  Frazier's  Farm,  Gravelly  Run  and  Five  Forks. 

Miller,  Prof.  Curtis,  was  born  in  Madison  county,  in  1865,  son  of  Rev.  Samuel  Mil- 
ler, who  is  a  native  of  Oneida  county,  and  one  of  ten  children  born  to  Curtis  Miller. 
Curtis  Miller,  the  grandfather,  was  always  actively  interested  in  all  public  affairs 
pertaining  to  the  w-elfare  of  his  town  and  county,  and  married  Mary  Duncan,  who  is 
of  Scotch  descent.  Rev.  Samuel  Miller  was  reared  on  a  farm,  became  a  Congrega- 
tional minister,  and  served  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  as  second  lieutenant  in  Co.  K, 
117th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  also  served  in  the  defences  around  Washington,  D.  C.  He  mar- 
ried Mary,  daughter  of  Dr.  Horace  Bigelow  of  Auburn,  N.  Y. ,  by  whom  he  had  three 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  413 

children:  Curtis;  Mary,  wife  of  Herbert  Brownell  of  Peru,  Neb.,  and  Gertrude. 
Prof.  Curtis  Miller  was  educated  in  Colgate  Academy,  Madison,  N.  Y.,  and  gradu- 
ated from  Hamilton  College  at  Clinton,  Oneida  county,  in  1889,  after  which  he  ac- 
cepted the  principalship  of  the  Franklin  Academy  and  Union  School  at  Prattsburg, 
in  which  capacity  he  has  acted  ever  since,  and  under  whose  management  the  school 
made  rapid  progress,  the  membership  of  foreign  students  having  nearly  doubled 
during  his  first  five  years  as  principal.  In  1889  he  married  Eveline  M.,  daughter  of 
David  and  Mary  Barton  of  Oneida  county.     Mrs.  Miller  is  a  member  of  the  N.  N.  C. 

McMindes,  Uzal,  was  born  in  Jasper,  October  16,  1845,  son  of  Hiram  and  Olive 
(Woodward)  McMindes ;  he  a  native  of  Jasper  and  son  of  Uzal  McMindes,  one  of  the 
first  settlers  of  the  town.  Hiram  McMindes  was  a  carpenter  and  also  a  farmer,  and 
now  lives  at  Jasper,  at  seventy-seven  years  of  age.  His  wife  is  also  living  at  the 
same  age.  Uzal  McMindes  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common 
schools  He  is  a  farmer  and  now  owns  168  acres  of  land,  and  follows  general  farm- 
ing and  dairying.  He  owns  the  old  John  Marlatt  farm.  March  18,  1869,  he  mar- 
ried Addie,  daughter  of  Vincent  Van  Orsdale  of  Jasper,  by  whom  he  had  two  chil- 
dren: Jennie,  wife  of  Seymour  Heckman,  they  have  one  son,  Herman  L. ;  and  Maud. 
Mr.  McMindes  enlisted  in  1864,  in  Co.  H,  161st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  one  year,  and 
was  at  the  Siege  of  Mobile,  Spanish  Fort  and  Blakesley. 

Mayhew,  John  C,  was  born  in  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  August  26,  1839,  son  of 
Harvey  and  Grace  (Edwards)  Mayhew,  natives  of  Broome  and  Chenango  counties, 
respectively,  who  came  to  Jasper  in  1845,  where  he  died.  Mrs.  Mayhew  died  in  Penn- 
sylvania while  on  a  visit  to  her  daughters.  The  grandfather,  John  Mayhew,  died  in 
Broome  county,  and  the  maternal  grandfather,  John  C.  Edwards,  died  in  Troups- 
burg.  John  C.  Mayhew  was  reared  on  a  farm,  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and 
is  a  carpenter  by  trade,  but  owns  a  farm  of  ninety-eight  acres.  May  10,  1868,  he 
married  Lodosky,  daughter  of  Eber  and  Letitia  (Moore)  Styles  of  Troupsburg, 
by  whom  he  had  two  children ;  Orra,  wife  of  Joel  Willis  of  Troupsburg ;  and  Albert, 
who  died  at  seven  years  of  age.  In  1861  Mr.  Mayhew  enlisted  in  Co.  K,  86th  N.  Y. 
Vols.,  and  served  nearly  four  years,  and  was  at  Second  Bull  Run,  Chancellorsville, 
Beverly  Ford,  Gettysburg,  Auburn,  Kelly's  Ford,  Locust  Grove,  Mine  Run,  Wilder- 
ness, Poe  River,  vSpottsylvania,  Ander.son  Farm,  North  Anna  River,  Tolopotomy 
Creek,  Cold  Harbor,  Siege  and  Capture  of  Petersburg  Jones's  House,  Deep  Bottom, 
Hatcher's  Run,  Boydton  Plank  Road,  Five  Forks,  Amelia  Springs,  Farmville,  and 
the  Surrender  of  Lee. 

McNett,  James,  M.D.,  was  born  in  Buffalo,  September  9,  1855.  Col.  Andrew  James 
McNett,  his  father,  was  born  at  Sackett's  Harbor,  N.  Y.,  October  3,  1818.  He  was 
given  a  good  education  and  then  taught  school  for  a  number  of  years.  He  then  be- 
came a  harnessmaker  and  saddler.  He  afterwards  took  up  the  study  of  law  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar.  He  was  at  one  time  a  member  of  our  State  Legislature.  At 
the  outbreak  of  the  war  he  was  one  of  the  first  volunteers,  serving  all  through  and 
losing  an  arm.  He  afterwards  became  a  member  of  the  Regular  Army.  He  went 
out  as  captain  and  returned  as  a  colonel.  He  is  the  father  of  three  children :  Dr. 
George  C.  McNett,  of  Bath ;  Mrs.  James  E.  Norton ;  and  James.  The  latter  was 
educated  in  Alfred  University,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1877  witfi  the  degree  of 


414  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Ph.  B.  In  the  same  year  he  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  the 
City  of  New  York,  from  which  he  graduated  February  13,  1880,  with  the  degree  of 
M.  D.  His  hospital  work  was  done  during  his  regular  course,  so  as  soon  as  he  grad- 
uated he  began  practice  in  Hornellsville,  May  1,  1880,  where  he  has  an  extensive 
practice.  With  the  exception  of  one  year,  the  doctor  has  been  connected  with  the 
Board  of  Health  ever  since  coming  to  the  city.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonicorder 
of  thirty-two  degrees,  also  a  member  of  the  I.O.O.F.  In  October,  1882,  he  married 
Eva  Sauter,  by  whom  he  has  one  child,  "James  S. 

McGill,  Charlie  W.,  was  born  in  Hobart,  Delaware  county,  N.  Y.,  January  18, 
1'843.  James  McGill,  the  father  of  Charlie,  was  a  ri  ative  of  Scotland,  who  was  brought 
to  this  country  by  his  parents  when  he  was  only  a  babe.  He  made  his  home  in  New 
York  city  until  about  fifteen  years  of  age,  then  locating  in  Delaware  county  where  he 
was  engaged  in  farming  until  about  1855.  He  then  entered  the  employ  of  the  Erie 
Railroad  as  car  inspector.  He  located  in  Hornehsville  about  1851  and  it  was  here  the 
family  have  since  made  their  home.  He  was  killed  at  Hornellsville  station,  Decem- 
ber 26,  1864.  Charlie  was  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  five  children,  two  sons  and 
three  daughters.  His  only  brother,  Albert,  was  killed  on  the  railroad  at  Great  Bend, 
September  4,  1862.  Charlie  was  educated  in  the  city  schools  and  one  year  at  Alfred 
University.  His  first  employment  was  with  the  railroad  with  whom  he  started  at 
only  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  has  ever  since,  until  June,  1894,  been  in  the  employ- 
ment of  the  Erie  Company,  without  a  lay-off,  except  a  year  spent  at  Alfred  Univer- 
sity. He  has  never  been  called  up  for  reprimand  or  discharge  and  has  never  had  a 
serious  accident  in  this  time.  Commencing  as  a  water  boy,  he  rose  to  a  brakem.an  and 
at  twenty  years  of  age  he  was  conductor  on  a  freight,  which  position  he  held  for  eight 
years  and  for  the  last  twenty-three  years  he  has  been  conductor  on  a  passenger  train. 
He  has  for  a  number  of  years  been  on  the  Monitor  and  his  regular  run  is  now  trains 
24  and  29.  Mr.  McGill  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  for  twenty-five 
years,  Hornellsville  Lodge  No.  331,  Steuben  Chapter  No.  101,  and  De  Molay  Com- 
mandery,  and  Hornellsville  Consistory  of  thirty-two  degrees.  He  belongs  to  the 
Episcopal  Society.  February  21,  1871,  he  married  Helen,  daughter  of  Gilbert  Pres- 
ton, a  name  familiar  to  railroad  men  as  the  first  to  take  an  engine  over  the  old 
Portage  Bridge.  Gilbert  Preston  died  in  1878.  Mrs.  and  Mrs.  Gill  have  one  son, 
Charlie  Mortimer,  now  a  student  at  law  in  the  office  of  Irvin  W.  Near. 

Morris,  George  W.,  was  born  in  the  township  of  Ray,  Macomb  county,  Mich., 
March  22,  1835.  Benjamin  Morris,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  this  State,  born 
in  Morrisville,  Madison  county,  who  removed  to  Michigan  in  1831,  and  his  father  was 
a  native  of  Massachusetts,  who  moved  to  Madison  county,  N.  Y.,  m  1796,  when  he 
was  eleven  years  of  age.  Benjamin  Morris  was  a  farmer  and  when  he  moved 
to  Michigan  he  took  up  eighty  acres  of  government  land,  which  he  increased  by  pur- 
chase to  160  acres.  George  followed  farming  until  twenty  eight  years  old,  when  he 
began  milling  at  Birmingham,  Oakland  county,  conducting  a  custom  mill  thirteen 
years,  then  moved  to  Reed  City,  Osceola  county,  where  he  built  a  new  mill  in  1877. 
In  1883  he  remodeled  the  mill  into  a  full  roller  merchant  mill.  He  continued  there 
until  1889  and  that  year  sold  out  and  returned  to  farming.  At  that  time  he  was  the 
owner  of  420  acres  in  Michigan.  In  1892  he  exchanged  with  T.  J.  O.  Thatcher  240 
acres  of  that  land  for  the  Valley  Roller  Mills  at  Hornellsville.    Since  coming  here  Mr. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  415 

Morris  has  made  many  improvements,  prominent  among  them  being  the  change  from 
steam  to  water  power,  utihzing  a  fifteen-foot  head  with  two  Little  Giant  turbine  water 
wheels,  which  gives  them  about  sixty  horse-power,  and  has  also  made  a  complete 
renovation  in  the  milling  system,  increasing  the  capacity  to  seventy-five  barrels  of 
flour  per  day,  and  sixty  barrels  of  buckwheat  per  day.  The  mill  employs  five  hands. 
July  1,  1894,  Mr.  Morris  formed  a  partnership  with  Jacob  Braack,  a  practical  miller, 
the  firm  now  being  G.  W.  Morris  &  Co.  The  greater  portion  of  the  grain  used  is 
raised  in  this  county.  August  15,  1894,  he  married  Blanche  Sharp  of  Howard,  Steu- 
ben county.  Two  children  by  a  former  marriage  are  living:  S.  Adele,  wife  of  M.W. 
Stevenson,  of  Stanton,  IMich.,  and  Hattie  E.  Morris,  who  lives  at  home. 

Mitchell,  Dr.  Samuel,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Rathbone,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y., 
March  19,  1855.  He  is  the  second  son  of  the  late  Dr.  Samuel  Mitchell.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  city  schools  and  a  select  school  kept  by  Frances  Dwight.  In  the  fall  of 
1876  he  entered  the  University  of  Michigan  at  Ann  Arbor  and  after  spending  one 
year  went  to  the  University  of  New  York,  from  which  he  graduated  March  12.  1879. 
He  followed  the  practice  of  the  profession  for  three  years  with  his  father,  and  then 
went  in  business  with  his  father-in-law,  William  O'Connor,  in  which  business  he  was 
engaged  for  six  years.  January,  1888,  he  went  to  New  York  and  entered  the  Post 
Graduate  School  for  the  special  study  of  diseases  of  the  eye,  ear  and  throat,  and 
made  also  studies  in  the  different  eye  and  ear  hospitals.  He  was  also  for  a  time  in 
the  oiBce  of  specialist  Dr.  Hepburn,  assistant  surgeon  of  the  Manhattan  Eye  and 
Ear  Hospital.  May  1,  1888,  he  returned  to  Hornellsville,  where  he  began  the  prac- 
tice of  a  special  treatment  of  the  eye,  ear  and  throat.  He  has  always  taken  an  active 
interest  in  church  work  and  is  the  present  treasurer  of  the  Park  Metfiodist  church 
and  a  steward.  He  was  married  in  1879  to  Isabel  A.  O'Connor,  daughter  of  William 
O'Connor;  they  have  four  children:  Edan  P.,  Floyd  C,  George  W.,  student  of  the 
academy,  and  William  Francis  of  the  common  school. 

Moore,  John  D.,  was  born  in  Bath,  Septembers,  1842.  John  Moore,  his  father,- 
came  to  the  town  of  Bath  at  the  age  of  three  years  with  his  parents,  John  and 
Amanda  Moore,  in  1807,  and  settled  on  the  farm  which  is  now  occupied  by  his  de- 
scendants, and  which  has  been  in  the  family  for  ninety-one  years.  John  Moore  mar- 
ried Purlunia,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Betsey  Kenney,  and  through  life  was  identified 
as  a  farmer.  He  died  in  1878,  aged  seventy-five  years,  and  leaving  a  wife,  one  son, 
John  D.,  and  two  daughters,  Mrs.  E.  T.  Hewlett,  and  Laura. 

McElwee  Bros. — Montgomery  D.  McEhvee  was  born  on  the  homestead  farm  Octo- 
ber 25,  1839.  It  was  a  part  of  the  Henry  McElwee  tract  and  was  cleared  up  by  his  father, 
Samuel  McElwee,  and  has  been  in  the  family  nearly  100  j^ears.  Samuel  McElwee 
married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Moses  Fish,  and  through  life  was  identified  as 
a  farmer,  and  died  in  1884,  aged  seventy-three  years.  He  had  three  sons,  Montgom- 
ery D.,  Samuel,  and  Thompson  T.,  who  married  Carrie,  daughter  of  William  Buyer, 
by  whom  he  had  two  children,  Elizabeth  and  Harriet. 

McCall,  Ansel  J.,  was  born  at  Corning,  January  14,  1816.  Ansel  McCall,  his 
father,  was  a  native  of  Lebanon  Springs,  and  the  family  trace  their  descent  from 
James  McCall,  freeman  by  order  of  General  Court  at  Marshfield,  Mass.,  in  1684. 
Ansel   married    Sarah   Weed   for   his   first   wife,    and   for   his    second   he    married 


416  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Ann  Shannon,  daughter  of  Robert  Shannon,  who  through  life  was  identified  in  ad- 
vancing the  besc  interests  of  his  town,  being  one  of  the  pioneer  millers  at  Painted 
Post.  A.  J.  McCall  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  in  1838  he  graduated 
from  Union  College,  and  in  the  same  year  came  to  Bath  and  began  the  study  of  law. 
He  was  admitted  in  1841,  and  has  practiced  for  fifty-six  years  in  Bath.  In  1856  he 
married  Mary,  daughter  of  Dr.  Simpson  Ellis,  by  whom  he  had  four  children: 
A.  Ellis,  James,  Sophia,  and  Anna. 

McNamara,  John,  was  born  in  Upper  Canada,  August  10,  1846.  Michael  Mc- 
Namara,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Ireland  and  came  to  Le  Roy,  N.  Y.,  in  1848, 
where  he  died  in  1876,  in  his  eighty-fifth  year.  John  McNamara  was  educated  at 
Le  Roy,  and  in  1866  he  came  to  Bath  and  entered  the  employ  of  D.  C.  Howell.  In 
1870  he  entered  the  hardware  store  of  E.  H.  Hastings  &  Co.,  remaining  eleven 
years.  In  1882  he  went  to  Hammondsport  and  purchased  a  stock  of  hardware,  re- 
maining until  March  1,  1883,  when  he  came  to  Bath  and  purchased  the  Hastings 
stock  and  business,  and  in  1888  disposed  of  it  to  George  W.  Paine.  In  the  same  year 
he  established  his  present  business,  carrying  a  full  line  of  hardware.  In  1876  he 
married  Mary,  daughter  of  John  Baty  of  Bath,  by  whom  he  had  four  children: 
Frank  B.,  Edward  J.,  George  D.,  and  Nellie.  John  McNamara  is  one  of  the  lead- 
ing business  men  of  his  town,  serving  as  tax  collector  and  trustee,  and  has  been  chief 
of  the  fire  department  for  four  years,  and  has  been  identified  in  advancing  the  best 
interests  of  the  town  and  towns-people. 

McConnell,  Frederick,  was  born  in  Howard,  July  12,  1859.  Aaron  McConnell,  his 
father,  was  also  a  native  of  Howard,  and  the  family  were  descendants  from  Charles 
McConnell,  who  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1808,  and  settled  in  Howard.  Aaron 
McConnell  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Nathan  Robertson,  and  his  life  was  identified 
in  the  mercantile  business,  serving  as  supervisor  for  three  successive  terms.  He 
died  December  27,  1894,  in  his  seventy-third  3^ear.  The  family  have  been  prominent 
in  the  towm  of  Howard  since  its  organization.  Aaron  and  Sarah  McConnell  were 
the  parents  of  four  children:   Charles  Frederick,  Bert,  and  Harry. 

Merrill,  Fred  P.,  was  born  ni  Muscatine,  Iowa,  August  25,  1859.  His  parents  re- 
moved to  Maine  when  he  was  a  young  child,  and  he  w^as  educated  in  Portland, 
Maine.  At  seventeen  years  of  age  he  was  connected  with  the  glove  industry.  Sep- 
tember 4,  1889,  he  began  the  manufacture  of  fabric  gloves  at  Norwich,  where  he 
continued  until  December  17,  1890,  when  he  came  to  Hornellsville  and  in  company 
with  the  Rockwell  Brothers'  establishment,  the  glove  company  with  which  he  has 
been  since,  connected  both  as  partner  and  superintendent. 

Noble,  Henry  M.,  was  born  in  Bath,  October  2,  1868.  Edward  L.  Noble,  his 
father,  was  the  son  of  Lay  Noble  who  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  and  represent- 
ative men  of  Bath.  Edward  L.  married  Louisa,  daughter  of  Charles  Fairchild,  by 
whom  he  had  three  children,  Anna,  Charles  L.,  and  Henry  M.  He  bought  the 
Howell  farm,  which  is  known  as  the  Jersey  Home  stock  farm,  and  was  one  of  the 
representative  farmers  of  his  town.  He  died  in  1877.  Henry  M.  married  Bessie, 
daughter  of  John  Pre.sho,  in  1891,  and  has  made  a  specialty  of  breeding  pure  Jersey 
cattle. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  417 

Nicholson,  Wesley,  was  born  in  Luzerne  county.  Pa.,  December  24,  1817,  being 
the  seventh  son  of  Jonathan  Nicholson,  who  was  born  October  14,  1783,  and  died 
January  1,  1869.  Wesley's  mother,  Betsey  Schwingle  Nicholson,  was  born  in  1785 
and  died  August  11,  1845.  Wesley  was  educated  by  his  father  and  in  the  common 
schools  and  has  always  followed  farming.  He  started  for  himself  when  he  reached 
majority  by  the  purchase  of  102  acres  of  the  old  homestead  on  the  east  line  of  the 
town  of  Hornellsville  and  twelve  acres  in  the  town  of  Howard,  making  specialties  of 
grain  and  vegetables.  He  has  also  become  the  owner  of  a  farm  adjoining  the  west 
line  of  the  original  purchase.  He  was  married  March  15,  1846,  to  Jane,  daughter  of 
John  Leonard  of  Hector,  Schuyler  county,  and  they  have  two  children:  Leonard  J., 
who  conducts  the  old  homestead  farm,  and  Frances,  the  wife  of  Calvin  Nicholson,  a 
farmer  on  division  sixteen.  Mr.  Nicholson  and  family  are  members  of  the  Metho- 
dist church. 

Ordway,  William  H.,  was  born  in  Canisteo,  September  2,  1819.  Enoch  Ordway, 
his  father,  was  born  in  New  Hampshire,  and  in  his  early  days  followed  distilling, 
lumbering  and  farming.  William  H.  is  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  and  business 
men  of  the  town,  and  he  began  life  by  working  out  by  the  day,  and  running  on  the 
river,  which  was  then  a  paying  business.  He  acquired  about  365  acres  of  land  in 
Adrian,  which  in  1868  he  traded  for  a  farm,  which  is  known  as  lot  4  first  division. 
He  was  one  of  the  promoters  of  the  building  of  the  academy  m  Canisteo  village,  and 
is  one  of  the  trustees.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  John  Hallet,  by  whom  he  had 
four  children:  Charles,  who  enlisted  in  the  86th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  was  killed  in  second 
battle  of  Bull  Run;  Albert,  who  was  in  the  1st  N.  Y.  Cavalry;  Julia,  now  Mrs.  Her- 
man Crosby ;  Adella,  now  Mrs.  Clark  Braisted,  of  Westchester  county. 

Ostrander,  E.  E.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bath,  April  9,  1831,  son  of  John  Ostran- 
der,  a  native  of  Schoharie  county,  who  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1815.  He  mar- 
ried Eveline,  daughter  of  Elisha  Hanks.  He  was  a  member  of  Steuben  county  bar, 
and  also  engaged  in  mercantile  business,  and  holding  the  office  of  supervisor  for  a 
number  of  years.  He  died  in  1865,  aged  sixty-three  years.  E.  E.  Ostrander  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  has  engaged  in  lumbering,  mercantile  and  pro- 
duce business.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  23d  N.  Y.  Vols.,  served  two  years,  and 
re-enlisted  in  Co.  G,  22d  N.  Y.  Cavalry,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In 
1868  he  married  Fannie,  daughter  of  Hugh  Gay,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  five 
children:  Edward  E.,  Guy  N.,  Mead  H.,  Lillian  E.,  and  Harriet  E. 

Ostrander  Ervine,  was  born  in  Jasper,  March  24,  1841,  son  of  John  and  Mary  A. 
(Babcock)  Ostrander,  he  a  native  of  Coxsackie,  Greene  county,  and  his  wife  of  the 
same  connty.  They  came  to  Jasper  in  1841,  where  he  died  January  25,  1888.  Ervin 
Ostrander  was  reared  on  what  is  known  as  the  Spaulding  farm.  May  16,  1886,  he 
married  Kate,  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Abigail  (Eastman)  Huntington,  natives  of 
Greene  county  and  Tompkins  county,  respectively.  John  Huntington,  father  of 
Lewis,  died  in  Greene  county,  N.  Y.  The  father  of  Abigail  Eastman  died  in  Alle- 
gany county,  N.  Y.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ostrander  have  two  sons:  Walter  E. ,  born  May 
18,  1867,  who  married  Eva,  daughter  of  John  Carter,  and  was  educated  in  Canisteo: 
and  Merritt  E.,  born  June  11,  1870,  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and 
Canisteo  Academy. 


418  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Owens,  Alonzo,  was  born  in  Cameron;  March  22,  1842,  and  is  the  seventh  of  eleven 
children  born  to  Itharaar  and  Waita  Ann  (Briggs)  Owens,  he  a  native  of  Otsego, 
and  she  of  Yates  count3%  N.  Y.  The  grandparents  were  James  and  Nancy  (Alma) 
Owens,  he  of  Otsego,  N.  Y.,  and  she  of  Rhode  Island.  They  settled  first  at  Bluff 
Point,  from  where  they  removed  to  Cameron,  and  he  was  for  years  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  died  in  Cameron,  and  Mrs.  Owens  married  Isaac  Santee  of  Cameron. 
Ithamar  Owens  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  afterward  made  farming  his  occupation. 
He  was  always  in  poor  health  and  spent  his  last  days  at  Prospect  Hill,  near  Fre- 
donia,  in  grape  growing,  where  he  died.  Alonzo  Owens  was  educated  at  Troups- 
burg  Academy,  after  which  he  engaged  in  lumbering  in  Cameron  where  he  bought 
a  farm.  He  afterwards  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  and  then  a  dealer  in 
musical  instruments.  In  1882  he  came  to  Troupsburg  where  he  owns  126  acres  of 
land,  and  in  connection  with  his  farm  he  is  a  dealer  in  agricultural  implements,  and 
pianos  and  organs.  He  also  practices  law  in  justice  courts.  In  1867  he  married 
Seresa,  daughter  of  Joel  and  Martha  (Perdy)  Wheaton,  by  whom  he  had  nine  chil- 
dren: Agnes,  Eugene,  Alice  A.,  Melvin  T.,  Fannie,  Leland,  ClifPord,  Effie  G.,  and 
Bessie  B.  Agnes  is  the  wife  of  Rev.  L.  D.  Works  of  Huron,  South  Dakota;  Melvin 
T.  is  in  Huron  College ;  and  the  other  children  were  educated  at  Woodhull  Acad- 
emy. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wheaten  were  both  natives  of  Delaware  county,  and  came  first 
to  Addi.son,  thence  to  Cameron  in  1865,  where  he  died,  but  Mrs.  Wheaton  still  re- 
sides on  the  farm  at  Cameron. 

Olmstead,  Jeremiah,  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  May  4,  1813.  Erastus  01m- 
stead,  his  father,  was  born  in  Connecticut  and  came  to  Montgomery  county  quite 
early  in  life,  where  he  engaged  m  farming,  which  business  he  has  followed  all  his 
life.  He  cleared  a  farm  of  eighty-five  acres,  and  married  Jane  Conover  of  Mont- 
gomery county,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children.  Jeremiah  was  educated  in  the 
district  schools  of  Montgomery  county,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming,  which 
business  he  has  followed  all  his  life  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  180  acres  in  the  town  of 
Avoca.  He  married  Charlotte,  daughter  of  Rudolph  Dagart  of  Wheeler,  by  whom 
he  had  these  children:  Chester,  and  Alice,  now  Mrs.  Charles  Hope. 

Oxx,  Ripley,  was  born  in  Avoca,  July  2,  1834.  Jonathan  Oxx,  his  father  was  born 
in  Washington  county  in  1799,  and  came  to  Avoca  and  from  there  to  Howard  in 
about  1814,  and  settled  on  a  farm.  He  married  Sallie  K.,  daughter  of  Ripley  Colk, 
by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Ripley,  Hannah,  Warren  W.,  Steuben  C,  Monroe, 
and  Charity.  Ripley  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  Avoca,  after  which  he 
engaged  in  farming  which  he  has  followed  most  of  his  life.  He  married  Helen  Van 
Atten  of  Cohocton,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children.  Mr.  Oxx  has  held  the  office  of 
constable  for  many  years,  and  is  at  present  justice  of  the  peace. 

Oakden,  Alfred  H.,  was  born  Januaiy  14, 1867,  son  of  Hope  D.  and  Emily  (Nichols) 
Oakden,  natives  of  Hammondsport  and  Addison,  respectively.  They  were  married 
July  1,  1855,  and  had  six  children:  Alfred  H.,  Hope  D.,  Hollis,  Jessie  B.,  Mary,  and 
Maria,  who  died  when  nine  years  of  age.  Mr.  Oakden  was  a  farmer,  and  he  died 
March  5,  1879,  and  his  wife  resides  at  Nelson,  Pa.  The  grandfather,  Joseph  Oakden, 
was  born  in  England,  in  1803.  He  married  Maria  Hollis  and  came  to  America  and 
1  butchering  in  Hammondsport;    from  there  he  came  to  Addison   and 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  419 

bought  a  large  tract  of  land  in  Tuscarora,  the  most  of  which  he  has  divided  among 
his  grandchildren.  He  has  been  a  very  successful  man  and  still  resides  in  Tuscarora, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-two  years.  Alfred  H.  Oakden  married  Beatrice, 
daughter  of  Calvin  Stid,  by  whom  he  had  two  children.  Mr.  Oakden  has  170  acres 
of  land  and  is  engaged  in  general  farming. 

Osboru,  L.  M.,  was  born  August  31,  18o7.  His  grandfather,  William  Osborn,  was 
born  in  Scipio,  N.  Y.,  and  moved  to  South  Dansville,  where  he  followed  farming. 
He  died  at  ninety-seven  years  of  age.  Lewis  Osborn,  father  of  L.  M.,  was  born  in 
Scipio,  August  6,  1806,  and  died  August  27,  1852.  He  was  a  mason  by  trade,  but 
followed  farming,  and  owned  a  farm  of  150  acres.  He  married  Samantha  Gates, 
born  May  20,  1812,  and  died  July  29,  1865,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Alfonzo 
A.,  born  December  1,  1885;  and  L.  M.,  as  above,  who  was  educated  at  the  Rogers- 
ville  Seminary  and  taught  school  a  number  of  terms.  He  married  Rosetta,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Redman,  of  the  town  of  Ossian,  born  June  26,  1844,  and  by  whom  he  had 
six  children:  Samantha  Elizabeth,  born  November  21,  1863,  and  married  Michael  J. 
Fries;  Bertha  Luella.  born  February  23,  1867,  and  married  Smith  Harden;  Pheba 
Jane,  born  October  21,  1868,  and  married  Gideon  M.  Southgate;  Lewis  Frederick, 
born  October  9,  1870;  Susie  May,  born  September  2,  1875;  and  Dora  Ethel,  born 
July  28,  1885. 

Orr,  Ira,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Reading,  Schuyler  county,  N.  Y.,  December  25, 
1820.  His  father,  Peter  Orr,  was  born  in  Ireland,  m  1797,  and  came  to  America  in 
1811,  and  settled  at  Fort  Ann,  near  Lake  Champlain,  where  he  engaged  in  shoemak- 
ing.  He  lived  at  several  places  in  New  York,  and  at  last  went  to  the  town  of  Barry, 
Barry  county,  Mich.,  where  he  bought  a  farm  of  eighty  acres.  He  married  Jerusha 
Griswold,  who  was  born  near  Fort  Ann,  and  died  at  sixty  years  of  age,  by  whom  he 
had  five  children:  Auswell,  Ira,  as  above,  Jane,  William,  and  Mary.  Ira  Orr  has 
always  followed  farming.  He  has  lived  at  several  places  m  Steuben  county,  and  is 
the  owner  of  the  old  Captain  Merritt  farm  of  100  acres,  where  he  has  lived  thirty-six 
years.  He  married  Mary  Holt,  who  was  born  at  Bennett  s  Creek,  Steuben  county, 
June  14,  1823,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Ida  Isadore,  who  married  D.  F.  Hal- 
sey;  Viola,  deceased;  Oliver,  who  married  Katie  Billings;  Mary,  who  married  Scott 
Juel ;  and  Ira,  who  married  Nellie  Demerest. 

Orr,  James  C,  jr.,  was  born  in  Chenango  county,  June  28,  1827,  a  son  of  James  C. 
and  Orena  Orr,  who  settled  in  Tuscarora  in  1833.  Their  children  were  James  C, 
Calvin  D. ,  Sarah,  Joseph,  Oliver,  and  Nelson.  James  C,  jr.,  married  Adelia, 
daughter  of  AlpheusJ  C.  Newman,  who  came  to  WoodhuU  in  1839,  and  engaged  in 
farming  and  the  clothing  business.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Orr  had  three  children:  Elmer  N., 
Gertrude  A.,  and  Melvin  W.  Mr.  Orr  is  an  active  political  worker  and  has  been 
supervisor,  commissioner,  and  assessor  in  the  town  of  Lindley.  He  is  engaged  in 
lumbering  and  farming.  Melvin  W.  is  a  graduate  of  the  Rochester  Bu.siness  College 
and  Elmer  of  the  Binghamton  Business  College. 

Owen,  Cortland,  is  a  son  of  John  Owen  who  was  born  in  Otsego  county,  of  Welsh 
ancestry.  When  sixteen  years  of  age,  Cortland  enlisted  in  Co.  K,  86th  N.  Y.  Vols., 
serving  two  years.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville, 
and  at  the  latter  place  was  slightly  wounded,  taken  prisoner  and   sent  to  Libby 


420  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

prison,  but  was  paroled  and  exchanged  after  two  weeks'  captivity.  He  was  born  at 
Cameron,  in  1846.  Two  years  later  his  father  moved  to  Jasper  and  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. In  1865  he  purchased  a  saw  mill  and  carried  on  a  lumber  business.  Mr.  Owen 
worked  with  his  father  until  1871,  when  he  married  Martha  Harwood,  and  in  1872 
he  bought  his  father's  lumber  business  with  which  he  has  been  extensively  engaged 
ever  since.  He  came  to  Addison  in  1886  and  built  a  planing  mill,  which  furnishes 
employment  for  several  men,  and  is  one  of  the  important  enterprises  of  the  town. 
He  has  two  children :  George,  born  in  1872,  and  Ella,  born  in  1879. 

Orser,  Frank  B.,  was  born  at  Cameron  Mills  in  1857.  He  is  of  Scotch  descent,  be- 
ing a  son  of  David  H.  Orser,  who  married  Jane  Hutchison,  by  whom  he  had  four 
children.  He  died  in  1882,  aged  sixty-six.  David  Orser  was  a  wagonmaker  by 
trade,  and  was  one  of  the  86th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  from  which  he  was  discharged  for  dis- 
ability, and  later  he  enlisted  in  the  4th  N.  Y.  Heavy  Artillery,  where  he  was  pro- 
moted to  the  rank  of  corporal.  Frank  Orser  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  in 
Addison,  and  before  learning  the  printer's  trade  he  worked  in  a  sash  factory,  after 
which  he  entered  the  office  of  A.  Roberts,  and  rose  rapidly  in  his  profession,  and  has 
been  the  associate  editor  of  the  Advertiser,  the  leading  paper  of  Addison,  since  1889. 
He  has  been  village  clerk  for  five  terms,  and  in  1895  was  elected  town  clerk,  which 
othce  he  administered  so  successfully  that  he  is  now  serving  a  second  term.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  benevolent  order  of  Maccabees,  and  the  Baldwin  Hook  &  Ladder 
Company.  In  1882  he  married  Lizzie  D.  Evans  of  Elkton,  Pa.,  by  whom  he  had  one 
daughter,  Marion  J. 

Orr,  Joseph  J.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Addison,  a  son  of  James  C.  and  Orrena 
(Day)  Orr.  James  C.  came  here  with  his  father,  Joseph,  about  1830  from  Delaware 
county.  Joseph  J.  was  one  of  five  children  named  James  C,  Calvin  D.,  Sarah  C. 
Smith,  Oliver  J.,  and  Joseph  J.,  all  residents  of  the  county.  Joseph  J.  married 
Sarah,  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Mary  Dillon,  and  thej^  have  five  children:  Edna 
Robinson,  Celia  Plunkett,  Luna  Hill,  Clara  Mead,  and  Edwin  S.  The  last  named 
married  Josie  Ayers.  Joseph  J.  is  a  member  of  Addison  Union  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M., 
No.  118. 

Ney,  Charles,  was  born  in  Northampton  county.  Pa. ,  in  1823,  son  of  Andrew  and  Amy 
(Fisher)  Ney,  and  is  another  example  of  what  a  young  man  may  accomplish  by  industry 
and  economy.  He  has  had  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world,  and  when  a  boy  he 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  but  soon  bought  130  acres  of  land  in  Urbana,  which 
he  sold  and  bought  143  acres  in  Bath,  which  he  still  owns.  He  came  to  Bradford 
and  bought  158  acres  where  he  still  resides,  all  of  which  he  has  paid  for  by  hard  work 
and  careful  management.  He  married  Minerva  Bronson,  by  whom  he  had  these 
children:  Frankie,  who  died  at  twenty- three  years  of  age;  Sarah  A.,  who  died  at 
twelve  years  of  age;  and  WilHam,  who  died  at  two  years  of  age. 

Nipher,  Melvin,  was  born  January  11,  1851.  His  grandfather  was  born  in  Ger- 
many, and  emigrated  to  this  country,  coming  to  Montgomery  county,  N.  Y.,  thence 
to  the  town  of  Avoca,  and  from  there  he  came  with  his  son,  John  Nipher,  to  the  town 
of  Fremont,  where  he  died  at  eighty  years  of  age.  John  Nipher,  father  of  Melvin, 
was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  N.  Y.,  July  12,  1818,  and  came  to  Howard,  and 
from  there  to  Fremont,  where  he  located  on  a  farm  of  eighty-two  acres  and  engaged 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  421 

in  farming.  In  1840  he  married  Polly  A.,  daughter  of  Charles  Roberts,  who  was 
born  in  Howard,  March  10,  1822,  and  died  December  14,  1884,  by  whom  he  had  three 
children:  Matilda,  born  July  22,  1843,  and  died  July  25,  1885;  Dewitt,  born  in  1849, 
and  died  in  1850;  and  Melvin,  as  above,  who  received  a  good  common  school  educa- 
tion, and  has  always  followed  farming.  He  has  held  the  office  of  assessor  of  the 
town  of  Fremont,  and  is  justice  of  the  peace.  November  14,  1878,  he  married 
Emeranda,  daughter  of  Philo  Baker,  who  was  born  November  5,  1846,  by  whom  he 
had  two  children :  Inex,  born  April  10,  1880 ;  John  P. ,  born  February  9,  1882. 

Rogers,  David  S.,  of  Ferenbaugh,  was  born  in  the  hou.se  where  he  now  lives  in 
1860.  His  parents,  Daniel  and  Lois  Angeline  Roloson  Rogers,  natives  of  Ulster 
county  and  the  town  of  Hornby,  are  residents  of  Beaver  Dams.  Mr.  Rogers  was 
raised  and  has  always  been  a  farmer.  He  married  Augusta  Ferenbaugh  in  1885. 
He  has  a  farm  of  260  acres. 

Roloson,  Sylvester,  of  Painted  Post,  was  born  in  Hornby,  son  of  Peter  and  Julia 
Kirby  Roloson,  natives  of  New  Jersey  and  Rhode  Island,  who  in  about  1835  located 
in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town  of  Hornby,  where  the  father  cleared  and  at  one  time 
owned  500  acres.  He  died  in  1890,  aged  eighty-three.  The  mother  still  survives. 
Mr.  Roloson  is  one  of  a  family  of  fifteen  children.  He  has  followed  farming  as  an 
occupation  all  his  life.  In  1877  he  married  Ophelia  Stanton,  who  was  born  on  then- 
present  place.     They  have  a  farm  of  100  acres. 

Roberts,  A.  L.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Avoca,  May  20,  1856,  son  of  William 
Roberts,  who  was  Dorn  in  Avoca  on  Roberts  Hill,  in  August,  1828.  William  Roberts 
was  engaged  in  wagonmaking  until  recently  when  he  retired  and  now  lives  in  Can- 
isteo.  He  married  Catherine,  daughter  of  Tunis  Van  Vleck,  of  Avoca,  the  family 
coming  originally  from  Montgomery  county,  N.  Y.  They  had  four  children:  A.  L., 
Marcus,  Tiney,  and  Verner.  A.  L.  Roberts  worked  at  farming  in  Troupsburg  for 
four  years,  then  came  to  Howard,  having  lived  seven  years  on  his  present  farm  of 
225  acres,  known  as  the  "Comfort"  farm.  He  married  Hattie,  daughter  of  Lewis 
Van  Order,  a  farmer  of  Howard.  They  have  five  children :  Lewis  V. ,  Ray  W. ,  Grace 
B.,  Blanch  E.,  and  Alta  May.  Mr.  Roberts  and  family  are  members  of  the  Baptist 
church  of  Howard. 

Reynolds,  Charles  D.,  was  born  in  Addison  in  1857,  son  of  Thomas  I.  Reynolds,  an 
architect  and  contractor,  who  came  here  in  1846,  and  was  afterward  employed  with 
the  same  sash,  door,  and  blind  industry.  Mr.  Reynolds  traveled  a  great  deal,  being 
engaged  in  different  cities  in  various  enterprises.  From  1860  to  1865  he  was  in  Jer- 
sey City,  and  from  1868  to  1873  at  Paterson,  N.  J.  His  death,  which  occurred  in 
1881,  was  caused  by  an  accident.  Charles  D.  received  his  education  in  Addison,  and 
much  of  his  early  life  was  spent  with  his  father  in  his  travels.  He  was  first  employed 
with  the  sash,  door  and  blind  factory,  which  business  he  still  continues,  being  now 
with  Park,  Winton  &  True.  Mr.  Reynolds  has  served  two  terms  as  a  member  of  the 
board  of  trustees.  In  1884  he  married  Emma,  daughter  of  William  H.  Manners,  a 
grocer  of  this  place,  and  they  have  one  daughter,  Dorothy,  who  was  born  in  1889. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reynolds  are  members  of  the  Episcopal  church. 

Ross,  John  W.,  was  born  m  Springfield,  Bradford  county,  Pa.,  April  10,  1851.     He 


•J22  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

was  educated  at  Burlington,  Bradford  county,  Pa.,  and  Painted  Post,  Steuben  county. 
He  was  a  farmer,  after  which  he  engaged  in  the  drug  business  at  Avoca  and  Painted 
Post.  He  is  unmarried  and  lives  on  the  homestead  farm  with  his  step-mother,  and 
has  filled  the  minor  offices  of  the  town.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and 
is  a  Democrat. 

Ross,  Bruce  E.,  born  in  Bradford  county.  Pa.,  November  7,  1857,  is  the  son  of  A. 
J.  Ross,  who  was  born  in  Burlmgton,  Bradford  county.  Pa.,  October  28,  1826,  and 
came  to  the  town  of  Campbell  in  1868  and  settled  on  a  farm  which  was  partly  cleared. 
He  married  Mara  Grace,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children :  John 
W.,  Emmett  B.,  Dallas,  and  Bruce  E.  The  latter  was  educated  in  the  district  schools 
of  Bradford  county.  Pa.,  and  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  and  has  devoted  his  time  to 
farming,  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  fifty  acres  located  in  the  town  of  Campbell,  along 
the  Mead's  Creek  Road.  He  married  Harriet  Austin,  of  Erwin,  and  they  were  the 
parents  of  two  children:  Grace  and  Julia.  For  his  second  wife  he  married  Emma, 
daughter  of  Charles  Dewey,  of  Delaware  county,  and  they  have  the  following  chil- 
dren :  Hattie,  Clyde,  Harry,  Maud,  and  Olan.  They  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
church. 

Remington,  Washington  B.,  was  born  in  Hornby,  October  24,  1844,  son  of  Jona- 
than and  Rachel  Hammond  Remington,  who  came  from  Vermont  to  the  town  of 
Campbell  in  1816.  Jonathan  was  a  son  of  Joseph  Remington,  who  was  a  soldier  m 
the  Revolutionary  war.  Mrs.  Remington's  father,  Hansdale  Hammond,  married 
Lucy,  a  daughter  of  Colonel  Mason,  and  in  1816  settled  near  Cooper's.  He  was  also 
a  soldier  in  the  Rebellion.  Jonathan  was  a  non-commissioned  officer  in  the  war  of 
1812.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  Remington  had  the  following  children;  Simeon,  who  died  m 
1856,  Orinda,  Jonathan,  Emily,  now  deceased,  Alvin,  Owen,  Frank,  Hannah,  Joseph, 
Albert,  Simeon  O.,  Washington  B.,  all  of  whom  are  natives  of  the  county.  Wash- 
ington B.  attended  the  Painted  Post  Union  School,  and  when  sixteen  years  old  clerked 
in  a  drug  store  for  Daniel  Orcutt.  In- 1863  he  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  9th  N.  Y.  Vols,  and 
was  also  connected  with  the  6th  Army  Corps.  He  was  mustered  out  of  service  in 
1865,  when  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  with  his  brother  Frank,  who  was 
then  practicing  at  Painted  Post.  He  was  graduated  in  1871  from  the  Philadelphia 
University  of  Medicine  and  Surgery,  and  located  at  Painted  Post,  of  which  village 
he  was  president  in  1894.  He  is  actively  engaged  in  church  and  educational  inter- 
ests. He  married  Emma  E.,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  Hough  tali  ng,  of 
Painted  Post,  who  formerly  lived  in  Caton,  Steuben  countj'.  Washington  B.  is  a 
member  of  Montour  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  No.  168,  and  also  of  the  L  O.  R.  M.,  of 
Painted  Post. 

Redhead,  Thomas  J.,  was  born  in  Syracuse,  N.,Y. ,  January  13,  1851.  Thomas 
Redhead,  his  father,  now  lives  in  this  city,  an  old  and  respected  citizen,  and  has 
been  an  active  business  man  as  merchant  tailor.  He  married  Ann  Brackenbury  of 
Syracuse.  Thomas  J.  was  educated  in  Syracuse  and  came  to  Avoca  in  18  — .  He 
learned  the  trade  of  carpenter  and  builder,  which  business  he  carries  on  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Avoca,  and  as  contractor  has  erected  almost  every  prominent  building  in  the 
village.  He  married  Kate  A.,  daughter  of  Albert  BilHngs  of  Avoca  They  have  one 
adopted  daughter,  Lula.     Mr.  Redhead  has  filled  the  office  of  trustee  of  the  village, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  423 

and  at  present  is  justice  of  the  peace.  He  is  a  membei^  of  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Avoca  Lodge, 
No.  562,  and  charter  member  of  the  M.  E.  church,  and  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school. 

Robison,  Simeon,  was  born  July  15,  1881.  His  father,  Ehsha  Robison,  was  born 
jn  Vermont,  in  1795,  and  came  to  South  Dansville  when  eighteen  years  of  age,  and 
took  up  a  lot  on  what  is  called  Cream  Hill,  and  lived  to  be  ninetj^-three  years  of  age. 
He  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812.  He  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  but  his  princi- 
pal occupation  was  farming.  He  returned  to  Vermont  and  married  Lucinda,  daugh- 
ter of  Simeon  Wood,  of  Vermont,  by  whom  he  had  thirteen  children:  Marcenia, 
George,  Mordicai,  John,  Matilda,  Phoebe  Ann,  Hannah,  William,  Simeon,  Sarah, 
Helen,  Liscomb,  and  James  Henry.  By  his  second  wife  he  had  two  children:  Olive, 
and  Oscar.  Simeon  Robison  received  a  common  school  education,  and  has  been 
salesman  and  collector  on  the  road  for  twenty  years,  but  is  now  engaged  in  farming. 
June  27,  1852,  he  married  Harriet  Amelia,  daughter  of  Lorenzo  Demery  of  South 
Dan.sville,  who  was  born  May  20,  1834,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Cassius  L. ,  born 
June  26,  1857,  and  who  married  Lillian,  daughter  of  John  McNorton  of  Harden  Hill, 
town  of  Fremont,  born  in  March,  1858.  He  is  a  farmer,  and  owns  a  farm  of  134  acres, 
and  his  father,  our  subject,  owns  a  farm  of  110  acres. 

Reynolds,  Charles  A.,  was  born  in  Corning,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1853,  son  of 
Knapp  S.  Reynolds  a  native  of  Westchester  county,  who  was  born  in  1809  and  located 
in  Stickneyville,  Steuben  county,  in  1832,  and  in  1843  came  to  Corning  where  he  has 
since  resided.  He  married  Emma  Johnson  of  Broome  county,  who  died  in  1884,  by 
whom  he  had  two  children:  Charles  A.,  and  Cyrus  J.,  who  was  with  the  53d  Pa. 
Regt.  about  five  years,  and  died  in  1892.  Charles  A.  Reynolds  is  a  market  gardener 
and  farmer.  He  was  president  of  the  County  Agricultural  Society  in  1894,  and  has 
been  supervisor  since  1891.  In  1876  he  married  Ella  J.,  daughter  of  George  W. 
Preston. 

Rau,  John,  was  born  in  Bethlehem.  Pa.,  in  1814.  He  is  of  English  and  German 
extraction.  His  grandfather  was  born  in  Germany  and  settled  in  Philadelphia.  He 
married  and  settled  in  Bethlehem,  Pa.,  and  had  three  children.  Erhardt  Rau,  father 
of  John,  was  born  at  Bethlehem,  Pa.,  September  3,  1786,  and  settled  in  Sparta  about 
1821,  and  died  in  1884.  He  married  Susan  Kidd,  born  in  Bethlehem,  and  died  in 
Sparta  in  1885,  aged  seventy-eight  years.  They  had  sixteen  children:  Benjamin, 
Daniel,  Joseph,  John,  George,  Betsey  Wampole,  Polly  Carney,  Su.san  Johns,  Sally 
Ann  Traxter,  Hiram,  Owen,  David,  Mary  Ann  Strong,  Nelson,  and  Samuel.  John 
Rau  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools,  and  has  always  followed  farming. 
In  1853  he  purchased  158  acres  of  land  in  Dansville,  N.  Y.  January  18,  1838,  he  mar- 
ried Charity  Johns,  born  December  4,  1817,  and  died  December  3,  1885,  by  whom  he 
had  seven  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy;  Erhardt,  born  November  28,  1854, 
and  John  Wallace,  born  March  5,  1849;  Sarah  J.,  born  April  7,  1839,  and  died  May 
11,  1855;  Simon  P.,  born  August  18,  1841;  Watson  D.,  born  March  11,  1844;  Abner 
D.,  born  March  23,  1846;  and  Rose  E.,  born  March  5,  1851.  Abner  D.  resides  with 
his  father  and  has  charge  of  the  farm,  also  owns  and  runs  a  restaurant  near  Stony 
Brook  Glen.  He  married  Nancy  Fries,  of  Naples,  born  June  16,  1841,  by  whom  he 
has  two  daughters:  Minnie  C. ,  born  August  30,  1875;  and  Myrta  E.,  born  November 
25,  1876. 


424  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Raplee,  Mrs.  H. — Hiram  Raplee  was  born  in  Barrington,  Yates  county,  N.  Y.,  Julj' 
14,  1831,  son  of  Joshua  and  Jane  Longso}-  Raplee,  he  a  native  of  Milo,  and  she  of 
Starkey,  N.  Y.  They  came  to  Barrington  where  he  died  in  1888.  Mrs.  Raplee  died 
in  1841.  The  grandparents,  Joshua  Raplee  and  Henry  Longsoy,  were  early  settlers 
of  Yates  county.  Hiram  has  always  followed  farming  with  the  exception  of  two 
years  when  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Bradford.  He  came  to  Wayne 
in  1864,  and  owns  a  farm  of  150  acres.  In  1857  he  married  Mary  E.,  daughter  of 
George  T.  and  Abigail  Eldridge  Fitzwater  of  Milo,  and  to  them  have  been  born  four 
children:  Joshua  H.,  a  manufacturer  of  baskets  at  Weston,  N.  Y. ;  George  T.,  a 
farmer  and  fruit  grower  of  Wayne;  Clarence  D.,  a  farmer  of  Tyrone;  and  Adelbert 
H.,  who  resides  at  home.  By  a  previous  marriage  to  Charity  Swartz,  Mr.  Raplee 
has  one  daughter,  Loraine.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been  assessor,  and  is  now 
excise  commissioner.  He  was  a  member  of  Jersey  Lodge,  No.  668,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and 
of  the  Methodist  church. 

Roberts,  Wallace,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Rome,  Oneida  county,  N.  Y. ,  July  18, 
1848.  Thomas  Roberts,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Wales,  who  came  with  his 
parents  to  this  country  in  1835,  when  Thomas  was  twelve  years  old.  The  family 
located  in  Rome,  and  it  was  there  Thomas  was  educated;  he  took  up  farming  as  an 
occupation,  which  he  always  followed.  He  moved  from  Rome  to  Attica,  from  there 
to  Orangeville  Center  and  from  there  to  Batavia.  He  died  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  in 
1868.  Wallace  was  the  second  son  of  a  family  of  four  children  ;  he  was  given  a  good 
common  school  education  and  followed  farming  until  he  was  twentj^  years  of  age. 
He  then  served  an  apprenticeship  at  the  tinner's  trade  with  G.  B.  Worthington  of 
Batavia,  N.  Y.  ;  he  spent  seven  or  eight  years  with  him.  In  1872  he  came  to  Hor- 
nellsville,  being  employed  with  Charles  McCraig;  afterward  was  for  three  years  rail- 
roading, being  a  fireman  on  the  Buffalo,  New  York  &  Philadelphia  Railroad.  Re- 
turning to  Hornellsville  he  was  employed  with  the  same  firm  and  also  with  W.  G. 
Rose.  In  April,  1888,  he  started  in  business  on  Canisteo  street,  whiph  he  has  added 
to  by  hard  work  and  close  attention  to  business,  and  has  become  one  of  Hornells- 
ville's  leading  business  men.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church  and  one  of 
the  official  board.  Mr.  Roberts  was  married  in  1884  to  Jennie  Potter  of  the  town  of 
Almond. 

Ross,  Lyman  R.,  was  born  in  Hornellsville,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  October  1, 
1855.  Jesse  B.  Ro.ss,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Lansing,  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y., 
who  came  to  this  section  about  1845.  He  first  settled  in  Avoca,  and  lived  on  a  farm 
for  ten  years,  and  then  was  a  resident  of  Fremont  until  1860,  when  he  bought  a  farm 
on  the  turnpike,  and  later  bought  a  farm  of  fifty  acres,  now  owned  by  Edwin  Ross. 
He  died  May  25,  1883.  Abigail  C,  the  mother  of  Lyman  R.,  was  a  native  of  Gro- 
ton,  Tompkins  count}',  N.  Y.,  and  died  January  4,  1882.  They  were  the  parents  of 
nine  children:  Lyman  R.  was  the  youngest  son  and  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools,  and  was  associated  with  his  father  in  conducting  the  homestead  farm,  and 
after  his  death  he  bought  twenty-five  acres  of  that  place  and  twenty-five  acres  ad- 
joining it  on  the  west,  where  he  now  conducts  a  general  line  of  farming  with  a  spe- 
cialt}'  of  grain  and  potatoes.  Mr.  Ross  has  always  been  a  warm  supporter  of  the 
Republican  party  and  its  principles,  and  for  six  successive  terms  has  been  elected 
constable  of  the  town.     He  has  also  been  trustee  of  school  district  No.  9,  and  road 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  425 

overseer.     April  9,  1886,  he  married  Nellie,  daughter  of  Egbert  Nicholson,  by  whom 
he  had  two  children :  Louise  and  Helen. 

Ross,  Edmund  C,  was  born  in  Howard,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  July  25,  1848,  the 
third  son  of  Jesse  B.  and  Abigail  J.  Ross.  He  was  given  a  common  school  educa- 
tion and  made  his  home  with  his  parents  until  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  then  went 
to  work  at  farming,  which  he  followed  for  five  years,  and  was  then  employed  with 
Joseph  Lack  in  his  brewery  in  Hornellsville  for  seven  years,  and  was  then  two  3^ears 
with  Morris  Hefter.  He  spent  one  year  farming  in  Middlebury,  Pa.,  and  the  spring 
of  1885  he  came  back  to  the  old  homestead  farm,  where  he  has  made  many  valuable 
improvements,  and  is  now  conducting  it  for  the  production  of  grain  and  vegetables, 
with  a  specialty  of  potatoes.  March  28,  1872,  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Jesse  Jacobs,  a  farmer  of  North  Lansing,  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had 
four  children,  three  now  living:  Edith,  Mabel,  a  student  of  the  academy,  and  Glen 
Otto,  a  student  of  the  common  school. 

Ryan,  Thomas,  was  born  in  County  Tipperary,  Ireland,  February  1,  1852,  and 
came  to  this  country  in  1864.  He  landed  in  New  York  and  went  to  Montreal,  where 
he  attended  school  for  one  year  and  then  returned  to  his  native  land,  and  again  came 
to  America  in  1869.  That  year  he  located  in  New  York  city,  where  he  was  employed 
at  the  trade  he  had  learned  in  his  native  land  and  followed  in  London,  that  of  tailor- 
ing. Mr.  Ryan  became  a  resident  of  London  at  the  close  of  the  Fenian  uprismg  in 
1867,  in  conformity  with  his  patriotic  idea  of  Ireland's  needof  self-government.  He 
remained  in  New  York  for  two  years,  and  in  1871  came  to  Steuben  county,  being 
employed  with  James  Sutherland  in  Bath  for  about  six  months.  He  then  came  to 
Hornellsville  in  April,  1872,  and  entered  the  employ  of  Thomas  Brock,  with  whom  he 
continued  for  one  year  as  tailor  and  cutter,  and  then  was  with  Mr.  Lehman  in  the 
same  work  for  two  years,  during  which  time  he  had  a  partnership  in  the  business. 
He  was  then  employed  for  two  or  three  years  with  James  T.  Glazier,  and  later  with 
Julius  Cohn  as  cutter,  and  in  1880  he  became  a  partner  with  Edward  Powers  in  the 
merchant  tailoring  e.stablishment  on  Broad  street.  They  have  ever  since  been  asso- 
ciated together,  with  the  exception  of  three  months  Mr.  Ryan  spent  in  Baltimore  as 
a  cutter.  Mr.  Ryan  was  the  representative  of  the  Fourth  Ward  in  the  first  Board  of 
Alderman  for  the  city  of  Hornellsville  in  1888,  and  in  1893  was  the  candidate  for 
supervisor  from  the  Fourth  and  Fifth  wards.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
A.  O.  H.  in  Hornellsville  and  held  the  office  of  first  vice-president ;  also  a  member 
of  the  C.  M.  B.  A.  In  1874  he  married  Sarah  Clancy,  and  they  have  five  children, 
all  daughters. 

Rice,  Leroy  D.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Independence,  Allegany  county,  N.  Y., 
November  22,  1832,  son  of  Alexander  Rice,  a  native  of  Cortland  county,  who  came 
to  Allegany  county  when  a  young  man  and  cleared  a  farm  of  100  acres,  where  he 
spent  the  balance  of  his  life.  Leroy  was  the  sixth  of  a  family  of  nine  children,  four 
of  whom  are  now  living.  He  was  given  a  common  school  education,  and  in  1850  he 
took  up  lumbering  and  followed  it  in  Allegany  county  until  1860,  when  he  removed 
to  Michigan,  where  he  spent  three  years  in  the  same  business.  In  1863  he  removed 
to  Warren  Pa.,  where  he  continued  lumbering,  and  was  in  the  employ  of  F.  G.  and 
D.  D.  Babcock,  with  whom  he  spent  over  twenty  ^^ears  as  foreman  and  superin- 


426  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

tendent  of  their  lumbering  interests.  He  remained  in  Pennsylvania  until  1815.  and 
then  removed  to  Maryland,  where  he  engaged  successfully  m  farming  for  seven 
years.  In  1882  he  came  to  Hornellsville,  where  he  first  bought  twenty-seven  acres 
on  Lot  12,  and  the  same  year  bought  100  acres  more,  and  he  now  has  170  acres  of 
the  best  land  in  this  town.  He  also  has  a  farm  of  seventy-five  acres  in  the  town  of 
Hartsville,  which  is  used  principally  for  dairy  purposes.  In  1855  he  married  Nancy 
Wright  of  Scio,  AUeganj^  county,  who  died  in  January,  1884.  They  were  the  parents 
of  two  children ;  Laura,  the  wife  of  Simon  Downs,  and  I>ester  I.,  who  is  with  h'.s 
father  on  the  farm. 

Robie,  Charles  H.,  was  born  in  Bath,  October  8,  1836,  son  of  Reuben  Robie,  who 
was  one  of  the  leading  men  in  the  settlement  and  development  of  the  town  of  Bath. 
Charles  H.  was  educated  at  Haverling  Academy,  after  which  he  devoted  his  time  to 
farming.  In  1859  he  married  Sarah  E.,  only  child  of  Henry  McElwee,  and  they  are 
the  parents  of  one  son,  Henry  McElwee  Robie,  and  one  daughter,  Olive  W.  Mr. 
Robie  is  one  of  the  largest  farmers  in  Steuben  county,  serving  as  president  of  the 
Agricultural  Society  of  Bath  for  two  years,  and  has  been  greatly  interested  in  im- 
proving and  developing  fine  horses;  also  one  of  the  largest  wool  producers  and 
breeder  of  shorthorn  cattle  in  Steuben  county. 

Rowe,  Lewis,  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  in  1833,  and  came  to  the  United 
States  with  his  parents  in  1835  and  settled  in  Wayland.  Lewis  Rowe,  sr. ,  was  a 
farmer  and  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers.  He  died  in  1841  in  his  fifty-first  year.  Lewis 
married  Caroline  Drum,  and  are  the  parents  of  one  son,  Frank,  of  Prattsburg.  In 
1856  he  came  to  Kanona  and  learned  the  tanner's  trade,  and  in  1876  was  burned  out, 
and  since  then  has  made  a  specialty  of  dealing  in  hides  and  leather. 

Rauber,  Nicholas,  was  born  in  Prussia,  German}',  m  1846,  emigrated  to  this  coun- 
try with  his  parents  when  seven  5'ears  of  age  and  settled  in  Waj-land,  N.  Y.  His 
father,  Mathias  Rauber,  was  born  in  Prussia,  in  1816,  and  is  still  living.  He  mar- 
ried Margaret  Bricks,  who  was  born  in  Prussia  and  died  in  Wayland  in  1892,  aged 
seventy-three  years.  He  bought  a  small  farm  n^jar  Perkinsville,  now  owned  by 
Nicholas,  Mathias  having  a  life  lease  of  the  same.  They  had  eight  children :  Kate, 
Nicholas,  Mary,  Lizzie,  Peter,  Jacob,  Maggie,  and  Anna,  deceased.  Nicholas  at- 
tended the  Catholic  school  at  Perkinsville  for  five  years,  where  he  was  instructed  in 
both  English  and  German.  He  worked  at  farming  until  eighteen  years  of  age,  and 
September  12,  1864,  enlisted  in  the  188th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  until  the  close  of 
the  war,  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Hatcher's  Run,  Weldon  Railroad,  Second  Hatch- 
er's Run,  Stony  Creek  and  Five  Forks.  He  now  draws  a  pension.  After  returning 
from  the  war  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  for  three  j'ears,  after  which  he  went 
on  the  Erie  Railroad  as  section  hand  for  seven  years  and  was  then  promoted  to  fore- 
man of  section,  which  he  has  held  sixteen  years.  He  also  runs  a  grocery  store  and 
saloon  at  his  residence,  which  is  superintended  by  his  wife.  He  has  held  the  office 
of  village  trustee  eight  years.  He  is  a  member  of  Champion  Hook  &  Ladder  Co. , 
No.  1,  and  of  the  Theodore  Schlick  Post,  No.  314,  G.  A.  R.,  also  a  member  of  C.  M. 
B.  A.  In  September,  1872,  he  married  Caroline  Halauer,  who  was  born  in  1844,  and 
died  January  9,  1892.  Thej'  had  five  children :  Charles,  born  October  8,  1875 ;  Lester, 
born  June  16,  1879;  Frank,  born  in  October,  1882;  Mary,  born  in  October,  1887,  and 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  427 

Carrie,  born  January  6,  1890.  Mr.  Raubcr  married  for  his  second  wife,  Mrs.  Chri- 
santha  (Hagele)  John,  who  was  born  in  (Germany  in  1851.  She  had  five  children  by 
Jacob  John:  Katie,  born  in  18T5;  Albert,  born  in  187();  Joseph,  born  in  1872;  Net- 
tie, born  in  1884,  and  Tillie,  born  in  18S7. 

Rowe,  Peter  J.,  was  born  in  Wayland,  N.  Y.,  in  November,  1863  His  father, 
Henry  Rowe,  was  born  in  Wayland,  N.  Y.,  and  died  in  East  Springwater,  April  30, 
1891,  aged  fifty-four  years.  He  married  Barbara  Libengouth,  who  was  born  in  Way- 
land  in  1843,  and  is  still  living  in  East  Springwater  on  the  farm.  They  had  eight 
children:  Henry,  born  in  Wayland,  in  1859;  William,  born  in  1861;  Peter  J.,  born 
in  November,' 1863;  Lizzie,  born  in  1865;  Charles,  born  in  1867;  Frank,  born  in  1869; 
Edward,  born  in  1871.  and  Louis,  born  in  1873.  Edward  and  Louis  are  graduates 
of  Geneseo  Normal  School;  Edward  is  now  principal  of  the  Rushville  Union  School, 
and  Louis  is  attending  college  in  Rochester,  where  he  is  taking  a  medical  course. 
Peter  J.  Rowe  commenced  business  for  himself  in  Big  Rapids,  Mich.,  in  the  meat 
business,  where  he  remained  from  1885  to  1891,  when  he  returned  to  Wayland,  where 
he  carried  on  the  same  business.  In  1893  he  assumed  the  proprietorship  of  the  Bry- 
ant House,  a  brick  structure  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Naples  streets,  which  he  has 
since  conducted.  He  is  a  member  of  Wayland  Lodge,  No.  176.  I.  O.  O.  F.  At  Big 
Rapids,  Mich.,  in  1887,  he  married  Lena  Shaw,  born  in  Norway,  in  1864,  by  whom 
he  has  two  children;  George,  born  in  1889,  and  Lola,  born  in  1893.    * 

Raufenbarth,  Frank,  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  in  1858,  emigrated  to  this 
country  in  1881,  and  settled  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  for  three  years 
and  worked  as  a  laborer.  In  1884  he  came  to  Wayland  and  opened  a  meat-market, 
having  previously  learned  the  trade  in  Germany.  He  bought  the  building  he  now 
occupies,  in  1888,  of  A.  Pardee,  situated  at  No.  12  Main  street,  where  can  be  found 
at  any  time  meats  of  all  kinds.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Wayland  Hook  &  Ladder 
Company,  also  a  member  of  the  C.  M.  B.  A.,  and  is  now  treasurer  of  the  Wayland 
Dime  &  Loan  association.  In  1881,  at  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  he  married  Matilda  Burk- 
harth,  who  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  in  1860,  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1881, 
and  settled  in  Rochester.  They  have  four  children :  Josephine,  born  in  1882;  Leo, 
born  in  1884;  Mary,  born  in  1888;  and  JuHa,  born  in  1891. 

Rosenkrans,  John  A.,  son  of  Levi  Rosenkrans  (see  the  Rosenkrans  sketch),  was 
born  September  22,  1845,  in  Wayland,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools.  He  commenced  work  for  himself  by  working  on  his  mother's  farm  for  five 
years,  and  then  bought  fifty  acres  of  land  which  he  subsequently  sold,  and  has  since 
dealt  in  property  to  a  considerable  extent,  and  for  ten  years  run  a  livery  and  exchange 
stable.  He  is  now  engaged  in  the  furniture  and  undertaking  business,  which  he  has 
carried  on  for  ten  years.  Mr.  Rosenkrans  is  a  member  of  the  Wayland  Lodge,  N(x 
176,  I.  O.  O.  F.  In  1887  he  was  married  at  Arkport,  N.  Y.,  to  Libbie  Newsome,  who 
was  born  in  Arkport,  in  November,  1847.  Her  father,  William  Newsome,  was  born 
in  England,  and  was  twice  married,  and  his  children  by  his  first  wife  were  Susan, 
living,  Sarah,  Jane,  and  Mary,  all  deceased.  She  died  in  Arkport.  For  his  second 
wife  he  married  Bessie  Zeluff,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  died  in  Colorado, 
in  1891,  aged  seventy-five  years.  Their  children  were  William  W.  (deceased),  Eliza- 
beth, Loretta,  Helen  (deceased),  Silas  W.,  John  A.,  George  W. ,  and  J.  Frank.  Mr. 
Newsome  died  in  Arkport  in  1885,  aged  eighty-one  years. 


428  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Phillips,  Lyman  H.,  was  born  in  Campbell,  N.  Y.,  September  15,  1837,  son  of  Vol- 
kert  and  Ruth  (Hungerford)  Phillips,  he  a  native  of  Schoharie  county,  N.  Y.,  and 
she  of  Connecticut,  who  came  to  Campbell  while  young,  and  died  on  the  farm  now 
owned  by  Lyman  H.,  he  in  1871,  and  she  in  1879.  Lyman  H.  Phillips  was  reared  on 
a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Starkey  Seminary,  after  which  he 
engaged  in  teaching  and  lumbering,  but  his  principal  occupation  is  farming,  and  he 
now  owns  120  acres  of  land,  where  he  has  lived  since  he  was  six  years  of  age.  Mr. 
Phillips  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  been  justice  of  the  peace  many  years  and 
justice  of  sessions  two  years,  also  supervisor  seven  years.  He  is  a  member  of  Mer- 
chantsville  Grange.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Co.  E,  141st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  un- 
til the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  at  Resaca,  Missionary  Ridge,  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
Gulp's  Farm,  Atlanta,  Averysboro,  and  Bentonville.  March  22,  1871,  he  married 
Olive  M.  (Parker),  widow  of  John  Booth,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Lillie ;  he  also 
has  one  adopted  son,  Charles. 

Peters,  David  S.,  was  born  in  Bath,  N.  Y.,  in  1847,  son  of  Charles  and  Elizabeth 
(Sanford)  Peters,  he  born  in  Bath,  and  she  in  Urbana.  The  grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject, George  Peters,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Bath,  where  he  died  about  1858. 
Charles  Peters,  father  of  David  S.,  was  a  farmer,  and  now  lives  at  Sanilac  county, 
Mich.  His  wife  died  in  1848.  David  S.  was  reared  by  his  grandfather  and  educated 
in  the  common  schools.  August  8,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  K,  104th  N.  Y.  Vols., 
and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  at  Six  Mile  House,  Hatcher's  Run, 
Five  Forks,  and  at  Lee's  Surrender.  He  is  a  member  of  Knox  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  No. 
549.  In  1878  he  married  Fidelia  Myers,  b}^  whom  he  had  two  children:  Fred,  who 
resides  at  home ;  and  Charles,  who  was  killed  by  falling  from  a  load  of  hay.  Mrs. 
Peters  died  June  26,  1880.  Mr.'  Peters  owns  ninety-  six  acres  of  land,  which  he  bought 
in  1874,  and  follows  general  farming. 

Pinchin,  A.  A.,  was  born  June  28,  1849.  His  father,  Albin  Pinchin,  was  born  in 
the  town  of  Mooers,  Clinton  county,  N.  Y.,  February  10,  1820,  and  came  to  Arkport 
when  seventeen  years  of  age,  where  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  also  run  a  saw-mill 
a  part  of  the  time  and  dealt  quite  extensively  in  the  lumber  business.  He  now  lives 
at  Almond,  Allegany  county,  N.  Y.  He  married  Adaline  R.,  daughter  of  David 
Whitford,  who  was  born  May  25,  1824,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  A.  A.,  as  above, 
who  was  educated  at  Rogersville  Seminary  and  Alfred  University,  and  is  by  occu- 
pation a  farmer.  He  married  Frances  Bell  Hunt,  born  February  24,  1854,  daughter 
of  Nathaniel  Huut  of  Mount  Morris,  by  whom  he  had  three  children ;  Mary  Ada, 
born  May  7,  1878;  Lloyd  Arthur,  born  June  4,  1883;  and  Otha  H.,  born  March  1, 
1887. 

Potter,  Walbridge,  was  born  in  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  April  21,  1853.  His  grandfather, 
Adolphus  Potter,  was  born  in  Rhode  Island,  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of 
Troupsburg.  where  he  died.  Darling  Potter,  father  of  Walbridge,  was  born  in 
Troupsburg,  and  married  Lucy  A.  Woodard,  who  was  born  in  Vermont.  They  now 
reside  in  WoodhuU.  Walbridge  Potter  was  educated  in  Woodhull  Academy.  He 
owns  122  acres  of  land  in  Rathbone,  on  which  he  located  in  1880.  He  follows  farm- 
ing and  makes  a  specialty  of  cabbage.  In  1887  he  married  Samantha,  daughter  of 
William  H.  and  Samantha  (Devenport)  Wilson,  M'ho  were  born  in  Vermont  and  came 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  429 

to  Woodhull,  and  thence  to  Rathbone,  where  Mrs.  Wilson  died  in  1889,  and  where 
Mr.  Wilson  now  resides.  His  second  wife  was  Thankful  Thompson.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Potter  have  two  children:  Joel,  who  was  born  August  12,  1888;  and  Josie,  who  was 
born  September  4.  1891. 

Parkhill,  Dr.  R.  F.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  December  11,  1832,  son  of 
David  Parkhill,  who  was  born  in  Montgomery  county  in  1804,  of  which  an  account 
is  found  elsewhere.  Mr.  Parkhill  began  his  education  in  the  common  schools,  and 
finished  in  Alfred  Seminary  in  1855.  He  taught  school  in  the  village  of  Howard  for 
about  six  years,  then  began  reading  medicine  with  Dr.  A.  B.  Case  of  Howard,  with 
whom  he  remained  four  year.s.  He  graduated  at  Albany  December  27,  1859,  as 
physician  and  surgeon,  and  located  in  the  town  of  Howard,  where  he  has  since  prac- 
ticed. He  married  Lucinda,  daughter  of  Henry  A.  Toucks,  and  they  have  two  chil- 
dren: Leona  May,  now  Mrs.  C.  M.  Pruchan  of  Wheeler,  and  Myron  H.  who  is  a 
physician  and  surgeon  and  practices  with  his  father.  He  was  educated  in  the  district 
schools  of  Howard,  and  was  graduated  from  the  Buffalo  Medical  College,  February 
21,  1886.  Dr.  R.  F.  Parkhill  was  supervisor  for  three  years,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  Loviis  Lodge  104. 

Pixley,  Frank,  was  born  in  Canisteo,  March  9,  1853.  William  Pi.xley,  his  father, 
was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  and  engaged  in  farming  in  the  town  of  Canisteo, 
and  now  lives  retired  in  the  village.  He  married  Ann  Fogle  of  Canisteo,  Steuben 
county,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Fred,  L.,  Dr.  E.,  Sarah,  and  Frank,  who  was 
educated  in  the  town  of  Howard,  after  which  he  came  to  Avoca  where  he  has  lived 
on  a  farm  of  126  acres  for  about  two  years.  He  married  Ida,  daughter  of  Lewis 
Borden,  a  farmer  of  Wheeler,  by  whom  he  bad  one  daughter,  Alice.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Maccabees. 

Pease,  Randall  A.,  was  born  in  Greenwood,  May  31,  1849,  son  of  Albert  Pease,  a 
native  of  Newfield,  who  married  Lufany  Richie  of  Dryden,  Tompkins  county,  by 
Avhom  he  had  seven  children.  The  paternal  grandfather,  Randall  Pease,  and  the 
maternal  grandfather,  Daniel  Richie,  came  from  Tompkins  county  to  Greenwood  in 
pioneer  days  and  here  lived  and  died.  Alberc  Pease  was  a  farmer  of  Greenwood, 
and  was  at  one  time  highway  commissioner,  and  died  in  1856,  and  his  wife  in  1882. 
Randall  A.  Pease  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  now  owns  the  homestead  farm  of  155 
acres,  and  a  lot  in  Andover,  where  he  is  preparing  to  make  his  future  home.  In 
politics  he  is  independent,  and  at  one  time  was  assessor.  In  1870  he  married  Char- 
lotte, daughter  of  Albert  and  Augusta  Scribner,  by  whom  he  had  one  daughter,  Au- 
gusta L.,  who  was  educated  at  Andover  and  is  now  a  teacher. 

Peterson,  Frank,  was  born  at  Big  Flats,  Chemung  county,  June  3,  1850.  He  be- 
gan his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  the  town  of  Campbell.  He  is  a  farmer 
and  lives  on  the  homestead  farm  of  150  acres.  He  is  unmarried  and  lives  with 
his  mother.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. 

Paxton,  E.  C,  was  born  in  1852,  in  Addison,  where  he  was  educated.  He  has 
been  engaged  in  the  Addison  Mills  for  the  last  twenty-five  years,  and  is  still  a  junior 
partner  of  the  Curtis  &  Paxton  Mill,  with  which  his  father,  the  late  Thomas  Paxton. 
was  associated  the  greater  part  of  his  life.     In  June,  1880,  he  married  Kate,  daugh- 


430  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

ter  of  Thomas  S.  Reynolds,  who  was  a  pioneer  settler  of  this  place.  They  have  two 
children:  Adelaide  Patterson,  born  in  1884;  and  Thomas  Edward,  born  in  1885. 
Thomas  Paxton,  the  father  of  E.  C.  Paxton,  who  was  born  in  Banbury,  England,  in 
1818,  came  to  America  when  twenty-two  years  of  age.  He  was  a  shoemaker  by 
trade,  and  in  1836  opened  a  shoe  store  in  Addison,  and  had  a  factory  employing  fif- 
teen men.  In  1885  he  sold  out  the  shoe  business,  and  bought  a  half  interest  in  the 
Addison  Mills,  and  was  also  associated  with  the  Goodhue  tannery.  He  has  been  ex- 
tensively engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  and  surveyed  and  drove  piles  on  the  Erie 
Railroad.  He  married  Susan,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Patterson,  a  land  owner.  Mr. 
Paxton  was  supervisor  and  assessor  of  the  town.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Church 
of  the  Redeemer,  which  is  greatly  indebted  to  his  benevolence.  He  died  in  1893, 
aged  seventy-five  years. 

Prangen,  George  D.,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Hornellsville,  and  in  the  house  of  his 
present  residence,  December  10,  1860.  Diederich  Prangen,  the  father  of  George,  was 
a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  Bremerhaven,  August  8,  1825,  and  came  to  this  coun 
try  when  twelve  or  thirteen  years  of  age.  He  was  located  in  New  York  city  until 
1854.  That  year  he  was  first  engaged  in  Hornellsville  as  a  merchant,  which  he  fol- 
lowed only  a  short  time  and  then  engaged  in  the  dray  and  express  business.  Scott 
Thatcher  was  at  this  time  engaged  in  dealing  in  ice  and  Mr.  Prangen  did  the  carting 
for  him.  Later  he  became  the  proprietor  of  the  business,  and  it  was  from  the  small 
start  of  going  among  his  neighbors  after  supper  at  night  that  the  extensive  business 
of  to-day  was  established.  In  1876  he  bought  out  John  Le  Grange  and  that  year 
they  afforded  the  luxury  of  one  horse  and  then  gradually  increased  until  1889;  the 
year  of  his  death  they  handled  2,000  tons.  He  was  a  man  who  devoted  his  whole  at- 
tention to  his  business  and  family.  He  was  the  father  of  eleven  children,  seven  now 
living.  George  is  the  second  son.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  his 
first  employment  was  with  his  father,  driving  team.  In  1888  a  co-partnership  was 
formed  of  Mr.  Prangen  and  bis  three  sons:  William  H.,  George  D.,  and  Richard  M.. 
under  the  firm  name  of  Prangen  &  Sons.  The  sons  have  continued  the  business 
under  the  name  of  Prangen  Brothers,  with  increasing  trade  and  continued  success. 
In  1895  they  handled  between  24,000  and  25,0U0  tons,  a  part  of  which  was  for  the 
Erie  Railroad  Company.  In  winter  they  employ  from  150  to  160  men  and  in  sum- 
mer from  ten  to  twelve  men  and  three  or  four  teams.  George  D.  was  married  Sep- 
tember 5,  1894,  to  Miss  Bertha  M.  Williams,  a  sister  of  Frank  Williams,  one  of 
Hornellsville' s  merchants. 

Phillips,  Dr.  Charles  Robert,  was  born  in  Speedsville,  Tompkins  county,  June  22, 
1867.'  Asa  E.,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Dryden,  Tompkins  county,  and  went  to 
the  town  of  Caroline  when  a  young  man,  engaging  in  the  mercantile  business.  He 
conducted  a  general  store  until  twenty-three  years  of  age,  then  removed  to  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  and  became  proprietor  of  one  of  the  largest  lumber  houses  of  that  city. 
He  died  November  7,  1881.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  of  the 
R.  A.  M.  Charles  was  educated  at  Franklin  Grammar  School  in  Washington, 
from  which  he  graduated  when  thirteen  years  of  age.  He  then  entered  Cortland 
Normal  School,  which  he  left  in  1885,  spending  one  year  in  the  medical  department 
of  the  University  of  the  City  of  New  York,  then  entered  Columbia  College,  formerly 
known  as  the  College  of  Physicians  and   vSurgeons,   graduating  in  June,  1889,  with 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  431 

the  degree  of  M.  D.  In  1890  he  came  to  Hornellsville  and  was  foi-  one  j-ear  with 
Dr.  Baker,  then  established  the  office  he  now  conducts.  Dr.  PhilHps  is  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Health,  president  of  the  Examining  Board  of  Plumbers,  was  United 
States  examining  physician  of  this  district,  and  visiting  surgeon  to  the  St.  James 
Mercy  Hospital,  also  surgeon  for  the  N.  Y.  L.  E.  &  W.  Railway  Company.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Steuben  County  Medical  Society  and  president  of  the  Hornellsville 
Medical  and  Surgical  Association,  and  a  member  of  the  Erie  Railway  Surgical  Asso- 
ciation. May  8,  1893,  the  doctor  married  Alma,  daughter  of  Alphonso  Hubbard,  a 
lumberman  of  this  city.     They  have  one  child,  Robert  Hubbard  Phillips. 

Prindle,  Albert  T.,  was  born  m  Sharon,  Litchfield  county,  Conn.,  September  21, 
1823,  a  son  of  Charles  L.,  of  New  Haven,  Conn,  who  was  descended  from  one  of  five 
brothers  who  came  from  Scotland,  all  being  ministers  of  the  gospel.  At  the  outbreak 
of  the  Revolution  four  joined  the  Continental  army,  and  one  clung  to  the  king's  com- 
mand. Charles  L.  was  a  tanner  by  trade,  and  when  twenty-one  determined  to  come 
West.  In  1823  he  established  himself  in  business,  which  he  continued  for  a  time, 
then  came  to  Schenectady,  entered  into  partnership  with  John  Brown,  continued 
three  years,  then  removed  to  Naples,  where  he  conducted  a  tannery  for  ten  years. 
In  1848  he  removed  to  Hornellsville,  where  the  family  have  since  resided.  Albert, 
our  subject,  bought  the  old  O'Connor  tannery,  and  for  five  years  Charles  L.  Prindle 
and  Col.  D.  L.  Benton  conducted  the  business,  retiring  in  1858,  when  Albert  formed 
a  partnership  with  J.  E.  Shaut,  which  continued  three  years,  then  became  Prindle, 
Rose  &  Shaut,  and  in  1861  they  sold  to  Benton  &  Rose.  Charles  Prmdle  retired  from 
active  business,  and  died  in  1885.  Of  his  eight  children,  the  youngest  son,  Mark,  joined 
with  Albert  and  Mr.  Shaut  and  erected  the  tannery,  which  has  ever  since  been  a 
leading  feature  of  the  place.  In  1866  the  firm  became  A.  T.  &  M.  Prindle,  which 
continued  till  the  death  of  Mark  on  March  1,  1887.  Mr.  Prindle  is  a  Mason  and  a 
Knight  Templar.  In  1861  he  married  Lucy  Spencer  of  Wyoming  county,  and  their 
children  are:  Farrand  C,  a  member  of  the  above  firm  ;  Alice,  Albert  T. ,  and  George 
S.,  the  latter  two  employed  in  the  tannery. 

Preston,  Henry  C,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  Steuben  countv,  N.  Y. ,  Octo- 
ber 24,  1847.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  the  Union  Seminary,  and 
was  employed  in  early  life  on  the  farm  and  later  was  engaged  in  the  livery  business 
at  Hornellsville  in  the  rear  of  the  Osborne  House.  It  was  a  little  later  that  the 
Hollow  Cable  Wire  Company  was  established  by  Mr.  Preston  and  his  sons,  and 
Henry  C.  has  always  been  the  treasurer  of  the  company  since.  He  was  married  in 
1872  to  Miss  Lucy,  daughter  of  Ira  Pierce,  a  farmer  of  South  Dansville.  The}-  have 
five  children:  Beulah,  Blanche,  Bernice,  Maude,  and  Grace.  Four  of  them  are 
students  of  the  academy.     Grace  is  in  Lincoln  school. 

Patten,  John  Nelson,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Otego,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  Octo- 
ber 1,  1843.  George  Patten,  the  father  of  John,  was  also  a  native  of  Otsego  county, 
born  February  8,  1818.  The  family  are  of  Scotch  descent.  John  Patten,  the  grand- 
father of  John  Nelson,  was  born  in  Perthshire,  Scotland,  and  came  to  this  country 
m  1800.  George  was  the  oldest  son  of  eight  children.  He  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools  and  took  up  farming  for  his  life  work.  He  was  married  December  18, 
1840,  to  Miss  Polly  Squires,  a  native  of  Otsego  county.     They  were  the  parents  of 


432  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

three  children:  John  N.,  our  subject;  Joel,  died  when  three  years  old;  Deetle  is  the 
wife  of  William  H.  Burt,  a  railroad  man  of  Hornellsville.  Mrs.  Patten,  the  mother 
of  John  Nelson,  is  still  living,  sevent^^-one  years  of  age.  John  N.  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools  of  Otsego  county,  and  lived  on  the  old  homestead  farm  with  his 
parents  until  he  was  of  age.  In  1865  his  family  came  to  Hornellsville,  his  father 
buying  a  farm  in  Arkport  where  he  lived  until  1869,  when  they  removed  to  a  farm 
of  seven  acres,  which  he  has  increased  by  additional  purchase  to  106  acres,  the  prin- 
cipal products  of  which  are  grain  and  vegetables.  Mr.  Patten  was  married  April  16, 
1868,  to  Miss  Margaret  Dildine,  youngest  daughter  of  John  Dildine.  They  have  five 
children,  all  living:  Miss  Ethelyn,  one  of  the  Hornell  Academj'  students  who  have 
taken  up  teaching;  Mary  J.,  the  wife  of  James  McMichael,  a  farmer  of  this  town; 
George  E.,  with  his  father  on  the  farm;  Joel,  died  in  infancy;  and  Miss  Anna  Belle, 
a  student  of  the  common  school.  Miss  Janet  Anderson  Patten  is  also  in  the  common 
school. 

Parker,  Mrs.  Delia. — Abram  Cadogan  was  born  in  West  Winfield,  Herkimer 
county,  N.  Y.,  July  10,  1813,  son  of  Abram,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
served  at  Sackett's  Harbor,  where  he  was  taken  sick  and  died.  Abram,  jr.,  came  to 
Canisteo  in  1836,  where  he  resided  fourteen  years  and  then  came  Hornellsville,  where 
he  has  been  engaged  as  millwright,  in  the  wagon  business  and  building.  He  mar- 
ried Frances  J.,  daughter  of  Charles  Whitewood,  of  Truxton,  formeriy  of  Stock- 
bridge,  Mass. 

Powel,  M.,  was  born  in  Germany  in  1844  and  came  to  America  in  1858,  locating  at 
Scranton,  Pa.,  where  he  worked  m  iron  foundries  till  1882,  then  purchased  his  pres- 
ent farm  in  Caton  and  moved  there.  He  has  ninety-three  acres  and  follows  general 
farming.     In  1876  he  married  Katie  Keuhn,  a  native  of  Chemung  county. 

Prentiss,  George  A.,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Hornellsville,  March  3,  1857.  George 
W.  Prentiss,  his  father,  is  a  native  of  Schuyler  county,  N.  Y.,  and  came  to  this  town 
about  1849.  He  is  a  mechanic  and  has  been  engaged  in  building  some  of  the  fine 
houses  of  the  southern  part  of  the  town,  and  is  the  superintendent  of  the  erection 
of  the  Methodist  church  on  the  south  side ;  he  is  now  sixty-four  years  of  age.  George 
A.  is  the  only  son  of  a  family  of  three  children  ;  he  was  educated  at  Hornellsville 
Academy  and  was  first  engaged  with  his  father  as  helper  when  only  fourteen  years 
of  age  at  painting,  and  followed  it  summers  during  vacation  until  nineteen  years  of 
age,  and  at  that  age  he  adopted  it  as  a  trade  and  has  since  followed  it  with  the  ex- 
ception of  three  years,  1880  to  1883,  during  that  time  being  engaged  on  the  construc- 
tion of  the  Texas  Pacific  railroad  in  Texas.  The  spring  of  1895  he  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  Republican  City  Committee  and  the  same  spring  was  elected  alder- 
man by  a  majority  of  fourteen  over  T.  S.  Thomas.  He  is  chairman  of  the  printing- 
committee,  member  of  the  law  committee,  and  the  committee  of  claims.  Mr.  Pren- 
tiss has  been  one  of  the  benefactors  of  the  city  in  the  way  of  building  four  new 
houses  and  rebuilding  two  or  three  in  the  Fifth  ward  and  three  in  the  fourth  ward. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  this  city.  He  was  married  in  1883  to 
Luella  S.,  daughter  of  Aaron  Waters,  a  manufacturer  of  Greenwood.  They  have  one 
child,  Gertrude  H.  Prentiss. 

Park    Robert  F.,  was  born  in  Woodhull,  in  1852,  son  of  William  N.  and  Christina 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  433 

Mesick  Park,  natives  of  Broome  county,  N.  Y.,  where  they  were  married.  In  1830 
they  came  to  Steuben  county,  locating  in  Corning  where  Mr.  Park  died  in  1878,  aged 
sixty-three.  In  1879  Robert  F.  married  Emma  B.,  a  granddaughter  of  Nelson 
Cowan.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Park  resided  on  the  old  Cowan  homestead  until  1892,  when 
they  moved  to  their  present  I'esidence.  Their  children  are:  William  N.,  Robert  N. 
and  Laura. 

Peabody,  Dr.  George  M.,  was  born  in  Springwater,  N.  Y.,  October  22,  1858.  His 
great-grandfather,  Samuel  Peabody,  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts.  His  grand- 
father, William  Peabody,  was  born  in  Stonington,  Conn.,  and  died  in  Canadice,  N.Y. 
Alvah  Peabody,  father  of  George  M.,  was  born  in  Manlius,  Onondaga  county,  N.Y. , 
February  18,  1810,  and  moved  to  Springwater,  with  his  father,  in  1814,  where  he  died 
September  2,  1887.  He  married  Hannah  Jane  Quick,  who  was  born  in  Newburg, 
Orange  county,  N.Y.,  September  20,  1815.  Her  maternal  grandfather,  Isaiah  Smith, 
was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Ontario  county,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  and  one  of 
the  body  guard  of  General  Washington.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peabody  had  nine  children: 
Nelson,  who  died  at  Salisbury  Prison,  N.  C,  a  member  of  Wadsworth  Guards,  140th 
N.  Y.  Vols.  ;  Albert  H.,  who  resides  in  Annada,  Mo.,  member  of  the  same  regiment, 
and  was  wounded  at  Gettysburg;  Helen,  who  died  in  December,  1868,  wife  of  James 
Robinson;  Lucinda,  who  married  Freeman  Thompson,  and  resides  at  Springwater, 
N.  Y.  ;  Manson,  who  resides  at  Canadice ;  Margaret,  who  resides  at  Canadice ; 
Alfred  L.,  who  resides  in  Columbiaville,  Mich. ;  Frank  J.,  who  resides  in  Canadice; 
and  George  'M.,  as  above,  who  attended  the  common  schools  of  Canadice  until  four- 
teen years  of  age  and  worked  his  father's  farm  until  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He 
attended  the  Dansville  Seminary  two  terms  and  the  Brockport  Normal  School  two 
terms,  after  which  he  taught  school  four  terms.  He  read  medicine  with  Dr.  Worden, 
of  Springwater,  and  Dr.  Chester  Cary,  of  Columbiaville.  Mich.,  after  which  he  at- 
tended the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  also  the  Univers- 
ity of  Vermont,  at  Burlington,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in  1885. 
He  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Wayland,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  one 
and  one-half  years,  when  he  moved  to  Tallapoosa,  Ga.,  where  he  carried  on  the  drug 
business  in  connection  with  his  practice.  He  returned  to  Wayland  in  September, 
1894,  where  he  has  a  lucrative  practice.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum 
Council  No.  1070,  also  a  member  of  the  K.  O.  T.  M.,  No.  220.  At  Dansville,  N.  Y., 
Ma}'  4,  1886,  he  married  Ella  Schubmehl,  who  was  born  June  24,  1863,  by  whom  he 
has  four  children:  Monica,  born  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  March  19,  1887;  Louise,  born 
in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  May  21,  1888;  Helen,  born  in  Tallapoosa,  Ga.,  March  5,  1891; 
and  Mary,  born  in  Tallapoosa,  Ga,,  March  23,  1893. 

Piatt,  Dr.  Alvah  A.,  was  born  in  Angelica,  N.  Y.,  in  1861.  His  ancestor  was  ex- 
iled during  the  Huguenot  times,  and  landed  at  Boston.  His  paternal  grandfather, 
Charles  Piatt,  was  born  in  Connecticut,  and  died  in  Olean,  N.  Y.,  in  1883,  aged 
ninety-three  years.  Joseph  A.  Piatt,  father  of  Alvah  A.,  was  born  in  Sparta,  N.  Y. , 
in  1831,  and  is  engaged  in  the  insurance  business  at  Livonia,  N.  Y.  He  married 
Louisa  Lindsley,  who  was  born  in  Livonia,  in  1835,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Alvah 
A.,  who  learned  the  trade  of-  taxidermist,  in  W^ard's  University  at  Rochester,  which 
he  followed  for  six  years.  He  attended  the  High  School  at  Livonia,  N.Y.,  afterwards 
took  a  preparatory  course  at  the  Geneseo  Normal  School.     He  studied  medicine  with 


434  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

W.  S.  Purd)^  at  Corning,  N.  Y. ,  for  two  years,  after  which  he  took  a  three  years' 
course  at  the  Pulte  Medical  College,  in  Cincinnati,  a  post-graduate  course  one  year, 
and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1881,  and  afterwards  took  an  honorary 
degree  at  Buffalo  Medical  College.  He  first  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  in 
Cincinnati,  thence  to  Jackson,  Tenn.,  thence  to  Atlanta,  N.  Y.,  thence  to  Wayland, 
where  he  has  practiced  for  seven  years.  Dr.  Piatt  is  a  member  of  Livonia  Lodge, 
No.  758,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Wayland  Lodge,  No.  116,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  also  a  member  of  the 
Atlanta  Encampment.  In  November,  1884,  at  Livonia,  N.  Y.,  he  married  Eva  Bar- 
ton, born  April  1,  1866,  bj'-  whom  he  has  one  child,  Gussie  M.,  born  in  Wayland,  N. 
Y.-,  May  5,  1890. 

Patchin,  Gordon  M.,  was  born  December  26,  1848.  His  grandfather,  Walter 
Patchin,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  emigrated  to  the  town  of  Wajdand  from  Mar- 
cellus,  Onondaga  countj%  in  1814,  and  settled  at  Patchinsville  where  he  purchased  a 
large  tract  of  land.  He  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier  and  was  wounded  by  the 
Indians  at  Ballston,  Saratoga  county,  N.Y. ,  when  that  town  was  burned;  he  escaped 
by  swimming  the  river.  He  died  at  Patchinsville,  aged  ninety  years,  and  was 
buried  at  East  Wayland.  Myron  Patchin,  father  of  Gordon  M.,  was  born  in  Onon- 
daga county,  N.  Y.,  in  1806,  and  came  to  Wayland  with  his  father  when  eight  years 
of  age.  He  was  very  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  the  town,  was  one  of  the  founders, 
and  was  the  one  who  gave  it  the  name  of  Wayland.  At  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
1890,  he  was  the  owner  of  200  acres  of  land.  He  held  the  office  of  supervisor  of  the 
town  several  years,  was  justice  of  the  peace  for  thirty  years,  and  was  also  justice  of 
sessions  for  several  terms.  He  married  Rosilla  Parmenter,  who  still  survives  him, 
aged  sev^enty  years.  They  had  three  children:  Grace  G.,  Gertrude,  who  married 
Frank  Baker,  deceased,  and  Gordon  M.,  as  above,  who  is  now  the  possessor  of  tlie 
farm  owned  by  his  father.  Gordon  M.  was  educated  in  the  district  school  and  at- 
tended the  Dansville  Seminary  and  Naples  Academy.  He  is  a  member  of  Phoenix 
Lodge,  No.  115,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Dansville,  N.  Y.  He  carries  on  the  farm  and  has 
dealt  in  real  estate.  He  served  Steuben  county  in  the  State  Legislature  in  1892-93, 
elected  by  the  Republicans. 

Peterson,  Charles  H.,  was  born  in  Horseheads,  Chemung  county,  July  14,  1847, 
and  in  1853  came  to  Steuben  county  with  his  parents,  Jerome  B.  and  Maria  F.  Peter- 
son, who  purchased  the  Levi  Horton  property,  and  where  his  descendants  now  re- 
side. In  1876  Charles  H.  married  Elma,  daughter  of  the  late  Isaac  Saunders  of 
Rathbone,  by  whom  he  had  one  daughter,  Jessie  M. 

Pawling,  Dr.  Thomas  H.,  was  born  in  Fulton,  N.  Y.,  October  3,  1856,  and  the 
family  were  of  English  descent  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Pawling,  Dutchess  county, 
which  was  named  for  them.  Charles  W.  Pawling  married  Esther,  daughter  of 
Palmer  Root,  and  served  m  the  late  war  with  honor  and  credit.  Thomas  H.  Pawling 
is  a  graduate  of  Haverling  Academy,  and  in  1884  graduated  from  the  medical  de- 
partment of  the  University  of  Buffalo.  In  1884  he  associated  with  Dr.  Kassom,  and 
in  1888  established  his  present  practice,  making  a  specialty  of  dermatology.  In  1891 
he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  D.  W.  Woodruff"  of  Dansville,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Pawling  is 
a  member  of  the  Board  of  Health,  and  for  four -years  member  of  Examining  Board 
of  Surgeons. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  435 

Parks,  James,  was  born  at  County  Tyrone,  Ireland,  September  14,  1818,  and  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1819  with  his  parents  who  settled  in  Orange  county,  remain- 
ing until  1820  when  they  came  to  Steuben  county,  and  was  identified  through  his  life 
as  a  farmer  in  Schuyler  county,  which  was  then  a  part  of  Steuben  county,  his  resi- 
dence being  on  Sugar  Hill.  He  died  in  his  seventy-fourth  year.  James  Parks  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools,  after  which  he  gave  his  attention  to  farming.  In 
1842  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Alexander  Adams,  by  whom  he  had  two  chil- 
dren, Mrs.  Adeline,  and  Charles,  who  died  at  thirty-six  years  of  age.  Mrs.  Parks 
died  October  14,  1893. 

Pipe,  Samuel,  was  born  in  England  in  1851,  and  came  to  America  witl4  his  parents 
in  the  same  year,  coming  direct  to  Geneva,  where  they  lived  for  twenty  years.  He 
was  educated  in  the  district  schools,  and  in  1871  they  moved  to  Prattsburg  where  he 
remained  until  1873  when  he  purchased  of  his  father  180  acres  of  land  where  he  has 
since  resided,  and  being  possessed  of  natural  mechanical  ability  he  has  erected  for 
himself  a  commodious  house  and  large  barns.  In  1885  he  married  Rhoda,  daughter 
of  Daniel  and  Eliza  (Wraight)  Stevens  of  Wheeler.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pipe  are  active 
members  of  the  M.  E.  church  of  Lynn  in  Prattsburg,  and  Mr.  Pipe  is  steward  and 
trustee,  acting  financial  steward,  and  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday  school. 

Potter,  Edward  J.,  was  born  in  Corning,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y. ,  September  26, 
1858,  the  oldest  of  a  family  of  eight  children  born  to  John  and  Elizabeth  (Stickler) 
Potter,  he  a  native  of  Seneca  county,  and  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  she  of  Corn- 
ing. The  grandfather,  John  Potter,  came  to  Painted  Post  in  1835,  and  afterward 
went  to  Burdett,  N.  Y.,  where  he  spent  his  last  days.  The  maternal  grandfather, 
Martin  Stickler,  was  an  early  settler  of  Corning.  Edward  J.  Potter  was  reared  on  a 
farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming, 
which  business  he  followed  until  1889,  when  he  went  to  Illinois  and  worked  in  a 
hotel  for  several  years.  He  returned  to  Cameron  and  settled  on  the  farm  known  as 
the  W.  L.  Swartwood  farm,  where  he  remained  until  in  December,  1895,  when  he 
bought  the  Hurd  House  at  Woodhull,  N.  Y.  He  is  a  member  of  Elkland  Lodge,  No. 
800,  I.  O.  O.  F.  December  28,  1892,  he  married  Alice  L.  Swartwood,  a  native  of 
Cameron,  N.  Y.,  and  a  daughter  of  Wellen  and  Hattie  (Lamphear)  Swartwood,  he  a 
native  of  Cameron,  and  she  of  Corning,  N.  Y.  Mrs.  Potter's  grandfather,  Erastus 
D.  Swartwood,  came  to  Cameron  in  an  early  day.  His  wife  was  Mary  Jones,  and 
he  died  in  Pennsylvania,  and  she  at  Addison,  N.  Y.  Mrs.  Potter's  maternal  grand- 
father, Asa  B.  Lamphear,  was  a  native  of  Fulton,  N.  Y.  His  wife  was  Jane  Briggs, 
a  native  of  Corning,  where  she  died  in  1847,  and  Mr.  Lamphear  married  Louisa  Par- 
sons, a  native  of  Middletown.  He  died  in  Erwin  Center  in  1860,  and  his  widow  now 
lives  at  Addison.  Mr.  Swartwood  was  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  Cameron.  He 
died  May  11,  1888,  and  his  widow  now  lives  with  our  subject.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Potter 
have  one  son,  Charles  L.,  born  September  25,  1883. 

Prutsman,  R.  D.,  was  born  in  Jasper,  August  15,  1855,  a  son  of  Alexander  and 
Lillie  (Wilcox)  Prutsman,  natives  of  Troupsburg  and  Chenango  county,  respectively. 
The  grandfather,  Philip  Prutsman,  was  an  early  settler  in  Troupsburg,  where  he 
died.  The  maternal  grandfather.  Philander  Wilcox,  also  died  in  Troupsburg.  Al- 
exander Prutsman  is  a  farmer  and  now  lives  in  Troupsburg  Center.     His  wife  died 


436  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

in  1875.  R.  D.  Prutsman  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  Troupsburg.  He  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  which 
he  has  since  followed.  He  came  to  Woodhull  in  1883,  where  he  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful. He  has  served  as  constable,  and  is  a  member  of  Woodhull  Tent  No.  174  K. 
O.  T.  M.,  also  of  the  Brooklyn  Life  Insurance  Company.  In  1875  Mr.  Prutsman 
married  Frances  Paul,  a  native  of  Troupsburg,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children :  Mer- 
tie,  Floyd,  Dennis,  Ethel,  Olive,  Lee,  Alice,  Julia,  and  Fay. 

Van  Orsdale,  Dr.  Fitch  Henry,  was  born  in  Jasper,  N.  Y.,  December  12,  1858,  son 
of  Henry  and  Jane  A.  (Shimsway)  Van  Orsdale,  he  a  native  of  Upper  Lisle,  Broome 
county,  N.  Y.,  and  she  of  Addison,  N.  Y.  The  grandfather,  Vincent  Van  Orsdale, 
was  born  in  Newburg,  N.  Y.,  in  1797,  and  lived  in  Broome  county,  N.  Y.,  until  1843 
when  he  came  to  Jasper,  where  he  died  in  1889.  Henry  Van  Orsdale,  father  of  Fitch 
Henry,  came  to  Jasper  in  1843,  and  was  educated  in  the  common  and  select  schools 
of  the  place.  He  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Solomon  Deck  of  Jasper,  graduated 
from  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  New  York  city  in  1856,  and  began 
the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Jasper,  where  he  remained  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  May  14,  1887.  He  was  town  clerk  two  years,  and  highwhy  commissioner 
two  years.  Hfe  was  a  member  of  Greenwood  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.  Fitch  Henry  Van 
Orsdale  was  reared  in  the  village  of  Jasper,  and  educated  at  Alfred  University.  He 
studied  medicine  with  his  father  tw'O  years,  and  with  Dr.  W.  P.  Hunter  three  years. 
In  1891  he  graduated  from  the  University  of  Buffalo  and  began  the  practice  of  his 
profession  in  Jasper  in  the  same  year.  He  first  began  teaching  at  seventeen  years, 
and  at  twenty-two  years  of  age  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Painted  Post, 
where  he  remained  for  three  years.  May  10,  1881,  he  married  Grace  E.,  daughter  of 
Willis  E.  Craig  of  Jasper  but  at  present  a  resident  of  Belmont,  by  whom  he  had  one 
daughter,  Mabel  C,  born  August  18,  1882.  Dr.  Van  Orsdale  is  a  member  of  the  Jas- 
per Tent,  No.  100,  K.  O.  T.  M.,  and  is  examiner  for  the  lodge. 

Vail,  Anna  R. — Daniel  F.  Young  was  born  at  Frey's  Bush,  Montgomery  county, 
N.  Y.,  February  16,  1817,  son  of  Frederick  and  Elizabeth  (Younglove)  Young,  natives 
of  Frey's  Bush,  where  they  died.  Daniel  F.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  is  self-educated 
aad  began  life  by  learning  the  carpenter  trade.  He  earned  the  money  to  go  to  col- 
lege and  graduated  from  Clinton  College.  In  1845  he  became  editor  of  the  Mont- 
gomery Phoenix,  which  business  he  followed  for  thirteen  years,  after  which  he  stud- 
ied law  with  Wagner  &  Webster.  In  1848  he  accepted  the  appointment  of  deputy 
postmaster  at  Fort  Plain,  which  he  soon  resigned  and  became  clerk  to  William  Dale, 
a  superintendent  on  the  Erie  Canal.  He  later  became  connected  with  the  Fort  Plain 
National  Bank  and  was  afterward  promoted  to  cashier,  which  position  he  filled  until 
after  the  civil  war.  He  came  to  Steuben  county  for  many  years  to  spend  his  sum- 
mers, where  he  owns  considerable  real  estate.  For  many  years  was  a  correspondent 
of  the  prominent  county  papers,  also  the  Mail  and  Express  of  New  York  city  and 
Mohawk  Valley  Register.  July  14,  1883,  he  married  Anna  R.,  daughter  of  Dr.  Will- 
iam Miller  and  Mary  (Seeber),  he  a  native  of  Johnstown,  and  she  of  Canajoharie, 
Montgomery  county,  who  spent  their  lives  in  Johnstown  where  Dr.  Miller  died,  and 
Mrs.  Miller  resides  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Vail.  The  father  of  Dr.  William  Miller 
was  a  son  of  Dr.  Miller,  son  of  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.     His  wife  was 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  437 

Rust,  daughter  of  Amasiah  Rust  of  Revolutionary  fame.     Mr.  Young  died 

August  18,  1893,  and  in  1894  his  widow  married  F.  D.  Vile  of  Canisteo,   who  was  in 
business  in  Canisteo,  and  is  now  a  merchant  in  Jasper. 

Van  Scoter,  Monroe  D.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Burns,  Steuben  county.  May  19, 
1838.  His  father,  Philip  Van  Scoter,  was  also  born  in  the  town  of  Burns,  May  G, 
1812,  and  came  to  Hornellsville  when  about  eighteen  years  of  age,  to  enter  the  em- 
ploy of  Andy  L.  Smith,  both  in  the  store  and  tannery.  He  was  married  January  10, 
1837,  and  returned  to  his  native  town  and  built  a  tannery  which  he  conducted  until 
1840.  In  1841  he  retui-ned  to  Hornellsville  where  he  ever  after  made  his  home.  He 
was  one  of  the  old  time  Democrats  and  held  some  of  the  most  important  offices  of  the 
town,  supervisor  in  1860-61  and  in  1863  was  a  candidate  for  the  State  Legislature. 
In  1848  in  company  with  Alanson  Stephens  he  bought  an  extensive  tract  of  timber 
land  which  they  cut  and  run  down  the  river  in  rafts.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity  and  a  Knight  Templar.  He  died  November  29,  1885.  He  was 
twice  married,  first  to  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Christopher  Doty,  by  whom  he  had  two 
children:  Monroe  D.  and  Lydia  who  died  September  23,  1863,  at  seventeen  years  of 
age.  Mary  Doty  Van  Scoter  died  May  4,  1871,  and  he  took  for  his  second  wife  Mar- 
garet D.,  daughter  of  John  J.  Smith,  a  farmer  of  Bath.  Monroe  D.  was  educated  in 
the  common  school  and  followed  farming  until  1875,  when  he  engaged  in  the  hotel 
business  for  eight  years  and  was  then  four  years  conductor  in  the  Pullman  service. 
In  1890  he  opened  a  real  estate  and  loan  office  in  the  city  of  Hornellsville,  which 
business  he  is  now  engaged  in.  He  was  trustee  for  four  years  of  the  Third  and 
Fourth  wards,  and  highway  commissioner  of  the  town  of  Hornellsville  in  1862-63  and 
1867-68,  and  laid  out  some  of  the  most  important  streets  of  the  city,  prominent  among 
thembeing  River  street  and  those  in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  He  has  two  chil- 
dren living,  John  M.  and  Blancii,  wife  of  Thomas  J.  Worden  of  this  cit5^ 

Van  Alstine  George  W. ,  was  born  in  Schoharie  county  in  1847,  and  came  to  Horn 
by  the  followmg  year  with  his  parents,  James  and  Mary  Ann,  who  resided  here  till 
their  death  m  1892  and  1874,  aged  seventy-six  and  fifty-four,  father  and  mother,  re- 
spectively. He  is  the  youngest  of  three  children,  the  others  being  Martin  H.,  and 
James  W.  He  resided  at  home  till  1875  when  he  married  Ella  O.  Roloson,  daughter 
of  Peter  Roloson,  a  native  of  Hornby,  and  then  moved  to  his  present  farm  of  seventy- 
three  acres. 

Vastbinder,  Nelson  H.,  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides,  son  of  Horace 
and  Etha  Harrison  Vastbinder,  who  were  the  parents  of  five  children ;  Charles,  de- 
ceased. Nelson  H.,  Grace,  Archie,  and  Addie.  Nelson  H.  married  Effie,  daughter  of 
John  (deceased)  and  Armania  HoUenbeck,  residents  of  this  county,  and  they  have 
two  children:  Wallace  and  Charles  Read.  Horace  settled  here  about  1851  on  the 
farm  where  he  now  resides,  and  was  in  the  late  war.  He  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Lindley  Methodist  church.  Nelson  and  his  father  have  a  farm  of  about  500 
acres. 

LTnderwood,  George  W.,  was  born  at  Groton,  N.  Y. ,  in  1834,  son  of  William  Un- 
derwood, who  married  Ruth  Goodwin,  by  whom  he  had  twelve  children,  of  whom 
George  W.  is  the  youngest.  The  time  of  his  birth  is  remarkable,  by  the  fact  that 
he  had  brothers  fifty  years  old,  comparatively  old  men.     They  are  of  English  ances- 


438  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

trj^  on  both  the  maternal  and  paternal  side.  He  was  educated  in  Groton,  and  when 
only  sixteen  years  old  began  business  for  himself,  being  first  engaged  in  buying  and 
shipping  stock,  which  -business  he  still  continues.  In  1882  he  purchased  150  acres 
of  land,  which  is  located  about  two  miles  from  Addison  village,  making  a  specialty 
of  tobacco.  He  married  Ophelia  Van  Marter,  of  Groton,  and  they  were  the  parents 
of  seven  children.  In  politics  Mr.  Underwood  is  a  Republican,  and  at  the  present 
time  is  excise  commissioner. 

Yawger,  Philip,  was  born  in  Bradford,  N.  Y.,  July  16,  1827,  son  of  Henry  S.  and 
Nancy  (Scott)  Yawger ;  he  a  native  of  New  Jersey  and  she  of  Bradford.  The  grand- 
father, Francis  Yawger,  was  a  pioneer  of  Bradford,  coming  from  New  Jersey  to 
Connecticut,  and  from  there  to  Bradford,  thence  to  Seneca  county,  where  he  resided 
about  twenty  years,  but  returned  to  Bradford,  where  he  died.  Henry  Yawger,  father 
of  Philip,  was  born  in  1800  and  reared  on  a  farm  in  Cayuga  county.  He  came  to 
Bradford,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  died  December  12,  1857.  Philip  Yaw- 
ger helped  his  father  to  clear  the  farm,  and  has  always  followed  farming  on  the  farm 
of  130  acres  which  he  now  own.s.  He  married  Lucretia,  daughter  of  Stephen  and 
Emeline  Moss  of  Bradford,  b}^  w^hom  he  had  five  children :  Josephine,  wife  of  J.  B. 
Day,  who  died  at  twenty-three  years  of  age,  leaving  one  son,  C.  M.  Day,  who  was 
reared  bj-  our  subject;  Sarah  Eva,  wife  of  Alford  Seybold  of  Bradford;  Nancy,  wife 
of  George  Blyss  of  Penn  Yan ;  Frankie,  who  died  at  fourteen  years  of  age,  and  Her- 
bert, who  is  a  farmer  on  the  home  farm.  Mr.  Yawger  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and 
has  been  road  commissioner  three  years  and  supervisor  three  terms. 

Young,  Thomas  J.,  was  born  in  Rathbone,  N.  Y.,  August  24,  1836.  His  grand- 
father, Porter  Young,  was  a  native  of  Germany,  who  came  to  Rathbone  at  a  very 
early  day,  where  he  built  a  log  tavern.  George  W.  Young,  father  of  Thomas  J.,  was 
born  in  Steuben  county  and  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade.  He  married  Charlotte  M. 
Holmes,  of  Steuben  county.  In  politics  he  was  a  Whig  and  Republican,  and  was 
supervisor  of  his  town  for  sixteen  years  and  justice  of  the  peace  for  some  time.  He 
w-as  quite  an  extensive  land  owner,  and  later  in  life  became  a  merchant.  He  died 
in  1879,  and  his  widow  resides  in  the  town  of  Rathbone.  Thomas  J.  Young  en- 
gaged in  lumbering  until  the  war  began,  when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  F.,  107th  N.  Y.  Vols., 
and  served  three  years.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Antietam,  Chancellorsville  and 
Gettysburg,  and  was  afterward  with  Sherman,  and  was  at  Dallas,  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
Resaca,  and  was  wounded  at  Bentonville,  N.  C,  in  the  arm  and  leg.  He  is  a  Re- 
publican in  politics  and  has  been  constable,  which  position  he  now  holds,  and  has 
also  been  collector.  He  is  a  member  of  James  B.  Jones  Post.  In  October,  1868,  he 
married  Susan  Smith,  daughter  of  John  and  Lizzie  Shafer,  natives  of  Germany,  who 
came  to  this  country  and  first  settled  in  Baltimore,  thence  to  Pennsylvania,  and  from 
there  to  Corning,  where  Mrs.  Shafer  died  in  1858.  Mr.  Shafer  died  in  Rathbone  in 
1885.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Young  have  three  sons:  George  W.,  foreman  on  a  railroad  at 
Adrian;  John,  who  resides  at  home  and  works  on  a  railroad,  and  William  H.,  fore- 
man on  a  railroad  at  Big  Flats.  Mr.  Young  owns  fifty  acres  of  land  near  the  village 
of  Rathbone. 

Young,  N.  P.,  was  born  in  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  November  2,  1838,  son  of 
Nathan  T.  and  Lucy  M.  Crandrall  Young,  he  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  and  she  of 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  439 

New  York,  and  grandson  of  Northrup  W.,  who  went  to  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  at 
an  early  day  and  afterwards  to  Pennsylvania,  where  he  died.  Nathan  T.  was 
a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  came  to  Addison,  and  thence  to  Rathbone,  where  he 
died.  N.  P.  Young  was  educated  in  the  common  and  select  schools  of  Rathbone,  and 
followed  clerking  for  several  years.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Co.  K,  23d  N.  Y.  Vols., 
and  served  two  years,  being  at  Polk's  Retreat,  Second  Bull  Run,  South  Mountain 
and  Antietam.  After  the  war  Mr.  Young  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in 
Rathbone,  where  he  has  since  had  a  successful  business.  He  is  a  Prohibitionist,  and 
was  postmaster  from  Lincoln's  administration  to  Cleveland's.  He  is  a  member  of 
Cameron  Mills  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  James  B.  Post,  No.  579.  He  married  Frances 
E.  French  of  Cameron,  and  they  have  had  three  children;  R.  P.,  the  station  agent 
of  Rathbone;  M.  Annie,  and  Katie.  Mr.  Young  has  been  justice  of  the  peace  six 
years  and  town  clerk  for  several  years. 

Young,  Clement  H.,  was  born  in  Covington,  Pa.,  February  19,  1834.  Francis  E. 
Young  was  born  in  the  town  of  Corning  in  1810.  His  father,  George  Young,  was  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  German  descent.  Francis  Young  was  m  early  life  a 
tailor,  later  a  merchant  and  a  clothing  salesman  in  New  York  city,  and  died  at 
Painted  Post  in  1892.  Clement  was  the  second  son  of  a  family  of  four  children,  and 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Prattsburg  Academy  and  his  first  occupa- 
tion was  in  the  banking  bu.siness  with  C.  F.  Piatt,  and  at  the  same  time  he  studied 
law  with  Mr.  Piatt  who  was  a  lawyer,  remaining  there  until  he  was  twenty-one, 
when  he  went  to  New  York  to  take  the  position  of  assistant  bookkeeper  with  John 
Thompson,  the  celebrated  banker.  One  year  later  he  went  to  Chicago  and  was  cor- 
responding clerk  with  F.  Granger  Adams  for  four  years.  He  returned  to  Painted 
Post,  and  for  three  years  was  employed  in  a  milling  establishment.  During  the  war 
he  occupied  a  position  in  the  quartermaster's  department  and  in  1865  he  came  to 
Hornellsville  to  take  the  position  of  teller  of  the  First  National  Bank.  In  1869  he 
engaged  in  the  insurance  business  with  Crane,  Coys  &  Young,  and  two  years  later 
the  firm  became  Coys  &  Young  and  existed  as  such  for  three  years  In  1874  he  be. 
came  a  partner  in  the  furniture  manufacturing  company  of  Dietsch,  Tschachtli  & 
Co.,  and  continued  in  that  until  1883,  when  he  became  a  partner  in  the  drug  business 
in  the  firm  of  Reed  &  Young  which  existed  for  six  years,  and  in  1889  he  established 
an  independent  business  on  Loder  street,  and  one  year  later  established  the  Main 
street  store  now  conducted  by  his  son  Ralph.  In  1869  he  married  Anna  Stearns 
Hubbard,  daughter  of  Alphonso  Hubbard  of  Paterson,  N.  J.,  by  whom  he  had  two 
children:  Ralph,  who  conducts  the  Main  street  store,  and  Frank  who  is  engaged  as 
bookkeeper  in  the  lumber  mill  in  Paterson,  N   J. 

Shattuck,  Dr.  S.  E.,  was  born  in  the  village  of  Branchport,  Yates  county,  N.  Y., 
May  29,  1829.  He  was  the  second  of  a  family  of  four  children,  and  receiving  his  ed- 
ucation in  the  common  schools  and  Franklin  Academy,  he  first  followed  teaching  for 
a  few  terms  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  took  up  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  D.  N. 
Newton  of  Towanda,  Pa.,  and  after  one  year  began  a  three  years'  course  with  Dr.  E. 
Doubleday  of  Yates  county,  N.  Y.  He  was  for  three  terms  a  student  of  Geneva 
Medical  College  and  Buffalo  University,  graduating  from  the  former  institution  in 
June,  1851.  The  same  year  he  came  to  Hornellsville  and  was  in  the  continuous  prac- 
tice of  the  profession  until  his  death.     Shattuck  Opera  House  block  is  a  monument  to 


440  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

his  industry  and  perseverance.  He  was  once  the  president  of  the  village  of  Hornells- 
ville,  and  in  1878  represented  his  town  on  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  He  was  married 
in  Jul5^  1851,  to  Harriet,  daughter  of  John  B.  Hininan  of  Bradford  county.  Pa.  They 
have  one  daughter  living.  Miss  Hattie  Shattck. 

Smith,  Hobart  Clinton,  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides,  April  18,  1859, 
son  of  Abram  Smith,  a  native  of  Schuyler  county,  who  was  born  May  2,  1818,  and 
came  to  this  town  when  he  was  a  lad  of  ten  or  twelve  years,  and  has  always  followed 
farming  until  lately  when  he  retired  from  all  active  work.  He  was  the  father  of  ten 
children,  five  of  whom  are  living.  Hobart  was  the  third  son,  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  and  Hornellsville  Academy,  made  his  home  on  the  old  homestead 
farm,  being  associated  with  his  father  until  1883  when  he  was  married  and  worked 
the  farm  on  shares  until  1892  and  then  bought  it.  This  farm  contains  eighty  acres 
on  division  18,  and  the  principal  products  raised  on  it  are  grain  and  potatoes.  Mr. 
Smith  is  a  member  of  East  Avenue  Methodist  church  of  which  he  is  steward.  He 
was  married  April  18,  1883,  to  Belle,  daughter  of  John  Leonard  of  Schuyler  county, 
and  they  have  three  children:  Lena  iM.,  Edith  Elmira,  and  the  baby,  Carrie  Mildred. 

Smith,  William  K.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Birdsall,  Allegany  county,  N.  Y.,  June 
12,  1853.  Patrick  Smith,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Ireland  and  came  to  this  coun- 
try in  1848.  He  was  a  farmer  in  Allegany  county  until  1868,  when  he  came  to  Hor- 
nellsville, where  he  died  in  1873  at  fifty-two  years  of  age.  William  was  the  oldest 
of  a  family  of  seven  children  that  reached  adult  age.  He  was  given  a  good  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools  of  Allegany  and  Steuben  counties,  and  his  first  occupa- 
tion was  as  a  carpenter,  which  he  followed  until  twenty-five  years  of  age,  when  he 
took  up  railroading,  which  he  followed  for  five  years,  and  then  was  a  carpenter  un- 
til 1888.  Mr.  Smith  has  always  been  a  warm  supporter  of  the  Democrat  party  and 
its  principles,  and  the  year  named,  when  the  city  of  Hornellsville  was  organized,  he 
was  the  choice  of  his  many  friends  for  the  honor  of  nomination  for  city  chamber- 
lain, to  which  office  he  was  elected  over  one  of  the  most  popular  Republicans,  and 
his  qualification  for  the  office  was  proven  by  his  re-election  in  1890,  and  in  1892  he 
was  not  only  nominated  by  his  own  party,  but  endorsed  by  the  Republicans;  renom- 
inated in  1894.  he  was  defeated  by  factional  troubles  in  his  own  party.  The  fall  of 
1895  he  was  appointed  deputy  postmaster,  which  office  he  now  holds.  He  has  been 
an  officer  of  the  C.  M.  B.  A.  since  1879,  and  financial  secretary  for  twelve  years;  also 
recording  secretary  of  the  A.  O.  H.  since  1890,  and  corresponding  secretary  for  the 
same  length  of  time.  He  has  been  trustee  of  St.  Ann's  church  for  twenty  years. 
In  1876  he  married  Ann  O'Connor  of  Binghamton,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children, 
six  of  whom  are  living. 

Schwingle,  George,  was  born  in  Cohocton,  August  11,  1851.  Both  paternal  and 
maternal  ancestors  are  of  German  origin.  Henry,  the  father  of  George,  came  to 
this  country  in  1842,  when  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age.  His  parents  settled  in  the 
town  of  Wayland,  and  it  was  here  his  boyhood  was  spent.  After  his  marriage  he 
moved  to  Cohocton  and  bought  a  farm,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  is 
now  living  retired  in  the  village  of  Cohocton.  George,  the  oldest  of  a  family  of  eight 
children,  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  by  reading  and  study  alone,  and 
at  sixteen  years  of  age  started  for  himself,  two  years  at  farming,  and  in  1869  he 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  441 

went  as  an  apprentice  with  H.  W.  Gasney,  a  tinsmith  of  Wayland,  where  he  spent 
three  years,  and  was  tlien  employed  with  Steffen  &  Beebe  of  Dansville  until  18T4 
That  year  he  started  in  business  with  a  cousin  in  Wayland,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Schwingle  &  Tess,  until  1880,  and  then  sold  out  and  was  employed  with  Kimball, 
Morris  &  Co.  until  the  spring  of  1882.  He  then  located  in  Hornellsville  and  took 
charge  of  Sheldon  Bros.'  shop,  where  he  remained  until  the  spring  of  1893.  He  and 
his  brother  conducted  a  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Schwingle  Bros.,  and  in 
1894  they  took  a  partner,  Edward  Davis,  and  the  firm  since  is  Schwingle  &  Davis, 
Mr.  Schwingle  represented  the  First  Ward  on  the  board  of  alderman  in  1891-92.  He 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  since  1886,  Hornellsville  Lodge,  No. 
331,  Steuben  Chapter,  No.  101,  Hornellsville  Council,  No.  35,  De  Molay  Council, 
No.  22,  Hornellsville  Consistory  (32d  degree).  No.  40.  He  has  passed  all  chairs  of 
the  lodge  but  master,  and  is  one  of  the  trustees  this  year.  In  1878  he  married  Mary 
E.  Warkley  of  Dansville. 

Sweeney,  Dr.  James  M.,  was  born  in  New  Orleans,  November  12,  1867,  the  sec- 
ond son  of  Capt.  James  Sweeney,  who  was  a  native  of  Ir,eland,  and  who  came  to 
this  country  about  1860.  During  the  war  he  was  captain  of  a  vessel  on  the  Missis- 
sippi, but  also  held  a  commission  as  a  sea  captain.  James  M.  was  educated  in  the 
city  schools  of  New  Orleans,  and  took  a  collegiate  course  at  St.  Vincent's  College, 
Cape  Girardeau,  graduating  from  there  June  22,  1887.  He  then  took  up  the  study 
of  medicme,  first  taking  a  course  at  Niagara  University,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  graduating 
May  2,  1892,  with  the  degree  of  M.  D.  He  began  practice  at  New  Orleans,  La. , 
where  he  spent  one  year,  and  then,  December  3,  1893,  located  in  Hornellsville, 
where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  the  profession.  He  is  the  deputy 
supreme  examiner  of  the  Sexennial  League,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Hornells- 
ville Medical  and  Surgical  association.  In  May,  1893,  he  married  Anna  L.  McKeon 
of  Hornellsville,  by  whom  he  has  two  children  •.  Gerald  Joseph  and  Margaret  Fi-ances. 

Sjdvester,  Dr.  Franklin  E.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Dansville,  Steuben  county, 
N.  Y.,  November  3,  1864.  Gideon  C,  the  father  of  the  doctor,  was  also  a  native  of 
this  county,  while  his  father,  Enoch,  was  a  native  of  Vermont.  The  latter  came 
with  his  father,  Charles,  from  Vermont  about  1820  and  settled  in  Dansville,  where 
the  family  have  ever  since  resided.  They  have  been  a  family  of  agriculturists. 
Gideon  C.  is  now  living  retired  in  Arkport.  He  served  his  country  in  the  late  war. 
Franklin  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Rogersville  Union  Seminary  and 
took  up  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  J.  E.  Walker  in  the  fall  of  1884,  and  en- 
tered the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  New  York  in  1886,  graduating 
from  that  institution  March  8,  1888.  He  was  chief  of  clinic  and  attending  surgeon 
of  the  orthepaedic  department  of  the  University  of  New  York,  and  also  postgrad- 
uate of  the  school  and  hospital  of  New  York  from  1888  until  1890.  He  was  then 
secretary  of  Sydenham  Postgraduate  and  Surgeon  of  Orthopaedic  until  1893.  The 
fall  of  that  year  he  located  in  Arkport,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  the  profession.  The  doctor  is  a  member  of  the  New  York  City  Medical 
Association  and  also  of  the  Hornellsville  Surgical  and  Medical  Association.  He  is 
a  member  of  Mount  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  27,  F.  &  A.  M.  ;  was  married  to  Miss  Anna 
J.  Bancroft  of  New  York  city,  May  30,  1888.  They  have  one  child,  born  August  9, 
1890,  Harold  Frank  Sylvester. 

ddd 


442  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

Smith,  Frank  S.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Amity,  Allegany  county,  N.  Y  ,  June  8, 
1853.  Stephen  R.  Smith  was  a  native  of  Berlin,  Rensselaer  county,  N.  Y.,  and  was 
one  of  the  early  settlers  m  Western  New  York,  born  in  1787.  He  was  a  soldier  in 
the  war  of  1812.  He  was  prominently  identified  with  public  and  political  affairs  and 
was  one  of  the  founders  of  Alfred  University.  He  moved  from  Alfred  to  Amity  about 
1850  and  spent  his  last  days  in  that  town.  He  was  a  Mason  when  it  meant  danger  to 
acknowledge  it,  He  died  March  23,  1863,  at  seventy-six  years  of  age.  The  mother 
of  Frank  S. ,  Tapher  Eymer,  was  a  native  of  Allegany  county,  of  Holland  descent. 
She  died  May  21,  1882,  sixty-two  years  of  age.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren, of  which  Frank  was  the  oldest  son.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  Allegany  county,  and  his  first  occupation  was  on  the  farm  until  eighteen  years  of 
age.  At  that  age  he  began  an  apprenticeship  at  the  painter's  trade,  which  he  has 
always  followed.  He  located  in  Hornellsville  in  1886,  and  after  serving  one  year  in 
mercantile  pursuits,  June,  1887,  he  entered  the  Erie  shops  and  has  ever  since  been 
in  the  employ  of  this  company ;  and  assistant  foreman  for  the  last  five  years.  He 
was  married,  January  18, 1888,  to  Miss  Elan  Millspaugh,  of  Canada,  Allegany  county. 
They  have  one  child,  Edna  Charlotte  Smith,  now  in  her  third  year. 

Santee,  Mrs.  Rachel. — John  Santee  was  born  at  West  Cameron,  Steuben  county, 
N.  Y.,  February  6,  1817.  Isaac  Santee,  the  father  of  John,  was  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  a  farmer.  John  was  the  oldest  son  of  a  family  of  five  sons  and 
three  daughters.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  began  teaching 
when  about  twenty  years  of  age,  following  that  for  about  twelve  years.  In  1842 
in  partnership  with  his  father  they  bought  a  grist  mill  at  Scio,  which  he  conducted 
for  live  j^ears;  with  all  the  difficulties  of  getting  a  start  in  the  world,  their  mill  was 
the  foundation  of  his  future  business.  In  1847  he  returned  to  the  farm  which  he  con- 
ducted until  1864,  and  that  year  he  located  in  Hornellsville.  He  has  always  been 
a  speculator  in  lumber,  cattle,  sheep,  etc.,  and  furnished  material  for  the  railroad 
company.  He  was  a  very  active  business  man  and  employed  many  men  in  various 
enterprises  he  was  interested  in.  In  his  younger  days  he  conducted  a  market  and 
would  furnish  his  men  with  provisions  and  meat.  He  was  always  interested  in 
school  work  and  a  supporter  of  the  church ;  was  one  of  the  benefactors  of  the  city 
and  built  a  number  of  fine  residences  and  also  the  Santee  block  at  the  corner  of 
Main  street  and  Hakes  avenue,  and  also  the  Carr  House  on  Hakes  avenue.  John 
Santee,  with  Mr.  McMaster,  was  the  founder  of  the  Citizens'  National  Bank.  He  was 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  a  Knight  Templar.  At  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  October  8,  1890,  the  whole  community  mourned.  He  was  married, 
October  1,  1840,  to  Miss  Rachel,  daughter  of  Phineas  Stephens  of  Greenwood.  They 
are  the  parents  of  three  sons:  Addison,  of  Hornellsville,  retired;  Isaac,  of  Hornells- 
ville, retired,  and  J.  E.  B.  Santee  of  the  Citizens'  National  Bank.  Mrs.  Santee  is 
still  hale  and  hearty,  now  in  her  seventy-third  year. 

Shattuck,  Stephen  D.,  was  born  in  Cohocton,  N.  Y.,  April  5,  1828  son  of  Lucius 
and  Hattie  (Chamberlain)  Shattuck.  His  grandfather,  Joseph  Shattuck,  was  a  sol- 
dier in  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  came  from  Pompey,  Onondaga  county,  to  Cohoc- 
ton as  early  as  1812,  and  took  up  a  farm  about  a  mile  west  of  Wallace,  where 
he  remained  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1822.  His  children  were  Joseph, 
Stephen,   Eli,   Chester,   Truman,   Alfred  and  Lucius.      Lucius  Shattuck  settled  in 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  443 

Cohocton.  He  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  which  business  he  followed  for  many 
years,  and  was  also  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  elected  town  clerk  in  1823,  and 
held  that  office  for  twenty-three  years.  He  died  in  1852.  His  children  were  Alfred 
Nelson,  Tyler,  Milo,  Stephen  D.,  Lucius  S.,  and  Harriett,  deceased,  who  married 
Alexander  Sayles.  S.  D.  Shattuck  settled  in  Cohocton,  where,  with  the  exception  of 
three  years  spent  at  Painted  Post  and  three  at  Toledo,  Ohio,  he  has  always  lived. 
He  began  life  as  a  clerk  in  a  store,  and  in  1849  became  a  partner  with  Henry  G. 
Blood,  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Cohocton,  continuing  until  1851.  From  1858  to 
1863  he  was  again  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Cohocton,  and  in  the  latter 
year  he  removed  to  Toledo,  but  returned  to  Cohocton  in  1866.  and  from  that  time 
until  1885,  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business.  From  1885  to  1889  he  was  post- 
master at  Cohocton,  and  in  1890  purchased  the  Cohocton  Valley  Times,  and  has  since 
published  that  paper.  He  has  been  town  clerk  for  several  years,  also  collector,  and 
was  supervisor  for  five  years.  In  1873  he  was  elected  member  of  assembly  and  re- 
elected in  1874.  In  1850  Mr.  Shattiick  married  Rachel  A.  Mills,  of  Cohocton,  by 
whom  he  had  two  children:  Charles  B.,  and  Emma  G.  (Mrs.  O.  S.  Searl).  both  of 
Cohocton. 

Santee,  Isaac,  was  born  in  West  Cameron,  February  21,  1845,  the  second  son  of 
John  Santee.  Isaac  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  town  and 
private  school  at  Hornellsville  and  Rogersville  Academy.  Mr.  Santee  has  acquired 
a  knowledge  of  mathematics.  He  was  engaged  with  his  father  in  the  building  busi- 
ness and  was  manager  of  that  department  of  John  Santee's  many  enterprises.  After 
giving  that  up,  in  1873  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Erie  railroad,  first  as  a  brake- 
man  and  then  as  baggageman,  and  at  the  time  of  his  father's  sickness  he  returned  to 
the  east  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  is  engaged  in  the  real  estate  busi- 
ness having  a  number  of  residences  in  charge.  Mr.  Santee  has  been  twice  married, 
August  4,  1864,  to  Miss  Emily  Hallett  of  the  town  of  Canisteo.  She  died  December 
1,  1890,  leaving  four  children,  three  sons  and  one  daughter.  He  was  again  married 
May  1,  1892,  to  Miss  Ada  M.  King,  a  daughter  of  Philip  King,  a  lumberman  of  Canis- 
teo.    They  have  one  child,  Rachel  M.  Santee. 

Starr,  Samuel  F.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Newfield,  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y.,  De- 
cember 13,  1835.  John  Starr,  the  father  of  Samuel,  was  also  a  native  of  Tompkins 
county,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  who  died  in  1879.  Samuel  was  the  youngest  son  of 
a  family  of  ten  children,  was  given  a  good  common  school  education,  and  at  the  age 
of  eighteen  began  an  apprenticeship  at  the  blacksmith  trade  in  Greenwood,  Steuben 
county,  whence  the  people  removed  in  1838.  He  served  three  years  as  an  apprentice, 
and  at  twenty-one  years  of  age  established  a  shop  for  himself  in  Greenwood,  where 
he  continued  for  two  years  and  then  removed  to  Canisteo,  where  he  conducted  a 
business  for  twelve,  years.  The  fall  of  1873  he  came  to  Hornellsville  and  bought  a 
shop  on  Seneca  street,  was  burned  out  the  year  following  and  then  bought  Randall 
Haynor's  shop  on  Carr  street,  where  he  has  ever  since  been  located.  Mr.  Starr  was 
married  in  1857  to  Miss  Catherine  McClay  of  Greenwood,  and  they  are  the  parents  of 
four  children:  Frank  M-  Starr,  a  partner  in  the  blacksmith  shop;  Sarah,  the  wife  of 
John  True,  yardmaster  of  the  N.  Y.  C.  at  Buffalo,  and  Charles,  a  clerk  in  the  store  of 
W.  H.  Willett  in  Hornellsville. 

Taylor,  John   D.,  was  born  on  a  farm  near  the  village  of  Arkport,  December  4, 


444  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

1868.  Thomas  Taylor,  the  father  of  John,  is  a  native  of  Livingston  county.  He 
came  to  Steuben  in  1855  and  has  ever  since  made  his  home  here,  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. John  is  the  second  son  of  a  family  of  six  children.  He  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  and  Alfred  Academy  and  his  first  occupation  was  on  the  farm  and 
teaching  for  two  years.  In  1889  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  in  partner- 
ship with  his  brother,  establishing  a  general  store  under  the  firm  name  of  Taylor 
Brothers,  which  firm  is  still  in  existence.  John  D.  is  also  the  postmaster  of  Arkport, 
appointed  in  1894.  The  firm  of  Taylor  Brothers  in  the  spring  of  1895  added  the 
dealing  in  produce  to  their  business,  and  are  now  extensive  dealers  in  grains  and 
potatoes  and  all  farm  produce.  The  season  of  1895  they  handled  about  75,000  bushels 
of  potatoes  alone  at  Arkport  and  Hornellsville,  where  they  have  a  branch  establish- 
ment. These  gentlemen  are  also  interested  in  the  cultivation  of  potatoes,  and  also  in 
farming. 

Tuttle,  Erasmus  D.,  was  born  in  Columbia,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1835.  He 
was  given  a  good  education  and  finished  at  Norwich  Academy ;  for  a  number  of 
years  he  taught  in  the  winter  and  followed  the  making  of  cheese  in  the  summer.  He 
moved  to  Holmesville  about  1868  after  his  return  from  the  army.  He  was  for  three 
years  a  soldier  of  the  Rebellion,  his  closing  service  being  with  the  7th  N.  Y.  Light 
Artillery,  and  was  for  a  time  m  the  office  of  the  provost  marshal.  He  followed 
cheese  making  in  Holmesville,  where  he  built  a  large  factory  which  burned  in  1878, 
and  two  years  later  he  moved  to  Hornellsville,  where  he  was  for  a  while  engaged  in 
dairying  on  his  brother's  farm  until  1884,  and  that  year  he  built  a  large  cold  storage 
warehouse  on  West  Main  street,  where  he  began  dealing  in  all  kinds  of  farm  pro- 
duce, continuing  in  chat  business  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  Septem- 
ber 11,  1893.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  a  Chapter  Mason.  He 
was  twice  married ;  his  first  wife  was  Nancy  J.  Sexton,  by  whom  he  had  the  follow- 
ing children:  the  oldest,  Merton  L.,  died  February  28,  1894,  twenty-eight  years  of 
age;  Harley  C.  is  a  machinist  of  Horton,  Kansas:  Clifton  S.  has  followed  his  father's 
footsteps  as  a  business  man,  and  April  1,  1893.  he  established  a  store  at  22  Canisteo 
street,  where  he  was  joined  in  September  of  the  same  year  by  William  D.  Series,  his 
father-in-law,  the  firm  name  being  Tuttle  &  Series.  Ha  was  married  in  1893  to  Miss 
Nellie  L.  Series.  Another  son  of  E.  D.  Tuttle  is  Frank  A.,  who  is  a  clerk  in  his 
brother's  store ;  the  daughter.  Miss  Ella  A.,  is  a  teacher  of  the  common  school  of 
North  Norwich. 

Taggart,  George  F.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville  on  the  farm  of  his  pres- 
ent residence  September  16,  1858.  Christopher  H.,  his  father,  was  also  a  native  of 
this  place,  born  March  17,  1813,  and  James  Taggart  his  father,  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  of  the  town,  coming  from  Northumberland,  Pa.,  about  1797,  and  taking  up  a 
tract  of  110  acres  of  this  farm  and  a  half  interest  in  100  acres  on.  the  west  side  of  the 
highway  and  also  land  in  Albany  and  Livingston  counties.  James  had  but  two 
children:  Christopher  H.,  and  Mary,  who  married  Dr.  Cadey.  Christopher  married 
Elisa  Griswold  of  Dansville,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  two  children:  Mrs.  Sarah 
L.  Beardsley  of  Elmira,  and  George  F.  Christopher  Taggart  died  September  18, 
1887.  Mrs.  Taggart  is  still  living.  George  was  given  a  common  school  education, 
and  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his  ancestors  on  the  farm.  He  is  a  member  of  Oasis 
Lodge,  No.  251,  I.  O.  O.  F.  October  26,  1892,  he  married  Kittie,  daughter  of  David 
Davidson,  a  blacksmith  of  Canaseraga.     They  have  one  child,  James  Taggart. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  445 

Shoemaker,  Daniel,  was  born  in  Bath,  September  22,  1855.  Daniel  Shoemaker,  his 
father,  was  a  native  of  Dublin,  Ireland,  and  came  to  Bath  about  1850,  and  married 
Elizabeth  Kelley,  and  was  identified  as  a  farmer.  Daniel,  jr.,  was  educated  at  Hav- 
erling  Academy,  and  in  1888  established  his  present  business  as  buyer  and  shipper 
of  hay,  grain,  produce,  lumber,  etc.,  with  an  average  shipment  of  8,000  tons  of  hay 
and  straw.  In  1882  he  married  Cora  E.,  daughter  of  Jacob  Snell,  by  whom  he  had 
one  child,  Alice. 

Sutton,  A.  O.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Thurston,  May  8,  1854.  His  father,  Alex- 
ander Sutton,  was  born  in  Pulteney,  where  his  father,  Peter,  settled  about  1812.  He 
married  Mary,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Decker,  and  through  life  was  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, dying  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  Alexander  Sutton  married  Mary,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Richmeyer,  by  whom  he  had  three  sons:  Oscar,  John  A.,  and  A.  O. 
The  latter  married  Sarah  Look,  who  died  in  1887.  Mr.  Sutton  afterwards  married 
Catherine,  daughter  of  B.  F.  Wilbur,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  William  and 
Azel.  Mr.  Sutton  is  one  of  the  practical  and  successful  farmers  of  the  town,  taking 
an  active  interest  in  school  and  church  affairs. 

Smith,  Hessel,  was  born  in  Seneca  county,  October  20,  1820,  son  of  Ammeron 
Smith,  who  was  a  native  of  Goshen,  Orange  county.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  Seager,  and  they  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1827,  settled  in  the  town  of 
Urbana,  and  were  among  the  pioneers  of  that  town,  giving  his  influence  toward  the 
advancement  of  education  and  religion.  He  died  in  1856  in  his  fiftieth  year.  In 
1843  Hessel  Smith  married  Lydia,  daughter  of  Ralph  Van  Houten,  who  was  also  one 
of  the  pioneers  of  Urbana  settling  there  in  1815,  and  one  of  the  founders  of  the  first 
Baptist  church  in  that  town.  He  died  in  1868  in  his  seventy-fourth  year.  Mr.  Smith 
has  served  as  assessor,  highway  commissioner,  and  excise  commissioner. 

Tiffany,  E.  O. — Orlando  Tiffany  was  born  in  the  town  of  Schodack,  Rensselaer 
county,  December  4,  1819.  His  father,  Willis  N.  Tiffany,  married  Betsey  Webster 
for  his  first  wife,  and  after  her  death  married  Bertha  Hall.  He  came  to  Bath  in 
1833  and  engaged  in  carding  and  cloth  finishing  He  died  in  1859.  Orlando  finished 
his  education  at  Bath,  and  then  learned  his  father's  trade.  In  1842  he  came  to  Ka- 
nona  and  engaged  in  the  same  business,  and  from  1844  to  1854  was  engaged  in 
various  occupations,  among  them  being  a  trip  to  the  Isthmus  of  Panama,  and  from 
1854  to  1889  he  served  as  agent  for  the  N.  Y  &  L.  E.  R.  R.,  a  continuous  service  of 
thirty-five  years.  In  1863  he  married  Jennie,  daughter  of  Jacob  Waters,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  one  son,  Edward  O.,  who  was  educated  at  Haverling  Academy, 
then  learned  telegraphy  and  engaged  in  railroad  work,  and  now  fills  a  position  occu- 
pied by  his  father  for  forty-three  years. 

Sutton,  Marvin  C,  was  born  in  Marion,  Wayne  county,  N,  Y.,  April  25,  1836,  son 
of  Jason  and  Amanda  (Case)  Sutton,  he  a  native  of  Homer,  N.  Y.,  and  she  of  Marion, 
N.  Y.  The  grandfather  spent  his  last  days  in  Homer,  N.  Y.  Jason  Sutton,  father 
of  Marvin,  went  to  Palmyra,  thence  to  Rochester,  and  finally  settled  in  Marion,  but 
died  in  Tioga  county  in  1881,  and  his  wife  died  in  1854.  He  was  a  tailor  by  trade. 
Marvin  C.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  school.  He  is  a  wagon- 
maker  by  trade,  and  lived  in  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  and  in  1882  came  to  Woodhull, 
purchased  fifty-seven   acres  of  land  and  makes  a  specialty  of  tobacco  raising.     De- 


446  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

cember  4,  1859,  he  married  Susan  M.  Smith,  a  native  of  Charleston,  Tioga  county. 
Pa.,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Ellen,  George  H.  and  Charles  W.  Mr.  Sutton 
enlisted  in  Co.  H,  Forty-fifth  Pa.  Vols.,  and  served  fourteen  months,  and  lost  his 
forefinger  in  an  exp'osion  at  Otter  Island,  S.  C. ,  by  a  Harper's  Ferry  musket. 

Symonds,  Radcliff  F.,  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  October  29,  1854,  son  of  William 
and  Ann  Park  Symonds,  he  a  native  of  Oxford,  Chenango  county.  N.  Y.,  and  she  of 
Binghamton.  The  grandfather,  Watkins  Symonds,  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts 
and  came  to  Chenango  county,  where  he  died.  The  maternal  grandfather  came  to 
Binghamton  and  owned  thirty  acres  of  land.  The  father  of  Radcliff  came  to  Troups- 
burg about  1830,  where  he  died  in  April,  1876.  He  was  a  Republican,  and  was 
assessor  for  several  years.  In  religion  he  was  a  Presbyterian.  Radcliff  was  brought 
up  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Woodhull  Academy.  He  fol- 
lowed farming  and  came  to  Woodhull  March  1,  1881.  and  bought  a  farm  of  115  acres, 
which  he  now  owns,  and  makes  a  specialty  of  tobacco  raising.  He  is  a  Republican 
and  was  constable  for  some  time  m  Troupsburg.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Restoration 
Lodge,  No.  777,  F.  &  A.  M. ,  and  Addison  Chapter,  No.  146,  R.  A.  M.  In  November, 
1876,  Mr.  Symonds  married  Hulda  Carpenter,  a  native  of  Troupsburg,  a  daughter  of 
William  Carpenter,  who  is  mentioned  in  this  work.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Symonds  have 
been  born  five  children. 

Stroud,  William,  was  born  July  13,  1827,  son  of  Edward  L.  and  Almira  (Guern- 
sey) Stroud,  he  a  native  of  New  Jersey  and  she  of  Connecticut,  who  came  to  Wood- 
hull  in  1820,  where  they  died,  he  May  18,  1873,  and  she  in  1885.  He  was  a  farmer. 
He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  was  collector  and  held  other  minor  offices. 
William  Stroud  was  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  now  owns  a  good  farm. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  been  constable  and  assessor.  He  married 
Susan  Davis,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Annetta,  now  a  widow  in  Chicago.  She 
has  two  children:  Mark  M. ,  who  lives  with  Mr.  Stroud;  and  lola,  who  married  Ed- 
ward Barackman,  and  they  live  in  Santa  Monica,  Los  Angeles  county,  Cal. 

Tallmadge,  Andrew  M.,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Jasper,  N.  Y.,  January  15,  1849,  a  son 
of  Ira  S.  and  Sarah  J.  (Murphy)  Tallmadge,  natives  of  Pennsjdvania.  The  maternal 
grandfather,  Andrew  Murphy,  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  came  to  Pennsylvania, 
and  thence  moved  to  Jasper,  where  he  died.  Ira  S.  'J  allmadge  came  to  Jasperabout 
1846,  where  he  and  his  wife  now  reside,  aged  eighty  and  seventy-five  years  respec- 
tively. He  is  a  merchant  tailor  by  trade.  Andrew  M.  was  reared  in  Jasper  and 
educated  m  the  common  schools  and  Woodhull  Academy,  and  in  1868  began  the 
study  of  medicine  with  Doctor  Ainsworth  of  Addison  and  Doctor  Purdy  of  Jasper.  He 
then  took  a  course  of  lectures  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  then  went  to  Montana,  where  he 
engaged  in  practice,  remaining  about  eight  years.  He  was  then  interested  in  min- 
ing until  1888,  when  he  returned  to  New  York,  and  February  14,  1895,  he  passed  the 
regents'  examination  in  medicine  and  surgery,  and  is  now  a  successful  physician  in 
Woodhull.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society,  is  a  member  of 
Restoration  Lodge,  No.  777,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  of  Woodhull  Tent,  K.  O.  T.  M.  In  1862 
Doctor  Tallmadge  enlisted  in  Co.  H,  161st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  three  years  and 
four  months.  He  was  at  Vickst>urg,  Port  Hudson,  Mobile,  Red  River  Expedition 
and  Sabine  Fort.     He  is  a  member  of  Post  No.  583,  G.  A.   R.     In  1885  he  married 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  447 

Addie  C.  H.  Hiller,  of  Chicago,  by  whom  he  has  three  children:  Lucy  A.,  Flossie  E. 
and  Hazel  M. 

Travis,  Wesley  and  Nelson.— Charles  B.  Travis  was  born  March  22,  1805.  Amasa 
Travis,  his  father,  was  born  in  Dutchess  county,  N.  Y.,  September  20,  1770,  and  De- 
cember 14,  1800,  he  married  Phoebe  Travis,  who  was  born  in  Dutchess  county,  De- 
cember 25,  1783,  and  by  whom  he  had  twelve  children,  nine  of  w^hom  lived  to  ma- 
turity. In  May,  1801,  they  moved  to  Bergen,  N.  J.,  where  they  remained  four  years, 
thence  to  Sheshequin,  Pa.,  where  they  remained  one  year,  and  where  Charles  B.  was 
born.  In  1806  they  moved  to  Howard,  coming  through  Chimney  Narrows  at  Corn- 
ing, where  they  were  in  great  peril,  their  horses  losing  their  footing  in  the  rapid 
water,  which  was  several  feet  in  depth  on  the  narrow  roadway.  They  were  the  sec- 
ond family  settling  in  Howard,  where  they  occupied  a  place  which  had  been  in  the 
possession  of  a  Mr.  Hovey.  January  28,  1834,  Charles  B.  married  Sylvia,  daughter 
of  Richard  Crosby,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children:  Solomon,  Amasa,  John  C,  Wes- 
ley, Cynthia,  M.  Eleanor,  M.  Samuel  and  Nelson  C.  Wesley  Travis  was  born  in 
Canisteo,  March  26,  1842,  and  was  educated  in  the  town  and  Troupsburg  Academy, 
and  at  twenty-one  years  of  age  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  189th  N.  Y.  Vols,  and  served  until 
the  end  of  the  war,  when  he  returned  home  and  worked  at  farming  until  1886 ;  since 
then  his  business  has  been  dealing  in  stock,  cattle,  sheep,  wool,  etc.  He  owns  a  farm 
of  740  acres.  September  15,  1869,  he  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  F.  S.  Dennis,  of 
Jasper,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Mabel,  deceased;  Elinor  and  Vernon.  Mr. 
Travis  is  a  member  of  Morning  Star  Lodge  of  Masons,  No.  65.  Nelson  Travis  was 
born  in  Canisteo,  May  8,  1851,  and  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  and  Canisteo 
Academy.  He  began  life  as  a  farmer,  and  later  has  been  buying  and  shipping  wool, 
and  November  7,  1894,  he  moved  from  his  farm  to  the  village  of  Canisteo.  March 
12,  1879,  he  married  Hattie  E.,  daughter  of  J.  B.  Foster,  by  whom  he  had  four  chil- 
dren: Nathan  J.,  Amery  E.,  deceased.  Pearl  E.  and  Clarence  W.  Mr.  Travis  is  a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Mountain  Lodge,  No.  503.  The  grandmother  was  104 
years  and  five  months  old  when  she  died.  May  11,  1888. 

Tucker,  Daniel  A.,  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  Steuben  county.  May  6,  1842.  John 
Tucker,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  New  York  State,  where  he  engaged  in  farming 
and  lumbering.  He  came  to  Troupsburg  in  about  1838,  where  he  held  the  oifice  of 
supervisor,  and  f  ied  in  November,  1870,  aged  seventy-three  years.  He  married 
Lydia ,  of  Bo.ston,  Mass.,  who  died  July,  1894,  aged  eighty-three  years.  Dan- 
iel A.  was  a  farmer  up  to  1875,  and  since  that  time  has  been  speculating  in  cattle, 
and  at  present  devotes  his  attention  to  the  egg  market,  and  owns  a  farm  in  Harts- 
ville,  but  does  not  work  it.  In  1871  he  married  Jennie,  daughter  of  John  Simpson, 
who  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Troupsburg,  and  came  there  about  1833,  bv  whom 
he  had  three  children:  John  S.,  who  is  a  stenographer  and  typewriter,  a  graduate  of 
Canisteo  Academy,  also  of  Roberts'  Business  College;  R.  B.,  and  Lizzie. 

Travis,  James,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Canisteo,  July  25,  1865.  Amory  Travis, 
his  father,  was  a  well-known  farmer  of  the  same  town,  where  he  had  resided  for 
many  years,  and  by  his  own  hands  cleared  a  farm  of  180  acres.  He  was  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  interested  in  the  lumber  business.  He  married  Sarah  France,  of  Jas- 
per, by  whom  he  had  four  children.    James  Travis  was  educated  in  the  district  school 


448  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

and  the  academy  at  Canisteo  village,  and  graduated  from  Eastman's  Business  Col 
lege  in  1886.  He  married  Amelia,  daughter  of  M.  S.  Parkhill,  of  Canisteo,  by  whom 
he  had  four  children:   Ella,  Emma,  Amory  and  Clinton. 

Trant,  Eugene  J.,  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  July  25,  1866.  John  J.  Trant,  his  father, 
was  born  in  County  Kerry,  Ireland  in  1835,  and  in  1853  came  to  Holyoke,  Mass., 
three  years  later  removed  to  Prattsburg,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  mar- 
ried Nora  Dean,  who  died  January  30,  1887,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Mary  A., 
James  P.,  a  practicing  physician  of  New^  York,  Thomas  D.,  deceased;  Eugene  J., 
Kate  A.,  and  John,  deceased.  Eugene  Trant  was  educated  in  the  Franklin  Acad- 
emy, and  since  nineteen  years  of  age  has  been  teaching  school,  and  since  1891  teach- 
ing continuously  in  the  grammar  department  of  the  Franklin  Academy  of  Pratts 
burgh,  and  during  vacations  assists  his  father  on  the  farm. 

Simpson,  Andrew  J.,  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  August  27,  1829,  and  is  a  son  of 
John  and  Fannie  Lamb  Simpson,  the  former  being  a  native  of  Scipio,  Cayuga 
county,  N.  Y.  The  maternal  grandfather,  Amos  Lamb,  came  from  Rhode  Island  to 
the  town  of  Wayne*  now  Hammondsport,  where  he  lived  and  died.  The  paternal 
grandparents,  Andrew  and  Rebecca  Simpson,  came  from  Aurora,  Cayuga  county, 
in  1812,  and  settled  in  JasjDer,  he  having  been  there  the  previous  year,  when  he  cut 
down  the  first  trees  where  the  village  of  Jasper  now  stands.  He  was  in  the  battle 
of  Bennington,  being  only  sixteen  years  old.  John  Simpson  was  a  soldier  in  the  war 
of  1813,  and  was  taken  prisoner  in  company  with  Winfield  Scott,  under  General 
Brock,  at  Detroit,  and  held  about  one  year.  He  was  a  harnessmaker  by  trade,  and 
came  from  Aurora  to  Jasper,  where  he  married  Lucy  Reynolds,  and  two  children 
were  born  to  them.  For  his  second  wife  he  married  Fannie  Lamb  Kent,  by  whom 
he  had  seven  children.  He  sold  his  property  in  Jasper  and  came  to  Troupsburg, 
where  he  died  in  1875.  Mrs.  Simpson  died  in  1872.  Andrew  J.  was  educated  at 
Alfred  Academy,  and  commenced  farming  in  Troupsburg,  but  in  1877  he  went  to  the 
oil  regions,  where  he  remained  ten  years,  and  thea  went  to  Canisteo,  and  three  years 
later  came  to  Troupsburg,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming  on  a  farm  of 
three  hundred  acres,  making  a  specialty  of  dairying.  In  1853  he  married  Amenta 
M.  Olmsted,  sister  of  Hiram  O. ,  mentioned  elsewhere,  and  they  have  two  children : 
Hulda  D.,  who  was  educated  at  the  Boston  Conservatory  of  Music,  and  is  now  a 
teacher  of  music;  and  C.  E.  Simpson,  a  farmer  of  Troupsburg,  who  married  AUie 
Wicoff,  of  Jasper,  and  they  have  three  children:  Ellsworth,  EarlW.,  and  Louise. 
Mr.  Simpson  has  been  a  Republican,  but  of  late  j^ears  has  been  identified  with  the 
Prohibition  party.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simpson  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church. 

Sanford,  Howard,  was  born  in  Addison,  N.  Y.,  April  14,  1864,  and  is  the  oldest  of 
three  children  born  to  Byron  and  Lucinda  Alba  Sanford,  natives  of  Troupsburg  and 
Tuscarora,  and  grandson  of  Seymour  and  Elizabeth  Rodgers  Sanford,  who  came  from 
Connecticut  and  settled  in  Troupsburg  when  the  country  was  new.  Byron  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  educated  at  Troupsburg  Academy,  taught  school  for  a  time, 
and  then  engaged  in  farming  and  dealing  in  stock,  and  later  engaged  in  the  mercan- 
tile business  in  Troupsburg,  which  he  followed  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
August  14,  1874.  Mrs.  Sanford  still  survives  and  resides  in  Troupsburg.  Howard 
was  educated  in  Troupsburg,  and  has  always  been  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  449 

and  now  owns  the  stock,  which  consists  of  a  general  line  of  goods,  and  also  keeps  a 
supply  of  flour  and  feed.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been  inspector  of 
election  several  times,  and  is  now  serving  his  third  term  as  town  clerk.  He  is  a 
member  of  Troupsburg  Tent,  No.  339  K.  O.  T.  M.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  Sanford 
were  Seth  and  Nancy  Mitchell  Albee,  natives  of  Rhode  Island  and  of  Lawrenceville, 
Pa.  Her  grandparents  were  Eliba  and  Abigail  Chilson,  who  came  from  Rhode 
Island  and  settled  in  Tuscarora,  where  they  lived  and  died. 

Tupper,  Benjamin  S.,  was  born  in  Corning,  in  1870,  son  of  John  Tupper,  also  a 
native  of  Corning,  who  was  largely  interested  in  the  Bradford  oil  fields,  and  died  in 
1872.  He  married  C.  Adelia,  daughter  of  Nelson  Cowan,  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
Corning.  Benjamin  S.  Tupper  married  a  daughter  of  George  Rose,  and  a  native  of 
Corning. 

Schu.  Jacob  E.,  was  born  in  Wayland,  N.Y.,  August  1, 1867.  His  paternal  grandfather 
lived  and  died  in  Germany.     His  maternal  grandfather,  Jacob  Hoffman,  was  born  in 

Germany,  emigrated  and  located  in  Wayland,  where  he  died.   He  married Kusch, 

and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Wayland.  Nicholas  Schu,  father  of  Jacob  E.,  was 
born  in  Germany,  in  1833,  and  emigrated  to  this  county  at  eighteen  years  of  age.  He 
married  Elizabeth  Hoffman,  born  in  Germany  in  1835,  and  emigrated  to  this  countrj^  at 
ten  years  of  age.  They  had  five  children  :  Nicholas,  jr.,  Frank  N.,  Maggie,  Jacob  E.,  and 
Lizzie.  He  has  been  a  section  hand  and  foreman  on  the  Erie  railroad  for  thirty- five  years. 
Jacob  E.  was  educated  in  the  Union  School  of  Wayland,  and  subsequently  attended 
the  Catholic  School  of  Perkinsville,  where  he  learned  German.  He  studied  telegra- 
phy at  Wayland  under  the  tutorship  of  John  Kennedy  and  R.  C.  Neill  in  1885,  and 
has  been  engaged  by  the  D.  L.  &  W.  Railroad  Company  for  nine  years.  November 
1,  1890,  he  was  appointed  agent  and  operator  at  Perkinsville,  which  position  he  still 
occupies.  At  Wayland,  November  10,  1891,  he  married  Maggie  Conrad,  born  April 
8,  1869.  August  4,  1891,  he  organized  the  Perkinsville  Hook  &  Ladder  Company, 
which  is  composed  of  twenty-six  members,  and  of  which  he  is  the  foreman. 

Schu,  jr.,  Nicholas,  was  born  in  South  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  November  18,  1857.  His 
paternal  grandfather,  Frank  Schu,  died  in  Tolia,  Germany,  April  10,  1871,  aged 
eighty-four  years.  His  maternal  grandfather,  Jacob  Hoffman,  was  born  in  Tolia, 
Germany,  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1843,  settled  at  Sandy  Hill,  South  Dansville, 
and  purchased  a  farm,  where  he  died  in  1877,  aged  seventy-six  years.  Nicholas 
Schu,  father  of  Nicholas,  jr.,  was  born  in  Tolia,  Germany,  in  1832,  emigrated  to  this 
country  at  twenty-five  years  of  age,  and  settled  in  Perkinsville,  where  he  engaged  in 
business  with  Miller  Bros.,  in  manufacturing  pump  logs,  which  business  he  followed 
for  nine  years.  He  is  now  engaged  on  the  Erie  railroad,  where  he  has  been  for 
thirty  years.  He  married  Elizabeth  Hoffman,  who  was  born  in  Tolia,  Germany, 
and  emigrated  to  this  country  at  eleven  j-ears  of  age,  by  whom  he  has  these  children: 
Nicholas,  jr.,  born  in  South  Dansville,  November  18,  1857;  Frank,  born  in  Wayland, 
in  1859;  Margaret,  born  m  Wayland,  in  1861;  Jacob,  born  in  1868;  and  Elizabeth, 
born  in  1873.  Nicholas,  jr.,  attended  the  common  schools  of  Dansville  and  subse- 
quently finished  his  education  in  the  Catholic  and  Union  Schools  of  Wayland.  He 
has  been  village  clerk  for  five  years,  inspector  of  election  nine  years,  and  is  treasurer 
of  Champion  Hook  &  Ladder  Company  of  Wayland.     At  Wayland  in  1883,  he  mar- 


450  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

ried  Margaret  Rauber,  born  in  Wayland  in  1859.  Mr.  Schu  is  now  the  proprietor  of 
the  Commercial  House  of  Wayland,  where  he  has  been  for  five  years.  He  run  the 
Wayland  House  for  two  years,  and  was  also  engaged  in  the  same  business  in  Roch- 
ester, N.  Y. ,  for  three  j^ears. 

Thompson,  Rev.  Jacob  W..  was  born  in  York  county.  Pa.,  in  1867.  The  family 
are  of  English  and  German  descent.  His  father,  Henr}^  Thompson,  was  born  in 
York  county,  Pa.,  in  1835.  He  married  Catherine  Weiser,  born  in  York  county,  Pa., 
in  1835,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Jacob,  as  above;  William  P.,  born  in  1869; 
Ellen  E.  and  Eliza  S.,  born  in  1872.  Mr.  Thompson  is  a  retired  farmer.  Jacob 
W.  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  town,  attended  a  term  at  the 
York  County  Normal  School,  after  which  he  was  at  a  private  academy  for  one  year. 
He  then  taught  school  for  two  years,  when  he  entered  Central  Pennsylvania  College. 
In  1889  he  entered  the  ministr^^  spent  one  year  in  Howard,  Center  county.  Pa.,  and 
in  1890  removed  to  Williamsport,  Pa.,  where  he  was  pastor  of  St.  Paul's  church  for 
two  years.  He  moved  to  Grover,  Pa.,  where  he  was  pastor  of  Grover  Mission.  In 
April,  1894,  he  moved  to  Wayland,  where  he  circulated  a  petition,  and  subsequently 
built  one  of  the  finest  churches  in  the  town,  at  a  cost  of  $3,800.  The  edifice  is  of 
modern  architecture.  The  membership  is  increasing  rapidly  and  bids  fair  to  be  one 
of  the  largest  congregations  in  the  place.  The  church  is  known  as  the  United  Evan- 
gelical church.  Mr.  Thompson  is  a  member  of  Amazon  Lodge,  No.  662,  I.  O.  O.  P., 
of  Williamsport,  Pa.,  also  a  member  of  Canton  Lodge  of  F.  &  A.  M.,  No.  415,  Can- 
ton, Pa.  March  19,  1891,  at  Louisville,  Ohio,  he  married  Orionto  I.  Rohland,  born 
at  Homeworth,  Ohio,  in  1872,  daughter  of  Rev.  I.  A.  Rohland,  D.  D.,  born  at  Clear- 
field, Pa.,  and  died  in  1893,  aged  forty-six  years.  He  married  Rebecca  C.  Stiffer, 
born  in  Indiana  county,  Pa.,  in  1847.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  had  two  children : 
Edna  Fern,  born  at  Grover,  Pa.,  January  6,  1893;  and  Ethel  May,  born  at  Wayland, 
July  8,  1894. 

Thorp,  Andrew,  was  born  August  4,  1835.  His  maternal  grandfather,  Jesse 
Brown,  died  in  Canadice,  Ontario  county,  aged  eighty  years.  William  Thorp, 
father  of  Andrew,  was  born  in  Delaware,  and  died  in  1865,  aged  fifty-five  years.  He 
married  Amanda  E.  Brown,  who  was  born  in  Camillus,  Onondaga  county,  and  died 
in  Wayland  in  1885,  aged  seventy-two  years.  They  had  these  children:  Wheeler 
W.,  born  February  15,  1833;  Andrew,  as  above;  Lucius,  deceased;  Philip  and  Sarah. 
Andrew  Thorp  has  always  followed  farming,  and  now  owns  the  farm  which  his 
father  purchased  in  1838.  He  is  a  member  of  Phoenix  Lodge,  No.  115,  of  F.  &  A. 
M.,  of  Dansville.  At  Springwater,  N.  Y.,  he  married  Mary  Ingraham,  born  in' 1833, 
by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Byron  A.,  born  September  25,  1866,  married  Daisy 
Thomas,  and  resides  in  Chicago.  He  attended  school  at  Lima  and  was  graduated 
from  the  Rochester  Business  University.  Oda,  born  January  13,  1872,  and  died 
March  12,  1873;  Carl,  born  July  25,  1875,  and  died  February  25,  1876;  and  Anna, 
born  March  27,  1878. 

Swarthout,  D.  E.,  was  born  in  Wayne,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  August  31,  1826, 
son  of  Andrew  D.  and  Johanna  (French)  Swarthout.  Andrew  Swarthout  was  born  in 
Seneca,  and  came  with  his  parents,  Anthony  and  Elizabeth  Swarthout,  who  were 
among  the  very  first  settlers  of  the  town  of  Wayne,     Andrew  Swarthout  was  a  very 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  451 

active  man  and  followed  farming  until  the  time  of  his  death  in  1882,  at  eighty  years 
of  age.  Mrs.  Swarthout  died  in  1889.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  for  many 
years  was  assessor.  D.  E.  Swarthout  has  always  been  a  farmer  and  fruit  grower. 
In  18t)6  he  married  Ursula  Sunderlin,  sister  of  Judge  Sunderlin  of  Watkins.  Mr. 
Swarthout  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  been  supervisor  two  terms,  and  assessor 
nine  years. 

Stratton,  Oscar  B.,  was  born  in  Fallsburgh,  SuUivan  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1834,  son  of 
the  late  Thomas  Stratton,  who  was  of  an  old  Connecticut  family,  and  an  early  settler 
in  Sullivan  county,  where  the  remainder  of  his  life  was  spent.  His  wife,  the  mother 
of  Oscar  B.,  was  Clarissa  Smith.  Mr.  vStratton  acquired  the  basis  of  his  education  in 
the  common  schools,  and  remained  at  home  on  the  farm  until  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  then  went  to  Tioga  and  learned  the  tanner's  trade,  which  has  constituted  his 
chief  business  since.  In  1859  he  became  foreman  of  a  tannery  near  Elmira,  where 
he  remained  four  years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  he  purchased  the  Addison 
tannery,  of  which  he  became  sole  owner  in  1880,  and  of  which  he  has  continued  to 
act  as  superintendent  for  the  last  two  years.  In  politics  Mr.  Stratton  is  a  Republican, 
and  in  1889  he  became  sheriff.  In  1859  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  P.  S.  Settle,  of 
Tioga,  and  they  have  one  daughter,  Ellen. 

Shockey,  Charles  O.,  was  born  in  Elmira,  in  1841.  William  Shockey,  his  father, 
had  been  a  resident  of  Addison  twenty  years  prior  to  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
1881,  aged  seventy-four  years.  He  was  a  carpenter  and  joiner.  Charles  Shockey 
came  to  Addison  in  1863,  and  opened  a  livery  business,  two  years  later  removing  to 
Titusville,  Pa.,  and  returning  to  Addison  in  1866.  He  has  also  been  engaged  in  the 
carpenter  business,  having  learned  that  trade  from  his  father  at  Elmira.  In  1877  he 
opened  a  liquor  store  at  his  present  location,  and  in  1895  took  an  agency  for  the  sale 
of  D.  M.  Osborne  &  Co.'s  agricultural  machinery.  He  has  also  large  farming  inter- 
ests, in  1892  purchasing  a  farm  of  300  acres,  which  he  leases.  He  was  for  four  years 
a  trustee  of  the  village,  and  is  treasurer  of  the  fire  department. 

Shaver,  M.  H.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bath,  August  1,  1847,  son  of  Hiram 
Shaver,  who  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  N.  Y. ,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Bath 
about  sixty  years  ago,  where  he  resided  until  1854,  at  which  time  he  removed  to  the 
town  of  Avoca,  where  he  lived  until  1892.  He  cleared  a  farm  in  Avoca  of  240  acres. 
He  married  Parmelia,  daughter  of  M.  Shults,  of  Montgomery  county,  who  came  to 
Avoca  at  the  same  time  Mr.  Shaver  located  here.  They  have  five  children:  M.  H., 
Rose  Baldwin,  Nancy,  now  Mrs.  Moore,  Aaron,  and  Andrew,  deceased.  Mr.  Shaver 
was  educated  in  the  town  of  Avoca,  and  makes  a  business  of  farming,  now  living  on 
the  homestead  where  he  was  born.  He  married  Phoebe,  daughter  of  Jacob  Cook,  of 
Montgomery  county,  and  they  have  two  children:  Mertie  and  Hattie.  Mr.  Shaver 
is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  also  a  member  of  the  Grange. 

Saltsman,  Hiram,  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  June  20,  1808.  George  Salts- 
man,  his  father,  was  born  in  the  same  county  and  in  the  same  house.  He  was  a 
farmer,  and  married  Catherine  Copernoll,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Fannie, 
Betsey,  Benjamin,  John,  and  Hiram.  He  died  in  Montgomery  county,  aged  forty- 
eight  years.  Hiram  Saltsman  was  educated  in  Montgomery  county,  after  which  he 
followed  farming.     In  1854  he  came  to  Avoca  and  settled  on  the  farm  of  250  acres, 


452  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

which  he  now  owns  and  where  he  resides.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  William 
Nellis  of  Palatine,  bj^  whom  he  had  five  children:  Laurence,  Eli,  Elijah,  William, 
and  Irving.     Three  of  the  sons  are  at  home  with  their  father. 

Smith,  James  A.,  was  born  in  Middlefield,  Otsego  count3%  N.Y.,  January  25,  1827, 
and  settled  in  Cameron  with  his  parents  in  1836.  He  is  a  son  of  Richard  and  Sarah 
(Bristol)  Smith  and  the  oldest  of  eleven  children:  James  A.,  Ceylon,  Margaret,  Eliza, 
Mary,  Richard,  Marcia,  all  living,  and  Hannah,  Doane,  Amanda,  and  Jane,  deceased. 
James  A.  married  Maria  Hallett  in  1851.  who  died  December  12,  1890,  leaving  five 
children:  Mary  Burrett,  John  R.,  Rogene,  James  A.,  jr.,  and  Frank  H.  James  A. 
enlisted  in  the  Construction  Corps,  under  E.  L.  Wintz,  in  1864  and  went  to  Chat- 
tanooga on  railroad  work.  September  19,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  189th  N.  Y. 
Vols.,  and  was  promoted  at  Washington  to  regimental  quartermaster  and  served 
until  the  end  of  the  war.  He  was  at  Appomattox  Court  House  when  Lee  surren- 
dered. Mr.  Smith  has  been  justice  of  sessions  for  five  years,  justice  of  the  peace 
for  a  number  of  years,  deputy  sheriff,  collector,  and  constable.  He  is  the  oldest 
Mason  in  the  town  and  belongs  to  Cameron  Mills  F.  &  A.  M.,  Lodge  No.  542,  and 
has  held  every  office  in  the  lodge  except  master. 

Selleck,  Zeno  C,  is  a  son  of  Zeno  C.  Selleck,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1822  and 
married  Weltha,  a  daughter  of  Capt.  Samuel  Baker,  who  settled  in  Howard  in  1812. 
Capt.  Samuel  Baker  was  in  the  war  of  1812  and  also  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and 
was  taken  prisoner  and  carried  to  Montreal,  where  he  was  exchanged.  He  had  a 
family  of  six  children:  Daniel,  Arbane,  Phebe,  Travis,  Weltha  Selleck,  Cynthia  Mc- 
Dufliy,  and  Eveline  Miles.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Selleck,  sr.,  had  twelve  children:  Noah, 
Phebe,  Cole,  Samuel  D.,  Margaret  Loid,  Cynthia,  Weltha,  Zeno  C,  John,  Weltha 
Jane,  Pembleton,  Milton,  and  another.  Zeno  C.  married  Marinda,  daughter  of 
Willard  and  EHzabeth  (Eddy)  Bailey,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Edwin, 
Aurilla  Harrison,  Zeno,  and  Emma  J.  Rowen.  He  is  a  farmer  and  owns  a  farm  of 
157  acre.s.  Mr.  Selleck  and  family  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  He  is  a 
Mason  and  belongs  to  Cameron  Mills  Lodge  No.  547. 

Smith,  Warden,  was  born  in  Campbell,  August  17,  1838.  Avra  Smith,  his  father, 
was  a  native  of  Chenango  county,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Campbell  in  1825,  and 
settled  near  what  is  known  as  Cooper's  Plains.  He  married  Clarice  White  of 
Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children:  Amos,  Austin,  Lucinda, 
Jane,  Warden,  Isaiah,  who  was  killed  in  the  late  war;  Clarice,  Almetia.  Warden 
Smith  is  a  manufacturer  of  chairs,  and  makes  a  specialty  of  office  and  hotel  chairs, 
and  also  conducts  a  farm  of  seventy-one  acres.  He  married  Jennie,  daughter  of 
Mary  Richards,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Freddie  and  Chester,  who  are  at 
home  with  their  parents.  He  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  H.,  also  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  church,  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat. 

Switzer,  Mary  A. — Jacob  Switzer  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bradford,  January  16' 
1820,  son  of  William  Switzer,  who  was  a  farmer.  Jacob  Switzer  was  also  a  farmer, 
and  in  1847  he  settled  on  a  farm  now  occupied  by  his  widow,  Mary  Switzer.  He  died 
October  25,  1874,  aged  fifty-four  years.  He  married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Daniel 
Clark  of  Campbell,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Byron,  Wallace,  Melvin,  Ella, 
Clara,  and  Emma.     In  politics  Mr.  Switzer  was  a  Republican. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  453 

Smith,  Fremont  C  was  born  on  his  present  home  farm  in  Caton,  in  1858,  son  of 
Emory  O.  and  Sarah  Ann  (Sawyer)  Smith.  Deacon  Titus  Smith,  the  grandfather  of 
Fremont  C,  was  born  in  Chenango  county  in  1801,  and  located  in  Caton  in  1822  or 
'23.  Emory  O.  was  the  oldest  of  the  family  and  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  died  in 
1893,  aged  sixty-seven  years.  The  mother  is  still  living.  He  has  part  of  the  old 
homestead  of  fifty-three  acres,  and  follows  general  farming. 

Tobe3^  Christopher,  of  Caton,  was  born  in  Susquehanna  county.  Pa.,  in  1836,  and 
when  eleven  years  old  came  to  Caton  with  his  parents,  Amaziah  Tobey  2d  and 
Nancy  Read  Tobey,  natives  of  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  and  Susquehanna  county.  Pa. 
_Mr.  Tobey  is  the  oldest  of  a  family  of  nine  children  raised  to  maturity.  In  1863  he 
married  Mary  P.  Seyter,  a  native  of  Germany.  He  has  followed  farming  all  his 
life  and  is  considered  one  among  the  most  successful  farmers  of  the  county.  His 
farm  consists  of  240  acres,  and  he  makes  a  specialty  of  stock  raising  and  dairying. 
He  has  two  sons:  George  N.,  and  Charles  L.  Dr.  Christopher  Tobey,  the  grand- 
father, formerly  from  Otsego  county,  died  in  Caton. 

Tobias,  James  S.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Urbana,  February  10,  1832,  educated 
in  the  public  schools  and  Bradford  Academy,  read  law  M'ith  Clark  Bell,  of  Hammonds- 
port,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  December  5,  1861,  commenced  practicing  in  Bradford, 
and  settled  at  Painted  Post  April  1,  1867,  where  he  has  a  successful  business.  Mr. 
Tobias  has  held  the  office  of  justice  thirty-four  years,  twenty-eight  in  this  town,  and 
six  in  the  town  of  Bradford. 

Shepard,  George  W.,  was  born  in  October  26,  1823.  His  grandfather,  Jacob 
Shepard,  was  born  in  England  in  1742.  He  followed  coopering  on  the  sea,  and  was 
at  New  Haven  at  the  time  it  was  burned  by  the  English.  He  came  to  Greenwood. 
Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  where  he  died.  Obed  Shepard,  father  of  George  W.,  was 
born  in  New  Haven,  Conn.,  August  24,  1786.  He  was  a  farmer  and  came  to  Tomp- 
kins county,  thence  to  Greenwood,  Steuben  county,  and  from  there  to  Wisconsin, 
where  he  died  at  seventy-one  years  of  age.  He  married  Lucilva,  daughter  of  Will- 
iam Spauldmg,  who  was  born  January  3,  1791,  and  died  March  30,  1862,  by  whom  he 
he  had  seven  children:  William  D.,  Bradley,  Sally  M.,  Susan  M.,  George  W.,  as 
above,  Calvin,  and  Harriett  Jane.  George  W.  has  a  good  common  school  education, 
and  has  been  a  blacksmith  in  Hornellsville  for  about  thirty-five  years.  He  is  now 
located  on  a  farm  of  160  acres,  on  Big  Creek,  five  miles  from  Hornellsville.  He  mar- 
ried Rebecca,  daughter  of  Philo  Walbridge  of  Hornellsviille,  by  M^hom  he  had  four 
children:  Lida  L.,  born  June  10,  1849,  and  died  at  eleven  years  of  age;  Jane  L., 
born  April  10,  1851,  and  died  at  nine  years  of  age;  Mary  Jane,  born  April  21,  1855, 
and  married  Hiram  Spaulding,  and  they  have  one  child,  George  H.  ;  and  George  H., 
born  March  30,  1862,  and  who  married  Alice  Donum,  and  works  his  father's  farm. 

Smith,  Dr.  Clarence  F.,  was  born  in  Friendship,  Allegany  county,  N.  Y.,  Decem- 
ber 16,  1855,  son  of  George  W.  Smith,  a  native  of  Bath,  Steuben  county,  who  mar- 
ried Ellen  Howe  of  Cortland  county,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children.  The 
maternal  grandparents,  Albert  and  Eliza  Howe,  were  pioneers  of  Cortland,  and 
large  land  owners,  and  he  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  George  W.  Smith  is  a 
manufacturer  and  dealer  in  boots  and  shoes  at  Friendship,  N.  Y.,  and  in  politics  is  a 
Prohibitionist.    He  has  been  twice  supervisor  of  the  town  and  fifteen  or  twenty  years 


454  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

justice  of  the  peace.  Clarence  F.  Smith  graduated  from  Friendship  Academy  and 
received  his  medical  education  in  New  York  City  University,  graduating  in  1880,  and 
commenced  practice  and  the  drug  business  m  Glean,  where  he  burned  out  in  1885. 
He  removed  to  Allentown,  Allegany  county,  and  from  thence  to  Greenwood  in  1894, 
where  he  has  established  a  lucrative  practice.  In  18T8  he  married  Addie  J.,  daugh- 
ter of  James  and  Helen  (Corbin)  Stout  of  Amity,  N.  Y.  In  politics  he  is  a  Repub- 
can,  and  was  coroner  and  health  officer  in  Allegany  county,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Allegany  County  Medical  Association. 

Swarts,  William  O.,  was  born  in  Barrington,  Yates  county,  September  31,  1830, 
son  of  John  and  Mary  Ann  Snook  Swarts,  and  grandson  of  T.  Walt  Swarts,  one  of 
the  pioneer  settlers  of  Yates  county,  who  came  from  New  Jersey.  Mrs.  Swarts's 
father  came  from  Deckertown,  N.  J.,  to  Barrington,  and  was  a  farmer  and  inn- 
keeper. John  Swarts  was  a  farmer  of  Yates  county,  where  he  died.  Mrs.  Swarts 
still  survives,  being  eighty  years  of  age.  William  O.  is  a  farmer  and  now  owns  220 
acres  of  land,  making  a  specialty  of  sheep  raising  and  dairy  farming.  He  has 
always  been  a  Republican,  casting  his  first  vote  for  Lincoln.  He  is  a  member  of 
Sentinel  Lodge  No.  151,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Greenwood.  In  1861  Mr.  Swarts  married 
Mary,  a  daughter  of  Peter  and  Jane  Boon  of  Barrington,  by  whom  he  had  seven  chil- 
dren: Estella,  Ella,  Mattie,  Hattie,  John,  Matie,  and  Glenn. 

Townley,  Edward  L.,  was  born  in  Corning  in  1861,  son  of  William  Townley  and 
Harriet  C.  Lyon  Townley,  natives  of  New  York,  who  came  to  Corning  about  1850. 
The  father  was  a  cabinetmaker  and  died  in  1891,  aged  sixty-seven ;  the  mother  re- 
sides in  Corning.  Mr.  Townley  is  one  of  a  family  of  three  children  raised  to  maturity, 
the  others  being  Lauretta,  who  died  in  1866,  aged  twenty-eight,  and  William  F.,  jr., 
who  resides  in  Corning.  Mr.  Townley  married  Anna  May  Oldfield  in  1886.  He  has 
220  acres  where  they  reside  and  136  adjoining.  He  follows  general  farming  and 
small  fruit  growing. 

Swan,  Orrin,  was  born  in  Addison,  December  11,  1827,  son  of  Orrin  and  Sarah 
(Allen)  Swan,  he  a  native  of  Connecticut,  born  December  12,  1798,  and  she  born  in 
1798.  The  grandfather  was  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  as  was  also  the  maternal 
grandfather.  Orrin  Swan,  father  of  Orrin,  jr.,  came  to  Addison  in  1826  and  settled 
on  a  farm.  He  died  at  Tuscarora  in  1890,  aged  ninety-three  years,  and  his  wife 
September  16,  1868,  while  on  a  visit  to  her  son.  Orrin  Swan  was  reared  on  a  farm 
and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  has  staged  it  considerable,  and  has  also 
been  in  the  freight  business.  He  was  in  the  mercantile  business,  and  kept  hotel  at 
Five  Corners  for  some  years.  He  owned  a  farm  in  Tuscarora  and  July  9,  1848,  came 
to  Jasper,  and  in  1854  bought  a  farm  of  seventy  acres.  He  now  owns  about  200 
acres,  and  also  has  sixty-three  acres  in  Addison.  He  has  been  constable,  overseer 
of  the  poor,  and  collector  of  taxes  during  the  war.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Jasper 
Grange,  No.  619,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance.  In  1843  he  mar- 
ried Mary  A.  Marlatt,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Julia,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs. 
Swan  died  July  2,  1854,  and  March  9,  1856,  he  married  Lovina  E.  Joy  of  Chenango 
county,  N.  Y.',  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Thomas  O.,  born  August  22,  1857; 
Abel  D.,  born  February  17,  1861,  and  died  July  13,  1864;  Emery  F.,  born  De- 
cember 10,   1863,   and  died  July  10,   1864;  Anson,   born  March  26,  1865,  deceased; 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  455 

Carrie  D.  and  Cora  B.,  twins,  born  Jul)'  13,  1867,  and  Carrie  died  in 
September,  1874.  Thomas  O.  has  been  proprietor  of  a  hotel  in  Jasper  and  in  Green- 
wood, and  is  now  a  farmer  in  Jasper.  He  married  Sarah  Conlin,  by  whom  he  had 
one  son,  Andrew  B.  Cora  is  the  wife  of  W.  L.  Goodsell,  son  of  Joel  S.  Goodsell. 
Mr.  Swan  has  been  trustee  of  Five  Corners  Cemetery  for  forty  years,  the  same  being 
deeded  to  the  trustees  and  their  successors  in  office. 

Sharp,  Abram  V.,  was  born  in  Amsterdam,  St.  Lawrence  county,  March  27,  1828, 
son  of  Lawrence  Sharp,  who  was  also  born  in  Amsterdam,  and  came  to  the  town  of 
Howard  in  1836,  where  they  cleared  a  farm  of  150  acres.  He  married  Judith  O'Con- 
ner  of  Amsterdam,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Burney  O., 
of  Howard;  Jane  M.,  now  Mrs.  C.  C.  Graves;  John  G.,  a  farmer,  now  living  on  the 
homestead;  Thomas  E.,  a  farmer  in  this  town;  and  Abram  V.,  also  a  farmer  in  the 
town  of  Howard,  who  owns  a  farm  of  210  acres  on  the  Turnpike.  He  married  Fidelia, 
daughter  of  Daniel  M.  Bennett  of  Howard,  one  the  descendants  of  the  pioneer  family 
of  that  name.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sharp  are  the  parents  of  two  children :  Clara,  now  Mrs. 
George  Edgett  of  Howard,  and  Lawrence.  The  grandchildren  are:  Lena,  Abbie, 
and  Ellen  Sharp,  Vinnie  and  Fidelia  Edgett.  Mr.  Sharp  has  filled  the  office  of  as- 
sessor for  SIX  years.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

Smith,  Alonzo,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hornellsville,  March  3,  1848,  son  of  Abra- 
ham T.  Smith,  who  was  born  in  Schuyler  county,  N.  Y.,  May,  1817.  This  family  was 
originally  from  Schuyler  county,  but  came  to  Howard  and  settled  on  a  farm,  and 
now  resides  in  Hornellsville.  He  married  Elmira  Nicholson  from  the  vicinity  of 
Scranton,  Pa.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children:  Ira,  George,  deceased, 
Lucinda,  Alonzo,  Malissa,  Flora,  Hubert,  and  Thaddeus,  now  a  doctor  in  Cameron. 
Alonzo  is  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  owns  a  farm  of  117  acres.  First,  he  married 
Electa,  daughter  of  Henry  Formon  of  Howard,  and  they  have  four  children :  Ada, 
Nellie,  Flora,  and  Ella.  Flora  died  at  the  age  of  sixteen.  The  second  time  he  mar- 
ried Sarah,  daughter  of  John  R.  Southerly  of  Hornellsville,  and  three  children  were 
born  to  them:  Rosco  S.,  Alonzo,  jr.,  and  Bertha.  They  are  members  of  the  M.  E. 
church. 

Stowell,  Marcus,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Afton,  Chenango  county,  March  1,  1847, 
a  son  of  Richard  S.  and  Almira  (Vinton)  Stowell,  who  settled  here  m  1871.  They 
had  four  children:  Emily  J.,  Mary  Young,  Marcus,  and  Henry.  Marcus  Stowell 
married  Helen,  a  daughter  of  Sterling  Hart,  by  whom  he  has  four  children :  Floyd, 
Arthur,  Guy,  and  Frank.  Mr.  Stowell  has  been  supervisor  of  the  town  for  seven 
terms.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lawrenceville  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Lodge.  No.  913.  He  is  a 
farmer  and  owns  105  acres  of  land.  He  also  carries  on  the  merchandise  business 
and  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Lindley  in  1893. 

Toby,  Benjamin  F.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Addison  (now  Tuscarora),  March  6, 
1846.  He  is  a  son  of  Alonzo  and  Margaret  (Boyer)  Toby,  who  settled  in  Addison  in 
1840.  They  had  five  children:  Benjamin  F.,  Adeline  Hoff,  Libbie,  Katherine, 
Frances,  and  William  A.,  of  whom  the  four  latter  are  deceased.  Benjamin  married 
Jennie  A.,  a  daughter  of  James  L.  and  Samantha  A.  Lemunj-an,  residents  of  this 
county.  Thej^  have  four  children ;  Will,  Maud,  Harry,  and  Fannie.  Mr.  Toby  is  a 
member  of  the  Maccabees  Lodge  of  Lindley  and  was  commander  for  two  terms.  He 
was  sent  as  delegate  to  the  State  Grand  Lodge  at  Niagara  Falls  in  1893. 


456  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Sherwood,  Henry  F.,  was  born  in  Tioga  county,  Pa.,  in  1849.  Orrin  Sherwood, 
father  of  Henry  F.,  was  born  in  Cameron,  Steuben  county  in  1822,  and  is  one  of  five 
children  born  to  Benjamin  Sherwood,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Cameron,  born  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century,  and  was  a  farmer  and  preacher  of  the  Freewill 
Baptist  doctrine,  and  would  often  walk  ten  miles  through  the  woods  to  preach  on 
Sundays.  He  died  in  Pennsylvania,  at  the  home  of  his  son,  Orrin.  His  wife  was 
Hannah  Rice,  who  died  in  June,  1895,  aged  ninety-eight  5'ears.  At  twenty-one  years 
of  age  Orrin  Sherwood  went  to  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  where  he  purchased  130  acres  of 
timber  land,  which  he  cleared.  He  later  added  seventy  acres,  the  homestead  of  his 
wife's  parents,  where  she  was  born,  where  they  now  reside.  He  married  Lucy, 
daughter  of  Harvey  and  Fannie  Seeley,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  William  H., 
of  Hornellsville ;  Camelia;  Henry;  George;  and  Cassie.  Henry  F.  Sherwood  re- 
mained with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  years,  when  he  engaged  in 
the  meat  business  in  Bath,  and  two  years  later  he  embarked  in  the  hotel  business 
which  he  followed  two  years.  In  1875  he  removed  to  Pulteney  and  purchased  his 
farm  of  jeighty  acres,  where  he  has  since  resided,  doing  a  general  farming  business. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  K.  O.  T.  M.,  Pulteney  Lodge,  of  which  he  is  chaplain.  In 
1874  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Lydia  (Bru.sh)  Rice,  of  Pulteney. 

Sullivan,  John  W.,  was  born  in  Pulteney,  N.  Y.,  February  11,  1860.  His  grand- 
father. John  Sullivan,  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  came  to  the  United  States  with 
his  brother  Peter  about  1820,  coming  direct  to  Pulteney,  where  he  located  on  wild 
timber  land  and  lived  under  a  bridge  the  first  month  while  he  built  his  log  cabin. 
He  cleared  two  lage  farms,  raised  and  dealt  in  stock,  and  became  wealthy,  and  lived 
to  be  over  eighty  years  old.  His  brother  Peter  was  101  years  old  when  he  died. 
Henry  Sullivan,  father  of  John  W.,  was  born  in  Pulteney,  N.  Y.,  in  1824.  He  began 
life  as  a  farmer,  but  later  owned  and  operated  a  flour  and  grist  mill  in  Prattsburg 
for  ten  years,  after  which  he  removed  to  Pulteney  and  engaged  in  grape  culture,  in 
which  business  he  spent  his  remaining  days.  He  married  Laura  J.  Cole,  by  whom 
he  had  four  children:  Laura,  wife  of  William  H.  Taylor,  of  Pulteney;  Sarah,  wife  of 
Frank  Miller,  of  Pulteney;  John  W.  ;  and  Fred  M.  His  wife  died  in  1864,  and  he 
died  in  1888.  John  W.  Sullivan,  when  fourteen  years  of  age,  engaged  in  the  flour 
and  grist  mill  with  his  uncle,  with  whom  he  remained  until  he  learned  the  trade. 
In  1881  he  returned  to  Pulteney  and  engaged  in  farming  for  a  year,  and  from  1882  to 
1885  was  interested  in  the  grape  culture.  In  1885  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of 
160  acres,  with  four  acres  of  vineyard,  which  he  has  successfully  operated  since.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Pulteney  Lodge,  No.  573,  and  has  filled  several  of  the 
offices.  In  1881  he  married  Alice,  daughter  of  Ira  Brownell,  by  whom  he  had  two 
children:  Floyd  and  Jennie., 

Selleck,  John  H.,  was  born  in  Rathbone,  N.  Y.,  son  of  Zeno  C.  and  Wealthy  (Baker) 
Selleck,  both  natives  of  New  York.  The  maternal  grandfather,  Samuel  Baker, 
fought  in  the  Revolution.  He  spent  his  last  days  in  Cameron.  Zeno  Selleck  was  a 
farmer  and  lumberman.  John  H.  Selleck  is  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering  and 
owns  a  farm  of  350  acres,  eighty  acres  of  which  is  known  as  "Rathbone  Flats." 
He  began  life  poor  but  is  now  the  second  largest  tax  payer  in  the  town.  In  1855  he 
married  Martha,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Pierce,  of  Westfield,  Pa.,  by  whom  he  had 
three  children:  Silva,  wife  of  Moses  Allen, -of  Cameron,  and  mother  of  four  children. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  457 

Alvah,  Ida,  Ray,  and  Earnest;  James  E.,  educated  in  Woodhull  Academy  and  Hav- 
erling  Union  school,,  and  now  in  partnership  with  his  father;  and  Norman,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years.     The  family  attend  the  M.  E.  church. 

Saunders,  Isaac  M.,  was  born  on  a  farm  where  his  widow  now  resides,  son  of  Row- 
land and  Laura  (Miles)  Saunders,  who  were  among  the  very  first  of  the  town,  and 
died  on  the  farm  which  Mrs.  Saunders  now  owns.  Isaac  M.  Saunders  was  a  farmer. 
He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  was  postmaster  at  West  Addison  for  many 
years.  In  1853  he  married  Kate,  daughter  of  Rosannah  (Duesler)  Burlingame,  of 
Montgomery  county,  N.  Y.  Her  father  was  in  the  war  of  1812,  was  wounded,  and 
his  widow  received  a  land  warrant.  He  died  in  1846,  and  his  wife  in  1867.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Saunders  have  five  children:  Elma,  wife  of  Charles  H.  Peterson,  of  Savona; 
Eveline  B. ,  wife  of  John  S.  Wright,  of  Scio,  N.  Y. ;  Mary,  wife  of  John  Kelley,  of 
Harpersville,  N.  Y.  ;  John  Saunders,  of  Hornellsville,  an  engineer  on  the  Erie  rail- 
road; and  Thomas,  who  was  killed  June  29,  1885. 

Seager,  William  S.,  was  born  in  Bath,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  June  12,  1884,  son 
of  Jacob  and  Mary  (Hide)  Seager ;  he  was  born  in  Orange  county,  N.  Y.,  and  came  to 
Bath  in  1830,  where  he  lived  until  his  death  in  1876.  His  wife  died  in  1843.  William 
S.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  going  to  school  only 
three  years,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  now  owns  ninety  acres  of  land. 
In  1866  he  married  Elinore  Creveling,  of  Thurston,  who  died  in  1877,  and  in  1878  he 
married  Elizabeth  Trumbull,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Willie  L.,  Irving  J., 
Mary  E.,  Ellen  A.,  Bertie  A.,  and  Satie  E.  In  1862  Mr.  Seager  enlisted  in  Co.  G, 
107th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  three  years.  He  was  engaged  in  the  battles  of  Antie- 
tam,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Resaca,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Dallas,  Buzzard 
Roost,  Lookout  Mountain,  and  Atlanta.  He  was  wagonmaster  for  eighteen  months. 
Mrs.  Seager  died  March  20,  1892.  Mr.  Seager  is  a  member  of  Loga  Post,  G.  A.  R., 
No.  469,  of  Merchantville,  N.  Y. 

Sutton,  Oscar  W.,  was  born  in  Cameron,  N.  Y.,  October  22,  1850,  son  of  Alex  and 
Mary  (Richtmyer)  Sutton,  he  born  in  Pulteney,  N.  Y.,  January  29,  1826,  and  she 
in  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y.,  September  15,  1832.  The  gradfather  of  our  subject  was 
Peter  Sutton,  who  early  came  to  Pulteney,  and  later  to  Cameron,  where  he  cleared 
a  farm.  He  married  Mary  Decker,  of  Mohawk  Valley.  Alex  Sutton,  father  of 
Oscar  W. ,  was  a  farmer  and  lumberman  in  Steuben  county.  He  died  January  21, 
1868,  and  his  widow  lives  in  the  town  of  Bath,  the  wife  of  E.  V.  Look.  Oscar  W. 
was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Bath  Union  School. 
He  is  a  farmer  and  a  teacher  of  instrumental  and  vocal  music,  and  is  the  leader  of 
Sutton's  Cornet  Band  of  Cameron  Mills.  He  is  also  a  teacher  of  band  music.  He 
has  eighty  acres  of  land,  on  which  he  located  in  October,  1884,  coming  from  Cam- 
eron. Mr.  Sutton  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  was  constable  for  a  number  of 
years  and  deputy  sherifi:  for  eight  years  in  succession.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Cameron  Mills  Lodge,  No.  547,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Bath  Chapter,  No.  95,  R.  A.  M., 
also  a  member  of  the  De  Molay  Com.,  No.  22,  Knights  Templar,  one  of  the  highest 
orders  of  Masonry.  He  has  been  a  member  of  Red  Jacket  Tribe,  No.  13,  I.  O.  R.  M., 
and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Good  Templars  of  Risingville  and  Farmers'  Alliance  of 
Risingville  and  Merchantville  Grange.  June  7,  1872,  he  married  Frances,  daughter 
fff 


458  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

of  Bradley  Rumsey,  who  was  born  in  Schuyler  county,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  two 
children:  Hattie  M.,  born  April  28,  1875,  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and 
is  a  teacher  of  instrumental  music;  and  Maud  B.,  born  July  4,  1883. 

Smith,  Z.  C,  was  born  in  Tuscarora,  N.  Y.,  on  the  farm  he  now  owns,  February 
26,  1855,  son  of  Charles  O.  and  Jane  A.  (Haight)  Smith,  natives  of  Oxford  and  Delhi, 
N.  Y.,  respectively.  The  family  is  of  English  descent,  and  the  grandfather,  Zalmon 
Smith,  died  in  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.  Charles  O.  Smith,  father  of  Z.  C,  came  to 
Tuscarora  in  1845  and  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  his  son,  where  he  died  in 
1894.  He  was  a  great  hunter  and  killed  1,164  deer  and  thousands  of  foxes  and  coons. 
Z;  C.  Smith  was  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  has  been  dealing  in  nursery 
stock  and  horses,  but  his  principal  occupation  is  farming,  and  he  now  owns  120  acres 
of  land.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  has  been  trustee  three  terms.  In  1884  he 
married  Alice,  daughter  of  George  Manley,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Tuscarora,  by 
whom  he  had  five  children :  Lena,  Homer,  Girard,  Anna,  and  Henmen. 

Smith,  Oscar  D.,  was  born  in  Tuscarora,  N.  Y.,  June  7,  1848,  son  of  Charles  C, 
mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work.  Oscar  D.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in 
Knoxville  Academy,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in  1867.  He  has  been 
engaged  in  selHng  nursery  stock  and  wagons,  but  his  principal  occupation  is  farming, 
aud  he  owns  sixty  acres  of  land  and  a  village  lot  in  Addison.  He  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  county  committee  about  twenty  years,  and 
has  also  been  inspector  for  several  terms.  He  is  a  member  of  K.  of  H..  No.  2415, 
and  Angle  Post,  No.  372,  of  Addison,  N.  Y.  July  2,  1870,  he  married  Sophronia 
Whitley  of  Candor,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Ola  R.,  Guy  A.,  Claude 
D.,  and  Lee.  Mrs.  Smith  died  September  29,  1864.  February  3,  1863,  Mr.  Smith 
enlisted  in  the  2d  N.  Y.  Vet.  Cavalry,  and  served  three  months.  He  re-enlisted 
September  25,  1864,  in  Co.  G,  and  afterward  in  Company  C,  and  served  until  July 
25,  1865.  He  was  at  Bentonville,  Averysborough,  Atlanta,  and  many  skirmishes 
and  was  with  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea.  He  was  transferred  from  the  141st 
to  Co.  E,  60th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  was  discharged.  Andrew  J.,  a  brother,  was  in  34th 
N.  Y.  Vols. ,  and  was  afterward  in  the  141st  and  served  until  close  of  the  war.  Sam- 
uel A.,  a  brother,  enlisted  in  Co.  G,  141st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  died  at  Savannah,  Ga., 
January  6,  1865.  Clark  D.  Smith  married  Maggie,  daughter  of  Luke,  and  grand- 
daughter of  Daniel  Strait,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Tuscarora.  Guy  A.  Smith  mar- 
ried Erva,  daughter  of  Emmett,  and  granddaughter  of  Daniel  Schoonover,  who  was 
also  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Tuscarora. 

Stid,  Calvin,  was  born  in  Delaware  county,  N.  Y.,  November  26,  1817,  son  of  Fred- 
erick and  Lydia  Price  Stid,  he  a  native  of  Delaware  county,  N.  Y.,  and  she  of  New 
Jersey,  and  they  came  to  Cayuga  county,  N.  Y. ,  at  an  early  date,  and  in  1854  located 
in  Tuscarora,  where  he  died  in  1855,  and  his  wife  in  May,  1874.  Calvin  Stid  was 
reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  followed  farming  in 
Cayuga  county  until  1854,  when  he  removed  to  Tuscarora  and  purchased  the  farm  of 
100  acres,  where  he  now  resides.  He  has  added  to  this  purchase  until  he  now  has 
184  acres.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat.  June  27,  1875,  he  married  Elizabeth  New- 
man, daughter  of  Archibald  and  Polly  Baxter  Manley.  The  grandfather  of  Mrs. 
Stid,  George  Manley,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  coming  from  England.     The  ma- 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  459 

ternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Stid  was  William  Baxter,  who  was  born  in  Otsego  county, 
and  came  to  Tuscarora  at  an  early  day,  where  he  died.  Archibald  Manley  died  July 
28,  1879,  and  his  wife  in  December,  1871.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Calvin  Stid  have  been 
born  one  daughter,  Beatrice,  who  is  the  wife  of  Alfred  Oakden,  and  they  have  two 
children:  Leo  S.,  and  Luretta  M. 

Stickney,  Carl  C,  was  born  in  Shoreham,  Vt.,  May  1,  1837.  Dr.  Tyler  Stickney, 
his  grandfather,  was  a  practicing  physician  in  Shoreham,  Vt.,  for  many  years,  and 
was  of  the  sixth  generation  from  William  Stickney  of  England,  who  was  the  founder 
of  the  family  in  America  in  1640.  Tyler  Stickney,  father  of  Carl  C,  was  an  only  son 
and  a  good  farmer,  but  as  a  breeder  of  merino  sheep  he  was  most  successful.  He 
was  a  pioneer  in  this  business,  beginning  in  1834,  making  it  his  life  work,  and  in 
1876  was  awarded  first  premium  at  the  Centennial  at  Philadelphia,  exhibited  there 
by  his  son.  Carl  C.  Stickney,  for  many  years  in  partnership  with  his  brother  Jacob, 
carried  on  his  father's  fai'm,  continuing  extensively  in  the  sheep  raising,  and  in  1867 
came  to  the  town  of  Wheeler  and  purchased  his  present  farm  of  169  acres,  bringing 
with  him  his  share  of  the  sheep  from  his  father's  farm,  where  he  has  still  continued 
to  grow  and  improve  his  fine  brand  of  sheep.  He  has  always  exhibited  specimens  of 
his  stock  at  the  town  and  county  fairs,  where  he  has  been  awarded  many  of  the  first 
premiums,  and  his  flock  generally  numbers  about  150.  For  some  years  he  was  inter- 
ested in  the  breeding  of  fast  horses,  having  imported  from  Vermont,  Lambert  Chief, 
a  son  of  Daniel  Lambert,  Vermont's  greatest  horse.  Mr.  Stickney  is  a  member  of 
the  Prattsburg  and  Steuben  County  Agricultural  Associations,  and  was  for  some 
years  vice-president  of  the  latter  association.  In  1881  he  married  Julia,  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Mary  E.  Squires  of  Bath,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children :  Dora,  Madge, 
Charles,  Mallory,  John,  Grace,  Weslej',  and  Elden.  Henry  Squires  was  a  soldier  in 
the  late  war,  participated  in  many  of  the  hardest  battles,  was  taken  prisoner  while 
guarding  property   and  died  in  Libby  Prison  in  1864. 

Thompson,  Joel,  was  born  in  Wheeler,  in  1833.  Daniel  Thompson,  his  grand- 
father, was  a  native  of  Rensselaer  county,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  came  to  the 
town  of  Wheeler,  where  his  sons  had  preceded  him  several  years,  and  where  he  died. 
He  reared  nine  children.  Jacob,  father  of  Joel,  was  born  in  Rensselaer  county,  in 
1792,  and  came  to  Wheeler  in  1820,  settled  in  the  forest,  cleared  two  farms  which 
contained  250  acres.  In  connection  with  his  farming  he  manufactured  large  quanti- 
ties of  lumber  and  filled  many  orders  by  contract.  He  filled  the  office  of  highway 
commissioner  many  years,  assessor,  cohector,  etc.,  and  laid  out  many  of  the  new 
roads  through  the  town.  He  married  Susan  Wheeler,  by  whom  he  had  three  chil- 
dren: William  N.,  Elenore  J.,  and  George.  He  married  for  his  second  wife,  Han- 
nah, daughter  of  Joel  Raymond,  a  pioneer  in  Wheeler,  by  w^hom  he  had  six  children- 
Lydia,  Calvin  L.,  Orval,  Joel,  John  W.,  and  Catherine.  He  died  in  May,  1868,  and 
his  wife  survived  him  five  years.  Joel  Thompson  began  for  himself  when  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  and  after  a  few  years  at  farm  work  by  the  month,  he  purchased  a 
farm  on  which  he  lived  ten  years.  In|1869,  after  the  death  of  his  father,  he  moved  on 
to  the  farm  of  150  acres,  where  he  has  since  made  it  his  home,  doing  general  farming 
and  raising  many  sheep.  In  politics  he  has  always  been  an  ardent  Democrat,  and 
served  as  assessor  four  years,  also  collector.  In  1858  he  married  Deborah  A.,  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  Derick  of  Brunswick,   Rensselaer  county,  by  whom  he  had  one  child, 


460  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Henry.  His  wife  died  in  1869.  Henry  Thompson  married  Cora  D.,  daughter  of 
William  Foster  of  Avoca,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Murton  J.,  Ethel,  and 
Edna. 

Trenchard,  William  H. ,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Waterloo,  Albany  county,  N.  Y. , 
in  1819,  son  of  John  Trenchard,  who  was  one  of  three  children,  John,  William  and 
Charity,  born  to  John  Trenchard,  who  was  a  farmer  near  Albany,  and  a  soldier  in 
the  Revolutionary  war,  and  who  died  in  Albany  county.  John  Trenchard,  father 
of  William  H.,  was  born  in  Albany  county,  in  1796.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Wheeler  in  1822,  and  settled  in  the  forest  on  wild, 
unbroken  land.  He  hauled  his  few  household  goods  and  implements  on  an  oxcart  a 
mile  and  a  half  from  the  main  road,  and  carried  them  a  half  mile  farther  into  the 
woods  on  his  back,  where  he  erected  him  a  log  cabin  and  began  to  clear  him  a  farm, 
and  at  that  time  wild  game,  such  as  bear,  wolves,  deer  and  panther,  abounded.  In 
1863  he  sold  this  farm  to  his  son  William  and  went  to  Michigan,  but  returned  and 
located  in  Hornellsville,  where  he  died.  He  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  John 
Arnold,  a  wealthy  farmer  of  Albany  county,  by  whom  he  had  these  children:  Esther 
M.,  William,  Cornelia,  Henrietta,  Grattan  H.,  Harriett,  James  R.  and  Margaret. 
William  H.  Trenchard  has  spent  his  life  since  three  years  of  age  in  the  town  of 
Wheeler;  and  when  twenty-two  years  of  age  began  for  himself  at  farm  work  by  the 
month.  In  1863  he  purchased  his  father's  farm  and  added  to  it  until  he  owned  230 
acres,  and  for  many  years  was  extensively  and  successfully  engaged  in  breeding 
Durham  cattle,  thoroughbred  merino  sheep,  some  of  the  latter  he  sold  for  eight  dol- 
lars a  head,  and  also  bought  and  sold  large  numbers  of  cattle  for  beef.  He  was  one 
of  the  original  promoters  and  contributors  to  the  Steuben  County  Fair  at  Bath,  and 
has  exhibited  horses,  cattle  and  sheep,  never  failing  to  exhibit  but  one  year  since 
its  organization,  and  on  his  stock  exhibits  he  has  secured  many  first  prizes  and 
diplomas.  He  is  also  an  active  worker  and  stockholder  in  the  Prattsburg  Union 
Fair,  and  was  one  of  its  promoters.  For  many  years  he  was  purchasing  agent  for 
wool  buyers,  and  in  connection  with  his  farming  he  was  for  forty  winters  engaged 
in  logging,  in  1863  getting  out  one  million  feet  of  lumber.  He  has  served  as  inspector 
and  justice  of  the  peace  for  many  years.  In  1846  he  married  Mary  Ann  Peck,  a  na- 
tive of  Bridgeport,  Conn.,  by  whom  he  had  these  children :  Franklin,  Delos,  Will- 
iam H.  and  Mrs.  Ida  Houpt  of  Fergus  Falls,  Minn.  His  wife  died  in  September, 
1862,  and  in  April,  1863,  he  married  Mary  Peck,  a  cousin  of  his  first  wife  and  daugh- 
ter of  John  Peck.  Mr.  Trenchard  is  now  assisted  in  operating  his  large  farm  by  his 
son,  Delos. 

Eydt,  Louis,  was  born  in  Hershen,  Germany,  March  17,  1851,  and  came  to  this 
country  with  his  parents  when  eighteen  years  of  age.  They  settled  in  Canada,  and 
his  father,  who  was  a  brewer  in  his  native  land,  started  a  brewery,  which  he  has  con- 
ducted until  1894,  when  he  gave  up  the  business  on  account  of  old  age.  Louis  was 
given  a  good  education,  and,  his  father  being  a  brewer,  he  was  really  reared  in  a 
brewery  and  followed  the  business  all  his  life.  He  was  in  this  country  three  years 
before  his  people  came,  and  was  employed  as  superintendent  of  Beck's  brewery  in 
Buffalo  for  nine  years.  He  was  employed  seven  months  in  Zeiglen's  brewery,  and 
in  1879  he  started  a  brewery,  which  he  conducted  for  one  year  alone,  and  then  formed 
a  stock  company,  of  which  he  was  superintendent  for  one  year,  and  was  then  fore- 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  461 

man  in  Manning's  brewery  in  Golden  for  one  year.  In  1891  he  located  in  Hornells- 
ville  and  leased  the  Leach  brewer}^  on  River  street,  which  he  conducted  for  foixr 
years,  and  is  now  employed  as  sales  agent  for  Camperinor  Bros.  Mr.  Eydt  devotes 
his  whole  time  and  attention  to  his  business  and  family.  In  May,  1878,  he  married 
Anna,  daughter  of  George  Klein,  the  mason  contractor  of  Buffalo.  They  have  these 
children :   Louis,  John  George,  Martha  and  Fred  H. 

Barber,  Bert  G.,  was  born  in  Cameron,  February  7,  1864,  and  was  educated  in 
Bath  at  Haverling  Academy  and  Rochester  University,  and  for  several  years  was 
connected  with  Ross  &  Hastings'  machine  shops.  In  1892  he  married  Carrie  Grey, 
daughter  of  Grattan  H.  Brundage,  whose  ancestors  were  among  the  pioneers  of 
Steuben  county,  and  who  married  Clara  Grey,  daughter  of  Daniel  Grey. 

Brundage,  Grattan  H.,  was  born  on  his  father's  farm  in  the  town  of  Bath,  in  No- 
vember, 1834.  His  father,  Jesse  Brundage,  who  died  in  1851,  was  one  of  the  pio- 
neers of  Steuben  county;  he  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Grattan  H.  Wheeler.  Their 
children  were:  Monroe,  who  died  in  1875;  Grattan  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Mrs.  Aaron  J.  Nellis,  who  died  in  1883,  and  Franklin,  who  died  in  1890.  Grattan  H. 
Brundage  married  Clara,  daughter  of  Daniel  Grey,  and  their  children  were  Fred 
H.  G.,  and  Carrie,  wife  of  Bert  G.  Barber.  Mr.  Brundage  was  one  of  the  wealthiest 
and  most  successful  farmers  in  Steuben  county.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican. 
He  served  as  supervisor  of  Bath  in  1874  and  1875.  In  the  latter  year  he  was  a  can- 
didate for  member  of  Assembly,  but  was  defeated.  In  1890  he  was  unanimously 
nominated,  and  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  155  over  his  opponent.  In  the  Assem- 
bly he  was  a  member  of  the  committees  on  banks.  State  prisons  and  the  Soldiers' 
Home.  On  March  29,  1891,  Mr.  Brundage  died  from  pneumonia,  at  Albany,  where 
he  was  filling  his  place  in  the  Legislature.  He  had  contracted  a  cold  on  the  18th  of 
March,  which  developed  rapidly  into  a  malignant  case  of  pneumonia.  His  only  son, 
Fred  H.,  with  another  relative,  hastened  to  Albany  to  attend  him,  and  on  the  24th 
the  former  was  forced  to  return  home  upon  urgent  business,  and  had  scarcely  arrived 
at  Bath,  when  he  was  stricken  with  the  same  malady  that  prostrated  his  father. 
Mrs.  Brundage  and  her  daughter  were  m  South  Carolina,  where  they  had  gone  for 
the  benefit  of  the  health  of  the  former.  It  was  truly  a  sad  case,  and  all  was  done 
for  the  sufferers  that  the  love  and  sympathy  of  friends  and  neighbors  could  do ;  but 
all  was  in  vain — the  death  of  the  son  occurred  on  the  14th  of  April.  The  funeral 
services  of  both  father  and  son  were  held  at  St.  Thomas's  church,  unattended  by  the 
afflicted  wife  and  daughter — mother  and  sister — for  the  condition  of  Mrs.  Brundage 
was  such  that  her  physician  assured  them  that  her  removal  home  would  prove  fatal. 
The  following  from  the  Albany  Journal  is  expressive  of  the  esteem  in  which  Mr. 
Brundage  was  held:  "No  better  testimonial  can  decorate  a  man  than  popularity 
among  the  people  of  his  native  town  This  was  the  verdict  passed  upon  Grattan 
H.  Brundage,  who  was  one  of  the  few  Republicans  who  displaced  a  Democrat  in  a 
representative  body  at  the  election  of  1890.  .  .  .  Were  all  the  members  of  the 
Legislature  men  such  as  Mr.  Brundage  was,  there  would  be  little  cause  of  complaint 

of  the  laws  which  would  be  enacted His  death  is  a  serious  loss  to  the 

Assembly.  He  is  mourned  by  both  sides  of  the  chamber,  for  those  who  knew  him 
respected  him  as  an  honorable,  fearless  and  thoughtful  man." 


462  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Wentworth,  William  B.,  was  born  in  Jasper,  N.  Y.,  August  19,  1862,  a  son  of 
George  B.  and  Louise  D.  (Prentice)  Wentworth,  both  natives  of  Jasper.  The  grand- 
father of  William  B.,  Rice  Wentworth,  came  to  Jasper  at  a  very  early  date,  where 
he  died.  The  maternal  grandfather,  William  Prentice,  was  also  an  early  settler  of 
the  county,  coming  here  from  New  Hampshire.  George  B.  was  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation. He  was  killed  by  a  bull;  his  widow  now  resides  in  the  town  of  Jasper.  Will- 
iamB.  waseducatedin  the  common  schools,  then  engaged  in  farming.  He  nowownsa 
farm  of  100  acres.  In  1885  Mr.  Wentworth  married  Fannie  L.,  widow  of  Herman 
H.  Vaughn,  and  daughter  of  Allan  Drake.     They  have  an  adopted  daughter,  Mabel. 

Waight,  Frank  L.,  was  born  in  Jasper,  on  the  farm  he  now  owns,  December  2, 
1862,  son  of  George  F.  and  Ellen  (Murphy)  Waight,  natives  of  Barrington,  Yates 
county,  N.  Y.,  and  Jasper,  N.  Y. ,  respectively.  The  grandfather,  Thomas  Waight, 
came  to  Jasper  in  1832,  where  he  died.  The  maternal  grandfather,  Andrew  Murphy, 
was  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  came  to  Jasper  at  an  early  day,  where  he  died.  George 
Waight,  father  of  Frank  L.,  was  reared  by  an  uncle,  William  Moore,  and  came  to 
Jasper  in  1833,  where  he  died  in  1888,  and  his  wife  in  1871.  Frank  L.  was  reared 
on  a  farm,  educated  in  the  common  schools,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming  and 
now  owns  a  farm  of  140  acres,  and  follows  general  farming.  He  is  a  member  of 
K.  O.  T.  M.,  Jasper  Tent,  No.  100.  In  1889  he  married  Almira  Pierce,  a  native  of 
Troupsburg,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  George  and  Florence. 

Wilson,  M.  P.,  was  born  in  Oxford,  Chenango  county,  October  6,  1834,  son  of 
Alanson  and  Libbie  (Simmons)  Wilson.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson  were  natives  of  Che- 
nango county,  and  came  to  Troupsburg  in  1843,  where  they  both  died,  he  at  the 
age  of  eighty-two  and  she  at  the  age  of  seventy-one.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  was 
also  justice  of  the  peace  and  highway  commissioner  for  a  number  of  years.  M.  P. 
Wilson  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Troupsburg 
Academy.  He  learned  the  wagonmaker's  trade  and  blacksmithing  when  eighteen 
years  of  age,  which  trade  he  followed  through  life.  He  came  to  Woodhull  in  1858, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  He  has  been  town  collector,  town  auditor,  and  was  for 
eight  years  postmaster.  Mr.  Wilson  is  a  member  of  Restoration  Lodge,  No.  777,  F. 
&  A.  M.,  Addison  Chapter,  No.  146,  R.  A.  M.,  and  also  a  member  of  E.  A.  U.  In 
May,  1860,  Mr.  Wilson  married  Minerva  Smith,  a  native  of  Woodhull,  by  whom  he 
has  one  daughter,  Ella.  Mrs.  Wilson  is  a  daughter  of  Col.  Jeft'ery  Smith,  who  came 
to  Woodhull  in  1806,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-six  years.  In  1863  Mr. 
Wilson  enlisted  in  Co.  G,  Second  Veteran  N.  Y.  Cavalry,  under  Captain  Sanford, 
and  served  two  years. 

Wood,  Lazon  S.,  was  born  in  Burlington,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  February  1,  1823, 
son  of  Thomas  and  Lucy  (Cuttler)  Wood,  he  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  and  she  of 
Vermont,  who  came  to  Otsego  county  in  an  early  day  and  to  Woodhull  in  1831, 
where  they  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Lazon  S.  He  was  a  Whig  in  politics. 
Lazon  S.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  married 
Adaline  Edwards,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Melissa,  deceased;  and  Thomas 
L. ,  who  married  Estella  Brown,  by  whom  he  has  two  children :  Cassen  and  Vinnie. 
Mr.  Wood  has  been  a  Whig,  but  is  now  a  Republican,  and  has  been  highway  com- 
missioner of  this  town.     He  owns  100  acres  of  land,  and  his  son  also  owns  100  acres, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  463 

and  they  make  a  specialty  of  tobacco.  Mr.  Wood  is  a  member  of  Restoration  Lodge, 
No.  777,  F.  &  A.  M.  In  August,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  K,  86th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served 
until  April,  1862,  and  re-enlisted  in  Co.  H,  161st  N.  Y.  Vols,  and  served  three  years. 
He  was  at  Port  Hudson,  with  Banks  on  the  Red  River  expedition,  Sabine  Cross 
Roads,  Pleasant  Hill,  at  Fort  Morgan,  Mobile,  Fort  Blakely  and  Spanish  Fort.  He 
is  a  charter  member  of  J.  N.  Warner  Post,  No.  565,  G.  A.  R. 

Wolcott,  George,  was  born  m  Chemung  county  in  1838,  and  came  to  Corning  in 
1848  with  his  parents,  Frederick  and  Panthe  (Bennett)  Wolcott.  The  father  was 
born  where  Mr.  Wolcott  resides,  where  he  spent  his  boyhood  days,  and  when  twenty- 
one  years  of  age  moved  to  Chemung  county,  but  returned  in  1848  and  died  in  1872, 
aged  sixty-seven  years.  Mr.  Wolcott's  grandfather,  Capt.  Charles  Wolcott,  was  a 
native  of  Massachusetts  and  came  to  Chemung  county  about  1775.  In  1863  Mr. 
Wolcott  married  Amanda  Ferenbaugh,  who  died  in  1869,  by  whom  he  had  two  chil- 
dren: Nettie,  now  Mrs.  George  W.  Bedell  of  Jamestown,  Va.,  and  Ida  A.  In  1871 
he  married  Mrs.  Mary  Fuller.  He  has  fifty  acres  of  land,  being  a  part  of  the  orig- 
inal purchase  made  by  his  great  grandfather  from  the  government. 

Welch,  Thomas  J.,  farmer  and  proprietor  of  the  Riverside  Hotel,  four  miles  below 
Corning,  on  the  south  side  of  Chemung  River,  was  born  in  Orange  county,  and  in 
1874  came  to  Steuben  county.  He  has  farmed  his  present  place  of  200  acres  for 
eleven  years,  and  in  1894  built  his  present  house,  arranged  both  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  the  public  and  as  a  dwelling.  He  is  located  near  the  suspension  bridge, 
one  of  Coming's  most  delightful  and  picturesque  driveways. 

White,  Courtland,  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  December  27,  1853.  Hiram  White, 
his  father,  was  a  native  of  Chenango  county  and  came  to  Addison  when  a  young 
man,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering,  which  he  followed  the  greater 
part  of  his  hfe.  He  was  a  pioneer  of  Chenango  Settlement,  Troupsburg,  and  finally 
settled  northwest  of  Troupsburg,  on  a  farm  which  is  now  occupied  by  his  son.  He 
married  Lorinda  Vickory,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  by  whom  he  had  fifteen  chil- 
dren. The  paternal  grandparents  were  pioneers  of  Chenango  county.  Hiram  White 
died  December  19,  1886,  and  his  wife  August  7,  1891.  A  brother  of  Courtland  was 
a  member  of  Co.  H,  Eighty-sixth  N.  Y.  Vols.,  taken  prisoner  at  Wilderness,  and 
died  in  Andersonville  rebel  prison.  Courtland  White  was  educated  at  WoodhuU 
Academy,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming  on  the  homestead  farm  of  100  acres, 
which  he  now  owns.  In  1877  he  married  Flora,  daughter  of  R.  L.  and  MeHssa 
(Perry)  Alvord  of  Greenwood,  by  whom  he  had  two  children :  Lee  and  Harold. 

White,  Edward  M.,  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  August  10,  1843,  and  is  the  sixth  son 
of  eight  children  born  to  Bradshaw  and  Penelope  (Leach)  White,  both  natives  of 
Massachusetts,  he  born  November  29,  1806,  and  she  August  18,  1808.  The  grand- 
father, Amos  White,  was  born  at  Spencer,  Mass.,   February  6,  1776,   and  married 

Sarah ,  who  was  born  at  Granville,  March  12,1785.    The  maternal  grandparents, 

Ephraim  and  Sarah  (Conant)  Leach,  were  both  natives  of  Bndgewater,  Mass.,  he  born 
April  7,  1779,  and  she  February  12,  1784.  Amos  White  was  an  early  settler  of  Mad- 
ison county  where  he  followed  farming.  Bradshaw  White  came  from  Madison 
county  to  Troupsburg,  where  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  from  here  he  went  to  West 
Union.     He  died  in  Greenwood,  March  1,  1886,  and  his  wife,  August  30,  1893.     Mr. 


464  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

and  Mrs.  White  were  pioneers  in  the  Baptist  church  of  Troupsburg,  helping  to  organ- 
ize the  first  church  in  town.  Edward  M.  White  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  West 
Union,  where  he  commenced  farming.  In  1868  he  sold  out  and  removed  to  Troups- 
burg where  he  engaged  in  farming.  In  1864  he  married  Margaret,  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Almeda  Nye  of  West  Union,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Bradshaw 
White,  and  they  have  also  one  adopted  daughter,  Abigail  White.  Mr.  White  en- 
listed, September  18,  1861,  in  Co.  H,  86th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  was  honorably  discharged 
May  10.  1863,  re-enlisted  March  10,  1864,  in  Co.  B,  179th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  at  Cold  Harbor  and  Petersburg.  He  is  a  member 
of  Post  Baily,  No.  351,  G.  A.  R.,  and  McClellan  Lodge,  No.  649,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of 
Troiipsburg. 

Waight,  Edward  M.,  was  born  in  Jasper,  October  20,  1844,  and  is  the  oldest  of 
nine  children  born  to  George  F.  and  Ellen  Murphy  Waight,  the  former  a  native  of 
Barrington,  Yates  county,  N.Y.,  and  Mrs.  Waight  of  Jasper,  N.Y.  Thomas  Waight, 
the  grandfather,  came  from  Barrington  to  Jasper,  being  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers 
of  the  town.  Andrew  Murphy,  the  grandfather,  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  came  to 
Jasper  when  a  young  man.  George  F.  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  a  Democrat  in 
politics,  and  in  religion  a  Universalist.  Edward  M.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  farm- 
ing has  been  his  principal  occupation,  and  now  owns  213  acres  of  land,  and  makes  a 
specialty  of  dairying.  In  1887  he  and  his  father  built  a  saw  mill  on  the  farm,  which 
burned  in  1895,  but  has  been  rebuilt.  He  manufactures  about  160,000  feet  of  rough 
lumber,  and  200,000  shingles  yearly.  In  1879  he  married  Lucy,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Jasper,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children:  Mary,  Charles,  deceased,  Alice,  Clarence, 
Ellen,  Carrie,  Edward,  Ross,  deceased,  and  Alma. 

Wilcox,  Fred  D..  was  born  in  Oxford,  Chenango  county,  N.Y.,  September  28,  1832. 
and  is  the  second  of  eight  children  born  to  Felander  and  Betsey  (Kinney)  Wilcox, 
both  natives  of  Oxford,  he  born  October  30,  1807,  and  she  February  28,  1813.  They 
came  to  Troupsburg  in  1838  where  they  followed  farmmg,  and  he  died  in  December, 
1883,  and  she  January  3,  1834.  The  grandparents,  Harrington  and  Charity  (Rath- 
bone)  Wilcox,  came  from  Rhode  Island  to  Connecticut,  thence  to  Chenango  county 
where  they  died.  He  was  a  lumberman  and  run  a  carding  machine.  Fred  D.  Wil- 
cox has  always  been  a  farmer,  and  in  1857  he  purchased  a  farm  of  209  acres  and  has 
made  a  specialty  of  dairy  farming.  In  1865  he  married  Hannah  L.  Olmstead,  by 
whom  he  had  eight  children:  Whitman  W.,  born  July  31,  1860,  and  died  December 
18,  1880;  Libbie,  born  August  23,  1863,  wife  of  C.  Plaisled,  a  farmer  of  Troupsburg; 
Jennie,  born  August  23,  1863,  wife  of  Charles  Marlatt ;  Hulda  M.,  born  March  23, 
1867,  wife  of  Rev.  William  Gates,  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church,  Hornellsville; 
Nina  R.,  born  September  5,  1869,  wife  of  Nelson  Fish,  a  farmer  of  Troupsburg; 
Bertha  L.,  born  October  9,  1872;  Fred  C,  born  March  21,  1875;  and  Jessie,  born 
December  7,  1877.  Mrs.  Wilcox  died  February  21,  1894,  and  August  18,  1894,  he 
married  for  his  second  wife,  Edith  Griggs,  widow  of  Wilson  Griggs,  a  carriagemaker 
of  Troupsburg  who  died  in  1883. 

Wilkes,  Miss  A.  J. — Bartholomew  Wilkes  was  born  in  County  Mayo,  Ireland,  June 
10,  1806,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1831.  He  settled  in  Bath  and  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business,  and  afterwards  purchased  a  farm,  remaining  there  for  eight 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  465 

years  and  then  returned  to  the  village  of  Bath  and  again  entered  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness. He  married  Ann  Shannon,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  Robert  B.,  who 
died  in  1876,  and  Miss  A.  J.  Wilkes.  Mr.  Wilkes  was  for  years  one  of  the  leading  men 
of  the  town,  whose  honesty  and  integrity  commanded  the  respect  of  all  who  knew 
him. 

White,  Daniel  L.,  was  born  in  Camj^bell,  April  22,  1850.  Daniel  White,  his  father, 
was  born  in  Bath,  September  24,  1812,  his  parents  being  among  the  earliest  settlers 
in  the  town  of  Bath.  Daniel  White  married  Nabby,  daughter  of  Major  Parsley  Sea- 
mans,  and  through  life  was  identified  in  the  advancement  of  his  town,  holding  vari- 
ous positions  of  honor  and  trust,  dying  March  12,  1895,  aged  ninety-four  years. 
Daniel  L.  married  Nancy,  daughter  of  S.  T.  Sanford,  in  1876,  and  by  whom  he  had 
two  children,  Florence  and  Carrie  May. 

Warren,  George  C,  was  born  in  Saratoga  county,  N.  Y.,  January  26,  1828,  and 
came  to  Steuben  county  with  his  father,  Dwight  Warren,  in  1834,  settling  at  War- 
ren's Settlement,  named  after  his  grandfather,  Phineas  Warren,  who  came  to  Bath 
about  1820.  Dwight  Warren  married  Maria  C. ,  daughter  of  Chester  Butler.  He  was 
identified  through  life  as  a  successful  farmer,  dying  m  1886,  aged  eighty-seven  years. 
George  C.  Warren  married  Polly,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Bennett,  by  whom  he  has 
three  children:  Joseph  B.,  A.  C,  and  G.  Frank.  Mr.  Warren  is  one  of  the  leadmg 
farmers  of  the  town,  taking  an  active  interest  in  school  and  church  work. 

Winegar,  Clay  and  Peter,  were  natives  of  Cayuga,  where  their  father,  Samuel  K., 
was  an  early  settler.  Their  grandfather,  Philip  Winegar,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers 
and  prominent  men  at  Union  Springs,  both  as  a  merchant  and  mill  owner.  Samuel 
K.  married  Cornelia,  daughter  of  Peter  Yawger,  and  through  life  was  identified  as  a 
farmer.  Clay  and  Peter  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1876  and  purchased  one  of  the 
Constant  Cook  farms,  and  are  making  a  specialty  of  dairying,  carrying  on  a  large 
dairy  which  produces  450  quarts  per  day,  through  the  year. 

Wolf,  Franz  S. ,  was  born  in  Xenia,  Ohio,  January  19,  1857.  Carl  Wolf,  his  father, 
was  a  native  of  the  duchy  of  Baden,  Germany,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1849.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Heidelburg  University,  aud  through  political  complica- 
tions was  forced  to  leave  Germany,  and  was  professor  of  music  at  Xenia.  He  died 
in  1862  at  Bath,  to  which  place  he  came  in  1860.  He  married  Anna  C,  daughter  of 
Hon.  Schuyler  Strang,  and  granddaughter  of  Gen.  Daniel  Cruger,  district  attorney, 
speaker  of  assembly  in  1816,  and  member  of  congress.  Franz  Wolf  was  educated  at 
Buffalo,  after  which  he  entered  the  Dansville  Bank  as  bookkeeper,  and  in  1872  came 
to  Bath  and  entered  the  employ  of  the  Steuben  County  Vineyard  Association,  of 
which  he  is  now  president,  and  which  was  founded  by  Henry  T.  Seeley.  In  1890  he 
married  Dr.  Agnes  Seeley,  who  died  in  1892.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  men  of  his 
town,  elected  member  of  assembly  in  1885,  just  sixty  years  after  his  great  grand- 
father was  speaker  of  that  body,  and  has  received  and  merited  the  respect  of  his 
associates. 

Wood,  S.  W.,  was  born  in  Middleville,  Herkimer  county,  in  1850.    Anson  J.  Wood, 
his  father,  was  also  of  Middleville  and  the  family  were  among  the  pioneers  of  Herki- 
mer county.     Anson  J.  married  Maria,  daughter  of  B.  Watson,  and  his  life  was  iden- 
ggg 


466  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

tified  as  a  manufacturer  of  boots  and  shoes.  S.  W.  Wood  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools,  after  which  he  gave  his  attention  to  farming,  and  in  1871  came  to  Bath 
and  entered  the  employ  of  James  Parris  and  F.  Whedon.  In  1892  he  began  business 
for  himself  and  to-day  is  carrying  the  largest  stock  of  imported  and  domestic 
groceries  in  Bath,  with  a  full  line  of  crockery  and  glassware.  In  1875  he  married 
Fannie  Small,  daughter  of  Hiram  Small,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Benjamin, 
Joseph,  Raymond,  Minnie,  and  Nellie.  Mr.  Wood  is  one  of  the  representative  men 
of  the  town. 

Windsor,  Mrs.  L.  F. — Rev.  Lloyd  Wmdsor  was  a  native  of  New  York  city,  where 
he  spent  his  earlier  years.  A  graduate  of  Columbia  College  in  1834,  and  of  the 
General  Theological  Semmary  in  1836,  ordained  dean  by  the  bishop  of  New  York  on 
July  3,  1836,  he  began  his  ministry  in  missionary  work  in  what  was  then  the  "  far 
west"  at  Madison  and  New  Albany,  Ind.,  in  the  jurisdiction  of  Bishop  Kemper. 
Receiving  private  orders  there,  he  returned  after  two  years  to  New  York  State,  and 
on  All  Saints'  day,  1838,  began  at  Fayetteville  his  long  course  of  parochial  work  m 
the  diocese,  on  the  very  day  on  which  the  original  diocese  of  Western  New  York 
came  into  existence.  On  the  23d  of  December  following  he  took  charge  as  rector  of 
St.  Michael's  church,  Geneseo,  and  three  years  later,  in  January,  1842,  removed  to 
the  charge  of  Grace  church,  Lockport,  which  he  held  four  years  and  a  half.  From 
October,  1846,  to  the  end  of  1853  he  was  rector  of  Trinity  church,  Cleveland,  O., 
and  in  1855-56  officiated  in  Grace  church,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  In  1856  he  returned  to 
the  Western  New  York  diocese  and  became  a  missionary  at  Whitney's  Crossing, 
near  Canaseraga,  where  he  organized  Trinity  church.  He  was  then  residing  on  his 
farm  in  the  town  of  Grove,  and  January  1,  1859,  he  accepted  the  call  to  the  rector- 
ship of  Christ  church,  Hornellsville,  after  the  resignation  of  Rev.  James  A.  Robinson. 
When  Dr.  Windsor  came  here  they  were  worshiping  in  Washington  Hall,  a  building 
that  stood  where  the  residence  of  Walter  G.  Ross  now  stands.  This  building 
burned  soon  after  Mr.  Windsor's  arrival  and  it  was  owing  to  his  efforts  that 
the  beautiful  and  substantial  church  edifice  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Center  streets 
was  erected  in  1860.  Grown  old  and  feeble  in  the  service,  he  was  stricken  down  in 
the  pulpit  of  the  Presbyterian  church  while  delivering  a  farewell  address  to  Dr.  W.  A. 
Niles,  June  30,  1889.  Mr.  Windsor  was  twice  married,  first  to  Elizabeth  Battin  of 
New  York,  who  died  in  this  place  in  1865,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  L.  Frances, 
who  now  resides  on  the  old  homestead  farm  in  the  town  of  Grove,  and  second,  to 
Marianna  Charles,  of  Hornellsville,  who  still  survives  him. 

Wickham,  Charles  H.,  is  a  native  of  Tioga  county.  Pa.  His  first  connection  with 
Steuben  county  interests  was  with  the  Rochester,  Hornellsville  &  Lackawanna  Rail- 
road Company  as  civil  engineer,  and  his  acquaintance  with  some  of  the  projectors  of 
the  electric  railway  led  to  his  employ  as  chief  engineer  of  construction,  and  on  the 
completion  of  the  road  he  was  made  superintendent  of  the  road,  which  position  he 
now  occupies. 

Wheeler,  Norman  O.,  was  born  m  the  town  of  Exeter,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  No- 
vember 8,  1843.  Horace  Wheeler,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  native  of  Otsego 
county;  he  is  now  a  resident  of  this  town.  He  had  two  sons:  Elan  E.,  died  at  six- 
teen years  of  age ;  Norman  was  given  a  good  common   school  education  and  one 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  467 

term  in  Rogersville  Seminary  and  remained  with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war.  August  28,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  the  189th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and 
served  with  them  till  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  at  Appomattox  at  the  time  of 
Lee's  surrender.  He  was  in  several  of  the  important  engagements  of  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  in  the  campaign  of  1864,  besides  in  several  minor  engagements.  Re- 
turning home  he  bought  forty-four  acres  of  the  Ryeres  tract,  which  land  was  in  its 
normal  condition,  and  he  has  made  a  garden  of  a  wilderness  and  cleared  it  of  the 
stumps  and  undergrowth,  now  working  one  of  the  best  farms  of  this  section,  con- 
ducting it  as  a  dairy  farm,  furnishing  milk  for  Willitte  creamery.  He  also  conducts 
a  piece  of  twenty  acres  and  his  father's  farm  of  130  acres.  He  was  married  January 
22,  1873,  to  Miss  Ida  Everett  of  Cooper's  Plains,  who  died  September  4,  1888,  leaving 
one  child.  Miss  Ada  Wheeler,  who  is  the  mainstay  of  his  house. 

Wellever,  David,  was  born  in  Lycoming  county,  town  of  Moreland,  Pa.,  January 
5,  1823,  a  son  of  David,  sr.,  of  New  Jersey.  The  latter  removed  to  this  State  in 
1827,  and  bought  a  farm  of  100  acres  south  of  the  city  which  he  owned  fifteen  years, 
then  bought  120  acres  on  the  northern  line  of  the  town,  where  he  spent  the  balance 
of  his  life.  His  wife  was  Jane  Lowe,  of  Penfield,  who  died  January  28,  1874,  aged 
eighty-two.  Of  their  six  children  three  survive:  Philip,  of  Michigan;  Samuel,  also 
of  that  State ;  and  David.  The  latter  remained  on  the  farm  until  his  majority,  when 
he  was  employed  in  the  brick  business  in  Rochester  for  three  summers.  In  1846  he 
returned  to  this  place  and  buying  a  clay  bed  began  the  manufacture  of  brick,  which 
he  followed  four  years,  establishing  a  business  which  gradually  increased,  and  he 
made  at  least  half  of  the  brick  used  in  building  while  engaged  in  the  manufacture  in 
this  city.  Mr.  Wellever  has  served  as  highway  commissioner  and  assessor  for  the 
city,  and  has  the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  best  judges  of  real  estate  in  the  city. 
In  1850  he  married  Olivia  A.,  daughter  of  Uriah  Stephens. 

Wolfanger,  William,  was  born  in  Wayland,  June  17,  1850,  son  of  Nicholas 
Wolfanger,  who  was  born  in  Germany  in  1815,  emigrated  to  Amei'ica  about  1836  and 
settled  in  Wayland,  where  he  purchased  131  acres  of  land,  partly  cleared,  which  he 
improved.  He  married  Catherine  Bill,  in  Dansville,  who  was  born  July  10,  1817,  by 
whom  he  had  these  children:  Henry,  deceased;  Mary,  deceased;  Catherine  Griese; 
Nicholas;  Maria  Schutz;  Adam,  deceased;  William,  born  June  17,  1850;  and  Jacob. 
Mr.  Wolfanger  died  in  1852.  William  was  educated  in  the  public  school  of  Perkius- 
ville,  and  has  always  followed  farming.  He  has  held  the  offices  of  constable,  high- 
way commissioner,  and  excise  commissioner  six  years,  and  in  1894  was  elected  asses- 
sor for  three  years,  as  a  Republican,  the  town  having  a  Democratic  majority  of  100. 
He  is  a  member  of  Liberty  Lodge  No.  510,  F.  &  A.  M.,  also  a  charter  member  of 
Wayland  Lodge  No.  177,  I.O.O.F.  In  1870  he  married  Margaret  Hoffman,  who  was 
born  November  27,  1849,  by  whom  he  had  these  children :  Maggie,  born  December 
25,  1871 ;  William,  born  in  1872,  died  in  1875 ;  Nicholas,  born  in  1874,  died  in  1875 ; 
Ida,  born  in  1875,  died  in  187>-^;  Ella,  born  March  24,  1876;  Frank,  born  in  1878,  died 
February  17,  1888:  Hattie,  born  March  8,  1880;  Henry,  born  October  17,  1882,  died 
January  30,  1888 ;  and  Anna,  bom  April  5,  1884.  died  February  8,  1888. 

Whiteman,  George  E. — His  paternal  grandfather,  Jacob  Whiteman,  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  died  in  Sparta,  N.Y.,  in  1862,  aged  seventy-three  years.     He  was 


468  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

the  father  of  seven  sons.  The  father  of  George  E.  was  Edward  Whiteman,  born  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  died  in  Wayland  in  1888,  aged  seventy-three  years.  In  1822  he 
settled  in  Wayland  on  a  farm  at  the  Toll  Gate  and  built  a  log  house  and  afterwards 
a  saw  mill  on  Mill  Creek,  where  he  manufactured  lumber  until  1855,  when  he  put  in 
a  circular  mill  which  was  burned  in  1885.  He  purchased  real  estate  at  different 
times  until  he  was  the  possessor  of  700  acres  of  land.  He  took  a  leading  part  in  the 
organization  of  Wayland  and  held  the  offices  of  supervisor  and  assessor  for  several 
years.  He  married  Juity  Shoemaker,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1815,  and 
died  in  Wayland  in  1878.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children:  Joseph,  who  died 
in  infancy;  Mary  A.,  who  is  now  the  widow  of  Conrad  Bill;  Lydia,  wife  of  Owen 
Rowe ;  Susan  A. ,  who  married  Jacob  Schmingle  and  died  in  1891 ;  Phianna,  who 
married  Joseph  Kidd,  and  died  in  1868;  Jacob,  born  in  1846;  George  E.,  as  above, 
born  April  22,  1848;  Juity  A.,  wife  of  A.  W.  Hawk;  and  Sarah  J.,  wife  of  Samuel 
Bower.  George  E.  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Wayland,  and  Dansville 
Seminary,  and  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering,  and  now  owns  one  of  the  finest 
farms  in  Wayland,  and  also  owns  a  half  interest  in  the  hardware  store,  No.  8  North 
Main  street,  the  firm  name  of  which  is  Whiteman  &  Co.  He  was  assessor  of  Way- 
land  six  years,  and  was  elected  supervisor  in  1881  and  served  three  terms.  In  the 
fall  of  1884  he  was  elected  a  member  of  assembly  and  re-elected  in  1885,  was  elected 
president  of  the  village  of  Wayland  in  1894  and  re-elected  in  1895.  He  is  a  member 
of  Lodge  No.  510,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Cohocton,  N.  Y.,  and  of  Wayland  Lodge  No.  176, 
I.  O.  O.  F.  In  1870  he  married  Delilah  Retter,  who  was  born  in  Dansville,  N.  Y., 
September  22,  1852.  Her  father,  Aaron  G.  Retter,  enlisted  in  1862,  and  was  taken 
prisoner  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  and  died  from  effects  of  prison  life,  after 
being  exchanged,  in  1865,  aged  thirty-four  years.  Her  mother  was  Mariah  Romig, 
who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  died  in  January,  1861,  aged  twenty-nine  years. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whiteman  were  the  parents  of  three  children :  Emm  Juetta,  born  Sep- 
tember 5,  1877,  died  February  10,  1878;  Esther  Arietta,  born  July  9,  1884;  Ruth 
Ritter,  born  September  26,  1891. 

Wood,  Edward  C. ,  was  born  in  Prince  Edward  county,  Canada,  September  9,  1860. 
He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  when  twelve  years  of  age  he  went  to 
learn  the  shoemaker's  trade  with  William  Richardson  in  Hornellsville,  whence  his 
father,  Ambrose  Wood,  removed  in  1870.  He  was  for  a  number  of  years  employed 
in  shoemaking,  and  was  elected  sheriff;  he  was  appointed  deputy  sheriff  and  jailor. 
He  remained  in  Bath  for  one  year,  with  the  succeeding  sheriff,  Mr.  Baldwin,  and  in 
the  spring  of  1887  he  bought  the  J.  Buxon  crockery  store  and  china  hall  on  Seneca 
street,  where  he  has  since  engaged  in  business,  and  with  success.  He  has  always 
taken  an  interest  in  the  fire  department  and  in  the  Babcock  Hook  and  Ladder  Com- 
pany, now  serving  his  second  term.  He  was  married  in  1879  to  Nora,  daughter  of 
the  late  Horace  Hunt,  who  was  a  native  of  this  county.  They  have  one  infant  son, 
six  months  old. 

Wilber,  Gilford  D.,  was  born  in  Bath,  N.  Y.,  December  17,  1846,  son  of  Hoxie  and 
Patience  (Legro)  Wilber,  he  born  in  Yates  county,  a  son  of  Samuel  Wilber,  who  came 
from  Rhode  Island  and  settled  in  Yates  county  early,  and  in  1824  came  to  Bath, 
where  he  died.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  he  had  seven  children  :  Polly, 
who  married  Mr.  Gifford,.of  Ohio;  Samuel  K.,  who  lived  and  died  on  the  farm  our 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  469 

subject  now  owns ;  Lucinda,  who  married  Edward  Chapin,  and  died  in  Bath  in  sight 
of  the  homestead;  Hoxie  H.,  father  of  Gilford  D.  ;  John ;  Reuben  and  Grifhn,  twins; 
and  EUza  A.  Hoxie  H.  Wilber,  father  of  Gilford  D. ,  was  a  farmer  by  occupation. 
He  died  in  December,  1867,  and  his  widow  now  lives  on  the  homestead,  and  is 
eighty  years  of  age.  Gilford  D.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common 
schools.  In  1864  he  bought  thirt}^-one  acres  of  land  in  Thurston,  and  he  now  owns 
286  acres  of  land  in  Thurston,  and  a  house  and  lot  in  Bath.  He  is  a  Republican  in 
pohtics,  and  has  been  assessor  six  years,  highway  commissioner  three  years,  and 
supervisor  one  year.  In  1871  he  married  Rose  Ules,  of  Bath,  by  whom  he  had  two 
children :  Hoxie  S.  and  Maud  M. 

Wood,  Lewis,  was  born  in  Otsego  count}^  in  1824,  son  of  Josiah  and  Polly  (Newell) 
Wood,  who  in  1841  came  to  Steuben  county,  purchasing  the  farm  where  Lewis  now 
resides.  He  is  one  of  five  children,  his  sister,  Mary  A.,  wife  of  Norman  Berry,  being 
the  only  survivors.  Mr.  Wood's  first  wife,  Lavina  Martin,  died  leaving  four  sons  and 
two  daughters.  He  afterwards  married  Mary  Shoemaker,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania. 
He  has  eighty  acres  of  the  original  home  place,  and  has  added  thirty  acres  to  it ; 
also  owns  fifty  acres  in  another  place.  In  an  early  date  he  was  prominent  in  the 
State  militia. 

Walden,  James,  was  born  in  Chenango  county  in  1822,  and  in  1837  came  to  Caton 
with  his  parents,  John  and  Dorcas  (Barnes)  Walden,  natives  of  Rhode  Island,  who 
were  pioneers  in  Chenango  county.  Mr.  Walden  has  Hved  here  since  1837  and  on 
his  present  farm  since  1852,  in  which  year  he  married  Sarah  Cram,  a  native  of  Che- 
nango county.  They  have  three  children :  Ruby,  wife  of  James  Brace,  Henry,  and 
Wilson  R.  Mr.  Walden  is  a  staunch  Republican.  He  has  a  farm  of  sixty-five  acres 
and  follows  general  farming, 

Wellman,  James  R.,  West  Caton,  was  born  in  Greene  county  in  1835  and  came 
to  Steuben  county  in  1861,  locating  in  the  town  of  Caton,  and  to  his  present  place  in 
1864,  purchasing  it  in  1874.  He  follows  general  farming  making  stock  raising  a 
specialty.  In  1863  he  married  Charlotte  E.  Spencer,  daughter  of  Smith  Spencer, 
and  their  children  are  as  follows:  John  S.,  Mary  J.,  wife  of  Jerry  Kies,  J.  B.,  Jennie 
L.,  wife  of  Emmett  Swarthout,  Julia  E.,  Joseph  L.  and  Joseph  and  Jessie,  deceased. 

Wolever,  Daniel,  was  born  in  Hornby  in  1837,  son  of  Andrew  and  Eliza  Grover 
Wolever,  who  were  married  in  Columbia  county.  Pa.,  and  came  to  Hornby  in  1836. 
Both  parents  died  here  and  are  buried  in  the  Oldfield  burying  ground.  At  the  age 
twent}'  Mr.  Wolever  spent  one  year  in  Michigan  and  Illinois.  In  1860  he  purchased 
his  present  farm  adjoining  the  old  homestead.  He  has  165  acres,  and  follows  gen- 
eral farming  and  stock  raising.  In  1862  he  married  Fanny  Hendrick,  who  died  in 
1864,  and  he  afterward  married  Augusta  Hendrick,  his  present  wife. 

Wilcox,  Frank  C,  was  born  in  Painted  Post,  October  2,  1857,  son  of  Amos  Wilcox, 
a  native  of  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  who  came  here  m  1844,  and  married  Aurinda 
Remington.  They  were  the  parents  of  two  children ;  Ella  and  Frank.  Amos  Wil- 
cox died  in  the  town  of  Erwm,  February  21,  1895.  Frank  C.  married  Anna  Claphan. 
He  IS  commissioner  of  highways  of  the  town  of  Erwin,  and  is  the  owner  of  a  farm, 
which  consists  of  220  acres,  which  is  well  adapted  to  the  raising  of  tobacco  and 
grain. 


470  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Webb,  Lee  R.,  was  born  in  Tuscarora,  September  5,  1859,  son  of  George  W.  "Webb, 
a  farmer  of  Tuscarora,  now  a  resident  of  Michigan,  and  during  his  residence  at  Tus- 
carora he  held  the  office  of  postmaster  at  South  Addison.  Lee  R.  was  a  partner  in 
a  general  store  at  Elkland,  Pa.,  afterwards  supplementing  his  education  by  a  year's 
assiduous  work  at  Binghamton.  In  1886  he  embarked  in  business  at  Addison,  estab- 
lishing a  co-partnership  with  S.  A.  Hill,  and  five  years  later  he 'purchased  his  part- 
ner's share  and  operated  the  business  alone  until  recently  when  he  associated  with  J. 
B.  Knisely.  In  1885  he  married  Laura  M.,  daughter  of  John  Hill  of  Addison,  by 
whom  he  had  two  children,  Harry  E.  and  Ethel  L. 

WiLson,  Robert  K.,  was  born  in  Canisteo,  January  22,  1849,  son  of  Eben  and  Mary 
J.  (Brown)  Wilson,  who  settled  in  Canisteo  in  1840.  Their  children  were  Warren, 
Susan,  J.  Eben,  Franklin  N.,  Robert  K.,  Philetus,  Willie,  Jane,  and  Sylvia  A.  In 
early  life  Eben  followed  shoemaking  in  East  Troy,  but  after  moving  here  he  followed 
farming.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  M.  P.  church  of  Gravel  Run  and  was 
intensely  interested  in  all  educational  affairs.  Robert  K.  married  Nancy,  a  daughter 
of  ]\lyron  Clark,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Myrtie.  His  first  wife  dying,  he  mar- 
ried Bettie,  a  daughter  T>f  William  and  Helen  Howland,  who  lived  on  the  farm  where 
Mr.  Wilson  now  resides.  Their  children  are:  George  H.,  Minnie  D.,  Harry  A.,  and 
an  adopted  child,  Hiram  Howland,  whose  father  was  killed  in  New  Mexico.  Robert 
K.  Wilson  taught  school  for  a  number  of  years,  but  is  now  engaged  in  farming. 

Wilcox,  John,  was  born  in  Curtis,  April  28,  1849.  Isaac  Wilcox,  his  father,  was 
born  in  Oxford,  Chenango  county,  in  1810.  He  was  a  tanner  in  Curtisville,  and 
when  he  came  to  Campbell  he  first  worked  for  Mr.  Balcom.  He  married  Margaret, 
daughter  of  John  Tanner,  one  of  the  old  settlers  in  the  town,  by  whom  he  had  three 
children:  Bradford,  Jane,  and  John,  who  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Cur- 
tis. He  was  a  lumberman,  and  is  now  devoting  his  time  to  carpenter  work.  He  is 
justice  of  the  peace,  and  has  held  other  minor  offices.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

Wixson,  Leroy,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Campbell,  February  15,  1860,  son  of  Lewis 
Wixson  of  Campbell,  who  married  Julia  A.  Jordan,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children : 
Fidelia,  William,  Margaret,  James,  Alfred,  Albert,  and  Leroy,  who  is  a  farmer,  and 
owns  a  farm  of  sixty  acres,  on  the  Mead's  Creek  road.  He  married  Minnie  B., 
daughter  of  Harmon  Stevens,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Flora  M.,  Charley  L., 
and  Ida  M.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

Waggoner,  Albert  J.,  was  born  in  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  September  30,  1851.  His 
grandfather,  John  Waggoner,  died  on  the  farm  where  Albert  J.  now  resides.  May  28, 
1865,  aged  seventy-seven  years.  He  married  Sally  Ann  Van  Alstine,  who  was  born 
in  Holland,  and  died  on  the  farm  January  24,  1865,  aged  seventy-seven  years.  They 
had  eight  children :  George  J.,  Lambert,  John  S.,  William  H.,  Harriet  Bilson,  Abi- 
gail Davis,  Catherine  Cranmer,  and  Jane  Wallace.  George  J.  Waggoner,  father  of 
Albert  J  ,  was  born  in  Canajoharie,  N.  Y.,  November  7,  1808,  and  died  January  25, 
1894.  In  1840  he  settled  in  Dansville,  and  1846  purchased  the  farm  where  his  son 
now  resides  He  was  also  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  and  worked  at  that  until  his  eye- 
sight failed,  when  he  gave  it  up.  April  30,  1828,  he  married  Laura  Ann  Degolia, 
who  was  born  in  Galway,  Saratoga  county,  N.  Y. ,  October  25,  1808,  and  died  Febru- 
ary 2,  1854,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  George  W.,  born  February  6,  1831,  and 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  471 

died  April  23,  1838;  Lucinda  M.,  born  March  11,  1833,  wife  of  Thomas  Cotton;  Nel- 
son v.,  born  March  10,  1835,  deceased;  J.  Degolia,  born  July  17,  1842,  and  died  May 
29,  1856;  and  Albert  J.,  as  above,  Albert  J.  received  his  primary  education  from  his 
step-mother,  Cornelia  Wadhams,  and  at  twelve  years  of  age  attended  the  district 
school  three  terms  and  subsequently  attended  the  Rogersville  Seminary  for  four 
years,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  June  22,  1871.  In  1872  he  went  to 
California  for  his  health,  returned  and  taught  school  for  nine  years,  and  is  now  the 
owner  of  the  homestead.  At  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  July  5,  1879,  he  married  Martha  A. 
Hartman,  who  was  born  in  Canaseraga,  N.  Y.,  February  8,  1863,  by  whom  he  had 
six  children:  Charles  J.,  born  May  25,  1880,  and  died  December  7,  1894;  George  A., 
born  June  7,  1882;  Henry  E.,  born  November  19,  1885;  Laura  E.,  born  April  14, 
1889;  Gale,  born  June  13,  1891 ;  and  May,  born  January  31,  1894. 

Wagner,  Augustus  Charles,  was  born  in  Wheeler,  Steuben  county,  February  12, 
1835,  son  of  James  Wagner,  who  was  born  at  Fort  Plain,  Montgomery  county,  N.Y., 
January  19,  1805,  and  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1810,  settling  in  the  town  of 
Wheeler,  where  he  purchased  land  and  cleared  a  farm  of  fifty  acres.  He  married 
Sallie  Charlesworth,  of  Steuben  county,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  nine  children : 
Eliza,  Clark  H.,  Susan,  Augusta,  Nancy,  John,  James,  Abraham,  and  Harriet,  de- 
ceased. Augustus  was  educated  in  the  town  of  Wheeler,  and  is  a  farmer,  now  own- 
ing 170  acres  of  land,  and  his  principal  crops  are  wheat,  rye,  and  corn.  He  married 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Van  Wie,  a  farmer  of  Avoca,  and  they  have  three  chil- 
daen:  Ina  Sager,  Fred,  and  Floyd,  who  married  Rose  Willis,  of  Avoca.  Mr.  Wag- 
ner now  holds  the  office  of  assessor. 

Wightman,  Noah,  was  born  in  New  Berlin,  Chenango  county,  October  4,  1837. 
George  Wightman,  his  father,  was  born  in  Chenango  county,  and  came  to  Steuben 
county  where  he  died.  He  married  Nancy,  daughter  of  Noah  Mathews,  by  whom 
he  had  three  children:  Tracy,  Delia,  and  Noah,  who  was  educated  in  Plymouth  and 
Preston,  and  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1883  and  settled  on  the  farm  of  150  acres 
which  he  now  owns,  and  which  is  most  all  under  cultivation.  He  married  Minerva, 
daughter  of  Henry  Scott  of  Chenango  county,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Flora, 
Anna,  William,  Lillie,  Cora,  and  Merritt. 

Pratt,  Aaron  G.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bath,  N.  Y.,  May  13,  1868,  the  youngest 
of  a  family  of  three  children  born  to  Sylvester  H.  Pratt,  who  was  also  a  native  of 
Bath,  and  a  farmer  by  occupation.  Aaron  G.  was  educated  in  Haverling  Union 
school  of  Bath,  and  his  first  position  was  as  assistant  bookkeeper  of  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank,  where  he  remained  about  five  years,  and  then  spent  five  years  as  head 
bookkeeper  of  the  George  W.  Hallock  Bank  in  the  same  town.  August  20,  1894,  he 
formed  a  copartnership  with  John  J.  Frey,  and  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  Bank 
of  Hammondsport,of  which  he  is  cashier  and  Mr.  Frey  president.  He  is  a  Republican 
in  politics,  and  is  now  treasurer  of  the  village.  December  16,  1891,  he  jnarried  Cora 
Louise,  daughter  of  Lyman  Aulls,  of  Wayne,  by  whom  he  has  one  son,  Preston 
Powell,  who  is  now  two  and  one-half  years  old. 

TuUy,  Hon.  W.  J.,  was  born  m  Corning  in  1870,  and  was  educated  at  Corning  Free 
Academy,  Brooklyn  Polytechnic  Institute,  Columbia  College,  and  in  1892  was  grad- 
uated from  the  New  York  Law  School.     He  studied  with  Judge  Bradley  and  in  1893 


472  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Buffalo.  He  is  counsel  for  the  excise  commissioners,  and 
was  elected  recorder  in  1894.  He  is  the  oldest  son  of  Joseph  J.  TuUy  of  the  Corning 
Glass  Works,  who  located  here  with  the  works  from  New  York  city  in  1868. 

Barlow,  Rev.  Arthur  R.,  was  born  in  Ireland,  December  27,  1854,  and  was  reared 
and  pursued  his  studies  in  his  native  country  until  1873.  He  then  came  to  America 
and  entered  Niagara  University,  but  very  soon  was  sent  to  Genoa,  Italy,  where  he 
entered  the  Propaganda  College,  and  where  he  was  ordained  to  the  priesthood  in 
July,  1877.  He  returned  to  this  country  and  was  assigned  to  various  charges,  being 
assistant  in  the  cathedral  in  Buffalo,  assistant  pastor  of  St.  Patrick's  church.  Lock- 
port,  and  assistant  pastor  of  St.  Joseph's  church,  Batavia,  N.  Y.  In  1881  he  was 
appointed  pastor  of  the  Catholic  church  at  Belmont,  Allegany  county,  where  he  at- 
tended the  missions  at  Angelica,  Scio,  and  Belfa.st.  A  year  and  a  half  later  he  re- 
moved to  Belfast,  and  became  the  first  resident  pastor  of  the  church  there.  In  Oc- 
tober, 1889,  he  was  transferred  to  EUicottville,  N.  Y.,  and  in  June,  1893,  was  appoint- 
ed pastor  of  St.  Ann's  church,  Hornellsville,  of  which  Rev.  William  H.  Darcy  became 
his  assistant  at  the  same  time.  Rev.  Mr.  Darcy  is  ^  native  of  Ireland  and  was 
ordained  to  the  priesthood  at  the  Catholic  University  in  Washington,  D.  C,  m  June, 
1893. 

Schwingle,  William  F.,  son  of  HenrJ^  a  native  of  Germany  and  now  a  retired 
farmer  in  the  village  of  Cohocton,  Steuben  county,  was  born  in  Cohocton  on  October 
31,  1868,  and  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  that  town.  He  remained 
on  his  father's  farm  until  the  age  of  twenty-two,  when  he  learned  the  trade  of  cigar- 
maker  in  Cohocton,  and  followed  it  there  for  about  four  years.  In  May,  1894,  he 
came  to  Hornellsville,  and  engaged  in  the  restaurant  business,  in  which  he  has  since 
successfully  continued.  He  was  for  five  j^ears  an  active  member  of  the  Cohocton 
Hook  and  Ladder  Company  and  is  now  an  honorary  member  of  that  organization. 

Rosenkrans,  Hamilton  Stillman. — The  first  American  ancestor  of  the  Rosenkrans 
was  Herman  Hendrickszen  Rosenkrans,  Avho  came  to  this  country  from  Bergen, 
Norway,  in  1649,  was  married  in  the  First  Dutch  Reformed  church  in  New  York  city 
on  March  3,  1657,  to  Magdaleen  Dircks,  widow  of  Cornells  Caper,  and  had  eight 
children,  of  whom  Alexander,  the  eldest  was  baptized  April  12,  1661.  Alexander 
Rosenkrans  married  Marretjen  Du  Puy  (or  Depue),  and  about  1735  settled  at  Wal- 
pack,  Sussex  county,  N.  J.,  upon  nine  hundred  acres,  which  was  later  increased  to 
Sixteen  hundred  acres,  on  the  Delaware  river,  where  he  and  hisson  John  kept  slaves. 
This  is  now  known  as  the  "Shapneck  farm,"  and  the  stone  house  built  there  by  Col. 
John  Rosenkrans  in  1770  is  still  standing,  an  interesting  landmark  of  colonial  days. 
Alexander  had  six  children,  of  whom  Johannis,  or  John,  was  born  May  18,  1724,  and 
in  1751  married  Margaret  De  Witt,  who  was  born  April  18,  1731.  John  Rosenkrans 
was  a  British  colonel  in  the  colonial  army,  had  fourteen  children,  and  died  in  1786. 
His  sons  Joseph  and  Benjamin,  twins,  were  born  at  Walpack,  N.  J.,  March  31,  1770. 
Joseph  married  September  17,  1790,  Jemima  Emmons,  had  seven  sons  and  a  daughter 
and  died  June  24,  1832.  Levi,  son  of  Joseph,  was  born  April  30,  1793,  married  June 
19,  1831,  Nancy  Jane  Leach,  and  died  July  2,  1861.  She  was  born  in  Mas.sachusetts 
on  September  19,  1802,  came  with  her  father,  Stephen  Leach,  with  horses  and  wagon, 
to  Monterey,  Steuben  county,  in  the  spring  of  1816,   and  died  December  29,  1889. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  473 

Joseph  Rosenkrans,  mentioned  above,  left  New  Jersey  soon  after  his  marriage,  and 
came  to  Owego,  N.  Y. ,  whence  a  few  years  later  he  moved  to  Bully  hill,  near  Ham- 
mondsport,  Steuben  county.  About  1825  he  came  to  Avoca  and  settled  on  the  farm 
now  occupied  by  his  grandsons,  Aubert  and  Byron  Rosenkrans,  where  he  and  his 
wife  died.  Levi  Rosenkrans,  their  son,  first  located  on  a  farm  of  five  hundred  acres 
near  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  but  two  years  later  returned  to  Hammondsport,  whence  he 
moved  in  the  spring  of  1836  to  Wayland,  settling  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  his  son, 
Hamilton  S.,  where  he  died  in  1861  and  his  wife  in  1889.  He  first  learned  black- 
smithing,  but  during  his  active  life  was  a  farmer,  carpenter,  millwright,  and  cabinet 
maker.  His  children  were  Samantha,  born  April  4,  1833,  married  Dr.  H.  G.  Fa3^ 
March  16,  1864,  and  died  September  12,  1873;  Hamilton  S.,  of  Wayland;  Elmina  L. 
(Mrs.  George  W.  Pope  and  afterward  Mrs.  William  Rosenkrans),  born  July  30,  1885, 
married  George  W.  Pope,  December  28,  1873,  has  one  son,  E  G.  Pope,  and  resides, 
a  widow,  in  Buffalo;  Harriet  E.,  born  August  9,  1839,  married  Thomas  A.  Abrams, 
March  6,  1857,  had  children  Glen  D.  and  Minnie,  and  died  February  21,  1869;  Nellie 
J.,  born  December  25,  1842,  married  John  Hassler,  December  14,  1876,  and  is  now  a 
widow,  of  Buffalo;  and  John  A.,  a  furniture  dealer  and  undertaker  of  Wayland,  who 
was  born  September  22,  1845,  and  on  May  24,  1886,  married  EHzabeth  Newsome. 
Hamilton  S.  Rosenkrans  was  born  November  21,  1833,  in  Hammondsport  and  has 
lived  in  Wayland  since  1836,  having  been  engaged  in  farming,  lumbering,  manu- 
facturing cider  and  vinegar,  etc.  He  succeeded  his  parents  on  the  homestead,  which 
became  a  lage  part  of  the  village  corporation  in  1877.  He  has  served  as  town  clerk, 
justice  of  the  peace  several  terms  since  1862,  assessor  three  years,  supervisor  three 
terms,  and  for  two  years  was  the  first  president  of  the  village  of  Wayland,  which  he 
has  since  served  as  trustee.  He  was  also  for  two  years  the  first  president  of  the 
Board  of  Education  and  later  for  two  terms  a  member.  October  1,  1862,  he  married 
Helen  Mar,  daughter  of  Dan  H.  and  Elizabeth  Davis,  of  Cohocton.  They  have  had 
six  children:  Maynard  H.,  Luzerne  D.,  Merton  J.,  Lee  Verne,  Jennie  J.,  and  Hattie 
I.  Maynard  H.  was  born  August  16, 1863,  married  Rose  Ryan,  January  8,  1889,  and 
has  children  Paul  and  Hugh.  Luzerne  D.  was  born  March  8,  1864,  and  died  May  2. 
1888,  from  the  effects  of  a  gunshot  wound  caused  by  the  accidental  discharge  of  his 
gun  while  hunting.  Merton  J.  was  born  May  2,  1869,  and  is  now  a  telegraph  opera- 
tor. Lee  Verne  was  born  September  22,  1870.  Jennie  June  was  born  August  8, 
1872,  married  April  1,  1889,  Burt  Goodno,  and  has  one  son,  Robert.  Hattie  Irene 
was  born  February  24,  1881. 

Stoddard,  Philo  K.,  M.  D.,  whose  English  ancestor  settled  in  Northampton,  Mass., 
was  born  in  Jerusalem,  Yates  county,  N.  Y. ,  September  28,  1825.  His  great-grand- 
father moved  to  Danbury,  Conn.,  and  of  his  seven  children  five  sons  were  fit  for 
military  duty  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  viz. :  Benjamin,  Joel,  Mosely,  Cyrenus,  and 
Darius.  Cyrenus  served  in  that  struggle,  became  a  pensioner,  married  Candace 
Mix,  and  removed  from  Greene  county  to  Cherry  Valley,  N.  Y.  His  children  were 
Sabra,  Philo,  Cyrus,  Benjamin,  Orra,  Olive,  and  Esther.  Benjamin  Stoddard,  born 
in  Cherry  Valley  in  1796,  was  the  first  settler  m  1817  on  lot  12  in  the  town  of  Jerusa- 
lem, Yates  county,  purchasing  his  farm  for  §6  per  acre.  He  was  a  lieutenant  and  in 
1828  a  captain  in  the  103d  Regt.  Inf.  militia,  held  several  town  offices,  and  died  June 
4,  1878.     In  1818  he  married  Hannah  Kelly,  and  their  children  were  Chester,  Survina, 

hill* 


474  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

Charles,  Philo  K.,  Susan,  Aun,  Esther,  and  Thomas  F.  Dr.  Philo  K.  Stoddard  was 
educated  at  the  Frankhn  Academy  and  taught  school  seven  terms.  When  twenty- 
one  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Elisha  Doubleday,  of  Italy  Hill,  and 
later  studied  with  Dr.  Andrew  D.  Voorhees,  of  Prattsburg,  with  whom  he  also  learned 
dentistry.  He  attended  lectures  at  Geneva  Medical  College  in  1845^6  and  was 
graduated  as  M.  D.  from  Buffalo  Medical  College  m  June,  1848.  The  same  year  he 
commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Prattsburg,  where  he  has  ever  since  fol- 
lowed medicine,  surgery,  and  dentistry.  After  the  battle  of  Second  Bull  Run  he 
became  a  volunteer  surgeon  in  the  Union  army,  was  stationed  for  a  time  at  Armory 
Square  Hospital,  D.  C,  and  in  September,  1883,  was  commissioned  assistant  surgeon 
in  the  161st  Regiment,  in  which  he  served  until  the  close  of  the  Rebellion.  In  1875 
Dr.  Stoddard  introduced  the  first  thoroughbred  Jersey  cattle  and  in  1879  the  first 
thoroughbred  Holsteins  into  Prattsburg.  July  4,  1850,  he  married  Sarah  Jane, 
daughter  of  Sebastian  Lewis,  of  that  town,  who  died  July  4,  1854,  leaving  one  son, 
Philo  L.,  who  was  educated  at  Franklin  Academy,  studied  dentistry  with  his  father, 
was  graduated  from  the  Philadelphia  Dental  College  in  March,  1882,  and  practiced 
in  Prattsburg  and  Geneseo  until  his  death,  Nov.  26,  1887.  Sept.,  1856,  Dr.  P.  K.  Stod- 
dard married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Albert  Cowing,  of  Jerusalem,  N.  Y.,  who  died  August 
13,  1892.  On  November  29,  1894,  he  married  Mrs.  Ella  R.  Foster,  daughter  of  Luther 
and  Martha  M.  (Allen)  Foster  of  Prattsburg,  who  had  one  son,  William  F.  Grossman, 
born  June  17,  1877,  by  her  first  marriage.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Foster  were  natives  of  Yates 
county,  where  their  parents  were  very  early  settlers,  and  in  March,  1857,  came  to 
Prattsburg,  where  both  died,  he  on  August  26,  1890,  and  she  December  29,  1891. 
Their  children  were  L.  Myrvin,  Ella  R.  (Mrs.  P.  K.  Stoddard),  Alice  L.  (Mrs.  Sam- 
uel P.  Cogswell),  and  Martha  Anna,  all  of  Prattsburg. 

Shults  Bros,  and  Andrew  E. — Andrew  E.  Shults  was  born  in  the  village  of  Cohoc- 
ton,  December  14,  1864,  son  of  Conrad  Shults,  and  grandson  of  John  Shults,  who 
was  a  native  of  Germany  and  came  to  America  in  1848  and  settled  in  the  town  of 
Wayland,  engaging  in  farming.  He  married  Mary  Brill,  and  were  the  parents  of  four 
sons:  John,  who  settled  at  Dansville,  and  later  at  Stevens  Point,  Wisconsin;  Peter; 
Conrad;  and  Andrew,  who  was  a  shoemaker  in  Cohocton,  where  he  was  in  business 
for  many  j'ears,  afterward  settling  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.  Peter  Shults  settled  in  Wis- 
consin, but  two  years  later  returned  to  Waj'land  settling  on  the  homestead,  and  has 
always  followed  farming.  He  married  Sophia  Eiman,  and  they  had  one  son,  John  F. 
For  his  second  wife  he  married  Elizabeth  Graves,  and  their  chijdren  are  Maggie, 
Conrad,  who  is  a  farmer  in  Wayland,  Andrew  L.,  and  Mary.  John  F.  and  Andrew 
L.  early  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits,  holding  clerkships  in  Wayland  for  several 
years.  They  came  to  Cohocton  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade,  where  they 
have  built  up  a  profitable  trade.  Andrew  L.  is  president  of  the  Cohocton  Fire  De- 
partment and  of  the  C.  M.  B.  A.  He  married  Susie  Stephany.  John  F.  married 
Mary  Herbst.  Conrad  Shults  settled  in  Cohocton,  and  was  for  several  years  engaged 
in  farming.  In  1867  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  trade  and  later  in  the  hardware  busi- 
ness, which  he  conducted  until  his  death,  which  occurred  December  16,  1886.  He 
was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  R.  C.  church  at  Cohocton,  and  a  member  of  its  first 
board  of  trustees.  He  married  Catherine  Weiand  and  their  children  were  Elizabeth 
(Mrs.  P.  J.  Rocker)  of  Cohocton,  Rose,  Julia  M.,  Andrew  E.,  William  J.,  and  Mary, 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  475 

deceased.  William  J.  Shults  was  born  February  6,  1867,  and  was  educated  in  the 
Cohocton  Union  School  and  Rochester  Business  University,  and  for  several  years  was 
employed  in  his  father's  store,  and  upon  the  death  of  the  latter  he  closed  up  the  busi- 
ness. In  1889  he  established  the  Banking  House  of  William  J.  Shults  and  Company. 
He  married  Anna  Zweigle  of  Rochester,  who  survives  him.  Mr.  Shults  died  in  1893. 
Andrew  E.  Shults  was  educated  at  Canisius  College,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and  was  gradu- 
ated in  1880,  from  which  time  until  1884  he  was  in  his  father's  store,  at  which  time 
he  entered  the  office  of  the  L.  R.  Harris  Cigar  Company,  as  bookkeeper,  and  in  May, 
1886,  upon  the  formation  of  the  Cohocton  Valley  Cigar  Company,  he  became  its  sec- 
retary and  treasurer,  filling  that  office  until  1892,  when  at  the  death  of  WiUiam  J., 
his  brother,  he  became  the  manager  of  the  W.  J.  Shults  &  Company  Banking  House, 
which  position  he  holds  at  the  present  time.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  was  a  member 
of  the  first  board  of  trustees  and  was  elected  president  of  the  village  in  1893,  and  has 
also  been  town  clerk.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  Pius  R.  C.  church  of  Cohocton,  and  is 
a  charter  member  of  Branch  105,  C.  M.  B.  A.  of  Cohocton,  having  been  its  first  re- 
cording secretary,  and  president  for  two  terms,  and  is  district  deputy  for  Steuben 
county.     In  1883  Mr.  Shults  married  Mary  Bockstahler. 

Shults,  John  A.,  was  born  in  Arnot,  Pa.,  July  28,  1870,  son  of  Nicholas  and  grand- 
son of  Andrew  Shults,  who  came  from  Germany  to  America  about  1850  and  settled 
at  Syracuse  and  was  foreman  of  the  Onondaga  Salt  Works  until  1860,  when  he 
came  to  Steuben  county,  purchasing  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Cohocton,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of  St.  Pius  R.  C.  church,  of  Cohocton. 
He  has  four  sons:  Nicholas,  who  settled  in  Arnot,  Pa.,  in  early  life,  engaged  in  the 
lumber  trade,  and  married  Margaret  Kuntz,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Frank, 
Laura,  William,  Raymond,  and  John  A.  ;  John,  who  resides  in  Chicago;  Casper,  who 
is  in  Cohocton ;  and  Jacob,  also  of  Cohocton.  John  A.  Shults  came  to  Cohocton  in 
1890  and  entered  the  banking  house  of  W.  J.  Shults  &  Co.,  as  clerk,  and  the  follow- 
ing year,  with  W.  T.  Shiefen.  engaged  m  the  mercantile  trade  at  Cohocton.  In  1894 
Mr.  Shults  married  Elizabeth  Shiefen. 

Sick,  2d,  Philip,  was  born  in  Prussia,  in  1841,  and  is  a  son  of  Philip  Sick,  whose 
father  was  also  named  Philip.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  America  with  his 
father  and  grandfather  in  1845,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Wayland.  In  the  old 
country  the  father  was  a  weaver,  but  upon  his-  settlement  in  Wayland,  became  a 
farmer.  He  married  Christiana  Keiffer,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  Chris- 
tiana, Caroline,  Philip,  Rhoda,  Louis,  Christian,  and  Louise.  Christiana  married 
Paul  Knodle,  and  settled  in  Michigan.  Caroline  married  Thomas  Jones,  and  settled 
in  Castile,  N.  Y.  Rhoda  married  John  Gearing,  and  settled  in  Livingston  county. 
Louis  settled  first  in  Wayland,  and  later  at  Canaseraga.  He  married  first,  Melissa 
Haynes,  and  for  his  second  wife,  Diantha  Higgins.  Christian  married  Louisa  Bill, 
and  settled  in  Wayland.  Louise  died  unmarried.  Philip  Sick  enlisted  in  1862  in 
the  28th  Independent  Battery,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  For  several 
years  before  and  following  the  war  Mr.  Sick  was  engaged  in  lumbering.  In  1867  he 
engaged  in  farming  and  in  1870  purchased  a  farm  in  the  northwestern  part  of  Co- 
hocton, where  he  settled,  and  is  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  of  the  town.  He  mar- 
ried Louisa  Sick,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Elizabeth  L.,  who  married  John 


476  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Ream,   of  Cohocton;  and  John   H..  who  is  a  farmer  in  Cohocton,  and  he  married 
Lura  Newfang. 

Strobel,  John  G.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Cohocton,  February  18,  1855,  son  of 
Jacob  Strobel,  a  native  of  Germany,  who  came  to  this  country  about  1830,  and  first 
located  at  Dansville.  He  settled  in  the  town  of  Cohocton  soon  afterward,  purchas- 
ing a  farm  on  Lent  Hill  and  became  an  extensive  and  prosperous  farmer.  He  died 
in  1879.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  and  prominent  members  of  the  Zion  Lutheran 
church  of  Cohocton.  He  married  Elizabeth  Bolster  and  to  them  were  born  ten  chil- 
dren: George,  a  farmer,  who  married  Libbie  Switzer;  John  G.,  a  farmer  and  a 
staunch  Democrat,  who  married  Caroline,  daughter  of  Philip  Zimmer  of  Cohocton, 
and  they  have  six  children:  Edwin,  Frank,  Paul,  Arthur,  Walter,  and  Sarah; 
Charles,  who  married  Mary  Bettinger;  Jacob,  who  married  Mitmie  Fogel ;  Henry, 
who  married  Annie  Fogel;  Peter,  who  married  Annie  Zimmer;  Christopher,  who 
married  Sophia  Zimmer ;  Fred ;  Louis ;  and  William. 

Schiefen,  William  F.,  was  born  in  Germany,  in  1865,  son  of  Joseph  and  Anna 
(Sable)  Schiefen.  Joseph. Schiefen  came  to  America  in  1868,  and  settled  in  the  town 
of  Cohocton,  three  miles  west  of  Cohocton  village,  w^here  he  resided  until  1888,  when 
he  settled  in  Cohocton  village.  Their  children  were  Mary  (Mrs.  James  Conly)  of 
Newburg,  N.  Y. ;  Anthony,  deceased ;  Gertrude  (Mrs.  Frank  Gherig)  of  Cohocton ; 
Lizzie  (Mrs.  John  A.  Shults)  of  Cohocton ;  Peter,  who  settled  at  Elmira  and  married 
Mary  Bower;  and  William  F.,  whose  early  life  was  spent  on  the  farm.  In  1884  he 
entered  the  employ  of  Shults  Brothers,  of  Cohocton,  as  clerk  in  a  store,  where  he 
remained  until  1890,  when,  with  John  A.  Shults,  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness at  Cohocton,  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  enterprizing  business  men  of  the 
town.  He  is  a  member  of  the  St.  Pius  R.  A.  church,  and  the  C.  M.  B.  A.  In  1893 
he  married  Louise  Mang,  of  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

Wilcox,  A.  H.,  was  born  in  Springwater,  Livingston  county,  N.  Y.,  February  9, 
1844,  son  of  David  H.  Wilcox,  who  came  from  Homer,  N.  Y.,  and  settled  in  Spring- 
water  Valley,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  millmg  business,  and  he  also  had  mills 
at  Slab  City  and  at  Perry,  N.  Y.  In  the  spring  of  1850  he  came  to  Cohocton  and 
purchased  a  grist  mill,  which  he  enlarged,  and  in  1856  added  a  saw  mill,  and  was 
actively  engaged  in  business  until  1867,  when  he  sold  out.  His  death  occurred  in 
June,  1868.  He  was  a  Republican,  and  held  the  office  of  supervisor  seven  times. 
He  was  one  of  the  founders  and  prime  movers  in  the  formation  of  the  Universalist 
Society  and  the  buildmg  of  the  church.  He  was  a  member  of  Liberty  Lodge,  No. 
510,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  also  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  married  Delia  A.  Hopkins  of  Spring- 
water,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  all  of  whom  are  living:  Carlos  H., 
Albert  H.,  Luther  H.,  Harriet  (Mrs.  Oscar  Johnson),  Martin  H.,  and  Alice  A.  Al- 
bert H.  Wilcox  came  to  this  town  with  his  father  in  1850,  where  he  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools.  In  1868  he  became  superintendent  and  manager  for  the  late 
Thomas  Warner,  continuing  in  that  capacity  until  1882,  when  he  became  a  partner 
with  Mr.  Warner  in  the  lumber  business  at  Kariona,  continuing  until  1885.  In  1883 
he  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Turner,  Warner,  &  Wilcox,  lumber  dealers  at 
Elmira  and  Pennsylvania,  continuing  until  May,  1885.  In  1886  Mr.  Wilcox  returned 
to  Cohocton  and  engaged  in  the  coal  and  wholesale  and  retail  lumber  and  shingle 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  477 

trade,  also  running  a  saw  and  planing  mill.  In  1892  his  son,  Henry  P.  Wilcox,  be- 
came a  partner,  the  firm  becoming  A.  H.  Wilcox  &  Son.  Mr.  Wilcox  is  a  Republi- 
can, and  was  supervisor  in  1891-92,  and  has  held  numerous  minor  offices.  He  is  a 
member  of  Liberty  Lodge,  No.  510,  F.  &  A.  M.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first  board 
of  water  commissioners  and  was  president  of  the  board  for  two  years,  and  has  been 
president  of  the  Cohocton  Dime  Loan  Association  since  1892.  In  1864  he  married 
Fannie,  daughter  of  Edward  A.  Parmenter,  and  their  children  are  Alice  L.,  Henry 
P.,  Helen  L.,  and  Edward.  Martin  H.  Wilcox  was  born  May  17,  1851.  He  is  a  Re- 
publican and  in  1895  was  elected  highway  commissioner.  He  is  a  member  of  Lib- 
erty Lodge,  No.  510,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church,  being 
one  of  its  trustees.  He  married  Phebe  Root,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren:  Edith,  lone,  Guy,  and  Archie. 

Wallace,  James,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Cohocton,  January  8,  1860,  and  is  a  son 
of  Gratton  H.,  and  grandson  of  James  Wallace,  whose  father  was  a  native  of  Scot- 
land and  came  to  America  at  an  early  day.  James  came  from  Massachusetts,  and 
settled  in  the  town  of  Wheeler,  N.  Y.,  in  1820,  and  soon  after  removed  to  Cohocton 
and  located  on  the  road  between  Atlanta  and  Wayland,  where  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. He  married  Margaret  Aulls  of  Wheeler,  and  their  children  were  William,  who 
was  a  physician  in  Steuben  county;  Jay,  who  located  in  Iowa;  James,  who  is  a 
farmer  in  Cohocton,  married  Alice  A.  Burris,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren: Lelia,  Mabel,  and  George;  Samuel,  who  lives  in  Churchville,  N.  Y.  ;  Porter, 
Barney,  and  Warren  all  settled  in  Iowa;  Amorette;  and  Eliza.  Gratton  H.  Wallace 
settled  in  Cohocton,  where  he  was  a  successful  farmer.  In- 1858  he  married  Mary 
A.  Andrews,  and  their  children  were  James ;  Margaret  (Mrs.  George  Seymour)  of 
Cohocton;  Francis  (Mrs.  William  E.  Otto)  of  Atlanta,  N.  Y.  ;  and  Mary  (Mrs.  Almond 
H.  Plumb).  Mr.  Wallace  died  March  17,  1881.  In  1887  Mrs:  Wallace  married  J.  D. 
Hendryx,  who  was  born  in  Cohocton  village.  May  20,  1843,  son  of  Thomas  Hendryx, 
who  was  born  in  1807.  He  came  from  Connecticut  about  1813  with  his  father,  who 
settled  in  the  Cohocton  Valley,  south  of  Cleland's  Mills,  where  he  took  up  a  farm. 
Thomas  learned  the  cabinetmaker's  trade,  and  from  1836  to  1857  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  at  Cohocton,  where  he  was  one  of  the  leading  business  men.  He 
married  Harriet  Bishop,  and  their  children  were  Charlotte  (Mrs.  Albert  Campburn) 
of  Michigan;  J.  D.  ;  Mary  (Mrs.  Eugene  Campburn)  of  Michigan;  Hattie;  Charles; 
Adella;  and  Edorn.  J.  D.  Hendryx  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade  at  Cohoc- 
ton from  1856  to  1858,  and  in  1869  he  removed  to  Atlanta,  where  he  continued  for 
sixteen  years.  He  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Atlanta  under  Hayes's  admmistra- 
tion  and  held  that  office  for  eight  years,  but  is  now  engaged  in  farming.  For  his 
first  wife  he  married,  in  1859,  Eveline  Hall,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren: Frank  H.,  of  Bath,  N.  Y.  ;  Cora  (Mrs.  George  Bancroft)  of  Madison,  N.  Y.  ; 
and  William  W.  of  Avoca,  N.  Y. 

Wright,  Mark,  was  born  in  the  town  of^Springwater,  N.  Y.,  June  26,  1851,  son  of 
Sanford,  whose  father,  Erastus  Wright,  came  from  England  and  settled  in  Onon- 
daga county  prior  to  1800,  and  afterward  settled  in  Naples,  N.  Y.  Sanford  Wright 
came  from  Onondaga  county  to  Springwater  early  in  life,  and  afterward  settled  in 
Naples.  He  removed  to  Cohocton  in  1876,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  was 
a  hcentiate  of  the  M.  E.   Conference,  and  for  many  years  preached  in  various  places 


478  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

in  Western  New  York.  He  married  Lorinda  Proctor,  by  whom  he  had  thirteen  chil- 
dren: Loomis,  who  married  Mary  A.  Bartholomew,  and  settled  in  the  town  of 
Naples;  Caroline;  Emeline,  wife  of  Thomas  Hall,  of  Springwater;  Mary,  wife  of 
Charles  Briggs,  of  Naples ;  Chauncey,  who  married  Marietta  Walling,  and  resides  in 
Wayland;  Hiram,  who  married  Margaret  Goondry,  and  settled  in  Naples;  Aaron, 
who  married  Ida  Whitman,  and  settled  in  Naples,  but  who  now  resides  at  Atlanta; 
Newton;  Horatio,  who  married  Lydia  Bryant,  and  settled  at  Hornellsville ;  Loren, 
who  married  Ida  Small,  and  settled  in  Springwater ;  Mark ;  Martha,  wife  of  Clinton 
Walling;  and  Charles,  who  is  unmarried.  Mark  Wright  settled  in  Cohocton,  and  is 
a  substantial  farmer.  He  is  a  strong  Republican,  and  takes  an  active  part  in  party 
affairs.  He  married  Ida  Gardineer,  of  Cohocton,  by  whom  he  had  four  children: 
Dana,  Clarence,  Jennie  and  Archie. 

Webster,  Lester  G.,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Urbana,  September  6, 
1844.  His  father,  Guerdon  L.  Webster,  was  a  native  of  Herkimer  county,  born  in 
1810.  and  came  to  Steuben  in  1815.  He  married  Jane  Gartmghouse,  a  native  of  New 
Jersey,  by  whom  he  had  three  sons:  Lester,  as  above:  Byron,  who  lives  in  Wayne; 
and  Dr.  Webster,  of  Painted  Post.  Mr.  Webster  died  February  26,  1889,  but  his 
wife  is  still  living,  and  is  eightj'-one  years  of  age.  Lester  G.  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  and  at  Hammondsport  Academy,  and  has  always  been  engaged  in 
farming.  In  1869  he  started  for  himself  and  bought  a  farm  of  ninety-seven  acres, 
where  he  made  his  home  until  1876,  when  he  came  on  to  the  old  farm  of  157  acres, 
which  he  has  increased  and  improved  until  now  he  owns  a  farm  of  180  acres  of  as 
good  appearance  as  any  in  that  part  of  the  town.  In  1869  he  married  Matilda, 
daughter  of  William  Aber,  by  whom  he  had  one  daughter,  Nettie  A.,  a  graduate  of 
Haverling  Academy,  who  lives  at  home. 

Wright,  Benjamin  Jacob,  was  born  in  the  village  of  Hammondsport,  August  8, 
1852.  His  father,  John  Wright,  was  a  native  of  County  Kildare,  Ireland,  who  came 
to  this  country  about  1849.  He  was  a  gardener  by  occupation,  and  the  most  of  his 
life  was  spent  in  grape  culture.  He  died  in  1881.  He  married  Lucy  Strong,  by 
whom  he  had  thirteen  children,  three  of  whom  are  living:  Mrs.  E.  T.  HoUis,  of 
WoodhuU ;  Mrs.  W.  H.  Edwards,  of  Bath ;  and  Benjamin  Jacob,  who  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools  and  Hammondsport  Academy,  after  which  he  spent  three 
years  in  the  study  of  law  with  his  brother  in  Woodhull.  May  17,  1874,  he  married 
Nancy  Irene,  daughter  of  George  McLean  of  Prattsburg,  and  then  settled  on  a  farm 
in  Woodhull,  where  he  remained  until  1884,  when  he  returned  to  this  village  and 
engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  grapes.  In  February,  1888,  he  was  appointed  to  fill  a 
vacancv  as  justice  of  the  peace,  and  in  February,  1889,  was  elected  to  the  same  office 
and  re-elected  in  1892  and  1895  without  opposition.  He  has  been  admitted  to  prac- 
tice in  all  the  government  departments  as  a  pension  attorney.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wright 
have  three  children:  Nancy  Irene,  Grace,  and  Preston, 

Wheeler,  Grattan  H.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wheeler,  March  12,  1813,  grandson 
of  Silas  Wheeler,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  also  of  the  war  of 
1812.  He  was  a  native  of  Concord,  and  came  to  New  York  State  about  1799  and 
bought  a  tract  of  land  in  what  was  later  named  the  town  of  Wheeler,  to  which  he 
and  his  son,  Grattan  H.,  added  until  the  family  were  the  owners  of  over  4,000  acres. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  479 

In  connection  with  the  name  Grattan,  an  interesting  story  is  told  by  Mr.  Wheeler. 
Silas  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  British  after  the  "  Boston  Tea  Party,"  with  which 
he  was  supposed  to  be  connected,  and  made  a  prisoner  in  Kingsale  Castle,  Ireland, 
from  which  he  was  assisted  to  escape  by  Lord  Henry  Grattan,  who  requested  that  a 
son  should  be  named  after  him.  Silas  was  the  father  of  three  children,  two  daugh- 
ters, who  were  twins,  one  of  whom  married  Nathan  Rose,  and  the  other  married 
William  Holmes,  and  the  only  son,  who  was  named  Grattan  H.  Grattan  H.  was 
nineteen  years  of  age  when  the  family  settled  m  the  town  of  Wheeler,  and  he  always 
made  his  home  there,  cultivating  the  soil  which  was  purchased  by  his  father  and 
himself.  In  politics  he  was  a  staunch  Whig,  and  has  been  supervisor  of  the  town, 
member  of  the  State  Legislature,  and  a  member  of  Congress  from  this  district.  He 
married  Fanny  Baker  of  the  town  of  Cameron,  by  whom  he  had  three  children :  Mrs. 
Sarah  Brundage  of  Bath;  Silas,  who  died'  in  1855,  aged  forty-four  years;  and  Graf- 
ton H.,  our  subject.  Grattan  H.,  sr.,  died  March  11,  1852,  aged  sixty-eight  years, 
six  months,  and  sixteen  days.  Mrs.  Wheeler  died  March  22,  1813.  Grattan  H.,  our 
subject,  was  given  a  common  school  education  in  the  schools  of  seventy 
years  ago,  and  followed  farming  in  Wheeler,  raising  wood  and  lumbering 
until  December  9,  1857,  when  he  removed  to  Hammondsport  and  engaged 
in  the  grape  and  wine  industry,  being  the  projector  of  the  Pleasant  Valley 
Wine  cellar,  the  first  wine  cellar  of  this  section.  He  was  the  president 
of  the  company  for  nine  years  and  then  established  an  individual  cellar 
which  was  first  known  as  the  Hammondsport  Cellar,  and  continued  as  such  until  1880 
when  it  became  the  Hammondsport  Wine  Company.  He  was  also  engaged  in  farm- 
ing in  Wheeler  and  Urbana  until  1880.  In  politics  Mr.  Wheeler  was  first  a  Whig, 
and  upon  the  formation  of  the  Republican  party  espoused  their  cause.  He  has  held 
nearly  all  of  the  town  offices  and  was  one  term  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Wheeler, 
and  was  also  a  candidate  for  the  State  Legislature.  March  30,  1837,  he  married 
Nancy  D.  Sayre,  a  native  of  Benton,  Yates  county,  who  died  May  27,  1889.  Ten 
children  were  born  to  them,  nine  of  whom  are  living. 

Smith,  Joseph  Shepard,  was  born  in  Smithboro,  Tioga  county,  N.  Y.,  April  15, 
1845,  the  second  son  of  a  family  of  seven  children  of  David  Smith,  a  farmer  and 
lumberman,  who  died  in  the  town  of  Barton,  in  1869.  Joseph  Shepard  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  county,  and  his  first  occupation  was  farming, 
which  he  followed  in  Tioga  county  until  January  18,  1872,  when  he  removed 
to  Hammondsport  and  bought  a  vineyard  of  nine  acres  on  the  west  shore  of  Lake 
Keuka,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  culture  of  grapes.  He  also  has  a 
half  interest  in  sixteen  acres  in  the  corporation  limits  of  the  village.  In  the  fall  of 
1893  he  purchased  the  Judge  Larrowe  farm  of  fifty-nine  acres  west  of  the  village, 
thirty  acres  of  which  is  in  vineyard  and  the  balance  he  devotes  to  general  farming 
and  fruit.  He  is  also  connected  with  L.  M.  Lyon,  of  the  firm  of  Lyon  Bros.,  com- 
mission merchants  of  New  York  city,  under  the  firm  name  of  Smith  &  Lj^on,  packers 
and  dealers  in  grapes,  an  establishment  that  employs  from  fifty  to  100  hands.  He 
also  has  a  farm  of  100  acres,  the  old  homestead,  which  is  devoted  to  dairy  produc- 
tions. Mr.  Smith  has  been  prominently  identified  with  local  politics  since  coming  to 
this  town,  and  though  not  considered  a  politician,  is  a  staunch  Republican  and  a 
worker.     He  was  for  two  terms  president  of  the  corporation,  and  was  the  leading 


480  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

spirit  in  the  movement  that  resulted  in  the  straightening  and  grading  of  the  streets. 
December27,  1871,  he  married  Florence  Taylor,  of  Barton,  Tioga  count3^  a  native  of 
Newfield,  Tompkins  county. 

Masson,  Linn  D.,  was  born  near  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  October  10,  1860.  His  father, 
Joseph  D.  Masson,  was  a  native  of  France.  Lynn  is  the  oldest  of  a  family  of  four 
children.  He  was  educated  in  Lima  Seminary,  and  his  first  occupation  was  in  his 
father's  vineyard,  where  he  remained  until  1888,  when  he  formed  a  copartnership 
with  Joseph  C.  Freidell  and  established  a  hardware  store  in  the  Davis  warehouse  on 
Water  street  in  Hammondsport,  where  he  has  since  been  located.  He  is  at  present 
a  member  of  the  Water  Commission,  and  also  has  charge  of  the  old  homestead  vine- 
yard of  fifty- six  acres.     September  12,  1894,  he  married  Lela  C.  Sackett,  of  Watkins. 

Layton,  John  R. — Isaac  Layton  was  born  in  the  town  of  Sandy.stone,  Sussex 
county,  N.  J.,  May  9,  1804.  Thomas  Layton,  his  grandfather,  was  also  a  resident  of 
New  Jersey,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming.  In  1812  he  sold  his  farm  and  came 
to  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  and  bought  a  number  of  farms  for  his  sons,  and  settled  on 
100  acres  of  the  farm  now  occupied  by  our  subject  where  he  died  June  9,  1824,  aged 
eighty-six  years.  Mrs.  Layton,  the  grandmother,  was  of  Scotch  descent  and  was 
born  in  1743,  and  died  in  1835.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  of  which 
John,  the  father  of  Isaac,  was  the  fifth  child.  John  Layton  was  born  in  New  Jersey, 
^ay  3,  1771,  where  he  remained  until  about  1850  when  he  removed  to  Bradford 
county,  Pa.,  where  he  spent  the  balance  of  his  days,  and  where  he  died  May  4,  1865. 
He  married  Abby  Brink  of  New  Jersey,  who  was  born  January  7,  1779,  and  died  Oc- 
tober 2,  1827,  leaving  ten  children,  of  which  Isaac  was  the  fourth  child.  The  second 
wife  of  John  Layton  was  Sally  Shay,  who  died  without  issue.  November  22,  1820, 
he  married  Sally  M.  Snover  of  New  Jersey,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren, one  of  whom,  the  oldest  son,  acquired  considerable  prominence,  being  sheriff 
of  Bradford  county.  Pa.  Isaac  Layton  was  given  a  common  school  education  and 
followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his  ancestors  on  the  farm,  making  his  home  with  his 
father  until  1831,  when  he  was  married  and  removed  to  Steuben  county,  N.Y.,  where 
his  uncles  were  living,  and  secured  the  farm  of  176  acres,  where  his  grandfather  first 
settled.  In  early  life  he  was  a  Whig," but  later  became  a  Republican,  holding  some 
of  the  minor  town  offices.  January  22,  1831,  he  married  Maria  Rutan  of  Sussex 
county,  who  died  February  4,  1888,  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years.  They  were  the 
parents  of  six  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  John  R.  Layton  is  now  the 
proprietor  of  the  homestead  farm.  January  16,  1884,  he  married  Jennie  Wixom  of 
this  town.  He  is  a  Republican  and  has  held  some  of  the  town  offices.  Abram  and 
Lorenzo  D.  are  farmers  of  this  town;  and  Allen  Layton  died  in  1886,  aged  forty- 
seven  years. 

Horton,  John  T.,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  June  25,  1857.  The  first 
of  the  family  to  come  to  Steuben  county  was  Thomas  Horton,  who  was  a  native  of 
Connecticut,  and  came  to  this  county  in  1835.  He  took  up  a  tract  of  land  in  the  town 
of  Howard,  where  he  spent  the  balance  of  his  life.  Lyman  Horton,  father  of  John 
T.,  was  eighteen  years  of  age  when  the  family  settled  in  this  county.  He  learned 
the  carpenter's  trade  and  built  a  large  portion  of  the  residences  of  the  town  of  How- 
ard.    He  died  January  25,  1866.     His  wife  was  Cordelia  Brasted,  who  was  the  oldest 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  481 

of  a  family  of  eleven  children  of  John  C.  Brasted,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  town  of 
Howard.  She  died  July  23.  1883.  John  T.  is  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  five  chil- 
dren, and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Howard,  Hornellsville  Union 
school,  and  Alfred  Universicy.  When  twenty-four  years  of  age  he  took  up  the  study 
of  medicine  with  Dr.  W.  E.  Hathaway,  who  was  his  preceptor  for  three  years,  dur- 
ing which  time  he  attended  the  Cleveland  Homeopathic  Hospital  College,  from 
Hammondsport.  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  regular  practice,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  six  months  in  Mount  Morris  and  eight  months  in  Hornellsville.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Southern  Tier  Society,  Urbana  Lodge,  No,  459,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Knights 
of  the  Maccabees,  Tent  No.  316,  also  was  ten  years  with  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  In  politics 
Mr.  Horton  is  a  Republican,  and  in>  1891  was  elected  coroner  for  the  Northern  Dis- 
trict, with  a  very  large  majority.  March  25,  1884,  he  married  Irene,  daughter  of 
George  W.  Lewis,  of  Hornellsville,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons:  Ralph  E.  and  Ly- 
man C. 

Hallenbeck,  Orrin,  was  born  in  the  village  of  Hammondsport,  July  13,  1847.  Jer- 
emiah Hallenbeck,  father  of  Orrin,  was  a  native  of  Montgomery  county,  who  came 
to  this  town  first  in  1838,  and  went  into  partnership  first  and  later  was  employed  by 
the  day,  and  then  established  a  shop  for  himself.  He  died  January  2,  1879,  aged 
sixty-six  years.  He  married  Betsey  Ann  Conklin,  a  native  of  this  county,  who  died 
in  1857.  They  had  three  sons:  William  A.,  a  mechanic  of  Bingham  ton;  Henry  A., 
a  wheelwright  of  Hammondsport;  and  Orrin,  who  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools,  and  in  his  boyhood  served  an  apprenticeship  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  but 
was  really  reared  at  the  forge.  April  25,  1873,  he  established  a  shop  on  the  main 
street  of  this  village  and  a  year  later  moved  across  the  park.  In  1878  he  bought  the 
old  Rosenkrans  shop  on  Mechanic  street,  where  he  conducted  business  for  seventeen 
years.  It  burned  in  1894  and  the  same  year  he  built  the  present  building  where  we 
now  find  him.  Mr.  Hallenbeck  has  been  a  member  of  the  village  board  for  one  term. 
In  1866  he  bought  a  vineyard  of  five  acres  on  the  west  side  of  the  lake.  In  1873  he 
married  Emma  A.  Snow,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons:  Robert, 
who  lives  at  home ;  and  Edward  Leroy,  a  student  of  Hammondsport  Union  school. 

Gleason,  Ezra  C,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Thurston,  N.  Y.,  March  31, 
1862,  and  is  the  oldest  son  of  Ezra  and  Sarah  (Clark)  Gleason.  He  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools  and  Haverling  Academy,  and  made  his  home  with  his  father 
one  year,  conducting  a  farm  of  133  acres  which  he  bought  m  the  spring  of  1883,  where 
he  remained  about  two  years  In  1885  he  bought  a  piece  of  vineyard  land  on  the 
east  shore  of  the  lake,  where  he  now  has  seventeen  acres  of  vineyard.  In  1894  he 
had  about  forty  tons  of  Concords  and  Catawbas.  Mr.  Gleason  is  a  Democrat  in  poli- 
tics and  has  held  some  of  the  minor  town  offices.  In  1885  he  married  Ida  Loveridge, 
who  died  in  1886,  and  in  1888  he  married  Estella  Robinson,  by  whom  he  had  three 
children:  Carl  R.,  Edmund,  and  Mildred  V.  The  beautiful  residence  on  the  lake 
shore  was  erected  by  Mr.  Gleason  in  1890. 

Brown,  John  Randolph,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Fabius,  Onondaga  county,  N.  Y., 
March  24,  1821,  son  of  Meigs  Brown,  who  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  from 
that  State  removed  to  Ohio,  where  he  remained  for  a  short  time,  and  then  located  in 
New  York  State,  where  he  spent  the  balance  of  his  days.     He  died  in  Naples,  On- 


482  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

tario  county,  August  28,  1861,  aged  eighty-six  years.  The  latter  years  of  his  life  he 
was  a  shoemaker.  Meigs  Brown  married  Clarissa  Goodrich,  who  was  a  native  of 
Onondaga  county.  She  died  in  1827.  John  R.,  the  second  son  of  a  family  of  five 
children,  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade 
with  his  father.  When  he  was  ten  years  of  age  his  father  married  and  took  him  to 
Yates  county,  where  he  resided  until  November  14,  1856,  when  he  located  in  Ham- 
mondsport  and  bought  the  store  which  he  now  runs.  Until  1865  he  manufactured 
largely,  but  since  that  time  has  devoted  most  of  his  time  to  the  store,  with  a  small 
manufactory.  In  politics  he  was  first  a  Whig,  and  at  the  formation  of  the  Repub- 
lican party  espoused  the  cause  of  John  C.  Fremont,  and  has  since  been  a  warm  sup- 
porter of  that  party.  He  was  justice  of  the  peace  of  Hammondsport  for  six  years, 
and  trustee  of  the  village  for  two  terms.  He  has  been  an  elder  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  for  six  years  and  a  member  for  ten  years.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity  since  1874,  and  was  master  of  Urbana  Lodge,  No.  459,  in  1879-80. 
May  14,  1841,  he  married  Sarah  Ann  Peck  of  Penn  Yan,  who  died  July  4,  1889,  at 
sixty-eight  years  of  age.  They  are  the  parents  of  eight  children:  John  Quincy,  who 
is  a  comm.ercial  traveler  of  Denver,  Col. ;  Stimson  Joseph,  a  professor  in  the  Naval 
Observatory  at  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Llewllyn  Harmon,  who  is  the  editor  of  the  Ham- 
mondsport Herald ;  William  Smalley,  who  is  in  the  office  with  his  brother,  Llewllyn 
Harmon ;  Frank  E.,  a  printer;  Edward  E.,  who  is  an  officer  of  the  Weather  Bureau ; 
Margaret  J.,  who  died  in  1877,  and  Josephine,  who  died  in  1878. 

Foster,  Edwin  M.,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Wheeler,  N.  Y.,  September 
17,  1844.  His  parents  moved  to  the  town  of  Urbana  when  he  was  but  a  child.  He 
was  educated  in  the  Hammondsport  village  school  and  Genesee  Wesleyan  Seminary, 
after  which  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  soon  began  to  take  an  interest  in  the  culti- 
vation of  grapes.  He  first  bought  a  vineyard  in  Urbana,  and  has  since  set  out  about 
thirty  acres  of  vineyard.  In  1880  he  bought  a  part  of  the  J.  N.  Crane  property, 
known  as  the  second  section  of  the  Depew  place,  and  has  cleared  a  spot  in  the  woods 
and  erected  a  fine  residence,  where  he  makes  his  home.  He  has  now  seventeen 
acres  of  vineyard  in  Urbana,  nine  acres  in  Pulteney,  and  the  balance  of  his  seventy- 
five  acres  is  devoted  to  farming.  Mr.  Foster  has  been  trustee  of  Urbana  school  since 
its  formation,  and  was  also  justice  of  the  peace  in  Pulteney.  October  28,  1869,  he 
married  Ellen,  daughter  of  Barnet  Rupert,  of  the  town  of  Pulteney,  by  whom  he 
had  three  children :  Jesse  R.,  a  student  of  Geneseo  Normal  school ;  Nellie  Estelle, 
and  Edwin  Carleton.     Mrs.  Foster  died  June  24,  1895,  aged  fifty  years. 

Fawcett,  Fred  C,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Norwich,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  May 
10,  1862.  The  early  ancestry  of  this  family  were  New  England  people.  William 
Fawcett,  father  of  Fred  C,  was  a  millwright  by  trade.  He  died  in  1874,  at  Mount 
Upton,  Chenango  county.  Fred  C.  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  his 
first  occupation  was  as  a  clerk  in  a  general  store  in  Laurens,  Otsego  county,  where 
he  remained  for  about  three  years.  The  year  1879  he  spent  in  Morris,  Otsego 
county,  and  in  1881  he  came  to  Hammondsport  and  entered  the  employ  of 
Delos  Rose,  who  was  then  conducting  a  general  store,  where  he  remained 
four  years,  then  returned  to  Otsego  county,  and  was  for  two  years  in  part- 
nership with  his  brother-in-law  in  the  hardware  business  in  Laurens.  In  1889 
he  bought  the  furniture  and  undertaking  establishment  of  R.  Beck,  and  has  since 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  483 

about  doubled  the  business,  carrying  a  general  line  of  furniture  and  undertaking 
goods,  and  is  able  to  compete  with  the  larger  towns  surrounding.  His  store  is  25  by 
65  feet,  with  use  of  three  floors.  In  188(5  he  married  Lillian,  daughter  of  Robert 
Beck,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Robert  W.,  Bertha  L.,  Charles  B.  and  Ellis, 
who  died  in  April,  1894,  aged  six  months. 

Frey,  Henry,  was  born  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  May  24,  1859.  His  boyhood  was  spent 
in  attendance  at  the  village  schools  of  Hammondsport  and  assisted  his  father  in  the 
grape  and  wine  business  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age.  In  1875  he  made  his 
first  venture  for  himself  in  the  conducting  of  an  agency  in  New  York  city  for  the 
sale  of  wines.  During  this  time  he  spent  three  years  in  the  New  York  Evening  High 
School,  making  a  special  study  of  business,  and  was  graduated  in  the  first  degree. 
In  1881  Henry  Frey  &  Co.  established  a  branch  office  in  New  York,  which  Mr.  Frey 
conducted  for  six  years,  and  then  spent  two  years  as  a  traveling  agent  for  the  Ger- 
mania  Company.  In  1889,  in  company  with  Seymour  Hubbs,  he  bought  the  Colum- 
bia Wine  Cellar,  where  we  find  him  to-day  conducting  the  business  with  the  greatest 
success.  Mr.  Frey  is  a  staunch  Democrat,  and  he  is  now  serving  his  second  term 
as  a  member  of  the  village  council.,  January  5,  1882,  he  married  Lina  Mohr,  of  New 
York  city. 

Champlin,  Charles  A.,  was  born  in  the  village  of  Hammondsport,  N.  Y.,  March 
27,  1862,  youngest  son  of  C.  D.  Champlin.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
and  Stanford  Seminary.  He  also  spent  a  year  in  Riverview  Military  Academy,  after 
which  he  returned  to  the  village  of  Hammondsport,  and  began  his  career  as  mer- 
chant in  the  store  of  W.  H.  Hastings.  In  August,  1887,  he  bought  the  store,  which 
he  conducted  as  a  general  store  until  1889,  when  he  decided  to  divide  the  stock,  and 
established  a  dry  goods  store  and  grocery  in  separate  establishments.  He  has  been 
a  member  of  Urbana  Lodge,  No.  459,  F.  &  A.  M.,  for  eight  years.  In  1884  he  mar- 
ried Georgie  M.  Malburn,  of  Denver,  Col.,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Charles 
D. ,  Gladys  H.  and  Malburn. 

Casterline,  David,  was  born  in  Deckertown,  New  Jersey,  April  12,  1820,  and  was 
the  third  son  of  Phineas  Casterline,  who  located  in  Steuben  county  in  December, 
1835,  and  bought  the  tannery  in  Pulteney  of  George  King,  and  also  followed  shoe- 
making.  David  attended  the  common  schools,  and  when  a  boy  of  nine  years  went 
to  live  with  a  prosperous  farmer,  who  failed  three  years  later,  and  David  then  went 
to  live  with  D.  D.  Gould,  until  their  removal  to  New  York  State,  when  he  came  with 
them,  but  lived  at  home  only  a  few  months.  In  the  spring  of  1836  he  hired  out  with 
a  farmer  on  Mount  Washington  for  ten  dollars  per  month,  and  continued  in  the  em- 
ploy of  different  farmers  until  1856,  the  spring  of  which  year  he  entered  the  employ 
of  Hastings  &  Nichols  in  their  warehouse,  being  with  them  for  twelve  years,  during 
which  time  he,  in  company  with  Mr.  Nichols,  bought  fifty  acres  on  the  west  side  of 
the  lake  and  set  out  a  part  of  it  to  vineyard,  and  sold  and  bought  in  other  places  and 
set  out  other  vineyards.  He  continued  in  partnership  with  Mr.  Nichols  until  the 
latter's  death,  which  occurred  in  1884,  and  since  1885  has  managed  his  vineyards, 
and  is  living  a  retired  life.  In  politics  Mr.  Casterline  was  a  Democrat  until  the 
formation  of  the  Republican  party  in  1856,  since  which  time  he  has  been  a  Repub- 
lican.    He  was  postmaster  from   October,   1884,  until  December  31,  1888,  and  has 


484  lANDMAEKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

also  been  a  justice  of  the  peace,  a  trustee  of  the  village,  and  a  trustee  of  the 
Methodist  church  for  six  years.  In  December,  1870,  he  married  Mrs.  Mary  Glann, 
daughter  of  Horace  Atwell,  of  the  town  of  Milo,  Yates  county,  N.  Y.,  and  they 
have  one  adopted  daughter.  May. 

Cushmg,  John,  was  born  in  Goshen,  Orange  county,  December  18,  1852.  His 
father,  Rev.  John  T.  Gushing,  was  a  native  of  Boston,  Mass.,  born  in  August,  1812. 
He  was  reared  in  his  native  town  and  educated  in  the  college  at  Hartford,  and  his 
theological  course  was  taken  at  New  York  Theological  Institute,  from  which  he  was 
graduated.  When  thirty-three  years  of  age  he  began  to  officiate,  and  was  rector  of 
the  church  of  Meriden,  Conn.,  for  three  years.  From  there  he  went  to  Goshen, 
Orange  county,  where  he  remained  eight  years,  and  during  this  time  he  built  St. 
James  church.  He  then  went  to  the  South  for  his  health  and  preached  at  Baton 
Rouge,   La.,   for  six  years;  returning  in  1860,  he  held  the  parishes  of  Speedsville 

and  for  four  years,  and  the  fall  of  1863  came  to  Steuben  county,  locating  m 

the  town  of  Urbana.  He  continued  to  assist  the  clergj-  in  this  town  up  to  the  time 
of  his  death,  which  occurred  December  27,  1891.  He  was  a  very  deep  student  and 
a  brilliant  speaker,  and  a  brother  and  friend  to  Bishop  Coxe  and  other  eminent 
divines.  Of  his  ancestry  -we  can  say  he  was  a  descendant  of  such  Cushings  as 
Judge  William  Cu.shing  and  Col.  John  Gushing,  celebrated  in  the  history  of  the 
Indian  wars  of  the  eighteenth  century.  Mr.  John  Gushing  married  Hannah  Ives  Cur- 
tis, of  Meriden,  Conn.,  by  whom  he  had  six  children,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Maud, 
wife  of  Medas  Maxon,  of  Kentucky;  John,  as  above;  Frank  C,  a  lawyer  of  the  firm 
of  Wright  &  Gushing,  of  Urbana;  Pierre,  rector  of  St  Mark's  church  of  Leroy,  and 
Mary,  an  artist  in  music  and  painting,  of  Hammondsport.  John  has  given  his  at- 
tention to  the  manufacture  of  wine  and  grape  growing,  with  fifty  acres  of  vineyard. 
December  17,  1893,  he  married  Alice  Jacobus. 

Amsworth,  Henry  G.,  was  born  in  Prattsburg,  January  1,  1854.  His  grandfather 
was  Isaac  Ainsworth.  George  R.  R.  Ainsworth,  father  of  Henry  C,  was  educated 
in  Prattsburg  Academy,  after  which  he  engaged  m  the  mercantile  business  in  Pratts- 
burg, which  business  he  followed  about  forty  years.  He  married  Mary  E.  Smith,  a 
native  of  Connecticut,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children,  six  of  whom  are  now  living. 
Henry  C.  was  the  second  son,  and  was  educated  at  Prattsburg  Academy,  after  which 
he  engaged  with  his  father  in  the  store,  where  he  remained  until  1874,  when  he  went 
as  cashier  in  his  father's  bank  in  Prattsburg.  In  1876,  in  partnership  with  his  father, 
he  established  the  Bank  of  Hammondsport,  Henry  locating  there  and  managmg  its 
affairs.  He  continued  as  manager  until  August  22,  1894,  when  he  sold  to  the  pres- 
ent owner.  Mr.  Ainsworth  is  now  devoting  his  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  grapes, 
his  vineyard  being  located  about  one  mile  north  on  the  west  side  of  the  lake.  In 
politics  Mr.  Ainsworth  has  always  been  a  Republican,  and  was  treasurer  of  the  vil- 
lage from  1877  until  1894. 

Champlin,  Harry  M.,  was  born  in  Hammondsport,  N.  Y.,  October  3,  1860.  He  was 
educated  at  the  Hammondsport  Academy,  Bath  Union  School  and  Holbrooke  Mili- 
tary Academy  at  Sing  Sing,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming  and  miUing,  and  for 
a  couple  of  years  took  charge  of  the  homestead  farm  and  mill.  In  the  fall  of  1894 
he  built  a  flouring  mill,  box  factory  and  lumber  yard,  employing  from  ten  to  fifteen 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  485 

hands.  He  also  has  a  vineyard  at  Rheims,  and  is  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Pleas- 
ant Valley  Wine  Company,  also  owns  a  farm  of  110  acres  at  Pleasant  Valley,  the  old 
homestead.  Mr.  Champlin  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  always  been  a  worker 
for  the  party.  In  1894  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  supervisor,  and  is  .serving  in 
that  office  at  the  present  time.  He  was  also  delegate  to  the  County  Convention  in 
the  fall  of  1894,     In  February,  1891,  he  married  Eva  Drummer,  of  Bath. 

Tripp,  Murry,  was  boi-n  in  the  town  of  Cohocton,  N.  Y.,  January  29,  1853,  son  of 
Charles  Tripp,  and  grandson  of  Charles  Tripp,  sr.,  and  great-grandson  of  James 
Tripp,  who  came  from  Clyde,  N.  Y.,  to  Patchinsville  about  1835,  where  he  was  en- 
gaged in  lumbering  for  a  time,  and  in  1839  he  settled  in  South  Dansville,  and  fol- 
lowed farming.  Charles  Tripp,  sr. ,  located  in  South  Dansville,  and  also  engaged  in 
farming.  He  was  a  great  hunter,  and  up  to  his  fiftieth  year  killed  over  500  deer. 
In  1840  he  shot  a  bear  in  a  neighbor's  garden  in  South  Dansville,  which  he  stuffed, 
and  during  the  political  campaign  of  that  year  he  drove  into  Dansville  to  attend  a 
political  meeting  with  a  large  load  of  voters  and  with  the  bear  standing  erect  on  the 
wagon,  which  strange  sight  attracted  much  attention.  His  children  were  Daniel,  who 
was  a  physician  and  practiced  in  Cohocton  and  the  surrounding  towns;  Simon  and 
Uriah,  who  settled  in  South  Dan,sville,  where  they  died;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Henry 
Lane  of  Michigan  ;  Charles;  and  George,  who  was  a  farmer  in  Minnesota.  Charles 
Tripp,  jr.,  settled  in  the  town  of  Cohocton  about  1847,  where  he  has  since  lived,  and 
is  a  farmer  by  occupation.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been  collector  and 
deputy  sheriff.  He  married  Lorinda  Munroe,  and  their  children  were  Helen,  who 
married  Luther  Wilcox  of  Cohocton;  Murry;  Charles,  who  died  in  early  manhood ; 
Elmer  E.,  deceased;  and  Myra  B.,  wife  of  George  Rocker  of  Cohocton.  Murry 
Tripp  is  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  conducted  a  meat  market  for  some  timxe  at  Co- 
hocton. He  is  a  Republican  and  has  held  the  offices  of  collector  and  highway  com 
missioner.  He  is  a  member  of  Adair's  Cornet  Band.  He  married  Nettie  Hurd, 
of  Honeoye,  N.  Y. ,  and  their  children  are:  Leon  D.,  Bessie,  Floyd,  deceased,  and 
George. 

Clark,  James  P.,  was  born  in  Fleming,  Cayuga  pounty,  N.  Y.,  October  5,  1822,  son 
of  Rev.  Henry  R.  Clark  (deceased),  a  Baptist  clergyman.  The  family  is  of  English 
ancestry,  the  pioneer  of  this  branch  being  one  of  three  brothers,  who  came  to 
America  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war  and  settled  in  Westchester  county,  N.  Y. 
Thomas  Clark,  the  grandfather  of  James  P.,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Continental  army 
during  the  Revolutionary  war.  James  P.  came  to  Livingston  county  when  a  boy 
and  lived  with  an  uncle  for  several  years,  and  in  1836  they  removed  to  South  Dans- 
ville, N.  Y.,  where  he  built  a  saw  mill  and  engaged  in  that  business  for  .several 
years,  and  at  that  time  pine  lumber  brought  only  $2.50  per  thousand.  In  1847  Mr. 
Clark  sold  out  and  went  to  Ohio,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  of  Charles  C.  Paine, 
from  whom  the  town  of  Painesville,  O.,  took  its  name.  Three  years  later  he  re- 
moved to  Wisconsin,  and  in  1854  returned  to  Steuben  county  and  purchased  a  farm 
in  the  town  of  Wayland,  near  Loon  Lake,  and  about  1867  he  purchased  a  farm  on  the 
west  side  of  the  river  in  Cohocton,  where  he  settled.  He  also  purchased  1,000  acres 
of  timber  land  in  the  western  part  of  the  town,  and  became  one  of  the  foremost 
farmers  and  business  men,  and  at  about  this  time  engaging  in  the  buying  and 
shipping  of  hay  and  straw,  soon  extending  his  business  to  grain  and  potatoes.     He 


486  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

shipped  the  first  carload  of  produce  ever  sent  from  Cohocton.  In  1879  his  son,  A.  H. 
Clark,  became  a  partner,  and  has  since  been  a  member  of  the  firm,  and  they  are 
very  largely  engaged  in  farming  and  potato  growing.  Mr.  Clark  is  an  active  Repub- 
lican, and  was  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Wayland  in  1863,  '64,  '65  and  1868  was 
elected  supervisor  of  Cohocton.  He  is  a  member  of  Liberty  Lodge,  F.  &  A  M. ,  of 
Cohocton.  He  married  Eunice  Colton,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  seven  children: 
Sarah  (deceased),  who  married  H.  C.  Pierce;  Albert  H. ;  Lydia,  who  died  young: 
Huldah,  wife  of  Orange  McKay;  Jennie,  who  married  Charles  Oliver;  W.  H.,  and 
one  that  died  in  infancy. 

Fox,  James,  was  born  at  Palatme,  Montgomery  county,  N.Y.,  October  11,  1844,  and 
is  a  son  of  Jesse  Fox,  and  grandson  of  Daniel  R.  Fox,  the  family  being  of  German 
descent.  Daniel  R.  served  m  the  war  of  1812.  In  his  native  country  he  was  a  brick- 
maker,  and  also  kept  hostel,  and  in  1842  he  came  to  Bath,  N.  Y.,  where  he  kept  hotel 
for  two  years,  and  then  removed  to  Illinois.  Jes.se  Fox  came  to  Steuben  county  in 
1855  and  settled  in  Avoca,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Saltsman,  and  their  children  were  Andrew,  who  married  Catherine  Wagner,  and  is 
a  farmer  in  Avoca;  Ann,  wife  of  John  A.  Wagner  of  Avoca;  Catherine,  who  mar- 
ried E.  R.  Brigleir  and  settled  at  Orleans,  N.  Y.  ;  Mary,  wife  of  August  Hoeffner  of 
Newark,  N.  Y.  ;  James,  and  Fannie,  wife  of  George  W.  Mark.  James  Fox  was  edu- 
cated at  Franklin  Academy,  Prattsburg,  graduating  in  1868,  from  which  time  until 
1874  he  was  engaged  in  teaching,  after  which  he  engaged  in  the  drug  trade  at  Cohoc- 
ton, and  from  1875  to  1884  he  taught  school,  and  in  the  latter  years  he  again  engaged 
in  the  drug  business,  continuing  it  until  1895,  when  he  retired  from  trade.  Politically 
'_ie  is  a  Democrat  and  was  elected  town  clerk  in  1888.  He  took  an  active  part  in  se- 
uring  the  incorporation  of  the  village  and  was  a  member  of  its  first  board  of  trus- 
tees, and  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board  since  1891.  He  is  a  member  of 
Liberty  Lodge  No.  510,  F.  &  A.  M.  In  1885  he  married  Mrs.  Louisa  McDowell  of 
Cohocton,  and  they  have  two  children:  Jessie  C.  and  Fannie  F. 

Fox,  Christopher,  sr.,  was  born  in  Prussia  in  1823,  son  of  Christopher  and  Kath- 
erine  (Wergley)  Fox,  with  whom  he  came  to  America  in  1842.  His  father  settled  in 
the  town  of  Wayland,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of 
the  Lutheran  church  at  Perkinsville.  His  children  were  Nicholas,  who  settled  in  In- 
diana, where  he  died;  Katherine,  who  married  Nicholas  Drum  of  Cohocton;  Eliza- 
beth, who  married  Christopher  Folts,  and  settled  in  Wisconsin;  Jacob,  who 
settled  in  Wayland;  Adam,  who  settled  Wisconsin;  and  Christopher,  who  has 
has  always  followed  farming,  settling  first  in  Wayland  in  1869,  thence  to  Cohocton, 
where  he  has  since  lived.  He  married  Catherine  Fogal,  by  whom  he  had  seven  chil- 
dren:  Christopher,  who  settled  in  Cohocton  and  engaged  in  farming;  Sophia,  who 
married  Charles  Cross,  of  Dansville;  Caroline,  who  married  Christopher  Fox, 
of  Naples;  Catherine,  who  married  Henry  Woodward,  of  Cohocton;  Barbara,  who 
married  John  Weaver,  of  Cohocton ;  Conrad,  who  settled  in  Naples,  and  married 
Elizabeth  Fritting;  and  George,  who  is  unmarried. 

Finch,  Henry,  was  born  in  Cohocton,  N.Y.,  December  21,  1853.  Daniel,  his  father, 
was  a  son  of  Philetus  Finch,  who  came  from  Orange  county,  N.  Y.,  at  an  early  day 
and  settled  at  Benton,  Yates  county,  and  served  in  the  war  of  1812.     In  1830  he  re- 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  487 

moved  to  Cohocton  and  settled  in  the  east  part  of  the  town.  He  was  a  shoemaker  and 
also  followed  farming.  He  married  Elizabeth  Pettis,  and  they  were  the  parents  of 
seven  children :  Cornelius,  who  was  a  farmer  of  Cohocton  and  removed  to  Atlanta, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  produce  business,  and  died  in  1894;  Edward  and  Silas,  who 
settled  in  Cohocton,  where  they  died;  William,  who  located  at  Atlanta;  Thomas,  who 
located  at  Adrian,  Mich.,  where  he  died;  Daniel;  and  John,  who  settled  at  Atlanta. 
Daniel  Finch,  who  is  a  farmer  in  Cohocton,  married  Mahala  Showers,  and  their  chil- 
dren are  Harriet  (Mrs.  Mary  Barney)  of  Cohocton;  Lois  (Mrs.  Norman  Crawford)  of 
Wheeler,  N.  Y.  ;  Henry ;  Silas,  a  resident  of  Cohocton ;  and  Charles,  who  is  in  the 
produce  business  at  Wallace,  N.Y.  Henry  Finch  has  always  lived  in  Cohocton,  and 
was  in  the  grocery  business  for  about  eight  years.  In  1891  he  opened  a  meat  market, 
which  he  has  since  conducted.  He  is  a  strong  Democrat,  and  a  member  of  Liberty 
Lodge  No.  510,  F.  &  A.  M.  In  1893  he  was  he  was  elected  town  clerk.  He  married 
Angeline  Fronk. 

Gra.ser,  Valentine,  was  born  in  Buffalo,  N.Y.,  June  11,  1854.  His  father, Valentine 
Graser,  sr. ,  was  a  native  of  Germany,  who  came  to  America  about  1840,  and  settled 
at  Buffalo.  Valentine  Graser,  jr.,  learned  the  cigarmaker's  trade  when  a  boy.  He 
spent  twelve  years  in  St.  Louis,  and  in  1878  came  to  Cohocton,  where  be  has  since 
resided.  He  entered  the  employ  of  S.  H.  Leavitt,  and  later  the  T.  R.  Hams  Cigar 
Company.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Cohocton  Valley  Cigar  Company, 
of  which  he  was  vice-president  and  director.  In  1888,  with  several  others,  he  organ- 
ized the  Cohocton  Cigar  Company.  Mr.  Graser  is  a  member  of  Kanawha  Lodge,  I. 
O.  O.  F.,  of  Atlanta,  and  of  Wayland  Encampment.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Maccabees  and  the  E.  K.  O.  R.  In  1879  he  married  Emma  Wagner,  of  Cohocton,  by 
whom  he  had  three  children:  Jessie  M.,  Lottie  L.,  and  George  W.  The  first  of  the 
Wagner  family  to  settle  in  Steuben  county  was  Jacob,  son  of  Lewis  Wagner, 
of  Prussia.  Jacob  came  to  America  in  1837  and  settled  in  the  village  of  Dansville. 
He  was  a  cabinetmaker  and  cooper  by  trade,  and  in  1841  he  removed  to  Patchinsville, 
in  the  town  of  Wayland,  where  he  resided  until  1853,  when  he  purchased  a  farm  in 
the  town  of  Cohocton,  west  of  the  village,  and  engaged  in  farming  until  1866,  when 
he  settled  in  Cohocton  village,  where  he  died  in  1871.  He  married  Maria  Grob,  by 
whom  he  had  eleven  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy:  Mary  (Mrs.  Jacob  Hart) 
of  Cohocton;  Elizabeth  (Mrs.  William  M.  Cridler)  of  Fremont;  Catherine  (Mrs.  H.  C. 
Tripp)  of  Cohocton  ;  Emma  M.  (Mrs.  Valantine  Graser)  of  Cohocton  ;  Nicholas  J.,  who 
enlisted  in  August,  1862,  in  Co.  I,  161st  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  was  wounded  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads  April  8.  1864;  Jacob,  a  farmer  of  Cohocton, 
who  enlisted  in  1864,  in  Co.  G,  189th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the 
war;  Wallace,  who  is  a  carpenter  by  trade;  and  George  E.,  who  has  been  engaged  in 
the  produce  business  at  Cohocton  since  1877.  Nicholas  J.  and  Jacob  are  both  charter 
members  of  R.  E.  Harris  Post,  G.  A.  R..  of  Cohocton. 

Gray,  Clarence  G.,  was  born  in  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  December  17,  1857,  son  of  Jesse 
Gray,  whose  father,  Mahlon  Gray,  came  from  New  Jersey  and  settled  in  Livingston 
county,  and  about  1840  came  from  Conesus  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Dansville. 
Jesse  Gray  settled  first  in  Dansville  and  later  in  Fremont,  and  still  later  at  Wayland^ 
where  he  is  engaged  in  farming.  He  married  Hannah  Faulkner,  by  whom  he  had 
six   children:  William,    Clarence   G.,    Robert    E.    (deceased),    Herbert  J.,   Sadie   B. 


488  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

(deceased),  and  Bernica  H.  Clarence  G.  settled  in  Cohocton  in  1886,  on  the  Wayland 
Road,  and  is  one  of  the  enterprising  farmers  of  the  town.  He  is  a  member  of  Liberty 
Lodge  No.  510,  F.  &  A.  M.,  also  of  North  Cohocton  M.  E.  church.  He  married  Ida 
E.,  daughter  of  Lyman  Shepard  (deceased),  by  Avhom  he  had  four  children:  Jessie, 
Franc,  Lyman,  and  Sadie  V. 

Harter,  Leonard,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Howard,  September  25,  1826,  and  is  a 
son  of  Adam,  and  grandson  of  Jacob  Harter,  who  was  a  resident  of  Herkimer,  N.  Y. 
Their  ancestors  came  from  Holland  at  an  early  day  and  settled  in  the  Mohawk  Val- 
le5^  and  several  of  Jacob  Harter's  brothers  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  About 
1820  Adam  Harter  came  to  Steuben  county  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Howard, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  in  1855  he  took  up  170  acres,  at  §5  per  acre,  in 
the  southwestern  part  of  Cohocton.  He  married  Matilda  Helmer,  and  their  children 
were  Jacob,  who  settled  in  McKean  county.  Pa  ;  Mary  A.,  deceased;  John  A.,  de- 
ceased; Leonard;  Lavina,  wifeof  Mr.Van  Wormer ;  Salome,  who  married  Gilbert  Glover 
and  settled  in  Wajdand;  James  H.,  who  married  Julia  Clark,  and  located  in  Cohoc- 
ton, and  later  in  Avoca;  Samuel,  who  migrated  to  Wisconsin,  and  later  to  Dakota; 
and  Solomon  J.,  who  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  died  in  1894.  Leonard  Harter 
resides  on  the  homestead  and  has  always  followed  farming.  September  1,  1864,  he 
enlisted  in  Co.  G,  189th  N.  Y^  Vols.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is  a 
member  of  R.  E.  Harris  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  No.  240,  of  Cohocton.  He  married  Sarah  J. 
Ragey,  and  their  children  are  David  H.,  who  is  a  farmer  of  Fremont;  Ertane,  a  resi- 
dent of  Wayland ;  Dilla,  wife  of  Harvey  Teed  of  Wayland ;  Harriet,  who  married 
Henry  J.  Bill;  May,  and  D.  P.     Mrs   Harter  died  in  1892. 

Mehlenbacker,  C.  J.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wayland,  September  13,  1850,  son  of 
Conrad  Mehlenbacker,  who  came  from  Germany  in  1846,  and  settled  in  the  town  of 
Wayland,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  married  Christine  Smith,  by  whom  he 
had  nine  children:  Christine,  wife  of  Conrad  Cornbau,  of  Bristol,  Ontario  county, 
N.  Y.  ;  Louis,  who  married  Mary  Cornbau,  and  settled  on  the  homestead  farm ; 
Catherine,  who  married  Jacob  Wolfanger,  and  settled  in  Springwater;  Charlotte, 
who  married  John  Pragel,  and  settled  in  Dansville ;  Augustus,  who  married  Hattie 
Holcomb,  and  settled  in  South  Bristol,  N.  Y.  ;  C.  J. ;  Conrad,  who  married  Ivy 
Daniels,  and  settled  in  Michigan;  Jacob,  who  married  Augusta  Marvin  and  settled 
in  Salamanca,  N.  Y. ;  and  Henry,  who  married  Alice  Fidler,  and  settled  in  Grand 
Rapids,  Mich.  C.  J.  Mehlenbacker  settled  in  Wayland  and  began  life  as  a  farmer. 
In  1883  he  settled  in  Cohocton  village,  purchasing  the  Cohocton  Hotel,  of  which  he 
was  the  proprietor  for  nine  years,  and  in  1892  he  engaged  m  blacksmithing  and  car- 
riage making.  In  1876  Mr.  Mehlenbacker  married  Hannah  Fleischman,  by  whom 
he  had  five  children:  Bertha,  Almina,  Henry  L. ,  Alfred  and  Arthur. 

Moulton,  Rice  T. — The  pioneer  of  the  family  in  Steuben  county  was  James  Moul- 
ton,  w^ho  came  from  Saratoga  county  as  early  as  1815,  and  first  settled  on  the  road 
between  Liberty  and  North  Cohocton,  and  shortly  after  took  up  a  farm  on  the  Way- 
land  road  two  miles  west  of  North  Cohocton,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1843.  He  married  Mar}'  Crouch,  by  whom  he  had  twelve  children: 
Abbie,  who  married  James  Armstrong,  and  settled  in  Cohocton ;  Richard,  who  mar- 
ried Harriett  Ellis,  and  came  from  Saratoga  about  1818  and  settled  near  his  father; 


FAMILY  SKETCHES  489 

Rice,  who  married  Annie  Cameron,  and  settled  in  Cohocton,  where  he  died;  Theda, 
who  married  William  Tyler,  and  settled  in  Naples ;  Nelson ;  Cynthia,  who  married 
Asahel  Tyler,  and  settled  in  Cohocton;  Warren,  who  settled  in  Michigan,  where  he 
died;  Maria,  who  died  unmarried;  Thomas,  who  settled  in  Michigan,  and  later  m 
Alabama;  Eliza,  who  married  L.  Ashley,  and  settled  in  Springwater;  Hiram,  who 
married  Betsey  Haight,  and  settled  in  Colrocton ;  and  Myron,  who  settled  first  in 
Cohocton  and  afterward  in  Michigan.  Nelson  Moulton  settled  in  Cohocton  and  about 
1852  removed  to  Tyrone,  Mich.,  where  he  died.  He  married  Triphenia  Morehouse, 
by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Marilla,  who  died  unmarried;  Ireton,  who  died  in 
early  manhood;  James,  who  married  Mabel  Van  Wormer,  and  settled  in  Cohocton, 
where  he  died;  Margaret,  who  married  John  Wheaton ;  and  Rice  T.,  who  settled  in 
Cohocton,  where  he  is  a  successful  farmer.  He  is  a  strong  Republican,  and  was 
elected  highway  commissioner  in  1893.  He  is  a  member  of  Kanawha  Lodge,  I.  O. 
O.  F.,  No.  566,  of  Atlanta.  He  married  Elizabeth  Wilson,  by  whom  he  had  one  son, 
James. 

Miller,  Robert,  was  born  in  Norfolk  county,  England,  January  17,  1889,  son  of 
Robert  Miller,  who  came  to  America  with  his  family  in  1843  and  settled  in  the  town 
of  Seneca,  Ontario  county,  and  in  1850  removed  to  Steuben  county,  purchasing  a 
farm  on  Lent  Hill,  where  the  remainder  of  his  life  was  spent.  He  was  a  shoemaker 
by  trade,  which  business  he  followed  in  his  earlier  years,  and  was  afterwards  a 
farmer.  He  was  a  leading  member  of  the  Lent  Hill  Wesleyan  Methodist  church. 
He  married  Martha  Middleton,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  five  children:  William, 
who  married  Minerva,  daughter  of  John  Bush,  and  settled  on  Lent  Hill,  where  he 
has  been  extensively  engaged  in  farming,  and  has  been  the  minister  of  the  W.  M. 
church  for  many  years;  Martha,  wife  of  WiUiam  Caward,  who  settled  in  Seneca,  On- 
tario county ;  Robert,  Ann,  and  John,  who  settled  in  Cohocton,  and  was  extensively 
engaged  in  the  produce  business  for  about  twenty-five  years,  and  married  Celia 
Hatch.  He  died  in  1890.  Robert  Miller,  jr.,  settled  on  Lent  Hill,  where  he  has 
large  farming  interests,  and  has  done  much  toward  the  clearing  of  that  part 
of  the  town.  Since  1875  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  produce  business  and  for  sev- 
eral years  was  the  partner  of  his  brother,  John.  Several  years  since  he  settled  in 
Jersey  City  and  is  engaged  in  the  produce  business  at  New  York  citv.  He  married 
Anna  Bolles  of  Swains,  N.  Y. 

Roth,  John,  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  April  3,  1835,  son  of  Andrew  Roth. 
John  Roth  came  to  America  in  1860,  and  settled  at  Perkinsville,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1866 
purchased  a  tract  of  land  in  the  western  part  of  Cohocton,  which  he  cleared  and  en- 
gaged in  farming,  bringing  it  up  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  He  is  a  staunch 
Democrat  and  a  member  of  Avoca  Lodge,  No.  519,  I.  O.  O.  F. ,  also  of  Bath  Encamp- 
ment. He  married  Margaret  Grossman  in  Bavaria,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children: 
Barbara  (Mrs.  John  Nash  of  Cohocton),  Katie  (Mrs.  Louis  Zeh  of  Cohocton),  Libbie 
(Mrs.  Farley  A.  Stamp  of  Thurston),  Emma,  Julia,  who  married  Dwight  Upton,  and 
died  at  Bath;  Jennie  (Mrs.  Bion  Slayton  of  Cohocton),  and  Annie,  who  died  in  in- 
fancy. 

Newman,  Andrew  J.,  was  born  in  Sidney,  Delaware,  N.  Y.,  in  1835,  son  of  Fran- 
cis A.,  who  was  a  native  of  Otsego  county,  whose  father.  Rev.  Francis  A.  Newman, 


490  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

was  a  prominent  divine,  and  a  soldier  iu  the  Revolutionary  war.  Francis  A.  New- 
man, jr.,  served  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  in  1855  came  to  Steuben  county  and  set- 
tled in  the  town  of  Wayland,  near  I.oon  Lake,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.     He 

married  Sarah  ,  by  whom  he  three  children:  John  W.,  Peter,  and  Andrew  J. 

Peter  first  settled  in  Cohocton,  where  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  and  later 
settled  in  Avoca.  Andrew  J.  has  been  for  many  years  an  extensive  buyer  and 
shipper  of  live  stock,  having  also  extensive  farming  interests,  and  for  twelve  years 
he  carried  on  a  market  in  Hornellsville.  In  1888  he  settled  in  the  western  part  of 
the  town  of  Cohocton.  For  nearlj-  forty  years  he  has  been  an  official  member  of  the 
Loon  Lake  M.  E.  church,  and  for  nineteen  years  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school.  He  married  Catherine  Mehlenbacker,  by  whom  he  had  four  children :  Mary 
(Mrs.  Frank  Small),  Samuel  W.,  Charles  P.,  and  Gertrude. 

Lee,  Harriet  Gray. — Amos  Graves,  son  of  Jedediah  Graves,  was  born  at  East  Had- 
dam,  Conn.,  December  10,  1753.  The  earliest  ancestor  of  this  family  we  find  in  this 
country  was  John  Graves,  who  was  a  native  of  England  and  came  to  the  United  States 
and  settled  in  Concord,  Mass.,  about  1640.  His  son  Benjamin  was  born  iu  l(i45, 
and  was  a  soldier  in  the  Indian  war  of  1675.  The  third  generation  was  his  son,  also 
Benjamin,  who  was  born  at  Concord,  Mass.,  March  "2,  1676.  His  son  Jedediah  was 
born  in  1708,  and  moved  to  East  Haddam,  Conn.,  about  1725,  where  Amos  was 
born.  He  married  Hannah  Kennedy,  who  was  born  at  Milton,  Mass.,  March  11,  1766, 
by  whom  he  had  thirteen  children.  Amos  Graves  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1819 
where  he  made  his  home  for  five  or  six  years,  and  while  here  his  iniiuence  was  felt 
in  the  first  religious  work  m  Hornellsville.  He  removed  to  Concord,  Pa  ,  in  1824, 
where  he  spent  a  few  years  and  then  located  in  Harbor  Creek,  Pa.,  where  he  died 
April  29,  1836.  Hannah  Kennedy  Graves  was  born  m  Lebanon,  Chenango  county, 
N.  Y.,  September  7,  1803,  and  was  married  in  Concord,  Pa.,  to  Otis  Thacher,  of  Hor- 
nellsville, N.Y.,  March  9, 1825,  and  died  there  August  4, 1891.  Amy  Wentworth  (Graves 
was  born  at  Lebanon,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  February  26,  1806,  and  ^September 
29,  1830,  was  married  in  Erie,  Pa.,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Reed,  to  Dr.  Patrick  Wells  Gray, 
who  was  the  son  of  Judge  John  Gray  of  Sherburne,  Chenango  county,  N.  Y.,  and 
they  had  five  children:  Carroll  Eugene  Gray,  Harriet  Diantha  Gray,  Theodore  Weld 
Gray,  Rollin  Birney  Gray,  and  Ella  Elizabeth  Gray.  Wellington  Lee  was  born  in 
Sheridan,  Chaiitauqua  county,  December  18,  1816.  He  was  a  son  of  Joel  and  Amanda 
(Gray)  Lee,  and  was  educated  for  a  civil  engineer  and  had  a  varied  experience, 
raising  ships  that  were  sunk  in  the  Crimean  war  at  the  siege  of  Sevastapol,  and  was 
engaged  in  many  other  prominent  enterprises.  He  made  his  home  in  New  York  city, 
and  June  5,  1862,  he  married  Harriet  Diantha  Gray,  of  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  in  London, 
England,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  one  of  whom  is  living,  Wellington  Gray 
Lee,  born  in  New  Y'ork  city,  April  11,  1869.  He  is  a  civil  and  electrical  engineer. 
Mr.  Lee  was  the  inventor  and  manufacturer  of  the  first  successful  Steam  Fire  Engine  in 
this  country,  and  also  manufactured  them  in  England  and  France,  a  man  of  ac- 
quaintance and  intimacy  with  the  greatest  American  and  foreign  mechanical  and 
civil  engineers.  He  was  of  the  firm  of  Lee  &  Lamed,  engine  manufacturers  of 
New  Y'ork.  He  died  in  New  Y'ork  city,  March  21,  1881,  and  is  buried  in  the  family 
lot  in  Greenwood  cemetery.  In  the  "Graves  Genealogy,"  to  be  issued  by  General 
John  Carl  Graves,  of  Buffalo,  in  December,  the  Graves  family  is  traced  back  in  Eng- 
land 800  years. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  491 

Babcock,  Devolson  D.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Pharsalia,  Chenango  county,  N. 
v.,  October  13,  188:5,  and  was  for  many  years  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at 
Warren,  Pa.,  where  he  remained  eleven  years.  September  15,  1858,  he  married  Mary 
A.  Browning,  of  Scio,  N.  Y.,  who  survives  him,  and  their  five  children  were:  Ogden 
D.,  Devolson  D.,  jr.,  Kate  H.,  Grace  B.,  and  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Weeks,  of  New  York. 
When  the  great  oil  strike  was  made  at  Bradford,  in  1875,  and  the  opening  up  of  the 
immense  Clark,  Babcock  tSc  Hulin's  tract  at  Foster  Brook  occurred,  Mr.  Babcock  left 
Pittsfield  to  assisthis  brother,  Francis  G.  Babcock,  one  of  the  owners  of  the  property, 
in  its  management.  During  the  same  year  the  Bank  of  Hornellsville  was  organized 
in  this  city  bj'  P'rancis  G.  Babcock,  W.  H.  Johnson,  and  others,  and  Mr.  Babcock  be- 
came vice-president  of  the  institution,  a  position  he  held  continuously  until  his  death. 
In  1878  he  purchased  with  his  brother  a  large  interest  in  the  pi-olific  Moody  tract  of 
oil  lands,  of  which  he  became  one  of  the  managers.  In  1880  he  took  up  his  residence 
in  Hornellsville  on  Center  street,  and  after  closing  up  his  oil  interests  became  associ- 
ated with  his  brother,  Francis  G.,  in  an  immense  ranch  at  Terra  Cotta,  Kan.,  of 
which  he  became  the  manager.  After  the  failure  of  A.  B.  Vorhis,  at  Canisteo,  the 
sash  and  blind  factory  was  purchased  by  Messrs.  Babcock  &  Drake,  and  a  year  or  two 
later  Mr.  Babcock  became  acting  president  of  the  concern,  which  position  he  held 
till  his  death.  His  only  surviving  relatives  aside  from  his  family,  are  Francis  G. 
Babcock  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  vS.  Clark,  both  of  Hornellsville.  Mr.  Babcock  was  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  had  long  been  president  of  the  board  of 
trustees  of  that  society.  Personally  he  was  of  a  quiet  temperament,  but  most  genial 
and  hearty  of  manner  with  his  friends.  He  was  a  steady,  persi.stent,  and  diligent 
business  man  of  great  ability.  His  domestic  relations  were  unusually  happy ;  he  was 
a  good  husband,  an  indulgent  father,  a  loving  .son  and  brother,  a  con.sistent  Chris- 
tian, and  an  honorable,  honored  citizen.     He  died  in  Hornellsville. 

Wood,  Ira  M.,  was  born  in  Urbana,  July  1(5,  1842,  and  is  the  oldest  of  four  sons 
born  to  Andrew  T.  and  Catherine  Holly  Wood.  Ira's  great-grandfather,  Jonathan 
Wood,  was  a  picmeer  of  Orange  count}^  Andrew  T.  was  a  farmer  by  occupation. 
He  died  July  12,  1894,  and  his  wife  October  20,  1885.  Ira  M.  taught  school  nine 
terms  and  he  enumerated  the  United  States  census  of  Wayne  in  June,  1880.  May 
27,  1866,  he  married  Sarah  O.  Fuller  of  Bradford  and  they  have  two  sons,  Marion  A. 
and  Edgar  M.,  school  teachers.  Mrs.  Wood  died  October  21,  1877.  For  his  second 
wife,  March  15,  1881,  he  married  Anna  E.  Leonard  of  Orange,  Schuyler  county,  by 
whom  he  has  one  daughter,  Susie  E.  In  1869  he  located  on  a  farm  of  one  hundred 
acres  in  Wayne  where  he  has  since  resided,  and  besides  general  farming  he  is  insur- 
ance agent  and  dealer  in  agricultural  implements..  August  25,  1862,  he  enlisted  in 
Co.  B,  141st  New  York  Volunteers  and  was  honorably  discharged  June  29,  1865. 
He  participated  in  the  Siege  of  Suffolk,  Va.,  his  regiment  was  in  the  battles  of  Chat- 
tanooga, Lookout  Mountain,  Missionary  Ridge  and  Sherman's  March  to  the  Sea. 
September  20,  1864,  he  was  detailed  as  private  orderly  for  Brig.-Gen.  Hugh  Ewing 
and  April  20,  1865,  was  detached  as  clerk  under  Capt.  John  F.  Herbert,  chief  of  ar- 
tillery, department  of  Kentucky,  Louisville,  Ky.  He  is  a  member  of  Urbana  Lodge 
No.  459,  F.  &  A.  M.  at  Hammondsport  and  of  Chapter  No.  95  R.  A.  M.  at  Bath, 
Pleasant  Valley  Grange  No.  408,  at  Rheims  and  a  charter  member  of  Monroe  Brun- 
dage  Post  No.  470,  G.  A.  R.  at  Hammondsport. and  a  charter  member  of  Tent  No. 


4&2  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

387,  K.  O.  T.  M.  of  North  Urbana  and  a  charter  member  of  Schu^der  Lodge  No.  740, 
I.  O.  O.  F.  at  Wayne.  Henrj'  S.  Wood  enlisted  August  20, 1862,  promoted  to  orderlj' 
sergeant,  which  rank  he  held  at  the  time  of  his  death,  August  16,  1868,  cause  of  death, 
typhoid  malaria  fever,  at  Warrenton  Junction,  Va. 

Moore,  Hobart  J.,  second  son  of  Walter  Lull  Moore  (which  see),  was  born  in  Morris, 
Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  December  14,  1850,  and  came  to  Hammondsport  with  his  pa- 
rents in  1863.  W^as  educated  in  the  academy  there  and  in  early  life  became  a  clerk 
for  J.  S.  Thorp,  with  whom  he  remained  six  years.  In  1875  he  established  business 
for  himself,  and  in  1895,  in  company  with  others,  erected  a  new  store  building  on 
Mechanic  street.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  has  served  as  town  clerk,  collector,  and  in 
1886,  1887,  and  1891-93  supervisor.  He  is  a  vestryman  in  St.  James  Episcopal  church, 
a  member  of  the  board  of  education,  and  a  member  of  Urbana  Lodge,  No.  459,  F.  & 
A.  M.  In  1877  he  married  Loretta,  daughter  of  James  Hall,  and  has  two  daughters 
and  two  sons. 

Moore,  Trevor,  son  of  Walter  Lull  Moore,  whose  biographical  sketch  appears  on 
another  page  of  this  volume,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Morris,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y., 
April  13,  1846.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  came  to  Hammondsport  and  attended 
the  academy  winters  for  three  years.  After  teaching  school  two  terms  he  engaged 
in  viniculture  and  now  owns  a  vineyard  of  twenty  acres  on  the  west  shore  of  Keuka 
Lake.  Since  then  he  has  been  heavily  interested  in  the  grape  business,  both  as  pro- 
ducer and  shipper.  A  Democrat  in  politics  he  has  held  several  town  offices  and  is 
president  of  the  village  of  Hammondsport.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  presi- 
dent of  the  Central  New  York  Grape  Growers  Association,  has  been  a  member  of 
LTrbana  Lodge,  No.  459,  F.  &  A.  M.,  since  1887,  and  member  of  the  building  com- 
mittee in  1895  and  vestryman  of  St.  James  Episcopal  church  for  twenty  years.  No- 
vember 23,  1876,  he  married  Anna,  daughter  of  Luther  T.  Brink,  a  farmer  and  grape 
grower.     They  have  three  children :   Walter  L. ,  Martha  L. ,  and  Parley  C. 

Acker,  MiloM.,  was  born  in  Hartsville,  N.  Y. ,  of  German-American  parentage, 
October  3,  1853.  Until  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  worked  at  home  during  the  sum- 
mers, and  in  the  logging  camps  of  Pennsylvania  during  the  winters.  During  his 
leisure  moments  he  studied  and  read  industriously.  After  consideration,  Mr.  Acker 
decided  to  enter  the  legal  profession,  and  accordingly  returned  to  his  home,  took 
what  little  money  he  had  and  entered  the  .school  at  Andover.  By  working  for  his 
board  he  managed  to  pay  for  his  schooling.  He  was  graduated  with  high  honors 
and  taught  in  all  the  departments  of  the  school.  A  little  later  he  attended  for  one 
year  Alfred  LTniversity,  whose  professors  recently  said  of  him:  "  We  remember  him 
as  one  with  the  power  for  work  and  the  determination  to  make  the  most  of  his  oppor- 
tunities. Such  young  men  will  make  their  mark  in  the  world,  under  whatever  cir- 
cumstances." In  1879  and  1880  Mr.  Acker  was  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Hartsville, 
and  in  1881  entered  the  ofhce  of  Judge  Hakes,  of  Hornellsville,  as  a  law  student.  He 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1883,  became  a  member  of  the  firm  in  1885,  and  in  1886 
served  as  police  justice  of  Hornellsville.  He  has  risen  rapidly  in  his  chosen  profes- 
sion, and  is  now  counted  one  of  the  most  prominent  among  the  younger  lawyers  of 
Western  New  York,  being  often  chosen  to  settle  difficult  cases  where  tact  and  sound 
judgment,  both  in  regard  to  law  and  men,  are  recjuired,  and  his  success  in  such  cases 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  493 

well  warrants  the  choice.  Mr.  Acker  has  served  four  consecutive  terms  in  the  As- 
sembly, and  held  many  prominent  positions  on  committees.  In  1890  he  was  chair- 
man of  the  judiciary  committee,  and  in  1891  was  Republican  candidate  for  speaker, 
and  therefore  the  leader  of  the  Republicans  in  the  house,  where  he  was  recognized 
as  one  of  the  best  orators  and  debaters  in  the  assemblies  in  which  he  served. 

Brownell,  Charles  S.,  was  born  in  Bath,  May  7,  1849.  His  father,  Morton  Brownell, 
was  a  native  of  Otsego  county,  who  came  to  Steuben  county  in  1814,  and  established 
one  of  the  first  hardware  stores  in  Bath,  being  associated  with  Robert  W.  Church, 
and  remained  in  the  business  for  twenty-five  years,  when  he  retired.  He  married 
Corneha,  daughter  of  P.  Ollendorf,  of  Otsego,  and  died  in  1890,  aged  eighty-five 
years.  Charles  S.  was  educated  in  Haverling  Academy,  and  in  1864  he  went  to 
Buffalo  aud  engaged  in  the  drug  business,  thence  to  Hammondsport  in  1869,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  hardware  business,  and  in  1879  he  removed  to  Bath  and  continued 
the  same  business  under  the  name  of  C.  S.  Brownell  &  Co.,  carrying  one  of  the  larg- 
est stocks  in  Western  New  York.  In  1868  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Capt. 
Saxton  Bigelow,  of  Ashtabula,  Ohio.  Mr.  Brownell  is  one  of  the  leading  business 
men  of  his  town,  conservative  and  upright  in  character,  and  has  ever  advanced  the 
best  interests  of  his  town  and  county. 

Rumsey,  Hon.  William,  was  born  in  Bath,  in  October,  1841.  His  father,  the  Hon. 
David  Rumsey,  was  for  many  years  a  judge  in  the  same  court  and  for  the  same 
district  now  honored  by  his  son.  Judge  Rumsey,  sr.,  left  the  bench  December  31, 
1880,  and  resumed  his  practice.  He  died  March  12,  1883,  aged  seventy-two  years. 
The  son  of  an  eminent  jurist.  Judge  Rumsey  possesses  both  by  inheritance  and  by 
culture,  judicial  abilities  of  high  order,  which  have  been  disciplined  and  improved 
by  close  study  and  by  experience  on  the  bench.  At  an  early  age  Judge  Rumsey  de- 
veloped a  comprehensive  grasp  upon  all  questions  and  prepared  for  college  in  a  re- 
markably short  time,  entering  Williams  in  1857,  when  he  was  but  little  over  fifteen 
years  of  age.  In  April,  1861,  a  few  months  before  the  commencement  when  he  was 
to  have  been  graduated.  Judge  Rumsey  cast  aside  his  books  as  others  gave  up  their 
cherished  jDlans  and  pursuits,  to  respond  to  Lincoln's  first  call  for  troops,  with  which 
to  crush  the  Rebellion.  In  .spite  of  this  he  was  graduated  by  the  college  in  June,  '61. 
He  remained  at  Elmira  as  aide-de-camp  to  Gen.  R.  B.  Van  Valkenburg  until  Octo- 
ber 17,  when  he  resigned  and  was  appointed  first  lieutenant  and  adjutant  in  the 
First  New  York  Light  Artillery,  Col.  C.  D.  Bailey  commanding.  On  November  1, 
1861,  he  went  with  his  regiment  to  Washington  and  remained  there  in  camp  until 
April,  1862,  when  Colonel  Bailey  was  assigned  chief  of  artillery  in  Casey's  Division, 
Fourth  Army  Corps,  and  Lieutenant  Rumsey  went  with  him.  He  reached  Newport 
News,  Va.,  with  his  division  about  the  7th  of  April,  and  went  to  the  front.  He  was 
engaged  in  the  siege  of  Yorktown  till  May  4,  and  on  May  5  participated  in  the  battle 
of  WiUiamsburg.  He  was  in  the  Peninsular  campaign  from  that  day  until  May  31, 
when,  in  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks,  his  horse  was  shot  under  him  and  he  was  sevei'ely 
wounded  in  the  shoulder,  and  was  sent  North.  On  his  return  to  the  front  he  was 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  captain  and  assistant  adjutant-general  for  bravery  at  Fair 
Oaks.  He  participated  in  engagements  too  numerous  to  mention,  serving  under 
Gen.  W.  W.  Averell.  His  promotion  continued  steady.  On  the  25th  of  May,  1865,  he 
was  commissioned  a  major  for  gallantry  at  Moorefield,  where  he  led  one  column  of 


494    "  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

the  1,600  national  troops  under  General  Averell,  who  attacked  and  utterly  routed 
3,200  rebel  troops,  killing  and  capturing  one-half  the  entire  command  and  dispersing 
the  remainder.  In  further  acknowledgment  of  his  services,  he  received  another 
commission  from  President  Johnson,  as  brevet  lieutenant-colonel,  with  rank  from 
March  13,  1865,  which  commission  stated  that  it  was  "given  for  distinguished  ser- 
vices in  the  campaign  of  May,  June  and  July,  1864,"  On  the  7th  of  February,  1868, 
he  received  a  commission  from  Governor  Fenton  as  brevet  colonel,  "for  meritorious 
services  in  the  late  war."  It  is  the  opinion  of  General  Averell  that  Judge  Rumsey 
should  have  been  accorded  a  much  higher  rank  than  he  attained.  On  the  close  of 
the.  war  Judge  Rumsey  went  with  General  Van  Valkenburg  to  Japan,  his  former 
commander  having  been  appointed  Japanese  ambassador.  After  a  two  years'  sojourn 
Judge  Rumsey  returned  to  his  native  country  and  settled  down  to  the  serious  work 
of  his  life.  He  .studied  law  in  his  father's  office  and  .soon  became  a  lawyer  in  good 
practice.  He  was  chosen  to  the  Supreme  Court  bench  in  1880.  In  1886  he  was  men- 
tioned prominently  for  a  place  on  the  Republican  ticket  as  candidate  for  the  Court 
of  Appeals  bench,  but  made  way  for  Judge  Daniels.  In  1888  Judge  Rumsey  re- 
ceived the  Republican  nomination  for  the  Court  of  Appeals  bench,  and  was  defeated 
by  Judge  Gray,  by  only  3.044  votes.  Judge  Rumsey  led  the  State  ticket  and,  it  is 
said,  might  have  been  elected  had  he  received  proper  support  in  New  York  city, 
judge  Rumsey  has  written  an  exhaustive  work  on  "Practice,"  and  was  one  of  a 
commission  of  three  with  the  Hon.  David  Dudley  Field  and  Hon,  David  L.  Follett, 
appointed  by  Governor  Hill  to  prepare  and  revise  the  code  of  evidence.  Judge 
Rumsey  resides  with  his  famih'  at  Bath,  but  his  mother  and  sisters  live  here,  he  is 
regarded  as  a  Rochesterian. 

De  Puy,  Esther. — A.  R.  De  Puy  was  born  in  Mile,  Yates  county,  October  31,  1821, 
son  of  James,  who  came  to  Steuben  county,  and  in  1837  settled  on  Barney  Hill.  He 
married  Jane,  daughter  of  Daniel  De  Witt.  A.  R.  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his 
father,  and  has  been  closely  connected  with  the  history  of  the  town  for  forty  years. 
In  1848  he  married  Esther,  daughter  of  Henry  Parr,  of  Big  Flats,  Chemung  county, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children :  Henry  F  and  Ellen.  Mr.  De  Puy  died 
May  16,  1895,  in  his  seventv-fourth  year,  a  loss  not  only  to  his  family  but  to  all  who 
knew  him. 

Dolson,  Edwin  L.— Dr.  Joseph  S.  Dolson,  father  of  Edwin  L.  and  Charles  A.,  and 
son  of  Rev.  Charles  Williamson  Dolson,  was  born  in  Campbell,  Steuben  county,  Feb- 
ruary 6,  1825,  and  died  in  Hornellsville,  July  10,  1892.  His  father,  John  DoLson,  set- 
tled in  the  town  of  Bath  about  1790,  and  kept  an  inn  at  the  mouth  of  Mud  Creek, 
receiving  a  grant  of  land  of  130  acres  from  Capt.  Charles  Williamson,  in  recognition 
of  services  and  kindness  extended  during  a  period  of  sickness,  his  deed  bearing  date 
October,  1793,  and  the  words  "consideration  five  shillings  and  kind  offices  of  party 
of  the  second  part."  John  Dolson  came  hither  from  Dolsonville,  Orange  county, 
where  a  number  of  the  name  still  live.  Charles  W.  Dolson  was  a  preacher  in  the  M. 
E.  church,  and  died  on  the  homestead.  Dr.  J.  S.  Dolson  was  educated  in  the  schools 
at  Bath,  Campbell,  and  Elmira,  and  at  Cazenovia  Seminary,  and  taught  school  sev- 
eral years.  He  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Marsena  Terry,  of  Savona,  attended  lec- 
tures at  Geneva  Medical  College  and  in  New  York  city,  and  was  graduated  from  the 
Albany  Medical  College  in   1848.     In   1862  he  entered  the  Union  army  as  assistant 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  495 

surgeon  in  the  IGlsl  N.  Y.  Regt.,  became  acting  surgeon  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  and 
had  charge  of  a  hospital  there  for  one  j'ear,  when  he  resigned  on  account  of  ihness. 
He  was  for  many  years  connected  with  the  Hornellsville  Times,  and  long  a  local 
leader  in  the  Republican  party.  He  was  postmaster  of  Bath  from  February  12,  1874, 
to  March  4,  1882,  and  surgeon  of  the  Soldiers'  Home  from  March  1,  1882,  to  Septem- 
ber, 1887.  He  married  Amelia  A.,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Smith,  of  Woodhull,  who 
survives  him  and  is  a  physician  in  Hornellsville,  being  a  licentiate  of  the  Steuben 
County  Medical  Society.  Her  family  came  from  Pennsylvania  to  Woodhull,  Steuben 
county,  about  the  first  of  this  century,  and  have  been  prominent  in  local  affairs. 
Edwin  L.  Dolson  was  born  in  Bath,  April  23,  1867,  was  graduated  from  the  Haver- 
ling  Union  School  in  1884,  and  attended  Cornell  College  for  three  years.  Coming  to 
Hornellsville  he  was  for  some  months  city  editor  and  business  manager  of  the  Morn- 
ing Times,  and  in  January,  1888,  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Dolson  & 
Orcutt.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Rochester  in  February,  1891,  and  in  October 
of  the  same  year  commenced  the  active  practice  of  his  profession  in  Hornellsville  in 
partnership  with  his  brother,  Charles  A.  He  has  been  attorney  of  the  city  since 
March,  189:5. 

Sutton,  William  L.,  was  born  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Redding,  Schuyler 
county,  November  6,  1828.  John  Sutton,  the  father  of  William  L.,  was  a  captain  m 
the  war  of  1812.  He  was  a  stone  and  marble  cutter  and  came  to  Steuben  countv 
when  a  young  man,  locating  in  the  town  of  Redding  where  he  married  Catherine 
Lyboult,  a  native  of  Lysander,  Onondaga  county.  He  removed  with  his  family  to 
Penn  Yan  in  1881  where  the  boyhood  of  William  L.  was  spent.  At  eighteen  years 
of  age  William  L.  \<-ent  on  a  whaling  expedition  and  spent  four  years  in  the  tropics. 
He  came  to  Penn  Yan  where  he  spent  one  year  and  engaged  in  the  machine  shop 
and  later  moved  to  Fremont,  in  18r)4  coming  to  Hornellsville  to  work  at  his  trade  of 
machinist.  In  1857  he  bought  out  the  photograph  gallery  of  George  vS.  Young  and  a 
year  later  moved  to  Main  street.  He  was  located  there  until  after  the  war  and  then 
went  into  partnership  with  Carl  Myers,  which  partnership  existed  only  two  years, 
when  Mr.  Sutton  started  alone  on  Seneca  street  and  two  years  later  moved  to  the 
building  now  owned  by  Charles  Strack  on  Canisteo  street.  He  was  then  fifteen 
years  in  the  Griswold  Block  and  in  October,  1890,  moved  to  his  j^resent  location  at 
731  Main  street.  At  the  time  of  his  going  in  business  he  was  the  only  one  making  pho- 
tographs between  Elmiraand  Buffalo  and  made  the  first  photographs  ever  made  in 
this  county.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  photographers  of  this  section  and  has  given 
his  whole  attention  to  his  business.  He  also  conducts  a  branch  gallery  in  Andover. 
Mr.  vSutton  was  two  years  trustee  and  the  same  length  of  time  an  alderman.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  of  Hornellsville  Lodge,  No.  831,  and  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  L  O.  O.  F.  In  1855  he  married  Mary  Ella  Eaton,  by  whom  he  had  three 
children;  Charles  B.,  who  is  in  the  gallery  with  his  father;  Mrs.  Jennie  Chubbuck  of 
Proctor,  111.  ;  and  Mrs.  Josej^h  Burgess  of  LJansville. 

Dorrance,  Lester,  was  born  in  Elklaiid,  Pa.,  June  11,  18;!>5,  son  of  George  and 
Susan  (Hammond)  Dorrance,  he  born  in  Connecticut,  and  she  in  Chemung  county, 
N.  Y.  The  grandfather,  George  G.  Dorrance,  was  born  in  Connecticut,  where  he 
died.  George  Dorrance,  father  of  Lester,  came  to  Elkland  about  1822,  where  lie 
died  in  1888,  and  his  wife,  in  1888       Lester  Dorrance  was  reared  on  the  old  farm  in 


4!)6  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

Elkland,  Pa.  He  came  to  Woodhull  in  1857,  where  he  engaged  in  lumbering  for  fif- 
teen years,  and  the  farm  he  now  owns  was  purchased  by  his  father  in  1855 ;  it  con- 
tains 181  acres.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics  until  General  Grant's  administra- 
tion, when  he  became  a  Democrat,  but  is  now  Independent.  In  1856  he  married 
Hannah  M.  Botton,  of  Elkland,  Pa.,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  One  who  died 
in  infancy;  Clark  B.,  who  died  at  three  years  of  age;  and  Susan  C,  who  resides  at 
home. 

Partridge,  Charles  E.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Prattsburg,  March  31,  1854.  His 
grandfather,  Jonas  Partridge,  was  a  native  of  Vermont,  and  came  to  Barrington,  Yates 
county,  N.  Y.,  with  his  parents,  Jasper  and  Jemima  Partridge,  in  1815.  Jonas  Par- 
tridge came  to  Steuben  county  about  1826  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Prattsburg  on 
Lent  Hill.  He  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade.  He  married  Amelia  Wilson,  by  whom 
he  had  four  sons:  Wilson,  Jasper,  Erastus,  and  David.  Wilson  settled  on  Lent  Hill 
and  later  at  Wallace,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming.  He  married  Zilpha  Olds. 
Jasper  settled  on  Lent  Hill  and  afterward  at  Cohocton.  He  was  a  blacksmith  by 
trade.  He  married  Ehzabeth  Stewart.  David  married  Fannie  Weld  and  settled  on 
Lent  Hill,  where  he  died.  Erastus  was  a  carpenter  by  trade.  He  settled  on  Lent 
Hill,  where  he  died.  He  married  Julia  Rynders,  by  whom  he  bad  five  children : 
James,  who  settled  at  Wallace,  and  is  a  blacksmith  by  trade ;  Jonas,  who  is  a  farmer 
in  Prattsburg;  Jacob,  who  settled  in  Wheeler,  N.  Y.,  and  engaged  in  farming; 
Frances,  who  died  unmarried;  and  Charles  E  ,  who  settled  in  the  town  of  Cohocton, 
and  who  married  Victoria  Terry. 

Cook,  Angeline. — John  Cook  was  born  in  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  January  17,  1815, 
son  of  Reuben  and  Philinda  Cook,  who  were  early  settlers  of  Steuben  county.  Reu- 
ben Cook  laid  out  a  road  from  Westfield  to  Wellsborough,  and  was  highway  com- 
missioner for  twelve  years.  John  Cook  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  was  a  stone 
mason  by  trade.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican  and  was  postmaster  twelve  years. 
He  married  Jane  Forkenter,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Philinda,  Margaret, 
Edgert,  John,  and  Charles.  August  2,  1873,  he  married  Angelina  Gunn,  a  native  of 
Jasper,  and  daughter  of  Charles  and  Joanna  Hulbert  Gunn,  who  came  to  Jasper  at 
an  early  date.  He  died  March  28,  1890.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gunn  were  the  parents  of 
nine  children,  all  of  whom  are  living,  except  one  son,  Richard.  They  attended  the 
Methodist  church.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cook  have  been  born  six  children  :  Charles  G. , 
who  lives  in  Woodhull;  Emma,  who  died  February  6,  1895;  Mary  J.,  who  died  June 
20,  1887;  Minnie,  wife  of  George  Simmons  of  Nelson,  Pa.;  Reuben  who  resides  at 
home ;  and  Edna,  who  is  also  at  home.     Mr.  Cook  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war. 

Rogers,  William  J.,  was  born  in  Troupsburg,  December  4,  1842,  and  is  the  young- 
est of  five  children  born  to  Matthew  and  Ann  (Schoonover)  Rogers,  he  a  native  of 
Vermont,  and  she  of  Pennsylvania.  The  grandparents,  Jonathan  M.  and  Elizabeth 
(Darrin)  Rogers,  came  from  Vermont  to  Barrington,  thence  to  Troupsburg.  They 
were  one  of  the  very  first  familes  of  the  town,  and  went  to  Painted  Post  to  mill.  He 
died  April  8,  1844,  aged  sixty-five  years,  and  his  wife  February  22,  1860,  aged  seventy- 
five  years.  The  parents  of  Elizabeth  Darrin  w-ere  Daniel  and  Martha  Darrin,  na- 
tives of  Ireland,  who  came  to  Troup-sburg  at  an  early  day,  where  they  died,  he  No- 
vember 4,   1839,  aged  eighty-one  years,  and  she  October  16,  1861,  aged  ninety-five 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  497 

5'ears.  Matthew  Rogers  was  a  wheelwright  and  built  the  first  mill  in  Troupsburg. 
He  was  town  clerk  twenty-two  years  and  postmaster  for  many  years  at  Troupsburg. 
He  died  February  19,  1884,  aged  seventy-three  years,  and  she  April  15,  1872,  aged 
fifty-nine  years.  William  J.  Rogers  has  always  followed  farming,  and  in  1864  he 
married  Eliza,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  (Anderson)  Mahoney,  by  whom 
he  had  these  children :  Florence  A.,  wife  of  Frank  Sherman,  a  manufacturer;  Henry 
M.,  farmer  and  carpenter;  Anna  E.,  who  died  in  1887,  aged  fifteen  years;  James  H., 
who  enlisted  in  1891  in  the  regular  army,  and  was  in  attendance  at  West  Point 
Military  Academy;  he  was  drowned  on  Hudson  river,  while  out  with  a  skating  party 
January  24,  1892,  aged  eighteen  years;  Edward  E.,  farmer;  Mary  E.,  teacher; 
Bernard  A.,  who  died  in  infancy;  Margaret,  Dora  V.,  and  Genevieve.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Mahoney  were  natives  of  Ireland  and  came  to  America  during  the  war  of  1812  and 
settled  in  Canada  and  from  there  to  Bufl'alo.  He  was  at  the  battle  of  Lundy's  Lane 
in  the  war  of  1812.  He  also  served  in  Co.  H,  14th  N.  Y.  Heavy  Artillery,  in  which 
he  enlisted  in  the  fall  of  1861,  at  sixty-four  years  of  age,  and  was  honorably  discharged 
the  fall  of  1863  on  account  of  sickness.  He  died  in  Bellevue  Hospital,  New  York 
city,  in  1874.  Mrs.  Mahoney  died  March  10,  1888.  In  1861  Mr.  Rogers  enhsted  in 
Co.  H,  86th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  was  honorably  discharged  September  14,  1864.  He  was 
in  first  and  second  Bull  Run,  Antietam,  Chancellorsville,  Fredericksburg,  Gettys- 
burg, Snow  Flake  Mt.,  etc.,  and  escaped  without  a  wound. 

Sherwood,  Franklin  Dennis,  was  born  in  Wheeler,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  De- 
cember 25,  1841,  the  third  son  of  a  family  of  eight  children  of  James  vSherwood,  a 
Baptist  minister.  James  Sherwood,  the  grandfather  of  Franklin  D.,  was  a  soldier 
of  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  after  the  war  settled  at  Kinderhook,  where  he  made 
his  home  until  about  1820  when  he  brought  his  family  to  Pulteney  in  this  county,  and 
the  family  have  ever  since  remained  in  vSteuben  county.  In  1840,  James  Sherwood 
moved  to  Wheeler  and  lived  there  two  years  and  then  bought  a  farm  in  South  Cam- 
eron where  he  spent  the  balance  of  his  days,  and  died  in  1851.  Salina  Sackett,  the 
mother  of  Franklin  D.,  was  a  native  of  Pulteney,  and  died  at  thirty-eight  years  of 
age.  Franklin  D.  was  given  a  good  common  school  education,  and  at  Dundee 
Academy,  Lima  Seminary  and  Alfred  University.  He  settled  in  Hornellsville 
where  he  became  interested  in  the  mercantile  business  and  conducted  a  store  for 
nine  years,  when  he  engaged  in  the  carriage  business  for  seven  years.  In  1876  he 
was  elected  sheriff  of  the  county,  and  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  he  devoted  his 
attention  to  the  manufacture  of  acetate  of  lime  and  wood  alcohol  in  Allegany  county, 
a  business  he  is  still  engaged  in.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Citizen's  Na- 
tional Bank,  of  which  he  is  now  a  director.  In  1877  he  became  interested  in  the  drug 
business  with  George  T.  Reed  &  Co.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  White 
Goods  factory  of  which  he  is  the  president.  He  is  also  vice-president  of  the  Horn- 
ellsville Electric  St.  R.  R.  Co.  Besides  filling  the  office  of  sheriff,  in  the  fall  of  1891 
he  was  elected  senator  of  the  27th  district,  and  his  seat  with  that  body  was  contested 
on  the  ground  of  being  one  of  the  citj^  park  commisssioners,  and  the  seat  was  given 
to  Walker,  although  he  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  over  1,600.  He  was  also  alder- 
man from  the  3d  Ward  for  two  years.  In  1895  he  became  interested  in  the  hotel 
property,  now  known  as  the  Hotel  Sherwood,  the  leading  hotel  of  this  city.  In  1872 
he  married  Catherine,  daughter  of  David  Conderman,  by  whom  he  had  one  child, 
Kate,  who  is  a  student  of  Hornellsville  academy. 


498  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Sutton,  Marvin  O.,  was  born  in  Marion,  Wayne  county,  N.  Y.,  April  25,  1836,  son 
of  Jason  and  Amanda  (Case)  Sutton,  he  a  native  of  Homer,  N.  Y..  and  she  of  Mar- 
ion, N.  Y.  The  grandfather  spent  his  last  days  in  Homer,  N.  Y.  Jason  Sutton, 
father  of  Marvin,  went  to  Palmyra,  thence  to  Rochester,  and  finally  settled  in  Marion, 
but  died  in  Tioga  county  in  1881,  and  his  wife  died  in  1854.  He  was  a  tailor  by 
trade.  Marvin  O.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  school.  He  is 
a  wagon-maker  by  trade,  and  lived  in  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  and  in  1882  came  to  Wood- 
hull,  purchased  fifty-seven  acres  of  land,  and  makes  a  specialty  of  tobacco  raising. 
December  4,  1859,  he  married  Susan  M.  Smith,  a  native  of  Charleston,  Tioga  county, 
Pa.,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Ellen,  George  H.,  and  Charles  W.  Mr.  Sutton 
enlisted  in  Co.  H,  45th  Pa.  Vols.,  and  served  fourteen  months,  and  lost  his  fore- 
finger in  an  explosion  at  Otter  Island,  S.  C,  by  a  Harper's  Ferry  musket. 

Ostrander,  Ervin,  was  born  in  Jasper,  March  24,  1841,  son  of  John  and  Mary  A. 
(Babcock)  Ostrander,  he  a  native  of  Coxsackie,  Greene  county,  and  his  wife  of  the 
same  county.  They  came  to  Jasper  in  1841,  where  he  died  January  25,  1888.  Ervin 
Ostrander  was  reared  on  what  is  known  as  the  Spaulding  farm.  May  16,  1866,  he 
married  Kate,  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Abigail  ^Eastman)  Huntington,  natives  of 
Greene  county  and  Tompkins  county,  respectively.  John  Huntington,  father  of 
Lewis,  died  in  Greene  count}?,  N.  Y.  The  father  of  Abigail  Eastman  died  in  Alle- 
gany county,  N.  Y.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ostrander  have  two  sons;  Walter  E.,  born  May 
18,  1867,  who  married  Eva,  daughter  of  John  Carter,  and  was  educated  in  ^Canisteo; 
and  Merritt  E.,  born  June  11,  1870,  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and 
Canisteo  Academy. 

May,  Henry  R.,  was  born  in  Bath,  Steuben  county,  in  1828,  son  of  James  May,  a 
native  of  Connecticut,  who  came  to  this  county  about  1815  and  raised  and  reared  a 
familv  of  three  sons  and  one  daughter.  He  was  a  chair  maker  and  died  in  1872,  aged 
eighty-two  years.  When  twenty-one  years  of  age  Henry  R.  May  began  civil  engi- 
neering and  followed  it  in  the  west  about  eight  years,  and  in  1858  came  to  Corning 
where  he  was  conductor  on  the  Erie  railroad  from  that  date  until  1886,  whep  he  es- 
tablished his  present  business  as  manufacturer  and  dealer  in  confectionery. 

Patton,  John  Edwin  Ruthven,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Otsego,  Otsego  county, 
N.  Y.,  May  4,  1826.  John  Patton  (Paton).  his  father,  was  born  in  Perthshire,  Scot- 
land, in  1778,  and  came  to  this  countryin  1800,  and  died  in  January,  1863.  He  married 
Aurelia  Kibbe,  born  in  Monson,  Mass.,  September  23,  1785,  and  died  in  Otsego, 
N.  v..  January  26,  1875.  Her  father,  Jacob  Kibbe,  with  two  brothers  served  during 
the  whole  Revolutionary  war.  They  had  eight  children,  four  of  whom  are  living; 
one  son,  David,  of  the  44th  Wis.  Vols.,  dying  in  the  service  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  in 
1864.  John  E.  R.  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Clinton  Liberal  Institute. 
In  1847  he  engaged  in  teaching,  which  he  followed  until  1852,  when  he  went  to  Cali- 
fornia via  Nicaragua,  where  he  was  engaged  as  special  writer  on  the  Democratic 
State  Journal  of  Sacramento,  the  Golden  Era,  Pacific  Banner,  and  the  Cahfornia 
Temperance  Organ,  the  first  temperance  paper  published  on  the  Pacific  coast.  Re- 
turning in  1853  via  Panama,  he  studied  dentistry  with  Dr.  E.  P.  Byram,  of  Coopers- 
town,  N.  Y.,  and  the  next  year  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Waverly, 
X.  Y,     He  was  also  editor  of  the  Waverly  Advocate,  superintendent  of  schools,  and 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  499 

coroner  of  Tioga  county.  In  1859  he  removed  to  Owego,  N.  Y.,  where  he  continued 
the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  became  axmember  of  the  New  York  State  Militia 
in  1857,  and  was  successively,  third,  second  and  first  sergeant  in  the  44th  Regiment, 
May  24,  1859,  he  was  commissioned  by  Governor  Morgan  .second  lieutenant  in  the 
50th  Regiment.  In  May,  1861,  after  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  and  two  companies 
(Captains  Catlin  and  Barstow)  had  been  sent  from  Owego,  he  was  instrumental  in 
organizing  a  company,  and  was  commissioned,  July  16,  1861,  as  captain  of  it  in'the 
50th  Regt.,  N.  Y.  S.  M.  On  the  16th  of  July  its  services  were  tendered  to  Governor 
Morgan,  and  as  indicating  the  general  nature  of  public  opinion  as  to  the  duration  of 
the  struggle  just  entered  upon,  the  following  extract  from  the  reply  may  not  be  ' 
amiss; 

Adjutant-General's  Office,  Albany,  N.  Y.,  July  32,  1861. 
Capt.  J.  E.  R.  Patton,  50th  Regt.,  N.  Y.  S.  M. : 

Sir — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  to-day  of  yours  of  the  16th  inst. 
containing  a  tender  of  the  services  of  your  company  to  the  Governor.  We  have  no 
means  of  knowing  whether  any  further  requisition  will  be  made  on  this  State  for 
troops, — as  New  York  has  already  furnished  a  much  larger  force  than  has  been  asked 
for,  it  does  not  seem  probable  that  any  additional  call  will  be  made  on  her  for  some 
time  to  come. 

(Signed)  D.  Campbell,  Asst.  Adjt.-Genl. 

Bull  Run  was  fought  the  day  before,  the  "  On  to  Richmond  "  cry  was  answered, 
members  of  Congress  and  others  rode  out  as  on  a  gala  day  to  see  the  back- 
bone of  the  rebellion  broken,  and  one  of  them  at  least  turned  up  in  Richmond  a 
prisoner,  and  the  vision  of  the  rebellion  suppressed  in  100  days  vanished.  July  23, 
on  receipt  of  news  of  the  result  of  the  battle  another  tender  of  the  company  was 
made,  and  on  the  14th  of  August  it  enlisted  for  three  years  or  during  the  war,  and 
singularly  enough  became  Co.  I,  50th  Regt.,  N.  Y.  Vol.  Engineers,  in  which  he  was 
commissioned  captain  by  Governor  Morgan,  July  26,  1861.  The  position  of  lieuten- 
ant-colonel was  offered  to  him  by  Col.  C.  B.  Stuart,  who  raised  the  regiment  as  an 
independent  one,  but  he  preferred  to  remain  with  his  company,  and  did  so  and 
served  with  it  m  Virginia  in  1861,  and  through  the  Peninsular  Campaign,  and  the 
seven  days'  fighting  before  Richmond,  ending  at  Malvern  Hill,  July  1,  1862.  Being 
wholly  disabled  he  was  given  his  discharge  on  a  surgeon's  certificate  July  18,  1852,  at 
Harrison's  Landing,  Va.  July  15,  186B,  he  was  appointed  captain  by  President 
Lincoln  in  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  U.  S.  A.,  retaining  his  rank  in  the  regular 
service,  being  equivalent  to  a  promotion  of  two  or  three  grades  from  the  volunteer 
service.  To  entitle  him  to  the  appointment  a  certificate  of  his  services  in  the  field 
was  required  and  was  furnished  as  follows: 

Headquarters  50th  Regt.,  N.  Y.  V.  Engrs., 

Camp  near  Falmouth   Va.,  June  6,  1863. 

I  hereby  recommend  Capt.  John  E.  R.  Patton,  late  of  this  Regt.,  and  who  was 
honorably  discharged  the  service  on  surgeons'  certificate  of  disability,  in  July, 
1862,  as  being  capable  of  rendering  good  service  in  the  Invalid  Corps,  and  worthy  of 
being  thus  provided  for.  Capt.  Patton  served  zealously  and  faithfully  for  about  one 
year,  when  his  failing  health  compelled  him  to  retire. 

Wm.  H.  Pettes,  Lt.-Col.  Comdg.  50th  Reg.  N.  Y.  V.  Engrs. 

(Endorsement.)     Hd.  Qrs.  Engr.  Brigade  near  Falmouth,  Va.,  June  6,  1863.      Not 


600  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

having  been  in  command  of  this  brigade  during  the  service  of  Capt.  Patton  in  it, 
I  of  course  cannot  testify  personally  as  to  his  merit.  I  can  state,  however,  that  I 
have  full  confidence  in  the  recommendation  of  Lt.-Col.  Pettes  now  Comdg.  the  50th 
N.  Y.  Vol.  Engrs.  H.  W.  Benham,  Brig.  Genl.  Comdg. 

This  service  took  him  into  ten  or  twelve  difiierent  States  of  the  Union,  and  much  of 
the  duty  was  of  a  delicate  and  important  nature.  He  was  also  in  service  at  the 
prison  posts  of  Rock  Island  and  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  111.,  and  during  part  of  the 
winter  of  1864  he  had  command  of  his  regiment,  the  Eleventh  Vet.  Res.,  at  those 
posts.  His  health  being  permanently  impaired,  he  was  honorably  discharged  July 
31,  1864.  March  1,  1865,  he  bought  a  farm  of  220  acres  m  the  town  of  Hornellsville, 
where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  In  1883  and  '84  he  and  his  son  John  E.  visited 
New  York,  Philadelphia  and  Washington,  spending  most  of  the  winter  in  the  latter 
place.  The  following  summer  with  his  son  Charles  he  went  to  Europe,  .spending 
most  of  the  time  in  Scotland,  visitmg  the  birthplace  of  his  father  and  other  places 
of  interest.  He  became  a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance  in  1849,  of  Otsego 
Lodge  No.  163,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  in  1851,  of  Rural  Amity  No.  70,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Athens,  Pa., 
in  1854;  and  is  also  a  member  of  Post  Doty,  G.  A.  R.,  Hornellsville,  and  Arkport 
Grange.  During  his  army  and  other  experiences  he  was  necessarily  thrown  in  con- 
tact with  many  now  prominent  in  American  history  and  among  those  whom  he  has 
met  oflficially  or  socially  have  been  Generals  Sheridan,  Logan,  Rosecrans,  Slocum, 
Arthur  (President),  Benham,  Gresham ;  Admiral  Thatcher  of  the  navy,  Governor 
Curtin  of  Pennsylvania,  Senators  Preston,  King  and  F.  M.  Cockrell  of  Missouri,  and 
others,  who  without  exception  left  the  impre.ssion  of  not  only  sterling  worth  in  their 
official  position  but  as  being  men  of  courteous  manner  and  kindly  natures.  He  mar- 
ried, November  28,  1851,  Sarah  Maria  Noble,  daughter  of  William  Taylor  and  Chris- 
tine Brower  Noble  of  Newark  Valley,  N.  Y.,  granddaughter  of  Capt.  David  Noble 
of  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  who  organized  and  equipped  a  company  at  his  own  expense  in 
the  Revolutionary  war,  and  was  at  the  evacuation  of  Boston  in  1776,  and  died  at 
Skeensborough,  N.Y. ,  August  5,  1776.  Her  maternal  grandfather,  William  Bogar- 
dus  Brower  of  Long  Island,  also  served  throughout  the  Revolutionary  war.  They 
have  five  children,  Christina  Sophie,  educated  at  Claverack  College  and  Hudson 
River  Institute,  who  resides  at  home.  John  Edwin,  educated  at  Alfred  University, 
and  Cortland  Normal  School,  who  after  spending  some  time  in  the  west  now  resides 
at  home,  and  conducts  the  farm.  Charles  Joshua,  educated  at  Alfred  University,  and 
Cortland  Normal  School.  He  is  a  practicing  lawyer  of  Hermosa,  Custer  county, 
South  Dakata,  and  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature.  He  married,  December  26, 
1890,  Alta  A.  Tucker  of  Illinois,  and  has  one  child,  Edwin  J.  J.  Sarah  Janette, 
educated  at  Alfred  University,  and  Cortland  School,  who  is  a  teacher  in  Lincoln 
School,  Hornellsville;  and  Eva  Marion,  who  died  June  13,  1865,  at  Hornellsville, 
X.  Y.,  twenty-one  months  of  age. 

Ferry,  Mrs.  Mary  M.,  is  the  widow  of  the  late  John  Wesley  Ferry,  son  of  John 
Ferry,  one  of  the  pionders  of  Almond.  J.  W.  Ferry  was  born  at  Almond,  Steuben 
county  in  1834.  His  sympathies  were  with  the  Republican  party,  but  he  sought  no 
political  preferment,  being  too  busily  engaged  with  .his  farming  interests  and  stock 
deahng.  He  was  farming  at  Tuscarora  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
July  22,    1892.     In    1885  he   married   Mary   M.,    daughter  of   William  Bennett,    of 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  501 

Honiellsville,  who  died  April  21,  1S7S,  havinj;- been  a  farmer,  and  extensively  en- 
gaged in  the  lumber  business  in  Michigan  at  one  time.  His  father,  Thomas  Ben- 
nett, was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Hornellsville,  where  he  kept  hotel  for  many- 
years.  Mrs.  Ferry  became  a  resident  of  Addison  in  1893,  and  has  one  son,  John  W., 
born  in  1886.  J.  W.  Ferry  had  two  children,  Lester  and  Lena,  at  the  time  of  his 
marriage  with  Mary  M.  Bennett,  who  are  both  living;  his  son  in  Tusearora,  and  his 
daughter  in  Hornellsville. 

Newman,  Andrew  J.,  was  born  in  Sidney,  Delaware  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1835,  son  of 
Francis  A.,  who  was  a  native  of  Oswego  county,  whose  father,  Rev.  Bishop  A.  New- 
man, was  a  prominent  divine,  and  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Francis  A. 
Newman,  jr.,  served  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  in  1816  married  Miss  Alger,  and  re- 
mained in  Otsego  county  until  1819;  there  his  wife  died  and  left  three  children: 
Asseneth,  Filinda  and  William ;  after  which  he  married  his  second  wife,  Sarah  Per- 
hamas,  by  w^hom  he  had  three  children:  John  W.,  Peter,  and  Andrew  J.  In  1855  he 
came  to  Steuben  county  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Wayland  near  Loon  Lake,  and 
engaged  in  farming.  Peter  first  settled  in  Cohocton,  where  he  engaged  in  the  lum- 
ber business,  and  later  settled  in  Wallace.  Andrew  J.  has  been  for  many  years  an 
extensiver  buyer  and  shipper  of  live  stock,  having  also  extensive  farmmg  interests, 
and  for  twelve  years  he  carried  on  a  market  in  Hornellsville,  In  1888  he  settled  in 
the  western  part  of  the  town  of  Cohocton.  For  nearly  thirty-seven  years  he  has  been 
an  official  member  of  the  Loon  Lake  M.  E.  church,  and  for  nineteen  years  superin- 
tendent of  the  Sunday  school.  He  married  Catherine  Mehlenbacher,  by  whom  he 
had  five  children:  Mary  (Mrs.  Frank  Small),  Samuel  W.,  Charles  P.,  Gertrude,  and 
Floyd  W. 

Howe,  William  L.,  and  George  W.,  proprietors  and  editors  of  the  Prattsburg 
News,  are  the  sons  of  the  late  Paul  C.  Howe,  who  was  the  founder,  and  editor  to  the 
time  of  his  death,  of  this  paper.  Paul  C,  the  only  .son  of  Rudolphus  Howe,  was 
born  at  Tnpknock  Corners,  in  the  town  of  Cohocton,  Steirben  county,  November  26, 
1828,  and  upon  the  death  of  his  mother  when  he  was  about  seven  years  of  age,  he, 
and  a  younger  sister,  Emily,  became  members  of  the  family  of  his  father's  sister, 
Mrs.  Harvey  Downs  of  Prattsburg,  where  he  was  reared  on  a  farm.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  Franklin  Academy,  and  quite  early  in  life  became  a  teacher,  and  later 
engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering.  For  a  tim^e  he  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  in  the  village  of  Prattsburg,  but  unfortunately  lost  all  by  fire,  after  which 
he  erected  a  stone  block  on  the  same  site  and  resumed  business.  December  12,  1872, 
he  issued  the  first  number  of  the  Prattsburg  News,  and  henceforth  was  known  and 
recognized  in  a  new  capacity.  When  a  young  man  he  joined  the  Lyceum,  which  for 
several  years  was  one  of  the  valuable  features  of  Prattsburg,  and  there  Mr.  Howe 
developed  that  fluency  of  speech  and  pen,  which  was  one  of  his  best  known  charac- 
teristics. Politically,  Mr.  Howe  was  a  Whig,  but  one  of  the  first  to  identify  himself 
with  the  Republican  party  upon  its  organization,  and  was  always  active  in  looking 
after  the  interests  of  that  party.  He  was  one  of  the  first  to  give  his  time  for  the 
good  of  his  country  in  its  sore  need  by  enlisting  and  organizing  a  company,  which 
went  out  a  hundred  strong.  He  was  practically  interested  in  agricultural  pursuits, 
and  was  one  of  the  original  members  and  organizers  of  the  Prattsburg  Grange,  hav- 
ing been  actively  identified  with  its  work  in  the  county,  as  well  as  at  home.     He  was 


502  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

called  upon  in  various  ways  to  serve  the  people,  and,  whether  individually  or  on 
public  occasions,  he  promptly  responded.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  became  an  effi- 
cient pension  agent,  and  as  such  will  be  gratefully  remembered  by  numerous  house- 
holds in  this  vicinity.  He  was  elected  and  ordained  one  of  the  ruling  elders  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  which  office  he  held  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  also  one 
of  the  commissioners  to  the  General  Assembly  at  the  reunion  in  Pittsburg  in  1870, 
being  elected  by  the  Presbytery  of  Steuben.  In  April,  1848,  he  married  Miss  Abitha 
S.  Alderman  of  Prattsburg,  and  they  reared  three  sons  and  four  daughters.  Mr. 
Howe  died  February  26,  1886;  his  wife  survives  him.  Since  the  death  of  their 
father,  William  L.  and  George  W.,  under  the  name  of  P.  C.  Howe"s  Sons,  have  ably 
continued  the  publication  of  the  Prattsburg  News,  and  have  added  to  their  plant  a 
steam  power  and  large  late  improved  cylinder  press.  The  following,  relative  to  the 
Prattsburg  News,  is  from  the  pen  of  Hon.  John  M.  Francis:  "  The  Prattsburg,  N.  Y., 
News  was  published  by  the  late  Paul  C.  Howe  about  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago. 
Mr.  Howe  pushed  the  enterprise  to  success,  overcoming  discouraging  obstacles,  and 
working  on  to  the  end  with  a  faith  that  never  faltered.  On  his  decease,  several 
vears  ago,  the  interest  passed  into  the  hands  of  his  two  sons,  W.  L.  and  G.  W.  Howe 
— both  indefatigable  workers  and  'chips  of  the  old  block.'  And  their  efforts  have 
been  crowned  with  steady  and  progressive  prosperity.  The  News  takes  rank  among 
the  best  of  country  weeklies,  bearing  in  each  issue  the  news  of  the  week,  with  local 
intelligence  from  villages,  hamlets  and  neighborhoods,  all  of  that  section  of  Northern 
Steuben  and  Southern  Yates  and  Ontario  counties.  The  Messrs.  Howe  may  well  be 
proud  of  their  journalistic  achievements,  as  worthy  .successors  of  their  indefatigable 
father.  The  Troy  Times  sends  greeting  to  them  from  inspirations  of  personal  inter- 
est, the  ties  of  nativit5%  and  refreshing  recollections  of  long  ago,  with  its  best  wishes 
for  continued  prosperity.  The  local  paper  marks  the  progressive  developments  of 
its  town  and  section,  and  from  this  point  of  view  the  citizens  of  Pratt.sburg  may 
felicitate  themselves  upon  the  journalistic  advances  and  creditable  presentation  of 
their  wideawake  News." 

Renchan,  Charles  M.,  is  the  leading  lumber  manufacturer  and  dealer  of  this  part 
o£  the  country,  and  owns  the  largest  and  best  equipped  saw  and  planing  mills  in 
Western  New  York.  In  connection  with  his  mill  is  a  feed  mill,  and  since  1882  he  has 
dealth  largely  in  sash,  doors,  blinds,  and  glass,  and  is  also  a  dealer  in  agricultural 
implements.  His  education  was  begun  in  the  common  schools,  and  when  fourteen 
years  of  age  entered  the  school  at  Bath,  and  when  seventeen  years  of  age,  entered 
the  Rochester  Business  University,  after  which  he  studied  law  two  years  in  Bath, 
and  in  1872  was  called  home  by  his  father  to  take  an  interest  with  him  in  his  large 
farm  and  lumber  manufacturing  business,  he  having  full  control  of  the  bu.siness  from 
the  beginning.  In  1878  he  purchased  from  his  father  the  lumber  interest,  and  in 
1881  took  as  partner,  W.  W.  Allen  of  Bath,  and  the  company  was  known  as  C.  M. 
Renchan  &  Co.,  and  they  purchased  two  other  large  mills,  and  carried  on  an  exten- 
sive business,  their  pay  roll  running  some-  months  as  high  as  89,000.  In  1885  they 
lost  one  mill  by  fire,  and  the  same  year  a  division  w'as  made,  he  retaining  the 
Wheeler  property.  From  1881  to  1888  he  resided  in  Bath,  and  was  elected  village 
trustee  the  first  six  months  there,  and  from  1888  to  1890  he  was  general  superintend- 
ent of  the  construction  work  on  the  Kanona  &  Pratt.sburg  railroad,  furnishing  a  large 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  503 

portion  of  the  timber.  During  1890  to  1893  he  erected,  by  contract,  some  large  plan- 
ing mills  in  Buffal(\  N.  Y.,  and  Pennsylvania,  and  later  engaged  in  contracting  and 
building  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.  In  1898  he  returned  to  Wheeler  and  resumed  his  busi- 
ness. He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  Lodge  in  Hath,  an  honorary  member  of 
the  Edwin  Cook  Hose  Company  in  Bath,  and  while  residing  there  was  a  member  of 
the  Buffalo  City  Commercial  Travelers'  Club.  In  December,  1878,  he  married  Leona 
M.,  daughter  of  Dr.  Reuben  F.  Parkhill  of  Howard,  by  whom  he  had  one  child, 
Minnie.  George  Renchan,  father  of  Charles  M.,  was  born  in  Wheeler.  September 
2:5,  1814,  where  he  still  resides  ou  his  large  farm  of  355  acres.  He  erected  many  saw 
mills  throughout  the  county,  and  in  1852  erected  the  mill  now  operated  by  his  son, 
which  is  known  as  Renchan  Mills.  He  trained  for  forty  years  in  the  State  militia, 
was  promoted  along  the  line  to  captain,  and  during  the  late  war  was  enrolling  officer. 
He  married  Sarah  Rose  of  Wheeler. 

Fowler. — Among  the  early  settlers  of  Cohocton  should  be  mentio,ned  the  name  of 
Adijah  Fowler,  who  was  born  in  West  Winfield,  N.  Y.,  March  12,  1782,  and  was  a 
farmer  at  Bridgewater,  Oneida  county,  N.  Y.,  until  1816,  when  he  moved  to  North 
Cohocton,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  and  engaged  in  farming,  and  the  renting  of  oxen, 
cows  and  sheep,  of  which  he  rented  to  the  early  settlers  of  Cohocton  and  all  the 
neighboring  towns.  He  was  a  friend  to  the  needy,  and  an  enterprising  man  in 
building  up  the  town,  at  which  place  he  died  in  January,  1849,  leaving  a  family  of 
seven  children  of  which  Samuel  G.  Fowler  was  the  only  son  who  spent  his  life  in 
York  State;  who  lived  at  North  Cohocton  the  whole  of  his  life,  with  the  exception  of 
the  years  from  1864  until  1872  when  he  lived  in  Lima,  Livingston  county,  N.  Y. 
where  he  went  to  educate  his  children.  He  was  a  farmer  and  owned  some  600  acres 
of  land  and  was  an  active  business  man,  and  contributed  liberallv  to  erect  the  M.  E. 
church  edifice  in  1846  and  was  an  active  member  of  said  church ;  and  was  a  trustee 
of  the  Union  School  when  the  school  building  was  erected  in  the  year  1874;  and  was 
justice  of  the  peace  for  a  number  of  years.  He  died  in  the  year  1877,  and  left  a 
family  of  four  children:  Noyes  K.,  Franklin  C,  George  S.,  and  Benjamin  A.,  of 
whom  Noyes  K.  and  George  S.  are  the  only  sons  residing  in  York  State,  both  being- 
farmers;  the  former  residing  at  North  Cohocton  and  the  latter  at  Atlanta,  N.  Y. 
Franklin  C.'s  home  being  in  Spartanburg,  S.  C,  and  Benjamin  A.'s  home  in  Chicago, 
111.  All  these  children  of  Samuel  G.  are  honorable  citizens  and  held  positions  of 
public  trust  in  the  town  ;  Noyes  K.  being  the  present  justice  of  the  peace,  which 
position  he  has  held  for  a  number  of  terms. 

Shaut,  Albert,  was  born  in  Herkimer  county,  November  11,  1842.  George  Shaut, 
his  father,  came  to  Avoca,  Steuben  county,  about  1852,  and  settled  near  the  village. 
He  was  a  farmer  b^^  occupation  and  still  resides  in  Steuben  county.  He  married 
May,  daughter  of  Jo.seph  Bowers  of  Herkimer  village,  by  whom  he  had  these  chil- 
dren: Albert,  Sarah  C,  May  J.,  and  Orlando.  Albert  was  educated  in  the  towns  of 
Wheeler  and  Avoca,  and  started  in  life  as  a  farmer,  after  which  he  went  to  peddling 
tin,  from  this  to  hardware  dealing,  and  has  been  in  the  grist  mill  business  for  fifteen 
years,  and  owns  a  mill  which  was  first  established  about  forty-five  years  ago,  and 
which  has  a  capacity  of  500  bushels  of  wheat,  etc.,  every  twenty-four  hours.  He 
marrried  Lucretia  M.,  daughter  of  George  Fox  of  Montgomery  county,  by  whom  he 


504  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

had  four  children;    Mary  E.,   Irving  W. ,  Charles  A.,  and  Ada  C.     Mr.  vShaut  has 
been  collector  of  the  town. 

Eveland,  Daniel,  was  born  April  28,  1837.  His  father,  Jacob  Eveland,  was  born 
in  Pennsylvania,  June  14,  1805,  and  died  in  June,  1887.  In  his  early  day  he  was 
known  as  a  river  man,  pilot  on  barges,  rafts,  etc.,  which  busine^sshe  followed  for  ten 
years,  after  which  he  bought  a  farm  on  Oak  Hill  and  moved  there  about  1832.  In 
Pennsylvania  he  married  Sophia  Kreidler,  who  was  born  Januarj'  4,  1810,  by  whom 
he  had  nine  children:  William,  Susan  Phelps,  Peter,  Catherine  Allen,  Daniel,  Wes- 
ley, Harry,  Robert  P.,  and  Henry  N.  Daniel  Eveland  has  always  followed  farming, 
and'  he  and  his  wife  now  own  380  acres  of  land.  In  Rogersville,  in  1874,  he  built  a 
beautiful  and  commodious  house,  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  town  clerk  of 
Dansville  in  1876,  and  has  held  the  office  of  commissioner  of  highways  for  four  years, 
which  ofhce  he  still  holds.  In  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  in  December,  1858,  he  married 
Lvdia  Ann  Bowers,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Lizzie,  who  was  born  June  28, 
1860,  and  married  Leroy  Kingsle3%  and  they  have  one  child,  Verna  B.,  who  was  born 
October  26,  1883;  Frank  U..  who  was  born  October  20.  1866,  and  married  Ida  May 
Hartman  ;  and  Irwin  B.,  who  was  born  October  29,  1879. 

Shaver,  Lorenzo,  was  born  October  12,  1849.  His  grandfather,  Pecer  Shaver,  was 
born  at  Camillus,  N.  Y.,  and  died  in  March,  1882,  aged  eighty-eight  years.  He  set- 
tled in  East  Wayland  about  1819,  where  there  were  but  two  neighbors  near.  Dr. 
Warren  Patchin  on  the  place  where  Lorenzo  now  resides,  and  the  Hesses.  In  1816 
Peter  married  Eunice  Tryon,  who  was  born  in  Camillus,  N.  Y. ,  in  1796,  by  whom  he 
had  four  sons:  Truman,  Porter,  Stephen,  and  Enoch,  who  died  in  1880,  aged  fifty- 
one  years.  Stephen  Shaver,  father  of  Lorenzo,  married  Julana  Shoots,  born  in 
Wayland,  in  1828,  by  whom  he  had  eleven  children:  Lorenzo,  born  October  12,  1849; 
Henry,  born  in  1850;  Parsons,  born  in  1851 ;  Hosea,  born  in  1853;  Martha  Hunt,  born 
in  1855;  Electa  Rowley,  born  in  1857;  Freeman,  borni  n  1859;  Jonah  ,born  in  1862; 
Deborah  Cole,  born  in  1867;  Bert,  born  in  1872  He  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade. 
Lorenzo  Shaver  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  East  Wayland,  after  which 
he  engaged  in  farming  and  fruit  growing,  which  business  he  still  follows.  He  is  a 
member  of  Wayland  Lodge  No.  176,  I.  O.  O.  F.  At  Wayland,  N.  Y.,  in  1872,  he 
married  Eliza,  daughter  of  Foster  Weld,  born  m  Cohocton,  Januar}-  17,  1851,  and 
died  in  1883.  They  had  eight  children;  Viola,  born  June  5,  1877;  Dale,  born  July 
21,  1879;  and  Alta,  born  July  1,  1881.  Mr.  Shaver  married  for  his  second  wife, 
Louisa  Hurzeler,  born  at  Wayland,  May  22,  1860,  by  whom  he  has  one  daughter. 
Pearl  E.,  born  November  12,  1888. 

Haag,  Nicholas,  was  born  in  Avon,  N.  Y.,  November  9,  1856,  son  of  Matthias 
Haag,  a  native  of  Germany,  who  came  to  America  about  1855  and  settled  at  Avon, 
where  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Erie  Railroad  Co.  as  section  foreman  until  1861, 
when  he  came  to  Cohocton  and  in  1874  purchased  a  farm  west  of  the  village,  where 
he  lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  March,  1894.  He  was  a  prosperous 
farmer  and  a  prominent  member  of  St.  Pius  R.  C.  church  of  Cohocton.  He  married 
Catherine  Geiger,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Nicholas,  who  is  a  successful  farmer,  a 
strong  Democrat,  and  a  member  of  St.  Pius  R.  C.  church.  He  married  Margaret, 
daughter  of  Peter  Shults,  deceased,  of  Cohocton. 


FAMILY  SKETCHES.  505 

Manning,  Stanley,  was  born  in  Ithaca,  Tompkins  county,  February  23,  1832.  John 
Manning,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  was  among  the  first  settlers 
in  the  town  of  Ithaca,  and  married  Hannah,  daughter  of  Daniel  Brow  of  Tompkins 
county,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Daniel,  Lydia,  Richard,  Elizabeth,  Van,  and 
Stanley.  Stanley  Manning  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  Ithaca,  after 
which  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  125  acres.  He  married  Clara, 
daughter  of  Daniel  Williams,  by  whom  he  had  five  children :  Andrew,  Anna,  Sidney 
J.,  Oliver,  and  Edith.  Mr.  Manning  has  been  assessor  for  three  years,  is  a  member 
of  the  M.  E.  church,  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat. 

Goodrich,  Franklin  N.,  was  born  in  Pulteney,  N.  Y.,  May  8,  1857.  Alonzo  Good- 
rich, father  of  Frankhn  N.,  was  born  in  'Naples,  Ontario  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1831.  He 
was  a  carpenter,  wagonmaker,  and  vineyardist,  and  came  to  Pulteney  about  1852, 
where  he  died  in  1888.  He  married  Rachel,  daughter  of  Peter  McConnell,  of  Pulte- 
ney, by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Gertrude,  George  E.,  and  Franklin  N.  His 
wife  died  in  1872.  Franklin  N.  Goodrich  was  educated  in  the  common  school,  and 
at  sixteen  years  of  age  he  found  employment  in  a  basket  factory,  and  when  twenty 
years  of  age,  engaged  as  clerk  in  a  general  store,  where  he  remained  until  1887,  when 
he  purchased  the  store  and  continued  the  business  In  1888  he  erected  the  fine  two- 
•story  double  brick  store,  50  x  120  feet ;  in  one-half  of  this  building  he  carries  on  an 
extensive  general  merchandise  business,  in  the  other  part  a  hardware  business  is 
carried  on,  and  the  upper  portion  comprises  two  large  halls,  and  is  leased  by  the 
Grand  Army  Post  and  Odd  Fellows  Lodge;  he  is  a  member  and  treasurer  of  the 
latter  order.  In  addition  to  his  mercantile  business  he  owns  and  conducts  two  large 
vineyards.  In  1880  he  married  Eugenie  S.,  daughter  of  Dwight  Godfrey,  of  Pulte- 
ney, by  whom  he  had  three  children :  Dwight,  Grace,  and  Margaret. 

Eveland,  Isaac,  was  born  in  Wayne,  N.  Y.,  May  13,  1848,  son  of  Abel  and  Matilda 
(Houck)  Eveland,  he  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  she  of  Wayne,  N.  Y.  In  early  life 
Abel  Eveland  took  to  the  study  of  law,  and  has  made  the  practice  of  law  and  specu- 
lating his  life  work.  He  has  spent  a  number  of  years  in  the  West  where  he  now 
owns  considerable  property.  He  now  resides  at  Bradford,  N.  Y.  Isaac  Eveland 
was  reared  in  the  village  of  Bradford.  He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  when 
3'oung,  which  business  he  followed  until  1875,  when  he  bought  the  farm  he  now  owns 
and  where  he  has  since  resided.  In  1875  he  married  Carrie,  daughter  of  James  and 
Eunice  Loree  of  Tyrone.  Mr.  Eveland  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  been  col- 
lector and  justice  of  the  peace,  and  is  now  road  commissioner.  He  is  a  member  of 
Jersey  Lodge. 

Rubright,  C.  A.,  was  born  in  Meilhousen,  Prussia,  May  14,  1842,  and  came  to 
America  in  1845,  locating  in  Maryland,  where  his  father  died  on  April  8,  1850.  In 
the  year  1857  he  learned  the  bricklayer's  trade.  On  December  5,  1865,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Amelia  C.  Transue  of  Easton,  Pa.,  whose  grandfather  was  a  Revolutionary 
soldier.  They  have  three  children,  Carrie  M.,  William  C,  and  Dorman  R.  Mr. 
Rubright  is  at  the  present  time  president  of  the  Corning  Brick  and  Terra  Cotta  Co. , 
and  commander  of  the  W.  W.  Hayt  Post,  No.  276,  Corning.  He  enlisted  m  the 
United  States  service  July  12,  1861,  as  private  in  Co.  F,  106th  Pa.  Vol.  Inft.  to  serve 
three  years:  re-enlisted  on  the  field  in  the  same  company  and  regiment,  wasassigned 
111 


506  LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 

to  Gibbons's  Division,  Second  Corps,  and  participated  in  the  following  battles:  York- 
town,  Va.,  April  5  to  May  4,  1862;  Fair  Oaks,  May  31  to  June  1  ;  Gaines  Mills,  June 
27;  Malvern  Hill,  July  1;  Antietam,  Md.,  September  IT;  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  De- 
cember 11  to  15;  Chancellorsville,  May  1  to  8,  1863;  Gettysburg,  July  1  to  3;  Mine 
Run,  November  26;  Petersburg,  June  22,  1864.  He  was  home  on  veteran's  furlough 
during  the  Wilderness  campaign,  and  rejoined  his  regiment  in  front  of  Cold  Harbor. 
At  Petersburg,  June  22,  1864,  he  was  wounded  by  a  gunshot  in  the  left  leg  and  also 
taken  prisoner;  was  at  Andersonville  prison,  where  he  was  confined  until  honorably 
discharged  June  7,  1865,  by  reason  of  the  close  of  the  war. 

Lieders,  O.  F.,  was  born  in  Berlin,  Germany,  October  31,  1859.  His  father,  Lud- 
wig  Lieders,  was  born  in  Germany,  and  died  in  New  York  city,  in  1876,  aged  fifty- 
three  vears.  He  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1871.  His  wife  Maria,  was  also  born 
in  Germany,  and  died  in  New  York  city  in  1877.  They  had  five  children:  Otto 
Frederick,  as  above;  Julia,  who  was  born  in  Berlin,  in  1861,  wife  of  John  Wittoke, 
and  resides  in  Detroit,  Mich;  Emma,  who  was  born  in  Berlin,  in  1862,  and  resides  in 
Detroit,  Mich.;  Carl,  who  was  born  in  London,  in  1864,  deceased;  and  Hugo,  who 
was  born  in  Freiburg,  Germany,  in  1866,  and  resides  in  Detroit,  Mich.  Otto  Fred- 
erick Lieders  conducted  the  hotel  known  as  the  Piersons  House,  at  East  Aurora.  X. 
Y.,  one  year,  after  which  he  became  proprietor  of  the  Bryant  House,  of  Wayland 
from  April  1,  1888,  to  April  1,  1892,  and  from  July  15,  1891,  to  April,  1S95,  he  con- 
ducted the  Warner  House,  at  Cohocton,  N.  Y.  At  that  date  he  returned  to  Waj^- 
land  and  assumed  the  proprietorship  of  the  Bryant  House.  At  AVayland,  N.  Y., 
Mav  3,  1885,  he  married  Helena  Wolff,  born  at  Savona,  N.  Y.,  September  5.  1855, 
bv  whom  he  had  four  children:  Otto,  born  June  3,  1886;  Carl,  born  September  21, 
1887;  Julia,  born  June  3,   1889;  and   Emma,  born  November  10,  1891. 


INDEX. 


Addison  Advertiser,  230 
Hill,  307 
Record,  331 
Addison,  town  of,  39 

first  officers  of,  41 

first  settlers  of,  40 

population  of,  42 

present  officers  of,  42 

schools  of,  44 

supervisors  of,  41 
village  of,  303 

incorporation  of,  305 

schools  of,  306 
Allison,  William,  111 
Anti-i'ent  convention,  list  of  delegates  t( 

the,  28 
Arkport,  120,  307 
Atlanta,  308 

Aulls,  William  and  Thomas,  1(54 
Avoca  Advance,  231 
Avoca,  town  of,  44 

first  officers  of,  47 

first  settlers  of,  45 

population  of,  48 

present  officers  of,  47 

schools  of,  49 

supervisors  of,  47 
village  of,  309 

Baker,  Samuel,  Capt.,  66 
Baldwin,  John,  223 
Bank,  First  National,  of  Corning,  275 
Bar  of  Steuben  county,  214 
present,  of  Steuben,  225 
Barnes,  Washington,  220 
Bartles,  Frederick,   171 

Philip,  63 
Bath   Gazette   and  Genesee   Advertiser, 
228 

Plaindealer,  230 
Bath,  town  of,  49 

first  officers  of,  55 
first  settlers  of,  51 
justices  of  the  peace  of,  56 


Bath,  population  of,  60 

present  officers  of,  57 
schools  of,  61 
settlement  of,  49 
supervisors  of,  56 
town  clerks  of,  56 
village  of,  243 

agricullural  society,  251 
banks  of,  258 

centennial  celebration,  254 
Davenport  Home  at,  253 
fire  department,  248 
incorporation  of,  247 
manufactures  of,  257 
schools  of,  249 
Soldiers'  Home  at,  252 
view  of,  in  1804,  245 
water  works,  249 

Bemis,  Horace,  224 

Benham,  William,  150 

Bennett,  Solomon,  118 

Benton,  Daniel  L.,  224 

Berry,  Charles  H.,  222 

Biven,  Joseph,  82 

Blake,  Dominick  Theophilus,  218 

Bonham,  William  E.,  220 

Bonny,  Luke,  154 

Bmdford,  town  of,  63 

first  officers  of,  64 
first  settlers  of,  63 
population  of,  65 
l^resent  officers  of,  65 
schools  of,  65 
supervisors  of,  65 
village,   311 

Brakley,  Abraham,  213 
George  B.,  215 

Brookins,  Benjamin,  111 

Brotzman,  sr. ,  Nicholas,  130 

Brown,  Ehsha,  118 
F.  B.  &  Son,  233 
Llewelyn  H.,  236 

Brundage,  Abraham,  Capt.,  187 
R.  L.,  223 


508 


LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 


Buchanan,  William,  44 
Buena  Vista,  311 
Bunnell,  A.  H.,  335 
Burns,  311 

Calkins,  Frederick,  87 
Cameron,  Charles,  49 
Cameron  Mills,  312 
Cameron,  town  of,  66 

first  settlers  of,  66 
population  of,  b8 
present  officers  of,  69 
schools  of,  69 
supervisors  of,  68 
village,  312 
Campbell,  Robert,  Rev.,  70 

jr.,  Robert,  219 
Campbell,  town  of,  70 

first  officers  of,  72 
first  settlers  of,  71 
population  of,  72 
present  officers  of,  72 
,  schools  of,  73 

supervisors  of,  72 
village,  313 
Canal  appraiser,  34 

commissioner,  34 
Canisteo  Academy,  314 
Tidings,  231 
Times,  231 
Valley  Times,  234 
Canisteo,  town  of,  73 

first  officers  of,  76 
first  settlers  of,  74 
hamlets  of,  77 
population  of,  75 
present  officers  of,  76 
schools  of,  78 
supervisors  of,  76 
villages  in,  77 
■     village  of,  313 

business  of,  316 
incorporation  of,  315 
IDublic  improvements  of,  315 
secret  societies  of,  317 
Catawba,  322 
Caton,  town  of,  79 

first  officers  of,  80 
first  settlers  of.  79 
population  of,  80 
present  officers  of,  80 
schools  of,  81 
supervisors  of,  81 
village,  318 
Champlain,  Samuel  de,  5 
Chatfield,  Andrew  G.,  222 
Church,  Advent  Christian,  Fremont,  259 
African    Methodist    Episcopal   Zion, 
Bath,  373 


Church,  Baptist,  Addison,  374 

Bath,  372 

Bradford,  365 

Cameron,  360 

Campbell,  361 

Canisteo,  358 

Caton,  361 

Corning,  278 

Dansville,  364 

East  Troupsburg,  363 

Hartsville,  363 

Hornby,  377 

Howard,  364 

Jasper,  355 

Lindley,  378 

Painted  Post,  377 

Prattsburg,  369 

South  Bradford,  365 

Towlesville,  364 

Troupsburg,  363 

Urbana,  367 

Wayne,  365 
Catholic,  Cameron,  360 

Cameron  Mills,  378 

Campbell,  361 

Prattsburg,  370 
Christ  Episcopal,  Corning,  277 
Christ    Protestant    Episcopal,    Hor- 

nellsville,  293 
Christian,  Cameron,  360 

Greenwood,  357 

Ingleside,  370 

Wayland,  362 
Clinton,  Thurston,  362 
Congregational,  Corning,  278 
East   Avenue    Methodist    Episcopal 

Hornellsville,  291 
Evangelical  Lutheran,  Avoca,  375 

Fremont  Center,  359 

Zion,  Cohocton,  376 
First  Baptist,  Hornellsville,  294 
First  Presbyterian,  Hornellsville,  291 
Free  Baptist,  Woodhull,  357 
Free  Methodist,  Atlanta,  376 

Caton,  361 

Corning,  278 

Lindley,  378 
Freewill  Baptist,  Troupsburg,  363 

Tuscarora,  378 
German   Evangelical,   Wayland,  362 
German  Lutheran,  Corning,  278 
Hartshorn    Presbyterian,     Hornells- 
ville, 292 
Independent,  Lindley,  378 
Methodist  Episcopal,  Addison,  374 

Avoca,  375 

Bath,  371 

Cameron,  359 

Campbell,  361 


INDEX 


509 


Church,  Methodist,  Canisteo,  358 

Caton,  360 

Cohocton,  375 

Corning,  277 

Dansville,  364 

Fremont,  359 

Greenwood,  357 

Hartsville,  363 

Hornby,  377 

Howard,  365 

Jasper,  356 

Lindley,  378 

Painted  Post,  377 

Prattsburg,  369 

Rathbone,  378 

Rexville,  357 

South  Bradford,  365 

Thurston,  361 

Troupsburg,  363 

Tuscarora,  378 

Urbana,  367 

Wayland,  362 

Wayne,  365 

Wheeler,  368 

Woodhull,  356 
Methodist  Protestant,  Arkport,  354 
of  the  Redeemer,  Protestant  Episco- 
pal, Addison,  374 
of  the  Sacred  Heart,  Catholic,  362 
Park  Methodist  Episcopal,  Hornells- 

ville,  290 
Presbyterian,  Addison,  373 

Arkport,  354 

Bath,  370 

Cameron,  359 

Campbell,  361 

Canisteo,  358 

Caton,  360 

Cohocton,  375 

Corning,  276 

Hammondsport,  367 

Hornby,  377 

Howard,  364 

Jasper,  355 

Painied  Post,  377 

Prattsburg,  368 

Wayne,  365 

Wheeler,  367 

Woodhull,  356 
St.   Andrew's  Protestant   Episcopal, 

366 
St.  Ann's  Catholic,  Hornellsville,  292 
St.  Catherine's  Catholic,  Addison,  374 
St.   Gabriel's  Catholic,    Hammonds- 
port,  367 
St.    James'    Episcopal,    Hammonds- 
port,  366 
St.  Joachim's  Catholic,  Canisteo,  359 


Church,  St.  John's  Protestant  Episcopal, 
Wayne,  365 
St.  Joseph's  Catholic,  Wayland,  364 
St.  Mary's  Catholic,  Bath,  372 
Corning,  278 
Rexville,  327 
St.    Paul's     Evangelical     Lutheran, 

Hornellsville,  294 
St.  Paul's  German  Lutheran,  Cohoc- 
ton, 376 
St.  Peter's  Catholic,  Cohocton,  476 
St.    Peter's  German   Lutheran,   Per- 

kinsville,  362 
St.  Thomas's   Protestant  Episcopal, 

Bath,  371 
Seventh  Day  Baptist,  Hartsville,  363 
South  Side  Baptist,  Hornellsville,  294 
South  Side  Methodist  Episcopal,  Hor- 
nellsville, 291 
Union  Baptist,  Woodhull,  356 
Universalist,  Cohocton,  376 
Dansville,  364 
Greenwood,  357 
Weslevan    Methodist,    Buena  Vista, 
365  ' 

Dyke,  377 
Fremont,  359 
North  Cohocton,  376 
West  Jasper,  356 
Cleland,  Jonas,  Capt.,  187 
Cohocton  Index,  232 
Cohocton,  town  of   82 

first  officers  of,  84 
first  settlers  of,  82 
population  of,  86 
present  officers  of,  84 
schools  of,  87 
supervisors  of,  84 
Valley  Times,  232 
village  of,  318 
Columbia  Wine  Company,  the,  327 
Controversy    between     New    York    and 

Massschusetts,  21 
Cook,  John,  221 

Constant,  258 
Cooper,  George  D.,  213,  216 
Cooper's  Plains,  320 
Corning  Company,  the,  260 
Corning,  city  of,  259 
banks  of,  274 
Board  of  Trade,  274 
Brick  and  Terra  Cotta  Works  of, 

272 
churches  of,  276 
court  house  of,  276 
early  developmenf  of,  262 
glass  industry  at,  270 
incorporation  of,  267 


510 


LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 


Corning,  city  of,  iron  works  at,  278 
manufactures  of,  270 
officers  of,  268 
schools  of,  268 
secret  societies  of,  278 
Soi:thern  Tier  Mills  at,  273 
water  works,  270 
village  incorporation  of,  265 
Democrat,  233 
Glass  Works."  the,  271 
Iron  Works,"  273 
Journal,  232 
Corning,  town  of,  87 

first  settlers  of,  89 
population  of,  91 
present  officers  of,  92 
schools  of,  93 
supervisors  of,  92 
Coryell,  Vincent  Matthews,  221 
Cotton,  Henry  G.,  222 
County  clerks,  37 
divisions,  30 
judges,  36 
organizations.  1 
treasurers,  38 
Court  Chancery,  209 
Common  Pleas,  212 
County,  210 
houses,  32 
of  Appeals,  206 
Supreme,  207 

Supreme,  general  terms  of  the,  208 
Surrogate's,  212 
Courts,  evolution  of  the,  205 

Steuben  county,  213 
Craig,  Andrew,  157 
Crosby,  Benjamm,  118 
Cruger,  Daniel,  Gen.,  217 
Curtis,  321 
Cuyler,  William  Howe,  217 

Daily  Press,  Hornellsville,  236 
Dansville,  town  of,  94 

first  officers  of,  96 

first  settlers  of,  95 

present  officers  of,  97 

schools  of,  98 

supervisors  of,  97 
Davenport    Home   for    Female    Orphan 

Children,  253 
Dennis,  Rodney,  224 
De  Wolf,  T.  S.,  233 
District  attorneys,  38 
Donahe,  Perry  S.,  220,  228 
Dunn,  WiUiam,  213 
Dyke,  321 

Early  discoveries,  3 


East  Troupsburg,  321 

Edwards,  George  C,  219 

Erwin,  Arthur,  Col.,  99 

Erwin,  town  of,  98 

first  officers  of,  102 
first  settlers  of,  100 
population  of,,  103 
present  officers  of,  102 
supervisors  of,  102 
village,  321 

Fairman,  Charles  G.,  229 

Faulkner,  Daniel  P.,  94 

Fay,  Frank  A.,  231 

Ferenbaugh,  321 

Ferris,  Alfred  P. ,  320 

Franklin  Academy,  339 

Freeman,  321 

Fremont,  town  of,  104 

first  officers  of,  105 
first  settlers  of,  104 
hamlets  in,  107 
population  of,  106 
present  officers  of,  105 
schools  of,  106 
supervisors  of,  105 

French  and  English  rivalry,  6 
influence,  growth  of,  11 
power,  extinction  of,  13 

Fulkerson,  William  M.,  143 

Gang  Mills.  322 

Gaylord,  A.sa.  Major,  187 

Germania  Wine  Cellars,  the,  327 

Gibbs,  Anson.  221 

Gibson's  Landing,  322       » 

Glass  works  at  Corning,  270 

Goodhue  Lake,  322 

Goodhue,  Bert,  236 

Grants,  conflicting,  5 

Graves,  George  R.,  222 

Green,  Phones,  66 

Greenhow,  W.  H.,  234 

Greenwood,  town  of,  107 

first  officers  of,  108 
first  settlers  of,  108 
population  of,  110 
present  officers  of,  109 
supervisors  of,  109 
village,  323 

Hadley,  Richard,  66 

William,  150 
Haight,  Samuel  S.,  217 
Hakes,  Harlo,  224 
Hale,  John  K.,  223 
Hammond,  Samuel  H.,  219 
Hammondsport,  323 


INDEX. 


511 


Hammondsport,  business  of,  ;^2S 
incorporation  of,  325 
schools  of,  828 
wine  industry  at,  :'>26 
Hammondsport  Herald,  28() 
Hammondsport  Wine  Company,  the,  827 
Harding,  Oliver,  Hi) 
Harmonvville  (Pultenev  V.  ().),  82!» 
Harrison,  Cuthbert,  219 
Hart,  Charles  N.,  112 
Hartford  Convention,  the,  22 
Hartsville,  town  of,  110 

first  officers  of,  112 

first  settlers  of.  111 

population  of,  112 

present  officers  of,  118 

schools  of,  118 

supervisors  of,  118 
Hartsville  Center  (Purdv  Creek    P.   O.), 

829 
Haskinville,  380 

Haverling  Union  Free  school,  250 
Hawkes&  Co.,  T.  G.,  272 
Hawley,  William  M.,  223 
Heermans,  Harry,  208 
Herridon,  Isaac  C.,  222 
Herron,  Joseph,  222 
Highup,  380 
Hoare&Co.,  J..  272 
Homeopathic  Medical   Societv,    Steuben 

County,  241 
Hood,  John,  Capt.,  113 
Hooker,  Richard,  82 
Hornby,  town  of,  114 

first  officers  of,  115 

first  settlers  of,  114 

population  of,  115 

present  officers  of,  1 1  (i 

schools  of,  117 
'      supervisors  of,  110 
village,  330 
Hornell,  George,  120 
Hornell  Library,  the,  290 
Hornellsville  Academy  of  Medicine,  242 
Hornellsville,  city  of,  280 

banks  of,  295 

churches  of,  289 

early  growth  of,  281 

Forty-seventh  Separate  Co.,   N. 
G.'S.  N.  Y.,  of,  297 

government  of,  285 

Hornell  Library  at,  290 

hotels  of,  800 

incorporation  of,  285 

lighting  companies,  298 

manufactures  of,  298 

St.    James   Mercy    Hospital    at, 
28(J 


Hornellsville,  city  of,  schools  of,  2SS 

secret  .societies  of,  301 

Steuben  Sanitarium  A.ssociatiou 
at,  297 

water  works,  297 

Co-operative  Loan  and  Savings 
A.ssociation,  297 
Hornellsville  Medical  and  Surgical  Asso- 
ciation, 242 
Hornellsville,  town  of,  118 

first  officers  of,  122 

first  settlefs  of,  118 

justices  of  the  peace  of,  124 

population  of,  123 

present  officers  of,  125 

supervisors  of,  128 

town  clerks  of,  124 
Hornellsville  Tribune,  284 

village  incorporation  of.  284 
Hough,  E.  H.,  285 
Houghton,  jr.,  Amory,  271 
Howard,  town  of,  12(i 

first  officers  of,  12S 

first  settlers  of,  126 

population  of,  128 

schools  of,  129 

supervisors  of,  128 
village,  331 
Howell,  Edward,  217 

William,  219 
Howe's  Sons,  P.  C,  230 
Hull,  Henry  H.,  229 

Indian  occupation,  evidences  of,  19 
Ingleside,  331 
Iroquois  confederacy,  7 
Irvine,  William,  222' 

Jamison.  John,  Capt.,  118 
Jasper,  town  of,  130 

first  officers  of,  132 
first  settlers  of,  181 , 
population  of,  138 
present  officers  of,  138 
supervisors  of,  188 
village,  381 
Jesuits,  the.  9 
Johnson,  Daniel,  182 
Sir  William,  15 
Thomas  A.,  214 
Jury  districts,  38 
Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court,  36 

Kanona,  338 

Kersey,  William,  213,  228 

Keuka,  388 

Leland,  Ziba  A.,  217 


512 


LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 


Lieutenant-Governor,  34 
Lindley,  town  of,  134 

first  officers  of,  138 

first  settlers  of,  136 

population  of,  139 

present  officers  of,  138 

schools  of,  139 

supervisors  of,  138 
village,  3.:!3 
Lindsley,  Eleazer,  Col.,  135,  213 
Longwell,  Azariah,  222 
Lynn,  333 

McCall,  A.  Ellas,  230 

Ansel  J.,  50,  221,  228 
McConnell  Company,  the,  298 
McMaster,  David,  218 

Guy  H.,  220 
Hasten,  Joseph  G.,  219 
Matthews,  Vincent,  218 
Maxwell,  Hugh, 'Col.,  25 
Maynard,  John,  222 
Medical  science,  evolution  of,  237 

Association,   Southern  Tier  Homeo- 
pathic, 242 

Society,  Steuben  County,  239 
Members  of  assembly,  35 
Middlebrook,  George  N.,  222 
Missionaries,  early,  12 
Mitchellsville,  333 
Morris,  Robert,  26 
Mowers,  C.  B.,  231 

Nash,  Asa  and  Uriah,   114 

Neil's  Creek,  333 

Newell,  H.  B.,  236 

Newspaper,  the  first,  228 

New  York  and  Genesee  Land  Company, 

22 
Niagara  Genesee  Land  Company,  22 
North  Cohocton,  334 
North  Urbana,  334 

Olmstead,  Abraham  V.,  175 
Osnicup,  James  N.,  231 

Painted  Post,  333 

"Painted  Post,"  the,  19 

Park,  R.  C,  236 

Patterson,  Ephraim  and  Ichabod,  87 

Pavne,  Alvin  P.,  222 

Pefkinsville,  337 

Phelps,  Oliver,  23,  24 

Phelps  and  Gorham  Purchase,  the,  23 

Piatt,  Henry  N.,  224 

Pleasant  Valley  Wine  Company,  the,  327 

Port  Glen  Wine  Company,  328 

Pratt,  George  W.,  Dr.,  232 


Pratt,  Harry  H.,  233 

Joel,  Capt.,  140 
Prattsburg  News,  236 
Prattsburg,  town  of,  140 

first  settlers  of,  141 

population  of,  143 

present  officers  of,  143 

schools  of,  144 

supervisors  of,  143 
village,  337 
Presho,  341 

Presidential  electors,  34 
Proctor,  Clarence  C,  231 
Pulteney  and  Hornby  titles,  the,  27 
Pulteney,  town  of,  145 

first  officers  of,  147 

first  settlers  of,  146 

population  of,  149 

present  officers  of,  147 

schools  of,  149 

supervisors,  147 

Rathbone,  town  of,  150 

first  officers  of,  150 
first  settlers  of,  150 
population  of,  150 
present  officers  of ,  150 
schools  of,  151 
supervisors  of,  150 
Rathboueville,  341 
Rathbun,  Job  B.,  104 
Read,  L.  H.,  219 
Reed,  James,  Capt,  188 
Regiment,  Twenty-third,  191 
Thirty-fourth,  192 
Thirty-fifth,  193 
Seventy-eighth,  193 
Eighty-sixth,  194 
One  Hundredth,  196 
One  Hundred  and  Second,  197 
One  Hundred  and  Seventh,  197 
One  Hundred  and  Forty-first,  199 
One  Hundred  and  Sixty-first,  200 
One  Hundred  and  Seventy-fifth,  201 
One  Hundred     and     Seventy-ninth, 

202 
One    Hundred    and     Eighty-eighth, 
202  .      -      ^ 

One     Hundred    and    Eighty-ninth, 

202 
First  Artillery,  204 
Fourth,  Heavy  Artillery,  204 
First  Veteran,  Cavalry,  203 
Second  Veteran,  Cavalry,  203 
Sixth  Cavalry,  203 
Twenty-second  Cavalry,  203 
Second,  Mounted  Rifies,  203 
Representatives  in  Congress,  34 


INDEX. 


513 


Revolution,  after  the,  20 
Revolution,  events  preceding  the,  15 

the  Indians  in  the,  16 
Rexville,  342 

ReyiTolds,  Thomas  J.,  223 
Rhodes,  William  C. ,  228 
Rice,  Samuel,  40 
Risingville,  343 
Roberts,  Amos,  231 
Robinson,  Anson,  107 
Rochester,  William  B.,  217 
Rogers,  Henry  W.,  219 
Rogersville,  343 

Academy,  343 
Root.'William,  141 
Ross,  Stephen,  213 
Rowley,  Isaac,  79 

Jonathan,  188 
Ruggles,  William  B.,  220 
Rumsey,  David,  215 

William,  215 

St.  James  Mercy  Hospital,  286 
Sanford,  James,  Capt. ,  187 
Saturday  Herald,  Hornellsville,  235 
Savona,  344 

Review,  230 
School  commissioners,  38 
Shannon,  William  E.,  188 
Shapley,  John  P.,  222 
Shattuck.  S    D.,  232 
Sheriffs,  37 

Sherwood,  Henry,  222 
Silsbee,  George  C,  231 
Simpson,  Andrew,  157 
Smead,  Benjamin,  Capt.,  228 
Soldiers'  Home,  New  York  State,  252 
Sonora,  345 
South  Addison,  346 

Bradford,  346 

Howard,  346 

Pulteney,  or  Bluffport,  346 

Troupsburg,  346 
Southern  Steuben  Republican,  236 

Tier   Homeopathic   Medical    Associ- 
ation, 242 
Spencer,  Ebenezer,  157 

George  T. ,  222 
State  senators,  34 
Stephens,  Alexander  H.,  107 

Uriah,  118 

Mills,  346 
Stephenses,  the,  74 
Steuben  and  Allegany  Patriot,  228 
Steuben,  Baron,  31 
Steuben  county  civil  list,  34 
creation  of,  2 
first  officers  of,  32 


Steuben   County   Homeopathic    Medical 
Society,  241 

in  the  war  of  1812,  187 
in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  190 
Medical  Society,  239 
organization  of,  32 
population  of,  189 
poorhouse,  33 
press  of,  226 
the  Indians  in,  18 
Courier,  229 
Democrat,  229 
Farmers'  Advocate,  228 
Messenger,  229 

Sanitarium  Association,  the,  297 
Stevens,  James  H.,  224 
Strong,  Schuyler,  217 
Sullivan's  expedition,  17 

Thomson,  Charles  H.,  221 
Thornton,  Presley,  Major,  58 
Thurston,  town  of,  153 

first  officers  of,  155 

first  settlers  of,  154 

population  of,  155 

present  officers  of,  155 

schools  of,  156 

supervisors  of,  155 
village,  347 
Towlesville,  347 
Tripp,  V.  L.  &  R.  M.,  232 
Troup,  Robert,  Col.,  30 
Troupsburg,  town  of,  156 

first  officers  of,  158 

first  settlers  of,  157 

population  of,  159 

schools  of,  160 

supervisors  of,  158 
village,  347 
Tuscarora,  town  of,  160 

first  officers  of,  163 

first  settlers  of,  161 

population  of,  163 

present  officers  of,  163 

schools  of,  163 

supervisors  of .  163 
Tuttle,  Russell  M. .  235 

Underhill,  A.  L.,  228 

Union  Advertiser,  Wayland,  236 

Urbana,  town  of,  164 

first  officers  of,  166 

first  settlers  of,  165 

population  of,  167 

present  officers  of,  167 

schools  of,  168 

supervisors  of,  166 
Urbana  Wine  Company,  the,  327 


514 


LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 


Van  Yalkenburg,  Robert  B.,  220 

Wall,  T.  C,  23U 

Wallace,  MS 

Waterman,  C.  N..  232 

Wayland  Depot,  357 
Register.  236 

Wayland,  town  of,  168 

first  officers  of,  170 
first  settlers  of,  169 
population  of,  171 
present  officei's  of,  171 
schools  of,  171 
supervisors  of,  170 
village,  348 

Wayne  Four  Corners,  351 

Wayne,  town  of,  171 

first  settlers  of,  172 
present  officers  of,  173 
supervisors  of,  173 
village,  351 

Welles,  Henrv,  218 

Wellington,  (,).  W.,  275 

West  Caton,  351 

West  Union,  town  of,  174 
first  officers  of,  176 
first  settlers  of,  175 


West  Union,  town   of,  population  of,  177 

present  officers  of,  176 
Wheeler,  Silas,  Capt.,  177 
Wheeler,  town  of,  177 

first  settlers  of,  178  • 

population  of,  180 

present  officers  of,  180 

schools  of,  181 

supervisors  of,  180 
village,  351 
Whittemore,  M.  F.,  239 
Wilhamson,    Charles,  26,   27,   31,  49,  50, 

53,  58,  228 
Woodhull,  town  of,  181 

first  settlers  of,  182 

population  of,  184 

present  officers  of,  183 

supervisors  of,  183 
village.  352 
Woods,  William,  217 
Woodward,  James  and  Aruuah,  82 
Wombaugh,  William,  161 

Young  Hickory,  353 

Zimmerman,  Adam,  169 


PART  II. 


Adams,  William  W.,  47 
Baldwin,  Henr}-,  76 
Beecher,  Fary  B.,  17 
Bradley,  George  B.,  55 
Colgan,  Peter,  Very  Rev. 
Conderman.  John  D. ,  6 
Cowan,   Nelson,  77 
Davis,  John  W.,  15 
Davison,  Lorenzo,  78 
Day,  Franklin  E. ,  31 
Denison,  Charles  G.,  60 
Drake,  Franklm  N.,  53 
Faulkner,  William,  66 
Fuller,  Dwight  A.,  46 
Gardner,  Furman.  9 
Gibson,  George,  30 
Gorton,  William  E..  58 
Hakes,  Harlo,  22 
Hargrave,  James  B.,  69 
Hatch,  Hiram  W.,  26 
Hawkes,  Thomas  G.,  48 
Hayt,  Stephen  T. ,  57 
Heermans,  Harrv  C,  43 


Hoare,  John,  53 
Hollands,  George,  8 
Houghton,   sr. ,  Amory,  62 
Houghton,  jr.,  Amory,  64 
Houghton.  Charles  F.,  65 
Hulbert,  Lorenzo,  28 
Jamison,  John  S.,  M.  D.,  37 
Keeler,  John  H.,  20 
Kelly,  John  G.,  M.  D.,  5 
Kimmel,  Martin,  22 
Lamson,  Leonards.,  74 
Larrowe,  Albertus,  70 
Lewis,  Jacob  H.,  19 
McNett,  George  B.,  M.  D.,  11 
Maltby,  Jerome  B.,  75 
Marshal,  Franklin  J.,  5 
Marshal,  Otto  F.,  18 
Moore,  Walter  L. ,  16 
Murdock,  James  B,.  69 
Parkhill,  Clair  S.,  M.  D.,  24 
Ferine,  Henry  W.,  12 
Pmney,  Martin,  7 
Pratt,  George  W. ,  7^ 


TNDK.X. 


515 


Pritchard,  Hiram,  fi. 
Renchan,  George   4.:) 
Rogers,  William  F  ,  .} 
Shepard,  Lyman,  ii- 
Stephens,  Alanson,  1.5 
Stevens,  James  H.,.i4 
Thorp,  Calvin  E.,  ^;) 
Tuttle,  Russell  M     3.> 
Waite.  David  S.,  29 


Walker,  J.  E.,M.  D     38 
Wellington,  Oumcy  W     4. 
Wheeler,  sr.,GrattanH.,  41 
Wheeler,  Grattan  IL,  4~. 
Wheeler,  Monroe,  43 
Wheeler,  Silas,  Capt     oS 
Willets,  Edward  P.,  14 
Wood,  Allen,  61 
Young,  Daniel  1^.,  7d 


PART  III. 


Ainsworth,  H.R.,Dr    316 
Aldrich,  Loren  B..  31b 
Ames,  Charles   6 
Baldwin  Family,   1  he,  Ib^ 
Baldwin,  Henry,  102 
Baldwin,  Horace  Dyer,  98 
Baldwin,  James,  lb- 
Barron.  William  E     Dr.,  31. 

Blakeslee,  D.  A.^,  Prof.,  S 
Bliss,  Frank,  31. 
Brewster,  C.  A.,  120 
Coburn,  L.  D..  16 
Crane,  Ferrel  J.,  34. 
Daniels.  P.  C,  202 
Damn,  DelmarM.,24 
Dininny,  SarahJ.,Mrs.,3o5 
Farnham,  George.  29 
Feenaughty,  \ydliam  O     lo4 
Ferry,  Mary  M.,  Mrs.,  500 
Gee,  Theodore,  2bb 
Gillet,  Charles  W.,  3.) 
Harden,  T.  E.,  45 
Harrison,  J.  S.,  254 
Hickey,  D.  D.,  383 
Hinman,  John   4b 
Hogue,  Patrick,  38. 
Hooker,  F^edS.,  38.^ 
Horn,  Edwin  J.,  l^^ 
Howard,  George  C.,  281 
Hubbs,  M.  B.,  Dr.,  382 


Arnold,  Alex  ]••  ^  ^ 
Bartlett,  James,  31 . 
Bauter,  Marcus,  288 
Billings,  Oscar  31. 
Bozard,  Earle  W.,  10. 
Brown,  Merwin  E.,  10. 
Brozitsky,  E.,  153 


ADDISON. 


s.,  409 


Tames,  John  P.,  30 

Jones,  J.  B.,  108 

McKay,  Annie.  Mrs.,  409 

MacDowell.  Sidney  Damn,  19N 

Merrill,  Levi,  160 

Miller,  Charles  L. ,  84 

Mitchell,  AlmaB.,  Mr 

Moore.  T.  V.,  409 

Mullen,  Seth,  198 

Northrup.  John  M.,  229 

Orser,  Frank  B.,  420 
Owen,  Cortland.  419 
Parker.  J.  Elliott,  62 
Paxton,  E.  C.,429 
Phillips,  Mrs.  Margaret   6, 
Reynolds,  Charles  D.,  421 
Rial,  John,  158 
Roberts,  Amos,  15o 
Shockey,  Charles  O.,  451 
Stewart,  Oliver  Dwight,  161 
Stratton,  George  W     .0 
Stratton.  Oscar  B.,  461 
Swon,  OrenL.,  220 
Thomas,  A.  L  ,  81 
True,  George  1.,  80 
Underwood.  George  W. 
Webb.  Lee  R.,  470 
Westlake,  Harrison,  91 
Young,  Peter,  124 


.  437 


AYOCA. 


Buck,  Moses  E.,  9 
Chase,  Thomas  C,  19 
Cook,  James  E..  15 
Cornue.  M.  C  1< 
Cotton,  Thomas,  lo 
Cotton.  William  H.,  22 
Doud,  John  C.  26 


516 


LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 


Dutcher,  James  R.,  115 
Faults,  William  H.,  376 
Fox,  Daniel  A.,  31 
Fox,  G.  Albert,  376 
Hall,  Jeremiah.  187 
Hennis,  Benjamin,  382 
Hyna,  John,  382 
Mackie,  Frank  G.,  165 
Mathewson,  Lemuel,  220 
Olmstead,  Jeremiah,  418 
Olmsted,  John  E.,  188 
Olmsted,  Milton,  122 
Oxx,  Ripley,  418 
Pixley,  Frank,  429 
Redhead,  Thomas  J.,  422 


Ackerson,  Charles  N.,  130 
Alden,  M.  J.,  Mrs.,  110 
Aldrich,  J.  O.,  Dr.,  330 
Aldrich,  Stephen.  253 
Allen,  William  W.,  367 
Allerton,  Dudley  D.,  330 
Allison,  Charles  S.,  5 
Averill,  Helen,  Mrs.,  3 
Averill,  W.  W.,  Gen.,  331 
Baker,  John  K.,  155 
Balcom,  Samuel,  9 
Barber,  Bert  G.,  461 
Barber,  T.  W.,  11 
Barton,  Jeremiah  C,  252 
Bedell,  J.  D.,  331 
Beekman,  Abram,  21 
Bowes,  Martin,  331 
Bowlby,  George  K.,  119 
Bowlby,  John  A. ,  253 
Brown,  H.  S.,  Mrs.,  Ill 
Brownell,  Charles  S.,  493 
Brundage,  Grattan  H.,  461 
Brundage,  H.  W.,  86 
Brundage,  Sarah,  Mrs.,  332 
Brundage,  Smith,  262 
Bryan,  Judson,  332 
Burleson,  Ten  Eyck  O.,  Dr.,  332 
Burns,  William  S.,  Capt.,  12 
Burt,  Abram  F.,  332 
Calkins,  Jefferson  W.,  326 
Campbell,  Frank  C,  19 
Campbell,  William  M.,  127 
Chamberlain,  Jesse  Mark,  14 
Clough,  WinfieldS.,  327 
Collier,  Richard  A.,  327 
Conine,  Gamaliel  T.,  273 
Conley,  Edward,  13 
Cook,  Charles  C,  327 
Cook,  Edwin  Constant,  18 
Coss,  D.  M.,  57 


Rosenkrans,  A.  D.,  244 
Saltsman    Hiram,  451 
Saltsman,  Lawrence,  78 
Shaut,  Albert,  503 
Shaver,  M.  H.,  451 
Shults,  Elias,  208 
Shults,   R.,  Mrs.,  202 
Silsbee,  George  C,  105 
Stephens,  Hiram  A.,  70 
Sutton,  W.   R.,  161 
Tucker,  Smith,  207 
Van  Scoy,  Margaret.  Mrs.,  86 
Wagner,  Augustus  Charles,  471 
Wightman,  Noah,  471 
Ziellev,  Alex  L.,  381 


BATH. 


Crook,  Andrew,  17 

Crum,  W.  G.,  326 

Cruttenden,  Alexis  H.,  Dr.,  291 

Gushing,  Adolphus  W.,  327 

Davenport,  Ira,  25 

Davison,  M.,  305 

Davison,  William  H.  and  Robert  J. ,  23 

Decker,  George  M.,  23 

de  Peyster,  Augustus,  27 

De  Puy,  Esther,  494 

Donnelly,  E.  B.,  Mrs.,  238 

Dudley,  Henry  C,  111 

Durnian,  Richard,  163 

Dygert,  Peter,  133 

Ellas,  Charles  A. ,  26 

Fancett,  James,  33 

Fancett,  Samuel  R.,  164 

Ferris,  James  M.,  34 

Frost,  Frank  Pomeroy,  Capt. ,  31 

Giffin,  James  H.,  35 

Gillette,  Herberts.,  Ill 

Gould,  TalcottW.,  378 

Grant,  B.  F.,  Dr.,  378 

Gray,  William  S. ,  294 

Hallock,  William  H.,  40 

Hardenbrook,  Frank,  399 

Hardenbrook,  George  H.,  188 

Hewlett,  Emery  T.,  277 

Hinds,  O.  W.,  42 

Hunter,  George,  277 

Huston,  John  S.,  399 

Joint,  William  E.,  399 

Jones,  Horatio  E. ,  and  Horace  D.,  Ill 

Jones,  Wilson  J.,  396 

Joy,  Lewis  B.,  47 

Keyser.  James  F.,  Ill 

Kingslev,  Charles  F. ,  156 

Klock,  j'amesN.,  48 

Kniffen,  John,  305 

Lawrence,  F.  H.,  Dr.,  166 


INDEX, 


517 


Leavitt.  S.  H..  Major,  50 
Lindsay,  W.W.,  Capt.,  40(5 
Little,  John  F.,  40G 
Little,  Philip  M.,  40G 
Longwell,  William  V.,  40(i 
Lyon,  Reuben  R.,  51 
McCall,  Anson  J.,  415 
McChesnev,  Moses,  102 
McConnell,  Frederick,  41(5 
McCormick  Bros.,  54 
McEhvee  Bros.,  415 
McNamara,  John,  416 
McNett,  George  C,  Dr.,  265 
Miller,  L.  D.,  Dr.,  54 
Miller,  Martin  Rumsey,  ob 
Moore,  John  D.,  415 
Myrtle,  Rebecca,  275 
Nichols,  William  H.,  59 
Nixson,  Joseph,  58 
Noble,  Henry  M.,  416 
Noble,  Martin  W.,  58 
Nowlen,  George  F.,  59 
Ostrander,  E.  E.,  417 
Parker,  Z.  L.,  142 
Parkhurst,  John  F.,  102 
Parks,  James,  435 
PawUng,  Thomas  H.,  Dr.,  434 
Peck,  George  W.,  188 
Ferine,  H.  W.,  64 
Peterson,  Charles  H.,  434 
Phillips,  W.  H.,  61 
Pixley,  Emery  C.,  Dr.,  25^ 
Poole,  James,  278 
Richardson,  C.  W.,  127 
Robie,  Charles  H.,  426 
Robie,  Reuben  Edward,  6i> 
Rogers,  William  Findlay,  66 


Armstrong,  Joseph  P. ,  304 
Bartholomew,  John,  338 
Carman,  Alexander,  205 
Carman,  Joseph  W..  348 
Chrisler,  WiUiam,  303 
Conley,  Henrv,  229 
Elyea,  Wilham  H.,  213 
Eveland,   Isaac,  505 
Gilmer,  Joseph  B.,  193 
Gillmor.  James  M.,  199 
Havens,  Thomas,  384 
Hedges,  Benjamin  Y.,  192 


Allen,  Alfred  T.,  339 
Allen,  Alvah  J.,  255 
Angel,  Prentis,  120 
Barrett,  William  W.,  120 


Rowe,  Lewis,  426 

Rumsey,  Wilham,  493 

Rutherford,  T.  R.,  Mrs.,  268 

Sanderson,  Benjamin  Smith,  Rev.,  i() 

Saltsman,  G.  E.,  214 

Sedgwick,  William  P.,  279 

Shannan,  M.  E.,  69 

Shannon,  Thomas,  77 

Shepard,  William  H.,  72 

Shoemaker,  Daniel,  445 

Shults,  Arnold,  157 

Sin  Clair,  William  A.,  239 

Smith,  Bessie  D.,  28 

Smith,   Hessel,  445 

Smith,  O.  H.,  268 

Smith,  Thomas  N.,  139 

Smith    Zidana,  Mrs.,  125 

Stocum,  John,  69 

Sutton,  A.  O.,  445 

Sutton,  Orlando  W.,  Dr.,  77 

Tiffany,  E.  O.,  445 

Timmerman,  H.  A.,  377 

Tolbert,  George  W..  79 

Tolbert,  John  F.,  133 

Tomer,  Charles  J.,  252 

Van  Housen,  Israel  A.,  284 

Van  Wie,  Martha,  Mrs.,  82 

Warren,  George  C,  465 

Wheeler,  Andrew  Jackson,  268 

White,  Daniel  L.,  465 

Wilkes,  A.  J.,  Miss,  4(54 

Wilkes,  Harriet  M.,  166 

Willis,  Clarence,  89 

Winegar,  Clay  and  Peter,  465 

Wolf,  Franz  S.,  465 

Wood,  S.  W.,  465 

Young,  Benjamin  F.,  124 


BRADFORD. 


King,  Hammond  A.,  228 
Knapp,  William  S.,  228 
Longwell,  Hosea,  305 
Ney,  Charles,  420 
Sanford,  John,  236 
Stedge,   Harrison,  205 
Waning,  Daniel  L.,  236 
Walling,  Edgar  L.,  196 
Yawger,  Philip,  438 
Zimmerman  Bros..  294 
Zimmerman,  Sylvanus  A.,  18" 


CAMERON. 


Bromley,  Frank,  219 
Brown,  Charles  A.,  lOi; 
Bundy,  George  W.,  7 
Campbell,  Thomas,  15 


518 


LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 


Dickey,  Mathew,  112 
Fairbanks,  George,  ^78 
Goff.  H.  S.,  37 
Jack,  Allan  T.,  142 
Mason,  Phineas  P.,  52 
Ordway,  Enoch,  61 
Rumsey,  Adson  J.,  274 
Rumsey,  Peter  B.,  64 
Selleck,  Zeno  C,  452 


Smith,  James  A.,  452 
Stewart,  George  W.,  154 
Stuart,  Morey,  119 
Waters,  Almon,  90 
Wheeler,  John  D.,  159 
White,  Royal  S.,  173 
Wilder,  Josiah,  227 
Wilson,  Robert  K.,  470 


CAMPBELL. 


Anmiller,  George,  4 
Beckwith,  C.  K.,  Mrs.,  155 
Beckwith,  Philo,  7 
Carlton,  James  L. ,  245 
Clawson,  Jacob,  112 
Clawson,  John  M.,  204 
Cleveland,  Shepard  A.,  348 
Codv,  Frank  A.,  343 
Curtis,  John  S.,  343 
Dibble,  I.  F..  Mrs.,  23 
Dunkee,  Ellis,  107 
Eygabroat,  Jacob,  373 
Hamilton,  W.  L.,  44 
Hollenbeck,  George  A.,  39 
McKay,  James  S.,  56 
Manning,  Stanley,  505 


Peterson,  Frank,  429 
Peterson,  Willard,  224 
Pierce,  Byron,  115 
Rising,  Isaac  A.,  112 
Ross,  Bruce  E.,  422 
Ross,  Emmet  B.,  128 
Ross,  John  W.,  421 
Scott,  Adelbert  A.,  106 
Smith,  Eugene,  29 
Smith,  Warden,  452 
Stevens,  Ralph,  71 
Switzer,  Mary  A. ,  452 
Velie,  Franklin,  20 
Wilcox,  Bradford,  87 
Wilcox,  John,  470 
Wixson,  Leroy,  470 


CANISTEO. 


Allen,  Edward.  113 

Bassett,  Fred  L.,  10 

Bassett,  Will  C,  10 

Bennett,  Alonzo,  11 

Bertron,  F.  M.,  319 

Bowles,  Thomas  W.,  319 

Brown,  Perrv,  319 

Brown,  William  H.,  148 

Buck,  Hermon  E.,205 

Burrell,  Allen  M.,  166 

Burrell,  Alphonso  H.,  12 

Cameron,  Duncan  Cameron,  Rev.,  151 

Carter,  Erastus  A.,  239 

Carter,  jr.,  George  W.,  162 

Clarkson,  Edgar,  326 

Coller,  B.  M.,  326 

Crosby,   Hiram,  211 

Croyzier,  George  H.,  304 

T)avis,  George  L.,  365 

Davison,  Lorenzo,  26 

Dennis,  George,  364 

Dickey,  John  E.,  364 

Granger,  Leverett,  240 

Hadlev,  Henrv,  41 

Hadley.  Jefferson,  399 

Hargrave,  James  B.,  44 

Haves,  Wilham,  39 


Jamison,  D.  Stearns,  201 
Jamison,  jr.,  William,  399 
King,  Philip,  400 
Lyon,  I.  Edward,  51 
Marsh,  S.  P.,  55 
Mead,  Charles  H.,  52 
Millard,  Morgan  R.,  179 
Moore,  Edward  B.,  381 
Moore,  John  D..  411 
Ordway,  Wilham  H.,  417 
Peck,  George  L.,  134 
Peterson,  Jeremiah  M.,  206 
Porter,  William  Gordon,  209 
Robinson,  Frank  H.,  381 
Smith,  Enos,  72 
Soule,  Eh,  125 
Stanton,  Eunice  M.,  77 
Stephens,  Adsit  B.,  69 
Stephens,  Emmett  L.,  209 
Stephens,  Joshua  Chapman,  164 
Thomas,  Daniel  C,  79 
Travis,  James,  447 
Travis,  Wesley  and  Nelson,  447 
Tucker,  Danie'l  A.,  447 
Vickers,  Jacob,  83 
Waldo,  Lucius  A  ,  91 
Young,  Christopher,  220 


INDEX. 


519 


CATON. 


Barnard,  C.  D.,  ;}i;] 
Barnard,  F.  E.,  313 
Barnard,  G.  F.,  295 
Bower,  Charles  E.,  96 
Brace,  William  H.,  313 
Chumard,  George  W.,  13 
Clark,  A,  B.,  219 
Cram,  Duty  S.,  240 
Cram,  Permelia,  Mrs.,  16.' 
Davis,  Daniel,  165 
Davis,  Edwin  F.,  126 
Davis,  N.  D.,   370 
Davison,  C.  A.,  370 
Deyo,  Alonzo,  204 
Farran,  H.  J.,  377 
Gorges,  Anton,  381 
Hamlin,  Jason  B.,  29 
Hellabv,  John,  3S4 
Holmes,  J.  S.,  384 


Honness,  James  E.,  215 
Honness,  Melvin  M.,  384 
Hunt,  William,  384 
Lewis,  Christopher  E.,  101 
Marcy,  James  L.,  408 
Powel,  M.,  432 
Rhodes,  Halsey  A..  105 
Smith,  Fremont  C,  453 
Thompson,  J.  W.,  78 
Tobey,  Christopher,  453 
Wagner,  Anton,  161 
Walden,  James,  469 
Wellman,  James  R.,  469 
Wellman,  John  R.,  240 
Wilcox,  Anrin,  110 
Wolcott,  A.  S.,  227 
Wolcott,  John  E.,  89 
Wood,  Lewis,  469 


COH(3CTON. 


Adair,  W.  E.,294 
Adams,  Asa,  298 
Beecher,  Fary  B.,  269 
Boone,  C.  E.,  334 
Bush,  W.  L.,  341 
Clark.  James  P.,  485 
Cornish,  Thomas  J.,  304 
Finch,  Henry,  486 
Fowler  Famil}-,  the,  503 
Fox,  sr. ,  Christopher,  486 
Fox,  James,  486 
Graser,  Valintine,  487 
Gray,  Clarence  G.,  487 
Haag,  Nicholas,  504 
Harter,  Leonard,  488 
Hatch,  Hiram  W.,  310 
Jackson,  William  W.,  300 
Ketch,  Cyrus.  302 
Kiefer,  Charles,  400 
Land,  Fred,  257 
McDowell,  Asa,  350 
Maichle,  Henry,  311 
Mehlenbacker,  C.  J.,  488 
Miller,  Robert,  489 
Moore,  H.  D.  and  Robert  vS. 
Moulton,  Rice  T.,  488 


Adams,  William  W.,  285 
Appleby,  T.  H.,  6 
Argue,  Henry  A.,  Dr.,  335 
Arthur,  Arthur  C,  6 
Bradley,  George  B.,  12 
Bradley,  Thomas,  167 


Newman,  Andrew  J.,  501 
Partridge,  Charles  E.,  49() 
Pierce,  Henry  C,  260 
Fritting,  John,  340 
Rommel,  W.  E.,  Rev.,  292 
Roth,  John,  489 
Schiefen,  William  F.,  476 
Schubmehl,  Nicholas,  292 
Shattuck,  Stephen  D.,  442 
Shults  Bros,  and  Andrew  E.,  4 
Shults,  John  A.,  475 
Sick  2d,  Philip,  475 
Sick  3d,  Philip,  372 
Stanton,  C.  W.,  307 
Stanton,  Jacob  and  Stephen  T, 
Strobel,  John  G.,  476 
Tambling,  Benjamin  W.,  292 
Tripp,  Murry,  485 
Tyler,  M.  J.,  349 
Wager,  Michael,  284 
Wallace,  James,  477 
Walther,  Fred  C,  292 
Wilcox,  A.  H.,476 
Wright,  Mark,  477 
Zeh,  Melchor  and  Kilian,  341 


CORNING. 


Brown,  Daniel  F.,  7 
Brown,  George  R.,  6 
Bryan,  E.  W.,  Dr.,  334 
Burt,  John  M.,  119 
Carpenter,  E.  J.,  Dr.,  2 
Caulkin,  J.  W.,  322 


620 


LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 


Clark,  William  H.,  18 
Cook,  A.  S.,  323 
Covenhoven,  Daniel  R.,  102 
Cummings,  Robert  F. ,  22 
Drake.  Charles  E.,  :^6l 
Drake,  D.  S.,  25 
Drake,  George  W.,  361 
Drake,  J.  A.,  25 
Edger,  Benjamin  F.,  27 
Edger,  William  F.,  861 
Ellison,  Curtis  B.,  265 
English,  E.  C.  861 
Farley,  Philip,  82 
Fedder,  John  W. ,  875 
Fero,  David  F.,  875 
Foster,  William  A.,  288 
Franz,  Jacob,  876 
Frazer  D. ,  375 
Freeman,  Charles  H.,  84 
Fuller  Bros.,  32 
Gamman,  Alfred  M.,  379 
Gillette,  William,  35 
Gorton,  William,  149 
Gorton.  William  E.,  38 
Graves,  Edward  P.,  38 
Greenfield,  Charles  E.,  38 
Haischer.  Fred,  899 
Havt,  Charles  W.,  Dr.,  399 
Hayt,  Stephen  T.,  46 
Heermans,  Harry  C,  93 
Hitchcock,  George,  46 
Houghton,  jr.,  Amory,  40 
Houghton,  C.  F.,  159 
Howell,  Christeon  G. ,  38 
Huv,  Abram  D.,  256 
Kendall,  A.  A.,  Dr.,  103 
Kennedy,  John  S.,  49 


Acomb,  Fred  D.,  340 
Cook,  Andrew  W.,  345 
Currav,  Charles  C,  345 
Day,  Ira  G. ,  256 
Dri'esbach,  Henry,  806 
Eveland,  Daniel,  504 
Fritz,  Clark  C.  and  Alice  C. 
Fritz,  Elias,  217 
Hall,  Daniel  B.,  210 
Harter,  Lafavette,  885 
Healy,  Joshua.  385 
Healv,  William  W.    384 


Lane,  George  W.,   Dr.,  52 
Lang,  John  H..  238 
Lathrop,  Austin,  Gen.,  112 
Lathrop,  Charles  K.,  405 
Lower,  Samuel  J.,  405 
McNamara,  Wdliam  F.,  56 
Maltby,  Jerome  B.,  160 
Mathewson,  Russell,  268 
Mav,  Henry  R.,  498 
Mills,  E.  D.,  411 
Moore,  Joseph  F.,  410 
Nicholson,  William,  59 
Northrop,  W.  H.,  59 
Olcott,  Marvin,  182 
Park.  Robert  F.,  482 
Patchill,  O.  C,  62 
Pease,  Frank  L.,  64 
Pratt,  Jared,  250 
Pritchard,  Hiram,  110 
Reynolds,  Charles  A.,  423 
Reynolds,  H.  J.,  65 
Robbins,  Myron  W.,  64 
Robertson,  S.  C,  99 
Robinson,  O.  P.,  66 
Rubright,  C.  A.,  505 
Sebring,  James  Oscar,  272 
Sly,  Robert  J..  249 
Smith,  Justin  M.,  112 
Spencer,  George  T.,  73 
Stanton,  Jerome  I.,  73 
Tully,  W.  J.,  471 
Tupper.  Benjamin  S.,  449 
Tuthill,  Henry  G.,  82 
Welch,  Thomas  J.,  468 
Williams,  Francis  A.,  90 
Wolcott,  George,  463 


DANSVILLE. 


Kershner,  E.  L.,  Mrs.,  210 
Kershner,  Maria,  Mrs.,  401 
Kreidler,  Addison  E.,  401 
Lamont,  Henry  C,  278 
Lander,  Frederick,  402 
Levers,  G.  Frank,  402 
Oliver,  Gale,  269 
Rau,  John,  423 
Scherer,  John  P.,  258 
Swink.  Nelson  H.,  271 
Waggoner,  Albert  J.,  470 
Williams,  John  J.,  216 


ERWIN. 


Badger,  Herbert  L.,  7 
Campbell,  George  W.,  346 
Cooper,  John  E.,  346 
Erwin,  Francis,  207 


Erwin,  W.  Scott,  26 
Gavigan,  Edward,  38 
Goff,  Robert  H.,  207 
Goodsell,  Isaac  P.,  3' 


INDEX. 


621 


Gray,  Andrew,  37 
Havens,  James,  218 
Minier,  Thornton  F.,  ~)7 
Morse,  Willard  C,  409 
Orcutt,  James  D.,  147 
Orr,  jr.,  James  C,  419 
Piatt,  Francis  C,  207 
Remington,  Washington  B.,  422 


Babcock,  Stanton,  C,  314 
Bardeen,  Jennie,  148 
Bowen,  Juliza  C,  818 
Bronson,  James  S.,  203 
Buck,  Charles  Albert,  314 
Burdin,  T.  D.,  188 
Cotton,  Samuel  S.,  202 
Dartt,  Burton,  243 
Davis,  Lewis  A.,  248 
rJunn,  Melvin,  354 
Huganir,  Charles,  181 
Huguanir,  David  A.,  282 
Huguanir,  Leonard  N. ,  386 
Hutbert,  Freeman,  243 
Kilbury,  Andrew,  278 


Smith,  Edward  H.,  71 
Spoor,  Fred  C,  75 
Tobias,  James  S.,  453 
Townsend,  Frederick  J..  8( 
Wakeman,  Joel,  Rev.,  107 
Wilcox,  Frank  C,  469 
Wood,  Augustus  H.,  286 


Atkins,  jr.,  Jesse  T.,  113 
Blair,  William,  98 
Burton,  Lynn  G.,  114 
Campbell,  William  H.,  344 
Cole,  Hiram  L.,  150 
Coston,  N.  E.,  173 
Covert,  Reuben,  207 
Ferris,  David,  34 
Hartrum,  John  S.,  160 
Hartrum,  William  L.,  38 
Kellogg,  Silas,  299 
Lewis,  Benjamin,  403 


FREMONT. 


Kilbury,  Joel,  340 
Lake,  Charles  G.,   185 
McCoUum,  Finley,  410 
Nipher,  Melvin,  420 
Orr,  Ira,  419 
Osborn,  A.  D.,  182 
Osborn,  L.  M.,  419 
Pinchin,  A.  A.,  428 
Rider,  Myron  H.,  191 
Robison,  Simeon,  428 
Shepard,  George  W.,  458 
Stephens,  J.  D.,  282 
Travis,  Leroy,  291 
Van  Keuren,  James,  194 


GREENWOOD. 


161 


Mallory,  H.  H.,  29 
Mead,  A.  R.,  409 
Mead,  Sanford,  113 
Mead,  W.  F.,  54 
Northrup,  Jesse  D., 
Pease,  Randall  A.,  429 
Reynolds,  Norman,  67 
Rodgers,  Thomas  D. ,  114 
Scribner,  L.  D.,  71 
Smith,  Clarence  F.,  Dr.,  453 
Swarts,  William  O.,  454 
Webster,  George  M.,  151 


HARTSVILLE. 


Comstock,  Charles,  176 
Corbett,  George  R.,  348 
Donaldson,  William  R., 
Hemphill,  George,  886 


Adams,  H.  De  Loss,  338 
Armstrong,  James  E.,  4 
Duvell  Bros. ,  354 
Easling,  Minor,  354 
Easterbrooks,  Samuel,  208 
Erwm,  Samuel  C,  354 
Ferenbaugh,  John  H.,  38 
Ferenbaugh,  Lyman  G. ,  37 


Hendee,  Clark  L.,  40 
Powell,  Edmund  K.,  ( 
Zeliff,  Samuel  J.,  121 


HORNBY. 


Ferenbaugh,  Willis  S.,  156 
Fero,  Albert,  377 
Hathaway,  James  V.,  203 
Hoffman,  A.  H.,  89 
Jewett,  Amos,  47 
Jimerson,  HibbertT.,  47 
Lake,  Isaac,  404 
Lane,  A.  Eugene,  114 


522 


LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 


Lilly,  Willis  S..  196 
Masters,  Herbert  J.,  408 
Oldfield,  Thomas,  209 
Rogers,  David  S.,  421 
Roloson,  Alfred,  223 
Roloson,  Sj'lvester,  421 


Sly,  Roberto.,  74 
Townley,  Edward  L.,  454 
Van  Alstine,  George  W.,  487 
Wheaton,  J.  Henry,  286 
Wolever,  Daniel,  469 


HORNELLSVILLE. 


Acker,  Milo  M.,  492 
Alley,  Frank  Bennett,  5 
Alley,  Samuel  M.,  Col.,  36 
Armsted,  Charles  H.,  287 
Ashbaugh,  William,  351 
Avers,  Nelson,  137 
Babcock,  Devolson  D.,  491 
Baker,  Milton  J.,  Dr.,  103 
Bardeen,  Charles  E.,  320 
Barlow,  Arthur  R.  Rev. ,  472 
Barney,  Richard  W.,  167 
Bennett,  Hiram,  212 
Bennett,  Omer,  320 
Bennett,  Robert  M.,  328 
Bentley,  John  I.,  118 
Berry,  Alvin  L.,  321 
Betts,  Henry,  333 
Billings,  Henry  S.,  11 
Bingham,  William  C,  8 
Boardman,  Louis  S.,  251 
Bowen,  Edmund  I.,   7 
Boylan,  Harris  Bert,  321 
Braack,  Jacob, 12 
Brasted,  Charles  M.,  Dr.,  250 
Brickman,  Samuel  H.,  10 
Brown,  Anthonv  W.,  215 
Burch,  Orrin  H',  21 
Butler,  Ephraim  Y. ,  328 
Buvinger,  H.  Edward,  247 
Cadogan,  Charles,  22 
Cameron,  Joseph,  18 
Chapman,  James  W.,  287 
Chapman,  John  K.  ,15 
Christie,  Amelia  A.,  312 
Clark,  Charles  J..  19 
Cleflin,  Edwin  J.,  21 
Colgrove,  Henry,  342 
Collins,  Clayton  Naham,  247 
Conderman^  Charles,  343 
Conderman,  George,  Dr.,  17 
Cone,  Eleazer  T.,  157 
Cook,  Emmett  A.,  241 
Cooley,  Charles,  118 
Curry,  Daniel  W.,  350 
Davenport,  George,  310 
Davenport,  Henry  L.,  359 
Davidson,  Adam,  20 
Day,  James  B.,  359 
Deister,  John  J.,  359 
Deutsch,  John  M.,  359 


Dolson,  Charles  A.,  360 
Dolson,  Edwin  L.,  494 
Downs,  Simon  S.,  23 
Dunham,  Roy,  Dr.,  24 
Dunning,  Marcus  E.,  299 
Eiband,  Anthony  M.,  357 
Ellis,  Hiram,  27 
Elwell.  George  B.,  358 
Emery,  Ashabel  W. ,  357 
Emerv,  Frank  H.,  127 
Evans,  jr.,  Charles  E.,  358 
Eydt,  Louis,  460 
Faulkner,  Dorr,  31 
Faulkner,  Robert  K.,  171 
Ferry,  Adelbert,  33 
Finch,  John  M.,  198 
Fleming,  David  E.,  374 
Foster,  G.  Watson,  30 
Frank,  Henry  M.,  374 
Gilbert,  Horatio,  Dr.,  381 
Gillette,  Harry  L.,  Dr.,  35 
Glazier,  Flora  A.,  Mrs.,  86 
Goft",  LucianH.,  178 
Goff,  W.  Blake,  276 
Gray,  Harriet  Lee,  490 

Green,  Charles  O.,  Dr.,  36 

Griswold,  George  W.,  241 
Hag  adorn,  Hiram,  398 
Hall,  Alexander,  165 
Hall,   Isaac,  396 
Harris,  Joseph,  148 
Hartshorn,  Charles  H.,  41 
Hathaway,  William  E.,  Dr.,  397 
Healy,  Llewelyn  Clark,  397 
Hesseltine,  Eugene  A.,  120 
Hicks,  Alfred  E.,45 
Higgins,  H.  Delos,  394 
Higgins,  Justin  V.  R.,  141 
Hill,  Austin  C,  895 
Hoi¥man,  Edwin  S.,  Rev.,  42 
Hoffstetter,  Louis,  244 
Hollands,  George,  218 
Hopkins,  Daniel  C,  212 
Hotchkiss,  A.  Leroy,  395 
Houck,  Peter  P.,  398 
Hubbard,  Chauncey  G.,  Dr.,  44 
Hunt,  Horace,  396 
Huntley,  Seth  M.,  188 
Hurlbut,  John,  43 
Hurlbut,  Myron,  39 


INDEX. 


523 


Hurlbut,  William  S.,  43 

Hutchinson,  Frank  J.,  41 

Kellison,  Robert  N.,  loT 

Kellv,  John  G.,  Dr.,  49 

Kimball,  William  A.,  47 

Kinne,  James  B.,  401        ' 

Koyle,  Frank  H.,  Dr.,  48 

Labour,  Jacob,  267 

La  Grange,  Edward  E.,  408 

Loomis,  Frederick  H.,  51 

Luther,  Byron  J.,  104 

McBeth,  Robert,  408 

McConnell,  Asa,  100 

McDougall,   John,  206 

:\IcGill,^Charlie  W.,  414 

:\IcGuire,  Charles  F.,  136 

McMichael,  Ira,  53 

McNett,  James,  Dr.,  413 

Mark,  Alfred,  56 

Merrill,  Fred  P.,  416 

Merriman,  La  Frone,  258 

Mitchell,  Samuel,  Dr.,  415 

Morris,  George  W. ,  414 

M usher,  Fred  R.,  55 

Murray,  William  H.,  174 

Nelson,  Edward  H. ,  101 

Newman,  Smith  H.,  57 

Nicholson,  J.  William,  28 

Nicholson,  Wesley,  417 

North,  Truman  S.,  58 

O'Connor,  William,  260 

Olin,  Frederick  Marshall,  246 

Orcutt,  George  N.,  200 

Page,  De  Merville,  63 

Page,  Ebenezer,  163 

Palmer,  William  Everett,  Dr.,  137 

Parker,  Delia,  Mrs. ,  432 

Parkhill,  Clair  S.,Dr.,  53 

Patten,  John  Nelson,  431 

Patton,  John  Edwin  Ruthven,  498 

Peck,  James  Milton,  61 

Phihips,  Charles  Robert,  Dr.,  430 

Pierce,  William  O.,  62 

Pierson,  Horace  G.,  140 

Powers,  Edward,  138 

Prangen,  George  D.,  430 

Pratt,  Orson  W.,  222 

Prentice,  Jonathan  R.,  139 

Prentiss,  Anson  A.,  257 

Prentiss,  George  A.,  432 

Prentiss,  Harvey,  158 

Preston,  Henry  C,  431 

Preston,  Othaniel,  62 

Prmdle,  Albert  T.,  431 

Ranger,  Henrv  R. ,  20 

Rewalt,  William,  221 

Reznor,  Lot,  64 

Rice,   Leroy  D.,  425 


Rishel,  George  P.,  Dr., 66 
Roberts,  Wallace,  424 
Rockwell,  L.  Wilson,  65 
Rose,  Walter  G.,  67 
Ross,  Edmund  C,  425 
Ross,  Lyman  A.,  215 
Ross,  Lyman  R. ,  424 
Ryan,  Thomas,  425 
Santee,  Isaac,  443 
vSantee,  Jerry  E.  B.,  77 
Santee,  Rachel,  Mrs.,  442 
Schwingle,  George,  440 
Schwingle,  William  F.,  472 
Shattuck,  S.  E.,  Dr.  439 
Sheldon,  John  R.,  78 
Sherwood,  Franklin  Dennis,  497 
Sherwood,   Micajah  V.,  75 
Sims,  William  H.,  75 
Smith,  Andv  L.,  71 
Smith,  Elmon  1).,  235 
Smith,  Frank  S.,  442 
Smith,  Hobart  Clinton,  440 
Smith,   Lyman  B.,  Dr.,  76 
Smith,  William  K.,  440 
Spink,  William  H.,  137 
Starr,  Clarence  L.,  M.D.,  135 
Starr,  Samuel  F. ,  443 
Stephens,  Walter  A.,  73 
Strack,  Charles  F.,  72 
Swarts,  Ross  H.,  263 
Sweeney,  James  M.,  Dr.,  441 
Sjdvester,  Franklin  E.,  Dr.,  441 
Sutton,  William  L.,  495 
Tadder,  Charles,  81 
Taggart,  George  F. ,  444 
Taylor,  John  D.,  443 
Taylor,  Thomas,  283 
Terry,  George  D.,  97 
Thacher,  T.  J.  O.,  129 
Truesdell,  Joseph  R.,  94 
Tschachtli,  Rudolf,  79 
Tubbs,  George  L.,  81 
Tuttle,  Erasmus  D.,  444 
Tuttle,  Martin  A.,  246 
Van  Delinder,  Martin  O.,  214 
Van  Scoter,  Monroe  D.,  437 
Van  Sickle,  John  M.,  87 
Wagner,  Hiram  R.,  123 
Wakeley,   Benjamin  C,  Dr.,  136 
Wakeman,  Bertis  Rupert,  Dr.,  88 
Waldorf,  George  A.,  91 
Waldorf,  William  E.,  163 
Walker,  J.  E.,  Dr.,  149 
Wellever,  David,  467 
Wettlin,  William  A.,  90 
Wheeler,  Norman  O. ,  466 
Wheeler,  Oscar,  88 
Wheeler,  R.  M.,  159 


524 


LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 


"White,  William  W.,  139 
Wickham,  Charles  H.,  466 
Willetts,  Edward  F. ,  90 
Windsor,  Francis,  87 
Windsor,  L.  F.,  Mrs.,  466 
Withey,  Diana,  407 


Bennett,  George,  10 
Bennett,  Oscar  F.,  123 
Brasted,  Orlando  W.,  152 
Bross,  Joseph  E.,  337 
Burdin,  James  Henry,  176 
Carroll,  Jackson,  340 
Coats,  Thomas,  346 
Cole,  Alvah  N. ,  346 
Fisher,  George  W.,  222 
Hoagland,  John  C,  238 
Horton,  Luther  T.,  386 
House,  Aaron,  387 
House,  Frank,  387 
House,  Henry,  29 
Jones,  Emanuel,  248 


Baker,  Isaac,  335 

Brown,  L.  L.,  335 

Bruen,  Arthur  N.,  93 

Campbell,  Martin  B.,  322 

Chatfield,  Ezra,  323 

Cornell,  Hamilton,  323 

Deck,  Hiram,  201 

Deck,  John,  364 

Dennis,  Albert  L.,  363 

Dennis,  Andrew  F.,  147 

Dennis,  Boardman,  363 

Dennis,  Seymour  W.,  98 

Drake,  M.  L.,  146 

France,  James  H.,  373 

Goodsell,  JoelS.,  380 

Haynes,  Rowland,  393 

Hunter,  Nathaniel  Perry,  Dr.,  393 

Hunter,  D.  C,  393 

Hutchinson,  C.  G.,  153 

Ingersoll,  E.  W.,  394 

June,  William  A.,  235 


Withey,  Sylvester,  250 
Wood,  Edward  C,  468 
Woodbury,  Joseph  B.,  242 
Woodruff,  John  B.,  141 
Young,  Clement  H.,  439 


HOWARD 


McAdam,  Henry,  237 
Meeks,  WilHam  A..  408 
Parkhill,  R.  F.,  Dr.,  429 
Roberts,  A.  L.,  421 
Sharp,  Abram  V. ,  455 
Sharp,  Andrew,  106 
Sharp,  John  G.,  74 
Sherer,  Sylvester,  190 
Smith,  Alonzo,  455 
Smith,  Ira,  246 

Stewart,  George  Edmund,  122 
Stewart,  William  H.,  238 
Van  Order,  Lyman  H.,  20 
Van  Wie,  Alonzo,  176 
Willis,  William  H.,  88 


JASPER. 


Knapp,  Franklin  L. ,  225 

McMindes,  Prescott,  83 

McMindes,  Uzal,  413 

Mayhew,  JohnC,  413 

Miller,  J.  B.,95 

Ordway,  Franklin  D. ,  85 

Ostrander,  Ervin,  498 

Robinson,  John,  107 

Schenck,  Charles,  262 

Schenck,  J.  E.,  309 

Swan,  Orrin,  454 

Talbot,  Lorenzo  S.,  202 

Timerman,  Milton,  226 

Vail,  Anna  R. ,  436 

VanOrsdale,  Fitch  Henry,  Dr.,  436 

Wallace,  Edwin  E.,  Dr.,  186 

Wallace,  Joseph  W.,  92 

Waight,  Frank  L.,  462 

Wentworth,  William  B.,  462 

Whiteman,  J.  C,  98 

Whiting,  Leslie  D.,  263 


LINDLEY. 


Brennin,  John,  338 
Elmer,  Sanford,  355 
Hill,  Henry  Franklin,  46 
Orr,  Joseph  J.,  420 
Morgan,  S.  Maurice,  121 


Pepper,  George,  152 
Stowell,  Henry,  208 
Stowell,  Marcus,  455 
Toby,  Benjamin  F.,  455 
Vastbinder,  Nelson  H.,  437 


INDEX. 


PRATTSBURG. 


525 


> 


Ainsworth,  Addison   o 
Allis,  Henry  Elisha,  4 
Armstrong,  George  n.b 
Austin,  Benjamin. -41 
Avery,  John  D.,  214 
Bardeen.  Henry  B    3..» 
Bailey,  John  S.,  l-^b 
Blodgett,  WiUiam  D.,  329 
Boon,  Abram,  330 
Borden,  Aaron  Porter,  103 
Brown,  Charles  Stewart,  .^-J 
Clark,  John  J.,  145 
Cook,  DwightS.,14 
Crean,  James,  322 
Curran,  Michael  C,  --» J 
Dean,  William  G.,  144 
Dearlove,  Charles  Wilber,  14 
Drake,  Edward,  22o 
Dunn,  George  C,  35b 
Flaherty,  James   145 
Flynn,  Thomas  T.,  3*4 

Alexander,  James,  339 
Argus,  Philip,  339 
Bacon,  John  S.,  Rev.,  253 
Ball,  Edward  J.,  156 
Brush,  Horton  L.,  184 
Cross,  Edward  D.,  348 
Dean,  John,  362 
Depew,  William  M.    362 
Goodrich,  FrankhnN.,  505 
Horr,  Samuel  D.,  387 

Beckwith,  James  T\,  315 
Blades,  John  W.,  Dr.  31.^ 
Campbell,  George,  344 
Chapell,  F.  S.,266 
Cole,  Jesse  F.,  345 
Cole,  Johns.,  265 
Cook.  Ezekiel,  397 
Crawford  Bros. ,  344 
Draper,  Nahum,  354 
Fults,  Henry,  171 
Fults,  SpelmanL.,  3-< 
Lloyd,  George  M.,  285 
Lyon.  Kitchen,  309 
McCaig,  Alexander,  410 


Alderman,  J.  M     183 
Ang-st,  Lorenz,  17d 
Collson.J.W    286 
Coston,  Charles,  34« 


Foster,  George,  378 

Fulkerson,  William  Morgan,  Dr.,  283 

Graves,  Hart  D.,  145 

Hayner,  Eugene,  3J2 

Hiebv,  John  C,  108 

Hopkins,  Mark  H.,  146 

Howe,  William  L.  and  George  W.,  .)01 

Miller,  Curtis,  Prof.,  412 

Perry.  William,  217 

Pipe,  James  B.,  174 

Pipe,  Samuel,  435 

Pratt  Family,  The,  223 

Putnam,  Aaron  H.,  1--^ 

Ouigley,  James,  133 

Ringrose,  Thomas,  9o 

Rosa,  Andrew  Yates   164 

Stoddard,  PhiloK.,  Dr.,473 

Trant,  Eugene  J.,  448 

Tuthill,  David,  132  _ 

Waldo,  James  A.,  9.) 


PULTENEY 


Horton,  Menzo  L.,  1<0 
Retan,  Nelson,  185 
Sanderson,  Robert,  248 
Schoeffler,  Henry,  193      _ 
Sherwood,  Henry  E-4o6 
Stewart,  Richard  F.,  109 
Stone,  James  D.,  166 
Sullivan,  John  \y  ,  4o6 
AVatkins,  James  Edward,  -.84 


RATHBONE. 


Merring,  Henry  C.,1<0 
Northrup,  Alfred,  144 
Northrvip,  James,  268 
Northrup,  Moses,  279^ 
Northrup,  Norman,  1<J 
Potter,  Walbridge,  428 
Richtmyer,  J.  H.,  258  ^ 
Saunders,  Isaac  M.,  4iji 
Selleck,  John  H.,  456 
Stewart,  Edmond,  244 
Stickney,  Wilson,  264 
Young,  N    P.,  438 
Young,  Thomas  J.,  458 


THURSTON. 


Creveling,  WiUiam  V.,  26- 
Decker,  William  H.,  353 
Dickinson,  Francis  A.,  3il 
Eddy,  J.  P.,  371 


S26 


LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY. 


Filkins,  John  A.,  376 
French,  J.  W.,  276 
Hehii,  Henry  M.,  286 
Holden,  Jacob  B..  387' 
Terry,  Emron  J.,  388 
Northrup,  Asher  S.,  181 
Peck,  Fernando,  229 
Peters,  David  S.,  428 
Phillips,  Lyman  H.,  428 
Richtmver,  Charles  E.,  234 


Atwood,  Uriel,  333 
Austin,  Erwin  H.,  3 
Bailv,  Devoe,  85 
Boult,  Charles  E.,  273 
Brooks,  Noah  M.,  226 
Carr,  George  A.,  221 
Clark,  Almon  P.,  96 
Clark,  William  B.,  324 
Clarkson,  David,  259 
Cornell,  Franklin,  325 
Cornell,  Levi  S.,  324 
Cornell,  Nathan,  325 
Cornish,  Alvah  Z.,  325 
Davis,  Richard,  356 
Edwards,  Jerome,  366 
Fisher,  Perry  W. ,  375 
Ford,  Benjamin  F.,  32 
Hall,  Roval  A.,  118 
Hill,  H.  B.,  149 
Hober,  Derias  W.,  392 
Holt,  George,  391 
Hubbard,  William  H.,  391 
Jordan,  M.  V.,  392 
Leach,  Ephraim,  85 
^  Lewis,  Truman  W.,  49 


Andrus,  Jacob  S.,  318 
Bates,  Daniel,  319 
Beers,  Christopher  S.,  319 
Beers,  George  G.,  318 
Casson,  John  C,  347 
Casson,  Mordecai,  297 
Dignen,  Patrick,  361 
Dininnv,  Daniel  E.,  361 
Hurd,  Joel,  388 
Mather,  B   S.,  216 


Ainsworth,  Henry  C,  484 
Alden,  PhiloL.,  Dr.,  312 
Argus,  Martin,  352 
Babcock,  Moses  Treat,  Dr..  306 
Babcock,  Oliver  H.,  Dr.,  353 


Rising,  Wilhs  H.,  227 
Seager.  William  S.,  457 
vShauger,  Andrew,  196 
Stamp,  B.  F.,  266 
Strong,  Munson  J.,  267 
Sutton,  Oscar  W.,  457 
Weaver,  Daniel,  245 
Wilber,  Gilford  D.,  468 
Wilber,  Murray.  256 


TROUPSBURG 


Lewis,  J.  S.,  407 
McCullough,  Ralph,  52 
Marlatt,  Charles,  104 
Metz,  William,  159 
Minard,  J.  H.,  127 
Morgan,  George  E.,  411 
Murdock,  James  B.,  55 
Olmsted,  Hiram,  148 
(Olmsted, vSamuel,  59 
Owens,  Alonzo,  418 
Paddock,  John  N.,  245 
Paul,  John,  60 
Reynolds,  Chaimcey  E. 
Rogers,  William  J.,' 496 
Sanford,  Howard,  448 
Scott,  John,  153 
Seeley,  Norris,  6S 
Simpson,  Andrew  J 
Symonds,  J.  H.,  74 
Tanner,  John  H.,  8( 
Waight,  Edward  M 
White,  Courtland,  463 
White,  Edward  M.,  463 
Wilcox,  Fred  D.,  464 
Williams,  Mercy  C,  84 


448 


464 


TUSCARORA. 


Nichols,  Samuel  K.,  209 
Oakden,  Alfred  H.,  418 
Perkins,  Samuel  O.,  257 
Smith,  C.  J.,  223 
Smith,  Oscar  1).,  458 
Smith,  Z.  C,  458 
Stid,  Calvin,  458 
Stratton,  George  B.,  366 
Thompson,  George,  313 
Van  Vliet,  Levern  H.,  257 


URBANA. 


Bailey,  Adsit,  297 
BaileV,  Charles  L.,  270 
Bauder,  De  Witt  C,  281 
Brauenhch,  Albert  E.,  303 
Brink,  Franklin  Johnson,  342 


INDEX. 


527 


Brown,  John  Randolph,  481  , 
Brundage  Family,  the,  SSO 
Casterlme,  David,  483 
Casterline,  Phineas  H.,  30:5 
Champlin,  Charles  A.,  483 
Champlin.  Harry  M.,  484 
Crance,  Jules,  371 
Gushing,  John,  484 
Damoth,  George,  29;. 
Dimon,  John,  309 
Drew,  James,  349 
Drew,  Walter  Schuyler,  2i() 
Duck,  Thomas,  Rev.,  301 
Fairchild,  Henry  C  279 
Fawcett,  Fred  C,  482 
Foster,  Edwin  M..  482 
Freidell,  Joseph  Conrad,  391 
Frey,  Henry,  483 
Frey,  John  J.,  278 
Gleason,  Ezra,  301 
Gleason,  EzraC,  481 
Ilallenbeck,  Orrin,  481 
llalsey,  Charles  R..  298 
lorton,  John  T.,  Dr.,  480 


Hubbs,  George  W  . ,  oU 
Hubbs,  J.  Seymour,  2(0 
Lay  ton,  Abram,  300 
Lavton,  John  R.,  480 
Longwell,  David,  296 
Longwell,  Randall,  371 
Masson,  Jules,  290 
Masson,  Linn  D.,  480 
Moore,  Hobart  J.,  492 
Moore,  Trevor,  492 
Myrtle,  Benjamin,  290 
N  eel,  James,  372 
Pratt,  Aaron  G.,  471 
Smith,  Joseph  Shepard^  4.9 
Talmadge,  David  H.,  334 
Taylor,  Walter.  275 
Webster,  Lester  G.,  478 
Wheeler,  Charles  Grattan.  340 
Wheeler,  Graham  H.,  272 
Wheeler,  Grattan  H.,  478 
Wixom,  Albert,  306 
Wrieht,  Benjamin. Jacob,  4(8 
Younglove,  O.  H..288 


WAYLAND. 


\brams.  Glen  D.,  330 
svery,  Chauncy.  189 
'.igel'ow.  Ell.  336 
i.iTl,  Christian  C,  172 
liill,  G.  Jacob,  211 
Bricks,  Stephen.  221 
Capron,  W.  W.,175 
Clark,  William  W.,  16 
Clay  son,  Robert  H.,  323 
Conrad,  George,  32-1 
Day,  PaulE.,  192 
Deitzel,  George  C. ,  36o 
Deitzel,  William  H.,  36.) 
Didas,  jr.,  Peter,  255 
Goodno,  Edwin,  379 
Gottschalk,  Christian  Lewis,  180 
Hoag,  Perry  C,  184 
Holden,  Joseph,  254 
HoUiday,  Frank  and  Amos  O.,  2<0 
Huber,  Aloysius  L.,  Rev.,  151 
Krause,  Frederick  William  Richard, 
Lieders,  O.  F.,  506 
Marlette,  P.  W.,  194^ 
Marvin,  Albert  C,  179 
Morley.  Addison  L^,  412 
Morsch,  John  P.,  177 
Nold,  George,  143 
Patchin,  Gordon  M.,  434 
Patchin,  Ira,  191 
Peabody,  George  M.,  ^r     433 
Peet,  Wilber  O.,  Rev.,  10« 


Piatt,  Alvah  A..  Dr..  433 
Rauber,  Jacob  N.,  168 
Rauber,  Nicholas,  426 
,     Raufenbarth,  Frank,  4-J7 
Recktenwald,  John,  2«0 
Rex,  Charles  N.,  186 
Roberts,  Joseph,  177 
Rosenkrans,  Hamilton  Stillman.  J 
Rosenkrans,  John  A.,  427 
Rowe,  Peter  J.,  427 
St.  John,  Northrup  N.,  Dr.,  1  .^ 
Schu,  Jacob  E.,  449 
Schu,  jr.,  Nicholas.  44!) 
Schutz,  William,  142 
Sch-Cvingle,  John  A.,  186 
Shafer,  Jacob,  "274 
Shaver,  Lorenzo,  504 
Shults,  Conrad  D.,  196 
Shults,  Gertrude,  169     ■ 

Skinner,  G.  M.,  Dr. ^249 
335       Souerbier,  Albert,  172 

Thompson,  Jacob  W.,  Rev.,  4o() 

Thorp,  Andrew,  450 

Walker,  Frank  E..  264 

Weinhart  Bros. ,  353 

Whiteman,  George  E..  467 

Wolf  anger,  William,  467 

Wolfe,  Anton,  175 

Yocum,  Nicholas,  176 
"  Zimmerman,  Peter  H.,  197 


528 


LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 


WAYNE. 


Beeman,  Herbert,  280 
Castner,  Charles  A.,  321 
Dean,  William  D.,  181 
Earnest,  George  D.,  356 
Ellis,  Benjamin  F.,  357 
Elyea,  John  H.,213   ^ 
Genung,  N.  E.,  379 
Hall,  John  H.,  200 
Hoover,  David  E..  262 
Horton.  John,  391 
Houck,   Alouzo,  195 
Houck,  Dillazon  S.,  390 
Jacobus,  Henry,  208  , 
Knapp,  Marsena  V. ,  400 


Lord,  J.  P.,  407 
Matoon,  James,  411 
Plaisted,  R.  Frank.  280 
Raplee,  H.,  Mrs.,  424 
Schmoker,  Adolphus,  312 
Schmoker,  Fred,  277 
Smith,  Charles  R.,  180 
Stanhope,  John  G.,  278 
Swarthout,  D.  E.,  450 
Swarthout,  Minor  E.,  19'( 
Thompson,  E.  H.,  308 
Wixson,  Solomon  R.,  288 
Wood,  IraM.,  491 
Wood,  Israel,  236 


Barney,  Alvin  C,  337 
Barney,  Will  H.,  225 
Failing,  Lucian  J.,  227 


AVEST  UNION. 


Sluvter,  Alonzo.F.  M. 
Smith,  D.  D.,  115  - 


WHEELER. 


Ackerson,  David  H.,  116 
Allen,  James,  104 
Banter,  Dewitt  Clinton,  83 
Banter,  John  M.,  287 
Beckerman,  Herman  D.,  128 
Bellinger,  George  N.,  99 
Briggs,  Joseph  L.,  338 
Bull,  George  R.,  219 
Clark,  Eugene  K.,  263 
Cook,  Adam  P.,  347 
Derick,  Dennis,  369 
Derick,  E.  K.,  370 
Dillenbeck,  S'tephen,  150 
Eckler,  John,  368 
Ellis,  Jerome  B.,  368  ■ 
Everett,  Charles  H.,  129 
Everett,  Charles  W.,  369 
Everett,  John,  369 
^Foster,  E.  L.,  Mrs.,  124 


Fox,  Oliver  R.,  117 
Gardner,  William,  131 
Gibbs,  Darwin  Z.,  380 
Hyna,  Samuel,  264 
Kilbury,  Eli  C,  131 
Lewis,  George  W.,  402 
Lewis,  Lemuel  H.,  403 
Olmstead,  James  E.,  117 
Overhiser,  Andrew  Peck,  185 
Raymond,  Joel,  188 
Renchan,  Charles  M.,  502 
Sedam,  Henry  S.,  274 
Shader,  William  Henry,  116 
Stickney,  Carl  C,  459 
Stickney,  Julius,  99 
Thompson,  Joel,  459 
Thompson,  Murray,  293 
Trenchard;  William  H.,  460 
Wheeler,  Orlando  D.,  109 


WOODHULL. 


Barrett,  Samuel  H.,  271 
Baxter,  Ameha,  261 
Bebout,  Stephen,  261 
Blain,  Samuel  W.,  224 
Brooks,  Marion  H.,  336 
Brown,  Joseph  B.,  251 
Candy,  George  A.,  324 
Carpenter,  William,  134 
Castle,  Eri,  201 
Clark,  Eleazer,  266 
Colvin,  E.  &  D,,  296 


Cook,  Angeline,  496 
Dates,  Henry,  365 
Dorrance,  Lester,  495 
Everitt,  James  S..  26 
Fenton,  Ira  S.,  373 
Foster,  Albert  B.,  281 
Gee,  Edward,  236- 
Gere,  William  N.,  379 
Grant,  George  E.,  234 
Harrington,  Earl,  389 
Harrington,  Samuel,  226 


INDEX. 


529 


Hoaglin,  Leroy,  239 
Mollis,  E.  T..  389 
Kurd,  Eugene,  388 
Husted,  Jerome  C,  267 
Judd,  Madison,  390 
Kent,  Henry  F.,  199 
Lamson,  Leonard  S. ,  92 
Launing-,  Henry  L.,  405 
Lathrop,  Mathias,  404 
Lattimer,  John  C.  193 
Lawrence,  May,  Mrs.,  295 
Leach,  L  Van  Courtland,  404 
Leach,  James  H.,  404 
Loper,  James  A,.  334 
Lunger,  A.  R.,405 
Miller,  James  U.,  411 
Miller,  William  J.,  83 


Odsou,  Lobelia,  Mrs.,  261 
Park,  JohnM.,  152 
Park,  RufusC,  03 
Potter,  Edward  J.,  435 
Prutsman,  R.  D.,  435 
Sanford,  William  R.,  195 
Smith,  Edwin  P.,  299 
Stroud,  Jacdb  P. ,  74 
Stroud.  William,  446 
Sutton,  Marvin  O.,  498 
Symonds,  RadcHff  P.,  446 
Tallmadge,  Andrew  M..  Dr. 
Williams,  Miles,  237 
Wilson,  M.  P.,  462 
Wood,  Lazon  S.,  462 
Yoimg,  Robard  W.,  283 


PORTRAITS. 


Adams,  William  W.,  facing  267,  Part  I 
Baldwin,  Henry,  facing  306,  Part  I 
Beecher,  Fary  B.,  facing  17,  Part  H 
Bradley,  George  B.,  facing  216,  Part  I 
Colgan,    Peter,   Very   Rev.,   facing  278, 

Part  I 
Conderman,  John  D.,  facing  24,  Part  I 
Cowan,  Nelson,  facing  40,  Part  I 
Davis,  John  W. ,  facing  327,  Part  I 
Davison,  Lorenzo,  facing  78,  Part  H 
Day,  Franklin  E.,  facing  81,  Part  II 
Denison,  Charles  G.,  facing  56,  Part  I 
Drake,  Franklin  N.,  fa9ing  72,  Part  I 
Faulkner,  WiUiam,  facing  66,  Part  II 
Fulkerson,  William  M.,  Dr.,   facing  143, 

Parti 
Fuller,  D wight  A.,  facing  88,  Part  I 
Gardner,  Furman,  facing  10,  Part  II 
Gibson,  George,  facing  322,  Par^^ 
Gorton,  William  E.,  facmg  58,  part  II 
Hakes,  Harlo,  facing  8,  Part  I 
Hargrave,  James  B.,  facing  69,  Part  II 
Hatch,  Hiram  W.,  facing  26,  Part  II 
Hawkes,  Thomas  G.,  facing  48,  Part  II 
Hayt,  Stephen  T.,  facing  273,  Part  I 
Heermans,  Harry  C,  facing  270,  Part  I 
Hoare,  John,  facing  52,  Part  II 


Hollands,  George,  facing  8,  Part  II 
Houghton,  Amory,  facing  104,  Part  I 
Houghton,  jr.,  Amory,  facing  64,  Part  II 
Houghton,  Charles  F.,  facing  65,  Part  II 
Hulbert,  Lerenzo,  facing  28,  Part  H 
Jamison,  John,S.,  Dr.,  facing  237,  Part  I 
I^eeler,  John  H.,  facing  120,  Part  I 
Kelly,  John  G.,  Dr.,  facing  242,  Part  I 
Kimmel,  Martin,  facing  350,  Part  I 
Lamson,  Leonard  S.,  facing  352,  Part  I 
Larrowe,  Albertus,  facing  319,  Part  I 
Lewis,  Jacob  H.,  facing  19,  Part  II 
McCall,  Anson  J.,  facmg  221,  Part  I 
McNett,  George  C- ,  Dr. ,  facing  240  Part  I 
Maltby,  Jerome  B.,  facing  75,  Part  II 
Marshal,  Franklin  J.,  facing  5,  Part  II 
Marshal,  Otto  F.,  facing  136,  Part  I 
Moore,  Walter  L. ,  facing  152,  Part  I 
Murdock,  James  B.,  facing  346,  Part  I 
Parkhill,  Clair  S.,  Dr.,  facing  238,  Part  I 
Ferine,  Henry  W.,  facing  256,  Part  I 
Pinney,  Martin,  facing  168,  Part  I 
Pratt,  George  W.,  facing  232,  Part  I 
Pritchard,  Hiram,  facing  184,  Part  1 
Renchan,  George,  facing  45,  Part  II 
Rogers,  William  F.,  facing  253,  Part.I 
Shepard,  Lyman,  facing  32,  Part  II 


530 


LANDMARKS  OF  STEUBEN  COUNTY 


Stephens,  Alanson,  facing  13,  Part  II 
Stevens,  James  H.,  facing  224,  Part  I 
Thorp,  Calvin  E.,  facing  25,  Part  II 
Tuttle.  Russell  M.,  facing  234,  Part  I. 
Waite,  David  S.,  facing  29,  Part  II 
Walker,  J.  E.,  Dr.,  facing  297,  Part  I 
Wellington,  Quincy  W.,  facing  275,  Part  I 


Wheeler,     sr. ,     Grattan    H.,    facing    41, 

Part  II 
Wheeler,  Grattan  H.,  facing  42   Part  II 
Willets,  Edward  F..  facing  285,  Part  I 
Wood,  Allen,  facing  61,  Part  II 
Young,  Daniel  F.,  facing  73,  Part  H 


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